Disclaimer: I don't own final fantasy 8. Or any of its characters. Or places. Or…
~*Chapter 15*~
A bold knock at his door startled the weary headmaster from the onerous task of deciding who was to be put forward for next weeks SeeD exam. He looked up gratefully and cleared his throat.
"Enter." He looked back to the pile of paperwork scattered on his desk before emitting a low sigh, bringing his eyes back up to meet the face of his Commander.
"Squall! How have you been my boy? Well rested, I hope?" Cid's kindly face beamed at Squall and he froze.
"Uh, yeah. Headmaster, sir, I…" Squall stuttered, he was still not quite used to talking to people outside of his group. Cid gave an understanding smile, gesturing for him to go on. He coughed to steady his nerves and carried on. It was going to be…difficult. And embarrassing.
"Sir, I was wondering if I might have another room." He blurted it out, smiling smugly on the inside, his cool exterior never faltering; See? Easy. And here I was getting all worked up and…
"Is the single room no good? I thought you would have liked a bit of privacy now you're a SeeD. Never mind though, there is a vacancy with a junior class man just came up. Is that any good?" Cid was scrambling through his papers trying to find a picture of the student to show Squall. He felt the blush rise from his neck and he pulled at his collar, desperate to get some air on his flushed skin.
"Sir, that wasn't quite what I meant."
Cid raised an eyebrow, "Go on, I'm not quite sure if I follow."
"I, I mean, we, that is Rinoa and I, we, uh would like to have a room. A room thing. Together. Me and Rinoa. (Could I be any less articulate? Thanks a bunch, Laguna, it's obviously you I get this from.)" On cue, Squall felt a twinge in his leg and he groaned, hand flying to forehead.
Cid rose from the desk and stalked over to Squall. He took the young man by the shoulders and sat him down firmly on a chair while he himself perched perilously on the edge of the desk. He exhaled loudly and smiled at the nervous young man before him, trying to put him at ease.
"Well. Can't say I didn't expect this. First Irvine and Selphie, now the two of you! Did you know about them?" He glanced over to Squall who merely nodded.
"That was on the cards too I suppose. Edea was always saying how inseparable they were at the orphanage. I'm to give Selphie away. What an honour! Can't see the need for the rush myself, but they insisted." Cid noticed Squall looking at him quizzically and he stopped to allow the question.
"What rush Sir?"
"It's Cid, Squall. Four days from now the Garden is going to see its first marriage. Wonderful, isn't it? A new chapter in Garden's history. Anyway, they want the rights to be performed before you all invigilate the SeeD exam next week. A bit rushed, but never mind. Irvine's taking us tomorrow to get the tux's."
"Cid? We're a bit off the subject." Squall interrupted him. Once Cid was started on something, he would keep going until he was interrupted or he fell asleep. Whatever happened first.
"Ah yes! You and Rinoa. Lovely girl, always liked her. Edea has offered to help her with her sorceress training by the way." Squall shot him a warning look that was intercepted and interpreted swiftly,
"A room! Yes. Well Squall, you know I can't hand out the married couple's dorm rooms at random. I need to know you're committed. I can't have people coming to me one week for a room and handing me back the keys the next day because things have went sour. Are you committed?" A serious tone invaded his voice and the smile was replaced by a blank demeanour.
"Totally. I want to ask her to marry me. Soon. Not right now, but very soon. I just don't know how to do it."
Cid slapped him heartily on the back, the smile returning to its place on his lips as he bellowed for his wife. "Edea! You'll never guess what!"
The former sorceress entered the room gracefully and smiled warmly at Squall. "You called, my love?" Her eye's rested lovingly on Cid's face and he hugged her fiercely.
"They're dropping like flies today Edea! Here's the third of our children to announce his intentions to wed!"
Edea's eye's lit up with barely contained joy, "Is this true Squall? You are to wed Rinoa?" He nodded and smiled shyly.
"I am so happy for you. You are well suited; you balance each other out perfectly. You keep her on the ground and she brings you out of that shell you built for yourself. Indeed, this is a happy day Cid, and one to remember. When is this joyous occasion, my child?"
"I haven't asked her yet. It needs to be perfect." She nodded, comprehension in her eyes.
"Of course. Have you told your father?"
Squall flinched and drew back slightly, Cid laughing at his side. "Of course he has, I told you didn't I?"
Edea ran a hand lovingly down his arm and smiled at him, "Not you, darling. His blood father."
Cid quietened and looked expectantly at the two before him. "Who is?"
