Thank you for the kind reviews, everyone. I feel like I'm starting to confuse myself with this idea. But your encouraging words are really pushing me to continue... I really appreciate it.
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The search.
"What was I saying again? Oh yeah, I've been extremely busy with everything going on here. There was so much work to do in this place when I was put into office… everything was so unorganized and misplaced, but when I came along, that all changed! It took a while to get used to all of this service and things goin' on, but it was a cinch when I got the hang of it. So anyway…"
Kiros and Ward exchanged glances. It's been over an hour the two have been talking, but it was mostly him talking.
"……." Ward rolled his eyes and looked back over to the two, and at the same time, Kiros smiled before turning his gaze back to them as well. He shook his head and lowered it some, letting out a hopeless laugh. It would never end, would it?
On the other hand, Ellone sat and listened to every word he was saying. From spending most of her life with the man, she has grown used to the amount of words he spoke, once he got started talking. The woman smiled softly, resting her chin on her hand from her elbow leaning on the table, and continued to listen.
Laguna was standing, throwing his hands about and getting deep into his pointless conversations. But before he could speak any further, he was interrupted.
"……." Ward raised his arms, shaking his head from left to right with an expression on his face as if he were getting annoyed. Kiros looked to his actions and face expression, and then turned to face Laguna, ready to voice his opinion as well as translate what Ward meant by his sudden movements.
"What, whaaat?" Laguna yelled out playfully, looking at his two companions.
"Ward's saying that you're talking too much, and I agree. Why don't you ask her to come along with you to your trip tonight?" Kiros talked smoothly, and he always has. There was something about the man that was very graceful and calm, and over the years, that never left him.
Laguna hunched over slightly, placing his right hand on his hip as the other reached to the back of his head, scratching lightly. "Huh…? Oh yeah! That!" He then looked to Ellone, dropping his arms back to his sides, but once again throwing them up as he spoke out. "I'm going to do some checkups on Adel in space tomorrow morning, since the scientists here keep babbling to me about the Lunar Cry coming soon… or something."
"Babbling?" Kiros brought his right hand to his lips, or whatever he could from the long sleeves of the Esthar attire. He snickered, nudging Ward with his left elbow.
"……."
"Hey, shut up!"
Ellone smiled, watching as the three playfully teased each other. They were the greatest guys to be around. She chuckled, which caused Laguna to throw his attention back at her. "So anyway…" He threw a squinty glare at Kiros and Ward before he looked back at her. "I'm leaving for space tonight. Would ya wanna come with me?"
Space? Now that was a place she has never been before. But since he was going, she wouldn't mind to join at all. "I'd love to."
"Great!" The President reached a hand over, playfully messing up Ellone's hair like old times. The girl chuckled and reached up, fixing her hair back to the way it was, like she always has. "We still have few good solid hours before we go, so… ya' hungry?"
~~~~~~~
To be the Knight of a Sorceress… was that a privilege? So many things to look out for. So much protecting to do. It is obvious that a Knight of a Sorceress had to be strong physically, mentally, and determined to remain by the Witch's side at all times. To ease the mind and the soul of the woman "gifted" with such incredible powers from Hyne himself to humanity. One slipup, and the Sorceress would be forever lost in the tides of destruction and eternal evil.
It was the Knight's duty to be the Sorceress' significant other, the everlasting bond at the heart to keep her stable.
So did Headmaster Cid meet these qualities and do his job as Edea's Knight?
Quistis, Selphie and Zell stood around their mother-like persona, lisening to her soft words and information about the White SeeD ship. Irvine and Rinoa stayed behind at Garden, watching and keeping an eye on Squall. Headmaster Cid stood his ground behind his wife, remaining silent and listening to her words as well.
"Those children are… very cautious. I do not have any idea on where they are; however, they have taken a liking to the central continent."
The three nodded in understanding, and Quistis spoke up. "Thank you, Marton." As if on cue, Selphie and Zell began to head back to the Garden after the appreciation. Quistis turned to leave as well, but was stopped when Edea placed a hand on her shoulder.
"And if you succeed in finding them, please give them this letter I wrote. They are ones who need some sort of proof to trust anyone." Quistis took the letter that was handed to her and looked down at it. For a second she looked at the graceful handwriting upon it, before looking back up to her "mother" with a content smile. There was a beautiful vibe that surrounded the older woman, and Quistis loved the feeling of it. Giving a soft nod, Quistis placed her gloved hand over Edeas that was upon her shoulder before turning and exiting the house.
