Chapter 6 – Ruffling Feathers
A few days had passed since Squall and Rinoa's break up. The young girl had left earlier in the evening like she promised. The Orphanage gang minus Squall all accompanied her to the station. Using their absence to his advantage, Squall made a trip to the local piercing parlor and Ma Dincht's house to help set up for his latest act of prank inspired vengeance.
Standing in front of his closet, Squall thumbed through his selection. He started to reach for the black bondage pants, but he chose the blue jean shorts with the dragon embodied on the back pocket. Next he pulled fishnet shirt with the cross on it off the coat hanger and quickly slipped it on. Grabbing the small bag containing his necessities for the beach, he closed and locked his door. He walked at a leisurely pace to Quistis' room. The gang was planning a mini beach party along the shores of Balamb, and had decided to wait in her room.
Upon arrival, the door was all ready open as Selphie and Irvine, both dressed in appropriate beach gear, entered the room. Quistis spotted him and held the door open for him. He walked passed her, giving her a nod of his head and slight brush against her arm with his hand.
The blue-eyed SeeD turned her head sharply toward Squall. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she tried to discern whether or not the light touch was accidental. Subconsciously her hand rubbed the spot, as she debated the question.
The offender just walked quietly into the room and sat down on the couch. He dropped his bag beside him and let his eyes drift around the room. Selphie was in the kitchen making sandwiches and Irvine was 'taste testing'. When his skills were no longer needed, the hyper active SeeD ran the cowboy out with a wooden spoon raised high above her head. Irvine laughed good-naturedly at her attempts to kill him with the unlikely weapon, before plopping down next to Squall on the couch.
Quistis kept her eye on him briefly before deciding to help Selphie in the kitchen. I'm still uncertain as to what to think about Squall but I can't get water from a dry well. So I should just calm down. It's best to wait and see.
Seconds later someone knocked on the door. Irvine stood up and opened the door to see a hugely grinning Zell on the other side.
Good now that's everyone is here, the real fun can begin.
It had been about an hour since they had arrived and set up on a secluded corner of the beach. Irvine was running around in black swimming trunks and his notorious cowboy hat. He was currently chasing Selphie in her yellow bikini. Zell, who opted for a flaming red trunks and a white muscle tee, cheered from the sidelines while Quistis waded in the cool waters along the coast in her peach bikini . Squall chose to sit on the dock a few feet from his friends, quietly going over his plans.
Climbing out the water, Quistis went back to spot the gang had dropped their equipment and rummaged through her things in search of sun tan lotion, while wrapping the matching skirt bottom around her frame. To her dismay, she couldn't find the bottle of SPF 45 anywhere. She was slightly startled when she felt a light tap on her shoulders. Spinning around, her eyes zeroed in a muscular chest covered by fishnet, which left nothing to the imagination. Her gaze traced the brocade cross before finally finding it's way to an intense pair of blue gray eyes. A feeling of deja vu came over her, as she felt her cheeks warm up at the sight.
Luckily for her, Squall didn't seem to notice or care to comment. "Were you looking for this?" He held up a bottle of sun tan lotion.
"Yes, thank you." As she reached for the bottle she noticed the silver griever ring that sat snuggly on his ring finger.
He never took his eyes off of her, and it caused the blush to deepen. "You're welcome, listen I'm going to go into town for a bit, do you need anything."
"Um no that's okay. We're going to barbeque in an hour so don't be long."
"I'll be back in less than an hour." Turning on his heel, he walked back toward the pier and effortless lifted himself onto it. Her eyes racked his backside as pulled his body up.
"He has a quite a nice butt eh Quistsy?"
"SELPHIE!"
The bikini-clad girl didn't miss the indignant tone in her friend's voice and laughed impishly in response.
The usually stoic Instructor busied herself by making a grand show of putting on the sunscreen.
The short girl wasn't deterred by her friend's fayed indifference. She playfully slapped her on the shoulders.
"Oh come off it Quistsy. I know you want him. Why don't you just tell him? Besides, why else would he dump Rinoa unless there was a certain Instructor he had his sights set on."
Sighing softly, she put down the bottle and turned to face her blunt yet hyper friend.
"What makes you think I want him? Okay stupid question, but what makes you think he wants me?"
