Disclaimer: We all know what I'm suppose to put here....and I wouldn't take up this space if I didn't have to. But I DON'T have to. I just don't want to be sued. So basically all I'm trying to say is that I don't own anything that rightfully belongs to Squaresoft.
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Chapter 5: Betting My Love
Only five people sat in the train station that day - a family of four and Rinoa. The latter squirmed impatiently in her seat and watched the rain fall steadily outside the glass windows. A silence filled the room and was only broken by the small whimper of a child. Rinoa looked over at the infant, who was tugging on his mother's blouse and had eyes full of tears. Looking down, the mother smiled sweetly and, after taking the child in her arms, began rocking it gently. As she swayed, she began to hum an old song Rinoa recognized as one of her own childhood lullabies. The baby murmured a few words of gibberish, then nestled closer into the mother's cradling arms, resting peacefully.
A small smile crossed Rinoa's lips, some of it caused by the warmth of the mother's singing, and some of it caused by jealously of the comforted child. Sure, her mother used to do the same thing to her, but she wished she had been old enough to remember those precious moments. Now she would never feel the reassuring hug of a mother as she encircled you in her loving embrace, or the love so deep that her first thoughts were of her child. All she had now was a father so far busy with other matters that the most caring actions he made towards her were small pecks on the forehead and a rush out the door.
Rinoa's smile quickly faded as her mind tracked back to the early memories of her mother. She remembered how beautiful her mother was, and how on long night's she would dream of growing up to look just like her. She remembered how divine her mother's voice was when she sang to her and soothed all that heard. She remembered not much more than that, besides what her father had told her.
Now, watching this small child being bathed in motherly love, Rinoa envied the thought that this child would grow up, always remembering the treasured years spent in his mother's loving care. But Rinoa, even from a young age, firmly resolved herself to keep her spirits high, even during those first hard years without a mother's guidance. As long as she succeeded, her mother would be proud of her.
A light tapping on Rinoa's leg woke her from her day dreaming. The other child, a boy that looked about five or six, looked curiously up at her with wondering eyes.
"Hi!" the boy piped.
"Hello," replied Rinoa with a warm smile.
"We're goin' ta Timber! It's for my dad's birthday present!" he stated proudly, but suddenly cringed and turned to see if his dad had heard him. Apparently not, for the father was snoring noisily from the seat next to his wife. Then the boy looked back at Rinoa and cocked his head slightly to one side. "Where you goin'?"
"I'm going to Timber, too," she said. The boy smiled and opened his mouth, about to say something, but Rinoa didn't notice. "From there, once I meet up with some friends of mine, I'm taking another train to Fisherman's Horizon." Rinoa beamed down at the boy. "This is my present to myself-"
Rinoa stopped short, suddenly studying the boy with concern. His face had drained all color and his eyes were wide with shock. His lower lip quivered and moved slightly, as if at a loss for words. Then a flush of red rushed back into his young face. "Bu-but it's so pretty!" the boy seemed to protest.
"What is, sweetheart?" Rinoa asked, confused.
"Fi-Fish-Fisherman's Horizon!" The boy's eyes filled with tears. "My momma's be-been there and to-told me so!"
Rinoa frowned. "Yes, I know. A lot of people claim it to be the most-"
"Why are you going there?!" the boy cut her off.
Rinoa's frown deepened. She studied the boy for a moment, trying to find a way to calm him, but realized that she couldn't, seeing as how the child wouldn't let her talk. Then, as she was about to say something in reply to the boy's anger, he was dragged off by his recently awakened father. The frustrated child looked back at her with angry, yet sorrowful eyes, tears streaming down his pallid face.
The confused Rinoa swallowed and glanced up, catching the questioning eye of the mother. She shrugged helplessly and received a nod from uneasy parent. The mother's look of worry turned to understanding when her son was brought over to her. She looked up again at Rinoa, sitting across from her.
"I'm terrible sorry if my boy has caused you any distress," she apologized, gazing lovingly at her son. "His emotions get out of hand sometimes. Please forgive him and anything he has told you."
Rinoa nodded wordlessly, twisting her black hair through her fingers. She leaned back in her plastic seat, welcoming the support it gave, even though the plastic was painfully hard.
For the rest of the time Rinoa sat huddled in her chair and avoided the glances by the strange boy. A deep sigh escaped her dry lips when the train pulled into station and her boarding was called. She rushed ahead of the accompanying family and was even more relieved to find many single seats available for her concealment from that child. But just as she sat down by and elderly many, she suddenly inquired her thoughts.