~~~~~~~
"So like… it's all right to admit that you have some sort of feelings for him."
"……hm? Sorry, what was that?"
"Well, if you would stop staring at him for a minute, ya' would've heard—"
"I am not staring at him!"
"Suuure. Whatever you say, darlin'."
"Are you finished? What were you saying?"
"As I was sayin'… you're falling for him, aren't you?"
She froze for a moment. How dare he ask such a question? The girl turned her head away from the cowboy sitting across the infirmary room, allowing her dark hair to help hide her face. Oh my, what was this? Was Rinoa Heartilly… blushing?
Irvine watched her and smirked, leaning back against the wall next to the stool he sat upon. Rinoa was seated on the bed next to Squall with her legs brought to the side, facing the window that Squall once saw Ellone through.
"…Be quiet… he can hear you."
"Is that a 'yes'?"
"…….Irvine.."
"All right, all right."
Upon hearing the door of the infirmary open, the two turned to see who it was. The rest of the ganged walked in. Wanting to know of any news, the girl in light blue stood and walked out of Squall's room, meeting up with the others. Not only anxious to know of the news, she also wanted to get away from Irvine's question. Did he have to ask that question? Wasn't it obvious?
After Rinoa left the room, Irvine leaned over to get closer to Squall's ear, whispering as if loud enough for just him to hear.
"Score, baby!"
With that, the cowboy stood, adjusting his hat, and followed after Rinoa with a small smirk on his lips.
"We don't know how long it will take to find them, but we're on our way now. I just gave Nida the appropriate whereabouts of where they could be. Hopefully it won't be long until we do find them." Although she wasn't an instructor anymore, she sure has taken command and duty of the situations at hand. More than any other person, Squall would want Quistis to do just that if he were in any circumstance where he could not. Even though it didn't seem like it, Squall respected Quistis's abilities.
Irvine and Rinoa nodded in understanding, taking the information in. Zell and Selphie walked past their friends and into Squall's infirmary room to visit. Quistis watched them and sighed, raising her left arm to lean against her stomach as her right hand reached up and tucked a thick blonde strand behind her ear. "So how's our Commander doing?" Basically the question was focused on Rinoa to answer, and she knew it.
"Still going strong…" Rinoa trailed off. What more was there to say? It was obvious that there were no signs of life coming from him at all. Quistis closed her eyes and gave a nod, walking past the cowboy and the angel, following the others.
The two watched her and exchanged glances. Rinoa had the expression of a helpless little girl on her features, and Irvine sighed, reaching his right hand up and placing it over his hat on his head. For once, he didn't know what to say.
"I'm gonna go take a walk around…"
He nodded, and dropped his hand from his head, flicking the tip of his hat. "Don't worry, we'll keep an eye on him."
~~~~~~~
It was amazing how the Garden traveled. It didn't feel like it was at all. It smoothly floated above all the lands and bodies of water it traveled over. Since Edea's house was not to far away from the central continent, they were basically already there, and searching…
Again she felt like an outcast. All of the students at the Garden were dressed in uniform, having books in their arms and were ready to learn. On the other hand, Rinoa walked around the circular hallway of the Garden in her usual unique attire of light blue. With that being her favorite color, she was proud to wear it, even though it made her stand out like a black dot on a sheet of white paper.
After visiting the library for a good amount of time, the girl made her way to the directory and up the main and only stairs of Balamb Garden. Upon waiting patiently for the elevator to arrive, it opened and a couple of students walked out, observing Rinoa for a split second before going where they needed to go. She hated the feeling of awkwardness.
Once to the second floor, the girl made her way to the second floor balcony. Hopefully no one would be there to observe her. She thought back to the time when the Garden first started moving, and remembered smiling at him from the beautiful sight at that balcony. That was when he was awake.
No one was on the balcony, fortunately, and she smiled to herself, casually walking over to the edge and placing her hands on the railing. It was all hers. Naturally, the wind was blowing and the ocean blue water could be seen in the distance. The land that they were traveling over looked dry, deserted. It had a brownish-red color to it and it was mostly rocky.
It has been about an hour and a half since she was with the others… how much longer would it take to find the ship? What if Ellone couldn't do anything to help bring Squall back? Rinoas smile faded as she thought about the several things that could happen, and the things that couldn't happen.