"That's easy silly. It's called sexual tension."
"SELPHIE!"
"I'm serious."
"Hey did I hear my name being called?"
"NO! If you don't quit pestering me and Quistis, I'll make you wish you were never born."
Soon they were having an all out war. Girl vs. boys. Zell was quickly becoming the MVP.
About an hour later, Squall walked back to the beach. The wafting smell of hot dogs and ribs was enticing. Looking down at his fake freshly pierced arm, he smirked softly to himself before jumping off the pier and joining his friends.
The gang didn't notice his arrival at first. They were all tired from the impromptu water battle. Zell had just finished spearing five hot dogs on the stick.
"Hey is there any food left over."
"Fure! Fhelp furself."
Quistis shook her head at Zell's lack of manners, before turning to Squall. "There are no hot dogs, but there are some burgers and ribs."
"Thanks." Picking up a hamburger bun, Squall lifted the lid to the small circular grill and grabbed a burger before setting it down on it. Walking over to the large blanket his friends occupied he gently flopped down onto it.
Selphie kept stealing glances between Quistis and Squall. Smiling devilishly to herself she called over to him.
"Do you need something to drink?"
"Sure."
"Okay, Quistis, since you're closer to the cooler, could you hand him something."
She gave Selphie a cold glare before digging into the cooler unearthing bottled water. She turned to Squall and asked if that was okay.
"That's fine." She leaned over and held out the bottle to him.
Noticing the beverage in Quistis' hand, he quickly asked for one as well. Squall took the bottle and passed it to Zell. In doing so, the sun reflected off the industrial piercing located near the junction of Squall's upper and lower right arm. The brief glint caught Irvine's attention.
The cowboy impulsively reached out and grabbed Squall's wrist and took a look at his arm. "Well I'll be, I never thought you had it in you. Look Darling, Squall went at got himself pierced."
"What?"
Selphie stood up quickly and ran behind Irvine and planted her arms on his shoulders as she looked over his shoulder. The remaining two SeeD edged closer to their friend and were shocked to see the unique piercing protruding from his flesh.
"Hm, that's cool. You must have gone to Steve's place. That's where I got my tattoo. He's been telling me I should get something pierced but I think my tat is enough."
He cut Irvine a scathing glare. "Would you mind releasing my arm?"
Irvine quickly let go. I'm sorry partner; I was just trying to get a good look at it.
"Next time ask." His face resumed a more neutral expression as he regarded Zell. "I'd rather not have a tattoo. I can remove this if I tire of it."
The martial artist nodded his head in understanding. "I get ya, you have to be sure what you want with one of these."
Finally finding her voice, Quistis asked a question. "What made you decide on that?"
He shrugged lightly. "Well I didn't think a nipple piercing was me."
"Oh." Resist the urge to glace at his chest, and resist the urge to blush. BLOCK OUT THE MENTAL IMAGE BEFORE… Sadly, her efforts were in vain as she once again felt a warm blush spread across her cheeks.
Later that evening as the beach party was coming to a close, everyone except Squall and Zell had boarded the SUV that they borrowed from Garden earlier.
Quistis sat behind the wheel with Selphie in the passenger seat. Irvine was knocked out in back nursing a slight hangover as he had brought a hidden stash with him that night. The petite girl leaned out the window and hollered at the two friends who reminded her of night and day.
"Are you sure you don't want a ride back with us?" "No, I'm going to crash at my house for the night."
"I enjoy this time of night, I'll walk back."
"Okay, if you insist." Sitting comfortably in the seat once again, she turned to Quistis. "Floor it!"
The Instructor laughed quietly and took off toward Garden.
The two friends quickly reached Ma Dincht's house. "Hey before you go why don't you say hello to Ma?"
"Okay."
Zell knocked rapidly on the door. Some light rustling was heard through the wooden door before it was pulled open by Mrs. Dincht. "Zelly! I'm so glad you came to visit." She quickly pulled the young man into a hug and gave a kiss on each cheek. "MA!"
She chuckled at his indignant tone. "What have I told you? You'll always be my little boy. No matter how big you get. Now move aside, don't think I don't see you back there Squall." He stepped forward as Zell moved aside and entered the house. The older women quickly embraced the dark haired SeeD much like her own son. She gave a quick peck on the forehead before giving him a light push into her household. "So what brings you boys here tonight?"
