The sun peeked over the horizon, golden light slowly filtering through the trees. Green leaves turning iridescent yellow, dew glittering like diamonds over their slick surface. Birds buzzed in the canopy, noisily chattering amongst themselves. Flitting from branch to branch like busy city commuters. It was the kind of languidly cool summer morning that gave no indication of the heat that afternoon would inevitably bring.
Rinoa woke gradually, her eyes sluggishly opening and closing while the noise of the morning went on unheeded. With a wide yawn, she stretched and shook the sleep from her limbs. Pushing herself up, she rubbed her eyes with balled fists. It took a few moments for her to register her whereabouts. Blinking as she scanned the gray interior of the SUV tiredly. Yes, we spent the night in the car.... Her neck cramped, and she rubbed her sore spot tenderly, easing the muscle with gentle massage. She shivered, the morning air still chilly and moist, wrapping her blanket around her. Rinoa gazed at the front seat, blankly noting that Irvine was there. He lay sprawled across the front seat, head propped up in the passenger's side, hat tipped over his head and covering his face. His feet resting on the driver's side, boots still on.
They'd traveled a full six hours straight from the moment they left Deling, stopping just before they reached the mountains, at about three in the morning. It was a pretty good start, though they probably should have pushed on farther. It'd be another three to four days before they'd reach D-District at this rate. Irvine had reasoned that they were both too tired to keep it up. Better to stop than to get into an accident and have unnecessary encounters with authority types. It had been hard enough getting out of the city itself, god knows they didn't want to go back.
Her father's passes had helped, as most of the troops were still loyal to him. At least, for the moment they were. With a Sorceress in power, the stability of the Galbadian Government and those organizations it supervised were in question. Rinoa and Irvine had noted the strong military presence on the road as well. Troop transports were a common sight, and there were frequent check points. Both of them realized that their stops would have to be kept to a bare minimum. The more places they were spotted, the easier they would be to track. They'd get supplies this morning, and be on their way. Both agreeing to occasionally make stops like this to rest.
Rinoa put on her jacket and her boots, glancing at Irvine before she exited the vehicle. Exiting the vehicle, she walked over towards the entrance to the bathrooms. Opening the scarred door quietly and entering the cavernous rest room. She looked in the mirror, her sadly tired face staring back at her. Was she really up for this? Was she strong enough and smart enough to make this work?
I think you are....whispered an ethereally sweet voice....Siren? ...Yes?.... I didn't know you could talk to me when...well, you know... Of course, don't be silly...and don't worry, you're not alone...I'm here and so is your friend. You used to be more confident....I know, but....But nothing. I am here to guide you. You should practice. .... Practice what?...Magic....Ask your friend, he'll help you. Rinoa began to object... None of that nonsense. Practice. She sighed, suddenly remembering her piano teacher she'd had when she was five. The old woman wouldn't let her get away with anything, and it seemed Siren was much the same.
Rinoa reached down and turned on the spigot, running her hands underneath to test the water. Cold....dammit. With a sigh, she splashed her face with the water, gasping as it hit her face. Blinking away the water, she grabbed blindly for a paper towel and dried her face. She yawned again, slightly annoyed that the old saw about cold water waking you up was total bullshit. Rinoa padded back out to the car, mentally listing all that had to be done before day's end.
By the time she got back, Irvine was awake and waiting outside for her. Leaning on the bumper, he greeted her with that same flashy movie star smile.
"Mornin' gorgeous! Was I or was I not a perfect gentleman last night?"
Rinoa rolled her eyes, "I can't believe you want credit for not molesting me while I slept, you're UNbelievable!!"
"Aw, that hurts my feelings!" He pouted, giving her a well practiced wounded gaze, which he'd used to great effect many, many times.
"Oh fine!" she threw up her hands, "You were a gentleman. Thank you so much for not feeling me up when I was vulnerable! Satisfied?"
He grinned triumphantly, loving the reluctant way she complimented him, "So what's on the plate for today, Mah Sassy Lassie?"
"Stop flirting! Can't you be serious for two seconds?!" She barked at him, irritated by his superficial attitude.
"What's wrong with you?" he asked as she glowered at him, something she'd done a lot of late, "You've had it in for me ever since we've left! I was just trying to be nice....besides, most normal girls LIKE IT when guys flirt with them. It's called having fun with life. You remember fun don't you? Or did that die too?"
Rinoa froze, unsure if she ought to be angry or burst into tears. He could see her retreat into herself. He saw it day by day, the spirit that shone so brightly, slowly diminishing. It frightened him, and he tried everything he could think of to keep that spark alive. What had happened was awful, but to let your spirit die because of it was unthinkable. Irvine had lost some friends to despair like this, and he hated it. Because so often it was a losing battle. He didn't want to see Rinoa fall into that same trap. She was a nice kid, and in getting to know her, a good friend.
