I consider Squall my closest friend at Garden. He's the kind of guy I can go to the firing range with, not say but a few words to, and it still feels like I'm with good people. He's easy to like, once you get past the brick wall that surrounds the person that he really is, and I have a lot of respect for a man who can risk everything for the love of a woman. He's also a welcome reprieve from my beloved Selphie. I adore her. I want to marry her and make lots of babies with her some day very soon. But sometimes, she makes me crazy, and I need a little silence. I guess she understands this, because she doesn't bother me too much about it.
Nobody really understands Squall, though. I don't even fully know what makes him tick. I only know that everything he does is with good intentions. Which is why I can't comprehend what's going on between he and Rinoa. They had the fairy tale kind of romance, the kind that you read about in books, and every one of us thought that this would be one of those rare story book things. We all thought that they'd ride off into the sunset together and live happily ever after. We thought they'd have lots of kids and grow old together. I mean, he's the perfect knight, and Rinoa, well she's always been something of a princess, but it certainly helps that she's a sorceress. Their story was one for the history books, you know.
But, I guess we were all wrong about them. I don't understand, but I want to.
In my darker moments, I might be forced to contemplate the fact that there might not be a happily ever after. I might start to think that life and reality get in the way of our dreams and what we want. And I guess that makes sense. No matter how much you love someone, it is kind of foolish to believe in silly fantasies. Real love, the kind that endures takes work, it must be nurtured or else it dies away. But I don't want to think about this right now because things between my lady and I have never been better. I'm even thinking about proposing to her, but I guess that will have to wait for a later time, since the last thing I want to do is make Squall feel worse.
Currently, I sit at a table in the cafeteria with the love of my life and Quistis. We got lucky today. There are delicious hotdogs aplenty, thanks to the deployment of forty or so more SeeDs to Galbadia this morning. Zell would be pissed if he knew, but he's stuck somewhere on Trabia right now, braving the cold and the wind for the sake of duty. Poor guy. Hope he's got antifreeze running through his veins, 'cause if not, I'd guess he's pretty damned cold at the moment.
"What do you mean they broke up, Irvine? You'd better not be joking." Quistis demands of me as I take a bite of my hot dog, savoring the delicious taste that I rarely ever get to enjoy, thanks to the cafeteria's inability to meet the demand for them. Considering how popular they are, you'd think they'd have the intelligence to stock more, but they never do.
Sometimes, I think things would be very different if I were in charge. First of all, there'd be more guns, and everyone would have to learn to use one, regardless of their specialty. Second, there would be lots and lots of eye-candy in short skirts. Brunettes, blondes, red-heads, tall, short, curvy and athletic. Yeah. That would be nice.
"I swear to Hyne, they broke up," I reply and spread my gloved hands before me, turning my thoughts back to the topic of conversation. My ruminations of how Garden should be run have no place in present company. Quistis and Selphie would laugh me out of the room and use their forks in sensitive places just to drive their point home. "I talked to Squall last night."
"Poor Rinoa," Selphie comments, a sad look spreading across her lovely face. Her plump lips form into a childish pout and she looks so cute, I can't help but make eyes at her across the table.
"You should be saying, 'Poor Squall.' She dumped him like a two-ton heavy thing."
"She broke up with him?" Quistis says in disbelief and shakes her head. "That's not possible."
"She did, and it is," I confirm, taking another bite of the hotdog. This is heaven. No wonder Zell throws a fit when there aren't any more.
"Quit joking around, Irvie," Selphie says, punching me in the shoulder just a tad too hard. She's been taking hand to hand combat lately, and all the extra training is starting to pay off. It's amazing how strong she is. But, I guess I should know better than to underestimate her by now. She's a lot stronger than anyone seems to think, and I think it works to her advantage sometimes.
"Ladies, have I ever lied to you?" I favor them with a wry grin and a wink.
"Well, Irvy-poo, there was that one time . . ."
"Alright, alright. When you gonna forgive me for that Sefie?" Oh, not this again. About a year and a half ago, I went out drinking with the guys. It was my birthday, and I was of legal age to partake in a little liquid inebriation for the first time. Selphie wanted me all to herself, but damn it, I just had to see what it was all about. So, I told her I had a meeting with a weapons dealer and couldn't get out of it. Of course, I got caught, and she's never let me live it down. She's forgiven me, and it's kind of a joke between us now, but she still jumps at any chance to remind me.
