(AN: Well, not much to say, other than the fact that I will have the rest of the fic posted in time for Halloween. Thanks for all the reviews so far- keep them coming to motivate me to type the rest. Lol. Well, enjoy.)
A while after, Squall, Rinoa, Selphie, Quistis, Irvine, Zell and Seifer parked the Ragnarok outside of the small town of Winhill. Upon entering, they met up with Laguna in the town square. Leave it to Laguna, the President of Esthar, to dress up for Halloween. He was clad in a brown overcoat, plaid cap, and fake moustache, and had a prop pipe in his mouth. One of those beginning of the century detectives, Squall figured. Man, his father was an idiot. Behind Laguna was Ellone, waving to the group. Behind her stood Kiros and Ward, also dressed up, most likely at Laguna's whim. The tall, lanky Kiros looked eerily sinister in a black cloak, hood, and skeleton facepaint. Ward looked painstakingly less formidable in a full body cow costume, complete with horns, a snout, and plastic udders.
Ellone walked up to Squall, her signature green shawl draped over her shoulders in the chill Autumn air. "Hello, Squall! Long time, no see!"
"Hello, Ellone," Squall nodded, making sure not to slip and call her Sis, lest he should anything less than professional.
"Hiya!" Selphie waved.
"Isn't it nice to all be together again?" Ellone mused, tucking a piece of dark hair behind her ear.
"Whatever." Squall stepped by her and stood in front of the ridiculous looking Laguna. "What's our mission?" he asked coolly.
"Uh..." Laguna began, scratching at his ear. "Well, here's the thing. It's sorta a mission, and it's sorta not."
"Then what did you call us here for?" Squall asked through narrowed eyes.
"Well, ya know how I used to live here, right? Well, there's always been this rumor that this house was haunted." He pointed to the large mansion adjacent to Raine's old pub and flower shop.
"And?" Seifer pried.
"The people of the town called me for a favor. I guess that the supernatural happenings have intensified lately or somethin'... and since it's Halloween 'n all... they asked me to stay at the house overnight to watch for any unusual activity."
Zell made a confused face. Irvine arched an eyebrow. "So you want us to stay in a haunted house."
"Nah, more like I want you to stay in a really cool mansion! I mean, who believes in ghosts, right? An' I figured since it's like a free hotel 'n all, I'd let you kids stay here. Like a mini vacation! But it's sorta a mission too if you think about it, yanno?"
"We had nothing to do with this," Kiros felt the need to add.
"......"
"Ward says we're sorry anyway."
"Well I think it sounds like fun, Sir Laguna!" Selphie piped, clasping her hands together.
"We don't have time for some sleepover," Squall began, when Laguna grabbed his arm.
"Come on, Squall. Please?"
Squall sighed exasperatedly as an agreement. "Awesome! Come on, I'll show you inside." Laguna opened the large, creaking double doors to reveal an elaborate foyer. Flowers laced the double staircase up to a second floor hallway lined with doors. "Bedrooms are upstairs, I think. Kitchen's over there. Wish I could stay, but I got an important meetin' in Esthar in..." Laguna checked his watch. "Fifteen minutes ago. I'll check back on you tomorrow, okay? Have fun guys! 'Specially you, Squall!" Kiros and Ward left their posts and followed Laguna out the city entrance, leaving the eight teenagers inside the house.
"This place is nice, huh?" Zell asked. "Weren't we here before? I remember a haunted suit of armor or somethin'."
"That 'haunting' turned out to be a chicobo," Squall said sourly. "It seems the people of this town would even be afraid of their own shadow."
"Uncle Laguna simply wanted us to have a good time!" Ellone protested. "Please Squall, can't you have fun for once?"
Squall crossed his arms and turned his head away from her, leaving the group in an awkward silence. "Why don't we check out the rooms?" Quistis asked.
"That sounds like a good idea," Seifer shrugged.
The crew headed upstairs into a hallway lined with old paintings. Zell peeked into each doorway, bouncing on his feet. "Looks like there's four bedrooms," he said. "Each has two double beds. So... how we roomin'?"
Rinoa latched herself onto Squall's arm. "I can room with Squally!"
Squall must have looked horrified, for Selphie quickly came to his rescue. "Why don't we room boys in one room, girls in the other?"
Rinoa detached herself from a now tense Squall. She pouted. "Fine." Squall mouthed "thanks" to Selphie curiously. She returned the gratitude with a wink and a grin.
"I'll bunk with Squall then," Irvine said, casually placing a hand on Squall's shoulder, which Squall didn't shrug off.
"Damn!" Seifer cursed with feigned disappointment. "Guess that leaves me with the Chickenwuss." Zell poked him in the rib, pretending to be offended, and Seifer laughed.
