Rating: R (I tried to keep it lower, but it just wasn't destined to happen - unlike other things [which are responsible for the rating])
Disclaimer: SG characters are (c) MGM (thankie to Morrigan for that :p). FF8 characters are (c) Squaresoft, original characters are mine – ask nicely and I might let you play with them, s'long's you don't break them...
Warnings: SxS - Yaoi (guyxguy) later - if u don't like, don't read. Character death. Maybe angst (I do like to torture my characters sometimes :p), language (prob nothin u aint heard b4, but still...)
~Chapter Three: Meetings~
Quistis sighed and adjusted the top of her dress uniform for about the thousandth time. Across the limo from her, Zell scowled and began shadow boxing. Finally he stopped, catching her glare and sitting down again, muttering.
"What?" Quistis asked, irritated.
"Just thinkin' this meetin's gonna be a waste of time." Zell replied sharply. Quistis rolled her eyes. "I mean, it's not like we're gonna change anythin'." He continued. "We'll get the same answer we always get - ' Esthar has closed its borders for the duration of hostilities between Galbadia and Trabia.'" He rolled his eyes dramatically. "Laguna sure can be a complete ass when he wants to." Quistis frowned at him, inwardly agreeing. Zell appeared to realise she agreed, and grinned wolfishly at her. "C'mon Quis, admitting what you're really thinkin' ain't gonna bring the world down around your ears." She shrugged awkwardly and turned to look out of the darkened windows.
What Zell had said was close to the mark, but off by quite a bit. Not about her... No, he managed to be quite accurate about her most of the time - which was beginning to worry her. But about Esthar. The borders weren't closed in the literal sense, the fact that they were being driven along the narrow streets attested to that. The borders were only closed to any armies that might wish to cross. In effect Laguna was being quite sensible. If Trabia and Galbadia were to fight, it would have to take place across Esthar's territory and Esthar would be dragged into the fight. But by denying them anywhere to fight - both the Trabian and Galbadian coastlines being too well defended for a foothold to be gained by opposing forces - Laguna was effectively preventing a major war.
It wasn't like the two countries even had anything to fight over. Except Galbadia had somehow convinced itself that Trabia was harbouring Seifer.
"It's not even known for certain if Seifer survived or not." Quistis muttered out loud.
"Fujin and Raijin would know." Zell pointed out before his brain caught up with his mouth. He began to cover his statement, but Quistis beat him to it.
"So would anyone else who's dead." She snapped sarcastically. Zell shrugged, saved from replying as the limo rolled to a halt and the door next to Quistis opened.
Laguna, despite his age, bounced into the vehicle, causing it to rock violently. With a repressed curse, Zell grabbed the back of his seat in an effort to stay upright. Quistis caught herself on one hand as she swayed with the vehicle, feeling certain that her hair had all suddenly fallen into disarray. Once the door closed, and the vehicle steadied, both were gloomily unsurprised to see Laguna standing as though the floor had never moved.
"So kids! What can I do for you?" He equired cheerfully. Zell grimaced.
"Do you have to call us kids?" He asked frostily. "I mean, we're top ranking SeeDs on a diplomatic mission. Calling us 'kids' kinda lowers the tone." Laguna grinned unrepentantly.
"Hell Zell, I keep tellin ya ta call me Uncle Laguna." He shrugged. "Besides, its not like this is an official mission." He winked at Quistis. "You don't need to dress up to impress me." Zell sniggered. "Neither do you for that matter." Laguna added. Zell fell quiet so quickly that Quistis couldn't help bursting into laughter.
AN: Yup, news of the first character deaths – Fujin and Raijin were casualties of time compression in my version though, so I didn't exactly kill them myself. Or maybe they aren't dead – maybe everyone just thinks they are...
