Disclaimer- I am but a lowly fan who enjoys amusing herself and others with the subject of her fanfiction. If I honestly owned Final Fantasy VIII I wouldn't be fretting about being in-between jobs.

Author's Notes- You're still reading? YAY! Thanks to a few website updates I can no longer use some of my more traditional expressions to separate scenes and situations. I do still use '...' to signify thoughts and "..." to signify spoken words. Don't get these confused...or things may get confusing.

Verdiani- Thank you, thank you.

Sulou- Thanks! Hey, I was a die hard Seiftis until I remembered poor Nida...

Aratcorien- I have fun picking at the treppies...I even hint to Irvine accumulating his own little following in Leather-bound. ;) Glad you liked the phone call. I had to find some way of giving Nida a way to express himself in a healthy/normal fashion. The end...was fun...it took a while to write it...I couldn't find the right words...

Crescent Pearl- Never fear for I have updated! This is a bit of a transition chapter...you'll like the next one. ;)

S ans blah- Yes he did. (Laughs) Glad you like it.

Element6- Glad you liked the last scene. Haha. I figured a few people may appreciate it. I slacked off a bit...but at least I'm still updating...right?

MadHattess- I finally updated this fic! Yay! Glad you liked the bit of embarrassment as well. :)

Ami

The evening sun hanged low over the Dolletian skyline. From the Quad, all that was distinguishable of the city was its dark silhouette against the brilliantly orange sky. Around him, all the members of the Garden Festival Committee rushed and scurried about in an attempt to finish last minute projects. He stared out at the city mournfully. When Selphie had first informed him that the festival was being held in Dollet he'd been less than thrilled. Now he was beginning to wish he'd never agreed to become involved.

"Nida! Hey Nida!" He turned at the sound of Selphie's voice. "Hey," She paused to catch her breath and then looked at the unfinished banner spread out beside them. "Is everything alright?"

He looked down at the half-painted project and then up at her. "Yeah, don't worry about it. I'll have this thing ready to hang before midnight."

The smile on Selphie's face grew wider. "That's great. After that all we'll have to do is set up the booths...but I was asking if you were alright."

"Oh," He laughed, slightly embarrassed. "I'm okay."

"You sure?" From back there you looked sad." He gazed out towards the coastline.

"Nah, I was just looking out at the scenery."

"Oh," Selphie said as she watched some of the committee members around them. "Well okay." She paused. "I've set aside room for your booth..."

"You think I should really have one?" He asked.

"Oh come on! I'm sure you have something you could sell."

"Think so?"

"Heck yeah!" She assured him. "Shoot, you could probably sell sketches...surely you have sketches." He smiled faintly. "There you go!" She grinned as she slapped his arm lightly. "I was kinda wondering if you were planning on staying for the whole festival too."

He shook his head. 'Let Quistis see me at such a high profile ball with the clothes I have? That's a joke. And considering what all's happened these last few days? Eighteen years of work, washed completely down the drain. I'd rather sit home and sulk about it.'

"Oh come on! You're always the skeptic! It'll be fun!" She protested.

He shook his head again.

"You're going!"

A shy smile crossed his face. "Selphie...I don't have anyone to go to a ball with...and besides, I can't dance."

"Excuses excuses," She teased as she put her hands on her hips. "If my Irvy cut a rug you surely can."

Nida looked away, hiding his reddening face. "No...no I don't think so."

"And as far as you not having a date...let me handle that one for you." He paled at her words and spun around hastily.

'Oh please no,' He begged silently.

"Oh come on!" She bit her bottom lip to try and contain her excitement. "Don't you worry about a thing! Just get this banner finished and have your booth set up by eight tomorrow morning."

"I can't go Selphie," He protested.

Her face fell.

"I'm sorry but I can't."

"Oh, okay then," she directed her attention down to the smudge on the floor that she rubbed at with the toe of her boot. "I won't bug you anymore."

Feeling guilty he looked around to see if anyone else was around. "I can't Selphie. Even if I wanted to, the ball's being held at Summit Hall. That's a really classy place. I don't have the proper attire."

She looked up at him quickly. "Is that it?"

He nodded slowly. 'I just nodded! That means I have to go now....great, Quistis is going to be there! I can't face her!' His mind screamed.

