Disclaimer: No, as much as I wish I owned them, Squaresoft owns Final
Fantasy 8 and all of its characters. I just want to say; Squaresoft, watch
your back.
Making It on My Own
Chapter Four- Christmas
(Seifer's POV)
In the blink of an eye the time had passed and I found Christmas upon me. I walked down the busy sidewalk, people bumping and bustling by, I muttered apologies every once in a while. My mind was else where and I knew it, all I could think about was what I was going to do about Quistis for Christmas. In the past few months things between us blossomed, the memories made me smile discreetly to myself. I passed shop after shop, hoping and praying for inspiration. Instead, I found a distraction.
Standing outside of the photographers was my own blond nymph. She was bundled up in her long black coat, fleece purple gloves covered her delicate fingers, and her striped scarf was wound tightly around her neck and chin. Her face was close enough to the glass that her nose almost touched and her palm rested against the pane, melting the frost. I was close enough now that I could see the wonder in her eyes and the wistful expression gracing her features. Standing far enough off that she wouldn't notice it was I; I too glanced into the window.
Inside was a bridal procession getting their pictures taken. At the moment the bride and groom stood in front of the pale blue backdrop while the bridesmaids huddled in a group, swooning and the groomsmen laughed and patted each other on the back. The only ones that didn't seem to have an idea of exactly what was going on were the flower girl and ring bearer. The sheer joy the resonated from the shop was palpable. When I turned to Quistis again, her gaze held fast at one thing in the room. Following her gaze to the bride and groom and the expressions and tender words exchanged between the both. I suddenly had an idea on what to get my Quisty for Christmas.
(Quistis's POV)
I'd just left my good friend Caroline and her husband, Jason to do a little bit of shopping, though not intentionally. Caro and I met through work; she worked with the age group about my own. Caro and Jason were companions to Seifer and I; we did a multitude of things together. While slipping past all the other shoppers I reflected back to what Caro had said to me.
"So, what are you getting Seifer for Christmas?"
I paused. It dawned on me, I had no idea. "I'm not sure Caro. I haven't given it much thought."
"Not much thought? Quis, there are three shopping days until Christmas, you have to know."
I shrugged and opted to change the subject. "What's Jason getting you for your first Christmas together?"
She laughed and I smiled in spite of myself. "It's not out first Christmas together you know, just the first since we married."
I nodded and nudged her to continue. "Well, he told me that he's going to cook me a fabulous Christmas dinner after I'd relaxed all day and presents had been exchanged, then we'd go out somewhere top secret and watch the stars."
Before I could stop myself, I felt my jaw drop in surprise. "How romantic Caro."
"What's Seifer doing for you?"
I shrugged again. "I don't know. I think the holidays snuck up on us both. It's either that or he's not telling."
She winked at me in her know it all way. "I'd bet on the later." A quick glance to her watch and she gasped. "I'm so sorry Quis, I have to meet Jason over on the other side of the square in two minutes. I'll see you soon though."
We hugged briefly and she took off running, or at least as fast as she could go without slipping on the ice and snow.
And so that's how I ended up wandering one of the busiest streets in Deling, wondering what I wanted to get Seifer and, quite honestly, what I wanted him to do for me. A small shop caught my attention and before I knew it I was pressed against the glass, watching with rapt attention. The wedding party inside was a lovely bunch, white lace and blue silk was everywhere. But that wasn't why I was staring; the bride and groom were getting their pictures taken and all I could see on their faces was Seifer and myself.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw someone else watching the photographer click away with his camera. But still, in my mind's eye it wasn't this young couple, it was Seifer and I. A few moments later, I other backed away from the window and set off down the sidewalk then. It was only then that I noticed that the person that had been standing there was my sweetheart himself. I almost felt crushed that he hadn't said 'hello', but I filed it away as he just hadn't noticed it was me, I mean, I did have my scarf halfway up around my face. Not wanting to become a popsicle, I decided that Seifer needn't be bothered and I needed a cup of hot cocoa.
(Seifer's POV)
A little bell jingled merrily as I entered a blissfully warm store. All of the glittering jewels twinkled up at me menacingly. And I was intimidated. But it was the only thing left of my gift for Quistis. I'd talked to Jason on my cell on my way over and he said that he could arrange a meeting for me sometime on Christmas day. I hoped Quistis wouldn't mind.
A short, round old man came from the back of the shop, reminding me faintly of a certain old headmaster of mine. I shook my head and headed of the counter, glancing every so often at a piece here or there. He smiled warmly up at me, his eyes crinkling slightly and his cheeks glowing. I smiled back, who after all could resist smiling at someone that just seemed to scream kindness in every single way? Once I'd approached the counter, his grin widened at he spoke to me in a voice that brought forth an image of St. Nicholas in my head.
"How can I help you today, my son?"
I felt my face go goofy despite my every effort to stop it. "I want to buy an engagement ring."
To Be Continued . . .
I am sooo very sorry about waiting so long to get this out. I have been so busy, with schoolwork, holiday visitors, Christmas shopping, and my preparation to leave for the Christmas holidays. I promise that I'll work on the next chapters at my cousin's house and I may have the next two up before the holidays.