"I'm sorry. I know you feel bad. But I can't sit and watch you waste your life like that! I'm worried about you....I...." Irvine trailed off, suddenly feeling uncomfortable with the flow of conversation.
Rinoa smiled softly at him, finally understanding what Selphie saw in Irvine, "I'm sorry. I was being a butthead." She paused thoughtfully, "Irvine, promise me something?"
"What?"
"That you'll stop being such a shameless flirting man slut." She said, brown eyes twinkling with regained life.
"WHAT?! MAN SLUT! I..." He stared at her incredulously. "I was being sincere!"
Rinoa held up her hand, "Yes, MAN---SLUT. You have to stop, because Selphie likes you and it'll break her heart if you don't. So promise me, no more come ons, no more flirting!"
"What about harmless teasing? Or gentle sexual innuendo?"
"I'm serious!" She pouted, whacking him on the arm roughly, "....Fine..... Harmless flirting okay, I guess I can't expect overnight change. Least try not to be so damn overt. I want someone to be happy."
Irvine smiled, his face becoming shy and boy like, "So, did she really say she liked me?" Rinoa nodded, "Aren't you breaking some kind of girl code telling me?"
"Yes, I am. But I think it's important. Because I think you like her too, but you have your rep to hold up. I think you two could be happy....together.....She needs someone. Hell, we all do. I'd like at least one person to come out of this unscarred. It might as well be her. She's ...."
"Innocent...." He said it quietly, letting his Cowboy facade slip momentarily, "Am I that transparent?"
"No, I'm just unnaturally observant. It's a creepy thing I do." She grinned, wriggling her fingers at him, "See, I'm spooky!"
He laughed, "How did it go from me cheering you up to the other way around?" She shrugged, which made him chuckle again, "You're a piece of work, you know that don't you? Hey, I think we oughta try junctioning some spells and practicing a bit o'magic. Up for it?"
"Read my mind!"
With a smile and a nod, he gestured for her to follow him and began to walk towards a woods that stood at the edge of the rest area. They entered the tiny wooded area, following a lightly trodden path that lead deeper into the wilderness. Irvine wanted to make absolutely sure no one saw them, and so he walked on. Heavy boots clomped through the tangled undergrowth, as they moved farther and farther from their vehicle. Rinoa hoped that Irvine remembered the way back, as she tried to keep up with him. His long legs traveled farther and faster than hers, and she found herself nearly tripping over the brush trying to keep on his trail. Fumbling with branches and vines as she hurried.
He stopped when he found a small clearing that would serve his purposes. Rinoa hadn't been watching and bumped into his back in surprise. He didn't seem to notice. Rubbing her nose, she watched the Cowboy as he took off his trench coat and draped it over a convenient branch. Irvine set to clearing out the undergrowth, he'd need a place for them to sit and concentrate. He motioned her over to help him. Together they pulled weeds and small trees from their holds in the earth, settling on the ground once they were done.
He held out his hands and took a deep breath, looking at Rinoa expectantly. When she didn't immediately do the same, he spoke up, "Um.....gimme your hands."
"WHAT?! Dammit Irvine I...."
"It's not what you think! I have to transfer some of my magic to you, this is the way you do it...Now quit givin' me your guff and hold out your hands...."
"Oh....Sorry...." She said, smiled sheepishly as she extended her hands and held them over his.
"Good." He said, clasping her hands in his with an annoyed look.
Irvine closed his eyes, hoping Rinoa would follow suit without him having to tell her again. He concentrated, focusing his mind just as he'd been taught. A part of him dearly wished one of the others were here to do this. Having only just junctioned, transferring Para-magic from one person to another was hard. Both of them could use guidance from someone as experienced as he guessed Quistis was. Desperate times, desperate measures...yadda yadda yadda...Irvine searched the part of his mind where his G.F.s resided, locking onto the whitish light of his junctioned spells. He picked an even assortment of magic to start her out on, low level spells she'd have no trouble with. With a gentle push he transferred them to her through their physical connection. He could feel her shudder as they rippled through her. Success!
Rinoa opened her eyes, feeling strangely dizzy "Is that it?"
"Yep, sure is. Now we'll start with a simple fire spell..."
Rinoa looked around at the dry field, brown grass and bushes with the husk like remnants of leaves hanging off gnarled branches, "Uh, do you think that's a good idea? Shouldn't we start with something....um....less destructive? Like a cure spell or..."
