Chapter Ten: Our Knights
By PasifikStar
* All Standard Disclaimers Apply: I do not own Final Fantasy or it's characters.
"Happy birthday, Quistis!" a flood of voices shouted.
"Oh, Hyne!" the tall blond gasped as her blue eyes went wide. A wide smile went across her face as Rinoa nudged her into the room. She whirled around to look at the devious brunette smiling proudly behind her. "You little! You said we were going to do some late night shopping!"
Rinoa's smile merely widened as she looked up at Quistis. "C'mon, Quisty," she chuckled. "Like you didn't see this coming. I mean...how many malls do you know close at two am during the non-holiday season?"
Quistis sighed as someone suddenly glomped on to her. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, QUISTY!!" Selphie cried out as she looked up at Quistis. She and Rinoa, along with financial contributions from Zell, Irvine, and Squall, had rented out Quistis' favorite restaurant in Balamb. "How do you like it?"
Music was pumping through the usually quaint atmosphere, turning it from a humble bistro to a heart starting night club. All with the simple effects of dry ice, strobe lights, and a set of turn tables in the corner. Quistis shook her head, but was immensely pleased and flattered by the whole thing.
"It's great, Selphie!" she admitted as she looked around. "You two really out did yourselves!"
"I wanted to get strippers but Rinoa said no!" Selphie frowned, looking over at Rinoa, who was on the other side of Quistis.
Rinoa let out a heavy sigh. "I told you, I had them all set up, but then the guys refused to come if there were male strippers. They said it would be too 'weird'."
"Trust me, I'm more than happy that you didn't splurge on half naked men-" Quistis began just as Irvine ran through past them, clad in tight leather chaps and his cow boy hat.
"Hey, Quisty! Happy birthday!" he managed to breath out as he ran past them, being tailed by a dozen squealing female SeeDs.
Rinoa and Quistis stopped in their tracks and shivered. "That was scary..." Rinoa mumbled.
"Tell me about it," Quistis sighed. She turned to her two companions. "So...since there are no strippers...?"
"Well...we CAN ask Irvine for a lap dance..." Selphie trailed off. Quistis winced and turned slightly green.
"He'd do it, too..." Rinoa added, nodding.
"No lap dances!" Quistis gasped. "It's MY birthday and I don't want some man dancing on my lap!"
"I was talking about one for me," Selphie explained brightly. Rinoa and Quistis looked at her strangely. "What?"
"Great..." Rinoa frowned. "Now I have the image of a half naked Irvine giving you a lap dance," she told the shorter brunette. "Irvine is almost twice as big as you! He might crush you or something."
"No, he won't," Selphie assured them. "He may look heavy, but he's actually quite light and very careful."
Quistis narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "How would you know that?"
The two taller women watched Selphie's green eyed face slowly turn pink. "Ew," Rinoa mumbled. "Great...now we HAVE to get drunk to forget this!"
"Oh, yes, that's right!" Quistis said brightly. "Let's have a drink!"
"Squall's reserving the table that looks over the plains for us," Rinoa told her brightly. "Right, Selphie?"
"Yep!" the green eyed brunette said as she hooked her arm through Quistis' and lead the tall blond through the bustling dance floor, where Zell and the library girl waved at them.
"Happy birthday, Quistis!" Zell shouted.
"Happy birthday, Instructor Trepe!" the library added as she waved. Quistis thanked them, noticing that it was the first time she had seen the library girl wearing something other than the standard female SeeD uniform.
She was wearing a short black skirt with knee high boots and black tube top underneath a sheer silver, long sleeve, buttoned up shirt. Her hair was down, framing her usually pretty face with wavy brown locks.
"They're on a date!" Selphie said.
"We hooked them up!" Rinoa said proudly as they exited the body filled dance floor. Quistis felt her blood pumping as the energetic music reached her ears and the strong bass moved her body. "Squall!"
Quistis turned her head and saw their commander sitting at a table good enough for ten people. It was a large circle, covered with a dark red table cloth. Right next to it was a large window that reached from one side of the room to the other. Through it's thick glass was a view of the plains and in the distance, Balamb Garden, with it's glittering signal lights.
Squall gave Quistis a warm smile as he stood up to greet them and pulled out seats for all three girls. "Happy birthday, Quistis," Squall said. He reached into his leather jacket and pulled out a small white envelope. "From Cid and Edea."
"Oh! How kind of them!" Quistis said with a smile as she reached across the table and took the envelope from Squall's hand. "Can I hope it now?"
"Of course!" Selphie exclaimed. "It's your birthday!"
"Waiter!" Rinoa was saying as she waved over one of the bistro's waiters. "Can you send the food over now? Along with two bottles of the house wine?"
"Of course, Miss Heartilly." the waiter nodded and scurried off. Quistis was using her thumb to open the small envelope. Rinoa looked excited as she sat next to Squall. The commander had his arm casually draped around the back of Rinoa's chair as he narrowed his eyes. Irvine had just dashed past him for the fifth time in fifteen minutes, this time, minus his hat.
