Chapter 7 Enlighten me... Squall, Shopping?!
Author's note: Another chapter for you... now that of Knights and Honor is done, I'm relieved... now I have this one, and I've posted a new one for you to replace Of Knights and Honor - please read if you have the time! For everyone's info, Dawn of Black Light has been taken out, sorry, but I'm stuck on that one and it doesn't reem right to leave it hanging. So there. Enjoy!
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Xu angrily paced around her office. How dare she? This is a free country for God's sake! Xu flung herself on the sofa and fumed silently, but she didn't go unnoticed. Her personal assistant cowered away when Xu gave her a stare for dropping a stack of papers.
"Ellone, Ellone," Xu muttered, imagining a piece of paper was the woman and she had a degree of satisfaction from tearing it up. How dare she! After she walked away from Garden a few fashion houses had called on her and Ellone - the bitch - had refused to explain about her absence. So, fearing the worst, they've stopped calling on Xu! And the news has spread throughout the Esthar continent, so nobody was really willing to let her model their clothes, especially with the prices she commanded!
"Miss Xu...?" Her assistant timidly poked her head through the door. Xu gave her an evil glare. "What is it?!"
"There - there's someone to see you. A Miss Heartily - "
Xu took a deep breath and calmed down. Rinoa was an old friend... she can't have Rinoa seeing her in her very worst mood. It would spoil her image. "Alright, show her in."
Rinoa smiled at the assistant, wondering why the poor girl was so pale. Perhaps she was on a diet, Rinoa wondered before stepping through the door -
"Rinny darling!!!!"
Rinoa happily hugged her friend. "Xu!" She stepped back and marveled at her old friend. Before, she had come to see Xu but the model wasn't available. She must be lucky today. "You look fabulous," Rinoa said happily. Xu grinned and preened. "Haven't I always? But where are my manners?" She pulled Rinoa down to sit on the couch. "It's been ages since I've seen you, Rinny. You look wonderful," Xu cooed, pleased. "Are you visiting relatives?"
"No, I'm working here," Rinoa smiled. "A friend of mine got me a job at a modeling agency. I think I must be really lucky to have landed this job, Xu!"
"Oh, a model? You? You're perfect," Xu declared. "You'll be a hit here, I'm sure. But of course, it all depends on the agency. Some won't even give you a decent run, you know? Trust me, I've been in this line for a long time, and I know."
"I think I'm in good hands," Rinoa accepted the wineglass Xu handed her. "You're pretty established, right? Maybe you can help me around - you know."
"Just name it dear, and I'll do everything I can," Xu promised, sipping her wine. "But you've got to tell me who you're working for; I can tell you whether you should leave or stay."
"Garden."
Xu nearly choked but kept her face straight. Personally she was horrified. "Garden?" She feigned surprise. So, Ellone has found a replacement, she thought nastily. And what luck for her to know the girl...
Rinoa nodded. "I was just fooling around in Deling, but one of their models saw me and took me here." She admitted. "The others say I have potential."
"But of course!" Xu said, plastering a fake beam on her face. "I told you, you're perfect. You'd have all the other girls kissing your shoes before you're through, believe me," She sipped her wine. Maybe I can also make Ellone kiss my shoes when it's over...
"The yellow one?"
"No."
"Red?"
"..."
"This is the last one. Aquamarine?"
"...no."
The salesgirl sighed and leaned against the wall, surrounded by a heap of discarded outfits. In front of her, the blonde was losing her patience. The salesgirl wouldn't blame her; any girl in their right mind would NEVER shop with a guy if they know what's best for them.
Squall firmly shook his head. Quistis rolled her eyes. This is ridiculous, she fumed. We've been in here for nearly an hour, and this is only the first boutique in the darned mall! And what's worse, he insisted she try anything she liked before purchasing it be cause he was paying for it. The trouble is, he can't seem to find a piece that agreed with her. If it isn't one thing, it's the other. Men!