She grinned broadly. "I can fix you up if you want. And don't worry, I promise you'll look great!"

He looked around nervously and then nodded with a smile. "I'd appreciate that," He responded.

"Glad to help!" She exclaimed as he knelt down next to his banner and picked up a brush. He waited until she'd occupied herself with another committee member before he looked at the darkening silhouette on the coastline. Letting the light wind blow through his hair, he closed his eyes and sighed.

He awoke the next morning, well before sunrise. Not bothering with a shower, he pulled his t-shirt and running shoes on to accompany his swimming trunks. Balamb Garden was eerily quiet this early. Only a handful of posted guards were to be seen as he made his way down the main hall and out the main exit.

The early morning ocean breeze greeted him as he stepped onto the dock built up to Garden's entrance. The wood beneath his feet creaked with every step he took. The world seemed so silent around him. Up ahead, he could see a few sea shell hunters scouring the beach. A cool gust of wind sent shivers across his body as he looked down at the dark water below. He took in a deep breath and pulled his shirt off. His once covered skin broke out in goose bumps as he pulled his shoes off as well. Leaving the articles of clothing in the middle of the dock, he stepped up to the edge. The hardened wood felt oddly comforting under his bare feet. He stood, at the midway point between Balamb Garden's floating form and the beach for only a moment. Then, he took a deep breath and plunged into the water below.

The cool water sent jolts through his body with every wave that lifted him and crashed down over him. The muscles in his arms and legs seemed to grow stronger and more energized as he swam farther. They began to burn slightly as he continued swimming. It felt rewarding to be doing something so physically challenging. His lungs throbbed from the cold, salty air he was gulping every time the bay waves gave him a chance. He was alone in the dark water. He stopped swimming and looked around. The sun was beginning to light the horizon gold and it laced the tips of distant waves. His view of the sunrise was blocked by the mammoth shape of Garden some seventy feet away. He stared at its enormous silhouette and then began swimming for it. Small waves, triggered by the Garden's slight bobbing in the water, pummeled him as he neared it. One wave knocked him under. He resurfaced quickly, coughing and spitting the harsh salty water. Now an arms-distance away, he reached out and touched it with his palm. He watched the watery trails his fingers left on the hull as the garden rose once again and then fell. Another wave. He was pushed back a few feet and again went under. With a grin he resurfaced. 'This is so cool,' He thought to himself as he approached Balamb Garden yet again and placed his hand on its hull. "Magnificent," He said in awe as he leaned his head back and looked up at the lightening sky illuminating the military facility. Another wave pushed him back. Deciding it was best to get started on the morning's work, he swam alongside the dock until he found the ladder mounted a quarter of the way towards the shore. Testing it to make sure it wasn't going to come loose, he began climbing upwards. The cool breeze sent shivers along his wet body as he gripped the metal ladder.

"Nida?"

He jumped at the voice, nearly falling from the ladder.

"Sorry," Xu reached for him, thinking he wasn't going to catch himself.

"Its okay," He laughed as he pulled himself up on the dock and shook the water from his hair. He shivered involuntarily as she retracted her hand. He habitually crossed his arms tightly across his chest to cover up anything not hidden by the darkness of Garden's shadow.

"Water cold?"

"More like the wind," He answered as he looked out at the water.

"Ah," Xu followed his gaze back towards Balamb Garden. "What were you doing over there?"

"Ever stare up at the enormous size of Garden?"

"Not from the water."

"Its amazing."

She raised a skeptical eyebrow.

He rolled his eyes. "Say what you want, you only look at things from common angles."

"Oh! He just told you," Quistis said under her breath. Nida turned quickly and realized for the first time that Xu wasn't alone. Partially hidden behind her friend, Quistis avoided making eye contact with him. He jumped up and found his feet quickly. Xu raised an eyebrow as he looked nervously to the ground.

"S-So um, what're you doing up and about so early?" He scratched the back of his neck nervously and then crossed his arms again.

"Breakfast and coffee," Xu answered as she turned from him to Quistis. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," Quistis answered at the same time as Nida. Xu crossed her arms and glanced suspiciously at both of them.

"What are you guys hiding? I will find out," She looked Nida over and then turned her attention to Quistis.