*I swear if he runs past us once more with just his chaps, I'm sending him home in a taxi...* Squall thought to himself.
"Oh my Hyne!" Quistis gasped. She lifted up two tickets to a resort in Trabia. "I get a week's paid vacation AND a trip to Trabia!"
"It's ski season!" Selphie piped loudly as her large green eyes went wider with excitement. "You're so lucky!!!"
"Who are you going to bring?" Rinoa asked. "Oh! Oh! Maybe we can all go?" she gasped, looking around the table.
"I want to go with you, Quisty!" Selphie pleaded. "PLEASE?"
Quistis let out an amused laugh and nodded. "Sure, Selphie."
"Yes!"
"Selphie, darlin', you're not going to leave me here alone, are you?" a voice asked behind her. Selphie giggled as Irvine put his bare arms around her slim shoulders and kissed the top of her head. "It'll be lonely without you."
"Well, you'll just have to deal, cowboy!" Selphie said with a smile as Irvine slipped into the seat next to her.
"Since you opened that present already," Rinoa said, getting Quistis' attention. "Do you want to open the one from me and Squall?"
"From you AND Squall?" Irvine snorted, across from the other couple. "Did you two go all cheap this year and combine both your gifts into one?"
"Irvine, you and Selphie did the same thing..." Squall reminded him.
"Oh yeah..."
Quistis merely shook her head and quickly pocketed her tickets. "Okay! Hand over the gifts!" she said, extending her hand as Rinoa reached under the table and lifted up a large gift bag with pink tissue paper sticking out of the top.
"Looks heavy..." Selphie pointed out as she peered over Quistis' shoulder to get a better look.
Quistis had a large smile on her face as she put the bag on her lap and began to dig through the paper. She lifted up a book. "The hardcover to 'Sapphire Eyes'! Thank you, Rin!!!" she said with a large smile on her face.
"There's more!" Rinoa said with a smile. Quistis put the book on the table and reached into the bag with her right hand once more. She felt around and felt a velvet box. She pulled out a flat, square box about the size of her palm.
Looking at the couple suspiciously, she lifted the top and her eyes went wide. "Oh, Hyne..."
Selphie looked over and saw the silver chain bracelet with thin silver plate over it. She recognized the style immediately, as the bracelet was on the cover of Rinoa's book, 'Sapphire Eyes', where Casey Epert was holding her hand over her face. It was in black and white except for the bracelet and her blue eyes. The bracelet's plate had Quistis' name engraved in it framed by one sapphire on either side of her name.
"For all your help on the books!" Rinoa said. "It just screamed out Quistis, so we had it made."
"It's gorgeous!" Quistis said. She lifted the bracelet and looked at it in the dim light. Regardless of the dim light, it still glittered and she smiled. "Thank you!" She loved Rinoa's book and the character Casey always wore the bracelet. In the book, Casey's name was on the top of the bracelet and the name of the man Casey loved was on the underside.
As Quistis looked over the thoughtful presents, Zell and his date, the library girl, arrived at the table. They greeted her just as the food was put on the table by three waiters. Quistis looked around, watching her friends talk and eat. Selphie even made a little toast to Quistis for her birthday.
As they sat there, the blond came to the striking realization that she was the only one without someone at her side. Rinoa was with Squall, who was putting up a pathetic fight against tasting what was Rinoa's fork. He reluctantly took a bite, and she could see in his eyes that he enjoyed what Rinoa had been offering him.
To Quistis' right, Irvine was trying to get Selphie to eat the cherry from his drink...while it hung from his mouth. Selphie, not one to back down, took up the challenge. Just as she bit it, Irvine leaned in to kiss her. Then Quistis looked across from her and saw Zell, shyly but surely, talking to the library girl, who was blushing furiously.
"Miss?" a voice said behind her. Quistis turned around and saw the waiter standing there, holding a bottle of red wine. "Would you like some wine?"
Quistis looked over at the glass that was by her plate and lifted it up. "Please."
Minutes passed into an hour and one hour turned into five. It was one a.m. and Rinoa was paying for the food. All the guests, save Selphie, Zell, Irvine, and the library girl had left. Zell, Selphie, and the library girl were all helping clean up and gather Quistis' presents as Irvine was slumped over in a chair by the door, snoring away in his drunken state.
Quistis herself was sitting calmly by the window, her head leaning against the cold glass as two empty wine bottles and dozens of multi-sized glasses littered their table. Rinoa turned around and sighed heavily. Quistis had drunk quite a bit. Rinoa herself couldn't, as she knew the consequences of drinking and seeing as she couldn't handle her liquor that well, she didn't drink. That and the fact that she had a meeting with her editor the day after.
Squall had left early, as he a report and presentation to give the next morning as well. "Should I call a cab for Irvine?" Rinoa asked.
"It's okay," the library girl said as she finished neatly piling Quistis' presents into several large paper bags. "I can drive him and Selphie home."
"Okay, thanks," Rinoa said. "I'll take Quistis back."
"So was everything covered?" Zell asked. Rinoa nodded.
