Disclaimer: I do not own FF8 in any way and all the characters from the
game are not mine.
AN: Hello everybody! Remember me? Hahaha sorry about the slow update. I've been having a terribly tiring couple of months and I didn't have time to write. But I'm cutting the crap and getting straight to the story so please R&R! Thanks!
Chapter 16: The banquet Rinoa's POV
Wow, I didn't expect it but a certain Mr. Leonhart just asked me to the dance! Alright so people keep telling me they knew it was coming and all that stuff but that still doesn't stop me from being all happy-go-lucky right? Right.
Selphie and I went shopping like we do every year for the banquet. I've actually got quite a reputation as "The Little Rejector" because every year I turn down every single guy who's asked me to the banquet. So I guess Squall's gonna get some attention since he's the first guy who's successfully gotten me to go to the banquet with them.
I picked up a nice white dress which was actually too short for my taste but was just right for Selphie. "It's perfect" she says. Of course this is coming from a girl who tailors her SeeD uniform to show as much leg as possible. How does she do it?
Anyways I got back home and my stupid house was SO stuffy. I had no idea why. Until Irene walked into my room and told me the air con was busted and they were getting a guy to fix it tomorrow.
"Why tomorrow? And why doesn't anyone open any windows?" I asked
"Tomorrow because that's the only time he's got. And I have no idea why nobody opens windows around here. It feels perfectly fine to me." she said.
Well of course it feels fine to her! She used to live down south where the temperature was crazy! Well if everybody in this house is mental, I'm not. I unlatched the windows and pushed them open.
CRAAACK!
What the hell was that?
CRAAACK!
It's coming from outside...Slowly I turn around and head cautiously towards the window to peer downwards at where the noise was coming from.
CRAACK! FWAAP! It was from Irvine's backyard. Looking closer I saw that Squall was standing there with his metablade ignited. The arm holding the bright blue blade was covered in that glossy armor. He was wearing the t-shirt that he usually wore under his jacket. I could see the jacket tossed aside onto a nearby chair.
CRAACK!
The speed was incredible. The last time I saw Squall fight with his blade it was from a further distance than this. The blade and his arm moved so fast that all I saw was a bright flash. He was constantly moving on the balls of his feet and shifting as he practiced.
Then he stopped and put away his blade. The armor slowly dissolved and the tendrils slithered away into his skin like snakes. He picked up his jacket and I could have sworn he looked up into my room before moving off.
I turned away from my window after seeing that almost frightening display of power. I'm just so lazy I haven't been practicing my skills for so long that I'm feeling guilty. Well, I swore that after the banquet I'll start practicing again. I'm still getting top grades in school though so that's okay.
Dinner that night was much better than usual actually. It was quite eventful to say the least.
"So the banquet is coming up again." my dad said.
"Yeah" I was practically smiling just at the thought of it.
"Who asked you out this year?" he asked. My dad knows about my little rejection habit.
"Well, Squall Leonhart from next door." I thought my dad would be surprised as hell and not talk for fifteen minutes. Instead he just smiled.
"Ahhh, Squall. I guess the rumors were true then." he said.
"Oh..." I didn't know what to say to that. I guess news travels fast when your dad is the General.
After that I just went up to my room. There were so many things that were spinning in my head. I needed some time to think. First off was Squall. I knew the metasites at Galbadia were good, but our own metasites always managed to take down a few of them. Seeing Squall practicing in Irvine's backyard was a real eye opener. When he killed off that Raijin character, Squall looked like it was no big deal. Were the Galbadians really that strong that they were just toying with us by not unleashing their strongest fighters? Was Squall even FROM Galbadia? Or was he lying again? I had no idea. But I know one thing for sure. It's a good thing he's on our side now.
Another thing was my dad. It's hard to read his thoughts. I don't know if he likes Squall or hates him or anything. And it's driving me crazy! Well, I guess that I'll take it as it is and go with the flow. This banquet's gonna be fun... Well, Squall said he'd come around at 7. The banquet starts at 8 so we'll have plenty of time to get there. It only takes about 15 minutes to walk to the garden. Selphie of course is coming over and helping me dress up and stuff. We did this every year.
"Rin, just leave your hair down. It looks better, seriously." she said.
