The Garden had arranged for them to stay at the Red Rose Inn, a comfortable out of the way little hotel. They managed to secure two rooms for the party. Rinoa breathed a sigh of relief, he features relaxing the further she got from the Caraway residence. Her lips turning up, the half smile she always wore returning with each step. Ever the responsible one of the group, Quistis checked in and retrieved the room keys. One room was larger than the other, and there was much argument over which group got which. Despite Zell's loud objections, the girls won.
The girls took the larger of the two rooms, all three eager to be the first to jump in the tub. There was quite a bit of quibbling, until Rinoa suggested tossing a coin. After another few minutes of girly chatter, they found a coin and flipped it. Rinoa won both coin tosses, much to Quistis and Selphie's dismay. They cheered up when Rinoa showed them the booty she'd pilfered from her dad's house, clean night clothes to sleep in.
When her Father was droning on, Rinoa waited until he wouldn't miss her and had snuck up into her old room. Creepily enough, he'd kept it just the same way she'd had it when she left so many years ago. She stole some of her old clothes, hoping they'd still fit, though she was pretty sure she hadn't grown much. Nevertheless, she tried to choose stuff that looked baggy and a little oversized. It was funny how sneaking into her room was just as nerve-wracking as it had been sneaking out of it.
She'd lied a little when she had said that her father had gotten her into Timber Fine Arts. Her father wanted to send her to the Garden, a proposition Rinoa found unacceptable. She wanted to be a musician, not some mindless drone soldier. The military was his world, not hers. Tired of living under his thumb, she sought out alternatives, all of which he nixed. In desperation, she'd filled out the forms for TFA herself, and once she found out she'd been accepted with a full scholarship, planned her get away with the help of her maternal Grandmother. Nana had always disapproved of the way he'd treated her only granddaughter, and was more than eager to lend Rinoa a hand.
That summer she'd worked like a dog, saving up every penny, taking as many as three or four jobs. Her father had been so proud of her and her hard work. Then one late summer night, Rinoa, with all her hard earned money and what little extra her Nana could spare, packed a few belongings and skipped town. She arrived in Timber two days later, no apartment, no job, no friends....nothing but a few thousand dollars, a couple of changes of clothes, her card collection and a small picture of her mother she still carried to this day. She was only thirteen at the time, and yet found the strength to set herself up in a strange city all by herself. Lying about her age, she got a job at a small bookstore. Taking odd jobs in-between to supplement her income. She did extremely well in her classes, and brought her own books with what little money she had, though she had no where to live. For the first few months she managed day to day, staying in motels or youth hostels until she could get an apartment.
Nearing autumn of her first year there, she met Watts at a local teen hang out. He was in a band and needed a singer. When Rinoa told him that she could sing, he immediately invited her to join his band, Sonic Death Monkey. Watts taught her how to play guitar.....She taught him how to play piano and cheat on cards. He offered her a place to stay, letting her take a room that he shared with a couple of other friends. She gratefully accepted, as she'd tired of staying in motel rooms. A cozy arrangement.
Watts had a huge crush on her, she had known that from the beginning. She valued her friendship with him, and didn't want screw it up by trying to make it anything more. He agreed, and though he still had feelings for her, he kept them under wraps. She was the best friend he'd ever had and an excellent musician. Sonic Death Monkey disbanded, Rinoa and Watts continuing on as a duo without the rest of the baggage. They made a wonderful team, she wrote the music and he wrote the lyrics. They played any place people would let them, making a modest sum on the gigs they managed to secure. A steady stream of friends and other dead beat musician types, floating in and out of the two story converted apartment building that had become home. It was a blissful time for Rinoa, one of the few moments in her life that wasn't fraught with difficulty. She was happy, challenged by her classes with a large group of friends, it was heaven for her.
Then one year later, violence broke out in Timber again. The Galbadian appointed government and the residents of Timber had a long history of violence against each other. Both sides believing they were right. Galbadia considered Timber its territory and didn't much care if the natives thought different, bombing Timber to prove their point. Timber had little in the way of resources, and its citizens would often resort to malicious street violence as revenge. A never-ending cycle, anger and resentment passing from generations as the occupation went on and on.
They met Zone that year, helping dig people out of the ruins of Timber's once beautiful streets. Her school had been bombed, and all classes were halted. All pleasant activity ceased, there were curfews and check points. No classes, no clubs to play at, no reason to make music anymore. She had been turned out of Eden. The only thing she had left were her friends. The military, it had taken the one thing she loved away from her. It killed her muse, her freedom and she swore that she'd make them pay for what they'd done. It was then that the three of them hatched the idea for the Forest Owls.
Her father eventually tracked her down, his military contacts had helped, and begged her to come home. She refused, it was her life and he had no right. He got angry and had told her that if she didn't come home now, that he'd disown her, cut her off forever. Not that it mattered much.....she had done well for herself without his help this far, why would she accept it now? They didn't talk for awhile, until he sent a small birthday card for her sixteenth birthday....last year. Inviting her back home for a small get together. She went, met Seifer, and the rest was history.
His card, that's how she got her loathsome nickname within the Forest Owls. They'd found her card and read the inscription on the inside. Princess, missing you....hope you'll come home soon, Love Daddy....Everyone thought it was sooooo funny. Gee, that's so you Rinoa.... Daddy's little girl...his pretty Princess....oooh! Her Highness......She never told anyone how she'd really come to live in Timber....never knew why. Perhaps she just didn't want people to feel bad for her. The label princess was bad enough, she didn't need poor little rich girl added to it.