"That's it." She grit her teeth and snatched a gold colored dress. "Watch, Squall. If this dress REALLY looks hideous on me, then you're free to choose anything else and I won't complain. But if any passer-by I stop says it looks great, then you're going to be my valet for the day. Agreed?"
"You're on. It's hideous even without you in it," he said amiably as she stomped over to the dressing room. She furiously changed and suddenly realized the dress was short. Too short for comfort. It reminded her of her uniform at the Rain Tree... and what's worse, the dress clung to her like second skin! Panicking, she tried to take it off but the was a knock at the door and the salesgirl's voice came, muffled. "Miss? Are you ready?"
She clenched her fists. Darn it! Well, if I'm going to lose better make it worth an eyesore! She tugged off her hair clip and let her hair fall past her shoulders. She shook it to make it mussed and grinned at her reflection. She thought she looked hideous. Kicking off her shoes, she pushed open the door and walked haughtily over to Squall. Standing with a hand on her hips, she cocked her head at him. "Well?"
The salesgirl's jaw could've dropped to the carpet. Women don't normally praise other women unless they really deserve it - and this one's worth running after for!
Squall blinked, trying to keep HIS jaw from hitting the floor. She may think she looked horrible, but her slightly disheveled hair gave her face a strange halo that made her eyes stand out, and the dress - was it right to call it a dress? It seemed to flow with her curves, making her look like a feline in a human - female body.
She leaned down close to him and he had to blink at the view she unwittingly gave. "Hello? Are you still in there?"
I'll go nuts if she keeps this up! He groaned and turned to look at the salesgirl. "Let her have whatever she wants," He growled resignedly and Quistis blinked. Eh?
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Zidane sighed as he yawned for the millionth time. "Tidus...?"
Tidus gave him the same dopey look. "Can't we just close our eyes and pick ONE movie?"
"You should know by now girls can't be convinced to watch ONE movie." He sighed. Looking around he sighed again. "Seen Cloud anywhere?"
"He said Aerith wanted to buy a new pet," Tidus said gloomily. "How much do you want to bet that it's a Komodo pup?"
"Aerith would know those things lose their 'kawaii-ness' in a year. Can't she settle for a simple tabby?"
"You know Aerith likes exotic things. You should see the crazy plant she bought in Centra the other day. I swear it tried to nip my hair!"
"When your hair looks like chick fuzz any animal would!" Zidane guffawed, chortling.
"Guys, can't you help us out?" Dagger finally said desperately. "Yuna keeps saying we should watch 'What a Girl Wants' but I think "How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days' is much better."
"You want to learn how to lose a guy in ten days?" Zidane asked quizzically. "You can't even shake me off in a month, let alone ten days!"
"Enough," Yuna admonished. "Come on, what shall it be?"
"The Matrix Reloaded."
"Definitely."
Yuna's eyes suddenly widened. "Look!!!"
"There isn't any movie with that title, Yuna," Garnet muttered, scanning the list. But Yuna grabbed her arm. "This is worth missing a movie - Look!!!"
Garnet crossly looked in the direction, and squealed; "Kawaii!!!"
Zidane looked around, puzzled by his girl's reaction. "What is - whoa!!!!" He did a double take and squinted properly. "Is that who I think it is?"
"Quistis..."
"No, wait, maybe this one's better..."
"Quistis, I think this is enough..."
"But you're only carrying three bags,"
"In EACH hand. And you're stretching my credit card limit."
"Really?"
Squall sighed. He never should have agreed to this bet. But if he said she was hideous, then she would have marched outside the shop and stop random passer-bys; and he'd be in for a spelunking from Ellone. Something he didn't want to receive after what he's doing today.
Quistis laughed a little and looked at the bags. He was exaggerating and she knew it. For one, those bags may seem a lot, but there really wasn't anything inside. Unlike his perception of women clearing the stores out, Quistis was overwhelmed by the selection that she just chose a little here and there - things she thought was safe enough without attracting too much attention. Besides... "Here," She took the bags from him and he arched an eyebrow. She grinned at him. "I really don't believe in gentlemen carrying a lady's shopping," She smiled. "It's really torturing the menfolk, isn't it?"
