Autumn's Wish
By MoonShadow Angel
Chapter Two: Centerstage
:Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII or any of Squaresoft/ Square-Enix's characters.
The buzzer rang.
"Good job, Leonhart!" Coach to the Esthar Warlords, Cid Highwind, called over the microphone. He was viewing the team from the 'Core Capsule', satisfied on how their tiny experiment on the Sphere Shot came to be. Hoisting his head up, he smirked at the statistical monitor, which flashed positive progress reports about the team and especially the midfielder, "Well done, boys! We're doing it again on three!"
"Yes, Coach!" the boys chorused through the speaker, swimming towards their respective positions. The Coach pressed the 'OFF' button to turn the buzzer close, circling back to the microphone with a couple of reminders.
"Kinneas, support Leonhart with your height! Salvati, be aware that a rebound is always possible!"
"Roger, Sir!" the left defender and the right fielder answered.
"Now then," Cid switched the main feeder to reset, pressing his earpiece closer, "on three! One…two…three!"
The blue-white ball blasted from its shoot, Squall catching it with ease. Swimming, he saw two players closing in, darting pass them after making a fake with Irvine's help.
"Great defense, Timberspike! Salvati, on your toes!"
Now yards before the baseline, Nida was fully guarded; Squall narrowed his eyes as the possibility of a rebound was reduced. Marginally looking at his left, Irvine was also taking a bit of an 'en route' before reaching his spot. The midfielder was left with no other choice but to hit the goal by himself.
"Here it goes…" he muttered, releasing the ball upwards. He mentally took a deep breath before performing a Double Sphere Shot, which was kicking the ball mildly at first then kicking it once more, but fully, for a stronger ball bearing. According to the Coach's theory, the twofold intensity inflicted to the ball would make it harder to stop, thus, solving their problem about U.Z.'s super goalie. Having a high average on SH and SP, Squall was chosen to try it out; he'll be the one mostly using it anyway.
"Devonbayer! Try catching it with all you've got!" Cid instructed the goalkeeper, watching Squall spin and kick the ball twice. The midfielder succeeded in executing the technique perfectly; it's all up to the goalie to decide now.
Devonbayer locked eyes with the ball, cracking his fingers as seconds flashed like electricity on fire. The ball was shooting from his left, so the goalie jumped sideward towards that direction to have a greater chance of catching the ball. He did catch the ball with both hands, but it slipped pass, hitting the goal behind him instead.
"TEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!" the revolving red light screamed.
"Alright!" Squall heard Irvine screech through his mouthpiece, followed by identical approvals coming from the rest of the team. From his position near the goal, Squall can even hear the Coach's praise, who seemed to be very pleased about his shot. Everyone seemed to be rejoicing now; finally, they're one step closer to the Collegiate Crown…
…except…
"THAT was awesome, MAN!" Irvine made rocking movements with his hips, splattering water all over the place as the Warlords headed for the shower rooms, "You literally hit the spot, Primo! You're the MAN!"
Squall forced an appreciative grin as Nida and the other guys gave their own encouraging pats and thumbs-ups; they were so excited that no one saw the grin stop right, even before reaching his eyes.
"That was so cool!" the boys were still talking about it even after shower, and while changing into their dry jerseys, "We're surely gonna have one hell of a funky time during the Regionals! Can't hardly wait!"
"Yeah!" Nida agreed, drying his brown hair with a towel. He turned his head down to Squall, who was sitting down beside him, quietly tying his shoe lace, "Timberspike, we're gonna be counting on 'ya!"
Squall slowly looked up; his face suddenly switching into a smile, "Hmm…"
"You certainly are very silent for a guy who just made that incredible technique!" Nida shook his head in disbelief, leaning back on the lockers with nothing but a towel on, "But as the saying goes, 'Chicks dig it—'"
"So, you be it!" the rest of the crew interrupted in a chant, hollering loudly afterwards. Now was Squall's turn to shake his head, raking his hair with his fingers before lifting the sportsbag behind him.
"Later guys." Squall nodded at everyone's goodbyes, stopping only when Zell Dincht came to view. The rookie came in the shower room, seeming like in a rush.
"Hey, Squall!" he looked so relieved, just in time before the star player leaves, "The Coach wants to talk to you. He's still in the Core Capsule shutting off the machines and draining the sphere. You'd still be able to catch him there. I take it from him that your SP increased in average again! How'd you do that!"
"Damn Dincht! Haven't you seen him being chased by girls all around the city?" a teammate joked, receiving the support of everyone else. "Get a clue, Dawg!"