Jessica
Making It on My Own
Chapter Four- Christmas
(Seifer's POV)
In the blink of an eye the time had passed and I found Christmas upon me. I walked down the busy sidewalk, people bumping and bustling by, I muttered apologies every once in a while. My mind was else where and I knew it, all I could think about was what I was going to do about Quistis for Christmas. In the past few months things between us blossomed, the memories made me smile discreetly to myself. I passed shop after shop, hoping and praying for inspiration. Instead, I found a distraction.
Standing outside of the photographers was my own blond nymph. She was bundled up in her long black coat, fleece purple gloves covered her delicate fingers, and her striped scarf was wound tightly around her neck and chin. Her face was close enough to the glass that her nose almost touched and her palm rested against the pane, melting the frost. I was close enough now that I could see the wonder in her eyes and the wistful expression gracing her features. Standing far enough off that she wouldn't notice it was I; I too glanced into the window.
Inside was a bridal procession getting their pictures taken. At the moment the bride and groom stood in front of the pale blue backdrop while the bridesmaids huddled in a group, swooning and the groomsmen laughed and patted each other on the back. The only ones that didn't seem to have an idea of exactly what was going on were the flower girl and ring bearer. The sheer joy the resonated from the shop was palpable. When I turned to Quistis again, her gaze held fast at one thing in the room. Following her gaze to the bride and groom and the expressions and tender words exchanged between the both. I suddenly had an idea on what to get my Quisty for Christmas.
(Quistis's POV)
I'd just left my good friend Caroline and her husband, Jason to do a little bit of shopping, though not intentionally. Caro and I met through work; she worked with the age group about my own. Caro and Jason were companions to Seifer and I; we did a multitude of things together. While slipping past all the other shoppers I reflected back to what Caro had said to me.
"So, what are you getting Seifer for Christmas?"
I paused. It dawned on me, I had no idea. "I'm not sure Caro. I haven't given it much thought."
"Not much thought? Quis, there are three shopping days until Christmas, you have to know."
I shrugged and opted to change the subject. "What's Jason getting you for your first Christmas together?"
She laughed and I smiled in spite of myself. "It's not out first Christmas together you know, just the first since we married."
I nodded and nudged her to continue. "Well, he told me that he's going to cook me a fabulous Christmas dinner after I'd relaxed all day and presents had been exchanged, then we'd go out somewhere top secret and watch the stars."
Before I could stop myself, I felt my jaw drop in surprise. "How romantic Caro."
"What's Seifer doing for you?"
I shrugged again. "I don't know. I think the holidays snuck up on us both. It's either that or he's not telling."
She winked at me in her know it all way. "I'd bet on the later." A quick glance to her watch and she gasped. "I'm so sorry Quis, I have to meet Jason over on the other side of the square in two minutes. I'll see you soon though."
We hugged briefly and she took off running, or at least as fast as she could go without slipping on the ice and snow.
And so that's how I ended up wandering one of the busiest streets in Deling, wondering what I wanted to get Seifer and, quite honestly, what I wanted him to do for me. A small shop caught my attention and before I knew it I was pressed against the glass, watching with rapt attention. The wedding party inside was a lovely bunch, white lace and blue silk was everywhere. But that wasn't why I was staring; the bride and groom were getting their pictures taken and all I could see on their faces was Seifer and myself.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw someone else watching the photographer click away with his camera. But still, in my mind's eye it wasn't this young couple, it was Seifer and I. A few moments later, I other backed away from the window and set off down the sidewalk then. It was only then that I noticed that the person that had been standing there was my sweetheart himself. I almost felt crushed that he hadn't said 'hello', but I filed it away as he just hadn't noticed it was me, I mean, I did have my scarf halfway up around my face. Not wanting to become a popsicle, I decided that Seifer needn't be bothered and I needed a cup of hot cocoa.
(Seifer's POV)
A little bell jingled merrily as I entered a blissfully warm store. All of the glittering jewels twinkled up at me menacingly. And I was intimidated. But it was the only thing left of my gift for Quistis. I'd talked to Jason on my cell on my way over and he said that he could arrange a meeting for me sometime on Christmas day. I hoped Quistis wouldn't mind.
A short, round old man came from the back of the shop, reminding me faintly of a certain old headmaster of mine. I shook my head and headed of the counter, glancing every so often at a piece here or there. He smiled warmly up at me, his eyes crinkling slightly and his cheeks glowing. I smiled back, who after all could resist smiling at someone that just seemed to scream kindness in every single way? Once I'd approached the counter, his grin widened at he spoke to me in a voice that brought forth an image of St. Nicholas in my head.
"How can I help you today, my son?"
I felt my face go goofy despite my every effort to stop it. "I want to buy an engagement ring."
To Be Continued . . .
I am sooo very sorry about waiting so long to get this out. I have been so busy, with schoolwork, holiday visitors, Christmas shopping, and my preparation to leave for the Christmas holidays. I promise that I'll work on the next chapters at my cousin's house and I may have the next two up before the holidays.
Jessica