"Never," she said with a smirk.
"This is just ridiculous," Quistis says, apparently put off by my news. "You don't really expect us to believe this crazy story of yours."
"Go talk to Rinoa. Find out for yourself," I reply with a shrug and stuff another tasty dog in my mouth.
The girls look at one another, and decide without saying a word to one another to go see Rinoa. They leave the table without so much as a goodbye and scurry off, their skirts swishing against their thighs in a manner that is incredibly inciting. Both of them have great legs, and I more than anyone appreciate the female version of the SeeD uniform for what it reveals. Serious eye candy. Yep.
I laugh to myself as they disappear through the doorway.
Women are so funny. And so fascinating. I love to watch the way they walk, the way they preen themselves so they look their absolute best. I love the way their hair smells, the way their skin feels against my hand, the way they smile and laugh, even when the joke's not funny. I love when they bat their eyelashes and play coy with me.
But of all the girls in the world, I love Selphie the most. Everything about her enthralls me. Her impish, emerald green eyes and her slight, elfin figure captivate me. She's absolutely beautiful. I love to hold her in my arms in the middle of the night and hope that she's mine forever. As soon as the weather begins to warm, I'm going to take her to the lighthouse and propose.
Well now, I guess that's decided. I'll wait until spring to propose. Now, I just need a ring.
I hope she never has a reason to leave me. I can understand why Squall would react the way he did when Rinoa decided it was over. I think in my case, I'd probably go find a T-rexaur to fill full of bullets, instead of beating up perfectly innocent office furniture.
Maybe I should go check on Squall. After what I saw last night, I can't help but worry that he might do something stupid and end up hurting himself. Unfortunately I can see how he might actually become destructive towards himself, given the rage he must have felt last night while ransacking his office. There's no telling what he could be up to at this moment, and though I never figured Squall as a suicidal type, you never know about people. Besides, I don't want him to feel like he's dealing with this on his own. He needs to know he's got friends.
I still have an hour before I have to report to the weapons depository, where I handle the distribution of arms and related supplies. Basically, I get to play with guns all day, shoot them, clean them, organize them by type. It's a gravy job if there ever was one, and man, I love it. I can't believe I actually get paid for it.
On the third floor, I knock loudly on the door that leads to Squall's office. There's no answer, and naturally, I'm more than a little concerned for his well being. I open the door carefully, afraid of what I might find behind that door. I have to literally force away an image of him lying in there, dead by his own hand. I shudder and push the door wide enough to give me a good view of the room beyond.
The mess has been cleaned up, everything's in place, where it should be. Soft music plays on the stereo and the computer screen glows dimly on one side of the desk. I pity the poor sap that had to clean that mess up. Probably Nida, or maybe Squall cleaned it up himself.
Squall is standing by the window, one arm propped against the frame. He's looking out over the quad below, watching whatever sights might be seen from this height. Normally, Squall stands tall and proud. His whole demeanor is one of quiet confidence. Today, though, his shoulders slump and his head hangs, his forehead pressed against the pane of glass.
"Hey, man," I greet him. "I knocked, but . . . ."
"I heard you," he replies in a quiet voice. He's being careful not to show any emotion, however I can tell right away that he's taking this hard. I can't help but feel sorry for the guy.
"You doin' all right?" I can see he's not, but I have to ask anyway.
"Whatever."
"Hey, don't be like that." My words come out in a pleading tone that
I don't particularly like the sound of.
Squall says nothing in return.
"So are you ok?"
He looks over his shoulder at me, and I can see he's far from ok. His eyes are red and swollen, his face pale. He looks exhausted. "She came by this morning."
"Would she reconsider?" I know by his expression that she hasn't, but I want him to talk to me. I'm not going to let him bottle it all up inside and undo all the progress he's made. It's not right for someone to deal with things on his own anyway. But I don't think he's going to talk.
"No."
"I'm sorry, man. If you need to talk about it, just call me, alright? I can see you want to be alone right now." I reach out and place my hand against his shoulder, hoping to show him how much I care. I want him to know he still has a friend in me, no matter what. I give his shoulder a friendly squeeze and head back to the door.
"Irvine?" he asks just as I reach the door. "How can I guy like me, someone who's succeeded in everything he's done, screw up something as simple as this?"
