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a FINAL FANTASY VIII fan fiction
by Nomad

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CATEGORY I: SQUINOARAMA


[Scenario A]

It was a bright and sunny day in Balamb Town. Birds were chirping, children were playing in the streets, and a peaceful, carefree air rested over the tiny shoreside community. It was all enough to put an equally carefree spring in Rinoa's step. That, and the person beside her.

This is such a beautiful town, she mused. I'd never been here before I met all of you, but I love how peaceful and friendly everything is.

Squall nodded, with a little smile demonstrating the infectious nature of his companion's mood. You're right, he said. I never came here too much when I was in Garden, but now I feel like maybe I should. Left unspoken was how much the peace and quiet appealed to him after all the hectic madness of the Ultimecia campaign. He was enjoying the moment far too much to ruin it by talking about that. It was enough that it was now over, he was headed off on a much-needed vacation, and Rinoa was going with him.

I hope Timber will get to be like this too, Rinoa went on, now that the Galbadians are gone. I can't wait to see Watts and Zone and all the Forest Owls again! She cocked her head at Squall, returning his gaze with a mock- inquisitive manner. Why are you staring at me like that?

Squall shrugged. I'm just glad you're so happy.

Rinoa grinned; then practically skipped on ahead. Come on! We're going to miss the train!

They arrived at the terminal beside the sign reading, BALAMB RAIL. Two tickets, please? Squall said, producing his Garden card.

Sure thing, said the attendant, swiping it through the reader. Better get inside right away; the train to Timber will be leaving shortly.

Squall said as the man handed his card back to him.

With a gait that threatened to rival Selphie's in bounciness, Rinoa led Squall by the hand into the train station. Squall thought how odd it was that he wasn't annoyed by this; but he was himself so caught up in the moment that he nearly — nearly — felt like adding a little jump to his own steps as well. For the first time in as long as he could remember, everything was going right.

The happy couple breezed up the steps and into the train; and the door slid closed behind them.


[SCENARIO B]


It was a bright and sunny day in Balamb Town. Birds were chirping, children were playing in the streets, and a peaceful, carefree air rested over the tiny shoreside community. It was all enough to put an equally carefree spring in Rinoa's step.

Her companion, however, was not so easily influenced by the sunniness.

This is such a beautiful town, Rinoa mused. I'd never been here before I met all of you, but I love how peaceful and friendly everything is.

Squall nodded absently, unsure what exactly he was indicating his agreement to. Frowning, he wondered if Rinoa had been talking the whole way from Balamb Garden; he'd apparently been too preoccupied to notice.

I hope Timber will get to be like this too, Rinoa went on, now that the Galbadians are gone. I can't wait to see Watts and Zone and all the Forest Owls again! Then she frowned, cocking her head at Squall. Why are you staring at me like that?

This isn't going to work, Squall realized.

he began, feeling very uncomfortable. Something's not right. I don't feel...how I ought to feel. This is wrong.

Rinoa seemed more confused than anything. What's not right? What do you mean?

At first, Squall couldn't find the words to describe his revelation. Then, he wished he couldn't. Rinoa, he was sure, felt that everything was going just fine, that all was right in the world; and he hated to burst that bubble.

But he couldn't go on like this either.

...I don't love you, he said, unable to look straight at he as he did. I'm sorry, but...I just don't. He shook his said, thinking of nothing to say but repeating, I'm sorry.

Rinoa looked just as stunned as he had expected her to be. She rocked backwards, her mouth attempting to form words but failing to produce any sound. After a moment, she stopped trying and simply stared at him, her eyes already tearing up. Indeed, her whole body seemed to be shaking.

Suddenly, she set off running toward the rail station. Squall thought for a second to run after her, but wondered what good it would accomplish. Instead, he watched as she procured a ticket from the attendant, ran up the stairs into the station and disappeared onto the train. She was gone before a single coherent thought could assert itself in his mind.

So, he thought. I'm all alone again.

And now, for an instant, he did want to go after her; but he restrained himself. That wasn't love; he just didn't want to deal with being on his own once more. He couldn't allow himself to be that weak.

Turning, he started along the road back towards Garden, leaving Rinoa and the train behind.


[SCENARIO C]


It was a bright and sunny day in Balamb Town. Birds were chirping, children were playing in the streets, and a peaceful, carefree air rested over the tiny shoreside community. The mood was almost to the point where it might put a spring in Squall's step, were he the sort of person whose step could be at all springy.

It's really nice here, he said, thinking out loud for once. I never came here too much when I was in Garden, but now I feel like maybe I should. He didn't say out loud how much the peace and quiet appealed to him after all the hectic madness of the Ultimecia campaign. He was enjoying the moment far too much to ruin it by talking about that. It was enough that it was now over, he was headed off on a much-needed vacation, and Rinoa was going with him.

He glanced over at Rinoa to coincide with this last thought; and noticed that she was not sharing any of his enthusiasm about their surroundings. This was a jarring contrast to the cheerful person he had come to know, and the realization stopped him in his tracks. Rinoa, what's wrong? he asked. You've been like this ever since we got back to Garden.

Rinoa sighed, looking down at the ground and not at him. Squall, I.... She sighed again. When we were in Time Compression, I realized something. I saw you unconscious, and I.... Squall could tell she was having a lot of trouble saying whatever it was she was trying to get out, and that was a source of concern for him. I needed you to protect me when all those things were going on, and...I think that's all it was. She forced herself to look up at him for just a moment, but immediately broke his gaze and looked away. I don't love you, Squall. And...I can't keep on doing this.

Before Squall could say a thing, she set off towards the train station. He was so stunned that it was a moment before he managed to force his legs into following her. he called. Rinoa! Wait!