"We had a beach party earlier and I decided to stay the night instead of going back to Garden. Squall just wanted to say hello before walking back."
"Well that's nice dear, why don't you go on and clean up your room a bit and make sure to take out some extra blankets, for Squall as well." She placed her hand on her hips and looked the stoic SeeD. "Don't even fix your mouth to say you'll be fine. You're staying the night and that's final."
The black and red haired young man sighed once before placing his bag down at his feet in defeat.
Despite all outward appearances Zell was slightly nervous with having the 'new' Squall spend the night. Calm down Zell, it's just Squall. He just looks and acts a bit differently from time to time. It's nothing too bad. Tch, of course is an intimating person in his own right but now he it's like twice as effective, but I shouldn't worry he's still my friend, well best friend actually. I'm sure we'll have a blast.
Opening his closet, he grabbed a few pillows, blanket and his old sleeping bag and arranged them on the floor in a hopefully comfortable pallet. Walking into his private bathroom, he quickly took a brief shower and changed into a pair of chocobo boxers and black t-shirt.
When Zell emerged from his room, he was greeted with the sight of Squall trying to help his mother cook dinner. He was currently stirring a large pot of stew while his mother worked to cut the vegetables before she dropped them into the boiling mixture. His mother was laughing about something, but Zell couldn't tell if Squall was laughing as well since his back was to him.
A light smile appeared on the young man's face. It's nice that my mom and friends get along so well. "Hey Ma, do you need me to do anything?"
"Oh Zell, I didn't even see you there, why don't you set the table and Squall honey, you should go freshen up."
Setting the spoon down to cover the pot. Squall, grabbed his bag from the living room and went upstairs.
While Squall showered and changed into red, black and white army print lounge pants, his hosts had finished preparing dinner and were patiently waiting for his arrival.
Standing in front of Zell's doorway that lead downstairs, he started to put on a t-shirt. It's a bit too warm to be wearing a lot of clothes tonight, but I can't walk around shirtless in front of Zell's mother no matter if she's in one the plan. Looking down at the shirt in his hand, he sighed softly. I'll just have to suffer. Grabbing a sleeveless white t-shirt instead, he quickly pulled it on and went down stairs.
Dinner went pleasantly well. As the lady of the house stood to clean the table, Squall rose from his seat as well. "I'll clear the table. It's the least I could do." He quickly and efficiently took the various dishes to the kitchen where he ran some water wash them.
A gentle smile appeared on her face, well if you boys have everything, I'll just retire to bed. She gave Zell a kiss on the forehead, and called out to them as she entered her bedroom. "Goodnight, see you in the morning, I love you."
"Night Ma!"
"Night Ma Dincht."
Zell entered the kitchen and asked if he could help Squall with the dishes. The man in question shook his head no. "I'll be done in a few."
"Well, I'll just be upstairs then."
The blonde haired boy walked quietly up the steps and stationed himself in front of the TV. He quickly switched on the TV, and PS2. Moments later, he was racing down Anomaly 19 racetrack in XGRA extreme G-racing. He was so enthralled by the game that he didn't notice when Squall appeared in the doorway. Turning his head around he spotted his silent friend and jumped slightly. "Whoa, dude I didn't even see you there. Well do you wanna play?"
Squall stared long and hard at the game, as if measuring the merits and disadvantages of playing. "I think I'll pass, I a bit tired."
"Oh okay, well you can have the bed, I'll take the pallet."
Squall shuffled off to the bathroom and came back a moment later carrying his shirt in his hand. He walked over to his bag and folded it neatly before setting it on top. He walked over to the nest of pillows and throws and stretched. This is nice and comfortable, I should sleep well tonight, but before that I need to continue with the plan.
Zell glanced over to the bed to see it unoccupied and frowned in puzzlement. Craning his head more to the left he noticed Squall lying upon the pile of blankets. I wonder if he's awake. Maybe I should turn my game off and go to bed. Ma always said it's rude to keep a guest waiting and all that jazz. He quickly saved and tuned off the game. After turning off the overhead light only the soft glow of his bedside lamp remained.