"Yep, you guys can head back now," Rinoa said. "I just want to thank the owners and then we'll follow right behind you." The other three nodded and headed out the door, with Zell dragging Irvine behind him as Selphie and the library girl carried out Quistis' presents so she and Rinoa didn't have to deal with them.
The brunette went to thank the owner and then headed over to Quistis. She gently tapped the blond, who jerked away. "Is it time to go?" Quistis asked, alcohol laced in her breath.
"Yeah," Rinoa said softly. "C'mon...the others have left already. They brought your things with them and will drop them off in your room."
"Right..." Quistis said. She stood up quickly and fell back against her chair, giggling as she swayed slightly. "Heh...too fast..."
Rinoa raised an eyebrow. *Okay...next time we limit her wine intake...* Rinoa thought to herself as she helped the taller woman up. "How's that?"
"It's fine..." Quistis sighed heavily. They headed towards the door slowly. One of waiters opened the door for them as they stumbled out, just in time to see the library girl's car drive by.
Quistis stumbled slightly, her long blond locks falling lazily over her face. "Quistis, are you sure, you're okay?"
"No..." Quistis grumbled. "I'm not."
"What's wrong?" Rinoa asked. *A hang over? Already?* "Should we stop to get some medicine?"
"We should stop and get me a man."
"What?" Rinoa gasped, her brown eyes wide. *She obviously had WAY too much to drink...*
"A man...you know...XX...or is it XY? I can't remember..." the blond stuttered tiredly.
"Why do you want a man?" Rinoa asked, confused. "You never said anything before..."
"Never noticed it..." Quistis shrugged tiredly as they reached Rinoa's car. The brunette propped up the swaying blond against her white coupe as she unlocked the passenger's door. She helped Quistis get in.
Rinoa made sure that Quistis was buckled in and the child safety locks on, just in case, before she got into the driver's seat and started the car. "You don't need a man, Quistis," Rinoa assured her. "You're strong and smart."
"I don't want to be alone!" Quistis said loudly. "It's not fair!"
*Fair...?*
"You have Squall..." Quistis trailed off, lost in a drunken stupor. "And Selphie has Irvine...hell, even Zell has someone NOW! I feel left out."
"You shouldn't feel that way-"
"I want someone, too!" Quistis said. "I hate watching you guys together! It's always 'I love you', but never to me...when am I going to get someone, huh? I'm beautiful, aren't I? I'm smart enough, aren't I? Is that? Am I too smart for a man!?"
"No!" Rinoa said as they drove along the road back to the Garden. "Of course not! Any man would be lucky to have you!"
"Then why am I alone?" Quistis asked, her voice suddenly quiet. "I want a man whose not afraid of me. He should be loyal and speak his mind. Where can I find a man like that, huh? I want a man not afraid of authority! I want a man who'll see me as ME and not as Instructor!"
Rinoa's mind was running at a rapid speed, trying to remember any, if there were, men in the Garden who fit Quistis' description. She shook her head sadly, knowing that there wasn't any man their age that could handle Quistis as an equal and not as an instructor.
"Seifer..." she suddenly whispered. Her eyes went wide. *That idiot's loyal to his cause and speaks his mind. And Hyne knows he never gave a damn about authority!* "Quisty, what do you think about Seifer!?"
"He's okay..." Quistis shrugged. "You know...oh, I can't tell you this!"
"Tell me!" Rinoa urged. "I'll keep a secret!"
Quistis sighed. "I always liked Seifer's smile. You know which one...that cocky one...like he's saying he's better than you. Hyne, I that's sexy..."
Rinoa smiled slightly. "You mean the arrogant smirk?" she asked. Quistis grinned lopsidedly.
"That's the one..."
"If Seifer was back at the Garden...would you go out with him?" Rinoa asked.
Quistis snorted. "No!" she shouted loudly. "But it doesn't hurt to look!"
"But if I promise to get him...?" Rinoa asked.
Quistis smiled slightly. "I don't think I'd be lonely with him to argue with..." the blond admitted tiredly as the alcohol began to make her drowsy. "How do you plan on getting him...?"
Rinoa smiled. "Don't worry about that," she said. "But I promise..." she looked over at Quistis, who had fallen asleep just as they reached the Garden. "I promise you that you'll always have someone to argue with."
Squall stared at Rinoa. She was now sitting up, looking down at the Garden with soft brown eyes, filled with fondness of the memory. "That night, I helped Quistis to her room and then rushed to mine. I began to make some phone calls and tracked down Seifer, Fujin, and Raijin by day break."
"So just like that?" Squall asked, still unsure what to think. "She said she liked his smile and you tracked him down for her?"
Rinoa nodded. She turned to look at him, a thoughtful smile on her pale face. "Yep," she said. "Then I went to ask Cid and Edea for permission and took that vacation to find them and bring them back here. In between tracking them down and on the way there, I'd write the play."
Squall's blue eyes softened as he reached out and cupped her face. "You're amazing."
"It IS a great plan, isn't it?" she smiled. He leaned forward and kissed her softly on her warm pink lips.