Leaving Quistis and Selphie to fight over who got to wear what night shirt, Rinoa entered the bathroom. She started up her bath, the sound of cascading water filling the tiny room. She stripped and stuck her toe into the water hesitantly. Deciding it wasn't too hot, she put it in the rest of the way. Letting the warm water gradually surround her until she was all the way in the tub. She closed her eyes and dunked her head underneath the water. Sitting up suddenly, she grabbed the convenient hotel shampoo and squeezed out a small droplet. Rubbing it between her small hands, she reached up and worked it into her hair. Slowly she went over her cleaning routine, a ritual repeated hundreds of times. Wash the hair, condition it, scrub the face....etc and once she was done, relaxation could begin. It felt so good to be clean again, it seemed like ages since she was in Timber.... even longer since she last took a real bath. Inhaling deeply, she let the humid air penetrate her. She stared at the ceiling, wondering at the unreality of her life as it was.
It was strange that when you ask for your life to change, you never once think of what it might mean. Sometimes change in theory is better than in reality. Rinoa could feel herself at that crossroad, wondering if this change was as good as she thought it would be. Here she was, in a city she hated, with people she barely knew. Even stranger was the idea that tomorrow she was to help them assassinate a sorceress. That being done, it would be to Balamb they go. Her future fuzzy and unfocused. What would she do?
Squall, what about Squall. She pondered what to do, turning her thoughts to that all consuming obsession... Was it love? Maybe, definitely like....she liked him, well, at least she thought he was cute...but...He wasn't always nice. In fact, he was very rarely nice and only ever showed glimmers of that man she met at the dance. Was the person she saw then merely a fabrication of her own overactive imagination? A school girl's dream of a cold insensitive man that you could shape like putty. Dreams were so far removed from reality.
Would it be worth it? She'd never been the kind of girl to sit and hope that with gentle pressure she could change someone. If they wanted to change, they would. All the pushing in the world wouldn't help if they didn't. She'd seen all to many girls who thought beauty could tame the beast. Pathetic wretches who subjugated their own wants and desires, rather than risk the ire of their significant others. That wasn't the kind of relationship she was interested in. Still, there was something about him that drew her nearer. Every now and then, he'd drop that wall and she'd see the wounded boy behind the man.....and it tore at her heart. You're a sad, sad woman, Rinoa.....drawn in by silly self made sob stories. Get over him, get over yourself. Idiot.
She pouted, dunking her head beneath the water again. Still submerged, she dragged her fingers through her hair as it swirled around her head like an underwater halo, popping back up an instant later. Just don't worry about it anymore. If something happens, then it happens....if not, it wasn't meant to be.....I just wish I could tell if he likes me or not. Could ask him....That thought made her nervous. She was a fearless girl in some respects, but she'd never handled rejection well.....No, I'm good with the mystery. It only took her a few minutes to completely wash up. She toweled off, brushing her hair out and tying it into a loose ponytail. Rinoa slipped into the t-shirt that would serve as a night gown. She gathered up her scattered clothes, and left the bathroom for the next user.
" 'Bout time! I thought you'd NEVER get out!!" Selphie exclaimed, making a dash for the bathroom and slamming the door shut.
Rinoa smiled, dropping her clothes near her side of the bed. Quistis and Rinoa agreed to share a bed and leave Selphie, aka the bed hog, on her own. Rinoa left for a moment to go and get some sodas from the pop machine. Alone in the room, Quistis noticed Rinoa's pile of unfolded clothes. Ever the mom of the group, she sighed and bent down to fold them up and put them away properly. As she did so, a small slip of paper fell out of the pocket. She picked it up, it was a very old, worn photograph of a woman. It looked to be at least thirty or more years old, and in black and white. The woman in the photograph looked very much like Rinoa, only with shorter hair. She posed elegantly, smiling while looking up at some unseen wonder. Around ten minutes later, Rinoa came back with the sodas, her smile fading a little when she saw Quistis with her picture.
"Who's this?" Quistis asked, holding it up.
Rinoa walked over and sat down next to Quistis, "It's my mom...."
"She's beautiful. You look a lot like her." Quistis said, looking up at her.
"Thanks....that's what everyone says."
Looking over the picture, Quistis wondered what it'd be like to have a mother of her own. She envied Rinoa sometimes. It brought her back to what happened in Galbadia Garden. She'd wanted to talk to Rinoa after everything went down, but the opportunity had never arose. Was now her moment?
"Um......Rinoa, I wanted to apologize......for what happened in Garden....."
Rinoa stopped still, her face freezing for a moment. She'd been wondering when Quistis would bring that up. "It's okay. No big........"
"Well.....I guess, it's just......I feel terrible, with you fainting and all.....and....Me and ...Squall, I had a thing for him....I guess I'm just a little bit jealous, I'm sorry for what I said. It was unprofessional and inappropriate....." Quistis stopped, thinking about what she ought to say next. Hey, are you a sorceress and if not, do you have any illegal G.F.s......just wondering.....really great plan, Quistis, just brilliant....."So.....do you faint a lot, not to be all nosy but.......it was kind of strange, that's all. I didn't really want to say anything, but.....I guess, I'm just worried......"