"You think so?" I wasn't so sure.
"Yeah, for sure."
"Okay then." I trust her judgements, what can I say?
"This dress is still way too short!" I said.
"Nah, it's perfect." she says this all the time.
I kept pulling at my dress to try to get it to go longer even though I know it's useless. An hour of fooling around later, the doorbell rang.
Selphie and I practically flew to the door. Looking through the spyhole I saw Squall's slightly nervous composure. Smiling slightly I opened the door.
"Hey" he said. He was dressed pretty plainly. A black button up shirt with black dress pants and a belt that had a blue marking that I couldn't see clearly. But he looked nonetheless stunning.
"Hello, you wanna come in for a second? We got plenty of time." I said. Selphie was bouncing up and down beside me.
"Hi Squall!" she was so loud.
"Hey Selphie, Irvine's in the car. I'll ask him if he wants to come in or not." he said. Oh so I guess Irvine knew Selphie would be visiting. Squall walked back over to the car and a moment later Irvine exited. Irvine was walking in front and Squall in the back.
"Lookin' lovely Rinoa." he said. And he winked at me. Irvine and Squall were so different. Irvine just marched briskly into my house and hugged Selphie while Squall cautiously stepped in. It was so funny because Squall normally is allowed to just walk into my house. My dad gave him a key and everything. Now he looks like he's constipated or something.
"General Caraway" Squall suddenly saluted. I looked behind me and saw my dad. He looked pretty happy. But with him, you can never be sure.
"At ease Leonhart." he said.
"Good evening sir." Irvine didn't even bother to salute. "You're always at ease." he said with a little laugh.
"I guess we should, uh...probably be going now." Squall seemed a little fidgety. Not his usual calm self.
"Okay then." I said.
We all said our goodbyes to my dad and left. Irvine and Selphie took the front seats in the car which left the back seat for Squall and I.
We didn't talk much, but Selphie and Irvine were non-stop. Mostly consisting of Irvine's perverted comments and then Selphie smacking him hard across the head and telling him to shut up. The car ride did not last long though since the Garden was so close. Irvine parked outside and we walked in.
Squall stood a little behind me just so that he slightly brushed me. I could see Irvine ahead of us and he had his arm wrapped around Selphie and her head was on his shoulder. I guess Squall felt that Irvine was setting a standard or something 'cause he put his arm around my waist. It was quite a shock because the movement was so quick but I quickly got over it.
"Wow, the Garden looks fantastic." I said. The Garden always decorates before the banquet and this year was no different. The water had something in it that made it sort of shine. Big chandeliers hung from the ceiling and silver cloth painted the walls.
We headed towards the Quad where the event was taking place. A tall black man was standing at the entrance. The guy looked like he could dish out some damage. A closer look revealed a badge with the Esthar symbol on it.
"Ticket and ID please." he said.
ID? They never checked that. Why didn't anyone tell me they checked ID? I looked at Squall and he seemed to have left his ID at home as well. Oh boy, we would have to go back home and get them. Luckily we were early so we might be able to make it just a little bit late. But Squall held me back when I was about to leave.
"Can you run a check on the computer for our ID's? We left them at home 'cause we didn't think we'd need them as is the case for half the people here." Squall said.
"Sorry sir, but no entrance without ID. There are dangerous metasites in disguise these days. We can't take any chances." he said.
Squall leaned in close and whispered something to the guy. The guy's eyes widened and he looked at Squall.
"Go ahead." the guard stepped aside. Squall grinned and led me inside. What the hell was that all about?
When we were safely inside the Quad and away from other people I asked Squall.
"What happened?"
"Oh it's nothing Rin, he's just takes his job a little too seriously that's all." he said. Okay, well Squall is the master of saying something and then practically not saying it at all. But at the moment I didn't bother questioning him any further. We headed towards an empty table only to have Selphie and Irvine join us a minute later.
"Is the guard still asking for ID?" I asked them. I knew neither of them brought ID so I just had to ask.
"No he's not, was he?" Selphie said.
"Yeah but who cares, it's okay now."
