Final Fantasy VIII: Heavenly Scent
C h a p t e r O n e : D e p a r t u r e
Since air transportation wasn't widely used in the world, Tsushima's main means would have
to be train. He stepped out of Dr. Odine's Laboratory, and into the drenched streets of Esthar. It
used to look beautiful when the city was assaulted by rain, but now... ever since he had
experienced life in the "underground", it wasn't too appealing anymore.
Clothed in what could best be described as an ornate hybrid of a kimono and a trench coat. It
consisted of mainly black and blue. His eyes were still a faded blue. Those eyes surveyed the
city scape, deciding on his first detour before departing. The robed man broke into a quick stride,
heading for the Esthar Mall Complex. As he closed in, the crowds became thicker and thicker.
Thunder rumbled above, and faint flashes of lightning accompanied them. Couples walked on
the rain slick walkways arming themselves with umbrellas. Tsushima had no such luxury, and
let the rain moisten his sleeves. Once inside the mall complex, he searched for a directory; it had
been a while since he had last visited.
Once he had found and gotten to his destination: Triple Star Weapons and Items. He
approached a salesclerk. "May I help you sir?" the clerk asked politely.
"Is Kenj there?" Tsushima asked in a cool voice.
"Actually yes, he's in the back."
"Tell him Masaki is here."
The clerk nodded and headed for the back. Only moments later, "Kenj" appeared. Once he
spotted Tsushima, he put on a broad smile. "Masaki! It's great to see you again." he greeted,
taking Tsushima's hand to shake it. "Almost a year since-"
"Perhaps another time Kenj, not many good memories spur from that." interrupted Tsushima.
Kenj paused, "I know what you mean... It makes me angry sometimes, but you don't want to
reminisce today, so what do you need?" he sympathized.
They then got down to business. "I'd like some weapons. Blades, Celestial Blades."
Kenj was taken aback somewhat. "Celestial Blades??" he whispered, "Do you know how
rare they are?"
Tsushima nodded "I'd like four: You know the ones."
Kenj nodded his head in understanding. "You must be off on a journey..."
"You could say that."
"Alright, I'll give you a 25% discount on them."
"You don't-"
"We're buddies remember, even though in the end we all got screwed. 25%."
"You're too kind." Tsushima chuckled; the first sign of emotion he had shown ever since he
was pulled out of the slums.
"Well, I suppose I shouldn't keep you. I'll get what you need. Good luck, call me anytime."
Kenj said, returning to the back room to ready the weapons.
Tsushima Masaki just waited there, among the dozens of other people purchasing. A smile
crept onto his face. He was glad that he still had a friend in this world.
Balamb Garden (off of the Balamb Coast)
Headmaster Cid Kramer was flipping through pages of reports. "Not much was happening"
basically summed them all up. Balamb Garden had just received a call from Esthar Garden,
saying that their new instructor was on his way. 'I hope no problems come out of this.' he
thought, raking a hand through his greying hair.
Cafeteria
Rinoa was sitting at a table, anxious to see Squall. He was late, again. "Why do I put up
with this?" she asked herself out loud. The answer was obvious of course, and she knew it. The
cafeteria was buzzing with activity. New students were applying in a frenzy. Rinoa wondered
about the boost in enrollment. There was talk of resettling Balamb Garden where it once used to
be, and expanding it. She wished she could visit Deling City once in a while. She missed the
urban streets, after all, she was a city girl.
Someone sat down at her table, breaking her out of her thoughts. "Sorry I'm late..." Squall
apologized.
Rinoa wasn't amused, "Why are you always so late whenever we have an engagement?"
Squall sighed, "Rinoa, you know I'm very busy. I never asked to be the commander, but it's
something I have to do."
Rinoa resigned; he was right. He was right about many things, but Rinoa couldn't help it.
"Look let's just eat, and then we'll meet in the secret area for dinner, k?" Squall suggested.
Rinoa thought about it for a while "You won't be late this time?"
Squall smiled "I'll do my best miss!" he mock saluted.
