Zell's Prince Romeo
Me: (laughing) I can see you all loved that chapter. After rereading it, I was very proud of myself. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
Zell: I can't believe you! You let everyone heard it!
Me: (grins evilly) I know. I just thought the plot needed to be spiced up.
Squall: Well you certainly did that.
Me: I know!
Chapter Eight
Squall stormed out of his office holding Zell's hand. They both made their way to the cafeteria. Zell was blushing at all the strange looks he was getting from everyone. Squall on the other hand didn't seem to notice any of it and if anyone did say anything he just glared at him. Then finally made it to the cafeteria and found Irvine and Quistis at a table.
"Where Selphie?" Asked Squall trying to keep the anger out of his voice.
Irvine pointed out the other door. "She went that way saying 'I'm dead. I'm dead.'"
"She's right about that." Squall turned to look at his embarrassed boyfriend. "Are you okay?"
Zell nodded. "Yeah. I'm going to stay here while you chase Selphie."
Squall nodded and ran towards the door. Behind the door something 'eked' and the sound of running feet was heard. Squall ran out the door shouting. "Selphie."
Zell sat down and buried his head in his hands. "I can't believe you. You sold me out."
Irvine and Quistis looked at each other confused. "Who're you talking to?" Asked Irvine.
Zell looked up and looked at Quistis and nodded at her. "You sold me out."
"Who do you know I was involved?"
"I saw you outside the door before it closed. What was it? A dare or something?" Asked Zell.
"Yeah, a dare."
"Did she get anything? It better have been good to have done that to me."
"Well... she got a milkshake." Said Quistis, nervously.
"A milkshake! She put us through that for a milkshake?" Quistis nodded. "I hope Squall finds her and strangles her." Zell buried his head in his hands, again. "Why me?" He said to no one in particular.
Squall had caught Selphie by the arm and growled at her.
"I'm sorry but it was a dare. I had to do it. Please don't kill me." Pleaded Selphie. "If you don't you'll killing just one person but two. Think about that."
Squall let Selphie go. "You owe me and Zell big time." Squall smirked evilly. "What do you say if I put you on trash and toilet duty for a whole month?"
Selphie mouth dropped. "Did anyone tell you that you can be really evil sometimes. Anyway that's not fair. You can't make me do that? I'm pregnant."
"Selphie." Squall sighed. "Well you either do it now or after you've had your baby. And I won't forget about this if you chose that latter of the two."
Selphie folded her arms across her chest. "There's no way out, is there?"
Squall shook his head. "Nope."
"You big meanie." Selphie headed her way back to the cafeteria. Squall followed her, shaking his head. 'Don't worry Selphie, Quistis will be joining you.'
The two brunettes walked back into the cafeteria. Selphie sat in between Irvine and Quistis. Squall took his seat in between Zell and Irvine, which an evil smirk on his face. Quistis check Selphie's pulse.
"Great. You're still in one piece." The blonde smiled and looked at Squall. Her face fell when she noticed the evil look. "What the smirk for? I don't like it." Her brows furrowed, together. "You look like Seifer."
Squall stopped smirking but still had a mischievous glint in his eyes. He look Quistis straight in the eye. "Selphie, please tell your accomplice what you will be doing for a month."
Selphie sighed. "I'm on toilet and trash duty." Selphie folded her arms on the table and rested her head on it.
Quistis looked slightly shocked. "But she's pregnant."
"I know that. Look, you can both do it together this month or Quistis this month and Selphie after she's had her baby. Either way is fine by me." Squall leaned back in his chair and folded his arms.
Quistis looked at Selphie, who still had her face hidden. "Which are you doing, Selphie?"
"This month. Get it out of the way." Mumbled Selphie. Quistis folded her arms on the table and rested her head on it, like Selphie.
A huge grin was plastered on Zell's face. "Did I ever tell you how much I love you?" Said Zell to Squall.
"Yeah." Squall kissed Zell lightly. "But that doesn't mean I don't like hearing it." Selphie looked up and 'awed' at her two friends. Both glared at her and she 'eked' and hid her head again. "Speak of Seifer, where is he?" Asked Squall, remembering what Quistis had said.
