A/N:Hey! Don't kill me just yet! I have a very good excuse this time...my computer broke...she died along with her little babies(my files) now I'm doomed to extinction! I have to start all over...so yeah, theses are tough times for me, but hey, the show must go on! Here's a new and more hilarious chapter....I'm sure you'll enjoy!
Chapter 16
1-2-3- ACTION!!!
Earlier that morning, Selphie got into Cid's office to ask permission to use the Quad and its facilities in order to practice for the upcoming November play. It was often celebrated annually to conclude the month of November—the busiest of times at Balamb—and the welcoming of the season of laughter: December.
Cid was silently reading the early papers when a sudden door-slam caused him to jump off his seat from shock.
It was Selphie carrying along piles of papers for sign-up. "MORNING HEADMASTERRR!!! Whoo-hoo!!! I'm done with the script and approval slips! Now all you hav'ta do is to sign them up for me and I'll be merrily off my way for the casting!" Selphie exclaimed in full excitement as she dropped the papers on Cid's desk.
"That's very nice Selphie. I'm glad you are so passionate about your duties. But you know what? You can now go for the casting; I'll be right here signing up these papers for awhile. You can come back and get them tonight, I'll be done by then." Cid earnestly replied as he sat down and started reading the files one by one.
"YAY! Sure thing! I'll be back with the cast before you can even say amncjdhrkytsuwq…heehee…" she consented in full vigor, but then a sudden blow of the wind made her ask a serious question. "Ummm…Headmaster?"
"What is it child?"
"Why did you bet up on Seifer and Quistis too soon? Don't you think it was a gamble that youbet as early as a month knowing those two are so obstinate?"
"You see Selphie, I take my pride more into mind than my victory." he piously replied.
"But…how could you risk so much gil???" Selphie insisted.
"You're still naïve Selphie…you'll soon understand the difference between material things and those of your sentiment towards untouchable things."
As Selphie silently turned around to leave in question, Cid stopped her asking: "Why? What do you plan for the two?"
She turned back leaving with an evil grin at Cid.
Meanwhile, back at the Cafeteria, Seifer was really aggravated at his opponent at Triple Triad.
"Argh! I lost again, DAMMIT!" Seifer exclaimed in agitation.
"Seifer, I'm telling you, you cannot possibly beat me with your level 5 cards when I'm using level 8 and 9 cards!" Quistis complained, irritated by the man's persistence.
"What do you mean I can't beat you? I have the Pupu Card!"
"So? What is it against my GF and Boss Cards?"
"Everything! Can't you see??? It has an 'A'! I have at least 10 chances of winning!"
"I'll reduce it to zero…you are aware that the rules you chose to use for the game are only Open, Sudden Death and One. Why don't you just admit it!?"
"Admit what?"
"YOU LOST!"
"Of course not!"
"You lost 26 times in a row! Out of 26 games!"
"That's all because you don't play fair! Why don't you use level 3 or 2 Cards!?"
"I'm telling you, I only own Level 8,9 and 10 Cards!"
"Alright, just play with me one more time, will ya?"
And so they played--same rules, same cards. When Seifer lost, he bet on playing one more time, but Quistis lost her patience and took Seifer's Pupu Card as her well-earned prize for her victory.
"NOOOO!!!! How dare you take my Pupu Card!" Seifer complained in anger.
"I have all the right to take it, it's in the rules." Quistis reasoned.
"Give it back!" he exclaimed grabbing the card from Quistis' hands. But Quistis was tired of playing that she couldn't allow Seifer to take back his Pupu Card, for she knew that he would challenge her once more once he had gotten hold of it.
While Seifer and Quistis were busy pulling each other, hitting each other, trying to get a hold of the Pupu Card, Selphie approached them and asked if they wished to be on the play. But since they were much too preoccupied with their business, they went on with their dispute without even noticing Selphie's presence. Selphie kept on asking while the two didn't seem to mind. Soon after, Selphie lost her patience.