"You should have said that earlier," Squall scowled, but there was a trace of a smile at the corner of his lips. Quistis laughed and looked at her watch. "I think I've had enough for today. Shall we?"
"What are they saying?!" Yuna hissed urgently, craning her neck from behind Tidus. The latter sighed. "We can't hear them if we're hiding behind a rack of clothes in a shop window, Yuna. You of all people - "
"Quiet, she's saying something!"
"And what might that be?" Zidane came up and crouched next to the duo. "We're wasting a perfectly good chance to watch the Matrix Reloaded simply because you want to snoop? Come on, Tidus."
"If you can get her off my back I'll be glad to," Tidus grumbled and Yuna haughtily got off his back. "Now they're gone! Alright, let's watch this movie."
"Lucky me Garnet decided to wait at the theater."
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"Sorry about having to make you shop with me," Quistis said apologetically as they drove back to the house. Esthar highways were empty, giving him the urge to speed, but decided against it when he realized Quistis seemed alarm at the speed he was driving anyway. "...You didn't do anything. Ellone can be pushy when she wants to."
"She's really nice. I mean, I owe her so much..."
Squall stared ahead as he drove. "Maybe she's right."
"On what?"
"Maybe you'll fit the dress..." He said absently and she frowned. "What dress - oh!" She was quickly distracted by something out of the window and she gasped in awe. The road curved above the valley where the city center was situated, and the whole city was bathed in gold as the sun slowly set beyond the ocean. "Look at the view!"
Squall blinked and suddenly swung the car into another road which went uphill. "What's no view."
She turned to him, eyebrows quirked. "You're not a nature appreciator, are you?"
"..." Minutes later the roar curved onto itself in a broad promontory. "I do appreciate nature," he said quietly and got out of the car. She followed suit and could merely look on in wonder at the beauty of the valley spread below them. She kept her hands behind her and silently stood next to him, feeling the soft breeze lift her spirits. The late air carried a faint scent of magnolia and the scent of fresh grass... suddenly she remembered her home back in Winhill. The village was always a riot of blooms and whenever she took a stroll, the same scent would be in the air... somehow it was the same scent she always remembered Seifer by...
Squall stole a sideways glance at her and was surprised to see a troubled expression on her face. What was in her mind, he wondered. And why did he feel... strange whenever she looked at him? Was it because those eyes once pleaded out to him and pierced his soul?
"...Squall?" She cocked her head and he blinked. Damn! He looked away. "Why did you run away... the first time we met?"
She blinked and chuckled a little. "...I'm not the most trusting person in the universe," She said quietly. "And... that day I had to put my fate in your hands. I guess a part of me just cannot believe you were sincere...forgive me."
He smiled inwardly. "I wonder what would've happened if I didn't come by when I did?"
"I'd probably be married to a stinking geezer and be washing his laundry all day long, instead of watching a lovely sunset here with you." She answered laughingly. "Wait a second - maybe I would've killed myself first!"
"I'd say the chances are you'd be doing the second option," He smiled and turned back to the car. "Come on; it's getting late. Ellone might get ideas."
"Didn't you say you just divorced your wife? Does that make you the most eligible bachelor in Esthar?' She inquired and immediately realized she had hit a sensitive chord. He stiffened and switched on the ignition. "She asked for a divorce," He said quietly and she bit her lip. "...And yes, technically I suppose that makes me pretty eligible right now."
She stared at him irediculously and giggled. "I suppose if it's up to the women to propose to you, you'd be swamped!"
He smiled tolerably. "I'm not really interested right now."
She sighed and looked out of the window. "...That makes the two of us," She said softly and the rest of the journey was done in companionable silence.
Author's note: Any questions? Flames? comments? Please review and I'll try my best to comply...