The two lapsed in uneasy silence that was suddenly broken by Squall.
"Your mother is really nice Zell."
"Yeah, that's my mom for ya."
"I wish I had a mom like that…"
The young man was momentarily flabbergasted. How the heck do I respond to that? I'm not good at this kind of thing. Besides, he's Squall he's not supposed to say stuff like that. At least not to me. Quick you gotta say something or he'll close himself off again. Maybe I should mention Matron, but she kind of got possessed and that whole ice lance in the shoulder thing. Bad idea. Okay I should say…
"Um…"
"Good night Zell." He winced quietly at the flat tone in his friend's voice.
"Uh, yeah good night." Hyne, I screwed up again.
Sometime later that night, Zell awoke from a strange dream in which, Squall was trying to steal his mother. He laughed nervously to himself. Speaking in whispered tones, he tried to sooth his frayed nerves. "Relax, Squall isn't crazy. He wouldn't do anything like that. He's just being ultra helpful to Ma because he a nice person." His thoughts drifted back to dinner. Ma gave him the last piece of bread to go with the stew. Wait before that they were laughing in the kitchen…NONONONO! I won't go that road of thinking. As he was wrapped up in his thoughts, Zell didn't notice that his hands were crossing back and forth in front of him as if trying to ward off some extreme evil. He stopped suddenly and listened. I hope I didn't wake up Squall. I need to stop stressing. Leaning over the edge of his bed, he looked at the pallet expecting to see Squall and was shocked when he noticed it was empty. "What the…?"
Within in the next instance a sliver light streaked across the room and gradually grew larger. The paranoid young man then noticed Squall standing in the doorway to the bathroom. His eyes were drawn to the site of the unique piercing and he noticed there were two instead of one. Before his brain wrap around the ramifications of his recent fine, the man in question spoke.
"Sorry did I wake you?" He casually placed a hand over the piercings. Hm I can't deicide what's funnier. Rinoa's or Zell's reactions.
"Uh no, I woke myself up from a bad dream."
The mysterious young man padded quietly across the floor and sat down on the edge of Zell's bed. "I understand. I dream of my time in D-District prison."
"Wanna talk about it?" That sounds corny and a bet he'll just get up and go back to sleep.
He was surprised, when Squall leaned backward to rest on the bed and he laid his left arm across eyes. Zell could clearly see that there was indeed a second piercing upon the right arm.
Once again he became characteristically quiet before speaking. "What do you know?"
I didn't plan on having a heart to heart with Zell, but just because I'm getting payback doesn't mean we're not friends and that I'm above that. I would hate to lose them to this, but I doubt that will happen. I just have to get my point across and as the old saying goes, 'Action speaks louder than words.'
"Well I mean we found you in the machine, and we pretty much knew what happened, but you never really talked about it."
"I said it was hell."
"Yeah, but it's like my Mom said, you shouldn't bottle up your feelings, it'll only hurt ya in the end."
"Well, all I remember was being stabbed in the shoulder and falling backward off the float. I don't really remember the pain, it's like I wasn't there for a moment. When I awoke Seifer and some guards were standing over me… Anyway, when I regained consciousness, I was healed of all the previous injuries and they dragged me to the chamber and questioned me about SeeD. They didn't like my answers so they electrocuted me three or four times. I don't know for sure because I passed out again."
"I knew Seifer was a bastard but I didn't know he did all that. Why didn't you kill him? Heck, I got a score to settle with him. I'll glad take his head for ya."
"It wasn't Seifer, he was possessed. He doesn't even know it happened. He barely remembers anything from the time he arrived in Timber till when we picked him up at Fisherman Horizon."
"Oh. Well I understand now."
"Mmhm.." Squall yawned once before his eyes fluttered closed and he fell asleep on Zell's bed.
"Tch, I gave you the bed and you took the pallet, now you want my bed. I'll guess we'll just have to share." Zell grabbed a blanket and put over the slumbering young man, carefully to avoid hitting the more than likely sore arm. I know that wasn't there before, but I hope he didn't do that himself. It's dangerous and probably painful. I'll talk to him in the morning about it. Reclining back on his pillow, he quickly fell asleep as well.