"I'll room with Sis. You two can room together," Quistis said to Rinoa and Selphie.
"Okay! Come on, Rin, let's check out the room!" Selphie grabbed Rinoa's hand and they disappeared into the first bedroom. Quistis shrugged and beckoned to Ellone to check out their room. Squall gave Seifer a threatening look, and the boys trudged to their rooms.
"Oh, look. They even left mints on the pillows. How adorably nauseating." Squall picked up a wrapped candy that was lying on his pillow and promptly dropped it back down.
"Aw, come on, Squall," Irvine said, taking off his coat and hat and throwing them on a chair. "You don't have to be so negative. Seems like your dad really wanted you to have some fun tonight. And you know, I can always make fun.." He winked at Squall, who just stared at him.
"Irvine, I highly doubt that's the kind of 'fun' my father intended me to have." He tried to keep a stern face, but a twinge of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, as if he was actually going to give in to Irvine's suggestion. That is, if there wasn't a knock at the door at that very instant.
""What?" asked Irvine, annoyed.
"It's Selphie," came a bubbly voice from the other side of the door. "Sorry if I'm interrupting... anything..." She paused. Irvine and Squall shot each other confused glances. "But," Selphie continued, "We're all gonna meet up in the lounge in a bit, to hang out, talk, yanno... hope to see you there!" Her boots clattered on the hallway floor as she ran downstairs.
"That sounded... weird," Irvine said slowly.
"There was something about her tone of voice," Squall said pensively. "Does she know about us?"
"Not that I know of!" Irvine protested. "I didn't say anything, and I doubt Seifer or Zell would have."
"Hmm..." Squall thought out loud.
In the lounge, Seifer was kneeling by the fireplace, rekindling the flame. Selphie and Zell had somehow obtained a pumpkin, and were carving a face into it. Quistis walked out of the kitchen holding a tray of cider for the group, followed by Ellone carrying a plate of s'mores.
Squall sat down on the sofa. The second he planted himself down, Rinoa, appearing out of nowhere, was next to him, grabbing his arm. "Oh, Squally! I'm so happy you came!" she giggled, and pressed closer to him. Squall sighed. He was used tot his, and didn't bother protesting anymore. Besides, what was he supposed to do? Stand up in the middle of the room and shout, "You're a bitch, and I want to be with Irvine?"
Irvine sat down in an armchair next to the fireplace, giving Squall a sympathetic gaze.
"There!" Selphie said triumphantly, looking at the jack-o-lantern she and Zell had carved, grinning at its triangular eyes and orange fangs. "Kinda looks like you, Zell! It's got your mouth and everything!"
"It does not!" Zell protested.
"Does too," Selphie giggled.
"Does not!"
"Does too!"
Seifer walked over, and looked at the pumpkin, then at Zell. "Actually, I do see some similarities, Dincht."
"Fine! Whatever! I don't care anymore!" Zell yelled, and stomped off.
Quistis snickered. "So, what do you want to do?"
"Play Triple Triad?" Seifer suggested.
"Anyone have a deck?" Quistis asked. Seifer grumbled.
"Tell ghost stories?" asked Selphie.
"Does anyone know any?" Irvine countered. The room was silent.
"We could play Spin the Bottle...." Rinoa giggled.
Squall sneered. "No. Definitely not."
"Actually, that sounds like fun," Selphie laughed.
"It kinda does..." Zell grinned.
"I'm game," Irvine shrugged.
"No," Squall said again.
"Well I'm in," said Seifer.
"ME too," Quistis agreed.
"Yeah, I suppose," Ellone smiled.
"No," said Squall.
"Seven against one. You lose, Squally!" Rinoa said deviously, taking the last gulp from her soda bottle. She placed it in the middle of the floor, and the rest of the group sat cross-legged around it. "Me first!" Rinoa said, bouncing up and down. With a flick of her wrist, the bottle went spinning. With fear in his eyes, Squall watched the bottle go round and round rapidly, until it came to a slow. In horror, he saw that the nose of the bottle pointed right... at him. Rinoa squealed with delight, as she leaned towards the frightened gunblade specialist. Before Squall could recoil, she grabbed his jacket collar and planted a big kiss on his lips. She then sat back, a satisfied grin on her face. Squall's expression was blank; at least it was over.
Quistis shrugged and spun next. Squall's eyes went wide again as he realized that the bottle pointed to him... again. Quistis blushed slightly, and Rinoa made an angry face. Quistis looked to Rinoa, and decided to show her up. She grabbed a surprised Squall and kissed him twice as hard as Rinoa had. She sat back smugly and smiled politely at Rinoa, who was fuming.
Selphie giggled and spun next. She couldn't believe her eyes as it landed on Squall.
"Is that thing rigged or something?" Seifer asked. Zell looked to Irvine who was fidgeting uncomfortably, and Zell couldn't help but laugh.