"Nida! Nida!" A young girl's voice broke the awkwardness that was beginning to get suffocating.

"Ami?" He asked as he turned to face her.

"Hey come on! We have sooo much work to do!" She said as she pulled at his arm. He eagerly followed her, thankful for the intervention. She knelt down and quickly scooped up his shoes and shirt and thrust them up in his arms. Thankful she'd released his arm, he quickly draped his shirt over his left wrist and hand and tucked his shoes in the crook of his right elbow.

"You saved me," He laughed as he followed her across the sand and up the metal staircase that led to the city.

"Yeah I know. You looked so distressed," She teased. "You owe me." She grinned. "Sorry I couldn't have come sooner. I had to wait for Sarah to leave," She apologized.

"No problem," He answered as he pulled on his shoes and shirt. "Amira..." He stopped walking. She turned to face him.

"What?" She asked, raven hair falling into her eyes.

"Sarah doesn't know I'm here does she," He frowned.

"As if she'd let us hang out," Amira rolled her eyes. "Of course not." Nida shook his head as he stared at her. "Come on! She only stays out for morning coffee for half an hour. We have to get in and get out."

Three blocks and two houses to the east...

"So am I essentially breaking and entering my own house?" He asked from his perch along the first story overhang.

"Depends on how you look at it I guess," Amira joked as she carefully climbed up after him.

"Don't you fall."

"I won't...geez you're a worry wart big brother."

"Hey," He pointed a finger at her. "You're not exactly the most cautious person I know."

She sighed. "Hey I didn't mean to lock the house key in the house okay."

"Yeah I know," He answered as he stepped up on the window sill and reached for the roof's edge. "If I get up here without falling and breaking my neck, I know I can get the attic window open."

"Cool! We're climbing through the attic!" She grinned.

"No," He said sternly. "I'm climbing through the attic. You're waiting here."

She frowned.

"Don't," He warned.

She plopped down on the overhang in which she had been standing and crossed her arms defiantly. "You better hurry," She said. "Sarah's been gone twenty minutes."

"Great," He groaned as he got both elbows on the roof top above his head and pulled his body up. Kicking his right leg up, he got most of his body on the second story roof and then rolled over onto his back. He took a deep breath as he stared up at the brightening sky. "I'm up," He announced as he examined the window in the small tower that protruded from the second story. He pushed on the corners of it and watched as the whole window opened about an inch. "The lock's coming out of the wood," He shouted down to her as he stuck his finger in-between the window and the wall and flipped the hook upwards. The window fell open.

"Hurry!" She shouted.

"I am," He grunted as he slid in the window and dropped down onto the attic floor. Stumbling through the darkness, he came to the middle of the room where the doorway was supposed to be and put his weight on it. The door, fitted with a fold away ladder, fell open, dumping him into the second story hallway with a thud. He winced as the springs caused the door to slam shut overhead. Quickly finding his feet, he rushed into Amira's bedroom and unlocked the window.

"Took you long enough," She complained as she practically fell inside and quickly pushed herself up off the floor. "Sarah will be here any minute!" He followed her downstairs and then into the basement. "I hid all your art stuff once I realized she was gettin' rid of most of what was yours. I put em in these two suitcases." He followed her gaze to two tattered looking green suitcases. She handed one to him and was reaching for the other when they heard the door upstairs creak open.

"She's here," Amira whispered.

"Let's get out of here," He said urgently as he looked for another way out.

"The window," She said as she climbed up on a chair and pushed her suitcase out a small window. He handed her the second suitcase so she could do the same with it and then lifted her up so she could climb out as well.

Holding the window open on the outside, she waited tensely as he squeezed through the small opening. He looked around at the mud they now sat in.

"It's rained here recently hasn't it," He frowned.

"Yup," She grinned. "You're filthy."

"You're one to talk," He joked as he wiped his muddy palm on her cheek.

She laughed as she tried to do the same to him. He ducked out of the way.

"Come on, we can clean up back in my dorm room," He said under his breath as he crawled alongside the house, just under the kitchen window, and then hurried across the street. She grinned mischievously as she followed suite and then handed her suitcase to him.

"This is sooo cool. We were like spies, infiltrating an enemy camp!" She laughed. He laughed too as he broke into a run.