Legacies: Chapter 15

by: Gemini83

Disclaimer: You know it, I don't own FF8. But I do own this story.

"Well," said Nida, "that was different."

Martine was apoplectic with confusion, "what in Hyne's name? Why did...what the Hell is going on?"

Nida laughed slightly, as Martine wiped his sweating brow with a handkerchief. But he wondered too. Everything they had been told was just the tip of the iceberg.

"Well," said Nida, "at least we have a name for our enemy, and know their purpose."

"Yeah," grunted Martine, "some freak of a Sorceress and cult that has formed to worship her. We were better off not knowing...no I don't really mean that. I just want to know how this Greymalkin knows everything. He talks as if he was there when it happened."

Nida pushed in his chairs as he left, escorting his weary company. But Martine had a point, could Greymalkin be in on it?

The rest of the city of Dollet had no such concerns to worry it. People who had any problems buried them along the strip of shopping streets, which was currently what several members of SeeD were doing.

Rinoa whistled at the neon lights abounding the city buildings. They gleamed brightly off the multi-colored metal work accenting the walls.

"This is a pretty nice place," she said, "I like what they've done with it."

Leona nodded, "yeah, this is definitely one of my fave spots to relax. They have everything here."

"I can't wait to get on the stage," said Rinoa.

Leona nodded, "thanks for agreeing to join the band tonight."

"No problem," she answered.

Selphie looked around, bewildered, "hey...guys, where'd Zell go?"

Rinoa turned her head, and also noticed he was gone, "and Irvine too."

They didn't have long to wait before the answer presented itself. Zell and Irvine came out from the Weapon shop, talking animatedly about their purchases.

"I'm telling you," said Irvine, "nothing can beat my Exeter, but this new modification will make it even more versatile. Now I can pick 'em off from a distance."

Zell shook his head, "that's nothing, check these out!"

He raised his fists, which bore his gloves.

Irvine blinked, "they look the same as before."

Zell grinned, and flexed his hands. Irvine flinched backwards as razor sharp talons emerged from Zell's gloves. With another flex, they disappeared again.

"How do you like them now?" laughed Zell.

Irvine raised an eyebrow, "nice, but won't it be easy to gut yourself?"

Zell demurred, "got safeties, if I gave them to you, you probably wouldn't know they had claws."

He caught sight of the others as they approached. Drawing a box from his pocket, he handed it to Leona, "for you."

Leona eagerly took the wrapped package, "oh Zell...thank you. What's in it?"

As she opened it, she saw what looked like parts of a metal gauntlet.

"Modifications for your gloves," said Zell, "just like mine. Do you like them?"

Rinoa hid her smile behind her hand, while Selphie giggled openly.

"Wow," said Leona, good humouredly, "you get me the nicest things."

She did appreciate the gift, but trust Zell to do something like this. Who would buy someone weapons on a date?

Leona laughed and thanked Zell again, at least it was a thoughtful present, and practical.

Irvine smirked, "oh, be still my beating heart. Zell, I see my training and skills have not yet instilled themselves in you."

Zell glared at him sidelong, "fine, let's go somewhere else."

Selphie laughed, "oh go ahead, you guys have fun. We have some shopping to do."

"We can come-" started Zell.

Irvine subtly jabbed him in the ribs, and shook his head imperceptibly, "have fun then girls, we'll meet you in front of the club in an hour."

The three women smiled at each other conspiratorially.

Rinoa nodded, "see you soon."

As they left, Zell, rubbing his side, turned to Irvine, "hey, what was that for?"

Irvine sighed, "oh Hyne Zell, I know you're not dense. Figure it out."

Zell returned a quizzical look, "what?"

"Zell my lad, you will know sooner or later," then he did a double take, "perhaps much later."

Squall leaned back in his chair, heaving a great sigh.

On the computer monitor in front of him, Kiros Seagill smiled back, "sorry Squall. I know how tiring this must all be for you."

Leonhart rubbed his temples, "gee, how could you guess?"