Quistis still with her head down mumbled. "He got a phone call from Raijin. He's visiting them today."
Zell grinned widely. "And how do you know about the phone call?"
Quistis blushed but it was difficult to see. "Umm... well... he told me."
"Yeah, sure." Said Zell, sarcastically.
Quistis looked up. "Shh, you." Quistis smirked. "You two make too much noise, at I'm quiet." Quistis's eyes went wide and covered her mouth with her hands.
Selphie lifted her head. Everyone at the table looked at the blonde woman. Zell had a happy smile on his face. "Well, you have now admitted something has happened between you and Seifer."
Just then Seifer came into the room. He looked at his little band of friends. Quistis was looking at the table with a red tint across her nose and cheeks, and everyone else was looking at him, strangely. "What? What'd I miss?"
Irvine was the first to speak. "Trust me, you don't want to know." He smiled.
Selphie stood in front of the large group of males that had arrived for rehearsals. She held a script in one hand and bottle of water in the other.
"Okay that was great. Seifer I liked the dramatic death but please don't cuss when you're dieing. Oh and Squall try and look not so happy when you kill Seifer, okay?" Seifer looked at Squall and glare, Squall just shrugged his shoulders. "Zell that was good, just try not to bust into laugher, okay? You're supposed to be 'dead'." Zell nodded. "Alright everyone take ten. Be ready to do Act 1 Scene 1. We're starting at the beginning."
A few of the males groan. Selphie had been working them all really hard screaming orders then calmly making sure everything was perfect. Everyone had decided to out her mood swings to hormones. Zell and Squall walked up to the bouncy youth. Zell was trying hard not to fall over. Selphie had made him wear high heels the whole time, now his feet were aching.
"Selphie, please can I take off these damn things." Asked Zell pointing at his feet.
Selphie put a finger to her lips. "I don't know. You're not in this scene so, you can take them off until you're back on again."
"Selphie." Said Squall, looking at the shorter brunette. "When do you think we'll be ready to perform? I told you that Laguna and Kiros are coming so I need to know so I can tell them."
Selphie thought about this for a moment. "When do you think we'll be ready?"
"If I was to say, in a couple of years but I know we can't practice for that long."
"Okay, then." Selphie put her hands behind her back. "Two months. I'll get posters ready so that the whole of Garden will know. Two months should give as enough time. All the sets, costumes and props are finished. Just need all the actors to work." Squall nodded. Selphie took in a deep breath. "Alright. Everyone in the first scene over to the stage, NOW!" Shouted Selphie.
Squall had held his ears, and now released them. "Do you want as all to become deaf?"
"Shh you." Selphie pushed him lightly towards the stage. "Tidus and Wakka you're up fist get up there."
Tidus and Wakka both entered from the left side of the stage and stood facing the audience side by side. Both had wooden swords on there belts. Tidus, playing the part of Sampson, spoke first. "Gregory, o' my word, we'll not carry coals."
Wakka, playing the part of Gregory, turned his head to speak. "No, for then we should be colliers."
"I mean, an we be in choler, we'll draw." Said Tidus as he withdrew his sword and raised it.
"Ay, while you live, draw your neck out o' the collar." Wakka drew his sword also and made to attack Tidus's neck.
Tidus blocked and tried to hit Wakka's side. "I strike quickly, being moved."
"But thou art not quickly moved to strike." Said Wakka, blocking the attack.
"A dog of the house of Montague moves me." Tidus and Wakka's sword stay locked together as they turn round, still facing each other.
"To move is to stir; and to be valiant is to stand: therefore, if thou art moved, thou runn'st away." Said Wakka.
"A dog of that house shall move me to stand: I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montague's." Said Tidus. Both stopped turning around, but still faced each other.
"That shows thee a weak slave; for the weakest goes to the wall."
"True; and therefore women, being the weaker vessels, are ever thrust to the wall: therefore I will push Montague's men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall." Said Wakka. They both lowered their swords and sheathed them.
