Note: Ai! Really sorry about all the stupid mistake I made in the last
chapter, I'll edit this one better.
Chapter 2
"You really do look nice," Squall half-mumbled trying to seem indifferent. He was clad in a dark blue suit, complete with a matching tie and dress shoes. Squall, however, still seemed to care very little about his hair, which simply thrashed about in black chunks at the top of his head.
Rinoa glared at Quitis and added, "You've outdone me again Quisty."
Quitis shuttered, for a moment she thought Rinoa meant the affair. She shook herself, no, that couldn't be it, they were too careful.
Rinoa spoke again, "First SeeD, now this fabulous dress. Where did you get it?" Quitis felt a pain of guilt hit her with these words, she must've imagined Rinoa's look. She kicked herself for trying to make Rinoa the bad one.
Quitis attempted a charming smile. "I like yours too," she lied, it was too common for her tastes, "a junk store down in Dollet, but I altered it quite a bit." The group stopped conversing for a couple minutes.
"When is the party gonna start," Zell questioned, breaking the groups suddenly recession into an awkward silence.
Almost on que the overhead lights were dimmed and the white hung lights lit. A voice over the intercom ushered everyone to please take a seat at a table.
Quitis started making her way down the stairs but was held back by a strong arm. She turned back to see Zell who mouthed something along the lines of you've got a seat up on stage, and lead her to a chair next to him. Quitis thought this all quite odd. The party was taking place much like a wedding's party might. She sighed, wishing to escape the harsh light and emotion thick in the air upon the stage.
Glancing down the table she noted the order;
Selphie was seated next to Irvine, furthest down the table, near stage right. Selphie was beaming with pride at what she had done and Irvine simply sat there staring at her. Quitis smiled, how she wished love could be that way. The worshipping guy, the indifferent girl, yet always existent. Next to Irvine was General Carthaway, Rinoa's only parent. Next were the 'happy' couple, Rinoa and Squall. Laguna, who had been called away from Esthar for this event, was seated at Squall's left. Which brings her to Lena and Zell, who sat next to her staring at one another looking very much in love. Quitis almost gagged. How come they got love so insanely sweet, and all she got was false love. There when Squall needed it, hidden when he didn't.
She was still contemplating this when Selphie stood up to speak. A small podium had been erected stage right and she bounced over to it.
"Hello friends, colleagues, family," she turned to smile at both fathers, "Tonight we've come together to celebrate the one year anniversary of our good friends, Rinoa and Squall Leonhart." She paused for applause before continuing, "However I have an announcement to make! Me and Irvy are engaged!" She smiled profusely at the crowd, all of whom were very aware of the famous group, as they clapped and cheered. "Lets get on partying then!" she finished her speech energetically.
Quitis was becoming more bitter by the moment, was she so out of touch that she had to learn of such things going on with her friends through the media? She would not ruin tonight, not purposely, no she wouldn't. As she finished her thoughts she noticed shuffling about the room. The head table emptied and music began to play. Quitis simply sat on the golden stage, staring at the grainy plastic flooring.
It didn't take long for several suitors to find their way up on stage to ask Quitis to dance. Each one she simply smiled at and allowed them one dance, however the continued to flock. At least she wouldn't have trouble finding dancing partners, she wouldn't be as noticeably alone.
She was dancing with a man named Nida, whom she recalled was the Garden's pilot, when she saw Rinoa rush out of the ballroom, crying. She had never been Rinoa's friend, even before whatever had been going on with Squall and her began, but she felt badly. She was about to run off and find Squall when the music stopped and Selphie told everyone to return to their seats.
Quitis thanked Nida, who insisted it was his pleasure, and walked up onto the golden stage to her chair.
Something was noticeably wrong now, neither Squall nor Rinoa were here. Selphie eyed the empty chairs and mouthed 'where are they?' The rest of the group shook their heads unknowing, when Quitis spotted Rinoa stumbling in.
Quitis half gasped when she noticed how drunk Rinoa must've been, she stumbled into a table where someone stood up to try and help her. Rinoa flailed her arms around to get the person off her and continued to the stage, red eyes locked on Quitis.
General Carthaway stood up and helped his daughter slowly to the stage. Rinoa once again shook herself free of the arms that were trying to steady her and grabbed the microphone. In the sudden light, everyone could see she had been crying as well. Quitis dreaded what would be coming next.