Facing him again, I say with a smile as I consider his question, "Who told you love was simple? There's nothing simple about it, my man. It's harder than anything else in this world, but sometimes, it's worth the risk. You've just gotta put the important stuff first."
Squall nods, dejected. "And I put everything else before Rinoa."
"That's a fatal mistake," I reply and shake my head. "Hey, you wanna go out tonight? Whadaya say? A Friday night on the town might do you some good." I'm in the mood for a few beers, maybe a game of cards or pool, and I think maybe Squall could benefit from a little time away from the office. But, I know he'll say no. He'd rather stay here feeling sorry for himself.
Well, I guess I'd feel the same way if Selphie left me.
"Nah," he replies. "I'm thinking of going away for the weekend, maybe up into the mountains. I kind of need to be alone for a while. I need to think."
"That's what got you into trouble in the first place," I remind him.
"Yeah, but maybe, if I go away, I can figure out a way to get myself out of this mess."
"Fine, but don't do anything stupid, like get yourself killed," I say, a little harsher than I intended to.
"I should be so lucky."
Ok. Now I'm worried. "C'mon, Squall. Quit talking like that. You've got a lot to live for besides Rinoa."
He's agitated now. I watch him cross the room to his desk. For a moment, I think he might ransack the office again but he doesn't. Instead, he opens a drawer and produces a small blue velvet colored box. With a toss it lands on the desk with a heavy thud.
Oh, what is this? He was gonna propose? How could Rinoa not see how much he really loved her?
"I can't live without her, damn it," he growls at me. "How else am I supposed to feel? I have nothing without her."
"Bullshit," I tell him and cross my arms against my chest.
"What do I have? This wonderful job? This nice, cushy office? I've got NOTHING."
"You're a fool, Squall," I say coldly. I thought we were friends, but I guess I don't matter. I know he's hurting, but Great Hyne, you'd think he'd appreciate my support. "You don't give a damn about anyone but Squall. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and accept the fact that Rinoa left you, and it's your own fault."
"What do you know?" he asks and picks the box up off the desk. He opens it, revealing a large diamond engagement band, much like one I'd pick out for Selphie. He stares at it, that expression of anguish again on his face. His jaw is set, unwilling to hear anything I might say. It seems he's content in his misery. Maybe I should just let him be that way.
"I know you're driving us all away, one by one," I say. I turn and walk
out the door, my footsteps heavy against the floor, leaving an astounded
Squall behind me.
"Rinoa, you can't be serious!" Quistis exclaims in disbelief. She's standing in my office, Selphie at her side, shocked and obviously more than a little upset with me. I'm not surprised they're here demanding answers. My decision, though well thought out was a bit abrupt, and usually women seek the advice of their friends before they decide to go and dump a guy. I think they're a bit hurt that I didn't come to them first.
I sigh and drop my pen onto the desk. "Its over, guys. What else do you want me to say?"
"Can't you guys talk it out? That's what Irvy and I do when we're fighting." Selphie gives me a pleading look that I must ignore. I can't think about this anymore. It's already half past three in the afternoon and I have to catch the train to Dollet at sundown. I haven't even packed yet. I should have done that last night, but I was too busy crying and feeling sorry for myself.
"Selphie, this goes beyond a petty squabble. And talking is the problem. I do, and he doesn't." I thumb through some paperwork, hoping they'll see that I'm not in the mood to discuss this.
"Well, maybe he will now," Selphie countered.
"I don't want to. It's over, and that's that."
"I had no idea you two were even having problems!" Quistis remarked. "When did all this start? Why didn't you talk to me about it?"
How could she not see we were having problems? I don't think she's even seen Squall in a couple of months, let alone spoken to him. I don't think anyone's really seen him lately, except for maybe Irvine, who is never put off by Squall's inability to make conversation. "Quistis, I've felt this way for months now. And no offense, but I don't need anyone's advice on how to handle my love life," I reply, agitated. I don't want to talk about this anymore, it's giving me a headache. "Can we change the subject?"
"Hey, hey!" Selphie says, suddenly excited. "I know what we can do to cheer you up! Let's have a slumber party. I never had one because of being at Garden and all, but wouldn't it be great to experience the childhood we missed? We could give each other make-overs and play truth or dare. It'll be fun!"
