Okay, here's Chapter 5! A little shorter than the others, and definitely doesn't have the same quality. Sorry! This chapter is basically a filler between chapter 4 and the plan being set into action. _ Sorrie!
A big thank you to Rhi-an for the lovely review!
Once again, I don't know anything except for Phoenix and Ashlin, blah blah blah, etc. Reviews are what keep me going, so plllllleeeease review. ^_^ I love them!
~*~
Selphie awoke in a sea of soda cans and empty bags of chips. Her little movie-viewing-get-together turned into a small party after Seifer and Irvine showed up. Both of which were asleep in front of the television. Seifer's hand would twitch every now and then, making her giggle slightly. Rinoa slept on the love seat across from her, curled up in a small ball.
She rolled over on the couch, her face finding another warm body. It took a moment for it to register in her brain; she looked up and found Ashlin sound asleep. Selphie smiled, sitting up a bit. The sound of sizzling caught her attention, and she looked to see Nida at the stove.
"Whatcha doin', Nida?" She asked, stretching her muscles.
"I'm making breakfast for everyone. We have to be at the United Efforts Building in an hour and a half."
"Oh! I didn't know it was so late!" She said, standing up. "I'm going to take a shower. Thanks for making breakfast!"
"Your welcome, Selphie." He replied just as she disappeared into another room.
Nida smirked, flipping over the pancakes before him. Last night was surprisingly fun. Selphie had rented two of his favorite movies, 'Waiting for the Last Sunrise' and 'Succeed Three'. 'Waiting for the Last Sunrise' was a drama about a young girl who lived in Balamb, a small town under complete SeeD control. 'Succeed Three' was a documentary on the Sul, a small group of nomadic Centran that managed to hide from the SeeDs for nearly 3 years. He was slightly surprised that Irvine and Seifer had managed to be quiet and not make fun of movie while it was playing. Of course, they tore the movie apart afterward, but Nida was too busy chatting with Rinoa and Selphie about the movies to notice.
He poured more batter in the pan, and his reward was the sweet smell of fresh pancakes. He heard Selphie turn on the shower, and soon after, a loud yawning came from the living room. He looked over his shoulder to see Rinoa rotating her shoulders.
"Hey Rinni."
"Good morning, Nida." She replied, getting up and stretching out her legs. She joined him in the kitchen, and looked to the pancakes with interest. "Those look really good..."
"Then take them. I can always make more." He answered, smiling. He opened one of Selphie's cupboards where he had discovered the plates after nearly ten minutes searching. He handled her one of the green and yellow plates, purposely touching one of her fingers. She smiled warmly at him, picking up one of the forks he had set out. Rinoa stabbed at three of the pancakes he had already finished, and coated them with peanut butter and syrup. This received a quirked eyebrow from Nida, but he said nothing. She sat at Selphie's breakfast nook, crossing her legs and turning her upper body toward him.
"Rinoa...I was wondering something..." He said, flipping the pancakes again.
"Hmm?" She asked, a mouthful of pancake. She was running a free hand through her hair, attempting to tame her massive mess of hair.
"Wait...before I ask you this, would you like a some milk?" Nida asked, already pulling out the gallon container and a glass. She nodded, trying not to giggle. He poured it to her and set it next to her plate. Rinoa quickly drank nearly half of the glass, cleared her throat, and smiled.
"As you were saying?"
"I was wondering that when we got back from the mission...maybe you and I could go out...you know...see a movie, go out to dinner..." There was barely a heartbeat of silence when Nida swallowed hard, and began his ramble. "You don't have to if you don't want to, of course. Not to say that you wouldn't do something you wouldn't want to do. You do what you want. I mean, it's not like you're rude or anything. It's cute...ah...cute in a strong way, you know? I think it's really-"
"I'd love to." She interrupted, smiling.
~*~
Phoenix brushed her hair back, securing it at the middle of her head with a hair tie. She smoothed out a winkle in her uniform, and polished one of her stars with her sleeve. She had applied a tad of makeup to her eyes and lips, pulling attention to them more than before.
She looked at herself in the full-length mirror, deciding that her pulled back hair made her look too young. She allowed it to fall around her shoulders and curl under, coming to a rest just below the hem of her shirt. She adjusted her boots, rubbing a smudge out. Phoenix was a stickler when it came to uniforms, which often caused her to bark at younger soldiers or fix them right in front of their peers. Naturally, this embarrassed them, but they from then on their uniforms were always wrinkle-free.
She smiled to herself when she decided that she look professional, and made her way for the front door. She had spent the night again at Fury's hoping that they could have one more night with one another. He had come home late in the evening and left early in the morning. Despite this, she smiled again at the memories of the night before.
She made her way out the front door and to the cab she had called earlier before. Soon she found herself in front of the UE Building, paid the driver, and walked to the conference room she had been in two days before. The other eleven Generals were there, chatting amongst themselves. She took her seat behind the glass table, giving Fury a smile. He nodded in response, a small twinkle in his eye.