"You really are an angel, aren't you?" he asked softly as his fingers gently caressed her hair, pulling it back from her face. "You're always watching over everyone."
"Hey, I do what I can," she giggled. Squall reached over and pulled her against him, holding her tightly. "Squall...?"
"This world isn't perfect..." he whispered. "It can be hell at times, but, my angel, don't ever leave me for heaven..." he whispered softly in her ear. Rinoa closed her eyes tightly and smiled softly.
"Squall..." she whispered. "Heaven is where you are." Slowly, she tilted her head upwards to look up at him as a blue car pulled up to the Garden.
"Well," Quistis said as she stood in front of her door. She turned around, just as Seifer put his arm against the door way next to her head, bringing his face close to hers as his body loomed in front of her. "It wasn't heaven...but it wasn't hell either."
"I think that's the best I can probably get from you," Seifer smirked. While is left hand caressed her untied hair, his right hand rose to gently caressed the long blond bangs from her flawless face. "Did you at least have fun?"
"Let's see...we had a flat tire on the way there, we missed the movie I wanted to watch, and you left your credit card here so I had to pay for our ONE burrito because it was all I could afford..." Quistis said stubbornly. "Yeah...it was barrels of fun."
"Hey, we could've gotten more if you hadn't insisted on going to that jewelry store..." Seifer reminded her.
Quistis wrinkled her nose and lifted up her wrist to show off a silver bracelet. "I had to get something fixed on it."
"What?" Seifer asked. "You've been wearing that thing all night-"
"You noticed?" Quistis asked, surprised. Seifer snorted and turned his head away.
"Does it matter? Anyway, nothing seemed wrong with it." he stated.
Quistis sighed and shook her head. "Well, the evening has come to an end...is there anything else you want to argue about before I go to sleep?" she shrugged.
"I guess that's it," Seifer told her casually. "Goodnight then."
Suddenly, a wave of disappointment rushed over Quistis as the tall male pushed himself off the wall and turned his back towards her. His white jacket was still draped over her shoulders as she watched him walk down the hall way. She sighed and turned around, opening her door and stepping inside.
She tossed his jacket onto her chair and walked past her dresser to her closet, when she stopped to look at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes zeroed on the silver bracelet on her wrist and she smiled. She lifted it up and moved her other hand over it. Slowly she turned over the silver engraved with 'Quistis' to reveal the underside, freshly engraved with 'Seifer'.
There was a knock on her door and she jumped at the sound. Immediately, her eyes went to the jacket hanging over the back of her chair. *He's probably here to get his jacket...* she thought to herself as she quickly walked over to the sliding door.
It slid open to reveal Seifer standing there, just as she expected. "I forgot something." he stated.
*I knew it!* Quistis' mind screamed. She sighed and nodded, about to turn around and retrieve his jacket for him with hands clamped on her shoulders and pulled her forward. Her eyes went wide as warm lips pressed against hers, feeling firm and slightly demanding.
As quickly as Seifer leaned in, he pulled away, leaving her dazed and confused as she stood there, unsure of what to do next. That all too familiar smirk was on his lips as he turned around and walked back into the hallway. "'Night, princess!" he called out.
Quistis stood there, her face blank of all expression as it turned red. *What...just... happened...?*
Her heart was beating quickly as she stood in the VIP booth. Her hands gripped the railing as she leaned over the edge to look towards the stage. Her layered dark bangs were pinned to the side of her head with black, blue crystal encrusted, hair clips. Her dress was long, a deep, rich blue color, that shone like silk in the moonlight. She adjusted the shawl of the same material around her arms as the cool breeze caressed her bare shoulders and back.
"Rinoa?" a voice said behind her. She turned around and smiled widely at Laguna. Ellone was standing behind him, waving as she walked towards her. "Nervous?"
"Very..." Rinoa said. She smiled weakly as the tuxedo dressed President gave her a hug. Rinoa closed her eyes and hugged him back. "I never thought that I'd be this nervous for a play! I'm not even acting in it!"
"But you wrote it, directed it, and organized it," Ellone said as Rinoa let go of Laguna and hugged Ellone. "Congratulations, Rinoa."
"Don't congratulate me yet," Rinoa chuckled nervously as she stepped back. "I won't be at ease until tonight is over!"
"Well, I just look forward to watching the play," Ellone said. "Uncle Laguna says it's a great story...I'm just sad to see that you and Squall aren't playing the leads."
Rinoa blushed and shook her head. "No, no...they were written specifically with those actors in mind," she assured them. She began to nervously play with her gloved hands. "I feel like I'm a wreak right now! I'm so nervous!"
"Your mother was always like that." a voice said to her left. Rinoa's eyes went wide as she immediately recognized the deep, authoritative voice.
"General Caraway..." Laguna said. He stepped back from Rinoa and extended his hand to the other man.
"President Loire," Rinoa's father replied, giving him a nod as he shook his hand. "I read about your sponsorship of Rinny's play."