Her eyes began to burn like hell, while her nostrils started fuming out smoke. She could no longer stand the two. She grabbed the Pupu Card from both their arms, overpowering both their strengths. The moment she took hold of the card, she tore it into two, noticingthe couple's gaze at the equally torn card. She gave them a very evil smirk that would intimidate even Seifer's evilest of grins—before she shredded the ill-fated Pupu Card into bite size pieces. While Quistis smiled in relief for the ruined card, Seifer's jaw dropped while his eyes widen at the sight.
"Huff-huff-huff-huff—stupid card!" Selphie mumbled after she dropped the torn pieces to the ground and burned them into ashes with her Fire para-magic.
"You—you—murdered my Pupu Card…" Seifer said in disbelief.
"Good for you. Hi Selphie, can I assist you with something?" Quistis asked Selphie
"Yes actually…can you two cast in for my November play? Everyone has already approved, you two are the only remaining ones left," Selphie replied as she calmed herself down.
"Sounds thrilling. What's in for us?" asked Quistis for Seifer still needed a moment of silence to mourn for his obliterated card.
"Well…I was thinking…maybe you'd like to take on the leading roles for my play 'Twisted Fate'. You'll be 'Paris' Quistis, while Seifer will be 'Legolas'."
"H-hold on there little missy! What do you mean play? What do you mean leading roles?" Seifer interrupted as he heard his name mentioned.
"You know, Hero and Heroine, Prince charming and the beautiful Princess, Knight in shining armor and damsel in distress, that kinda stuff," explained Selphie.
"What!? You mean me…and Seifer…up on stage…doing love scenes?" Quistis shuddered in disapproval as she took a step back away from the bouncy SeeD.
"Well—I can do something about the lovey-dovey part, but yeah! Technically, you'll be up on stage to perform my written play."
"Interesting…me? On stage, up there with Quistis…hahaha! That's a laugh!" Seifer added snickering at Selphie.
At first Selphie thought of giving up, knowing that the two were just simply too stubborn to comply with anything. But when she caught sight of the gil being handed down to a cadet's hand, she pulled herself together and insisted.
"OOOOHHHH…but you must! You guys are being looked up by many…if they knew you'll be the lead roles, I'm sure the November Play will be a blast!!! Besides, you two seem to be a perfect couple! So pleeeaaaasssssee? PLEEEEAAAZZ??? PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE!???" she eagerly pleaded, kneeling down the floor with those puppy dog eyes and snuggling baby looks.
"But I simply can't…" Quistis apologized lifting Selphie up from the ground.
"What makes you say I'll agree after you massacred my Pupu?" Seifer added.
"……Well…you wouldn't want me to cast you in by force now, would you?" she dared.
"Tsk, what can you possibly do?" Seifer retorted in an even daring tone.
That day, Selphie let them off for a while to plan for the execution of her PLAN #101. The two slept tight that night while Selphie was busy with her diabolical scheme.
The very next day, the two woke up from the murmurs that they heard outside their dorm. When they went out, hair-raising looks followed them as they went out of their rooms. Some smiled while they passed along the corridors, while others congratulated them. They felt a bit uneasy of the new atmosphere that revolved around them.
They exited towards the main hall. To their astonishment, the students that were there cheered them upon their arrival. They saw all over the place their picture posted on the walls with the words: "Come, one and all! This year's November Play "Twisted Fate" will be portrayed by our dearly beloved Instructor Quistis Trepe as the ravishing leading lady and associated by the great Seifer Almasy as our witted gentleman."
Seeing this, the two hurried to the Quad where Selphie was busy organizing her crew.
"SELPHIE! How dare you make a fool of us!" Seifer exclaimed the moment he caught sight of her.
"Huh-Ugh…too late now, everyone in the Garden already knows and agreed to my decision. Even the people at Balamb know this by now. It'll be impossible to take back what was said since everything has already been set, only you two are the ones left unprepared for the show." Selphie said giving them a big beam.
Seifer and Quistis looked at each other for awhile before they came into conclusion.