"Everybody listen," Rinoa extended the second word beyond normalcy, "I have something to say." She paused, trying to collect whatever it was once again. "Squally-poo is leaving me," she stated crying again, "Because..because of..you." she extended a slender finger in Quitis's direction. Nobody had any idea what it meant.
"Why did you take him, why did you take him in when he left? You stole him, YOU SLUT!" Rinoa shouted, everyone gasped at the sudden implication Quitis had been harboring a secret affair with Squall. Rinoa moved quite swiftly for someone so hammered, and ripped Quitis up from her chair and pulled her in front of the table. Now she spoke directly to Quitis, "You always had to do me one better, I marry Squall, you steal him, I buy a new dress, you have that!" she shouted and ripped at Quitis's dress, then shocking everyone further grabbed a glass of red wine off the table and spilt it on her. Quitis was trembling now and crying, not for sympathy, she just had no more control. Rinoa slapped her across the face and bellowed, "How dare you cry!"
"How could you do that? He was mine, he never loved you, he was mine.." she slurred out and began to repeat over and over. "Now hes gone, hes never coming back, he ran off, all because of you." Rinoa Shouted at Quitis who was now shaking with convulsions.
She couldn't take anymore, Quitis ran, she ran through the gasping crowd, she ran, her ripped dress falling apart at the seems, and she ran until she made it to her room. Where all she did was full into bed and cry compulsively.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
'So now I sit, an outcast. Pushed back by society. I dared to go out into the cafeteria today. Selphie looked horrified to see me, she simply looked back to her plate. The others followed her example, Zell, Lena and Irvine. I tried a feeble hello, only to hear no response at all. I almost argued, almost tried to get them to see what happened, my side of it, but I decided against it, why should they listen?
'I almost cried when Zell wouldn't even flash me a smile of acknowledgment. You take so many things for grant it, the look of a friend, a warm greeting. If only they realized it, realized what I saw happening, the failing marriage, Squall lying to me, saying Rinoa kicked him out when he left on his own will. If they could only realize the loneliness, they all had one another. I was just me, alone, I had no crutch, no one to lean on. It killed me, all of it.
'When I left the cafeteria I began to hear the whispers. Last night they had been along the lines of, 'she looks fantastic'. Now they were mockery, hate, glares formed into stinging words. How come I got all the blame. No one spoke of Squall, of course no one knew where Squall was, as far as I know no one does still. Soon no one will know where I am as well.
'I was not formally asked to leave the garden, call it intuition,' Quitis paused to laugh, 'I just seem to get the picture no one wants me here. So tonight I'm traveling to Dollet, I'm not telling anyone, no one would care anyways. I doubt anyone will notice for days anyway. I heard that there are job openings there, a sudden increase in businesses and decrease in the workforce has made it an opportune time to seek job there. I'll be gone in an hour.' Quitis signed her journal entry and slipped the half empty book into her bag. The duffel contained all she held dear; her memories, her whip, her freedom.
She pulled the heavy duffel bag onto her right arm and straightened her fitted black t-shirt. She took one last look around to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything. When she peeked into the bathroom she felt despair. She had hung the cream dress from yesterday over the shower, hoping to fix it. There was no hope, the dress was stained and shredded, beyond repair, much like all of her relationships. She sighed and left the dress hanging. It was 11:00pm, everything was closed, not a soul would be up at these hours, not that anyone would try to stop her if they had.
She took one last look around at her room, her sanctuary, her prison for the majority of her life. It held so much, pain, joy, and even hatred. She was happy to be rid of it, it was a constant reminder of sorrow. She left that night for a new life.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Quitis had been sitting on the train for half an hour, thinking before it finally got on the way.
Will Cid get my resignation papers? Without them I'll still be legally binded to SeeD, she paused, Typical Quitis, you just caused one of the most famous marriages of your time to break up painfully and your worried that your resignation will be in on time.
Someone took a seat in front of her, she glanced up and saw it was a little girl smiling at her. "Are woo Quisty Trepe?" She asked through a large tooth gap.
Quitis smiled back in spite of how she felt, "Yep, how did you know?"
"We wearnt all about woo in school. I got an A+ in histowy!" she proclaimed, still grinning, "Yur my favowite one to learn about." Quitis smiled. "My mommy said something bad happened to woo, so I should leave you awone, but woo looked sad, so I wanted to make you happy." Quitis smiled, she finally pronounced you.