I sigh heavily and shake my head. I love Selphie to death. She's a good friend, but right now, I can't take her endless enthusiasm. I know she means well, and under ordinary circumstances, her suggestion would be fun. And I know she's trying to make me feel better, but it's only succeeding in making me feel worse. "I can't, I'm leaving for Dollet in a few hours."
"Oh," Selphie says. I can see she's a little disheartened, and I feel bad for turning her down, but I've got a job to do. "OH! What if we tagged along? Me, Quisty and Xu have leave this weekend. We could come as your advisors, and then we could go to a club or something after your work thingy. Wouldn't that be great? Come on, don't say no, Rinoa!"
"That sounds fun," Quistis says and nods. "We could get all dressed up, go dancing, get drunk and talk about how men are evil creatures who only care about themselves."
I know I'm not getting out of this one. The only way to say no is to be mean, and I can't do that to my friends. They don't deserve it, especially since they're trying hard to make me feel better. I reluctantly agree.
"WoooHOO!" Selphie shouts and jumps in the air, doing a silly happy dance. "This is gonna be so much fun!"
I don't know how much fun it'll be to go to a crowded, smoke filled bar fending off horny, middle aged divorcees, when I'd rather spend the evening curled up in bed with a good book. I should have said no. Too late to back out now, though.
My thoughts turn to the conversation, well, argument, I had with Squall this morning. I feel pretty guilty for the things I said to him, and I wish I could apologize. Of all the things I could have said, I had to go and blurt out I want you out of my life, right to his face. Exactly where did that come from?! I'd actually meant to say that maybe I needed some time to work out my feelings and think about where to go from here. But those hateful, hurtful words came tumbling out of my mouth, and I couldn't stop them.
I think there's something wrong with me. Maybe I'm getting sick. I'll go see Dr. Kadowaki when I return from Dollet because something's really not right with me. I feel like I'm going crazy, and I keep getting this weird sense of duality that I can't explain. It's like there's some one else occupying my mind. Someone I didn't invite in. I don't think I'm possessed or anything, but something is going on, and I want to get help before it gets worse.
Maybe it's just stress.
I finish what's left of my work and hurry up to my room to pack. I should have done this last night, but I couldn't bring myself to do anything more than pout and feel sorry for myself. In a hurry, I throw a few things into a suitcase and place my Garden representative uniform in a garment bag so that it doesn't wrinkle.
Oh crap. I still have to talk to Headmaster Cid. I can't believe I forgot.
I hurry out of the room and get body slammed by a tall figure. It's Irvine, and he looks a little distracted. "Oh, sorry Rinoa." Irvine says apologetically. "I was just comin' to visit you."
"Come to urge me to go back to Squall?" I ask in a deadpan, unamused voice.
"No," he drawls. "Actually, I wanted to make sure you were doin' all right."
"I'm fine," I reply, "I really need to get going, though. I've got to speak with Cid and then catch a train."
"How 'bout I walk with you?"
I shrug and hurry down the hall to the elevator. Irvine has no trouble keeping up with me. In fact, it looks as if he's taking a leisurely stroll next to my speed walking pace.
"You know, though, he's taking this pretty hard."
I don't say anything. I know Squall's taking it hard, but what am I supposed to do about it? Take him back and continue the silent partnership we shared? Continue feeling unloved and miserable in his presence? I don't think so.
"I know he's hard headed, and I'm not exactly pleased with him at the moment, but maybe you should give him another chance."
I knew this was coming.
"I thought you weren't going to try and convince me to go back to him?" I'm now very irritated. Seems like everyone is on Squall's side. They don't understand what I had to put up with. They don't understand my reasons at all. "Did he put you up to this?"
"Nope."
"Then drop it, Irvine," I warn, a coldness in my voice that I don't recognize. I hurry out of the elevator, anxious to get away from him.
"He was gonna propose," Irvine calls after me.
I spin on my heel and stare hard at him. "What?" I ask, wanting to hear him say it again. I need to make sure that what I heard was for real, not my imagination running away with me. I don't trust that it's not some figment of my imagination.
"I shouldn't be telling you this, since it's something you two should talk about on your own, but he was gonna propose to you," Irvine shrugs and looks embarrassed. "He's even got a ring. All you have to do is reconsider."