Zell, himself, laughed together with the others, watching Squall go. It may seem to be rude to take off, just like that, but the Warlords have been used to that kind of disposition coming from the silent midfielder. "Actually, his SH also went up…" he trailed off meaningfully, topped with a devilish smile; the boys burst into deeper and more insane laughter.
"Devonbayer still caught it…" Squall mulled it over by himself, not pleased with his 'DSS' (Double Sphere Shot) while he walked down the hallway, "I have to work on that. I can still speed up my second kick by a couple more seconds…"
Looking at his watch, Squall sighed, "An hour and a half before the public Blitz Pool closes…I hope the Coach makes this quick…Whatever he wants to talk about…"
Coach Highwind was turning the lock around when Squall reached the Core Capsule. The room was one of the few created all across the globe, by Odin Corp. of course, which can be afforded by modern cities like Esthar, Zanarkand and Luca alone. Cid pressed a few keys to activate electronic security lock—confidential information was also stored behind that door, you know!
"Oh, there you are, Squall! Very impressive performance back there, as expected from you!" Cid wore the necklace which held his whistle and keys; their tingle echoing softly in the secluded hallway, "You're right on track for the Regionals. The University is already proud of you."
Squall thanked him in his own way. You know what I mean: (…..thank you).
"By the way, Squall," Cid fished his pocket for a box of cigarette, just how he'd usually do, "You must be wondering why I called for you. I guess praising your DSS wouldn't suffice as a reason…"
"Well?" Squall stealthily glanced at his watch while he thought. Five-ten…
"Truth is, I wanna talk to you about Almasy." Cid lighted his cigarette, sucking it for a moment, "That boy…he has the makings of a great player. SP and SH-wise, he's an equal to you—a year ago. I can't believe what a year can do to change him….I'm sure you're also aware of that, Sonny."
Squall was confused. What does this had to do with him?
"The boy told me that he's applying for the Tutoring Program provided by the Central Board for the rest of the Fall. I'm very disappointed at him, throwing away all his talents for the sake of 'experiencing college life'. He even failed to show up in a lot of our practices…having worn out from partying all night the previous nights…" Cid sighed with disappointment, white smoke coming out from his nostrils, "That boy was really a waste; I can't believe that he's really going away."
Squall was starting to become irritated. No, this was such a waste of time. Why does he have to go through this at all? Seifer was not his brother, nor his friend, nor anything in close relations with him which can make him a favorable candidate for this sort of talk!
However, apparently the Coach would be pointing out his real motive for talking like this any minute now; so Squall opted to wait than explode unabashedly
"Nonetheless, I can say that at some point I'm proud of that boy…" Cid continued, contrary to what Squall had hoped for, "In the end, he realized his mistakes before it was all too late. He was strong enough to try rising from his downgraded level and reach for the highs…Probably, what happened to him was Hyne's way of showing what he was really meant for…what his real goal in life is…"
Cid chuckled, "Damn! Good for him to have found the right path!" He finally turned to Squall, "Good for him, huh?"
"Coach," Squall grumbled, trying his best not to fire up when he's about to, "I'm really trying my best to see where you're getting at, but if Seifer's all we're going to talk about, then I think I want to leave now."
Cid's eyebrows snap together, "You really hate the guy, huh?"
What's it with you? Squall's mind screamed, which gave the mouth ample time to control itself, "I just don't get along with him, COACH."
To Squall's great annoyance, the old macho-geezer gave a smirk, "You know Leonhart? Maybe you should try being 'Seifer' for sometime. You might actually like it."
"WHAT THE—no way." the mouth refused to be manipulated by the brain…for a moment, "Sir, I'm leaving now."
"Really, Squall!" Cid advised, flicking his cigarette a bit, "I'm not saying that you should start flunking your grades and not appearing during practices…" He gave Squall an overall look; a quick scan from head to foot, "You should go 'loco' once in a while."
"Thank you, Sir, but no thank you." Squall has had it; NO MORE. If he'd continue listening to anymore of these eccentricities, he'd really go 'loco'—as how he'd put it.
Turning back, Squall couldn't comprehend whatever Coach Highwind had in mind, or what intentions he was getting at. This sudden 'talk about Seifer' had no meaning in it, so therefore, it was of no help to him, to Blitzball or to anything that mattered, so why listen?
Squall didn't notice that he was already in the far end of the hallway when Cid shouted something before they completely parted…the thought staying in his mind…
"There's more to Blitzball, Kid. Think about it. There's more to the GAME itself…"
"I'm sorry, Rin…" Selphie sniffed, her green eyes brimming with tears, her upper lip chewing on her lower lip, "I'm really sorry that it has to come out in the very last minute…"
Then again, Selphie wailed. Rinoa looked up to Quistis for help. She wouldn't be a hypocrite and say that everything's fine when Selphie, her audition buddy, had finally admitted that she has stage fright, and therefore couldn't join the auditions with her. Remember that Professor Kramer specified the dire need for a partner during the try-outs, which, clearly, Rinoa didn't have any more. She had everything ready except for that, which makes it so frustrating!
