Selphie Kinneas
"Journey To The Past"
Chapter Four- Guest Of Honor

Two Days later

Rin sat on a seat in front of Squall and Irvine. She laid gently across the seat so that her legs were able to be stretched. Squall had leaned his head quietly on the window and breathed softly as he slept and woke every other minute.

Irvine, to Rin, was more the comedian type. The two talked and Irvine explained that he, Squall, and few other friends in Esther all were graduates. Irvine and Squall had taken jobs as Esther mercenaries in a lower class of the president's closest station of government, their other friend, Zell, had done the same. Every here and there once Squall had dozed off, Irvine would make some rude comment about Squall allowing Rin to have her giggles and laughs.

Soon Irvine finally mentioned Squall was the son of President Laguna, one of the finest presidents in Esther history. "Yeah, but Squall is way too proud to ask rich daddy dear for gil, and he earns his own money, I mean………C'MON RICH DADDDY!" Irvine exclaimed.

Though Squall didn't take money, for a man in his early 20's, 21 or 20, Squall was a pretty wealthy person. "Though he buys his own junk, he still lives in the tightest house in Esther, the Presidential Palace. That's where you'll be staying." Rin noticed a bronze band around Irvine' s ring finger.

"Are you single?" Rin asked trying not to sound anything but curious.

"Me? Oh heck no, I'm engaged to the loveliest in the world. Selphie Tilmitt!" Irvine replied ecstatically. Rin turned her head; that explains the ring. Irvine grinned widely. "So what's your story?" Rin shrugged.

"There isn't much of one…I was in an accident when I was ten and they claimed I was an orphan fire-wood girl. That's pretty much it."

Irvine opened his mouth to reply, instead a happy gasp came out. "We're here Ms. Rin." Rin was about to object to the title 'Miss', it wasn't necessary. Instead, she turned her attention to the train window. As Irvine said, they had arrived in Esther.

Buildings glimmered in the noon sun as transporters whizzed and zoomed. The roads were clean as cars drove carefully. People in long Esther robes walked peacefully along the sidewalks as Esther soldiers greeted them at each intersection. From the height of the train track, Rin could see many of the neighborhoods and thin streets with numerous of blue roofed houses. In the heart of the city was the largest building Rin had ever set eyes upon. The top came out to the sky like wave as the rest of the building was shaped irregularly yet straight to the ground.

Rin couldn't speak and reply to Irvine, her mind was too fixed on the large city. "Cool thing, this is just the main city. This whole continent is Esther, just that city is where President Laguna lives with his family. It's the huge building! Man to live there I would give anything." Irvine sighed as he pillowed his head with his arms. Rin's eyes filled with wonder as she imagined entering the palace, staying there, living there…

"Irvine, you don't' have to say miss." Rin finally managed to say. Irvine chuckled.

"Sure, Rin." A few short minutes later, once the train tracks descended deeper into the city, the speed decreased and came to a sudden jerk.

Squall woke abruptly. "We there?" He yawned. Rin nodded happily as Irvine sighed in agreement. Once the three had exited the train, Squall fetched a wheelchair for Rin claiming crutches may hurt her back, which would be sore for the next three weeks. Rin glued herself into the seat trying her hardest to keep herself from screaming her excitement to the world. Each time Squall would ask her if the city was pleasant for her or if she found it enough to replace Naryal for the next months, Rin nearly gagged herself to give a content and calm respond.

It only took ten minutes to reach the highpoint of the city. "This is the Presidential Palace." Squall announced dully, he wasn't much of a tour guide..

Rin gasped. "It's beautiful." She sighed. The three went to the front entrance. There, stood four guards fully armed. At sight of Squall they saluted and sided away from a long tunnel leading upwards. "Welcome back Squall, I do hope you know you're mother is gonna kill you." One soldier said with a small laugh. Rin could realize already Squall wasn't exactly formal either and that not all the soldiers were adults.

Irvine cleared his throat and pointed at Rin. "Oh... right. Arthmas this is Rin Heartilty. She'll be staying here for awhile." Rin blushed as she turned her head.