"Laguna Loire. The President of Esthar." Squall cringed as he said it, instinctively closing his eyes.
Cid nodded slowly, digesting this new information, "Who'd have thought, eh? Suppose there is a resemblance in the face, but that's about it. You knew Edea?"
She laughed, a tinkling sound that was pleasing to the ears of those lucky enough to hear it. "Of course. I know everything!" She teased her husband gently, ruffling his hair.
She walked over to Squall and kissed his cheek, her lips cool on his burning flesh. "I wish you every happiness. Call your father, he has something for you." She whispered in his ear, making the small hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.
Squall grinned and it melted her heart. Never had she seen the boy she regarded as one of her own so happy. He was startled by the bunch of keys that came flying towards him, but managed to catch them in one hand.
Cid laughed, "Still got it I see? That's why you're a SeeD, the best of the best. Now hurry on, you can have that room ready for Rinoa by the time she gets back if you make a start on it now."
Squall stared at the keys for a moment, trying to convey his thanks and failing. Words alone could not express his gratitude. Cid was turning back to his paper work when a strong pair of arms hugged him briefly before leaving with the rest of the body at speed. He chuckled to himself and settled back down, sipping lukewarm tea as he reviewed the entries. "Kids!" He shook his head and got down to business, a small smile still playing about his lips.
~*~*~
A group of unhappy faces glared at Irvine and he held up his hands in surrender.
"Hey, hey! Guys, I can't help it if they itch. Mine itches too!" He said defensively. Cramped into the wedding outfitters in Dollet sat Squall, Zell, Irvine, Seifer, Nida, Raijin, Cid, Laguna, Kiros and Ward. Not one had smiled since they had entered the stuffy shop.
The ancient assistant came over to Irvine and enquired for the sixth time that morning, "And who's the lucky man?"
Irvine sighed and pasted on his award-winning smile. "I am." He grinned through gritted teeth at the stooped old man.
"And how does Sir find this range?" The man fussed around fixing handkerchiefs in pockets and carnations in buttonholes.
"No good. It's too itchy. Have you got something that's less…itchy?" Irvine enquired feebly.
"Well, our best range is made of the highest quality silk from specially imported Caterchipillars, so that shouldn't be…"
"What are ya waiting for? Let us try it on!" Zell bellowed, anxious to get out of the sweaty fabric. Cid shot him a warning look and he called to the assistant, "Please?"
Seifer stripped to his boxers and sat savouring the cool air on his irritated skin whilst the other looked on in horror.
Irvine cleared his throat nervously, "Uh, Seif? Whacha doin'?"
"I will not sit here sweating like a pig and clawing at myself like I got lice for no reason. This is your fault anyway, cowboy. If you and your little messenger girl could just keep your enthusiasm on hold we wouldn't have to be in this dump on a sunny Saturday afternoon. We could be having a beer."
The older men amongst the group visibly glazed over as they imagined a nice, cool pub, a day at the beach with a pint in one hand and a book in the other. They snapped out of their daydream when the assistant came back with an armful of tuxes. He opened his mouth to say something to Seifer and quickly closed it again when he anticipated the comment and snarled. He handed the tuxes to Irvine and backed away quickly.
The groom quickly tried his on and declared with a smile, "Boy's? I think we have ourselves a winner!"
~*~*~
Over in Deling City a similar scene was being played out. Selphie bounded around the room pointing out hundreds of dresses to a harassed shopkeeper as a bemused Rinoa, Quistis, Edea, Fuujin and Xu looked on. Their dresses had long since been decided upon, a long lemon yellow gown spun from silk with two tiny straps. Selphie was now the problem and was fast gaining a reputation as the fussiest bride-to-be in history. Edea placed a calming hand on Selphie's shoulder and she stopped her movement. The only indication of her nervous energy was a slight jiggle of her foot.
"Selphie dear? Why don't you try this one? It look's about your size…" Edea pointed out a very simple gown, plain white silk with a tie immediately under the bust. The tie made the material over the bust the only tight part of the dress. From the tie downward the dress flowed like water, skimming her curves and covering her feet. Two slithers of antique lace, yellowed with age held the dress in place. The tie was also made of the same lace and the effect was stunning. A veil was found to match and dainty shoes added to the ensemble. As Selphie exited the changing room, an audible gasp filled the room.
She grinned, "Is this the one then?"
Everyone nodded dumbly.
"affirmative." Fuujin whispered, "affirmative."