I have to get out of here before I throw up. I've made a huge mistake in believing Squall doesn't love me, and maybe it's too late to take back what I've done. I can't even bring myself to consider going back to him. It's like there's someone else there inside my head making all my decisions for me. The words I want to say refuse to leave my mouth, frozen there like an ice cube held upon my tongue.
What I want and what I do are two different things.
"He can go to hell, for all I care," I blurt out, hearing them, but not realizing that they're spoken in my own voice until rolled from my lips, hateful and bitter and absolutely not what I feel.
Irvine is taken aback by my coldness, but the hard callousness of my comment. He's as surprised as I am to hear these words fall from my lips. What I'd meant to say was, 'He really has a ring?' but it didn't come out that way. Where did those disgusting words come from? And now that they're said, they can't be taken back.
I really need to see the doctor. There's something really, really wrong with me.
Dazed, I turn away from Irvine and head for Cid's office.
Some would say I'm probably the most gullible guy in the world, and maybe it's partially true, but I know an outlandish joke when I hear one. Kiros, Ward and Ellone are constantly pulling crazy stunts on me and I usually fall for them, but this one takes the cake. The prank that stands before me screams of a poorly thought out attempt to fool Laguna, once again. They're good, alright. Their faces are innocent, pleading, but I know better. I'm not going to fall for it this time. No way. Ol'Laguna's not going to buy this one.
".........." Ward takes my adopted daughter's hand in his and gives me the most beseeching look.
Kiros nods and confirms, "He says he loves her."
"Knock it off, you guys. I'm not gonna fall for it this time," I say. Honestly, they know how to take a bad ruse a little too far.
"Uncle Laguna, it's not a joke. We're in love." Her eyes beg me to understand, and she grips Ward's giant sized hand in her tiny, delicate one. Her hand nearly disappears into his when their fingers lace together. "Ward's been in my life almost as long as I can remember. Its only natural that we'd fall in love."
I can't think of anything to say to her. She's really convincing. Almost too convincing and I'm starting to wonder if this is for real.
"Are you alright?" she asks me in a half whisper, tilting her head to the side a little and staring at me with deep concern in her eyes.
"Really, quit it, you guys. You're starting to weird me out here." This is too weird to be a joke. I look at Ward, who usually gives away the whole prank by his poorly hidden look of amusement, but this time, the look isn't there.
Oh, good Hyne. They're for real. I think I'm going into shock. My little Ellone wants to marry WARD? This is too much. This can't be happening. "Kiros, did you know about this?"
"Yes, Laguna, and you would have known too if you hadn't been so into Dr. Odine's new pet project." Kiros is so damn practical. He sees and knows everything. When he talks, it sounds like a fact, even if he's feeding you a line of crap more foul than what Ward occasionally forgets to flush down the toilet.
"Hey, Dr. Odine is a genius like me." I have to defend myself here. I wasn't elected president just because I happened to be involved with Adel's capture. I created Adel's capture, I was her capture, therefore making me a certified genius, whether my friends agree with me or not.
".........." Ward has that amused look on his face, and I can tell what he's thinking.
"Not crazy, just misunderstood. Anyway, how in the world did this happen?" I'm really confused about this. My Elle and Ward. Ward and MY Elle.
"It just happened, Uncle Laguna," Ellone says with a shrug. She's got that same beseeching look on her face that Ward had as she clings to his hand. My Elle . . . getting married to Ward.
"Raine would not approve," I tell her and shake my head for effect.
How I miss Raine. I loved her so dearly, and she was gone so soon from my life, yet that part of my existence is probably the happiest time I've ever had. I hope dropping Raine's name will bring Elle to her senses. Using her name, I'm projecting my own feelings. I really have no idea what Raine might say if she were here. She'd probably understand it, and she'd make some practical remark, just like Kiros.
"............" Ward's face has that sarcastic look, and it's kind of making me mad.
"Don't talk about Raine that way, ok? Dead or not she's still my wife," I say angrily.
"Please, Uncle Laguna," Elle begs, seizing my hand and falling to her knees before me. "I love him, and he loves me. You know him and trust him. What could be better than that?"
"I don't know if I trust him with my little girl," I say honestly. I'm suddenly struck with a flashback from my Army days. Too many unfortunate times, I'd accidentally glimpsed Ward in his underpants, and now, I relive those rather unpleasant moments with horrifying clarity."Oh, no. No, no, no."