The rest of the banquet passed pleasantly enough. Not much talking but lot's of fun and the food was good. It was a buffet with pasta and chicken and salads. I had two helpings of chicken which Selphie thought would make me really fat but I'm one of those people who can eat as much as I like and never get fat... unlike her. Squall ate A LOT. He was usually this way at our house but it's still impressive how much he can eat and still keep that slim a figure. He's not fat at all, I'd guess his weight to be about 140 pounds.
After dinner was the speech and the exchange of gifts. Always the most boring part. But afterwards was the dance.
When the last words of the speech were spoken and the last gifts given, the music started. Irvine jumped up and grabbed Selphie. They were always the most energetic. I looked towards Squall.
"Wanna dance?" I asked.
"Ummm actually...no." he said. I noticed that his gaze dropped to the floor and his usual confident composure now seemed quite nervous.
"Awww why? Is it 'cause you'll only dance with a girl you like?" I teased him only because I really wanted him to dance with me.
"No, that's not it." he gently pulled me over and looked all over the place while he whispered to me "I can't dance."
I couldn't help it, I just cracked up. Yeah I know it's mean but it was just the funniest thing I've heard in a long time. Squall just stood there as I practically laughed in his face.
"You mean to tell me that the most powerful metasite at Balamb Garden can't dance?!" I said while still giggling. I didn't wait for a response and pulled him onto the dance floor.
He danced beautifully. He actually looked like he knew what he was doing. And he said he didn't know how to dance. Bullshit heehee.
When the dance was done we walked back over to our seat. Then the president walked onto the stage and cleared his throat loudly.
"Escuse me everyone. As the banquet is about to come to an end I'd like to say one final thing." nobody was talking at all, it was dead silence. "I'd like to give a toast. To two of the bravest and most respected SEEDs of all time. They acted as spies for us to gather information from Galbadia's databases. I'm sure you all know who I'm talking about. I'm talking about Zone Liger and Emi Caraway Heartilly."
AN: Sorry everybody for the harsh delay time. I've been really busy lately. Hopefully I'll be able to update more often. Another cliffhanger eh? Hehe, well, I'm sure most of you can guess who Emi is by the last name. The story from this point on will take a more serious tone but I don't want to spoil it for you guys! Please R&R! Promise I'll get the next Chapter up sooner!
AN: Hello everybody! Remember me? Hahaha sorry about the slow update. I've been having a terribly tiring couple of months and I didn't have time to write. But I'm cutting the crap and getting straight to the story so please R&R! Thanks!
Chapter 16: The banquet Rinoa's POV
Wow, I didn't expect it but a certain Mr. Leonhart just asked me to the dance! Alright so people keep telling me they knew it was coming and all that stuff but that still doesn't stop me from being all happy-go-lucky right? Right.
Selphie and I went shopping like we do every year for the banquet. I've actually got quite a reputation as "The Little Rejector" because every year I turn down every single guy who's asked me to the banquet. So I guess Squall's gonna get some attention since he's the first guy who's successfully gotten me to go to the banquet with them.
I picked up a nice white dress which was actually too short for my taste but was just right for Selphie. "It's perfect" she says. Of course this is coming from a girl who tailors her SeeD uniform to show as much leg as possible. How does she do it?
Anyways I got back home and my stupid house was SO stuffy. I had no idea why. Until Irene walked into my room and told me the air con was busted and they were getting a guy to fix it tomorrow.
"Why tomorrow? And why doesn't anyone open any windows?" I asked
"Tomorrow because that's the only time he's got. And I have no idea why nobody opens windows around here. It feels perfectly fine to me." she said.
Well of course it feels fine to her! She used to live down south where the temperature was crazy! Well if everybody in this house is mental, I'm not. I unlatched the windows and pushed them open.
CRAAACK!
What the hell was that?
CRAAACK!
It's coming from outside...Slowly I turn around and head cautiously towards the window to peer downwards at where the noise was coming from.
CRAACK! FWAAP! It was from Irvine's backyard. Looking closer I saw that Squall was standing there with his metablade ignited. The arm holding the bright blue blade was covered in that glossy armor. He was wearing the t-shirt that he usually wore under his jacket. I could see the jacket tossed aside onto a nearby chair.
CRAACK!
The speed was incredible. The last time I saw Squall fight with his blade it was from a further distance than this. The blade and his arm moved so fast that all I saw was a bright flash. He was constantly moving on the balls of his feet and shifting as he practiced.