Why am I running from a mere child? What can he do to me? What does he know of the world?' Rinoa suddenly felt her heart sink. What do I know of the world? Geez, I've spent nearly my whole life cooped up in that stupid house with my boring father that five year olds know more about what's outside than I do! That's pretty sad, Rinoa.' She laughed softly at her foolishness, but checked herself when the old timer next to her began to stir.
The train ride to Timber passed in silence and peace, causing most of the train's passengers to fall asleep. Rinoa saw no more of the family or its boy. For this she was still thankful, not wanting to have to deal with the aberrant looks.
By the time the last hour of travel came to a halt, Rinoa was wandering off into slumber. The old man trying to squeeze past her legs in the aisle brought her to full consciousness. After blinking away any more thoughts of sleep or little boys, Rinoa got up herself and headed for the exit with her bag.
Once out in the cramped station, Rinoa hurried with more haste to the outside. Now free of the clamminess, noises, and bad breath, the eager girl took a moment to enjoy her surroundings. It was shortly after dusk and the stars were just coming out to compete with the moon's shine. Not a cloud of rain was in view, except for the few wisps of streaking puff here and there. The air was cool and refreshing against her pale face and a breeze played with the end of her long skirt. Once more she hurried down the steps that led into the restful town.
A few people still roamed the streets at this late hour while Rinoa was heading toward the park. And even though she had been taught all her life to be wary of these people in particular, Rinoa trusted this peaceful atmosphere, unlike her feelings toward her native city. Everyone she passed either politely ignored her or smiled kindly. She was more than happy to be back in Timber and would have been more than jubilant to stay here forever.
It was about 9:00 when Rinoa finally came in sight of a familiar bench in the Timber Park. A man was slumped in it, most likely asleep. In his arms rested a medium sized dog, who, by the the looks of it, was forcefully tolerating the man's weight. Rinoa smiled to herself, knowing exactly how to make her entrance.
Sneaking up about twenty feet from them, she kneeled in the grass, making short whistles with her tongue and teeth. The dog instantly reacted, turing the man over into the ground and soaring over to the source of whistling. Rinoa burst into tears of laughter at the sight of her good friend face down in the grass, still asleep. She caught the excited dog in her arms, now crying out of joy from the familiar feeling of the soft and comforting fur her head was buried in. The animal stood and supported the girl's leaning, just as mirthful.
Finally, after a moment's joy with her beloved dog, Rinoa skipped up to the over turned man. Pushing him over so he was face up, Rinoa was pleased to note he wasn't hurt, but seemed almost more relieved that the ground wasn't either. She shook his shoulders and lightly slapped his round face.
"Zone, Zone!" Rinoa was becoming a little frustrated. "ZONE!!"
The man shot straight up, nearly knocking Rinoa off her feet. His eyes widened in surprise and he was momentarily stupefied at the sight of the dog, Angelo, staring at him curiously.
"Hello?" the slightly startled girl at his side asked, waving a hand in front of his terror-stricken face. He turned to see a familiar face looking at him in the same manner as the dog. He blinked, looked again, and coughed in laughing joy.
"Rin! It really is you! I didn't think you'd make it!" Zone waved his arms while trying to stand up. He then helped Rinoa to her feet, gasping in shock. "Look how you've grown! What's it been? Eight, nine years?"
"Three."
"But its really you!" Zone laughed, jumping up and down.
"Yep! I've really missed you guys - hey, wait a minute...where's Watts?" Concern filled her voice.
Zone waved it off. "Ah, he's just at your house, waiting for you. We had a bet on where you'd show up at first...and I won!"
"Oh? So now you're making bets on me?" Rinoa put her hands on hips.
Zone's smile twisted from being triumphant to sheepish. "C'mon, its late. We'll pick up Watt's on the way to my house."
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"How long before you're on the boat to FH?"
"In about a week. You didn't think I wouldn't spend time with you two geeks, did you?" Rinoa replied to Watt's questioning.
"Well who know with that father of yours," helped Zone.
Rinoa scowled and turned to face Zone. "I'd really appreciate it if we didn't discuss my family matters. Besides, he probably doesn't even realize I'm gone. The maid'll find out sooner than him...." Rinoa absently stroked Angelo's silky ears.
"Yeah, sorry about that." Zone trailed off.
"So princess," mocked Watts from earlier days, "is there yet a prince for you to throw down your hair to?" Watts batted his eyes.
Rinoa, rolling her own, replied sarcastically, "No, but I have seen a few peasant girls suitable for yourself."
"Seriously, Rinoa," interrupted Zone, "there must be someone in that pretty little head of yours that keeps you sane during the long hours of life."