Rinoa cleared her throat, the subject made her quite nervous, "No, actually......it was kind of weird...... In fact, I've never fainted my whole life. Even when I closed my finger in the bathroom door this one time......"
"Oh......." Quistis nodded, trying to stay casual, "Ow, I bet that one's a real story.......So, do you remember what happened?"
"No.....Not really.......I remember you grabbing my hand, and then......nothing. It all gets real hazy.........." Rinoa paused, unable to think of how to say what she needed to, "Quistis, is there something the matter with me? Ever since then, I've just felt...... wrong.... like you know when you feel like you're coming down with a cold...... like that, only not........God, that sounds incredibly stupid."
"No, it's not stupid........." Quistis studied the girl, Rinoa was guiless, her face showing every emotion. The older woman was certain that Rinoa was telling her the truth. "I'm sure its nothing.....you can get a check up when we get to Balamb, if you're still worried."
"Thanks....." Rinoa smiled softly.
"Why?"
"For being so nice, right now......Um, so you like Squall right?"
"I did......I guess I still do a little, but...."
Rinoa quickly interrupted, "If you want me to back off, I could.....I know you guys have been.....friends awhile. It's not really fair, if I just....butt in.....Sorry, Zell told me some stuff....."
"No, that's alright.........You don't have to back off. Rinoa, you haven't known him long enough to learn Squallese......He likes you, in his own way. Besides, he'll never see me the way I see him, it's something that I just should deal with...........Anyway, I'm sorry....."
"Me too......Sorry for being a butthead....Friends?" Rinoa smiled, genuinely happy that whatever issue that stood between them had been solved.
"Friends......" Quistis smiled back, seeing Rinoa for what she really was for the first time. A young girl with no idea of what might be happening to her. Just trying to live her life, a girl with a million possibilities. A young girl that could have been Quistis, if her parent's hadn't died and left her in an orphanage. It was a sobering thought, that maybe they weren't so different as she had surmised.
The awkwardness surrounding them dissipated, both girls seeing the possibility of friendship with the other. They sat there silently for a moment, looking down at the picture of Rinoa's mother. Just then, Selphie popped out of the bathroom, joyously skipping through the room and landing with a thump on the bed.
"Utcha lookin' at??"
"Is it okay?" Quistis asked, waiting for Rinoa's nod and then leaning over to show Selphie, "It's a picture of Rinoa's mom...."
"WOW! She looks like a movie star!" Selphie exclaimed, Rinoa's mom looked just like the woman in her dream and she was tempted to tell Quistis and Rinoa what had happened on the way to Timber, "Hey....this is like a real slumber party. We should play some cool party games....like light as a feather....or...or....truth or dare!!"
"Selphie....please....That's so immature. Besides, we have a big day tomorrow." Quistis chided, handing Rinoa's photo back carefully.
"Quistis...you were born to be a mom..." Rinoa said, "Don't be a party pooper....you only live once. Ooo! Ooo! Oooo! Let's play truth or dare."
"Leave me out of this....I'm taking my bath." Quistis said with a smile, getting up and shutting the bathroom door.
"Okay....I guess it's just me and you..."
"Hey...." Selphie said, looking around, figuring that Rinoa would be more open to hearing her story than Quistis. She'd reached her breaking point and unable to hold it in any longer, blurted out, "Do you want to hear a really weird story?"
"Sure...." Rinoa giggled, flopping down next to Selphie.
"Well, on the ride to Timber from Balamb, I had this dream. It was about this guy, right.....He was going to see this lady he had a crush or something on, cause she, like, played at this club. Her name was Julia......The weird part is, the lady in my dream looks EXACTLY like that picture of your mom....Freaky isn't it?"
"Are you shitting me?..." Rinoa gasped, her voice shaky and quiet. Why do I get all the weird stuff.....
"No lie....and like, he met her afterwards and they had this big romantic scene and everything....Oh! AND the lady he was meeting even played piano.....I can still 'member the name of the tune she played......it was called Eyes On Me...." Selphie said, enthusiastically spilling the entire story out.
Rinoa's eyes got real wide, her face paling a little, "My mom's name was Julia and that song....Eyes On Me.....that was her song..... it was really big, back in the 60's...............What was the guy's name?"
"Laguna....."
"What.....are you messing with me, because if you are, it's not funny...."
"N-no....I'm serious.....I'm sorry.....What do you mean???" Selphie squeaked, he eyes becoming large and frightened.
"Well, If it's the Laguna I'm thinking of.........Laguna Loire, you probably don't know him because you don't come from Galbadia. He's our biggest hero... We call him the Emancipator...he freed this city when it was occupied by Esthar in the Sorceress war......"
"Wow....that's fairly weird."
"........Even weirder, It's entirely possible for my mom to have met him. They lived around the same time....it's possible that he could have met her on leave or something. Though I really doubt that it was her….Still, that is fucked up.....What do you think it means?"
"I don't know. I've been dying to tell someone but....well, Squall told us that...we outta wait till our mission was over. I just think it's too strange, that maybe we should have someone look into it. I mean, it wasn't just me, it was all three of us and it wasn't like a dream. It was like we were Laguna and a couple of his friends....it was weird and scary, kind of.." Selphie said, nervously looking towards the bathroom door as it rattled, "Hey...Whatever you do, don't tell Quistis!"
"Why?"