"Nope...." Irvine shook his head, "All magic is based on the strength of your spirit, the Shumi call it chi. If your heart and mind aren't in it, you can't cast. When you're not wounded, you don't really need a cure spell....you don't have the chi necessary to successfully cast the spell. Offensive spells are easier to start with because you can cast them anytime you wish. You don't have to have an immediate need to use them."
She nodded, still reluctant to try and cast the spell. If Irvine wasn't worried, fine. But she was still bothered. Fire....like that spell I tried at the parade.....Rinoa felt herself tense....just don't think of it.
"Rinoa, you ready?" Irvine asked, for what seemed like the tenth time. She nodded slowly, and he frowned uncertainly, "Okay, I want you to close your eyes. Just for this first time, and concentrate on your breathing. Leave your mind blank, and breath in and out slowly. Paying attention to each breath."
She did as she was told, listening quietly to his instruction. He asked her to imagine that she was holding a candle in her hand. From the darkness she formed the image of a candle in her mind. Look into the flame...her eyes focused on it, becoming one with the flickering light. Now imagine the candle has disappeared.....in her hand, the candle slowly faded, leaving only the flame. It hovered above her dreaming mind's hand, once again she found herself staring at it wonderingly. Now take the flame, and hold it in your hand.... she closed her fist over the flame, unperturbed that it didn't even hurt as she held it in her closed palm.
"Keep breathing in and out....good.....now open your eyes, but keep your hand closed, okay?" She nodded, and he gave her the okay to follow his direction.
Rinoa blinked furiously as she opened her eyes, adjusting to the bright light that spread over the clearing. She looked down at her balled fist, wondering what all that accomplished. "What now?"
He stood up, helping her to her feet as she had no good arm to do so herself, "Well....extend your arm, aim and open your hand......and give it a real good push.....Go ahead."
Rinoa tensed again, slowly aiming at the bush and opening her hand. With a slight push, she willed the flame to come forth. A tiny blip of fire licked from her palm, only flitting two inches from her outstretched hand.
"What was that?" Irvine realized she'd tensed, he needed to loosen her up, so he ragged her jokingly, "Seriously, because I don't even think I saw it! That bush should be roasting right now.....see, cus it's a fire spell...FIRE. We want flames, plural." The last word he said with an incredible drawl, lengthening the sound out as he mocked her further, "That was sad, I mean really. I've seen eight year olds make bigger flames lighting their farts with a....."
"Shut up! I'm nervous and this is my first time!"
"Sorry, but just trying to motivate you. It's a teaching technique....you know, to get you emotionally into the situation. Makes casting easier. Try again, kay?"
She frowned and stuck her tongue out at him, and wondered why she just didn't kick his ass. Instead, she took a deep breath and tried again. Magic comes from chi....chi is your spirit's power.....this is stupid......Irvine is a big dunderheaded man whore and if it were socially acceptable, I'd light my sad little flame under his stupid ass..... Narrowing her dark eyes, she hated it when people treated her like a little kid. Hated it when they thought she couldn't do something. The simpering tones in Irvine's voice as he chided her echoed in her mind. Like he's some damn expert..... With every thought she became angrier.
She stared at that bush, and though she knew it was impossible, it mocked her with its very existence. Rinoa pushed with all her will to obliterate that stupid mocking bush. Irvine was about to chide her again, for daydreaming instead of preparing her magic as he'd instructed. When a sudden blast of fire erupted from her open palm. It was set upon the target, the bush and surrounding field bursting into furious flames. Irvine nearly fell over due to the shear force of the blast. He watched in awe as the field burned, wondering if he might have accidentally given her a higher level fire spell than he intended. Then it dawned on him that the field was on fire, which he hastily put out with a water spell.
"That was really good, Rinoa." He stammered, mentally noting to never again to try motivating her with sarcasm, "Um....I gave you just a regular fire spell, right?"
Rinoa nodded, staring at the blackened, smoldering field in surprised wonder, "I think we better go....."
Less than ten minutes later they squealed out of the parking lot, trying to put as much room between them and the rest area as possible. For a good hour or so into the trip, neither spoke very much. Stopping for lunch, they finally felt more relaxed, being more than twenty miles from the rest area. They briefly discussed Rinoa's need to work on her control, and Irvine taught her a few mediation techniques he'd learned. Both thought it'd be best if she waited and learned from someone who knew just that much more than Irvine did about magic. After lunch, they went into town and bought supplies, before rocketing out of town. The car blazing its way through the jagged hills that lead to the mountains. A glinting streak of silver, streaking through the deep orange evening.