Rinoa's eyes narrowed as she watched both her friends smile smugly and wait for her honest reply. She surprised herself when her thoughts suddenly raced back to the moment that gorgeous stranger had helped her escape. She could visualize everything about him: his freely arranged hair, his deep blue gaze, his strong grip, his toned body, his....
"Helllooo? Princess?"
Rinoa was suddenly ripped from her pleasant thoughts and thrown into harsh reality. "What? Oh, well....uh....there is this one guy-"
"I knew it!" trumpeted Zone. He shifted his gaze to Watts with boastful eyes. Watts mumbled something inaudible and handed yet another twenty over to Zone.
Rinoa gasped. "You're both still betting on me! I don't believe you guys! Especially considering the topic!"
Zone and Watts laughed heartily at Rinoa's reaction. "Just a little fun, Rin!" Protested Watts, putting up his hands defensively.
Zone, still chuckling, said, "So, more about this guy...."
Rinoa flushed and regretted saying anything to begin with. But she knew that these two could easily make her life a living hell if she didn't give them something to feed off of. "Its nothing, really. I probably won't even see him again..." Her eyes became glazed, her thoughts traveling off again. "But it was worth seeing him at least once. Everything I can remember about him in those five minutes is just... just...." She once again could see his features. She vividly remembered his smooth face, his curved lower lip, his sloped nose, and those...those ostentatious eyes.
A warmth on Rinoa's hand once again released her grip on desire. Looking down, she saw Angelo licking her hand. Patting the dog's smooth fur, she looked back up at Zone and Watts. Zone was on the verge of laughing again, while Watts had one eyebrow arched at her.
"Well," he said formally, trying to act professional. "Its only obvious that you're obsessed...judging by how you keep dazing out like that."
"Yeah," came Zone, "we won't press you anymore for fear we might hear something we don't wanna hear." Rinoa's curved face flushed deep red, putting her under the influence of a cherry. "Yeah, well... whatever," was a she could say without striking them both. "Its getting late and I had better start getting home-"
"You mean the attachment to our house that you never pay for?" asked Watts.
"You two make enough money off each other!" she stormed. "I'll see you both tomorrow at 7:00 sharp!" Her piercing gaze swept across the room. Then she added daintily, "By the princess' orders." With that, she called her dog, and walked to the house next door.
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Rinoa spent most of her week in Timber enjoying the company of Zone, Watts, and Angelo. A couple times she ran into some other friends, but she tried her best to keep low. She didn't think anyone would recognize her in such a small and quiet town. Most of its residents had not a clue about politics. For this she was immensely grateful.
When the morning of the last day of her visit came to, she was bitterly sobbing over Watts and Zone's shoulders. She promised to keep in touch and write often, for what else could she do for such trustworthy friends while having a strict father? More than enough times she offered to take them along with her to FH, but both flinched at the fact of water travel. And Angelo, for as much and Rinoa loved her, would only be a nuisance on the boat.
Farewell at the dock was filled with more of the departing girl's tears.
"Geez Rin, cry any more and you'll flood the boats. We'll see you on your way back, so its not farewell just yet."
"Yeah, I know, but..." Rinoa's lower lip quivered fiercely and she once more was taken over by streaming tears.
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The trip to Fisherman's Horizon was nauseating. Rinoa, more than once, had to lean over the boat's rails. She was miserable without her friends and once regretted seeing them again in the first place. She immediately banished the thought and tried to look at the bright side. She was heading to one of Gia's most beautiful cities. She would have a great time on this escape' vacation. She almost began to enjoy the thought when another entered her mind, strangling the pleasant ones.
What had that boy meant by what he told her? It made no sense at all. Why was she even bothering over it? It only made her headache worse than it was.
All of her doubtful thoughts were killed when the boat pulled into dock. Rinoa's brown eyes sparkled at the sight. The city was lavished in small shops, divine sculptures, laughing people, windmills, and structures yet to be described. Over all other buildings stood one that towered above the rest. From the outside it would appear as a monstrous auditorium, its brilliance outshining everything around it.
Rinoa wondered dreamily what the inside looked like. She walked down the many piers of the dock, before she was walking the wondrous piers of the city itself. She itched to look in any one of the persuading shops, just to see what it was like. But she was determined to first find the hotel before dark.
She hadn't made any wrong turns, but by the time Rinoa reached her hotel, it was near dusk. Before she checked in, she wondered eagerly what the city looked like at night, compared to this afternoon. She hurried and put her bag in her room and rushed back out to enjoy the splendor of the city.
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I figured it was time to see what Rinoa was up to. (Even though you can never have too much Squall....) Please R+R!!!!!!!!