Disclaimer: I do not own FF VIII, or any of the related trademarks, songs, etc.
Note:
1) I got the italics to work! Yay! I figured it out all by myself! Bows repeatedly as a fake audience cheers
2) Thank you oh-so-much XxMazLeonhartxX for telling me what "Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec" meant (does happy dance). I had been looking for it forever, and a year in the words of my friend Stephanie. Well, anyways, the rest of the song is in Latin. The people who post song lyrics say so anyways… Do you mind if I post it in one of my chapters (I'll give you credit for telling me)?
3) I so confused! I can make this story go three ways (the chapters I outlined already can go any route with a few tweaks here, and there). We can go the "Squinoa" route sobs, the undecided route (the can't make up his mind route), or the mystery route. I know the basic layouts in my head, but I don not know which one to choose…. I guess I'll go with the original plan... Heh heh heh. Well, here goes a chapter that puts off my decision.. evil chuckle It wasn't part of my layout. It's a stalling chapter. Tee hee.
Chapter 8: Solitude
The wind whipped Squall's hair as he sat in the shade of the pillars. The nearby flowers bent to the will of the wind as well, their soft aroma tickling Squall's nose. Despite his placid surroundings, the fight inside of him still raged on. He had decided to start over, and to do what he wanted to do. But now he didn't know what to do. From a distance he looked like a statue, hardly moving, and in deep thought.
Quistis walked outside, and sat down next to him. She shook her hair back to get a loose hair out of her face, and looked Squall straight into the eyes. He diverted her glance, and turned away from her. She simply sighed, shook her head, and crouched right in front of him.
Quistis: I guess I should have sent Zell, or Selphie out here. Squall, you have us worried. It's not good to keep your resentment bottled up inside of you… At least talk to Irvine, someone else. Please.
Squall: …
Quistis: Squall…please, for Ellone. I know Sis wouldn't want you to look like this. She'd cry.
Squall: …I can't.
Quistis: Why not?
Squall: …You wouldn't understand.
Quistis (peeking under his hair to stare into his cold, blue eyes): I wouldn't? Are you sure?
Squall (gazing back): …
She dropped her gaze. The pain in his eyes was more than she could bear. Even when she was his teacher she never saw him this hurt, this alone, this despondent. It hurt her to see him like this. She couldn't understand it.
Of course she knew about Rinoa, and knew he knew. She was the one who tried to keep him out of the room when she caught Rinoa, and a younger SeeD the first time. She recalled the event like it was yesterday. The shock, and hurt plagued his eyes then, too.
Quistis: Is the reason that he won't talk to me because of when I tried to keep him from finding out… I only wanted to give her another chance with him. I knew it would crush him, and… I didn't want him hurt… I guess those big sister feelings are coming out again. I feel so… helpless for him. Why can't I help him? Maybe if Irvine, or Ellone could talk to him…
She rose to her feet, and sighed. He looked so miserable. She decided to try to get Irvine to talk to him, and figure out a way to help him. She would get Ellone to help if all else failed. She knew it would hurt Sis, too, though.
Quistis walked slowly into the house, and into the now less busy kitchen. Rinoa had gone to the beach with Selphie, & Cid. Zell, and Irvine were helping Edea with the dishes. Zell was drying, and held a plate up to the light for a quality check, and dried it some more. Quistis silently chucked to herself, and walked to Irvine.
Irvine was drying as well, without his beloved jacket. He was about to kill Zell for "accidentally" getting him wet. Needless to say Zell kept his distance, and Irvine wanted to use him as target practice. Edea washed the dishes quietly, except to keep the two from fighting.
Quistis: Irvine, I need a word with you.
Irvine: I you plan on keeping me from decking your boyfriend, forget it.
Zell: Come over here, and say that! (gets into his fighting stance) Didn't think so.
Quistis: Great. The grease must have gone to his head.
Irvine: …
Quistis: Irvine, I really need to talk to you. Now.
Irvine: Why? What ever happened to carpe diem? Seize the day?
Quistis: Zell, after you're done, get everyone on the Ragnarok, k?
Zell: …Okay…
Irvine (being led): What's going on. I know I'm hot, but after Selphie, I'm a one-woman kind of guy.
Quistis (in a bedroom): Don't be so conceited. I'd never cheat on Zell, especially with you. You might as well be a pimp sometimes.
Irvine (on the bed): …Okay, (uses his hand like a gun) shoot, babe.
Quistis (irritated): Can't you be serious? It's about Squall.
Irvine: Yeah, he seems more distant than usual.
Quistis: And you are going to talk to him.
Irvine: I'm not sure if that's such a good idea. He seems like he wants to be lone right now.
Quistis: It isn't good for people to be that strung out. If he keeps going like this, he'll explode so to speak. He'll say things that he will regret, possibly hurt others, or even himself. I can't watch that happen.
Irvine: Why don't you go talk to him?
Quistis: …
Irvine: …Oh. I see. I'll go talk to him now (gets up, and goes to the door). I can't make any promises (exits).
Quistis (nods): …
================
Squall sat still in the same place when Irvine came out to talk to him. He didn't move, or even acknowledge Irvine's presence until he began to speak.
Irvine: You wanna talk, or something. We never know what's going on in that head of yours. Be nice to hear some of it.
Squall: …If this is your way of trying to get me to talk, it's not going to work. I don't want to talk about it.
Irvine (sits next to him): You opened your mouth just now didn't you?
Squall: …
Irvine: Ouch. That didn't work.
Squall: …Sorry.
Irvine: It's okay, man. Just let it all out.
Squall: Why can't you all just leave me alone?! I was fine by myself until the whole SeeD initiation. I am fine alone.
Irvine: But-
Squall: Tell Quistis you tried. That's all she expected of you. Now, can I please think by myself?
Irvine: …(leaves)
Squall: All I want is to be alone!
Note:
Sorry this chapter is kinda crappy. I'm getting a headache, and can't think straight. Oh, well. Bye.