Past the entrance was a grand hall with large assortments of flowers held in large glass vases with glittering crystal hanging off. A stairwell with silver banisters and a green rug stood before them. Around the floor were electronic doors leading to numerous rooms. Rin could see past the stairwell there were a great more deal of things. She couldn't just see what though.

"SQUALL!" A girl's voice came. A young lady, or young adult who looked the age of 17 or so ran down the grand stairwell to greet Squall. Right before she fell into an embracing hug she slapped him on the shoulder.

"What was that for?" Squall asked as he rubbed the area where the girl had hit him.

"For scaring mom and me to death. We really though you or Irvine were hurt!"

She turned to Irvine, "And Selphie's mad at you!" She broke her anger and smiled happily and gave Squall a tight hug. Squall accepted the huga bit lightly than most do.

"I wasn't trying to be late…"
"You really did scare me." She said quietly standing straight again.

Squall looked down at Rin who sat shyly in the wheelchair. She didn't try leaning forward or she might scream in pain. Squall held out a hand to her. "Ellone, this is Rin Heartilty." He turned his direction to Rin, "Rin, this is my little sister Ellone." Ellone smiled and held out her hand to shake.

"Nice to meet you Ellone." "Pleasure is all mine." Ellone turned back to Squall, "Mom… wants to talk to you." Squall sighed as he massaged his temples.

"Where is she?"
"I dunno."

"I'm right here, thank you." Raine walked glided down the stairs gracefully. Squall had a grimace that looked glued onto his face. But oddly enough a form of smile came upon it.

"Squall don't pucker up to me. Do you know how LONG YOU TOOK TO COME BACK!"
"I'm guessing about a week." He replied in a smart alec way.

"TWOOOO! I'VE OUT OF MY MIND THINK OF ALL THESE HORRIBLE ACCIDENTS THAT MAY HAVE DELAYED YOU! AND WHEN YOU CALLED, DID YOU EVEN CARE OF TELLING US WHY YOU'VE BEEN GONE!"

"I'm 21, I can take care of myself." He replied.
"Squall Leonhart Loire! I'm ashamed of you! You think age matters to me? You're still my son! My only one at that."

"I got the picture now. Sorry. Um, mom I'd like to introduce you to someone." Squall turned to Rin, again. "This is Rin Heartilty. Rin, this is my mom and the wife of the president's wife, Raine." Rin and Raine shook hands kindly.

"Mom, do you think you could set her up here. I got to run down to the office and give um' something." Squall nodded at Irvine as the two left. Raine quietly peered at Rin uncomfortably.

"Well, Ms. Rin, mind if I ask how you and Squall met?"

"Gee, it was kind of just a crash. Y'know like boom, ma'am." Rin replied with a small grin. Raine began to sweat.

"Excuse me? What do you mean?"
"I mean… he really was going very fast ma'am." Raine's eyes went blank as she reached for a chair.

"Ellone… dear please help Miss Rin. I'll be there soon. Oh and if you can, get Elerna here."

Ellone nodded as she looked back to Rin. "Come one Miss Rin, I'll show you where you'll be staying." She said as she pushed Rin's chair to a near-by elevator. "Well, um, how did you and Squall meet, Miss Rin?" Ellone asked quietly.

"His car hit me in a parking lot." Rin replied frankly.

"What? That's odd. So how long have you guys known each other?"

"Just a few days… you don't usually meet guys who later get an in accident with you."

"Wait a minute… an accident!"

"Why do you think I'm in an wheelchair?" Ellone paused and burst into laughter. Rin stared blankly, "Did I say something to amuse you?"

"No…no that's not it. I can't… ahahahahahhahhahaaa!" Ellone stayed in her laugh fit for the next following minutes.

oooo

Squall and Irvine walked along the empty halls of The Esther Military Department building. Squall tightly gripped the handle of large briefcase while Irvine followed holding another thin attaché case. A petite young brunet stood at the secretarial desk focused on her typing. "We need to see Mr. Kiros." Squall said to her.

"Take a number, he's busy-" Her voice came to an abrupt stop as she turned her head to the pair. "IRVINE! Squall! What in Hyne's name took you do damn long?" She scowled as Irvine smiled weakly and nervously laughed. "Stop laughing Irvine, you called once! NOT MORE! And Kiros is gonna kill you, literally. He needs those documents so hurry up and give them to him." She urged.