Then he stopped and put away his blade. The armor slowly dissolved and the tendrils slithered away into his skin like snakes. He picked up his jacket and I could have sworn he looked up into my room before moving off.
I turned away from my window after seeing that almost frightening display of power. I'm just so lazy I haven't been practicing my skills for so long that I'm feeling guilty. Well, I swore that after the banquet I'll start practicing again. I'm still getting top grades in school though so that's okay.
Dinner that night was much better than usual actually. It was quite eventful to say the least.
"So the banquet is coming up again." my dad said.
"Yeah" I was practically smiling just at the thought of it.
"Who asked you out this year?" he asked. My dad knows about my little rejection habit.
"Well, Squall Leonhart from next door." I thought my dad would be surprised as hell and not talk for fifteen minutes. Instead he just smiled.
"Ahhh, Squall. I guess the rumors were true then." he said.
"Oh..." I didn't know what to say to that. I guess news travels fast when your dad is the General.
After that I just went up to my room. There were so many things that were spinning in my head. I needed some time to think. First off was Squall. I knew the metasites at Galbadia were good, but our own metasites always managed to take down a few of them. Seeing Squall practicing in Irvine's backyard was a real eye opener. When he killed off that Raijin character, Squall looked like it was no big deal. Were the Galbadians really that strong that they were just toying with us by not unleashing their strongest fighters? Was Squall even FROM Galbadia? Or was he lying again? I had no idea. But I know one thing for sure. It's a good thing he's on our side now.
Another thing was my dad. It's hard to read his thoughts. I don't know if he likes Squall or hates him or anything. And it's driving me crazy! Well, I guess that I'll take it as it is and go with the flow. This banquet's gonna be fun... Well, Squall said he'd come around at 7. The banquet starts at 8 so we'll have plenty of time to get there. It only takes about 15 minutes to walk to the garden. Selphie of course is coming over and helping me dress up and stuff. We did this every year.
"Rin, just leave your hair down. It looks better, seriously." she said.
"You think so?" I wasn't so sure.
"Yeah, for sure."
"Okay then." I trust her judgements, what can I say?
"This dress is still way too short!" I said.
"Nah, it's perfect." she says this all the time.
I kept pulling at my dress to try to get it to go longer even though I know it's useless. An hour of fooling around later, the doorbell rang.
Selphie and I practically flew to the door. Looking through the spyhole I saw Squall's slightly nervous composure. Smiling slightly I opened the door.
"Hey" he said. He was dressed pretty plainly. A black button up shirt with black dress pants and a belt that had a blue marking that I couldn't see clearly. But he looked nonetheless stunning.
"Hello, you wanna come in for a second? We got plenty of time." I said. Selphie was bouncing up and down beside me.
"Hi Squall!" she was so loud.
"Hey Selphie, Irvine's in the car. I'll ask him if he wants to come in or not." he said. Oh so I guess Irvine knew Selphie would be visiting. Squall walked back over to the car and a moment later Irvine exited. Irvine was walking in front and Squall in the back.
"Lookin' lovely Rinoa." he said. And he winked at me. Irvine and Squall were so different. Irvine just marched briskly into my house and hugged Selphie while Squall cautiously stepped in. It was so funny because Squall normally is allowed to just walk into my house. My dad gave him a key and everything. Now he looks like he's constipated or something.
"General Caraway" Squall suddenly saluted. I looked behind me and saw my dad. He looked pretty happy. But with him, you can never be sure.
"At ease Leonhart." he said.
"Good evening sir." Irvine didn't even bother to salute. "You're always at ease." he said with a little laugh.
"I guess we should, uh...probably be going now." Squall seemed a little fidgety. Not his usual calm self.
"Okay then." I said.
We all said our goodbyes to my dad and left. Irvine and Selphie took the front seats in the car which left the back seat for Squall and I.
We didn't talk much, but Selphie and Irvine were non-stop. Mostly consisting of Irvine's perverted comments and then Selphie smacking him hard across the head and telling him to shut up. The car ride did not last long though since the Garden was so close. Irvine parked outside and we walked in.