One ticket, please, Rinoa said to the attendant. She quickly paid the man and took the ticket before Squall had caught up with her.

Rinoa — he said, arriving at the station just as she was heading for the train.

She stopped just long enough to glance back at him, eyes tearful. Squall, please. It's just easier this way. Please, just let me go.

Squall was left speechless for long enough for her to turn and head into the station. Not looking back again, she ascended the steps to the train, stepped inside, and was gone.

A tremendous lump in his throat, Squall turned and started along the road back towards Garden, leaving Rinoa and the train behind.


[SCENARIO D]


It was a bright and sunny day in Balamb Town. Birds were chirping, children were playing in the streets, and a peaceful, carefree air rested over the tiny shoreside community. A notable exception to this was the two figures who made their way down the town's main road.

Nice day, Squall observed.

Rinoa agreed.

That was the extent of their conversation until they turned off the main road and headed down the short stretch that led directly to the Balamb Rail station. Squall nearly missed the turn; his mind was thinking far ahead of where they were right now.

This isn't going to work, he thought, and not for the first time. This time, however, there was a particular urgency to his thoughts.

Rinoa — he began.

she snapped, surprising Squall with the hostility in her response. An instant later, her expression indicated that she may well have surprised herself as well, and an instant after that, she had adopted the same pleasant smile she always wore. Sorry about that. What is it, Squall?

Now he hesitated. A few times before he'd thought he'd seen signs that he was trying Rinoa's often insufferable patience, but all those times he'd at least been able to tell what he had done. This time, she seemed ready to go off before he had even said anything. And while he could be completely misreading her reaction, it didn't make what he was about to say much easier.

he started again, but shook his head. I don't quite know how to say this.

Want me to do it? she asked. Noting his surprised expression, she continued. Really, Squall, did you think I couldn't tell? You've been off in your own little world ever since I've met you; you're always brooding about something or other, and it's like you can't even join the rest of us for long enough to carry on a decent conversation!

Squall felt a flash of anger. Who are you to judge me, anyway? Well, that certainly hasn't stopped you from trying, he said. I never asked for anything from you; what does it matter if I have other things on my mind?

Well, maybe you'd have a few more friends if you at least pretended to care about them once in a while! she shot back.

What, so if I don't show my feelings in the way you want me to, then I don't have them? Squall demanded. I've tried to do things your way, all right? But you're never satisfied! It's never quite good enough; you keep wanting more, and now you're getting mad because I can't do it for you? I never said I wanted anything from you. I never did want anything from you, but you just wouldn't go away! His voice had become quite loud by the end of his tirade; they were attracting a fair amount of attention.

Rinoa was silent for a moment, though her eyes were smoldering. Well, you know what? she said quietly. I'm going now. I've had it with all this, and I've had it with you, Squall. You can keep your little world if you're really so happy in it.

And she turned on her heel and stalked off towards the station.

Squall watched her go. Watched her buy her ticket from the attendant, and disappear into the station. That didn't go well, he thought. But I guess we both knew it wouldn't work. Yeah, she obviously wasn't happy either. This was for the best.

So he turned and started back on the road towards Garden.


[SCENARIO E]


It was a bright and sunny day in Balamb Town. Birds were chirping, children were playing in the streets, and a peaceful, carefree air rested over the tiny shoreside community.

This is such a beautiful town, mused Rinoa, as she and Squall made their way down the road towards the Balamb Rail station. I'd never been here before I met all of you, but I love how peaceful and friendly everything is.

Squall nodded. You're right. I didn't came here much when I was in Garden, but it is nice. Left unspoken was how much the peace and quiet appealed to him after all the hectic madness of the Ultimecia campaign. The setting was far too pleasant to be overshadowed with talk about that.

I hope Timber will get to be like this too, Rinoa went on, now that the Galbadians are gone. I can't wait to see Watts and Zone and all the Forest Owls again!

Cid told you that Garden would help you in any way we could, didn't he? asked Squall.

Rinoa nodded. It was really sweet of you guys to offer, but now that Timber's free, the Forest Owls are probably gonna be disbanded anyway. She shook her head. It's really like a dream come true, and it's so great that something good like this came out of the whole mess with Ultimecia and all.

As they were almost at the station now, Squall felt the need to stop for a moment. Cocking her head at him inquisitively, Rinoa asked, What's up?

Squall immediately felt a tad uncomfortable. This has gotta be Ellone's fault for all those times she junctioned me to Laguna, he thought. I'm starting to feel like he would. ...I just want to make sure there's no hard feelings.

Rinoa smiled. Squall, sometimes things just don't work out between people. I guess we were both what the other needed at the time we met; it's no crime if that's no longer the case. Let's just stay friends and go our separate ways, okay?

Squall nodded. Of course. I just didn't want this to end badly.

Her smile broadening, Rinoa reached out to brush his arm with her hand. Squall, you really could make someone a great boyfriend. She glanced off in the direction of the station. Which doesn't mean I'll forgive you if you make me miss my train. Are we okay now?

Squall nodded, the ghost of a smile hinting at the corners of his mouth.

They arrived at the terminal beside the sign reading, BALAMB RAIL. One ticket, please! Rinoa said, producing her credit card and handing it to the attendant.

Sure thing, ma'am. The attendant swiped the ticket through the reader. Better get inside right away; the train to Timber will be leaving shortly.

Rinoa took the ticket and skipped merrily up the stairs to the station. She paused at the top to turn and wave at Squall, who returned the farewell from the ticket station. Then, she ascended the stairs to the train, boarded it, and was gone.

Smiling ever so slightly, Squall turned and started on the road back towards Garden.