"The quarrel is between our masters and us their men." Wakka said putting his arm over Tidus's shoulders, standing beside the blonde.
"'Tis all one, I will show myself a tyrant: when I have fought with the men, I will be cruel with the maids, and cut off their heads." Said Tidus, moving his hand across his neck in a cutting action.
"The heads of the maids?" Question Wakka, looking confused.
"Ay, the heads of the maids, or their maidenheads; take it in what sense thou wilt." Laughed Tidus.
Wakka laughed also. "They must take it in sense that feel it."
"Me they shall feel while I am able to stand: and 'tis known I am a pretty piece of flesh." Tidus said pinching his own bum.
"'Tis well thou art not fish; if thou hadst, thou hadst been poor John. Draw thy tool! here comes two of the house of the Montague's." Said Wakka removing his arm from Tidus's shoulders and drawing his sword.
Tidus withdrew his sword also. "My naked weapon is out: quarrel, I will back thee."
"How! turn thy back and run?" Asked Wakka with a confused expression.
"Fear me not."
"No, marry; I fear thee!"
"Let us take the law of our sides; let them begin."
"I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as they list." Said Wakka frowning.
"Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them; which is a disgrace to them, if they bear it." Tidus bite his thumbs, while still holding his sword in one hand.
Riku, as Abraham, and Sora as Balthasar entered. Wakka and Tidus turned to face the two, swords raised. Tidus was biting the thumb on the hand with no sword.
"Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?" Asked Riku.
"I do bite my thumb, sir." Said Tidus.
"Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?" Asked Riku, again.
"Is the law of our side, if I say ay?" Whispered Tidus to Wakka, but loud enough for the audience to hear.
Wakka shook his head. "No."
Tidus spoke to Riku. "No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir, but I bite my thumb, sir."
"Do you quarrel, sir?" Wakka asked Riku.
"Quarrel sir! no, sir." Said Riku.
"If you do, sir, I am for you: I serve as good a man as you." Said Tidus.
"No better." Replied Riku.
"Well, sir." Said Tidus.
"Say 'better:' here comes one of my master's kinsmen." Wakka said sheathing his sword. Tidus removed his thumb from his mouth, but did not sheath his sword.
"Yes, better, sir." Said Tidus.
"You lie." Said Riku.
"Draw, if you be men. Gregory, remember thy swashing blow." Said Tidus as he fights Riku. Wakka and Sora stay out of the way but still on stage.
Irvine, as Benvolio, enters and beats down there swords, while facing the audience. "Part fools! Put up your swords; you know not what you do." Said Irvine.
Seymour, as Tybalt, enters. Riku and Tidus back off. Seymour walks up to Irvine and faces him. "What, art thou drawn among these heartless hinds? Turn thee, Benvolio, look upon thy death." Said Seymour, arrogantly.
"I do but keep the peace: put up thy sword. Or manage it to part these men with me." Said Irvine, raising his sword.
"What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word. As I hate hell, all Montague's, and thee: Have at thee, coward!" Said Seymour withdrawing his sword and attacking Irvine. The two were fighting, and the others join in. Riku and Tidus fighting teach other. Sora and Wakka were fighting each other.
From the left of the stage Cid Highwind, as Lord Capulet and Cloud (in a dress), as Lady Capulet enter. Cid turns to his wife, Cloud. "What noise is this? Give me my long sword, ho!"
"A crutch, a crutch! Why call you for a sword?" Said Cloud, in the best female voice he could make.
"My sword, I say! Old Montague is come. And flourishes his blade in spite of me." Said Cid trying his hardest not to cuss.
From the right side of the stage Zidane, as Lord Montague, and Kuja, as Lady Montague, entered. "Thou villain Capulet,--Hold me not, let me go." Said Zidane, holding out his sword.
Kuja stood in front of Zidane. "Thou shalt not stir a foot to seek a foe."