"No other choice given huh? Might as well count me in." Quistis consented.
"Tsk, it won't be easy…but heck, you forced me into this." Seifer said, complying.
"WHOOO-HOOOO!!!! MY CAST IS COMPLETE! Now join the rest of the gang and we can start out our practice the moment Xu arrives with the costumes." Selphie screamed to the top of her voice in excitement.
As they joined with the rest of the cast they were not shock by the incisive gaze that they were giving Selphie. They too were forced to join against their very will.
"Gee…I can't believe she gotcha into this. Thought you guys were though to beat." Zell said scratching his head as the couple stood beside him.
"Hmph, tell me about it." Seifer said as a witty comeback.
When Xu arrived with her crew bringing along the costumes for the play, everyone was shocked by what they would be wearing. Selphie then handed out the lists of the characters that they would be portraying and it reads as the following:
Legolas – Seifer (Leading man)
Paris – Quistis (Princess in Distress)
Cloud – Zell (Wandering Warrior)
Chocobo – Squall (Legolas' pet)
Sephiroth Kuja – Irvine (Dastardly villain)
Mother Goose – Rinoa (Paris' mother)
Dory – Headmistress Edea (Legolas' mother)
Rumplestilskin– Headmaster Cid (Paris' father) (know the proper spelling Ani?)
Harry Potter – Nida (Legolas' Father)
7 Dwarves – CC Club Members (Band of Blacksmiths)
Fairy Godmother – Dr.Kadowaki (The Wandering Fairy)
Witch – Cafeteria Lady (Sleeping Witch)
All of the cast members were simply appalled by the roles Selphie gave them. It was simply too…odd…and the roles that Selphie gave them simply didn't suit them. Selphie explained the course of the story and everyone remained silent while she alone spoke; amazed by her own words that she would often pause to compliment herself. Everyone had a feeling that the vivacious petite had gone coo-coo…but they were wrong…she was simply doing this for a laugh as a revenge on their past deeds to her and of course; for her money.
For the next days, they had been busy with practices. Only three more weeks before the big day and everyone was worn-out with all the preparations. They would often start every afternoon when all classes were over and would usually wind up late in the evening.
But although the whole cast was ecstatic with the upcoming show, they couldn't avoid any dilemma. Squall refused to wear his chocobo costume since he was allergic to feathers and would end up having so many rashes by the end of the day. Zell often complains to Selphie that he wasn't suited for his role of becoming such a serious and ostentatious character such as Cloud. Irvine seemed well on his role, except for the fact that he wouldn't allow anyone to dye his hair white with red highlighting since he considered it "vaguely unattractive". Rinoa on the other hand couldn'tfit on her Mother Goose costume because of her constant midnight snacks. Nida refused to ride his Nimbus 2000 because he had a bad balance and was practically scared of heights—since there wouldn't be any nets below him when he falls. Headmaster Cid couldn't allow himself to be placed with all those makeup which could ruin his already ruined skin. And his accent, his accent was simply too awful to hear, even to the ears of the rodents. Xu was having a terrible time with the props and backdrop since her crew composed of inexperienced and indolent students. And the Director, Selphie had been having high-blood lately with all these predicaments.
It seemed that only Edea, Dr.Kadowaki, the Cafeteria lady, the CC Club members and the two leading men were the only ones without any problem regarding their roles. Edea looked beautiful with her fish costume and was good enough to forget her lines—as she should. But she did have trouble sounding to be stupid for her tone was too superior and wise for anyone.
Dr.Kadowaki looked fat and old enough to be on her Fairy Godmother costume, plus! Her voice sounded aged, so she didn't have trouble at all! Just to the fact that it would take four muscled men to lift her up in the air every time she needed to fly for her adieu.
The Cafeteria Lady also fitted her role, and she gave out free hotdogs after rehearsals, which made Zell very happy. The CC Club was also very cooperative since their King and Queen were there as well taking on big roles. They helped out with the fond racing by playing cards around the Garden and would charge their opponent for money instead of cards.