Sitting on her legs, Rinoa tried giving Selphie a smile; she's still her friend, audition buddy or not.
"I wish I could have told you earlier, Rin! But you looked so happy I thought I could do it…" Selphie's frown deepened, sitting on her legs just as the same way as Rinoa was. She looked at her hands; they blurred, "But I was wrong! I'm so sorry, Rin!"
"Don't blame yourself too hard, Sefie, don't worry." Rinoa gulped as soon as she finished her sentence. Looking around the crowded hallway outside the auditorium, Rinoa wished for a sign, a miracle…ANYTHING. Why must this happen now? Why not yesterday or this morning or an hour before…but not ten minutes after FIVE!
"I'll think about something…" she desperately bit her lip.
"But you can't possibly find a partner now!" Selphie cried, visually following a couple of people passing by, and worse, all of them walking in pairs, "Look at everyone! Just look at how they walk in twos!"
Rinoa gave her surroundings a look; her face immediately falling. She was damn right.
"Wait a minute, let's not get hopeless now!" Crossing her arms, turning to Einsteinette mode, Quistis queried, "Professor Kramer did say that having a partner is required…and if so, anyone who wouldn't have a partner must wait for role openings…what's so bad about that?"
Rinoa froze, a small smile slowly tugging the corners of her lips.
"Oh c'mon, Quistis! You do know that with Rinoa's level, she can't just be happy with 'the girl with the bucket's' role or—" Selphie suddenly slurred for Rinoa attacked her with a humongous bear hug, shaking her just as frighteningly.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Rinoa squealed, squeezing Selphie as if she was a plushie. The brunette had a clueless look on her face. "Now I get the stage for myself! The whole stage! Thank you so much, Sefie!"
"Uh…Thank you?" Selphie stuttered uncertainly, "Uh, I mean, you're welcome?" She gave Quistis a doubtful stare, "Should I be happy with that?"
Just as expected from Old Man Kramer, the auditions started twenty minutes after five. Although tardy, the try-outs became a little bit more elaborate; much more like a little 'school program' with all the music effects, emcees and all that. Worse, much, much worse, Professor Kramer had the stage decorated, and fully lighted as if an actual play was about to be held.
"Good Evening, everyone! I'm sure that all of you are as excited as I am!" Cid waved both of his arms in the air as if he was a politician running for office. Music was cued. He took his spot on the stage. "But before I officially start our auditions for tonight, let me just give all of you a short overview of how exactly the try-outs is going be!" He reached for his clipboard, raising it up to show it to the audience, "This is the list of names, in no particular order, of all the hopefuls who were brave enough to fight their inner inhibitions for the sake of the theatre! I'll be calling them by pairs, as how it was written here, and each duo would be given a maximum time of five minutes to go up on stage and show what they got!"
"Any sort of music is allowed. Choreography is a plus. Other ostentatious mumbo-jumbos would be tolerated unless unnecessary…" Cid slammed his clipboard on the podium; the thrill of discovering new talents getting the best of him. This was history in the making! "SO NOW, without further ado…LET THE AUDITIONS BEGIN!"
The audience applauded. Cid couldn't be happier that he was almost suspicious.
"PAIR NUMBER ONE!" He exclaimed over the microphone. Scanning the audience, he, then again, did his famous 'dramatic pause', which effectively made a few grow nervous because of the suspense. Cid flashed a bigger smile as he once again looked down on his clipboard, very curious on how the first performers would do.
"C'mon up to the stage, Rinoa Heartilly and Selphie Tilmitt!"
"WHAT!" Selphie couldn't believe it, her mouth dropping all the way down that her throat showed. "THAT is not fair!" She turned to Rinoa, positive that her friend would agree with her; they didn't even have time to reorganize! "That's favoritism!"
But Rinoa just winked, thinking otherwise. She looked, rather, prepared for somebody who just found out that she's performing alone! "Sometimes Selph, saving things for last isn't always the best." She even gave Quistis a thumbs-up sign, sticking her tongue adorably, "I'd break a leg!"
"And your neck and your nose too!" Quistis wished her friend luck, patting Selphie's back. The brunette frowned, apprehensive that Rinoa might have lost her mind.