*Rinny? He hasn't called me that since mom died...* Rinoa thought to herself. She narrowed her eyes as she looked at the General. "Father," Rinoa said stiffly. "Please enjoy the show. I should get back stage now."
"Oh, yes...wait..." General Caraway turned around and waved for one his assistants. A tall man, dressed in formal Galbadian military wear handed him a large bouquet of red roses. "I...uh...used to give your mother these before she had a show. She said they always helped ease her mind. Good luck."
The father held the roses out for his daughter to take. The young brunette, hesitantly reached out and took the large bouquet into her hands. She nodded. "Thank you, sir," she replied formally, but no longer holding the stiff cold tone she had earlier. "I appreciate them."
"Good...good..." General Caraway said nervously. "I just heard so much about this play... I had to come and see it for myself."
"I hope it is to your enjoyment, father." Rinoa stated, still uncomfortable with the whole scene.
The general nodded his head. "If...if you do another play...I would love to sponsor it," he said. "That is...as long as this play meets my standards."
Rinoa smirked slightly, hearing the hint of a challenge in the man's voice. "Well... I'm sure it will." She gave him a slight bow of her head before she walked past him. She passed by Squall, who was talking to Kiros and Ward and waved. She would see him later anyway and she had to be backstage soon.
Squall gave her a slight wave as she walked down the stairs. He turned back to Kiros and Ward. "Just be ready by Intermission. I'll come and get you two then." he told them.
The two friends of his father nodded. "We'll get everything ready, Squall. No worries."
"Thanks," Squall began, when he heard someone calling his name. He turned around and saw General Caraway. He turned back to Kiros and Ward. "Excuse me for a moment..." Squall was dressed in his new, crisp Captain's uniform, which he had been dying to actually wear since it had arrived. Not that he would ever admit that to anyone.
He walked over to the General, who extended his hand. "You're the one who informed me of Rinny's play," Caraway told him. "You said you wanted to ask me something if I came. What is it that you wanted to ask?"
Squall, standing straight and looking proud, looked the general straight in the eyes. "General Caraway, sir...I wanted to ask for your blessing."
Rinoa reached backstage, where the hustle and bustle of actors, actresses, make-up artists, and other back stage crew hands was in full swing. With learned ease, she glided through the crowded pockets of people and towards the main dressing room, where Seifer and Quistis were having their stage make up done.
She had already checked on Zone and Watts, who had gotten there the day after the graduation ball to set up the lights and test them out. They were in their places ready to go. She had then went to the orchestra to check on the band and thank them, before going to see if Irvine had everything under control.
On her last look at the sold out audience, filled with cadets, SeeDs, faculty and staff, Balamb citizens, and assorted men and women who had come to support the play, she suddenly felt the rush of energy flood her body. Riding on that rush, she burst into the dressing room where Quistis, dressed in the lacy outfit with all her make up on, was having the final touches added to her golden locked hair.
Seifer was ready and was stretching out a bit to calm his nerves as Selphie ran around the room, seeing if anything else was needed. Rinoa let out a cough to get everyone in the room's attention. "Once you guys are done, in here can I please speak to Quistis and Seifer alone?"
The two blondes looked at each other from where they were sitting on opposite sides of the room and nodded. Rinoa casually waited by the door as everyone, except Seifer and Quistis, vacated the room.
"Is there something wrong?" Quistis asked Rinoa. The brunette shook her head.
"I just wanted to thank you guys," Rinoa said. "Personally...for all your hard work, your effort, and time. Yeah...I know this sounds like usual thank you speech, but you two have no idea how much this play means to me. I've never done anything like it and I couldn't have done it without you."
"Damn straight!" Seifer cut in. Rinoa chuckled and Quistis shot him a glare.
"You're right..." Rinoa said. "Anyway...thank you guys so much...this is going to be great."
"Rinoa," Quistis called out. The brunette turned to face the blond. "Thank you..."
"For what?" Rinoa asked, tilting her head to the side and giving a confused look. Quistis smiled slightly.
"For always keeping your promises..." Rinoa's eyes went large as Quistis blushed slightly. Just as Seifer was about to ask what the hell was going on, the door burst open and Zell stuck his head in.
"Rinoa, you're needed to introduce the play! Seifer, you're on stand-by!" Zell said. Rinoa nodded and looked at the two actors.
"Break a leg!" she said as she followed Zell out the door. She followed the spiky haired blond towards the front of the stage. From the right wing, she was handed a microphone as she looked out on the stage. The lights dimmed and the orchestra began to play a softer version of the opening music.
"Ladies and gentlemen, presenting Miss Rinoa Heartilly, the writer and director of 'My Knight'." Irvine's voice said through the speakers. The music was low as Rinoa took a deep breath and stepped out into the stage. A spot light followed her to center stage as the lights brightened slightly.
The audience clapped for her as Rinoa smiled widely. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, to Balamb Garden's first ever benefit play, 'My Knight'. My name is Rinoa Heartilly and I wrote and directed this play. But first off, I would like to thank all the actors, actresses, and behind the scenes crew members for all their hard work and time that they gave to make this play possible. Thank you to all our sponsors and the Garden staff and hope they enjoy tonight's play.