But Selphie's plan was working out smoothly. Seifer and Quistis had been spending more time together than they used to. They were often found together, during spare times, practicing their lines and actions for their big debut on stage. Every after rehearsal, Seifer would offer Quistis to walk her back to her dorm, and along the way would talk some more. They were really having a hard time adjusting to their roles. Seifer, being a harsh and straightforward talker, had to learn how to be a fine and refined gentleman as what his character should be. Quistis on the other hand, being a formal and sophisticated speaker, had a hard time compromising as well, having to do quick responses and to be able to talk all suave and hippie like accent as her character calls out to be.
Because of those adjustments, things began to change. Seifer became more sensitive towards his manners while Quistis learned to be less prim when it came to conversations and such. And because of this, Quistis felt more pleased when conversing with Seifer, as much as he felt more comfortable with the less rigid Quistis that he once knew. But one word changed things for the both of them…
"KISS!?!?!?!?!?" Seifer exclaimed with popping eyes
"Yup! Every love story has to have one! It wouldn't be complete without the big kiss in the end! How would the audience know you'll live happily ever after without that very special kiss???" Selphie explained in pleading gestures.
"Common sense Selphie! You can simply narrate the live happily ever after part. I'm sure no one would mind! Right Seifer?" Quistis added, sternly looking at Selphie.
"Got that right! Selphie, you can't just budge into our lives demanding us to kiss up on stage with over a hundred people watching us!" Seifer agreed.
"NOOOO!!!! NonononoNONONONO!!!! I'm the Director, so you do as I say! And I say you two will kiss by the end of the story!!! It's too late to turn back now! We only have a week and a half left, everything has been set, and if you refuse to do this one itsy-bitsy thing I ask in favor, then you two are the cruelest of friends!!! Hmph!" Selphie screamed in frustration pouting and looking harsh at the two blondes.
"Selphie, I'm sorry if we offended you by opposing to your order, but you have to understand, a kiss means something for the both of us. I mean…we…that is…uhhh…Seifer?" Quistis tried to explain, but she couldn't overdo her words since Seifer was there and she feared that he might take her words in a different point of view.
"What we're simply trying to point out is, we cannot allow ourselves to be embarrassed in front of the whole Garden." Seifer continued finishing Quistis' sentence.
"I've made up my mind! I am firm to my decision, you two will just have to kiss whether you like it or not!!! Hmph!" And with those parting words, Selphie left them unjustified.
The two remained silent; unable to take hold of the situation they just got themselves in to. Minutes had passed, they remained standingthere at the same spot, neither bulging a move nor looking at each other.
Finally, Seifer thought of an idea, surreal, but a plan. "Quis, ever wondered if Amnesia Greens would work on humans as well?"
"I don't know…maybe…but why do you ask?" Quistis asked, confused.
"I was thinking, that maybe…just maybe, if we could let Selphie consume at least one of it, she might just have amnesia and forget the whole thing." Seifer replied, uncertain of his words as well.
"Sounds likely enough to work. I guess we can go get one from the Pet Shop for 1000 gil." Quistis consented at Seifer's ridiculous idea for she had no other option but to do so.
And so they went out to buy Amnesia Green. The very next day, during their rehearsals, they poured the mixture right into Selphie's kitty mug.
"You think that's enough?" Seifer asked, holding back the bottle.
"I think we should add more just so to make sure it'll work." Quistis suggested.
AndSeifer poured the whole bottle of Amnesia Green, with that, they left the site leaving no trace of their sinister conduct. As they got up on stage to do their scene, they kept their eyes peeled on the mug making sure that she drinks it.
Just then, Irvine entered the Quad all sweaty and fatigued from running. He came in late since he was back at Balamb town running an errand for his supplies.
"Huff-huff—so tired…need water…" Irvine said stooping down from exhaustion.
Suddenly, he caught sight of Selphie's kitty mug.
"Hey, juice!" he exclaimed in relief swiftly taking the mug and hastily drinking all of its content.
