Chapter Two - Chocobo's and Alcohol.
It was Squall's idea to keep Chocobo's at the Garden. From all the travelling we did - they have proved to be invaluable for moving across the world without encountering any monsters. Very handy for going out and about, though they shouldn't be ridden if the rider is intoxicated.
"Hey, you're finally ready," Irvine, Selphie and Zell were patiently waiting near the Entrance. "Come on, I want to go for a drink before it gets dark," added Zell.
We walked happily to the Chocobo ranch, chatting about everything except work. I could see Hopper in his stall, pecking at the ground. Poor guy, he hadn't been out in a while, so I would certainly make it up to him today. As soon as we were all mounted and had the relevant gear to secure them safely just outside of Balamb, we headed off.
It felt good to have the wind blowing in my hair as we raced across the grass. Soon we saw Balamb City looming in the distance, the lights grew brighter and the number of cars increased. We found a quiet spot as planned just outside of the city, and soon all five birds were happily munching greens and basking in the sun.
"Right - shopping," I whispered to Selphie. Let the men do what they liked - we had to spend!
"Of course, there's a cute little handbag I've been dying to get my hands on and the store here now sells them - I'm going to be the queen of fashion," She laughed, turning with a flick of her hair.
"I'm going for a peaceful walk on the harbour - I might even go and visit your mother Zell," I said. Mrs Dincht had lived in Balamb all her life. Zell was adoptee, but since hearing and following our tale she had adopted us all in her heart - it was like visiting a long lost aunt.
"We could all go together," he replied. "Come on guys - we'll meet you girls at my house in an hour or so,"
"Okay," I replied, kissing Squall goodbye as Selphie did the same to Irvine. Poor Zell - although not having a regular girlfriend didn't seem to bother him that much.
Did I have fun that afternoon? Yes!!! Balamb had really come on in the past few months, new stores were popping up everywhere and with the new night scene in the city.. Well, it was starting to look a lot more like my hometown of Deling! I managed to pick up a new pink dress - a different colour for me I know but Selphie said I looked really cute in it. Hmm.. What else? Oh yeah! I bought myself a book about Feng Shui - maybe if I read this I'll be able to get rid off all the stress of studying again!
We walked round the harbour sipping cartons of fruit juice. The sun beating down on us was hot in a nice way, and I spent ten minutes simply staring out to sea, thinking about how much my life had taken a turn. When she wasn't looking, I turned away from Selphie and reached for another cigarette. Damn Squall - he's the one who got me smoking in the first place - and we're not just talking about tobacco.
"Rinoa Heartilly!" Selphie squealed making me jump. Her and Zell were typical - the only none smokers. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop?"
"A lot more than you have Selph," I replied with a grin on my face. "Come on, chill out. You don't yell at Irvine anymore,"
"I don't talk to him when he does," she replied stiffly. "I know you've been told this a thousand times, but if you want cancer… go ahead,"
"Fine," I said, not in the mood to argue. But I wasn't going to put my cigarette out over her, as bitchy as it sounds.
We met up with the boys on main street, on the way to Zell's mother's house.
"Get me anything?" asked a hopeful Irvine.
"Sorry baby, none of the dresses were in your size," smiled Selphie cheekily. "Although I got some nice things, and so did Rinoa,"
"Anything I'd like?" asked Squall in a knowing way.
"I thought you stopped wearing my clothes," I replied playfully punching him in the chest.
"If only you knew," he grinned, grabbing my hand before I could do any further damage.
Mrs Dincht was as welcoming as always, wanting to hear everything we'd been up to. She cooked us a gorgeous meal of Balamb fish, and fussed over Zell every second she could.
"Really son, I hope you're eating properly and getting enough exercise. You know, it's not healthy for a young man of your age to eat nothing but hot dogs you know, and when are you going to find a nice girl to bring home to me?" she fussed. Zell rolled his eyes.
"In order you asked them, yes, being a SeeD gives me enough exercise in a day to last a lifetime, there's nothing wrong with hot dogs and I am so spoiled for choice at the moment it might take me a while to find a suitable girl…" he replied.
"You're as bad as I am," chuckled Irvine, to receive a poke in the ribs from Selphie." I mean WAS, dammit! Ow," he whimpered.
"So what are your plans for the evening?" Mrs Dincht asked.
"Well, we were thinking of going for a drink," Zell replied.
"Lovely! Mind you don't get too drunk, did you drive over here?"
"Nope, we came on Chocobo's," grinned Selphie, as if it was the biggest achievement in the world.
"Gracious, I haven't ridden one of those in a year or two!" the older woman laughed. "Anyway, you kids be careful. There's a lot of accidents associated with drinking, you know,"
"We know Mum," replied Zell, kissing her on the cheek. "Anyway, we're off now but thanks again for dinner. I promise I'll come again soon,"
"You better!" she warned, before kissing us all goodbye.