Irvine smiled as he ran ahead. Squall rolled his eyes and gave a small wave of gratitude. He rushed with Irvine into an elevator. The elevator inside beeped and hummed quietly as it flew up the flights of stairs. The doors swung open as they reached the top floor. As the exited another secretary sat behind her desk. She gazed up at them, ignored them and pointed towards a pair of grand doors. Squall gulped as he pushed one open. Inside was an enormous oak desk buried in paperwork with a dark skinned man behind it.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Mr. Loire and Mr. Kinneas." He said casually as he flipped through a paper file.

"Mr. Kiros, we can explain." Squall started.

"No need, all is well just all the money from the department you spent is coming out of your pay. Makes you wish you stayed in a 2 star hotel instead of a 5." Kiros replied calmly. "Now then, you aren't needed today. I suppose you're dismissed."

Squall and Irvine turned around in embarrassment as they began towards the door.

"Wait a minute boys. Before you leave, tell me why you were delayed." Kiros called as he fingered them back.

"Uh… it started when we tried to get to the train…" Squall moaned.

"We were shopping Mr. Kiros." Irvine interrupted, his face serious as an army general.

"Pardon me? Shopping? Why on earth would two adults in a professional government department such as yourselves be shopping akin to a tourist?"

Irvine's lower lip quivered. "Sir, you need to know something about Squall and I. We have… have issues sir."

"Issues?" Kiros asked frankly.

"Yes, we're little school girls at heart." Irvine concluded. Squall eyes had widened with such intensity it sounded like Irvine's absurd statement was true. Kiros groaned as he massaged his temples and beckoned them to leave.

Squall and Irvine dropped the cases and left.

"LITTLE SCHOOLGIRLS AT HEART?" Squall clamored as soon as the door had been shut.

"He bought it, no bigge." Irvine said sinisterly.

oooo

Ellone and Rin reached the third floor in the Presidential Palace. A petite lady with a plain white Esther robe advanced towards them.

"Oh, hello Elerna. This here is Rin Heartilty. She's a guest of Squall's. My mother informed me she wants her to be treated nicely. Please set her with a nice room on this floor." Ellone stepped away from Rin and whispered quietly in Elerna's ear.

"I have a good feeling about her, if you know what I mean." Elerna squinted her eyes with a smile. She then whispered back.

"Playing matchmaker again are we Ms. Ellone?"

"You know what to do." Ellone winked and made her back to the elevator. "Oh, report to my mother when you're finished."

Once Ellone was gone, Elerna smiled kindly to Rin. She gripped the wheelchair and pushed it along the long corridor. Rin examined the magnificent floor. The marble ground shimmered with the crystal chandeliers. In the heart of the area there was a formal yet comfortable sitting room surrounded by numerous doors leading to bedrooms. Elerna explained this half of floor was only for the residents of the palace. The other half was for executives who lived here.

"You must be tired from your trip, let me help to your room and allow you to sleep. I'll wake you for dinner." She said.

Rin rubbed eyes just noticing how exhausted and weary she was. Rin nodded in gratitude as Elerna wheeled her through one of the doors.

Right as Rin entered she gasped in awe. The room was pure white with pearl colored flooring and light beige furniture. There was a small sitting place with a love seat, a petite table, and a short chase with a cylinder pillow and white torma fur concealing half of it. From there, two small stairs lead to a huge dresser table with a vanity and a mirror large enough to reflect the image of five people. Neighboring that was a king sized bed with fluffy satin sheets and numerous pillows. Over it was a thin white veil canopy.

"Is all this for me?" Rin whispered. Elerna bobbed her head sweetly.

"The president and his wife are very hospitable." She replied. Elerna provided Rin with a pale blue and black night dress that had a slender bodice and a feathery bottom with a matching gown. After Rin had changed Elerna carefully helped her into the enormous bed trying hard not to bend her back.

"I'll wake you in a few hours then miss." With that, Elerna left Rin as she fell into a deep slumber forgetting all her problems.

oooo

Squall sat idly on the couch in Irvine's den.