Seifer and Quistis could simply look from afar imagining their friend's terrible future. Yes, they were not sure if it would really work, but as Irvine came up to do his lines, he proved them right. Irvine stood right in front of them in silence pointing at everyone like a stupid numskull.
"Hi everyone! What's up!?" Irvine said grinning like an idiot
Because of this, Selphie concentrated her time on practicing Irvine. He forgot all his lines, and being the villain, he had such long lines that it took them a week to revive his knowledge about the play and everything he had to do.
It was two days before the play and the final costumes were released. When Selphie had them tried it on for fitting, everyone looked gorgeous that they became more confident of themselves acting up on stage.
Zell's costume was really cool, with all the spikes and blue leather; he simply looked like a real warrior when he carried with him his Ultima Sword.
Edea looked ravishing in her long blue dress with ivory black linings across it. She carried along two broad lemon yellow fans that would act as her fins instead of that big cardboard costume Selphie had her wore during practice performance.
Squall looked adorably cute on his Chocobo costume that he was often pinched wherever he went with it.
Nida looked mystical with his long maroon robe and enchanting wand. The CC Club members adored their quixotic elfish costumes in exchange for their tattered dwarf costumes.
Dr.Kadowaki looked like a real Fairy Godmother, but her outfit made her look younger.
Headmaster Cid was almost mistaken as a hermit when he wore his garments. Rinoa finally slipped into her new flexible Mother Goose costume that could stretch out to wide enough for an obese woman to fit in.
Irvine, with the villain's costume that simply looked exquisite with its long black rubber coat and bright silver fabric to match it out, he allowed Xu to dye his hair.
But of course, the biggest attraction were the two lead roles that made them really worthy of their part when they wore their costumes. Seifer was made to wear sleek white leather with black and silver edgings. His long ebony bow matched with his boots, which really made him look gorgeously handsome to the eyes of everyone that caught his sight. And add to that the long silver cape that his Matron, Edea especially sewed for him to make him look like a real prince. But of course, like every prince, he was made to wear a wig to make his hair seem longer. The long blonde hair, neatly tucked on his back reaching down is waist was really gorgeous.
And of course Quistis, the woman of the hour that made every man's jaw drop the moment she clothed herself with her beautiful white gown. Since she was supposed to be the princess of Nazareth, she was made to wear white and gold as a symbol purity and noble stature in her town. She was made to wear a dazzling crown and her honey blonde hair was adorned with all the glitters. And if that wasn't enough to make her look like a goddess, she was made to wear a pair of angel wings which was intricately done out of crane and swan feathers by professionals.
The reason behind such authentic costumes was because of Zell's mother, Mrs.Dincht. As soon as she heard that her beloved son was going to be on the play wearing the horrid costume, Xu made for him to wear, she decided to help with the costumes by gathering all the experienced tailors in Balamb. And with her help, weave the costumes themselves.
Because of this, Xu and her crew were enflamed by jealousy of the costumes that were given more attention than they were. So Xu and her companions decided to beat the costumes and made even better props and background.
However, something else was taking place; the sight of Quistis astonished Seifer, as well as everyone. It made him regret the fact that he couldn't kiss her. But that thought made him realize that it wasn't too late for that.
He approached Quistis who was blushing at her newfound look, and with all valor, he said "…You're beautiful…"
"Don't embarrass me like that," she softly replied.
"Well I guess now it wouldn't be too hard if you two would kiss looking like that, now would it?" Selphie interrupted, winking at her two main characters before leaving them once more.
"Listen…I really don't to want to ruin the whole piece just because I can't allow myself to kiss you," Seifer vaguely mumbled at Quistis; embarrassed by his words.
"Me too…I'd hate it if we disappoint the audience…" Quistis added in the same manner.
A/N: And that's it for this chapter....if you like this chappie, I'm sure you'll love and have a blast on the next one!!!! So, go on with the REVIEW! I'd love to hear what you think about the whole idea!