"Your mum's so nice," I said outside to Zell, on our walk to "Balamb Public House".
"Yup - and cooks a mean dinner," smiled Squall, who was being rather quiet even for him.
"Tell me about it - you should learn to cook like that Selph," added Irvine.
"I can cook," she replied.
"Yeah - but you seem to be limited at fairy cakes and Sundaes - not that there's anything wrong with those," grinned Zell. Selphie stuck her tongue out at him and began to talk in hushed words with Irvine.
The BP was quiet as usual - not many people in town had really taken to this new life of partying and drinking. We manage to get a booth in the corner, more Squall's decision really. He says he likes to see all around him when in a public room.
"So… who's round is it?" asked Zell. "And before you say anything - you can count Squall and I out. We bought the last ones. Take your pick - Irvine or the ladies.
"We'll get them," said Selphie. Her and Irvine walked to the bar, followed by Zell. It was the first time Squall and I had been alone all day.
"So you're not working too hard then," he said, looking at me with his concerned brown eyes.
"No harder than you ever did darling," I replied.
"Good, so you won't be too tired later," he murmured, kissing my neck in an irresistible way.
"Depends what you have in mind," I whispered back, gently nibbling his ear, knowing full well it would drive him wild.
"Stop that or I'm going to have to bend you over this table," he hissed.
"Is that a promise?" I challenged, loving this game.
"We'll see," he smirked, lighting a cigarette before offering me one. "Hey, changing the subject.. Have you head Irvine's latest master plan?"
"What?"
"He's decided to become green fingered after all," Squall laughed. I giggled a little at the prospect.
"What, so he can honestly say he spends his time all over hoes?" I mused
"No - it's a little more private than that.. If you get what I mean. And another thing - you can't tell Selphie understand?" I understood perfectly what he meant, and as long as I got something in return for my secrecy my lips were sealed.
Moments later, the others arrived with the drinks. Selphie and I had a blackcurrant flavoured beer - not unlike the ones I used to drink in the hotel back in Deling. The men, being men, liked their bitter, although Irvine seemed extremely contented with a double shot of whisky.
After a couple of hours, and no less than four rounds later, we were all feeling a little tipsy and decided it would be a good idea to head back to the garden. We wobbled through the empty streets, giggling to ourselves about how drunk we were and how we were hoping none of the staff or garden masters would see us when we returned.
As soon as we reached the outskirts, we could see Hopper, Aura, Bubbles, Uzi and Delilah snoozing in the evening shade.
"Come on guysh," slurred Selphie. "Time to go hoooo- oommmmme," we all giggled at her drunkenness… trying very hard to get our own Chocobo woken up and ready to go back.
What should have been a half hour ride took about an hour - and that's to say nothing about Irvine falling off every ten minutes and then laying in a giggling heap at Uzi's feet.
When we got back, the ranch was deserted. We quietly, or as quietly as we could, put our Chocobo's away and went back into garden. Where luckily it was Xu on the night watch.
"Where have you been?" she hissed. "People have been looking for you since lights out, and Quistis is concerned. And what? you're all drunk! I won't say anything obviously, but please try and remember to set an example for the younger students!" it was only cos she had a thing for Zell, and Squall was with us, we got away with this. We all kind of hung our heads and said sorry, which she smiled and accepted.
"Right guys, we're off so see you bright and early for breakfast," whispered Irvine, staggering off with Selphie to the SeeD dorms.
"Wait up," whispered Zell. "Night guys, see you tomorrow," and then there were two.
"Hey sexy," Squall whispered into my hair, that drunken lilt in his voice only just present.
"What do you say to sending the night in the captain's room tonight?"
"Certainly," I replied, pulling him into a kiss. Before we were finished, we were interrupted by Xu again.
"Come on you guys, this is a corridor not a bedroom. Get out of here!"
"Sorry Xu!" we laughed, jogging off to Squall's room. It was on the third floor, close to the control tower. No one else slept up here apart from the other staff, so it was very peaceful.
Squall unlocked his room and no sooner than it was locked from the inside, I was all over him like a rash, and I didn't let him go until our clothes were a jumbled pile at the foot of the bed. We made love that night like we hadn't done for a long time - both of us being under stress really. But it was wonderful.. And afterwards we lay in each other's arms with no sound apart from our heartbeats to listen to. After a while I was first to speak.
"Babe?"
"Mmm, yeah?" he replied, kissing me again.
"You got any.. You know… stuff left in your stash?" Squall laughed. Okay, I could never bring myself to say the word Cannabis, even in front of him, but he knew what I meant.
"Sure sweetie, want me to skin up?" I nodded sheepishly, and soon we were puffing away out of his open window. Life was good.