"'My Knight' is about the internal struggle in a knight's heart between his duty to his kingdom and the woman he loves. I was fortunate enough to be able to cast my ideal actors for the lead parts and I guarantee that you will be completely immersed into this play because of them. So please sit back and enjoy our production of 'My Knight'."
Rinoa bowed her head as the lights dimmed and the soft music faded out. In the VIP section, Squall sat next to Cid and Ellone as the curtains rose on to a well built background. The opening scene began and Squall closed his eyes and let out a nervous sigh. He looked at his watch.
*Just a few more hours,* he thought to himself. *...A few more hours...*
"Selphie, what are you doing here?" Rinoa giggled as the petite brunette appeared next to her in the wings.
"My favorite part of the play is coming up!" Selphie said. "The end is THE best part of the entire play!"
"Because it ends...?" Rinoa asked. Selphie shook her head.
"Because it's a happy ending!" Selphie stated, as if it were so obvious. Rinoa chuckled. The second to the last scene ended and the lights dimmed, casting a curtain of black over the stage.
Seifer quickly rushed out of the stage. "I'm going to get ready for my next scene." he stated.
"We know, we know!" Rinoa said. "Go! Hurry up!" Seifer nodded and rushed of quickly. The scene that had just ended with the music filled climax. Quistis' character sacrificed herself to save the world and the man she loved. The scene itself has been the most difficult, as it required a lot of lights and wind. Very few words had been spoken, but Quistis and Seifer had been so good, that many members of the audience were in tears.
Irvine gave the signal and the stage, now filled with smoke from dry ice, was light up with soft white lights. As Quistis appeared, now dressed in a long white, frilly Victorian dress, soft piano music accompanied by some violins echoed through the Garden.
Quistis wandered the stage, her eyes searching the darkness. She studied her hands and closed her eyes as she brought them to her heart. "Aiden..." she whispered. Another actress walked on to the stage and began to interact with Quistis.
Seifer looked over his shoulder, relieved to find that the scene was barely starting off as he ran through the inside of the Garden. He had to make sure that no one saw him running away from the stage as he headed to the other side of the quad, an area that had been zoned off and hidden away from the guests.
There, he found seven snow white chocobos, Squall, already dressed in an all white version of his usual outfit, and Kiros and Ward, who were attaching some sort of a floating, circular, carriage to six of the chocobos.
"All right," Seifer said as he adjusted the collar of the shirt he wore. He was wearing the costume from the play, which consisted of black pants, black boots, and a white buttoned up shirt. He wore the black leather trench coat and white gloves. "Which one is mine?"
"The one with the saddle and NOT connected to the carriage." Squall said in a dead pan voice.
Seifer nodded, ignoring the other man's tone as he headed to the large white bird. He grabbed on to the reins and gently petted the bird before getting on the black saddle. "What about the music?"
"It's all set," Squall said. "Good luck."
Seifer nodded and looked down at Squall as he passed. "You, too." He began to lead the chocobo to the other side of the quad, knowing he wouldn't be seen as everyone was now focusing on the end scene of the play. He waited in his spot and watched Quistis on stage.
The young woman stood up slowly, tiredly, from the floor. She looked around. "The cliff?" she whispered. "Why am I here?"
"Where's Seifer!?" Rinoa hissed to Irvine as she frantically looked around for him back stage.
"He hasn't shown," Irvine told her calmly. "Relax, if he's as professional an actor as you say he is, he'll be here."
"She has ONE MORE LINE before he's supposed to SHOW!" Rinoa said, grabbing Irvine by the collar and nearly choking him. "WHERE IS HE!?"
"Re-LAX!" Irvine gasped. He managed to pull himself away from Rinoa.
Back on stage, Quistis stopped what she was doing. "He didn't keep his promise..." she whispered quietly. Tears rimmed her eyes. "He's not here..."
She paused and waited. Seifer was supposed to be coming from stage left at that moment, but nothing was happening. Nervously, Quistis' eyes darted to the wings where Rinoa was demanding Irvine tell her where Seifer was as Selphie ran around in a panicked state looking for the actor.
*No!* Quistis' mind screamed. *The play is almost done! What's going on!?*
The music was trailing off and Quistis wondered if they were going to stop soon. However, instead, the music got stronger and a bright flash of light went off in the back of the quad, behind the audience. Everyone turned around as Quistis' eyes went wide. She stared straight ahead as the white chocobo, carrying her knight on it's back, came down the center aisle as the spot light followed it down towards the stage.
The audience filled with gasps of surprise and admiration as Seifer made his grand entrance. Waves of clapping could be heard as Rinoa peeked out from behind the curtain, her eyes wide. She shook her head as an impressed smile reached her lips. Irvine grinned, having been in on the whole thing from the start. He signaled Zell, who was across the stage in the other wings, who nodded and gave a thumbs up sign. Selphie peeked from out behind the curtain, just underneath Rinoa, and gasped. "No way!"
