(¯`'·.¸(¯`'·. .author's note. .·'´¯)¸.·'´¯)
OK, OK! The crappiness of the last chapter is bugging me! I REWROTE IT, and as an apology, I worked my butt off to get this chapter up early!! REREAD THE LAST CHAPTER PLEASE, there's a little something new in it!
(¯`'·.¸(¯`'·. quistis .·'´¯)¸.·'´¯)
There is a first time for everything, and for the first time in almost ages, I was completely and utterly lost.
I was dressed, ready, armed and dangerous, and most unfortunately, hungry. And I had no idea where I was going to eat. My stomach growled impatiently, and I sighed. The alarm had mysteriously gone off a full hour late, so I didn't have the time to leave the residence for even a fast-food breakfast.
These halls all looked the same! There was no difference in the halls here than by my rooms, and I'd been walking for what seemed like hours.
I walked briskly in what I hoped was the general direction of Laguna's office, and tried to ignore the hunger pangs in my abdomen. My stomach wasn't used to going without meals this long.
" . . . "
I turned. Oh, thank Hyne, it was Ward. "Good morning, Ward." Well, it was morning at least . . . "Could you point me in the direction of Mr. Loire's office?"
He raised an eyebrow at 'Mr. Loire' but managed to direct me further down the hall. I thanked him, and told him to get a good days rest for his night shifts.
I still didn't see anything familiar. I sighed, and after checking the hall for witnesses, leaned against a door for support. Today was not my day. My 'To Do' list wasn't very long, or demanding. Apologize to Laguna, and preferably keep his neck and all assembled body parts intact.
Another twinge in my side made me revise my list to include a meal in the near future.
Why, why me? In the past week, I'd gone from overly depressed instructor to stressed bodyguard. How on Hyne's good earth had that happened?
I frowned. I had tried to commit suicide, when Laguna pops up out of nowhere and saves me. Of course, he got us caught in a rockslide not even ten minutes after that, but . . . I had told him my darkest secrets, and in return, he had told me his. I had no obligation, but I helped Laguna with his problem anyway. So . . . a favor for a favor. Laguna had his son, I had my life.
Why was I still here, then? What did I owe Laguna? Was I even doing this for Laguna, or was I doing this for my guilt?
I didn't want to be doing this for guilt . . . so did that mean I wanted to be doing this for Laguna?
. . . perhaps I shouldn't dwell on that thought.
I let out an exhausted sigh. I had gotten plenty of sleep, but I obviously hadn't rested very well. . . . and I was lost in Laguna's behemoth of a house, and hungry to boot. Lost, hungry, and tired . . . at least I wasn't cold.
The door I was leaning on gave a jerk; someone on the other end was trying to open it. I leapt forward, and tried to look as if I was supposed to be there.
"Hey, Quistis, where've you been all morning?" I blinked. Laguna was grinning at me in his usual manner, cocky and blindly cheerful. "I couldn't find you, and Kiros said you'd be late . . ."
"I am not late." I bristled instantly. I am a very punctual person; if I had been late to anything in Garden, I wouldn't have lived it down. I was tempted to hit myself, but Laguna just laughed.
"Okay, okay, you're not late." He winked, and opened the door all the way. "Anyhoo, welcome to my new office!" He gestured inside.
I immediately wracked my brain for the route I had taken to get here. I looked back at the hallway, and if Laguna hadn't of been there, I would have swore. There were no distinguishing features in this hall to discern it from the hundreds of other halls I had passed on the way.
"Who's idea was this?" I asked. It was a flawless idea, getting Laguna out of his public office and to a place difficult to find. The hired guns wouldn't be able to find Laguna to shoot him. The only drawback was that I wouldn't be able to find it either.
Kiros popped up. "My idea." He frowned. "Quistis, you're la-"
"I'm not late," I snapped, while at the same time, Laguna exclaimed, "She's not late!"
I felt a muscle in my face twitch as Laguna unsuccessfully tried to choke back his laughter. Personally, I normally despise it when people find humor at other people's expense, but Laguna seemed to make it perfectly acceptable.
He looked at me, and if anything, his grin grew even wider. "Now, there's a sight I thought I never see!" I tilted my head as he continued, "Looks good on you!" He was still laughing as he headed inside.
What on earth was he talking about?
I followed, telling myself I'd worry about tomorrow just then: tomorrow. I passed by a mirror, and I stopped for just a moment to make sure of my appearance . . . it took a few seconds to realize the twitch in my face . . . was a smile.
I was smiling? Well, this was a new development.
Laguna held up a paper to me. "Hey Quistis, read through this, will ya? Its still gotta go through a bunch of lawyers to check for loopholes, but I'd like a third opinion." I took it and read over it silently.
It was Laguna's revised version of the treaty. It was basically an extended trading rights agreement. Laguna was being extremely generous with this, but what Kiros had said the previous day was right: with Koryu Deling, it was all or nothing; he wouldn't take this.
I shook my head. "I'm afraid this isn't my field of expertise, so my opinion isn't worth much . . . but though it seems flawless, President Deling isn't going to take it."
"That's what I told him," muttered Kiros, slightly miffed. "But as usual, he isn't listening to me."
Laguna looked up. "Sorry, Kiros, I didn't hear you. What was that?"
"See?!" Kiros complained. Laguna laughed. "Hey, I listen, I just don't always do what you say."
"Same difference." Kiros waved his hand diffidently, before his eyes widened in remembrance and he snapped his fingers. "Oh, and Laguna, you do realize that today is Saturday, right?"
I looked up. What was so special about it being a Saturday?
"Yeah . . . but I have too much work to do . . ." Laguna peered cautiously in my direction for about half a second. " . . . Besides, I don't think Quistis would appreciate me running around where every Tom, Dick, and Harry with a gun can shoot at me."
"Hmm?" I narrowed my eyes. No one is going to shoot at Laguna Loire without facing serious repercussions. Or even more preferably, me.
"See?" Laguna pointed out my expression hurriedly, "She wouldn't like it, and I'm not in the mood to piss Quistis Trepe off again, so . . ."
"What, you've pissed her off before?" Kiros queried with a grin. "What exactly happens when Quistis Trepe gets pissed?"
I shot a look at Laguna that I hoped was sufficiently threatening only to find he was still grinning asininely and paying no attention to me whatsoever. "Well," Laguna said cheerfully, "Whenever that happens, everything goes to hell in a hand-basket and-"
"And I would appreciate a change of subject!" I sharply interrupted, already irritable from hunger. "Now, would you tell me exactly what I wouldn't appreciate?"
"On Saturdays, Laguna runs around Esthar to talk to people, eat lunch, have fun, occasionally get drunk, and make a complete idiot of himself," Kiros flicked a pencil shaving into Laguna's hair, which Laguna sifted through grumpily to try and find. "But he enjoys it, so it's cool," Kiros added.