Selphie looked at her, lower lip sticking out, "You know how she'd go on....oh You're such a baby, Selphie....that's just supersticious nonsense...you're making a mountain out of a mole hill.....besides, it is kinda weird. I just don't think she'd believe me...and I don't really wanna hear one of her mom lectures....she's such a downer sometimes..."
"Yeah, she is kind of a wet blanket....okay, I promise..."
Selphie's emerald eyes narrowed, changing the topic to something that bothered her, "So....What's going on with you and Squall?"
"N-nothing.....there is nothing....going on" Rinoa stammered, a furious blush searing her cheeks.
"Really....I guess I just was wondering. 'Cus the rest of us have been talking and... well, I just noticed some THINGS and it got me to wondering........"
"What things!? There are no THINGS....I'm completely thing free!!"
"Suuuuuure.....not like you two fight like an old married couple, not like you stare at him with little stars in your eyes.....not even counting how you're always following like two steps behind him ....'sides....you almost told Zell point blank that you liked him....So just spit it out already. I want it from the chocobo's mouth...."
That rat....I'm gonna kick his spiky haired ass.....Rinoa looked down, nervously fidgeting with her necklace, "Okay....yeah....I kinda sorta have a huge crush on him, but......."
Selphie smiled mischievously, poking at Rinoa's side, "I think it's more than a crush....."
"Maybe. I'm thinkin' it'll just be easier to give up...I don't think he likes me. He thinks I'm just annoying.....maybe I am, I don't know." She smiled back weakly, trying not to feel too bad.
"I don't think you are!! BESIDES..... Zell thinks...."
"I know....he seems to be under the delusion that Squall has a romance novel style passion for me.....however, I am under the belief that Zell is insane."
"Okay, can't argue with that, but what about Quistis.....she thinks he likes you. I overheard her talking to you earlier...."
"BAH! She's as insane as Zell..... " Rinoa tired of the topic, lighting upon a sudden switch, "What about you and Irvine....I sense sparkage there."
It was Selphie's turn to blush, "You think so!! I was hoping.....Is it that noticeable?"
Rinoa nodded, "I think he likes you a lot too. He only bothers me and Quistis to keep up appearances, but you can see his heart isn't in it.....least that's my thought."
"What should I do?" Selphie asked, biting her lip.
"I think you're playing it perfect. Being all cute and innocent.....I think it's something fresh, uncharted territory if you will. Play hard to get, it's the challenge he likes..." Rinoa answered with a solemn nod.
"So...What are you going to do?"
"Don't know. Just wait, I guess.....Let's not talk about this anymore, it's depressing me."
Selphie looked at her sympathetically, "Hey, don't you worry. Me 'n Zell got it handled.....I think you'll need some third party intervention for it to work....."
Rinoa smirked, gazing at her doubtfully, "What are you gonna do? Badger him to death until he just gives up? I've tried, it doesn't work...."
"It will with me on the job!! No one can resist my lethal combo of pure hell born cuteness and seductive charm!" Selphie opened her eyes wide, her mouth pulling into the goofiest grin Rinoa had ever seen, "DENY ME NOTHING!!! I AM YOUR GOD NOW!! ALL BOW TO SELPHIE!!" She thrust her fists triumphantly in the air, " GIVE SELPHIE CANDY CORN!"
Rinoa busted a gut, falling backwards on the bed while holding her stomach as gales of hiccupping laughter erupted from her, "Mercy....Mercy....." Rinoa gasped, "Stop...Oh lord, it hurts......"
Selphie stopped for a moment, waiting until Rinoa caught her breath. "NO MERCY! YOU WILL BOW TO THE MIGHT OF CANDY CORN!!" Selphie shouted, looking at Rinoa and then chucking a pillow at her, "THINK FAST!!"
"THAT TEARS IT!...I ACCEPT YOUR CHALLENGE....EAT PILLOW DEATH!!" Rinoa exclaimed, giggling and throwing a pillow back at her.
Selphie caught the pillow, throwing it back at Rinoa , missing, and hitting Quistis just as she was exiting the bathroom instead. The room froze for a moment, Selphie's mouth opening and closing in alarm. Quistis scowled and whipped it back at Selphie, hitting her so hard she fell back onto the bed.
"And I thought I taught you better than that!" Quistis said, smiling wickedly.
They looked at each other for a moment, then started throwing pillows at each other indiscriminately. A free range pillow fight ensued, eventually degenerating into all three collapsing in a giggling heap. They continued in this vein, laughing and giggling the entire night. Watching crappy movies, riffing on the actors and the bad sets. Singing favorite show tunes at the top of their lungs. Round table discussions on which guys were cute, what rock star they'd sleep with, which actress they wished they looked like...etc. etc....the kinds of things that cement the bonds of friendship amongst girls.
They stayed up until around 2 o'clock in the morning. The entire night reminded Rinoa of when she was little and had all her friends over. She hadn't stayed up that late in ages. In fact, in the last few years she didn't have as much fun as she did last night. She'd been so focused on the Forest Owls and freeing Timber that she forgot what it was to be truly carefree. It felt good, really good, to let it all out and be silly for awhile. She closed her eyes, knowing she was going to pay in the morning for staying up so late.
The next morning all three girls were exhausted, taking their sweet time waking up. There was a knock at the door, Quistis, who was the most awake and dressed, answered it. Zell was standing outside, wanting to be let in to talk with them. Quistis let him in, despite Rinoa's groggy objections. He sat down on Selphie's side of the bed, looking at Rinoa still half asleep, her covers wrapped around her like a cocoon. Quistis shook her awake. Mumbling vague epithets under her breath, she got up. Rinoa shuffled tiredly to the bathroom, joining Selphie, who was going through the process of getting ready.