Author's note: Another chapter for you... now that of Knights and Honor is done, I'm relieved... now I have this one, and I've posted a new one for you to replace Of Knights and Honor - please read if you have the time! For everyone's info, Dawn of Black Light has been taken out, sorry, but I'm stuck on that one and it doesn't reem right to leave it hanging. So there. Enjoy!
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Xu angrily paced around her office. How dare she? This is a free country for God's sake! Xu flung herself on the sofa and fumed silently, but she didn't go unnoticed. Her personal assistant cowered away when Xu gave her a stare for dropping a stack of papers.
"Ellone, Ellone," Xu muttered, imagining a piece of paper was the woman and she had a degree of satisfaction from tearing it up. How dare she! After she walked away from Garden a few fashion houses had called on her and Ellone - the bitch - had refused to explain about her absence. So, fearing the worst, they've stopped calling on Xu! And the news has spread throughout the Esthar continent, so nobody was really willing to let her model their clothes, especially with the prices she commanded!
"Miss Xu...?" Her assistant timidly poked her head through the door. Xu gave her an evil glare. "What is it?!"
"There - there's someone to see you. A Miss Heartily - "
Xu took a deep breath and calmed down. Rinoa was an old friend... she can't have Rinoa seeing her in her very worst mood. It would spoil her image. "Alright, show her in."
Rinoa smiled at the assistant, wondering why the poor girl was so pale. Perhaps she was on a diet, Rinoa wondered before stepping through the door -
"Rinny darling!!!!"
Rinoa happily hugged her friend. "Xu!" She stepped back and marveled at her old friend. Before, she had come to see Xu but the model wasn't available. She must be lucky today. "You look fabulous," Rinoa said happily. Xu grinned and preened. "Haven't I always? But where are my manners?" She pulled Rinoa down to sit on the couch. "It's been ages since I've seen you, Rinny. You look wonderful," Xu cooed, pleased. "Are you visiting relatives?"
"No, I'm working here," Rinoa smiled. "A friend of mine got me a job at a modeling agency. I think I must be really lucky to have landed this job, Xu!"
"Oh, a model? You? You're perfect," Xu declared. "You'll be a hit here, I'm sure. But of course, it all depends on the agency. Some won't even give you a decent run, you know? Trust me, I've been in this line for a long time, and I know."
"I think I'm in good hands," Rinoa accepted the wineglass Xu handed her. "You're pretty established, right? Maybe you can help me around - you know."
"Just name it dear, and I'll do everything I can," Xu promised, sipping her wine. "But you've got to tell me who you're working for; I can tell you whether you should leave or stay."
"Garden."
Xu nearly choked but kept her face straight. Personally she was horrified. "Garden?" She feigned surprise. So, Ellone has found a replacement, she thought nastily. And what luck for her to know the girl...
Rinoa nodded. "I was just fooling around in Deling, but one of their models saw me and took me here." She admitted. "The others say I have potential."
"But of course!" Xu said, plastering a fake beam on her face. "I told you, you're perfect. You'd have all the other girls kissing your shoes before you're through, believe me," She sipped her wine. Maybe I can also make Ellone kiss my shoes when it's over...
"The yellow one?"
"No."
"Red?"
"..."
"This is the last one. Aquamarine?"
"...no."
The salesgirl sighed and leaned against the wall, surrounded by a heap of discarded outfits. In front of her, the blonde was losing her patience. The salesgirl wouldn't blame her; any girl in their right mind would NEVER shop with a guy if they know what's best for them.
Squall firmly shook his head. Quistis rolled her eyes. This is ridiculous, she fumed. We've been in here for nearly an hour, and this is only the first boutique in the darned mall! And what's worse, he insisted she try anything she liked before purchasing it be cause he was paying for it. The trouble is, he can't seem to find a piece that agreed with her. If it isn't one thing, it's the other. Men!