Sephiroth, as Price Escalus, entered and everyone stopped what they were doing. The Capulet's: Tidus, Wakka, Seymour, Cid and Cloud stood at the left side of the stage. The Montague's: Riku, Sora, Irvine, Zidane and Kuja stood at the left side of the stage.
Sephiroth stood centre stage. "Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, Profaners of this neighbour-stained steel,-- Will they not hear? What, ho! you men, you beasts, That quench the fire of your pernicious rage With purple fountains issuing from your veins,
On pain of torture, from those bloody hands Throw your mistemper'd weapons to the ground, And hear the sentence of your moved prince. Three civil brawls, bred of an airy word, By thee, old Capulet, and Montague, Have thrice disturb'd the quiet of our streets, And made Verona's ancient citizens Cast by their grave beseeming ornaments, To wield old partisans, in hands as old, Canker'd with peace, to part your canker'd hate: If ever you disturb our streets again, Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace. For this time, all the rest depart away: You Capulet; shall go along with me: And, Montague, come you this afternoon. To know our further pleasure in this case, to old Free-town, our common judgment-place. Once more, on pain of death, all men depart." Said Sephiroth turning to face each household.
All left the stage apart from Zidane, Kuja and Irvine. "Who set this ancient quarrel new abroach? Speak, nephew, were you by when it began?" Said Zidane to Irvine.
"Here were the servants of your adversary, And yours, close fighting ere I did approach: I drew to part them: in the instant came The fiery Tybalt, with his sword prepared, Which, as he breathed defiance to my ears, He swung about his head and cut the winds, Who nothing hurt withal hiss'd him in scorn: While we were interchanging thrusts and blows, Came more and more and fought on part and part, Till the prince came, who parted either part." Said Irvine.
"O, where is Romeo? Saw you him today? Right glad I am he was not at this fray." Said Kuja, looking slightly distressed.
"Madam, an hour before the worshipp'd sun. Peer'd forth the golden window of the east. A troubled mind drave me to walk abroad; Where, underneath the grove of sycamore. That westward rooteth from the city's side. So early walking did I see your son: Towards him I made, but he was ware of me. And stole into the covert of the wood: I, measuring his affections by my own. That most are busied when they're most alone. Pursued my humour not pursuing his. And gladly shunn'd who gladly fled from me." Said Irvine bowing to Kuja.
"Many a morning hath he there been seen. With tears augmenting the fresh morning dew. Adding to clouds more clouds with his deep sighs; But all so soon as the all-cheering sun. Should in the furthest east begin to draw, the shady curtains from Aurora's bed. Away from the light steals home my heavy son. And private in his chamber pens himself. Shuts up his windows, locks far daylight out. And makes himself an artificial night: Black and portentous must this humour prove. Unless good counsel may the cause remove." Said Zidane.
"My noble uncle, do you know the cause?" Asked Irvine.
"I neither know it nor can learn of him." Said Zidane.
"Have you importuned him by any means?" Questioned Irvine.
"Both by myself and many other friends: But he, his own affections' counsellor. Is to himself--I will not say how true-- But to himself so secret and so close. So far from sounding and discovery. As is the bud bit with an envious worm. Ere he can spread his sweet leaves to the air. Or dedicate his beauty to the sun. Could we but learn from whence his sorrows grow, we would as willingly give cure as know." Replied Zidane.
Squall, as Romeo, enters stage right, looking very depressed.
"See, where he comes: so please you, step aside; I'll know his grievance, or be much denied." Said Irvine bowing to Zidane.
"I would thou wert so happy by thy stay, To hear true shrift. Come, madam, let's away." Said Zidane. Himself and Kuja leave the stage. Irvine and Squall take centre stage side by side.
"Good-morrow, cousin." Greeted Irvine.
"Is the day so young?" Asked Squall sadly.
"But new struck nine." Said Irvine raising an eyebrow.
"Ay me! sad hours seem long. Was that my father that went hence so fast?" Asked Squall looking in the direction Zidane left the stage.
"It was. What sadness lengthens Romeo's hours?" Asked Irvine.
"Not having that, which, having, makes them short." Replied Squall sighing.
