DISCLAIMER: DON'T OWN FF8, BUT WOULD LIKE TO

Chapter VI

Seven 'o' clock approached and the time was upon her. Rinoa slipped on her white high heels and looked up on the clock. It was time for her to make her entrance.

You won't be with Squall though. He won't be with you. You're all alone.

Rinoa shook her head and walked out of the dormitory. The hallways were filling up with many people. Mostly all dressed in SeeD uniforms and elaborate gowns. Rinoa felt almost naked in front of them as she didn't have her love with her. She carried on though and headed to the second floor classroom where the party was being held.

Just like the first night. Rinoa looked up into the glass ceiling showing a spectacle of bright stars. The moon was fully lit and showed a yellowish glow. The room was decorated with many banners of many colors and the floors decorated with people's feet dancing on the white marble. The place was a little crowded. Rinoa looked over the top of guests' heads, but saw no one. She decided that maybe she should just walk a little bit and maybe she'd find someone.

The evening wore on as many Rinoa saw many people, but none of them were her friends. But she did see someone over the distance. She squinted her eyes as she thought she saw someone she knew. She began to walk over to them to confirm her suspicions.

"Yes, I think that 'Hyne's Destiny' could be very relative to the old Centrarian culture, but I think that the Centrarians believed in a similar god and not like our present day one."

That voice she recognized. It was old and scratchy, but still kind and gentle. It was the voice she had remembered a long time ago.

"I'll accept your offer and grant three SeeD members and that's all. With the little money you are paying, I can't afford to give you an army. However, I do think your cause is just and I will comply."

"Thank you so much, Headmaster Cid."

It was Headmaster Cid. Of course now, he was just called Mr. Kramer. He was a very kind man and very generous. Without him, she probably wouldn't be here today. She wouldn't have seen and fell in love with Squall without his help.

"But the question is, are the Centrarian tales similar to ours today, or are the translators just going off today's text to translate them into familiar ideas that we presently have."

"That's very true, but if you examine some of the text closely, you can easily tell that it describes 'feathers,' and 'to the world'. I think that that is closely related to the prophecy of 'Hyne's Destiny' which says, 'When the feather breaks, to the world she shall take.' In modern times we associate it with the Daughter of Hyne that which clearly associates to what Centrarians called 'witches' or what we call sorceresses."

Rinoa walked up to Mr. Kramer's side and tried to listen a little closer. This matter she had heard over and over again about sorceresses. She had probably known everything there was to know about them. She thought that Mr. Kramer's wife Edea also knew this much and even more about them.

"Of course, but there could always be some mistakes. But in most cases, I agree with you Mr. Kramer."

"Yes, it is a very good theory that is widely accepted, but there could always be mistakes."

The other man that Mr. Kramer was talking walked off to another person to talk while Mr. Kramer sipped on his champagne a little bit.

"Mr. Kramer?" Rinoa asked.

"What?" He turned around, "Is that you Rinoa?"

"Yes, it is me." Rinoa answered.

"It's so nice to see you again. I hope you've been holding up nicely."

"Thank you." She gave him a smile.

"Oh I hope you weren't listening to that garbage. You know that all that stuff about 'Hyne's Destiny' is just the religious aspect of sorceresses. It's just meaning that people gave to their powers."

"It's okay. I've heard it before." Rinoa replied.

"Well, I suppose you have. Now tell me, where is Squall?" Cid asked.

"To tell the truth, I don't know. He didn't come together." Rinoa said.

"What? Did something happen?" Cid looked worried.

"Oh no! He just had to supervise decorations and I had work. So we couldn't meet each other here." She tried to explain.

"Oh, I see. I almost forgot! Edea is also here. I bet she'd like to see you again." Cid looked around and saw her talking to another woman. He tapped her on the shoulder and she turned around to see Rinoa.

"Rinoa! I haven't seen you for at least a year! It's nice to see you again." Edea smiled at her. She looked a lot nicer when not trying to kill Rinoa and her friends.

"I'm glad to see you." Rinoa replied.

"I hope you've been holding up." She said. It seemed that everyone was saying that to her tonight.

"I'm doing good."

Cid interrupted their reunion, "I forgot to tell you about the award presentation. It's being held soon. You're suppose to go to head table along with me myself."

"Really, I didn't know about that." Rinoa looked puzzled.

"Yes, we should get moving if we are to be there on time," Cid said, "Edea, will you hold my drink for me as I present the awards."

He handed his drink to Edea and began to walk towards the front of the room, moving through the many people conversing. Rinoa followed him and felt a little puzzled about this award ceremony. She didn't know about it. It must be something they just put in today. Rinoa didn't know why, but she sensed something was wrong with this ceremony. Something was going to happen. It must be "Hyne's Destiny."