Within moments, the other Generals sat at her team filed in. All were dressed in their uniforms, looking rather spiffy. Rinoa had been loaned a Major's uniform, her hair tied at the base of her neck. Phoenix stood, clearing her throat and clasping her hands behind her back. She took a deep breath before introducing her team.
~*~
An hour and a half later, Irvine emerged from the EU Building followed by his new friends.
"What'd say we get some lunch before getting ready for the mission? I'm starving!" Selphie asked, bounding up to the front of the group.
"Sounds good to me." Seifer answered, smiling.
"I feel like burgers..." Irvine said, pulling on the collar of his uniform.
"I know a place just down the street." Rinoa announced, pointing to their right. "They've got fantastic fries!"
"Sounds good to me." Selphie agreed. A few moments later, they arrived at the small diner and entered. There were only a few other people in the restaurant, mostly teenagers skipping school. They took one of the larger corner booths, receiving a few looks from the other patrons.
"Hey there, soldiers. What can I do for you?" A waitress asked, handing them a few menus.
"I want a soda..." Selphie said, opening one of the menus.
"Same here..." Irvine agreed, smiling.
"Do you just want me to bring over a pitcher of cola?" The waitress asked, putting her hands on her hips.
"Sure." Rinoa said.
The waitress returned soon after, setting down six glasses and the pitcher. She took their orders, and left them alone.
"What time do we have to report to the base?" Ashlin asked, taking a sip of his cola.
"1345 hours." Nida replied, doing the same.
"Are you guys nervous?" Selphie wondered.
"...I am." Rinoa revealed, scooting closer to Nida. He instinctively put his arm around the back of the booth, giving her the opportunity to move closer.
"I guess I am..." Irvine answered. "I mean...the General did say that there's a big chance we could die..."
"Even if we die, we'll be doing something great." Seifer said. "We'll be giving people hope." For a brief moment, Irvine and Seifer exchanged glances.
"C'mon, let's not get all depressed about this. Do you really think that General Aring will let her team die?" Nida cut in, waving his hand.
"Not without a fight, she won't." Rinoa added.
"So did you guys enjoy hanging out at my place last night?" Selphie asked, changing the subject.
"I had a great time." Rinoa gushed.
"It was pretty cool." Seifer shrugged.
"Yay!" Selphie giggled. "Let's do it again when we get back from the mission!"
"I'm up for it. It might be a great way to unwind after a big mission." Ashlin finally spoke up, smiling at the group around him.
A big thank you to Rhi-an for the lovely review!
Once again, I don't know anything except for Phoenix and Ashlin, blah blah blah, etc. Reviews are what keep me going, so plllllleeeease review. ^_^ I love them!
~*~
Selphie awoke in a sea of soda cans and empty bags of chips. Her little movie-viewing-get-together turned into a small party after Seifer and Irvine showed up. Both of which were asleep in front of the television. Seifer's hand would twitch every now and then, making her giggle slightly. Rinoa slept on the love seat across from her, curled up in a small ball.
She rolled over on the couch, her face finding another warm body. It took a moment for it to register in her brain; she looked up and found Ashlin sound asleep. Selphie smiled, sitting up a bit. The sound of sizzling caught her attention, and she looked to see Nida at the stove.
"Whatcha doin', Nida?" She asked, stretching her muscles.
"I'm making breakfast for everyone. We have to be at the United Efforts Building in an hour and a half."
"Oh! I didn't know it was so late!" She said, standing up. "I'm going to take a shower. Thanks for making breakfast!"
"Your welcome, Selphie." He replied just as she disappeared into another room.
Nida smirked, flipping over the pancakes before him. Last night was surprisingly fun. Selphie had rented two of his favorite movies, 'Waiting for the Last Sunrise' and 'Succeed Three'. 'Waiting for the Last Sunrise' was a drama about a young girl who lived in Balamb, a small town under complete SeeD control. 'Succeed Three' was a documentary on the Sul, a small group of nomadic Centran that managed to hide from the SeeDs for nearly 3 years. He was slightly surprised that Irvine and Seifer had managed to be quiet and not make fun of movie while it was playing. Of course, they tore the movie apart afterward, but Nida was too busy chatting with Rinoa and Selphie about the movies to notice.
He poured more batter in the pan, and his reward was the sweet smell of fresh pancakes. He heard Selphie turn on the shower, and soon after, a loud yawning came from the living room. He looked over his shoulder to see Rinoa rotating her shoulders.
"Hey Rinni."
"Good morning, Nida." She replied, getting up and stretching out her legs. She joined him in the kitchen, and looked to the pancakes with interest. "Those look really good..."