Rinoa burst out into laughter. "You got it then."
C h a p t e r O n e : D e p a r t u r e
Since air transportation wasn't widely used in the world, Tsushima's main means would have
to be train. He stepped out of Dr. Odine's Laboratory, and into the drenched streets of Esthar. It
used to look beautiful when the city was assaulted by rain, but now... ever since he had
experienced life in the "underground", it wasn't too appealing anymore.
Clothed in what could best be described as an ornate hybrid of a kimono and a trench coat. It
consisted of mainly black and blue. His eyes were still a faded blue. Those eyes surveyed the
city scape, deciding on his first detour before departing. The robed man broke into a quick stride,
heading for the Esthar Mall Complex. As he closed in, the crowds became thicker and thicker.
Thunder rumbled above, and faint flashes of lightning accompanied them. Couples walked on
the rain slick walkways arming themselves with umbrellas. Tsushima had no such luxury, and
let the rain moisten his sleeves. Once inside the mall complex, he searched for a directory; it had
been a while since he had last visited.
Once he had found and gotten to his destination: Triple Star Weapons and Items. He
approached a salesclerk. "May I help you sir?" the clerk asked politely.
"Is Kenj there?" Tsushima asked in a cool voice.
"Actually yes, he's in the back."
"Tell him Masaki is here."
The clerk nodded and headed for the back. Only moments later, "Kenj" appeared. Once he
spotted Tsushima, he put on a broad smile. "Masaki! It's great to see you again." he greeted,
taking Tsushima's hand to shake it. "Almost a year since-"
"Perhaps another time Kenj, not many good memories spur from that." interrupted Tsushima.
Kenj paused, "I know what you mean... It makes me angry sometimes, but you don't want to
reminisce today, so what do you need?" he sympathized.
They then got down to business. "I'd like some weapons. Blades, Celestial Blades."
Kenj was taken aback somewhat. "Celestial Blades??" he whispered, "Do you know how
rare they are?"
Tsushima nodded "I'd like four: You know the ones."
Kenj nodded his head in understanding. "You must be off on a journey..."
"You could say that."
"Alright, I'll give you a 25% discount on them."
"You don't-"
"We're buddies remember, even though in the end we all got screwed. 25%."
"You're too kind." Tsushima chuckled; the first sign of emotion he had shown ever since he
was pulled out of the slums.
"Well, I suppose I shouldn't keep you. I'll get what you need. Good luck, call me anytime."
Kenj said, returning to the back room to ready the weapons.
Tsushima Masaki just waited there, among the dozens of other people purchasing. A smile
crept onto his face. He was glad that he still had a friend in this world.
Balamb Garden (off of the Balamb Coast)
Headmaster Cid Kramer was flipping through pages of reports. "Not much was happening"
basically summed them all up. Balamb Garden had just received a call from Esthar Garden,
saying that their new instructor was on his way. 'I hope no problems come out of this.' he
thought, raking a hand through his greying hair.
Cafeteria
Rinoa was sitting at a table, anxious to see Squall. He was late, again. "Why do I put up
with this?" she asked herself out loud. The answer was obvious of course, and she knew it. The
cafeteria was buzzing with activity. New students were applying in a frenzy. Rinoa wondered
about the boost in enrollment. There was talk of resettling Balamb Garden where it once used to
be, and expanding it. She wished she could visit Deling City once in a while. She missed the
urban streets, after all, she was a city girl.
Someone sat down at her table, breaking her out of her thoughts. "Sorry I'm late..." Squall
apologized.
Rinoa wasn't amused, "Why are you always so late whenever we have an engagement?"
Squall sighed, "Rinoa, you know I'm very busy. I never asked to be the commander, but it's
something I have to do."
Rinoa resigned; he was right. He was right about many things, but Rinoa couldn't help it.
"Look let's just eat, and then we'll meet in the secret area for dinner, k?" Squall suggested.
Rinoa thought about it for a while "You won't be late this time?"
Squall smiled "I'll do my best miss!" he mock saluted.
Rinoa burst out into laughter. "You got it then."