Laguna would be the type of person to enjoy a carefree frolic around town. I wondered why such an active person such as Laguna, who enjoyed the outdoors and exploring so much, would allow himself to stay cooped up in this mansion.
Obligation. Of course, I knew the restrictions of duty, but was Laguna's sense of duty as strong as mine? He seemed to enjoy his work, at least partially, and he used his unexplainable charisma to his best advantage, drawing even the coldest people to his side. . . including me.
Laguna had drawn me in along with most everyone else he had met. He had a liveliness that he'd share with almost anyone who'd listen to him, and . . .
"And he rules a global power with relative ease and enjoyment, and still can't find a wood shaving that's right over his head," I mused.
Laguna looked up sharply, his not-so-tender search having left his hair sticking up outrageously. "Well, I've got a lot of hair . . ." Laguna stiffened as I reached out and smoothed his bangs, plucking the offending piece of wood in the process.
"'Guna, you deserve a break, so whether you like it or not, you are going out this afternoon.," Kiros snatched the paper from Laguna's hands. "And Quistis can just go with you."
Laguna protested, and I protested. Nevertheless, we were outside the residence and on the sidewalks in less than half an hour flat.
I peered over at his, as he crossed his arms and tried to look annoyed. He wasn't, of course, but I let him think I believed him. He turned to me huffily, and asked "So . . . where do you want to go?"
I tapped my foot on the pavement. Really, should he be asking me? "It's your afternoon out."
He shrugged. "Yeah, but usually I let Kiros or Ward decide where to go." He looked over the skyline casually. "Tch, of course, we always end up somewhere else. My sense of direction kinda sucks," he grinned and turned back at me.
I felt a bit disconcerted, with Laguna standing there and just . . . GRINNING. Yes, that's what Laguna does, but right at me? "I see," I said carefully.
My stomach let out an especially large growl. I was tempted to wince, but I settled for blinking. Laguna looked up.
"You hear that?" He swiveled his head around.
Ah, no. Seething slightly at my untimely noise, I folded my hands in front of me. "Hear what?" I said calmly.
Of course, it happened once more-even louder. He turned to me and tilted his head in query. I blinked and looked at Laguna, with only a slightly guilty look on my face. " . . . "
He gave an aggravated sigh, and leaned forward so he was more at my eye level. " . . . Quistis, did you even HAVE breakfast?" he asked almost appallingly.
I cleared my throat. "I had trouble finding you, I had no time." I flinched at the slightly shocked look he gave me
"Aw, Hyne Quistis, think of yourself for a change!" He punched the air half- heartedly. "Be selfish!" He paused, and winked at me as he reached out and grabbed my wrist. "And I could do with a snack too; let's go eat!"
I yelped slightly as his hold on my wrist tightened and he was dragging me through Esthar. I couldn't quite match his enthusiastic pace without running, and I stumbled slightly every few steps. "Where . . . where are we going?" I managed to get out.
Laguna stopped suddenly, causing me to run into him. He scratched his head slightly. "I dunno. . ." I sighed. Of course . . . Laguna looked around and let out a triumphant sound. "How's that place sound?" He pointed at a small, dingy vendor's stand, with two small, dubious-looking but brightly colored tables.
Not exactly a place the president of Esthar should be patronizing. But if Laguna really wanted to . . . "I suppose . . ." I ventured uncertainly, but before I could finish my sentence Laguna was dragging me off again, with me clumsily trying not to trip over Laguna's feet.
"Cool! Lets go!" He positively beamed at the vendor, and rattled out his order of a hot dog with gusto.
He seemed more cheerful than usual, which I had previously thought an impossible task. He was really quite happy today . . . Laguna enjoyed his job, and he was quite good at it, but perhaps he needed to take breaks a bit more often.
Of course, he might not want to take breaks, and I realize that being any sort of leader did not involve you taking off and quitting for weeks on end just because you were lazy, but Laguna needed a week off. Perhaps when this was over with, I could . . .
"Hey Quistis, whaddya want?" Laguna waved his hand in front of my face. "Hallloooo? You in there?"
"Hmm?" I snapped out of thought. "Oh . . . I'd like the Sicilian pizza, please. . . " I chose an item at random from the ripped 'menu' taped above me.
Before I could protest, Laguna slapped down some cash, motioned that the vendor keep the change, and hauled me and our meals to a table "Pizza?" he said as he set the food in front of me, stll slightly dazed from the rapidity of Laguna's actions. "And here I thought you were a salad kind of gal."
I recovered and gingerly picked up the pizza, inspecting it. "Of course not. I need proteins to keep up my strength." I tapped the crumbs off the crust. "That's a vitamin that salads rarely have."
I took a bite of the pizza, and felt my eyes widen slightly. This was surprisingly good, for something off the street in the middle of the city. I swallowed, and tentatively took another bite.
"I guess so . . ." Laguna chewed thoughtfully, and swallowed. "Hey Quistis, I meant to ask you."
I waited until my mouth wasn't full before answering. "Ask me what?"
"Well . . ." Laguna looked up, and put down his hot dog, looking me uneasily in the eye. "I talked to Squall the other day . . . and I need your opinion . . ."
Oh. . . oh, no . . . I'd completely forgotten that I'd forced Squall to talk to Laguna, and that Laguna might need some help with that. I quashed a rising surge of self blame for the moment; I could deal with it later, but now Laguna needs me attentive, not guilt-wracked. "Yes?"
He looked down, and then back at me. "Well . . . he was kinda angry at first . . . the whole abandonment thing got to him pretty bad . . .then I found out that Ellone showed him a few things that she wasn't supposed to show him . . ." He laughed harshly. "Hell, Elle wasn't even supposed to know about it."
Ellone? She had known before I had, of course, but . . . "What?"
"I went for him . . . once." He said quietly. I blinked. He had said something to the effect of this . . . but he hadn't put it quite so bluntly. He continued softly. "I found the orphanage and went after him. But when I saw him, I couldn't bring myself to claim him . . ." He looked down.
I pushed my meal to one side. "Can you tell me why?" I asked, leaning forward slightly.
Laguna lifted his head up, squinting at the sun silently. A few strands of his hair pulled free of his loose ponytail and danced around his profile, before he glanced at me. It was only a second before he stared back at his hands, but I saw something in that one look that pulled on something within my chest. He muttered, "Raine. . ."
Raine. Of course. She had just died, and he probably hadn't wanted to remember her yet. . . and no doubt he'd returned when he was ready, to find Squall gone to his new home. Garden. He had loved Raine . . . he probably still did. "Oh . . ." I replied, not sure what exactly to say.
Laguna's hands fidgeted. "He saw me there, and . . . well . . ." I watched as Laguna's features took a heavy cast. I paused, and tapped his arm softly, forcing him to look up at me.
"Don't worry, Laguna." I said softly. I blinked at my tone of voice, before changing it to continue. "Squall's as stubborn as they come, but he has enough sense not to look a gift horse in the mouth."