"That's it." She grit her teeth and snatched a gold colored dress. "Watch, Squall. If this dress REALLY looks hideous on me, then you're free to choose anything else and I won't complain. But if any passer-by I stop says it looks great, then you're going to be my valet for the day. Agreed?"
"You're on. It's hideous even without you in it," he said amiably as she stomped over to the dressing room. She furiously changed and suddenly realized the dress was short. Too short for comfort. It reminded her of her uniform at the Rain Tree... and what's worse, the dress clung to her like second skin! Panicking, she tried to take it off but the was a knock at the door and the salesgirl's voice came, muffled. "Miss? Are you ready?"
She clenched her fists. Darn it! Well, if I'm going to lose better make it worth an eyesore! She tugged off her hair clip and let her hair fall past her shoulders. She shook it to make it mussed and grinned at her reflection. She thought she looked hideous. Kicking off her shoes, she pushed open the door and walked haughtily over to Squall. Standing with a hand on her hips, she cocked her head at him. "Well?"
The salesgirl's jaw could've dropped to the carpet. Women don't normally praise other women unless they really deserve it - and this one's worth running after for!
Squall blinked, trying to keep HIS jaw from hitting the floor. She may think she looked horrible, but her slightly disheveled hair gave her face a strange halo that made her eyes stand out, and the dress - was it right to call it a dress? It seemed to flow with her curves, making her look like a feline in a human - female body.
She leaned down close to him and he had to blink at the view she unwittingly gave. "Hello? Are you still in there?"
I'll go nuts if she keeps this up! He groaned and turned to look at the salesgirl. "Let her have whatever she wants," He growled resignedly and Quistis blinked. Eh?
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Zidane sighed as he yawned for the millionth time. "Tidus...?"
Tidus gave him the same dopey look. "Can't we just close our eyes and pick ONE movie?"
"You should know by now girls can't be convinced to watch ONE movie." He sighed. Looking around he sighed again. "Seen Cloud anywhere?"
"He said Aerith wanted to buy a new pet," Tidus said gloomily. "How much do you want to bet that it's a Komodo pup?"
"Aerith would know those things lose their 'kawaii-ness' in a year. Can't she settle for a simple tabby?"
"You know Aerith likes exotic things. You should see the crazy plant she bought in Centra the other day. I swear it tried to nip my hair!"
"When your hair looks like chick fuzz any animal would!" Zidane guffawed, chortling.
"Guys, can't you help us out?" Dagger finally said desperately. "Yuna keeps saying we should watch 'What a Girl Wants' but I think "How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days' is much better."
"You want to learn how to lose a guy in ten days?" Zidane asked quizzically. "You can't even shake me off in a month, let alone ten days!"
"Enough," Yuna admonished. "Come on, what shall it be?"
"The Matrix Reloaded."
"Definitely."
Yuna's eyes suddenly widened. "Look!!!"
"There isn't any movie with that title, Yuna," Garnet muttered, scanning the list. But Yuna grabbed her arm. "This is worth missing a movie - Look!!!"
Garnet crossly looked in the direction, and squealed; "Kawaii!!!"
Zidane looked around, puzzled by his girl's reaction. "What is - whoa!!!!" He did a double take and squinted properly. "Is that who I think it is?"
"Quistis..."
"No, wait, maybe this one's better..."
"Quistis, I think this is enough..."
"But you're only carrying three bags,"
"In EACH hand. And you're stretching my credit card limit."
"Really?"
Squall sighed. He never should have agreed to this bet. But if he said she was hideous, then she would have marched outside the shop and stop random passer-bys; and he'd be in for a spelunking from Ellone. Something he didn't want to receive after what he's doing today.
Quistis laughed a little and looked at the bags. He was exaggerating and she knew it. For one, those bags may seem a lot, but there really wasn't anything inside. Unlike his perception of women clearing the stores out, Quistis was overwhelmed by the selection that she just chose a little here and there - things she thought was safe enough without attracting too much attention. Besides... "Here," She took the bags from him and he arched an eyebrow. She grinned at him. "I really don't believe in gentlemen carrying a lady's shopping," She smiled. "It's really torturing the menfolk, isn't it?"