"So, what do you need?" Quistis asked, pulling her long blonde hair up and pinning it back.
"Well, we're all wondering what's going on........What's the plan for today?" Zell asked, snapping his fingers and making a face.
"You never listen.....Don't you remember what Caraway said? That Parade doesn't start until twenty-two hundred....You're on my team, so we have to allow at least an hour or more to get into position......Squall's team waits at the President's gate, so they'd have to get there around the same time, maybe a little later, like a quarter past or something. We don't really have to make a bunch of preparations, because everything's been taken care of....So, we have most of the day free."
Rinoa was more awake now, having washed and changed. She poked her head out of the bathroom with a sunny smile, "I got an idea...." opening the door to the outside, and padding over to the room next door. She rapped on the door as hard as she could and screamed, "Hey KINNEAS! Get your ass out here!"
Irvine slowly opened up the door, looking out at Rinoa with confusion, " M'lady, you shouted?"
"Yeah, come here a minute..." She said, to which he shrugged and entered the girl's room, "We got some time before we hafta go and do our thang....You're from around here, like me...What say we show these tourists around?"
"I guess.... Where you thinking of going?"
"Well, how 'bout the art museum.....um....Loire's monument....I don't know...any place we feel like going...."
"Cool........." Irvine said, sitting down on the bed next to Zell, "Hey, go wake up Sunshine."
"No way! You do it...."
"Kiss my ass and call me Charlie! You've known him longer, and I'm not risking losing my limbs."
"AW! MAN!" Zell complained, dreading having to wake the sleeping lion. Squall was never a peach to wake up, and he'd been terribly grumpy as of late, "If I'm not back in five minutes, send for an ambulance...."
"I take it you had a long night....." Quistis said, clipping on her belt.
"Yeah....you could say that..." Irvine said, smirking, "What the hell where you three doing? It sounded like someone was being mauled in here."
"We were having wild monkey sex....Nekkid pillow fights....." Rinoa cracked, shrugging her shoulders, "You know, Girl stuff..."
"OH YEAH! My prayers were answered!! Did you video tape it?"
"Oh! ICK! If even we had done that we wouldn't have taped it......" Selphie shouted from the bathroom.
"...And if we taped it we'd show everybody BUT you!" Rinoa quipped.
"...That's just cruel! Bringing my hopes up and smashing them to the ground...Have a heart, I had a bad night....Squall was being a pissy bitch...Is he always like this?"
Zell returned a moment later, all his limbs intact, "To answer your question, NO...not always, but a lot. Though I have to admit, last night, total asshole. I hate when he's moody like that. This trip has been a total downer, from beginning to end. Man, when do I get to have fun?"
Stepping out long enough to taunt Zell, Selphie chimed, "WHAT A WHINER!! We had more fun than you did, Nah nah nah nah boo boo!!"
"At least I'm not a retard....er er er er...."
While Zell and Selphie taunted each other; Quistis, Irvine, and Rinoa sat down and went over where they could go, making a rough plan of attack. They went back and forth about various locations, someone didn't want to go there, someone else had an objection to that place....Eventually Zell and Selphie tired of teasing each other and joined the conversation. Zell suggested splitting up and going where ever they wanted to. That idea was nixed right away by Quistis, who insisted that they stayed together. It made sense enough to play a gaggle of teenage tourists, instead of a team of well trained assassins, and if they were all together there was no chance that someone would get lost and end up messing up the evenings plans. That confirmed, compromises were made and a loose itinerary was decided before Squall finally made an appearance. He stumbled into the room, still half asleep, clumsily pulling on his coat.
"Well, now that we're all here....Shall we go." Rinoa announced.
Leaving the hotel in the early morning light, they found a nice little cafe that was open and ate some breakfast. Squall had woken up a little more, not that anyone would notice, as they kept their distance from him. He'd not slept well the night before, between the girls screaming in the next room and Irvine and Zell arguing over the most inane twaddle. Their childish banter when on for hours, slinging base and unimaginative insults into the wee hours. The wee hours for him being around twelve, Squall had always gone to bed early to wake early. His normal schedule not being reserved or even respected, annoyed him to the breaking point. He finally got sick of it and snapped at them to shut the hell up so that he could get some god damned sleep. Perhaps he'd been too short, but he was tired damn it all.
Zell and Irvine put their problems aside and watched TV together for a bit, leaving Squall to sulkily take a stab at sleeping. It was fruitless, as he was a light sleeper and once his roommates decided to pack it in, it was way later than he liked. Not to mention that both Irvine and Zell snored, and to add to that, he shared a bed with Zell, who stole all the covers. He spent the entire night cold and sleepless. Waking up the next morning and finding out that he was being forced to go sightseeing didn't improve his mood.
Things were changing too fast for him. He went from being a student, with worries that were no bigger than acing the next test. To a leader of a squad of SeeDs, heaping the success or failure of an important mission on his shoulders. He'd already failed once and had worried incessantly about the coming mission.
To add to that, there was Rinoa....he didn't know what to do about his feelings for her. Every time she laughed....smiled....looked at him....his chest tightened and his stomach did flip flops...He wasn't naive, he knew that he was infatuated with her but he didn't know what he should do about it. Part of him wanted to see where it went, but deep down he knew he should crush it before it went too far.