Laguna snorted. "So did the Trojans, supposedly . . . look where they went. . . "
He slumped over, staring at his half-eaten hot dog gloomily. I wasn't sure for quite some time what to say. Just five minutes ago he had been traipsing about, dragging me around Esthar to find me something to eat.
Now he just looked depressed. I really wasn't used to seeing Laguna depressed; I'd seen Squall, Irvine, even Zell like this, but hardly ever Laguna. I'm not a parent, how am I supposed to empathize with this? Does he even want pity?
I knew how it felt to be depressed. I never wanted pity from anyone. No matter what happens to me, I never want anyone to pity me for anything. So I hid my emotions to spare that. Yet Laguna was sitting here, slumped over, looking so broken, I couldn't help BUT pity him.
I don't want to have to pity Laguna.
So why was Laguna acting like this?!
I stood abruptly, slamming my palm upon the table, glaring at Laguna. He jumped, looking around him slightly dazedly, before looking at me confusedly.
"Laguna Loire, listen to me," I almost hissed. "Squall WILL come around, you ARE going to live to see your grandchildren, and . . ." I hesitated, not having thought ahead enough to think of a third thing to say, "you ARE going to enjoy this lunch."
"Er . . ." Laguna looked like he was going to say something, but thought better of it.
"That's an order." I snapped.
(¯`'·.¸(¯`'·. .laguna. .·'´¯)¸.·'´¯)
What? Okay, how did Quistis get mad all the sudden? I knew she worried about me on some weird, obligatory level, but seriously folks, let's think back: I buy her lunch, depend on her advice, pour my heart out to her, and outta nowhere she gets ticked off.
And she actually was showing something on her face besides that dumb frigid mask of hers! Her body language practically reeked of 'pissed woman.'
If anything, I was shocked out of my bad mood.
Then it registered. She'd given me an order. Order? Huh? "I thought I was the superior!"
Quistis blinked, and sat back down, if kinda bashfully. "Well . . . yes, you are . . ."
I poked at her with my hot dog, the promise of a debate lifting me up slightly. "So . . . you're ordering me around . . . why?"
Quistis sighed, and said in a monotonous voice, "I'm a bodyguard. My duty is to your well-being." Right, what you wanna bet she learned that phrase at some thing in Garden?
I tapped the table diffidently, trying to turn this to my advantage. "Okay, Quistis, I'll make a deal with you." I said cheerfully. "I forget everything for a day, and you answer me a question."
Quistis looked slightly annoyed. Yeah, either way it was a winning situation for me, huh? "Fine," she said grudgingly, pulling herself back into her posture.
Well, I'd been wondering. I had my theory, of course, but it really wasn't the same as hearing it from Quistis myself. I mean, assuming things was almost always the downfall of all those famous dead generals you hear about. I leaned over, as serious as all hell, and spoke calmly, "Why are you here?"
Quistis frowned. "Hmm?" Her eyes narrowed slightly.
I shook my head. "Why are you here?" Pausing, I got more detailed. "You seem so stubborn about saving my neck here, why? I have a feeling it isn't just because of my charm and good looks."
Quistis quietly finished off her pizza with a final bite. "Logic."
"Huh?" What did she mean by that?
She adjusted her glasses, delicately tipping the frames up the bridge of her nose. "Normally, you'd call on SeeD to help you right?" I noticed her tone was very slightly clipped. Well, I guess she was still kinda ticked. . .
I nodded. "Yeah, but-"
She ignored me. "And for a VIP such as you, they'd send an extremely skilled team. The odds are high that one might have been me." Yeah, her tone was definitely not happy. It didn't sound like backwash, either . . . what'd I done now?
I still tried to get what she was saying, but didn't succeed. I started again, "So, you-"
"However, I pressed you into telling Squall about your parental status. That made all negotiations with SeeD impossible. I'd be here anyway, now I'm just getting paid a bit less." She inspected her hands. "And I have enough money set aside for years, so it's a non-issue. So, Mr. Loire, if you're trying to convince me to leave, it's not going to work."
WHAT? She didn't seriously think I wanted her to go, did she?!?!
Oh, Hyne, how did THAT happen? I thought she was . . . Laguna, you idiot, she was SUICIDAL a few days ago! Don't forget that, she isn't exactly gonna get over that in a few days! She still feels worthless and stuff, why the hell am I making things worse?!
Dammit, you stupid, moronic, brainless bastard, I do NOT want Quistis to think I want her gone!
I spoke immediately, all that stuff going through my head. "HEY! I wasn't trying to make you-"
Quistis avoided eye contact with me. "So stick to your end of the deal, Mr. Loire, and enjoy yourself." How the hell did she expect me to enjoy myself when she herself was feeling like crap?!
I stood, shocked, practically knocking over the table. "It's Laguna, not 'Mr. Loire' and-"
She kept on going, ignoring me completely. "If you'd prefer, I can-"
I didn't prefer ANYTHING! Actually, yeah, I 'd prefer if she stayed! "DAMMIT Quistis, I WASN'T trying to chase you OFF!"
She looked up, startled. I actually didn't realize I'd said that one part out loud for a few seconds. But yeah, she deserved to be startled! Maybe I'd shock some sense into her!
"I was just asking WHY, dammit, because I can't figure it out!" I seethed. "Do you really have that little faith in those who actually give a damn about you?!" I gestured vehemently, "To hell with it, Quistis, I consider you a friend even if you don't like it, so would you just stop OVEREACTING!?"
Quistis looked slightly stunned for about half a second, before she closed her mouth and looked down
Great . . . I was just ranting at myself because her self esteem was low, and then I go and yell at her. Perfect, just plain peachy. "Aw man, I shouldn't have yelled . . ."
I sat back down sheepishly. The vendor was giving us funny looks, but I really didn't care. At least he didn't recognize me, THAT'D be awkward.
I didn't look at Quistis, and we just sat there for awhile, in a semi- uncomfortable silence. Three customers for the hot dog stand came and went.
"I see your point . . ." a voice said quietly. I looked up at Quistis, and she looked back, and said, " . . . and, I wouldn't mind at all being your friend."
And she SMILED. Eyes rising with warmth, the sunlight reflected off of her perfect teeth while the rose of her lips contrasted stunningly with her skin. An amazing expression for her breath-taking features - and for none other than me? . . . that'd be twice in one day . . . and she wanted to be my friend?
I grinned happily. "Huh? SERIOUSLY? That's so cool!" I was so tempted to run over and hug her, but hey, that'd just scare her off, so I settled for punching the air enthusiastically. "OH yeah!"
Quistis sighed, and when she turned her head towards me again, the smile was gone. ". . . It seems," she said loftily, "I'm just one more victim to the infamous Loire charisma."
I have infamous charisma? "What?"
"Nothing, nothing." She waved her hand casually.
. . .
. . . that vendor was still staring at us funny . . .
. . .
Okay, the silence was killing me. I searched my head for a new topic. Um . . . "Have you talked to anyone since you got here?" Quistis looked at me strangely. "I mean, your friends back at Garden?"