Selphie looked to Squall. "Sorry," she squeaked, before giving him a quick peck on the lips.
"My turn!" Zell excitedly spun the soda bottle, wishing secretly, of course, that it'd land on the object of his affection. However, of course, it landed on Squall. Seifer shifted restlessly as Zell crawled across the circle to quickly kiss Squall. Seifer gave the brunette gunblade specialist a dirty look, before predictably spinning to Squall himself. Seifer grumbled and wrinkled his nose in disgust as he hastily touched his lips to Squall's own, who was looking just as repelled.
Ellone was laughing. "Oh my gosh... IS it rigged?" She spun the bottle herself. Squall sighed as he realized the nose pointed once again at him. Ellone gave him a quick peck. Rinoa practically had smoke coming out of her ears.
It was finally Irvine's turn by now, and at this point he was quite confident that he would get to kiss Squall. However, his jaw dropped as the bottle came to a slow and tilted past Squall- to Rinoa. "DAMN!" he yelled loudly without thinking. Everyone looked to him.
"What's wrong with kissing ME?" Rinoa growled.
"Uh..." Irvine started. "Nothing...?"
"Then WHY do you look so DISGUSTED?"
"Uh, n-no reason." Irvine leaned over to kiss Rinoa, who sneered when he was done.
"Well at least we know the Squall curse has ended," Selphie laughed. Irvine crinkled his nose.
Squall's turn came up. Tentatively, he spun the bottle. It pointed- to himself.
"Maybe not..." Selphie corrected herself.
Squall's cheeks flushed a bright red. "I don't want to play this stupid game anymore!" he roared. He stood up, kicked the bottle across the room, and stomped out.
The other seven looked to each other. "Is he okay?" Ellone asked.
Zell was laughing. He fell over.
"I'll go talk to him," Rinoa said, trying to stand up, but Quistis grabbed her arm.
"Oh no you don't," the instructor ordered behind narrowed eyes. "You'll... just make it worse."
"How dare you?" Rinoa asked. "Besides, I highly doubt Squally would listen to you."
"At least I have half a brai-"
"Irvine, why don't you go talk to Squall?" Selphie asked.
"M-me?" Irvine stuttered, blushing a bright scarlet. Selphie knows, Selphie knows, Selphie knows...
"Yeah... you're the only one who didn't kiss him." There was a devious little glimmer in her eyes, and she winked at him.
Zell was laughing so hard on the floor, he hit his head on the coffee table.
Irvine nodded, stood up, dusted himself off, and went after Squall.
"Well, we may as well go to bed," Seifer said, checking his watch. "It's getting late."
"I'm going to explore a little, if that's all right with you," Ellone said. She smiled. "I've admired this house ever since I was little, but I'd never been inside."
"Okay Sis! Have fun!" Selphie said, jumping up. "I'm gonna head for my room. Wanna come, Rin?"
"Yeah, sure," Rinoa said, not taking her eyes off Quistis.
Quistis smiled politely again and Rinoa bared her teeth. Selphie dragged Rinoa to the stairs. "Why am I always the peacemaker?" she mumbled to herself.
"Goodnight, Seifer, Zell." Quistis exited the room and headed upstairs once Rinoa was out of sight.
"Shall we, Dincht?" Seifer asked, raising an eyebrow suggestively.
"We shall, Almasy," Zell countered, grinning, as he took Seifer's arm.
Squall took a can of root beer from the fridge and took a sip, glaring at the lifesize portrait before him. "Stop staring at me!" he yelled.
"Squall?"
Squall spun around, startled, the contents of his soda splashing onto the floor. He looked at the mess, then back to the doorway. "Irvine... I was just... I... I hate this house."
Irvine laughed. "Come on, Squall." He gently reached for Squall's wrist to lead him back to the lounge.
"Wait," Squall said shyly. When Irvine turned around, Squall placed his hands on either side of Irvine's head and drew him in for a deep kiss. Irvine returned the liplock, bringing his hands to rest on Squall's waist. Squall pulled away tentatively, smiling softly. "Okay," he said. "Now we can go."
The lounge was deserted, aside from a few half-empty cider mugs and the head-shaped dent Zell had left in the coffee table. "They must have already gone to bed," Irvine said.
"I'm getting kind of tired myself," Squall admitted.
"Wow..." Ellone breathed at the massive library. She ran her hand over one of the books, entitled "Sorcery and Magic". She went to pull it out to skim the pages, but the book wouldn't come out of the bookcase. "Hmm?" Ellone asked, as she tugged on the slightly protruding book. There was the sound of creaking gears behind her, and she spun around. One of the bookshelves behind her had turned 90° from the wall, revealing a dark passageway behind it.....