"In love?" Questioned Irvine putting his hands on Squall's shoulders turning him to face him.
"Out--" Replied Squall.
"Of love?" Said Irvine looking confused.
Squall nodded. "Out of her favour, where I am in love."
"Alas, that love, so gentle in his view. Should be so tyrannous and rough in proof!" Stated Irvine.
"Alas, that love, whose view is muffled still, Should, without eyes, see pathways to his will! Where shall we dine? O me! What fray was here? Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all. Here's much to do with hate, but more with love. Why, then, O brawling love! O loving hate! O any thing, of nothing first create! O heavy lightness! serious vanity! Mis-shapen chaos of well-seeming forms! Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health! Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is! This love feel I, that feel no love in this. Dost thou not laugh?" Asked Squall.
"No, coz, I rather weep." Said Irvine removing his hands.
"Good heart, at what?" Questioned Squall.
"At thy good heart's oppression." Said Irvine.
"Why, such is love's transgression. Grief's of mine own lie heavy in my breast. Which thou wilt propagate, to have it prest. With more of thine: this love that thou hast shown. Doth add more grief to too much of mine own. Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs; Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes; Being vex'd a sea nourish'd with lovers' tears: What is it else? A madness most discreet. A choking gall and a preserving sweet. Farewell, my coz." Said Squall, sadly.
"Soft! I will go along; An if you leave me so, you do me wrong."
"Tut, I have lost myself; I am not here; This is not Romeo, he's some other where."
"Tell me in sadness, who is that you love." Asked Irvine.
"What, shall I groan and tell thee?"
"Groan! why, no. But sadly tell me who."
"Bid a sick man in sadness make his will: Ah, word ill urged to one that is so ill! In sadness, cousin, I do love a woman."
"I aim'd so near, when I supposed you loved." Said Irvine smiling.
"A right good mark-man! And she's fair I love."
"A right fair mark, fair coz, is soonest hit."
"Well, in that hit you miss: she'll not be hit. With Cupid's arrow; she hath Dian's wit; And, in strong proof of chastity well arm'd. From love's weak childish bow she lives unharm'd. She will not stay the siege of loving terms. Nor bide the encounter of assailing eyes. Nor ope her lap to saint-seducing gold: O, she is rich in beauty, only poor. That when she dies with beauty dies her store." Squall said sighing.
"Then she hath sworn that she will still live chaste?" Remarked Irvine.
"She hath, and in that sparing makes huge waste. For beauty starved with her severity. Cuts beauty off from all posterity. She is too fair, too wise, wisely too fair. To merit bliss by making me despair: She hath forsworn to love, and in that vow. Do I live dead that live to tell it now."
"Be ruled by me, forget to think of her."
"O, teach me how I should forget to think." Said Squall grabbing hold of Irvine shirt.
"By giving liberty unto thine eyes; Examine other beauties."
Squall released Irvine. "'Tis the way. To call hers exquisite, in question more: These happy masks that kiss fair ladies' brows. Being black put us in mind they hide the fair; He that is strucken blind cannot forget. The precious treasure of his eyesight lost: Show me a mistress that is passing fair. What doth her beauty serve, but as a note. Where I may read who pass'd that passing fair? Farewell: thou canst not teach me to forget." Said Squall beginning to walk off stage.
"I'll pay that doctrine, or else die in debt." Said Irvine, following Squall.
Selphie jump out of her seat squealing happily. "Oh wow. That was fantastic. That's a rap for today. Hand in your costumes and go rest. Tomorrow is another day." Everyone did as they were told and began to clear out of the Quad.
Irvine walked up to Selphie. "Well, I say that went better well."
"I'll say. That was the best everyone has done." Selphie tiptoed and kissed Irvine. "Well done." Irvine bowed. Selphie put her arm through his, and they walked out of the now deserted Quad.
Me: Wow. That took like forever to think about and write.
Zell: What do you mean write? All you did was copy and paste the whole of scene one.
Me: I know but it still took forever. I'm sorry about that guys, kinda got a mini writer's block.
Squall: Review please.
Me: Yip, yip.