Falling in love wasn't something that was meant for a person like him. Squall didn't want to remember what it was like to be loved, only to have it snatched away.....and he didn't want to hurt her. It made him angry that she seemed to want to push him to it. If she'd just give up and leave him alone, everything would be easier for both of them. He couldn't deal with the confusing emotions roiling inside him. So he did the only thing he could think to do, he bottled up his feelings, letting them eat at him. The tension and the stress of it had taken its toll, and he'd fallen into a surly depression. He ate silently, and woe be it to the person who talked to him. The rest of the group sensed this and no one tempted fate.
They wandered around the city, occasionally stopping at a store that was open. He managed to snag a book at a small bookstore that was open early. It was a nice little volume of poetry he'd been looking for, it was out of print and extremely hard to find. This discovery lightened his mood considerably. After a bit they went to the Deling City Museum of Art and Antiquities. It was interesting enough, especially some of the early Chiang Dynasty pottery and a lovely impressionist landscape painted by Cheré that he'd always hoped to see.
At the Museum shop Selphie picked up a disposable camera and began to mercilessly take pictures. He managed to duck most of her attempts to snap a photo of him, though she managed a lucky shot here and there. By the time they were done with the Museum, it was time to eat lunch. He was still quiet, but at least he was content enough to enjoy the sights and sounds of the city.
They found a place that served traditional Galbadian dishes, which was okay by him, though there was some grumbling by those with pickier palates. Mostly Zell, whose tastes when it came to food only included fast food crap. Squall ate fast and ended up reading a bit out of his poetry book while he waited for everyone else.
Finishing up, they walked aimlessly around the city, visiting various monuments. They went to the top of the Grable building, the world's tallest skyscraper. Zell and Irvine debated, childishly, whether or not a coin would kill someone if dropped from this height. The girls had kept to themselves most of the trip, as they were now. Gathered in a little group, giggling uproariously and making a scene whenever they could.
Rinoa and Selphie seemed to take the most delight in being silly, Quistis hanging back to keep them in line if they got too out of control. The lion's share of their time was spent trying to sneak up on Squall to snap more pictures of him. It annoyed him, and the only thing that made it tolerable was the thought of an entire roll of film wasted on pictures of him flipping Selphie off.
Leaving the Grable, the wandered over to Loire's monument. Squall and Zell took one look at it and almost passed out from shock. Loire's monument was dedicated to the guy they had a dream about, a fact Selphie had already found out. They looked at each other, faces pale and sweaty, silently registering their shock to each other. Both of them kept their mouths shut, trying to act like nothing was wrong. Selphie insisted on a group photo in front of the statue, bothering another tourist to take the picture.
Before heading off to the next location, Selphie cajoled everyone into waiting until her photos were developed. They waited around for 45 minutes, finally picking up her finished pictures. Selphie paged through the pictures, passing the ones she'd already looked at around, inviting people to keep any one that they liked....she'd gotten doubles. Squall passed by most of the photos without even looking at them. One caught his eye, it was a picture of Rinoa in a spontaneous pose....A close up of her in profile, leaning against the railing at the Grable building. Her head titled to look out the window, she was smiling wistfully. Nervously, he slipped the photo into his pocket, hoping no one noticed. He didn't know why he wanted to keep it....perhaps to have a memento of her before he drove her away.
The last place they visited was Marlin Parks, a medium sized amusement park near the middle of the city. Squall was less than thrilled at the idea of going to an amusement park and even more annoyed that he'd have to pay to not ride anything. Thanking the gods he remembered to buy a book, at least he could read while the idiots have their fun. Once again, the decision was made that they wouldn't split up, that much.
They left Squall to read on a bench near the middle of the park. Occasionally, someone would come back and check up on him but for the most part he had time to himself. Every now and then he'd take out the picture when he was sure no one would see him with it. He tried to reason with himself. I should just throw it away...be done with all this nonsense....It's silly, I'm NOT in love with her...I don't need anyone....I'm just feeling insecure because of this mission......This is stupid....you're just fooling yourself.. but it didn't work, he kept the picture, tucking it into the left inside pocket of his jacket.... Picking up his book, he began to read, pushing thoughts of love and Rinoa aside.
He'd managed to make good way in his book, forgetting about his flirtation with love, when Rinoa came up and sat next to him. Squall waited for her to start bugging him, asking an endless stream of annoying questions. She hadn't tried to talk to him before...he got lucky then, but now he had the feeling his luck might run out. Deliberately defying his expectations, she didn't try and bug him into talking. It had begun to seriously freak him out.
In fact, she hadn't really talked to him much lately at all. Ever since their fight on the train, she'd kept her distance. Perhaps his tactic had worked? Something bothered him about that, a small hope held deep within that she wouldn't give up that easily. There was an air of pensive sullenness around her that didn't fit with her personality at all. Worried, he half thought of asking her if she was alright. He stopped himself, realizing that it was quite contrary to what he wanted. That is what I want, right? For her to leave me alone....Though when it came to her, things never were as sure as he thought.
As if she sensed his anxiety, she turned her gaze to him, "Squall....."
Here it comes.....He didn't even look up, managing to keep his voice at it's normal neutral monotone, "What...."