"So let's see, I taken Elle's beating, my mom's beating, Kiros's beating, Selphie's beating, and all that's left is dad." He groaned.

"You make it sound oh so easy," Irvine replied sarcastically, "and you forgot Zell."

"Yeah right, like I'm going to let him." Squall scoffed. He stood and stretched his arms. "I'll be see you tomorrow then."

A few hours later

"Miss Rin, please wake." Elerna gently urged. Rin opened a single eye, she had witnessed the most comfortable sleep she had in a long time. Elerna helped Rin out of bed and gave her a long ivy green Esther robe with long black sashes. After she'd changed and sat back in a wheelchair Elerna sat in front of the vanity and did her hair.

"Elerna, what's the Loire family like?" Rin asked quietly. Elerna grinned kindheartedly.

"Oh, where to start? I didn't know this family before Mr. Laguna was elected, but I knew they were a poor family. When Laguna became president, Squall was only 9 and Ellone only 5. Squall was always there for young Ellone and they've became the closet siblings I've ever seen. But Squall he has been a troubled boy ever since he came. Now in their adulthood, they act like children together, ELlone does anyways. Well, Raine and Laguna have been good rulers since anyone can remember. Poor people, but very intelligent. They know how to act elegant, but this family is everything but formal. When Squall was 13, he was accepted to the top garden, Galbadia Garden. He refused to go and went to Balamb Garden for five long years and gradated top in his class. That's nearly over 1200 students in one class.

"Ellone such a sweet girl. Kind and confident and never cares what others think. Squall used to look up to her as if she was the older one but the tables have turned now." Elerna said with a laugh.

"What about Squall?" Rin questioned.

"Soon Miss Rin, now we're due for dinner." Elerna said soundly, as thought she was avoiding it.

"Elerna, I don't think I'm ready to meet the grand president of Esther." Moaned Rin.

"Worry not, the president is most kind and gentle. On and off screen."

Squall entered the dining hall to his mother and Ellone who already had seated themselves. Rin smiled at sight of Squall.

"How did Kiros take you?" Ellone asked with a grim smirk of mischief.

"Do you love rubbing despair in my face?" Squall scowled rudely.

"Only when you're down." She chuckled.

"Hush up the both of you! Hyne, you think you'd grown out of theses silly arguments." Raine snapped.

Elerna appeared in the entranceway pushing a wheelchair, which held shy, oh so shy, Rin. Her cheeks were ripe cherry red as her ears burned.

"Well, look who's finally awake." Raine greeted her with a kind smile. Elerna placed Rin exactly in front of Squall. Naturally she went redder than ever. She wished Irvine was there, he seemed to have this tone that made him seem more friendlier. Squall didn't show any emotion at the moment, Rin fighting the torment of feeling unwanted. Squall met eyes with her and spoke.

"Did you like you room Rin?" He questioned. Rin suddenly felt calm and replied ecstatically.

"It's beautiful! I've never been in a room like it! I really couldn't all that space was for me!" She was nearly yelling without realizing and talking rapidly all Raine and Ellone could do was laugh. Rin became uneasy at once.

"At least you like it." Squall said with a tone of guilt. Rin's jumping moments startled as she breathed calmly and nodded her head to Squall. She gazed into his mystifying gray eyes. She loss remembrance of her uncomfortable position and fell hypnotized in haste. Her attention snapped back down to earth at once the president was announced.

"Don't worry, he's kind." Elerna whispered, truthfully not helping the situation at all.

President Laguna entered with a kind smile as he nodded towards his family and sat himself down. The food was served and Rin took her first taste, of her new temporary home.

After Dinner

Raine along with the rest of the Loire family stood to leave as Elerna pulled Rin away. Raine caught Squall in site and snatched him by the shoulder immediately.

"Alright Squall, I was unsure at first. But now I think it would do you good to settle down. You've needed it more than anyone and I should've been supportive at first sight." Raine sighed, "I just wish you happiness. She seems very nice."

"What in Hyne's name do you mean?" Squall snapped in complete awe.

"Rin, Squall you have my blessings. I know she'll make a fine companion." Raine began to walk away.

"WHAT! RIN AND ME? I DON'T EVEN KNOW HER!"

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