"Yeah, something did happen. But thank you for talking to me, whats your name?" Quitis was happy to have this small distraction.
"Analeese, but all my fwiends call me Leesy!" she jumped up and down, she reminded Quitis of Selphie, ever energetic and smiling. That thought struck her hard, would she ever see Selphie again?
"Really Leesy, so where are you from?" she tried to entertain the child, to distract herself from her thoughts.
"Bawamb, but we're moving to Dollet, where are woo going?" Quitis almost giggled when she reverted back to woo.
"I'm going to Dollet too!" she smiled at the small girl. Leesy unexpectedly jumped up and walked away. Quitis was sad to see her go, but she returned minutes later with a women in tow. The woman was a pleasantly plump middle-aged woman with brown hair and a warm face, she was wearing a purple shirt and overalls. When she saw Quitis she extended her hand in greeting.
"Hello, I'm Myra, Leesy's mom, I'm really sorry she bothered you, especially with what the newspapers say your going through," she smiled understandingly.
That was the one emotion Quitis didn't think would accompany the media's coverage of the Aniversary Party. She smiled and shook the woman's hand, "No, its no problem, she's a charming little girl, why don't you have a seat, I'm traveling alone." She smiled and pointed to the seat facing her, next to where Leesy had firmly sat before invitation. The women took the seat, much to Quitis's surprise, and began a conversation.
They talked the whole trip, as Quitis noticed, keeping as far from the topic of the party as possible. It was too fresh to talk about. Their arrival in Dollet was signaled by a voice and they both stood to leave.
"It's been very nice talking to you Quitis, and I'm sure Leesy would say the same. Here, why don't you take our address, stop by anytime you need some home cooking," she scribbled the families new address on a receipt and handed it to Quitis. Home cooking, that's something Quitis had never really had before; at least not that she was able to remember.
Quitis smiled pleasantly, she had had a wonderful trip much to her surprise. She was still covered in mental bruises, but now she had someone who was trying to make her feel better. She warmly said good-bye and was surprised when the woman took her into a hug and wished her luck.
As they parted she couldn't help thinking maybe life was looking up.
Note: thanks to sabacat and GenkiVenus, your why I continued, boring chapter at the end, I realize, but I'll fix it, posting the next one reallllllyy soon. AI! So boring without Seifer.next chapter
Chapter 2
"You really do look nice," Squall half-mumbled trying to seem indifferent. He was clad in a dark blue suit, complete with a matching tie and dress shoes. Squall, however, still seemed to care very little about his hair, which simply thrashed about in black chunks at the top of his head.
Rinoa glared at Quitis and added, "You've outdone me again Quisty."
Quitis shuttered, for a moment she thought Rinoa meant the affair. She shook herself, no, that couldn't be it, they were too careful.
Rinoa spoke again, "First SeeD, now this fabulous dress. Where did you get it?" Quitis felt a pain of guilt hit her with these words, she must've imagined Rinoa's look. She kicked herself for trying to make Rinoa the bad one.
Quitis attempted a charming smile. "I like yours too," she lied, it was too common for her tastes, "a junk store down in Dollet, but I altered it quite a bit." The group stopped conversing for a couple minutes.
"When is the party gonna start," Zell questioned, breaking the groups suddenly recession into an awkward silence.
Almost on que the overhead lights were dimmed and the white hung lights lit. A voice over the intercom ushered everyone to please take a seat at a table.
Quitis started making her way down the stairs but was held back by a strong arm. She turned back to see Zell who mouthed something along the lines of you've got a seat up on stage, and lead her to a chair next to him. Quitis thought this all quite odd. The party was taking place much like a wedding's party might. She sighed, wishing to escape the harsh light and emotion thick in the air upon the stage.
Glancing down the table she noted the order;
Selphie was seated next to Irvine, furthest down the table, near stage right. Selphie was beaming with pride at what she had done and Irvine simply sat there staring at her. Quitis smiled, how she wished love could be that way. The worshipping guy, the indifferent girl, yet always existent. Next to Irvine was General Carthaway, Rinoa's only parent. Next were the 'happy' couple, Rinoa and Squall. Laguna, who had been called away from Esthar for this event, was seated at Squall's left. Which brings her to Lena and Zell, who sat next to her staring at one another looking very much in love. Quitis almost gagged. How come they got love so insanely sweet, and all she got was false love. There when Squall needed it, hidden when he didn't.
She was still contemplating this when Selphie stood up to speak. A small podium had been erected stage right and she bounced over to it.