"Why did you and Quistis stand up for me? With my father....I mean....Why didn't you let him just keep me there? It's not like I belong with you guys or anything...." Her eyes searched his face, it remained an implacable rock...void of any emotion. Just give up, stupid....
"Because you have a contract...You're essentially our employer until we fulfill our obligation to you."
Damn it all! I'm such an idiot....She bit her lip, inhaling shakily, "So...it's just a job, right? And you won't let anything else get in the way till it's done. I see....I'm just a paycheck...."
He looked up quizzically, noting that her face was even more sorrowful than before, "Are you alri..."
"Yes....I'm fine. Not like it matters anyway, I'm just your boss....not your friend." Rinoa got up stiffly, keeping her face turned away from him, "I'm thirsty.....I think I'll go and get myself a drink, do you want anything?"
"No....are you okay?" the words sounded so foreign coming from him. Like he was speaking with someone else's voice.
"I told you I'm fine! I just realized that my father was right, that's all......" She snapped, stalking away towards the concession stands.
Rinoa tried to stay as calm as possible, but her heart was overwhelmed and in pain. God, she wouldn't let him see her cry. Just a damn job to him. That's all I am.....she though bitterly, hating that once again her father was right about something. Bet he can't wait till we get back to Balamb and he can get rid of me....the similarities between this situation and the one from her childhood was too much. Was she that worthless, that unlovable that no one could stand to be around her? My life just sucks....people suck.....The tears she tried so hard not to shed came heedless of her desire to stay strong and not hinge her emotional well being on one person. She hid behind a tree, furiously wiping at her wet cheeks, hating herself for that bit of weakness. Zell chose that moment to bop on by and notice her.
"Hey Rin--" He stopped, noticing the tears, "You okay? What happened..."
"Na-nahthing...." She said, her voice hitching with emotion.
Another chance meeting, as if the gods had destined for her to be the most pitied and pathetic thing ever. Selphie walked by to join the gathering. Great....so everybody can know what a huge loser I am.
"What are you guys up to? Why's Rinoa crying?....." She scowled, a note of warning entering her normally chipper tone, "Zell....what did you do?"
"Nothing....I just found her like this...."
"Guys....I'm okay....really...." She pleaded through desperate tears that she kept wiping away.
Zell's brow knitted, annoyed that she'd try to hide her pain and not tell her friends, "You are not....What's the matter??"
"It's something my da--THAT man said.....He said, you weren't my friends....and I was just a pay..."
"DON'T YOU EVEN FINISH THAT SENTENCE RINOA HEARTILLY!!" Selphie shouted indignantly, "I'll beat him up just for saying that! You're my friend!! I can't even believe you'd think that I wouldn't be!! You're the most fun to be with, and you're nice and funny....and you're the only one who doesn't make me feel like a stupid baby! So don't even say that!"
"For once I agree with her!" Zell nodded, pointing at Selphie, "Geesh! What's a guy gotta do to prove he's friends with you? Why'd you even believe your fa--I mean, Caraway anyway? I mean, you hate him right?" Rinoa nodded, "So, What in the world would make you think...." Zell paused, squinting as he thought, "....I know what this is about.....It starts with S and end with L.....and is one big black clad block of stubborn stupid, am I right?"
Rinoa nodded slightly, training her dark eyes on her ring as her fingers smoothed the surface.
"That Squall....I'll beat him up too, for making my Noa cry!!" Selphie frowned, giving Rinoa a tight hug, "AW! Don't you even listen!! He's just being a butt! So be happy, 'KAY! Because I said, SO THERE!!"
"Come on, Noa....How can you argue with that kind of logic?"
"Yeah.....I'm just right...." Selphie smiled, her arm still 'round Rinoa's shoulders, "Even Zell bows to my superior knowledge....."
"Hey, I just agreed with you....Doesn't make you right about everything...."
"Shhht! Don't fight it, Zell! I am a genius, and you will just have to accept it.....idiot that you are!"
"THE HELL YOU SAY!!"
Rinoa laughed, her tears dried as her friends cheered her up. Zell noticed her improved state and decided to postpone his burgeoning argument with Selphie.
"AHA! She smiles! Our plan has worked!! What say we get sumpin' to eat...."
"THEN WE GO ON THE VOMIT COMET, RIGHT!!" Selphie shouted excitedly.
"Oh GAWD, NO!" Irvine said, strolling up lazily behind the little cluster of friends, "Sorry, Seff.....but twenty times is nineteen too many...."
"Awww....come on, ya wussies!!" Selphie whined, knowing it wouldn't work.
Irvine ignored her, "Say, what's going on here anyway? Some kind of secret meeting that I'm not invited to?"
Selphie shook her head, "Nope.....Noa's feeling kinda bad because a certain someone is a big mean jerk, and me 'n Zell were cheering her up!!....You can join the cheering up...The more the cheerier!"
Zell rolled his eyes, "....Man, you're a Re-re...."
"Your mother....." Selphie said, sticking out her tongue.
"So what's got our lil' spitfire down today?" Irvine smiled, once again ignoring Selphie and this time Zell as they got into another war of words. He ruffled Rinoa's hair affectionately, in his mind there was nothing worse than a brokenhearted woman, "Case of the Squall related blues?"
Rinoa frowned, batting at Irvine's hands, "Hey, does everybody have to know about my problems? Did I send out a memo and just not remember?"