"What's wrong?" she asks, squeezing my hand tightly in hers.
"I just got a visual. No, no. Gotta get it out of my head before I throw up!" I really do feel like I might puke. The thought of my buddy, Hyne love him, and Elle together is just, well, gross.
I picture a green, grassy field, the wind blowing it in gentle waves, and the mental image goes away. Oh, sweet relief.
Kiros laughs and pats me on the back. "It's not so bad," he says. "It's just ward Ward. Would you rather have her marry some stranger?"
"YES!" I exclaim. "A stranger. That's exactly what you need. A good, young, handsome stranger. Besides, I've unfortunately seen Ward in his undies, and yulch! It's not a pretty thing. Believe me, Ellone. You don't want to see Ward in his underpants."
The image is back. Underpants and all and I grimace, shaking my head to make it go away.
"................" Ward's face twists up and he makes a rather obscene gesture at me.
"Fuck you too, Ward," I reply. They're serious about this, aren't they? I'd better give my consent before Elle puts something nasty in my shoes. Like Ward's underpants. "Oh, alright. I guess it could be worse. You could have fallen in love with Dr. Odine. That would be bad. Verrrry bad."" I say this, but I don't feel it.
She's breaking my heart. I want her to stay a girl forever, even though it's obvious she's been a woman for a while, I don't want things to change. I don't want her to get married, not to Ward, not to anyone, ever.
"Thank you Uncle Laguna!" Ellone squeals in a high pitched voice, throwing her slender arms around my neck. I hold her tightly to me, not wanting to let my girl go. It's too damn hard to let her grow up, and I can't help but feel like I've lost her forever now that she's fallen in love. "You're the best."
"Yeah, well, let's just hope the kids don't end up looking like Ward."
".................." Ward makes the gesture again.
"That's twice in one day, Ward," I reply with a laugh. "Getting a little big for your pants, eh? One more and I'll have to give you the cuchi-cuchi treatment."
"It's britches," Kiros reminds me.
He never fails to remind me of my verbal atrocities.
"Oh, Uncle Laguna?" Elle asks, sitting back on her heels, a small tight lipped smile on her lips.
"Don't tell me you're pregnant." Two shockers in one day is enough for me. If she's pregnant, I'm going to kill Ward, friend or not.
"I'm not pregnant," she laughs and taps me on the leg, that funny smile playing over her mouth again.
"What is it?" Oh, boy. I can't wait to hear this.
"Got ya!" She begins to giggle and points her finger at my face. "We really had you going, didn't we?"
She got me again. How does she do it? I'm relieved beyond relief, though, so much so that I find it hard to reply or even breathe. How did I fall for such a ludicrous joke? I really am gullible, I guess. But then, Elle is so cute, I'd fall for any trick of her own devising.
They tease and make fun of me for a while, and then I have to take a couple of calls. The first is from Doctor Odine. He says he has some news about the excavation of Lunatic Pandora, which until last week, we were unable to even enter, due to a strange force field preventing our entrance to the site. The barrier suddenly died, allowing us to enter and begin research. That place sure is strange.
The second is from Squall. To be honest, I'm a little surprised he's calling me. He and I aren't what you'd call close, and it's not his fault, nor mine. If I'd known I had a son, I'd have taken care of him, not left him in some orphanage. But, that's the past, and there's no going back, unless Elle's involved.
Elle used her time-traveling magic on me once. She took me back to the day Raine gave birth to Squall. I have no words for what I felt, looking back at her through Elle's eyes, unable to comfort or help. I know that she loved me, though, and I hope that one day, I'll see her in heaven.
But, back to Squall. He doesn't sound like himself. There's no confidence in his voice, so when he asks to borrow the Ragnarok for the weekend, I have to say yes.
"But there's a superstition," I tell him.
"A what?"
"If you need to use the Ragnarok, I have to come with you. You'll need a pilot, and I'll take you anywhere you want to go," I tell him.
"You mean stipulation?" he asks. He sounds weary.
"Yeah. Is that alright?"
"Kind of wanted to be alone, but I guess I don't really have an option," he says. I know he's not exactly thrilled about the idea, but maybe we'll be able to get to know one another.
"Looks like I'm going on a trip, guys," I tell my friends and my adopted daughter.