"Hello friends, colleagues, family," she turned to smile at both fathers, "Tonight we've come together to celebrate the one year anniversary of our good friends, Rinoa and Squall Leonhart." She paused for applause before continuing, "However I have an announcement to make! Me and Irvy are engaged!" She smiled profusely at the crowd, all of whom were very aware of the famous group, as they clapped and cheered. "Lets get on partying then!" she finished her speech energetically.
Quitis was becoming more bitter by the moment, was she so out of touch that she had to learn of such things going on with her friends through the media? She would not ruin tonight, not purposely, no she wouldn't. As she finished her thoughts she noticed shuffling about the room. The head table emptied and music began to play. Quitis simply sat on the golden stage, staring at the grainy plastic flooring.
It didn't take long for several suitors to find their way up on stage to ask Quitis to dance. Each one she simply smiled at and allowed them one dance, however the continued to flock. At least she wouldn't have trouble finding dancing partners, she wouldn't be as noticeably alone.
She was dancing with a man named Nida, whom she recalled was the Garden's pilot, when she saw Rinoa rush out of the ballroom, crying. She had never been Rinoa's friend, even before whatever had been going on with Squall and her began, but she felt badly. She was about to run off and find Squall when the music stopped and Selphie told everyone to return to their seats.
Quitis thanked Nida, who insisted it was his pleasure, and walked up onto the golden stage to her chair.
Something was noticeably wrong now, neither Squall nor Rinoa were here. Selphie eyed the empty chairs and mouthed 'where are they?' The rest of the group shook their heads unknowing, when Quitis spotted Rinoa stumbling in.
Quitis half gasped when she noticed how drunk Rinoa must've been, she stumbled into a table where someone stood up to try and help her. Rinoa flailed her arms around to get the person off her and continued to the stage, red eyes locked on Quitis.
General Carthaway stood up and helped his daughter slowly to the stage. Rinoa once again shook herself free of the arms that were trying to steady her and grabbed the microphone. In the sudden light, everyone could see she had been crying as well. Quitis dreaded what would be coming next.
"Everybody listen," Rinoa extended the second word beyond normalcy, "I have something to say." She paused, trying to collect whatever it was once again. "Squally-poo is leaving me," she stated crying again, "Because..because of..you." she extended a slender finger in Quitis's direction. Nobody had any idea what it meant.
"Why did you take him, why did you take him in when he left? You stole him, YOU SLUT!" Rinoa shouted, everyone gasped at the sudden implication Quitis had been harboring a secret affair with Squall. Rinoa moved quite swiftly for someone so hammered, and ripped Quitis up from her chair and pulled her in front of the table. Now she spoke directly to Quitis, "You always had to do me one better, I marry Squall, you steal him, I buy a new dress, you have that!" she shouted and ripped at Quitis's dress, then shocking everyone further grabbed a glass of red wine off the table and spilt it on her. Quitis was trembling now and crying, not for sympathy, she just had no more control. Rinoa slapped her across the face and bellowed, "How dare you cry!"
"How could you do that? He was mine, he never loved you, he was mine.." she slurred out and began to repeat over and over. "Now hes gone, hes never coming back, he ran off, all because of you." Rinoa Shouted at Quitis who was now shaking with convulsions.
She couldn't take anymore, Quitis ran, she ran through the gasping crowd, she ran, her ripped dress falling apart at the seems, and she ran until she made it to her room. Where all she did was full into bed and cry compulsively.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
'So now I sit, an outcast. Pushed back by society. I dared to go out into the cafeteria today. Selphie looked horrified to see me, she simply looked back to her plate. The others followed her example, Zell, Lena and Irvine. I tried a feeble hello, only to hear no response at all. I almost argued, almost tried to get them to see what happened, my side of it, but I decided against it, why should they listen?
'I almost cried when Zell wouldn't even flash me a smile of acknowledgment. You take so many things for grant it, the look of a friend, a warm greeting. If only they realized it, realized what I saw happening, the failing marriage, Squall lying to me, saying Rinoa kicked him out when he left on his own will. If they could only realize the loneliness, they all had one another. I was just me, alone, I had no crutch, no one to lean on. It killed me, all of it.
'When I left the cafeteria I began to hear the whispers. Last night they had been along the lines of, 'she looks fantastic'. Now they were mockery, hate, glares formed into stinging words. How come I got all the blame. No one spoke of Squall, of course no one knew where Squall was, as far as I know no one does still. Soon no one will know where I am as well.