Kiros smirked, "like father, like son."

Squall snapped his head up, mouth tightly set.

Seagill arched an eyebrow, "he told you of course?"

Squall nodded, "yeah."

On the other end, Kiros simply nodded. Squall's reply was clearly noncommittal.

"We look forward to the event, have you contacted the Galbadian side yet?"

Squall shook his head, "we'll meet with President Deling within the week. I'll keep you posted."

Kiros nodded, "thank you."

"One more thing," said Squall.

"Yes?"

"Say hello to sis for me," said Squall, "and my regards to Ward and President Loire."

Kiros flashed a smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes, "of course. Esthar out."

Squall turned off the link, and leaned back in his chair again. He turned to look at the various oddments in the room...mementos of his exploits. Even for such a short while, he had quite a few things. And strange as well. How many people had bits of dragon and phoenix mounted on their wall?

The unpainted bulkheads colored the room a cool, soothing, metallic blue, for which Squall was glad. He felt a migraine coming on. He glanced at the door to the side of his desk, seriously considering taking a shower, but he didn't have time. He glanced at the sheaf of papers on his desk, awaiting his approval or denial, and sniffed.

Squall swiveled around to face the window, taking in the sun's light on his face, "Hyne, I need a vacation. How can people deal with this stuff voluntarily?"

"No one's forcing your hand Squall," came a voice from behind.

He swiveled around, and nodded to a grinning Quistis, hands behind her back, "doesn't anyone ever knock?"

Her lips twitched, "what would be the fun in that?"

Squall shook his head, "paperwork and politics will be the death of me."

"I doubt it," smiled Quistis, "that's what you have the rest of us for, of course, you could always leave."

"No," Squall shook his head, "I can't, SeeD is my family. I have to give it my best."

She nodded back, "which is why everyone loves you Squall."

He groaned again, "that reminds me, start a more careful training process for the gunblade users. We've had another accident today."

Quistis pursed her lips, "well, the cadets do adore you."

"That doesn't mean they should risk cutting off their appendages trying to be like me," he answered, "and put a rank limit on people going to fight in the Training Room alone."

She nodded calmly, "at any rate, you told me to notify you when the performance would begin."

Squall's eyes widened, "damn it! I knew there was something I was forgetting. I'll have to stop by Balamb and get her-"

"Way ahead of you," Quistis presented a bouquet of roses from behind her back, "no need to thank me, I took it from your account."

Squall rose to his feet, pulling on his jacket and strapping his weapon, "thanks Quistis, don't know what I do without you."

She returned a faltering smile, "anytime."

"So, shall we go?"

Quistis rubbed her chin, "hmm...are you wearing your normal clothes?"

He blinked, "sure, why not? It is a club, isn't it?"

"Squall, it IS a club, loosen up. I don't know, maybe a tropical beach shirt?"

He raised his eyebrow, "you have got to be kidding."

"I didn't seriously mean that, but...something..."

"I'm fine Quistis," answered Squall, "between you four always ganging up on me..."

Quistis brought her hand to her hips, "oh, really, and who are we four?"

Squall counted off on his hand, "you, Rinoa, sis, and Xu. I can name some more, but I think I already covered the major ones."

She threw her arms in the air, "oh very well Squall, let's go."

They exited the office, walking down the hallway.

"You are incorrigible."

He smirked, "I thought that was part of my charm."

Quistis turned back seriously, "you know Squall, being with 'us four' has done wonders for you."

"Ha-ha," he returned unenthusiastically, "we can get one of the cars from the garage."

Author's Note: Originally, chapters 12-16 were all together. I cut them apart later, and I promise an action sequence in the next chapter (even though it isn't TOO slam-bang, just a prologue for a later battle). At any rate, I am finally posting up again, it's been nearly 2 years since my last one. But the months haven't been spent idly. I have at least 10 more chapters ready to go. So currently I am writing chapter 36 or something…can't remember. Anyhoo, hope I still have my readers, drop me a line sometime, later everyone!