Squall stood a little behind me just so that he slightly brushed me. I could see Irvine ahead of us and he had his arm wrapped around Selphie and her head was on his shoulder. I guess Squall felt that Irvine was setting a standard or something 'cause he put his arm around my waist. It was quite a shock because the movement was so quick but I quickly got over it.
"Wow, the Garden looks fantastic." I said. The Garden always decorates before the banquet and this year was no different. The water had something in it that made it sort of shine. Big chandeliers hung from the ceiling and silver cloth painted the walls.
We headed towards the Quad where the event was taking place. A tall black man was standing at the entrance. The guy looked like he could dish out some damage. A closer look revealed a badge with the Esthar symbol on it.
"Ticket and ID please." he said.
ID? They never checked that. Why didn't anyone tell me they checked ID? I looked at Squall and he seemed to have left his ID at home as well. Oh boy, we would have to go back home and get them. Luckily we were early so we might be able to make it just a little bit late. But Squall held me back when I was about to leave.
"Can you run a check on the computer for our ID's? We left them at home 'cause we didn't think we'd need them as is the case for half the people here." Squall said.
"Sorry sir, but no entrance without ID. There are dangerous metasites in disguise these days. We can't take any chances." he said.
Squall leaned in close and whispered something to the guy. The guy's eyes widened and he looked at Squall.
"Go ahead." the guard stepped aside. Squall grinned and led me inside. What the hell was that all about?
When we were safely inside the Quad and away from other people I asked Squall.
"What happened?"
"Oh it's nothing Rin, he's just takes his job a little too seriously that's all." he said. Okay, well Squall is the master of saying something and then practically not saying it at all. But at the moment I didn't bother questioning him any further. We headed towards an empty table only to have Selphie and Irvine join us a minute later.
"Is the guard still asking for ID?" I asked them. I knew neither of them brought ID so I just had to ask.
"No he's not, was he?" Selphie said.
"Yeah but who cares, it's okay now."
The rest of the banquet passed pleasantly enough. Not much talking but lot's of fun and the food was good. It was a buffet with pasta and chicken and salads. I had two helpings of chicken which Selphie thought would make me really fat but I'm one of those people who can eat as much as I like and never get fat... unlike her. Squall ate A LOT. He was usually this way at our house but it's still impressive how much he can eat and still keep that slim a figure. He's not fat at all, I'd guess his weight to be about 140 pounds.
After dinner was the speech and the exchange of gifts. Always the most boring part. But afterwards was the dance.
When the last words of the speech were spoken and the last gifts given, the music started. Irvine jumped up and grabbed Selphie. They were always the most energetic. I looked towards Squall.
"Wanna dance?" I asked.
"Ummm actually...no." he said. I noticed that his gaze dropped to the floor and his usual confident composure now seemed quite nervous.
"Awww why? Is it 'cause you'll only dance with a girl you like?" I teased him only because I really wanted him to dance with me.
"No, that's not it." he gently pulled me over and looked all over the place while he whispered to me "I can't dance."
I couldn't help it, I just cracked up. Yeah I know it's mean but it was just the funniest thing I've heard in a long time. Squall just stood there as I practically laughed in his face.
"You mean to tell me that the most powerful metasite at Balamb Garden can't dance?!" I said while still giggling. I didn't wait for a response and pulled him onto the dance floor.
He danced beautifully. He actually looked like he knew what he was doing. And he said he didn't know how to dance. Bullshit heehee.
When the dance was done we walked back over to our seat. Then the president walked onto the stage and cleared his throat loudly.
"Escuse me everyone. As the banquet is about to come to an end I'd like to say one final thing." nobody was talking at all, it was dead silence. "I'd like to give a toast. To two of the bravest and most respected SEEDs of all time. They acted as spies for us to gather information from Galbadia's databases. I'm sure you all know who I'm talking about. I'm talking about Zone Liger and Emi Caraway Heartilly."
AN: Sorry everybody for the harsh delay time. I've been really busy lately. Hopefully I'll be able to update more often. Another cliffhanger eh? Hehe, well, I'm sure most of you can guess who Emi is by the last name. The story from this point on will take a more serious tone but I don't want to spoil it for you guys! Please R&R! Promise I'll get the next Chapter up sooner!