"No." She brushed her hands off, and inspected the area. "I really should check in with Irvine and Zell, they'll be worried. Selphie's probably absolutely hysterical right now."
Selphie? Oh, right . . . her . . . that annoyingly perky one . . ."Selphie scares me . . ." I shuddered.
Quistis's eyebrow raised in good humor. "Well, I suppose that has to do with her running about, ranting on about 'Sir Laguna and his dreaminess.'"
What? Dreaminess? "Er . . ."
She moved her hand in a placating gesture. "Don't worry, Irvine's a bit closer to home for her, so you're safe." She tilted her head, and her tone was amused. "And Squall wouldn't be stupid enough to send her on a mission anywhere near Esthar."
"Thank Hyne . . ." I muttered . . . now that Elsie girl creeped me out even more. "Er . . . 'dreaminess'?"
"I have no idea what goes through Selphie's mind. . ." Quistis said lightly, before blinking, and speaking once more. "We really shouldn't talk about her behind her back."
Ack . . . right. Well, I did enough of it in politics; I'd forgotten it was rude with people. "Yeah, I'm sure she has a couple good qualities . . . um," I wracked my brain for a positive comment. " . . . she's very bouncy."
"And good at infiltration." Trust Quistis to think of her in fighting terms.
I looked at Quistis, and asked, "Does that make her a good liar?"
She frowned. "I suppose so, but in my opinion, that isn't a redeeming quality."
Really? "You're just saying that because you can't lie," I joked, crumpling up the wrapper of my hot dog and tossing it in the trash can.
The corner of her mouth twitched. "Perhaps."
Heh . . . I grinned. "That was a yes, wasn't it?"
Quistis opened her mouth, before giving up and succinctly, but good- naturedly, saying " . . . Damn."
I blinked. Twice. Cause I mean, Quistis, cussing? Whoa. "Whoa!! You cussed! Seriously, you cussed!"
She shot me a glare, but even with her normally passive face, I could tell she was annoyed. "I have before," she said calmly.
"But . . ." Yeah, she had, but only under seriously extreme conditions. ". . . this is different! You so cussed!" I crowed, poking her arm.
"Hey, you two." I swiveled. Kiros, I thought he was looking over stuff back at the Residence? He winked at me blatantly. "So, how's your date?"
Huh? DATE? Kiros was kidding, right? Me, Quistis, date? "Whaaa?! Kiros, it's NOT a date!" er . . . was it? I turned to Quistis nervously. She was cool as usual, but she looked slightly distressed.
"A purely platonic meal, I assure you," she tagged to the end of my sentence. He - ey, was that a blush on the affable Quistis's face?
I frowned at Kiros. "Yeah, she didn't have time for breakfast, so we stopped for some food." Come on, Kiros, drop it.
"Suuure, whatever you guys say." Kiros took on an unbelieving tone before smiling and asking, "Anyway, so what'd I miss?"
I grinned widely. "Quistis cussed!" Yup! It's a miracle, a providence, a message from Hyne!
Kiros grinned just as wide as I did. "Whoa." Turning to Quistis, then me, he gloated. "You cussed? Seriously, she cussed?"
Quistis's now evident blush deepened. I chuckled as she cleared her throat and stood. "Well . . . I enjoyed the meal, Laguna, but I need to make a phone call. Kiros?" She gave a glance to him.
Kiros winked at her. "Like a hawk."
"Good," she said succinctly, if a bit distantly, as she gathered herself to leave. "I'll see you two later." She shook her head, and we said good-bye as she walked back in the direction of the mansion.
I waited until Quistis was out of ear shot, before narrowing my eyes at him. "Kiros, what do you think you're doing?" I hissed.
Of course, Kiros didn't seem to care that I was mad. Grr. "Aww, mad that I interrupted your date?" he teased, picking up what was left of Quistis's drink and leisurely sipping at it.
"It wasn't a date!" I repeated petulantly. Kiros smirked.
OK, yeah, now Kiros was TRYING to piss me off. Kiros is a master of manipulating emotions, and I get duped every time. Like, say, NOW for instance.
I banged my fist on the table and changed my tone. "Kiros, stop playing matchmaker, OK?" Kiros put on an innocent look. Yeah, buddy, like I'll fall for that for the millionth time. "I have enough problems without feeling weird around Quistis."
Kiros struggled to keep up his facial expression, but lapsed into a sigh. "I don't get how she keeps her face so straight all the time. . ." he muttered.
I brightened. "Nah, she doesn't, you just gotta look real hard. When she's happy, her eyes kinda narrow and crinkle a bit, and she blushes easy." Kiros looked at me pointedly, and I blinked a few times before glaring back.
Eh heh . . . I won the staring contest. Kiros fell back with a sigh, and looked like he wanted to rub his temples like he did when he was tired, but he didn't, saying, "Fine, fine . . ." He looked at me, his mouth setting in a serious line. ". . . just so you know, Raine wouldn't want you like this."
Raine? Where? "Huh?"
"Alone, Laguna," Kiros explained patiently. "She wouldn't want you alone. If your situations were reversed, would you want her to spend all her time moping about you for twenty years?"
If Raine were alive, I wouldn't mind being dead for her and Squall's sake at all. Actually, I'd want her to forget me altogether, to find someone worthy of her. So she'd be able to find the perfect, serious guy that she deserved.
But Raine . . . what would she want? I had no trouble envisioning her in ivory wings resting on a cloud, but I couldn't picture exactly what her mouth was saying. Something pulled in my heart, like a string twanging . . .
And I opened my mouth, and said . . .
"I know, Kiros." It came out wearily, but so determined that I wondered where I'd gained that voice.
I stared at the table, and looked back up at Kiros, who was smiling in his most pleasant way.
"Okay, Laguna." Kiros got up, and as he headed off, shouted behind him, "Just making sure."
I grinned at nothing in particular . . .
The vendor was still looking at me funny.
I gave him a big tip.
(¯`'·.¸(¯`'·. author's note .·'´¯)¸.·'´¯)
My longest chapter yet! I don't know what possessed me while I wrote this, I never write something this long in one sitting! Of course, I did have all morning . . . and afternoon . . . such a wonderful use of a teacher's break day, ne?
I actually like this chapter! I got the dialogue, right, and I SUCK at dialogue (cough chapter three cough). Still though, bonding chapters are so boring . . . I wrote this while listening to Metallica's 'Carol of the Bells' with the Trans Siberia Orchestra. I had something in mind for this chapter, and although I didn't get the mood I was looking for, I did get the general bits.
And there won't be any Datura poisoning for some time yet, so calm down!