"No...but there's only one person I know who could make a beautiful creature like you cry and not immediately regret it!" She made a face, playfully flipping him off, "That's mah girl!!" He chuckled, glad to see that Rinoa still had that spunk, "It's gettin' late y'all.....I think we should pack it in and get back in the city."
"Right..." Zell said, looking around in puzzlement, "Um...Where's Quistis??"
Irvine grimaced, gesturing towards the bathrooms, "She's in there......Done in by the Vomit Comet.....I guess it really earned its name..."
As if on cue, Quistis stumbled out of the bathroom, looking pale and slightly worst for wear. "Selphie....I'm going to kill you with my bare hands...." Quistis gave the young SeeD a dangerous look, holding her stomach, "Once I feel better....Can we go?"
Jokes and gentle insults were traded for a few more minutes, until the group decided to collect their most reclusive member. Rinoa hung back with Zell and Selphie, pretending, very badly, that nothing was wrong. They exited the park in a tight group. Once again, Rinoa tried to keep her distance. It had been stupid of her to think that he liked her, what more would it take for her to just accept it? Her thoughts were dark and unhappy, as she badgered herself into accepting what wasn't true. She frowned, pulling at a length of hair as she thought. Out of nowhere, he appeared next to her, it was so sudden and quiet, Rinoa was unsure of how long he'd been there.
"Are you alright? You were acting oddly." He queried, his stone face set, looking out at the horizon and not at her.
She stole a glance at him, she lied, "Yes....I was just feeling a little sick, but I'm better now."
".....When it's time, just stay close to me, alright?" His gaze fluidly turning from the sky to her.
"...Buh...but why?" She stammered, staring into those amazing eyes, the same ice blue as the night she met him. I wonder if he knows they change color like that?
"It'll be safer.....You were worried."
She nodded numbly, suddenly losing the ability to form words. He said nothing more, increasing his pace so he was walking in front of her. She watched his back, heart pounding, wishing he'd either say he liked her or just push her away altogether. Swimming back and forth in a sea of indecision was becoming much too stressful. Maybe I'll have to make the first move after all.....Darn it, my life sucks. Not now though.....just wait a little while longer.
It was around six, dinner time, and a brief quarrel ensued over where to go. Irvine suggested a local pub, Walt Flannigan's, it served food that they'd be more familiar with, it was near where they had to be and it had a live band. They all agreed and took the next subway train over to the pub, arriving around a quarter after six. There was a small wait to get into the club, but before long they were seated.
They ordered once the server came, chatting pleasantly while the band played softly. Their food soon came and while they ate, the band announced it was amateur night, inviting audience members onto the stage. Most people who came on stage and selected a song were worse than tone deaf. Every now and then someone would get up who could actually sing, but not often enough. Rinoa thought briefly of having a turn, but it had been a long time since the last time she sang. It was more than the simple fact that it'd been ages since she'd practice, but that she had no desire to sing. Whatever muse that had driven her when she was younger had long since left. Besides, it's karaoke..... Karaoke was an offense to the ears and enough to drive everyone at the table to the breaking point. They laughed and made jokes at the expense of the drunks and idiots who were fool enough to get up on the stage.
Dinner winded down, it was almost eight o'clock and they'd soon have to take their positions. Rinoa was feeling much better, especially now that she realized she had friends. So what if Squall wasn't among them right now. He could be, if he wanted to, but that shouldn't stop her from enjoying herself. So she laughed and joked, content that she wasn't just a paycheck to Selphie, Zell and Irvine....and possibly Quistis. Three out of five ain't bad....she smiled inwardly...besides...there was some progress made. Stay next to me....those words were enough to give her slim hope. The bittersweet tinge of the morning's events faded, and the group momentarily forgot all sadness and worry. Becoming a group of teenagers on vacation, not just assassins posing as such.
Technically, they were only in the city to do their job, but it had become much more. A group full of such disparate members began to knit the bonds of deep friendship. It was only in the beginning stages, and not one of them realized what had happened, but they were now more than just teammates. They were a group of friends, reunited after a long separation that none of them, save one, even remembered.
The day had been full and they'd all had fun, even Squall to some extent. It was almost a shame that it had to end so soon. Leaving Walt Flannigan's, the stopped briefly at Caraway's house to gather up some supplies before they left. At the gate, they split into their teams and left to go their separate ways. Squall, Rinoa, and Irvine started towards the city square, making a right as they left from Caraway's mansion. Quistis, Zell and Selphie went down in the opposite direction, towards a less populous part of Deling City.
AUHOR'S NOTES—
Well, here we are again! This is the second author notes section for this story!! WEEHA! Anyway, I guess I just wanted to apologize for the fluffiness of this chapter! I like to call Chapter 14 my character development time. I just didn't want to hurry along into the next event, I wanted some time for everyone to get to know each other. Plus, I think we needed some more time in Rinoa's head and to hear a little more about her past. Okay, it was a little self serving, but hopefully not too damn awful. I promise next chapter is actually related to story issues and not just character developy.
I also want to thank all my reviewers!! I'm glad there are so many! I'd love for there to be more, but I can't help but appreciate each and everyone of you who enjoy reading this!! So THANK YOU!! *huggs everybody* I love y'all! Hope I don't disappoint. Oh, and if you want a visual for the face Selphie gives Rinoa, go to my web page on my profile. You'll be hit in the face by the single most evil thing ever....that is the face she makes. Stare at it and try not to have your soul sucked out!!!
See ya next chapter! Peace and love--Noacat