Hours later as the sun streaked across Zell's room, it inched closer and closer to his face before finally striking him on the face. The intense rays roused the usually hyper active man out of his sleep. Glancing sleepily around the room, he noticed the bathroom door was slightly cracked. Minutes later, Squall emerged and asked for some rubbing alcohol.
Zell started to stand up, but ended up pointing at the medicine cabinet located above the sink. Squall glanced at it, feeling a bit embarrassed. As Zell slowly gained his wits, he noticed that Squall seemed to have a total of four piercing on his arm. That can't be I must be seeing double or triple or something. He rubbed his eyes a few times, as he watched his friend reach into the cabinet and pull out the alcohol. I wonder what he's going to do with that… Upon closer inspection he noticed that the latest two piercing looked like they were done with large safety pins. I think I feel sick…
Squall opened the bottle and held his right arm over the sink before pouring the alcohol over the piercing. He teeth clenched shut, as his lips pulled back and he hissed a bit from the 'pain'.
Leaping up from his bed, Zell ran to the doorway and stood in the entrance as Squall cleansed his arm. "Squall please don't tell me you did that yourself."
"I watched the guy at the place carefully, I did it perfectly. I didn't hit a nerve or vein."
The disbelief filled young man, glanced down at this friends arm. He reached forward to grasp it, but stopped short. He was afraid to hurt Squall more so that he did himself. Returning his gaze to his friends, he grasped the young man by the shoulders and looked him directly in the eye. "Promise me you'll never do something like this again. You could get an infection or worse."
He's falling for it hook, line and sinker. A little fake skin and magnetic piercings go a long way. I was worried he wouldn't believe it, but he didn't even question it. Squall looked blankly at his friend before nodding. "Okay. I'm hungry, see you at breakfast." He shrugged out his friend's grasp and shuffled down the stairs.
Zell stood in the doorway, watching his friend retreat down the stairs. Something is seriously wrong with Squall. One minute he seems normal the next he's acting like a I don't know… Maybe the memories of D-District caused him to lash out at himself. Oh man, but what about the thing with Ma? I'll just have to watch him. I won't let them commit him to an asylum or anything. I guess he's still relatively normal, he just has some erratic behavior. Sighing softly to himself, he went downstairs to have breakfast and to keep an eye on his disturbed friend.
As Squall helped Ma Dincht cook breakfast, he thought about the success of his recent act of revenge. All is going well, he doesn't suspect a thing about this being a hoax and he seems very concerned. Now that I've finished messing with Zell for now. It's time to move on to my new victims Quistis and Selphie part two.
AN: Squall by no means is actually pierced and he would never use alcohol to clean a piercing, as it's too harsh an astringent on such a wound.
Also if I don't respond, it probably because I haven't been getting my email updates and it's hard to refresh sometimes and see if they're new reviews, because it takes a while for them to appear.
FloralBlackMoon: I'm glad you enjoyed the play. It can't be a play without the angst, because Squall is Mr. Silent Angst. :D Thanks for the compliment.
Emerald-Latias: I took a few liberties with Rinoa but thankfully she's still the same ol' gal. Poor Angelo, he doesn't get it at all. XD
Zer0 Touma: Aw thanks, 'Just don't bring HIM.' is one of my favorite lines in the whole story. I'm better at Drum Mania as well but I love Guitar Freaks.
SsKnight: Thank you! Now to put my mind to good use and continue to write more fiction. rushes off
.....: thanks.
GothicAngelEyeS: gives water and chapter Here ya go! ;D
seth8: Thank for the R&R.
Hanh: Request granted.
SurvivalHorror: I'm glad you liked the Squall/Iori hybrid. I was hoping it would go over well. I was curious as to how people would respond to Rinoa getting the boot. Thanks for the R&R. I prefer Quall myself, but a good Squinoa is cool every once in a while.
Achenar: Glad you're enjoying it. I got Demi confused for Gravity magic from different Final Fantasies.
Number42: Sorry about the confusion.
Chrischi: :D! It's encouraging to know that I portrayed the gang well to the readers, especially Ma Dincht. I wanted it to seem natural for the FFVIII world.
Phoenix-of -the-darkness: hears song in head Thanks! XD More coming soon.