(If you didn't understand that, it's an inside joke. Datura, also known as moonflower, is an extremely poisonous plant. Symptoms of Datura poisoning include fever, dizziness, dry mouth, dilated pupils, flushed skin, rapid pulse and delirium . . . note, all of these can be symptomatic of . . .other things . . . eh heh)
OK, OK! The crappiness of the last chapter is bugging me! I REWROTE IT, and as an apology, I worked my butt off to get this chapter up early!! REREAD THE LAST CHAPTER PLEASE, there's a little something new in it!
(¯`'·.¸(¯`'·. quistis .·'´¯)¸.·'´¯)
There is a first time for everything, and for the first time in almost ages, I was completely and utterly lost.
I was dressed, ready, armed and dangerous, and most unfortunately, hungry. And I had no idea where I was going to eat. My stomach growled impatiently, and I sighed. The alarm had mysteriously gone off a full hour late, so I didn't have the time to leave the residence for even a fast-food breakfast.
These halls all looked the same! There was no difference in the halls here than by my rooms, and I'd been walking for what seemed like hours.
I walked briskly in what I hoped was the general direction of Laguna's office, and tried to ignore the hunger pangs in my abdomen. My stomach wasn't used to going without meals this long.
" . . . "
I turned. Oh, thank Hyne, it was Ward. "Good morning, Ward." Well, it was morning at least . . . "Could you point me in the direction of Mr. Loire's office?"
He raised an eyebrow at 'Mr. Loire' but managed to direct me further down the hall. I thanked him, and told him to get a good days rest for his night shifts.
I still didn't see anything familiar. I sighed, and after checking the hall for witnesses, leaned against a door for support. Today was not my day. My 'To Do' list wasn't very long, or demanding. Apologize to Laguna, and preferably keep his neck and all assembled body parts intact.
Another twinge in my side made me revise my list to include a meal in the near future.
Why, why me? In the past week, I'd gone from overly depressed instructor to stressed bodyguard. How on Hyne's good earth had that happened?
I frowned. I had tried to commit suicide, when Laguna pops up out of nowhere and saves me. Of course, he got us caught in a rockslide not even ten minutes after that, but . . . I had told him my darkest secrets, and in return, he had told me his. I had no obligation, but I helped Laguna with his problem anyway. So . . . a favor for a favor. Laguna had his son, I had my life.
Why was I still here, then? What did I owe Laguna? Was I even doing this for Laguna, or was I doing this for my guilt?
I didn't want to be doing this for guilt . . . so did that mean I wanted to be doing this for Laguna?
. . . perhaps I shouldn't dwell on that thought.
I let out an exhausted sigh. I had gotten plenty of sleep, but I obviously hadn't rested very well. . . . and I was lost in Laguna's behemoth of a house, and hungry to boot. Lost, hungry, and tired . . . at least I wasn't cold.
The door I was leaning on gave a jerk; someone on the other end was trying to open it. I leapt forward, and tried to look as if I was supposed to be there.
"Hey, Quistis, where've you been all morning?" I blinked. Laguna was grinning at me in his usual manner, cocky and blindly cheerful. "I couldn't find you, and Kiros said you'd be late . . ."
"I am not late." I bristled instantly. I am a very punctual person; if I had been late to anything in Garden, I wouldn't have lived it down. I was tempted to hit myself, but Laguna just laughed.
"Okay, okay, you're not late." He winked, and opened the door all the way. "Anyhoo, welcome to my new office!" He gestured inside.
I immediately wracked my brain for the route I had taken to get here. I looked back at the hallway, and if Laguna hadn't of been there, I would have swore. There were no distinguishing features in this hall to discern it from the hundreds of other halls I had passed on the way.
"Who's idea was this?" I asked. It was a flawless idea, getting Laguna out of his public office and to a place difficult to find. The hired guns wouldn't be able to find Laguna to shoot him. The only drawback was that I wouldn't be able to find it either.
Kiros popped up. "My idea." He frowned. "Quistis, you're la-"
"I'm not late," I snapped, while at the same time, Laguna exclaimed, "She's not late!"
I felt a muscle in my face twitch as Laguna unsuccessfully tried to choke back his laughter. Personally, I normally despise it when people find humor at other people's expense, but Laguna seemed to make it perfectly acceptable.
He looked at me, and if anything, his grin grew even wider. "Now, there's a sight I thought I never see!" I tilted my head as he continued, "Looks good on you!" He was still laughing as he headed inside.
What on earth was he talking about?
I followed, telling myself I'd worry about tomorrow just then: tomorrow. I passed by a mirror, and I stopped for just a moment to make sure of my appearance . . . it took a few seconds to realize the twitch in my face . . . was a smile.
I was smiling? Well, this was a new development.
Laguna held up a paper to me. "Hey Quistis, read through this, will ya? Its still gotta go through a bunch of lawyers to check for loopholes, but I'd like a third opinion." I took it and read over it silently.
It was Laguna's revised version of the treaty. It was basically an extended trading rights agreement. Laguna was being extremely generous with this, but what Kiros had said the previous day was right: with Koryu Deling, it was all or nothing; he wouldn't take this.
I shook my head. "I'm afraid this isn't my field of expertise, so my opinion isn't worth much . . . but though it seems flawless, President Deling isn't going to take it."
"That's what I told him," muttered Kiros, slightly miffed. "But as usual, he isn't listening to me."
Laguna looked up. "Sorry, Kiros, I didn't hear you. What was that?"
"See?!" Kiros complained. Laguna laughed. "Hey, I listen, I just don't always do what you say."
"Same difference." Kiros waved his hand diffidently, before his eyes widened in remembrance and he snapped his fingers. "Oh, and Laguna, you do realize that today is Saturday, right?"
I looked up. What was so special about it being a Saturday?
"Yeah . . . but I have too much work to do . . ." Laguna peered cautiously in my direction for about half a second. " . . . Besides, I don't think Quistis would appreciate me running around where every Tom, Dick, and Harry with a gun can shoot at me."
"Hmm?" I narrowed my eyes. No one is going to shoot at Laguna Loire without facing serious repercussions. Or even more preferably, me.
"See?" Laguna pointed out my expression hurriedly, "She wouldn't like it, and I'm not in the mood to piss Quistis Trepe off again, so . . ."
"What, you've pissed her off before?" Kiros queried with a grin. "What exactly happens when Quistis Trepe gets pissed?"
I shot a look at Laguna that I hoped was sufficiently threatening only to find he was still grinning asininely and paying no attention to me whatsoever. "Well," Laguna said cheerfully, "Whenever that happens, everything goes to hell in a hand-basket and-"
"And I would appreciate a change of subject!" I sharply interrupted, already irritable from hunger. "Now, would you tell me exactly what I wouldn't appreciate?"
"On Saturdays, Laguna runs around Esthar to talk to people, eat lunch, have fun, occasionally get drunk, and make a complete idiot of himself," Kiros flicked a pencil shaving into Laguna's hair, which Laguna sifted through grumpily to try and find. "But he enjoys it, so it's cool," Kiros added.
Laguna would be the type of person to enjoy a carefree frolic around town. I wondered why such an active person such as Laguna, who enjoyed the outdoors and exploring so much, would allow himself to stay cooped up in this mansion.
