Orion's Belt
Like so many nights before, Squall laid on his bed, alone. The moon's light shone through his window and carefully selected just the rights spots to illuminate in order to create that quiet mood that Squall has grown to love. Since the defeat of the sorceress, Squall has been able to rest and the moon was the only companion at night for him.
Squall turned on his side and gripped his old plush teddy bear. He could smell that old, distinctive teddy bear smell that only time has been able to fashion right. This was what "Sis" gave to him in the orphanage long ago. His link to the past and his guiding hand to the future, that teddy bear meant a lot to Squall.
It was a cool and breezy night tonight. Squall lazily kicked away his covers to reveal his lightly tanned, mostly pale skin underneath. The handsome brunette was restless this evening and could not fall to sleep. Too many things were on his mind, too much stuff to untangle, mentally.
Squall got up and walked to the window. The gentle breeze caressed his face and left just as quickly as it came. He inhaled deep and could smell the coming autumn. Soon, the lush green leaves that were on the ancient trees would go away and the whole world would seem to be engulfed in flames, replaced by the reds and oranges, and yellows of the autumn leaves.
Looking up, Squall tried to find an acquaintance in the stars tonight. There, he spotted the bear, Leo the lion, and Squall's favorite, Orion the hunter. Orion shone especially bright tonight, as if to tell Squall something. Squall greatly admired the hunter because he stood up high in the heavens with his bow always ready to attack. Never resting. Squall gripped his ring, The Griever, tightly and said to himself, "No matter where in life you are, the only one you can trust is yourself."
The trees rustled seeming to discuss what he had said to themselves. Hushed voices and muffled giggles. They seemed to agree and disagree with themselves, and him.
It was obvious that he was not going to get any sleep tonight. There was no use going back to bed.
Squall decided to go to Balamb and visit the local bar. It was a short walk from where the Garden is now stationed, in its original spot before it gained locomotive ability. Squall changed into his usual attire, mostly black.
The Garden looked quite different at night. The hallways were light dimly with scattered lights too far apart. The special hallways that opened up to the sky above were especially beautiful. During the day, these passages were filled with young cadets and trainees that are striving to be something better. At night, these passages were empty, devoid of all their warmth, but possessing a different kind of beauty. The beauty of silence.
Squall decided to walk the distance. It would be good exercise, he thought.
As he emerged from the Garden, just a short walk out, Squall noticed a interesting battle take place in the mountains above the Garden. Just about where Squall and Seifer fought at that very famous duel that earned Squall and Seifer their respected scars. Squall walked slowly up to the arena to invistigate.