The music that was being played elated the entire audience, who were at the edge of their seats as Seifer and the chocobo stood in front of the stage. With a graceful move, Seifer jumped on to the stage from the black saddled back of the beast. He took a few steps towards Quistis, who was standing there in completely shock.
"I promised," he said softly as he stood in front of her. "That I'd be waiting here for you."
Quistis' eyes watered. "Aiden..." she gasped.
He gave her a soft smile. "I'm sorry I'm late."
She shook her head, tears in her eyes as she ran towards him. Quistis' body slammed into Seifer's as his arms went around her shoulders. "You scared me..." she whispered.
"It's all right," he assured her softly as he lifted her chin with his hand. Their eyes met and for the moment, they were the only people there. "I'll never leave you again."
He lowered his head to kiss her and Zell signaled one of the stage hands at the top of the stage. The cadet there nodded and pulled a rope. As soft white light filtered down on the actors on stage, a soft shower of pink rose petals fell from the sky around them.
Seifer pulled his head away from her and took her hand. Smirking, he pulled her forward as she flushed and stumbled after him. He jumped on the chocobo and offered her his hand. Quistis took it, filled with certainty as he pulled her down against him, sitting across the saddle in front of him as he grabbed the reins on either side of her.
As the music grew louder, Seifer gently tapped the chocobo and rode off with Quistis. The lights dimmed and the music faded as the curtains fell over the stage. Bringing an end to the play. Immediately, clapping could be heard and back stage, Rinoa leaned against one of the panels.
"Rinoa...?" Selphie said. "You okay?"
The taller brunette nodded. "Yeah...I'm fine..."
"Casting call!" Irvine shouted. Selphie giggled and grabbed his hand. "Selphie, what are you-"
"You wanted stage time!" Selphie reminded him as she dragged him out to the stage, where a line of all the actors, except for the leading ones, had been created. Behind the curtain, they could hear the music start up again as the clapping continued. The heavy curtains rose to reveal the actors and the clapping grew louder. The line of actors and Irvine took two steps forward before bowing all at the same time.
In the center, they split up into two groups that moved to the sides as from stage left, Seifer and Quistis appeared, still riding the white chocobo on the stage. Cheering was heard as the two of them bowed their heads. Even the chocobo they were riding bowed it's head and Quistis gently rubbed it's neck as they moved over to the side.
As the crowd cheered, the orchestra changed the song they were playing once more. They faded from the theme of the play to a brass and string heavy melody. At that point, Rinoa stepped out from stage right. The crowds cheered for her as she bowed in front of the audience and smiled. She waved at them when suddenly, her eyes caught something behind the audience.
The music immediately got lower and she covered her mouth in shock. Selphie saw it as the music picked up again and grabbed on to Irvine's hand as she pointed to the sudden appearance of six white chocobos entering the quad through the center aisle. The audience members stood up, craning their necks to get a better look as a circular, floating, carriage seemed to be pulled by the six chocobos.
Sitting inside was a proud looking Squall. Rinoa felt her knees giving out from under her as the chocobos turned and the carriage stopped in front of the stage. With graceful, calculated movements, the SeeD captain stood up, revealing his white attire to the audience and cast and crew as he took a step on to the stage. With each step he took towards her, she could feel her heart growing closer to bursting from her chest.
He extended his hand towards Rinoa, who took it nervously and was lead closer to the front of the stage. The music lowered in volume as Squall knelt down in front of her. Rinoa's eyes went wide, knowing what that meant. He pulled out a small white box from within his leather jacket and opened it. Her heart almost burst.
"Rinoa Heartilly," Squall said loudly. The audience was now completely silent as the only other sound was the soft music from the orchestra. "Will you marry me?" He waited for her answer as his heart pounded nervously in his chest.
Everyone waited with baited breath and watched with interest as Rinoa began to cry. "Yes!" she shouted, as if she had to convince him that she would.
A wide smile of relief finally appeared on Squall's face as he took the ring from it's box and slipped it on to her slim finger. He stood up slowly as she lifted her hand and studied the new jewelry that adorned it. Her lower lip trembled as she looked up at him. Without a moment to lose, she threw her arms around his neck and held on to him tightly, her eyes filled with tears as she kissed him.
Squall's arms tightened around her as Laguna wiped the tears from his eyes. He watched with pride as Squall lead Rinoa back on to the Esthar made carriage and out of the quad as the play officially came to an end. "That was the most beautiful ending..." Ellone said. "Wasn't it, Uncle?"
Laguna sniffled and shook his head. "Ellone...the story isn't even close to ending."
"And you came up with that whole chocobo thing by YOURSELF?" Quistis said as Seifer held one hand in his as his other hand rested comfortably on her waist.
"Of course, I did," Seifer said as they danced around the ball room with dozens of other couples. "What? You think I'm not capable of something like that?" he asked incredulously.
"Truth be told," Quistis said as she looked him in the eyes. "Yes."
"You didn't think I could act either and look what I could do."
"Speaking of acting..." Quistis said. She looked up at him suspiciously "Where DID you learn to act anyway?"