Obligation. Of course, I knew the restrictions of duty, but was Laguna's sense of duty as strong as mine? He seemed to enjoy his work, at least partially, and he used his unexplainable charisma to his best advantage, drawing even the coldest people to his side. . . including me.
Laguna had drawn me in along with most everyone else he had met. He had a liveliness that he'd share with almost anyone who'd listen to him, and . . .
"And he rules a global power with relative ease and enjoyment, and still can't find a wood shaving that's right over his head," I mused.
Laguna looked up sharply, his not-so-tender search having left his hair sticking up outrageously. "Well, I've got a lot of hair . . ." Laguna stiffened as I reached out and smoothed his bangs, plucking the offending piece of wood in the process.
"'Guna, you deserve a break, so whether you like it or not, you are going out this afternoon.," Kiros snatched the paper from Laguna's hands. "And Quistis can just go with you."
Laguna protested, and I protested. Nevertheless, we were outside the residence and on the sidewalks in less than half an hour flat.
I peered over at his, as he crossed his arms and tried to look annoyed. He wasn't, of course, but I let him think I believed him. He turned to me huffily, and asked "So . . . where do you want to go?"
I tapped my foot on the pavement. Really, should he be asking me? "It's your afternoon out."
He shrugged. "Yeah, but usually I let Kiros or Ward decide where to go." He looked over the skyline casually. "Tch, of course, we always end up somewhere else. My sense of direction kinda sucks," he grinned and turned back at me.
I felt a bit disconcerted, with Laguna standing there and just . . . GRINNING. Yes, that's what Laguna does, but right at me? "I see," I said carefully.
My stomach let out an especially large growl. I was tempted to wince, but I settled for blinking. Laguna looked up.
"You hear that?" He swiveled his head around.
Ah, no. Seething slightly at my untimely noise, I folded my hands in front of me. "Hear what?" I said calmly.
Of course, it happened once more-even louder. He turned to me and tilted his head in query. I blinked and looked at Laguna, with only a slightly guilty look on my face. " . . . "
He gave an aggravated sigh, and leaned forward so he was more at my eye level. " . . . Quistis, did you even HAVE breakfast?" he asked almost appallingly.
I cleared my throat. "I had trouble finding you, I had no time." I flinched at the slightly shocked look he gave me
"Aw, Hyne Quistis, think of yourself for a change!" He punched the air half- heartedly. "Be selfish!" He paused, and winked at me as he reached out and grabbed my wrist. "And I could do with a snack too; let's go eat!"
I yelped slightly as his hold on my wrist tightened and he was dragging me through Esthar. I couldn't quite match his enthusiastic pace without running, and I stumbled slightly every few steps. "Where . . . where are we going?" I managed to get out.
Laguna stopped suddenly, causing me to run into him. He scratched his head slightly. "I dunno. . ." I sighed. Of course . . . Laguna looked around and let out a triumphant sound. "How's that place sound?" He pointed at a small, dingy vendor's stand, with two small, dubious-looking but brightly colored tables.
Not exactly a place the president of Esthar should be patronizing. But if Laguna really wanted to . . . "I suppose . . ." I ventured uncertainly, but before I could finish my sentence Laguna was dragging me off again, with me clumsily trying not to trip over Laguna's feet.
"Cool! Lets go!" He positively beamed at the vendor, and rattled out his order of a hot dog with gusto.
He seemed more cheerful than usual, which I had previously thought an impossible task. He was really quite happy today . . . Laguna enjoyed his job, and he was quite good at it, but perhaps he needed to take breaks a bit more often.
Of course, he might not want to take breaks, and I realize that being any sort of leader did not involve you taking off and quitting for weeks on end just because you were lazy, but Laguna needed a week off. Perhaps when this was over with, I could . . .
"Hey Quistis, whaddya want?" Laguna waved his hand in front of my face. "Hallloooo? You in there?"
"Hmm?" I snapped out of thought. "Oh . . . I'd like the Sicilian pizza, please. . . " I chose an item at random from the ripped 'menu' taped above me.
Before I could protest, Laguna slapped down some cash, motioned that the vendor keep the change, and hauled me and our meals to a table "Pizza?" he said as he set the food in front of me, stll slightly dazed from the rapidity of Laguna's actions. "And here I thought you were a salad kind of gal."
I recovered and gingerly picked up the pizza, inspecting it. "Of course not. I need proteins to keep up my strength." I tapped the crumbs off the crust. "That's a vitamin that salads rarely have."
I took a bite of the pizza, and felt my eyes widen slightly. This was surprisingly good, for something off the street in the middle of the city. I swallowed, and tentatively took another bite.
"I guess so . . ." Laguna chewed thoughtfully, and swallowed. "Hey Quistis, I meant to ask you."
I waited until my mouth wasn't full before answering. "Ask me what?"
"Well . . ." Laguna looked up, and put down his hot dog, looking me uneasily in the eye. "I talked to Squall the other day . . . and I need your opinion . . ."
Oh. . . oh, no . . . I'd completely forgotten that I'd forced Squall to talk to Laguna, and that Laguna might need some help with that. I quashed a rising surge of self blame for the moment; I could deal with it later, but now Laguna needs me attentive, not guilt-wracked. "Yes?"
He looked down, and then back at me. "Well . . . he was kinda angry at first . . . the whole abandonment thing got to him pretty bad . . .then I found out that Ellone showed him a few things that she wasn't supposed to show him . . ." He laughed harshly. "Hell, Elle wasn't even supposed to know about it."
Ellone? She had known before I had, of course, but . . . "What?"
"I went for him . . . once." He said quietly. I blinked. He had said something to the effect of this . . . but he hadn't put it quite so bluntly. He continued softly. "I found the orphanage and went after him. But when I saw him, I couldn't bring myself to claim him . . ." He looked down.
I pushed my meal to one side. "Can you tell me why?" I asked, leaning forward slightly.
Laguna lifted his head up, squinting at the sun silently. A few strands of his hair pulled free of his loose ponytail and danced around his profile, before he glanced at me. It was only a second before he stared back at his hands, but I saw something in that one look that pulled on something within my chest. He muttered, "Raine. . ."
Raine. Of course. She had just died, and he probably hadn't wanted to remember her yet. . . and no doubt he'd returned when he was ready, to find Squall gone to his new home. Garden. He had loved Raine . . . he probably still did. "Oh . . ." I replied, not sure what exactly to say.
Laguna's hands fidgeted. "He saw me there, and . . . well . . ." I watched as Laguna's features took a heavy cast. I paused, and tapped his arm softly, forcing him to look up at me.
"Don't worry, Laguna." I said softly. I blinked at my tone of voice, before changing it to continue. "Squall's as stubborn as they come, but he has enough sense not to look a gift horse in the mouth."