"Will you be taking the Ragnarok?" Elle asks, curious. "I thought I heard you mention it."
"Of course."
"I hope Squall knows how to fly, because you suck at it," Kiros remarks.
"Hey! I'm a very good pilot!" I'm truly insulted. My instructor said I was a first rate pilot
"..................."
"That was not my fault, Ward, and you know it. That hovercopter came way too close to me." Why do they have to pick on me all the time? I think they get a lot of sick pleasure from verbally torturing me. Oh well, as long as they're having fun.
"President Loire?" his presidential aide asked. "Dr. Odine is here to see you."
"Show him in," I say and I begin to get excited. Dr. Odine's news is always interesting, if not groundbreaking, in my opinion, though my friends don't share my feelings.
"Hello, all. My, you look pretty today Ellone," Odine says to her. His hands are clasped behind his back and he has that smug look of someone who has a fascinating secret to tell. He reminds me of an old lady with a juicy bit of gossip she can't wait to share with her circle of friends.
"Thank you Dr. Odine," Elle replies politely and takes a seat on a couch.
"So, Odine, what's the news?" I can't wait. I can't wait. I feel like a child in his presence, hanging on to his every word.
"It is bad. Very very bad. You vant to know? Ok, I tell you." Odine is very pleased with his news, and I can tell it's going to be big, given the agitation he displays by wringing his hands together and squirming like a puppy. "Adel is alive."
"What?!" I exclaim. This is not what I expected at all. "I thought Squall and his friends defeated her!"
"True, zey defeated her, but zey did not kill her. Until zis morning, we were not able to enter ze Lunatic Pandora. However, ve found her inside, sleeping peacevully."
"How is this possible?" I ask bewildered and very alarmed. I'm sure Adel would like to tear me limb from limb if she had the chance.
"Because of the structural make up of ze Pandora, she reverted to a, how you say, dormant state. She iz alive, and she iz still powerful."
"How can she still have her powers?" Ellone asks the obvious question that didn't occur to me.
"I don't know," Odine says, perplexed. "Perhaps the transfer of power to Sorceress Rinoa vas not complete, and Adel retained some of her powers."
"Something must be done about this," I say. I'm about to have a panic attack. "Maybe we should call Squall and get SeeD to take care of this."
"NO!" Dr. Odine bellows at me. Uh, oh. He's very stubborn, and I know what he's going to demand of me. "If ve disturb her now, she will avaken and be very, very angry vith us. You don't vant zis."
"I don't want her alive! Do you know what she'll do to me if she's set free, ugh, I shudder to think!" I'm as good as dead.
"I vant to study her." Odine proclaims, looking at each one of us in turn.
Has he lost his mind? "Out of the question."
"You vill do as I say!" Odine can be quite a showman. He's prone to the most hilarious tantrums known to man. He begins to stomp his foot and point his finger at me. He sees me as a pushover.
"I will not! Not this time!"
"YES!"
"NO, NO, NO!"
"You vill let me study her, or I vill be forced to put my shoe in your backside." Odine is full of threats, but when taken up on them, he always backs down. Especially when I get Ward to hold him for me.
"Dr. Odine, you know what happened last time . . . ." Kiros warns, raising one eyebrow and brushing a couple of braids from his face.
"Zat was not a fair fight. You had blubber-boy hold me back." He declares, wringing his hands together again. "I demand to study Adel."
"I thought you said if we disturb her she will awaken," Kiros reminds him. Good ol' Kiros. Pragmatic as always.
"I have my vays." Odine gives a nonchalant shrug and grins his secret grin at me.
"You have three days," I finally say, against my better judgment. "Then, we send her straight to Heaven."
"Vat? You want to send zat infernal bitch to heaven? Are you mad?"
"He means hell," Kiros corrects.
"Fine. Sree days, zen you may do with her vat you vish."
***Notes***
Did you miss me? He heh...I've been on hiatus. Life's been rough for a while, but things always have a way of working themselves out, don't they? Sooo....somewhere in the scheme of things, I turned into some kind of crazed party chick who doesn't stay home anymore, so I haven't been writing all that much. Lock someone up for years and see what happens when they escape the cage...he he heh...um. *pretends to look innocent*
So anyway, I'm finished fixing all the problems with this fic, and I'll post a chapter or two a week, then get back to the sequel.