"You really want to know?" Seifer asked. Quistis nodded.
"You really surprised me the first time. I've been dying to know ever since." Quistis explained. Seifer sighed heavily.
"Fine...but don't let it get out!" he insisted. Quistis giggled and nodded. "One summer, I took a summer job along with Raijin and Fujin in Deling City...you remember that summer I went away, right?" Quistis nodded. "Yeah, well, we got hired to help with a stage production at Rinoa's old school, which is how I met her. We were doing some back stage cleaning, when I was being stupid and took one of the left over scripts, climbed on stage, and began playing a part in 'Romeo and Juliet'."
"You were pretending to be Romeo?" Quistis asked, imagining him standing on the stage calling for Juliet.
"Um...I was joking around and was pretending to be Juliet." Seifer said in a low voice. Quistis' image of him immediately went down the drain.
"What?" she asked.
Seifer let out an annoyed growl. "I was caught playing Juliet and was cast to play her in the play, all right? It's not MY fault that Rinoa's old drama teacher was CRAZY!"
Quistis bit her bottom lip, trying not to laugh as images of Seifer wearing Juliet's red velvet empire waist dress and cap entered her imagination. *He's pretty tall...wait a second...Rinoa went to an all girls school...meaning Romeo was played by a woman...oh, Hyne! I bet he towered over them!...I wonder if Rin has pictures...* She failed and had to bury her face in his chest to smother her laughter. "Oh, Hyne! Are you joking!?" she gasped. She looked up and noticed that he had turned bright red. "Oh..."
"If you tell ANYONE, I'll-"
"You'll WHAT?" Quistis asked, raising an her eyes defiantly. Seifer opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
"You..." he began. "You are SO lucky I'm in love with you!"
Quistis smirked. "I think you mean UNlucky."
Selphie watched Quistis and Seifer as the couple danced and argued around the ballroom. She smiled, extremely pleased with the outcome of Project Seiftis, as she and Rinoa had dubbed it. Fujin had also expressed her pride in their work as well. Now the green eyed brunette was walking around the ballroom with her video camera.
"Quisty! Seifer! Wave to the camera!" Selphie shouted. The two blondes turned and saw her. Seifer smirked as Quistis let out a heavy sigh and gave a weak wave.
"Selphie, come on..." Quistis sighed.
"Sorry! Sorry!" Selphie piped as she giggled. "Didn't mean to interrupt your romantic moment there!"
Quistis blushed and Selphie giggled as she caught it on camera. She then panned over to a table where Zell was munching on hot dogs while his girlfriend patiently placed a plate of new hot dogs in front of him. He paused and looked at the plate before turning to the pig tailed brunette and giving her a hug.
Selphie sighed and panned around the room, getting Edea and Cid, who were dancing on film. Laguna was scene talking to Kiros and Ward about his plans for Squall's wedding while the two other men looked seriously concerned.
"Uh...Laguna, what makes you think that Squall will let you have any part in his wedding?" Kiros asked questioningly.
"Of course he'll met me have a part in it!" Laguna laughed. "I'm his father! Now like I was saying...I'm thinking that the theme colors should be a light blue and silver combination. What do you think?"
"I think that this conversation should end." Kiros replied.
Selphie giggled and then caught the unlikely sight of Squall talking to General Caraway. Or rather, General Caraway talking to Squall. She snuck behind a large column and zoomed in on the conversation.
"If you so much as hurt a HAIR on my Rinny, I will have the WHOLE Galbadian army hunting you down, do you understand me, Leonheart?" Caraway growled sternly.
"Yes, sir..."
"And just because I gave you my blessing, doesn't mean that you're free to do what you wish to her! If I hear that ANYTHING happens to Rinoa, you'll never sleep, you'll never eat, you will just cower in fear as I go on a manhunt for you."
"Yes, sir..."
Selphie giggled and continued on her way. She saw Irvine and called him over. "Irvine! What did you think of the play?" she called out. The cowboy shot her a sexy grin.
"It would've been better if I were in it!" he told her. "What about you, what did you think of the play?"
"Do you really want to know?" Selphie asked. Irvine nodded. "I think she should write a play for ME." Irvine laughed.
"There you two are!" A voice said. Selphie turned around, the camera blurring slightly before it settled on Rinoa's face.
"Rin! Congratulations!" Selphie exclaimed.
Rinoa laughed. "Thanks, but you guys already said that a million times already! Anyway, did you hear what Cid said? He said that we can do throw another benefit play!"
"Do we still need the money?" Irvine asked. Rinoa nodded.
"Well...yeah..." Rinoa said, weakly trailing off. "But that means that you have another chance to be in a play, Irvine!"
"I'm not the stage manager again, am I...?" Irvine began. Rinoa shook her head.
"Actually, I have this play that I've been working on," Rinoa said with a warm smile on her face. "It's called 'Gunslinger'," Irvine and Selphie immediately froze. They turned to look at each other. Rinoa smirked deviously. "Are you interested?"
The End
Author's Notes: Next 'chapter' is the thanks page! ^_^