Laguna snorted. "So did the Trojans, supposedly . . . look where they went. . . "
He slumped over, staring at his half-eaten hot dog gloomily. I wasn't sure for quite some time what to say. Just five minutes ago he had been traipsing about, dragging me around Esthar to find me something to eat.
Now he just looked depressed. I really wasn't used to seeing Laguna depressed; I'd seen Squall, Irvine, even Zell like this, but hardly ever Laguna. I'm not a parent, how am I supposed to empathize with this? Does he even want pity?
I knew how it felt to be depressed. I never wanted pity from anyone. No matter what happens to me, I never want anyone to pity me for anything. So I hid my emotions to spare that. Yet Laguna was sitting here, slumped over, looking so broken, I couldn't help BUT pity him.
I don't want to have to pity Laguna.
So why was Laguna acting like this?!
I stood abruptly, slamming my palm upon the table, glaring at Laguna. He jumped, looking around him slightly dazedly, before looking at me confusedly.
"Laguna Loire, listen to me," I almost hissed. "Squall WILL come around, you ARE going to live to see your grandchildren, and . . ." I hesitated, not having thought ahead enough to think of a third thing to say, "you ARE going to enjoy this lunch."
"Er . . ." Laguna looked like he was going to say something, but thought better of it.
"That's an order." I snapped.
(¯`'·.¸(¯`'·. .laguna. .·'´¯)¸.·'´¯)
What? Okay, how did Quistis get mad all the sudden? I knew she worried about me on some weird, obligatory level, but seriously folks, let's think back: I buy her lunch, depend on her advice, pour my heart out to her, and outta nowhere she gets ticked off.
And she actually was showing something on her face besides that dumb frigid mask of hers! Her body language practically reeked of 'pissed woman.'
If anything, I was shocked out of my bad mood.
Then it registered. She'd given me an order. Order? Huh? "I thought I was the superior!"
Quistis blinked, and sat back down, if kinda bashfully. "Well . . . yes, you are . . ."
I poked at her with my hot dog, the promise of a debate lifting me up slightly. "So . . . you're ordering me around . . . why?"
Quistis sighed, and said in a monotonous voice, "I'm a bodyguard. My duty is to your well-being." Right, what you wanna bet she learned that phrase at some thing in Garden?
I tapped the table diffidently, trying to turn this to my advantage. "Okay, Quistis, I'll make a deal with you." I said cheerfully. "I forget everything for a day, and you answer me a question."
Quistis looked slightly annoyed. Yeah, either way it was a winning situation for me, huh? "Fine," she said grudgingly, pulling herself back into her posture.
Well, I'd been wondering. I had my theory, of course, but it really wasn't the same as hearing it from Quistis myself. I mean, assuming things was almost always the downfall of all those famous dead generals you hear about. I leaned over, as serious as all hell, and spoke calmly, "Why are you here?"
Quistis frowned. "Hmm?" Her eyes narrowed slightly.
I shook my head. "Why are you here?" Pausing, I got more detailed. "You seem so stubborn about saving my neck here, why? I have a feeling it isn't just because of my charm and good looks."
Quistis quietly finished off her pizza with a final bite. "Logic."
"Huh?" What did she mean by that?
She adjusted her glasses, delicately tipping the frames up the bridge of her nose. "Normally, you'd call on SeeD to help you right?" I noticed her tone was very slightly clipped. Well, I guess she was still kinda ticked. . .
I nodded. "Yeah, but-"
She ignored me. "And for a VIP such as you, they'd send an extremely skilled team. The odds are high that one might have been me." Yeah, her tone was definitely not happy. It didn't sound like backwash, either . . . what'd I done now?
I still tried to get what she was saying, but didn't succeed. I started again, "So, you-"
"However, I pressed you into telling Squall about your parental status. That made all negotiations with SeeD impossible. I'd be here anyway, now I'm just getting paid a bit less." She inspected her hands. "And I have enough money set aside for years, so it's a non-issue. So, Mr. Loire, if you're trying to convince me to leave, it's not going to work."
WHAT? She didn't seriously think I wanted her to go, did she?!?!
Oh, Hyne, how did THAT happen? I thought she was . . . Laguna, you idiot, she was SUICIDAL a few days ago! Don't forget that, she isn't exactly gonna get over that in a few days! She still feels worthless and stuff, why the hell am I making things worse?!
Dammit, you stupid, moronic, brainless bastard, I do NOT want Quistis to think I want her gone!
I spoke immediately, all that stuff going through my head. "HEY! I wasn't trying to make you-"
Quistis avoided eye contact with me. "So stick to your end of the deal, Mr. Loire, and enjoy yourself." How the hell did she expect me to enjoy myself when she herself was feeling like crap?!
I stood, shocked, practically knocking over the table. "It's Laguna, not 'Mr. Loire' and-"
She kept on going, ignoring me completely. "If you'd prefer, I can-"
I didn't prefer ANYTHING! Actually, yeah, I 'd prefer if she stayed! "DAMMIT Quistis, I WASN'T trying to chase you OFF!"
She looked up, startled. I actually didn't realize I'd said that one part out loud for a few seconds. But yeah, she deserved to be startled! Maybe I'd shock some sense into her!
"I was just asking WHY, dammit, because I can't figure it out!" I seethed. "Do you really have that little faith in those who actually give a damn about you?!" I gestured vehemently, "To hell with it, Quistis, I consider you a friend even if you don't like it, so would you just stop OVEREACTING!?"
Quistis looked slightly stunned for about half a second, before she closed her mouth and looked down
Great . . . I was just ranting at myself because her self esteem was low, and then I go and yell at her. Perfect, just plain peachy. "Aw man, I shouldn't have yelled . . ."
I sat back down sheepishly. The vendor was giving us funny looks, but I really didn't care. At least he didn't recognize me, THAT'D be awkward.
I didn't look at Quistis, and we just sat there for awhile, in a semi- uncomfortable silence. Three customers for the hot dog stand came and went.
"I see your point . . ." a voice said quietly. I looked up at Quistis, and she looked back, and said, " . . . and, I wouldn't mind at all being your friend."
And she SMILED. Eyes rising with warmth, the sunlight reflected off of her perfect teeth while the rose of her lips contrasted stunningly with her skin. An amazing expression for her breath-taking features - and for none other than me? . . . that'd be twice in one day . . . and she wanted to be my friend?
I grinned happily. "Huh? SERIOUSLY? That's so cool!" I was so tempted to run over and hug her, but hey, that'd just scare her off, so I settled for punching the air enthusiastically. "OH yeah!"
Quistis sighed, and when she turned her head towards me again, the smile was gone. ". . . It seems," she said loftily, "I'm just one more victim to the infamous Loire charisma."
I have infamous charisma? "What?"
"Nothing, nothing." She waved her hand casually.
. . .
. . . that vendor was still staring at us funny . . .
. . .
Okay, the silence was killing me. I searched my head for a new topic. Um . . . "Have you talked to anyone since you got here?" Quistis looked at me strangely. "I mean, your friends back at Garden?"