"You should have said that earlier," Squall scowled, but there was a trace of a smile at the corner of his lips. Quistis laughed and looked at her watch. "I think I've had enough for today. Shall we?"
"What are they saying?!" Yuna hissed urgently, craning her neck from behind Tidus. The latter sighed. "We can't hear them if we're hiding behind a rack of clothes in a shop window, Yuna. You of all people - "
"Quiet, she's saying something!"
"And what might that be?" Zidane came up and crouched next to the duo. "We're wasting a perfectly good chance to watch the Matrix Reloaded simply because you want to snoop? Come on, Tidus."
"If you can get her off my back I'll be glad to," Tidus grumbled and Yuna haughtily got off his back. "Now they're gone! Alright, let's watch this movie."
"Lucky me Garnet decided to wait at the theater."
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"Sorry about having to make you shop with me," Quistis said apologetically as they drove back to the house. Esthar highways were empty, giving him the urge to speed, but decided against it when he realized Quistis seemed alarm at the speed he was driving anyway. "...You didn't do anything. Ellone can be pushy when she wants to."
"She's really nice. I mean, I owe her so much..."
Squall stared ahead as he drove. "Maybe she's right."
"On what?"
"Maybe you'll fit the dress..." He said absently and she frowned. "What dress - oh!" She was quickly distracted by something out of the window and she gasped in awe. The road curved above the valley where the city center was situated, and the whole city was bathed in gold as the sun slowly set beyond the ocean. "Look at the view!"
Squall blinked and suddenly swung the car into another road which went uphill. "What's no view."
She turned to him, eyebrows quirked. "You're not a nature appreciator, are you?"
"..." Minutes later the roar curved onto itself in a broad promontory. "I do appreciate nature," he said quietly and got out of the car. She followed suit and could merely look on in wonder at the beauty of the valley spread below them. She kept her hands behind her and silently stood next to him, feeling the soft breeze lift her spirits. The late air carried a faint scent of magnolia and the scent of fresh grass... suddenly she remembered her home back in Winhill. The village was always a riot of blooms and whenever she took a stroll, the same scent would be in the air... somehow it was the same scent she always remembered Seifer by...
Squall stole a sideways glance at her and was surprised to see a troubled expression on her face. What was in her mind, he wondered. And why did he feel... strange whenever she looked at him? Was it because those eyes once pleaded out to him and pierced his soul?
"...Squall?" She cocked her head and he blinked. Damn! He looked away. "Why did you run away... the first time we met?"
She blinked and chuckled a little. "...I'm not the most trusting person in the universe," She said quietly. "And... that day I had to put my fate in your hands. I guess a part of me just cannot believe you were sincere...forgive me."
He smiled inwardly. "I wonder what would've happened if I didn't come by when I did?"
"I'd probably be married to a stinking geezer and be washing his laundry all day long, instead of watching a lovely sunset here with you." She answered laughingly. "Wait a second - maybe I would've killed myself first!"
"I'd say the chances are you'd be doing the second option," He smiled and turned back to the car. "Come on; it's getting late. Ellone might get ideas."
"Didn't you say you just divorced your wife? Does that make you the most eligible bachelor in Esthar?' She inquired and immediately realized she had hit a sensitive chord. He stiffened and switched on the ignition. "She asked for a divorce," He said quietly and she bit her lip. "...And yes, technically I suppose that makes me pretty eligible right now."
She stared at him irediculously and giggled. "I suppose if it's up to the women to propose to you, you'd be swamped!"
He smiled tolerably. "I'm not really interested right now."
She sighed and looked out of the window. "...That makes the two of us," She said softly and the rest of the journey was done in companionable silence.
Author's note: Any questions? Flames? comments? Please review and I'll try my best to comply...