'I was not formally asked to leave the garden, call it intuition,' Quitis paused to laugh, 'I just seem to get the picture no one wants me here. So tonight I'm traveling to Dollet, I'm not telling anyone, no one would care anyways. I doubt anyone will notice for days anyway. I heard that there are job openings there, a sudden increase in businesses and decrease in the workforce has made it an opportune time to seek job there. I'll be gone in an hour.' Quitis signed her journal entry and slipped the half empty book into her bag. The duffel contained all she held dear; her memories, her whip, her freedom.
She pulled the heavy duffel bag onto her right arm and straightened her fitted black t-shirt. She took one last look around to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything. When she peeked into the bathroom she felt despair. She had hung the cream dress from yesterday over the shower, hoping to fix it. There was no hope, the dress was stained and shredded, beyond repair, much like all of her relationships. She sighed and left the dress hanging. It was 11:00pm, everything was closed, not a soul would be up at these hours, not that anyone would try to stop her if they had.
She took one last look around at her room, her sanctuary, her prison for the majority of her life. It held so much, pain, joy, and even hatred. She was happy to be rid of it, it was a constant reminder of sorrow. She left that night for a new life.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Quitis had been sitting on the train for half an hour, thinking before it finally got on the way.
Will Cid get my resignation papers? Without them I'll still be legally binded to SeeD, she paused, Typical Quitis, you just caused one of the most famous marriages of your time to break up painfully and your worried that your resignation will be in on time.
Someone took a seat in front of her, she glanced up and saw it was a little girl smiling at her. "Are woo Quisty Trepe?" She asked through a large tooth gap.
Quitis smiled back in spite of how she felt, "Yep, how did you know?"
"We wearnt all about woo in school. I got an A+ in histowy!" she proclaimed, still grinning, "Yur my favowite one to learn about." Quitis smiled. "My mommy said something bad happened to woo, so I should leave you awone, but woo looked sad, so I wanted to make you happy." Quitis smiled, she finally pronounced you.
"Yeah, something did happen. But thank you for talking to me, whats your name?" Quitis was happy to have this small distraction.
"Analeese, but all my fwiends call me Leesy!" she jumped up and down, she reminded Quitis of Selphie, ever energetic and smiling. That thought struck her hard, would she ever see Selphie again?
"Really Leesy, so where are you from?" she tried to entertain the child, to distract herself from her thoughts.
"Bawamb, but we're moving to Dollet, where are woo going?" Quitis almost giggled when she reverted back to woo.
"I'm going to Dollet too!" she smiled at the small girl. Leesy unexpectedly jumped up and walked away. Quitis was sad to see her go, but she returned minutes later with a women in tow. The woman was a pleasantly plump middle-aged woman with brown hair and a warm face, she was wearing a purple shirt and overalls. When she saw Quitis she extended her hand in greeting.
"Hello, I'm Myra, Leesy's mom, I'm really sorry she bothered you, especially with what the newspapers say your going through," she smiled understandingly.
That was the one emotion Quitis didn't think would accompany the media's coverage of the Aniversary Party. She smiled and shook the woman's hand, "No, its no problem, she's a charming little girl, why don't you have a seat, I'm traveling alone." She smiled and pointed to the seat facing her, next to where Leesy had firmly sat before invitation. The women took the seat, much to Quitis's surprise, and began a conversation.
They talked the whole trip, as Quitis noticed, keeping as far from the topic of the party as possible. It was too fresh to talk about. Their arrival in Dollet was signaled by a voice and they both stood to leave.
"It's been very nice talking to you Quitis, and I'm sure Leesy would say the same. Here, why don't you take our address, stop by anytime you need some home cooking," she scribbled the families new address on a receipt and handed it to Quitis. Home cooking, that's something Quitis had never really had before; at least not that she was able to remember.
Quitis smiled pleasantly, she had had a wonderful trip much to her surprise. She was still covered in mental bruises, but now she had someone who was trying to make her feel better. She warmly said good-bye and was surprised when the woman took her into a hug and wished her luck.
As they parted she couldn't help thinking maybe life was looking up.
Note: thanks to sabacat and GenkiVenus, your why I continued, boring chapter at the end, I realize, but I'll fix it, posting the next one reallllllyy soon. AI! So boring without Seifer.next chapter