"Then take them. I can always make more." He answered, smiling. He opened one of Selphie's cupboards where he had discovered the plates after nearly ten minutes searching. He handled her one of the green and yellow plates, purposely touching one of her fingers. She smiled warmly at him, picking up one of the forks he had set out. Rinoa stabbed at three of the pancakes he had already finished, and coated them with peanut butter and syrup. This received a quirked eyebrow from Nida, but he said nothing. She sat at Selphie's breakfast nook, crossing her legs and turning her upper body toward him.
"Rinoa...I was wondering something..." He said, flipping the pancakes again.
"Hmm?" She asked, a mouthful of pancake. She was running a free hand through her hair, attempting to tame her massive mess of hair.
"Wait...before I ask you this, would you like a some milk?" Nida asked, already pulling out the gallon container and a glass. She nodded, trying not to giggle. He poured it to her and set it next to her plate. Rinoa quickly drank nearly half of the glass, cleared her throat, and smiled.
"As you were saying?"
"I was wondering that when we got back from the mission...maybe you and I could go out...you know...see a movie, go out to dinner..." There was barely a heartbeat of silence when Nida swallowed hard, and began his ramble. "You don't have to if you don't want to, of course. Not to say that you wouldn't do something you wouldn't want to do. You do what you want. I mean, it's not like you're rude or anything. It's cute...ah...cute in a strong way, you know? I think it's really-"
"I'd love to." She interrupted, smiling.
~*~
Phoenix brushed her hair back, securing it at the middle of her head with a hair tie. She smoothed out a winkle in her uniform, and polished one of her stars with her sleeve. She had applied a tad of makeup to her eyes and lips, pulling attention to them more than before.
She looked at herself in the full-length mirror, deciding that her pulled back hair made her look too young. She allowed it to fall around her shoulders and curl under, coming to a rest just below the hem of her shirt. She adjusted her boots, rubbing a smudge out. Phoenix was a stickler when it came to uniforms, which often caused her to bark at younger soldiers or fix them right in front of their peers. Naturally, this embarrassed them, but they from then on their uniforms were always wrinkle-free.
She smiled to herself when she decided that she look professional, and made her way for the front door. She had spent the night again at Fury's hoping that they could have one more night with one another. He had come home late in the evening and left early in the morning. Despite this, she smiled again at the memories of the night before.
She made her way out the front door and to the cab she had called earlier before. Soon she found herself in front of the UE Building, paid the driver, and walked to the conference room she had been in two days before. The other eleven Generals were there, chatting amongst themselves. She took her seat behind the glass table, giving Fury a smile. He nodded in response, a small twinkle in his eye.
Within moments, the other Generals sat at her team filed in. All were dressed in their uniforms, looking rather spiffy. Rinoa had been loaned a Major's uniform, her hair tied at the base of her neck. Phoenix stood, clearing her throat and clasping her hands behind her back. She took a deep breath before introducing her team.
~*~
An hour and a half later, Irvine emerged from the EU Building followed by his new friends.
"What'd say we get some lunch before getting ready for the mission? I'm starving!" Selphie asked, bounding up to the front of the group.
"Sounds good to me." Seifer answered, smiling.
"I feel like burgers..." Irvine said, pulling on the collar of his uniform.
"I know a place just down the street." Rinoa announced, pointing to their right. "They've got fantastic fries!"
"Sounds good to me." Selphie agreed. A few moments later, they arrived at the small diner and entered. There were only a few other people in the restaurant, mostly teenagers skipping school. They took one of the larger corner booths, receiving a few looks from the other patrons.
"Hey there, soldiers. What can I do for you?" A waitress asked, handing them a few menus.
"I want a soda..." Selphie said, opening one of the menus.
"Same here..." Irvine agreed, smiling.
"Do you just want me to bring over a pitcher of cola?" The waitress asked, putting her hands on her hips.
"Sure." Rinoa said.
The waitress returned soon after, setting down six glasses and the pitcher. She took their orders, and left them alone.
"What time do we have to report to the base?" Ashlin asked, taking a sip of his cola.
"1345 hours." Nida replied, doing the same.
"Are you guys nervous?" Selphie wondered.
"...I am." Rinoa revealed, scooting closer to Nida. He instinctively put his arm around the back of the booth, giving her the opportunity to move closer.
"I guess I am..." Irvine answered. "I mean...the General did say that there's a big chance we could die..."
"Even if we die, we'll be doing something great." Seifer said. "We'll be giving people hope." For a brief moment, Irvine and Seifer exchanged glances.
"C'mon, let's not get all depressed about this. Do you really think that General Aring will let her team die?" Nida cut in, waving his hand.
"Not without a fight, she won't." Rinoa added.
"So did you guys enjoy hanging out at my place last night?" Selphie asked, changing the subject.
"I had a great time." Rinoa gushed.
"It was pretty cool." Seifer shrugged.
"Yay!" Selphie giggled. "Let's do it again when we get back from the mission!"
"I'm up for it. It might be a great way to unwind after a big mission." Ashlin finally spoke up, smiling at the group around him.