The past couple of days were long… too much for her to handle, especially with the fact that Squall wasn't with them… with her. It is ironic that she figured out she was in love with him when he is gone, away from this world. But now with that known, will she ever be able to tell him with him actually listening?
The emotions in her built up, and she lowered her head from the welcoming and relaxing breeze, even if her hair was dancing around her face because of it. A single tear traveled down her pale cheek, fighting against the wind to make it down further.
Rinoa sniffled, closing her eyes and allowing the wind to comfort her. She could do this… she was a strong person. She would never give up hope. Reassuring her not to give up, the girl faintly heard the sound of the loudspeaker from where she was standing. Before she turned around to get a better hearing of it, her soft brown eyes caught an image she would never forget.
Balamb Garden was pulling up next to the White SeeD ship.
~~~~~~~
Quistis, Irvine Selphie and Zell ran to the second floor balcony, leaving Dr. Kadowaki to look over Squall. The only place they could board their ship was to get there from that balcony.
As they arrived, Rinoa stood not too far away, waving them over. Quistis walked over to the edge of the balcony, looking down and seeing a few White SeeDs looking up at them. At the same time, Irvine grabbed a small rope ladder that was on the balcony and flipped it over the edge so they could board.
"We're unarmed!" With that, the blonde woman began to climb down the ladder with Irvine and Zell following close behind. Selphie stayed behind with Rinoa.
The leader of the White SeeD stepped forward, facing the lioness before him with her companions by her sides. Like her, he had companions by his sides as well, just incase.
"Yes? Depending on your request, we might have to ask you to leave."
"We are searching for Ellone." The SeeDs gasped, looking at each other before placing eyes back on Quistis. "A couple of weeks ago, from what I recall, you came here to pick her up. She's here, right?"
The White SeeD leader lowered his head and spoke out firmly. "We have to ask you to leave."
Edea was right, they were very cautious. "But wait, please, I have a letter from Edea… she told me to give it to you." Quistis held out the letter in her gloved hand.
Raising his head once again, there was a look of shock upon the man's face as he looked from her and to the letter in front of him. He took the letter, holding it in both of his hands as he nodded to his companions as if it were all right to be at ease. The man walked towards the deck of the ship, looking down and reading the letter. Quistis never took eyes off of him; she had to know what was going on.
After finishing the letter, the leader looked off into the ocean before him, folding the letter.
Quistis couldn't wait any longer. She sighed and walked over to him with the eyes of Irvine and Zell on her. "Look… we know that you are very cautious people, but Squall is in need of help, and Ellone is the only person who could help him."
"She is no longer here."
~~~~~~~
"I wonder what's being said?" Selphie peeked over at the people below, holding onto the railing so that she wouldn't fall like a klutz. Rinoa took a look over the edge of the balcony as well, getting a better look of the ship.
Zone walked down from the captain's quarter of the ship, looking over to Watts standing a few good feet away from the leader and the others. Out of curiosity, he walked beside his friend, looking up at the huge Garden that was beside their small little ship---
"!!! RINOA!"
Watts jumped in startlement from his friend's sudden scream, and thought a moment to take in what he just said. "R-Rinoa?!" Without another word, Zone was already running towards the balcony of the garden.
Rinoa gasped after hearing her name being called, looking over towards the voice and seeing her companion. Smiling brightly, she screamed out as well. "Zone, Watts!" She ran over to the ladder, going down no matter what. She was met with a hug from her friends, happy to see that she was ok. And she felt the same for them.
"What are you guys doing here?" She asked, leaned on her right leg.
"We went through a lot to get here, but that doesn't matter. I-I'm… so happy to see you again." There was a growling sound admitting from his stomach, and he backed up a few steps, crouching down and clutching it. "O-ooww, my stomach!"
Rinoa laughed at Zone, turning to look at Watts, the boy with all the information. She spoke out softly. "I'm so glad you guys are all right. I'm still gonna stay with them, okay? There's something I need to take care of…" The girl turned around and looked at Quistis giving the SeeD salute to the leader of the White SeeDs. It was time to go.
"All right, sir! Don't worry about us, you just be careful, Rinoa."
"We'll get back together again and liberate Timber… I promise." She walked backwards, soon turning around and walking towards the ladder where Zell waited for her to climb first.
Watts waved as the Garden pulled away, and Zone groaned some more from his aching stomach. The poor guy.
On the balcony, Quistis looked to her friends as they all waited for a logical explanation. And that she gave them.
"Ellone isn't on their ship… Esthar has her now."