"No." She brushed her hands off, and inspected the area. "I really should check in with Irvine and Zell, they'll be worried. Selphie's probably absolutely hysterical right now."
Selphie? Oh, right . . . her . . . that annoyingly perky one . . ."Selphie scares me . . ." I shuddered.
Quistis's eyebrow raised in good humor. "Well, I suppose that has to do with her running about, ranting on about 'Sir Laguna and his dreaminess.'"
What? Dreaminess? "Er . . ."
She moved her hand in a placating gesture. "Don't worry, Irvine's a bit closer to home for her, so you're safe." She tilted her head, and her tone was amused. "And Squall wouldn't be stupid enough to send her on a mission anywhere near Esthar."
"Thank Hyne . . ." I muttered . . . now that Elsie girl creeped me out even more. "Er . . . 'dreaminess'?"
"I have no idea what goes through Selphie's mind. . ." Quistis said lightly, before blinking, and speaking once more. "We really shouldn't talk about her behind her back."
Ack . . . right. Well, I did enough of it in politics; I'd forgotten it was rude with people. "Yeah, I'm sure she has a couple good qualities . . . um," I wracked my brain for a positive comment. " . . . she's very bouncy."
"And good at infiltration." Trust Quistis to think of her in fighting terms.
I looked at Quistis, and asked, "Does that make her a good liar?"
She frowned. "I suppose so, but in my opinion, that isn't a redeeming quality."
Really? "You're just saying that because you can't lie," I joked, crumpling up the wrapper of my hot dog and tossing it in the trash can.
The corner of her mouth twitched. "Perhaps."
Heh . . . I grinned. "That was a yes, wasn't it?"
Quistis opened her mouth, before giving up and succinctly, but good- naturedly, saying " . . . Damn."
I blinked. Twice. Cause I mean, Quistis, cussing? Whoa. "Whoa!! You cussed! Seriously, you cussed!"
She shot me a glare, but even with her normally passive face, I could tell she was annoyed. "I have before," she said calmly.
"But . . ." Yeah, she had, but only under seriously extreme conditions. ". . . this is different! You so cussed!" I crowed, poking her arm.
"Hey, you two." I swiveled. Kiros, I thought he was looking over stuff back at the Residence? He winked at me blatantly. "So, how's your date?"
Huh? DATE? Kiros was kidding, right? Me, Quistis, date? "Whaaa?! Kiros, it's NOT a date!" er . . . was it? I turned to Quistis nervously. She was cool as usual, but she looked slightly distressed.
"A purely platonic meal, I assure you," she tagged to the end of my sentence. He - ey, was that a blush on the affable Quistis's face?
I frowned at Kiros. "Yeah, she didn't have time for breakfast, so we stopped for some food." Come on, Kiros, drop it.
"Suuure, whatever you guys say." Kiros took on an unbelieving tone before smiling and asking, "Anyway, so what'd I miss?"
I grinned widely. "Quistis cussed!" Yup! It's a miracle, a providence, a message from Hyne!
Kiros grinned just as wide as I did. "Whoa." Turning to Quistis, then me, he gloated. "You cussed? Seriously, she cussed?"
Quistis's now evident blush deepened. I chuckled as she cleared her throat and stood. "Well . . . I enjoyed the meal, Laguna, but I need to make a phone call. Kiros?" She gave a glance to him.
Kiros winked at her. "Like a hawk."
"Good," she said succinctly, if a bit distantly, as she gathered herself to leave. "I'll see you two later." She shook her head, and we said good-bye as she walked back in the direction of the mansion.
I waited until Quistis was out of ear shot, before narrowing my eyes at him. "Kiros, what do you think you're doing?" I hissed.
Of course, Kiros didn't seem to care that I was mad. Grr. "Aww, mad that I interrupted your date?" he teased, picking up what was left of Quistis's drink and leisurely sipping at it.
"It wasn't a date!" I repeated petulantly. Kiros smirked.
OK, yeah, now Kiros was TRYING to piss me off. Kiros is a master of manipulating emotions, and I get duped every time. Like, say, NOW for instance.
I banged my fist on the table and changed my tone. "Kiros, stop playing matchmaker, OK?" Kiros put on an innocent look. Yeah, buddy, like I'll fall for that for the millionth time. "I have enough problems without feeling weird around Quistis."
Kiros struggled to keep up his facial expression, but lapsed into a sigh. "I don't get how she keeps her face so straight all the time. . ." he muttered.
I brightened. "Nah, she doesn't, you just gotta look real hard. When she's happy, her eyes kinda narrow and crinkle a bit, and she blushes easy." Kiros looked at me pointedly, and I blinked a few times before glaring back.
Eh heh . . . I won the staring contest. Kiros fell back with a sigh, and looked like he wanted to rub his temples like he did when he was tired, but he didn't, saying, "Fine, fine . . ." He looked at me, his mouth setting in a serious line. ". . . just so you know, Raine wouldn't want you like this."
Raine? Where? "Huh?"
"Alone, Laguna," Kiros explained patiently. "She wouldn't want you alone. If your situations were reversed, would you want her to spend all her time moping about you for twenty years?"
If Raine were alive, I wouldn't mind being dead for her and Squall's sake at all. Actually, I'd want her to forget me altogether, to find someone worthy of her. So she'd be able to find the perfect, serious guy that she deserved.
But Raine . . . what would she want? I had no trouble envisioning her in ivory wings resting on a cloud, but I couldn't picture exactly what her mouth was saying. Something pulled in my heart, like a string twanging . . .
And I opened my mouth, and said . . .
"I know, Kiros." It came out wearily, but so determined that I wondered where I'd gained that voice.
I stared at the table, and looked back up at Kiros, who was smiling in his most pleasant way.
"Okay, Laguna." Kiros got up, and as he headed off, shouted behind him, "Just making sure."
I grinned at nothing in particular . . .
The vendor was still looking at me funny.
I gave him a big tip.
(¯`'·.¸(¯`'·. author's note .·'´¯)¸.·'´¯)
My longest chapter yet! I don't know what possessed me while I wrote this, I never write something this long in one sitting! Of course, I did have all morning . . . and afternoon . . . such a wonderful use of a teacher's break day, ne?
I actually like this chapter! I got the dialogue, right, and I SUCK at dialogue (cough chapter three cough). Still though, bonding chapters are so boring . . . I wrote this while listening to Metallica's 'Carol of the Bells' with the Trans Siberia Orchestra. I had something in mind for this chapter, and although I didn't get the mood I was looking for, I did get the general bits.
And there won't be any Datura poisoning for some time yet, so calm down!
(If you didn't understand that, it's an inside joke. Datura, also known as moonflower, is an extremely poisonous plant. Symptoms of Datura poisoning include fever, dizziness, dry mouth, dilated pupils, flushed skin, rapid pulse and delirium . . . note, all of these can be symptomatic of . . .other things . . . eh heh)