"I know you're still worried about letting her go alone, but if I were you, don't be." Quistis rested her back, observing as people inside the auditorium came to notice that Rinoa was going to audition by herself. Many were confused; a few, skeptical. Their reactions made Quistis grin proudly, like how a knowing person would. "Just look at her…she's ecstatic!"
Selphie knew that she was right. Examining Rinoa closely, she can be compared to a little bouncy girl skipping merrily in the grass fields. Rinoa loved the spotlight, and the admiration that this career brought. A tiny incident like not having an audition buddy was not gonna break her…what was that compared to having all the lead roles back in high school? Although, Selphie still felt bad. She felt like deserting her friend in the brink of falling off a cliff. Pouting, Selphie sighed.
"Just enjoy the show, Sefie. Rinoa would love that." Quistis leaned her head on top of Selphie's, hoping to console her, "But be ready for later…You know how Rinoa is after performing."
The two best friends rubbed their tummies simultaneously, sharing a silent laugh.
Be like Seifer? What is he? Senile!
Storming down the stairs, Squall clutched his sports bag close, fuming. He just can't help but be annoyed. Yes, he would admit that he hated the comparison, but what blew him off the most was the thought of Seifer being better than him, when all that he did was to whine, argue and throw tantrums during practices. Don't get him wrong; Squall was confident about his own abilities; it's just that…the way that the Coach has said it…
Nonetheless, I can say that at some point I'm proud of that boy…
Good for him to have found the right path…
…they sounded as if, Blitzball was not important. As if Blitzball was only a catalyst for this transition which can help you achieve a higher level in life. That is something that Squall couldn't take—he couldn't understand. And what the Coach said last, was just as puzzling…
There's more to Blitzball, Kid. There's more to the GAME itself…What's that suppose to mean?
Ever since he was young, Squall was already fond of Blitzball. All of the little leagues, the junior leagues, the inter-highs; he was an active participant. He felt so good when he's in the sphere—swimming freely, the competition and THE cheers. Squall would feel so contented during those moments, like nothing can stop him from ever feeling happy. So then he would play his best, and in the end, receive his prize. For many years the cycle revolved; Squall always went home happy. The next day, he would practice—thus the cycle continues. It's been always like that…always the same chilly and chlorinated water…
Suddenly, Squall froze. Is that how his life would go on…forever? Would Blitzball be the core of his existence? Squall was afraid to find out, because he didn't want the answer. YES. He doesn't want it that way. He didn't want an entire life of submerging into short-lived happiness. Blitzball, in truth, was a substitution for all the things he lacked in life…because he was too afraid to try something new…to risk being hurt…
Somewhere…the piano began playing…
"The theatre…?" Squall asked himself, searching all fours for a reason for him to end up this way. He began to stroll, the whimsical play of the piano mild but clear, soothing to the ears.
When the going starts to get rough…and you feel like you've had enough, let the music…take control of your soul…
Squall turned back, locating an opened door in the vast hallway. There was something familiar with that voice; the intonation, perhaps. Whatever it is, Squall was drawn to it.
He just stared at the first thing he saw…
"Take a chance and do what you feel…" Rinoa reached out her arms, opening her palms expressively, as if singing a heart-wrenching song, "You're a force…they cannot leave without it…"
You gotta break the chain…
(Yeah, yeah…) She raised her arms up in surrender, her eyes gleaming with playfulness.
All of a sudden, the sweet symphony evolved into a catchy beat, slowly arousing the senses for a faster pace.
There's a passion inside…An inner strength that drives…Can nobody take that away from you…
Rinoa spun, her arms doing all the wonders as she sang just as fast. Everyone thought that that was all she had as choreography, until she stopped abruptly, glaring at the audience gravely and mysteriously.
"It's the greatest high…" She gradually closed her eyes, standing up straight, "You set the floor on fire…"
The anxiety of the audience died together with Rinoa's energy…
"…when you come alive!" her eyes snapped back, grinning mischievously as her body came to life, surprising the audience with the sudden change of mood. A couple of heads started rocking with the tune; Rinoa took note of this and did her best to perform simple street dancing.
And we're dancing…And it feels alright…I can't control my desire!
The audience applauded, cheering as the raven-haired girl blended graceful ballet in her arms and hip-hop on her legs.
And we're dancing…And it feels alright… (Yeah)
She smiled, unearthing the Professor's location amidst the growing liveliness that never failed to make her dizzy with bliss. The Theatre Master was pale.
And we're dancing…And it feels alright…Can't hold me down, gotta reach for the sky!
And we're dancing…And it feels alright… (Yeah)
Rinoa leaned back a little, raising a finger to emphasize something very important, "Some people don't know the love you possess…they pretend that they don't understand—it's natural…"
She extended her arm; her open palm implying that she pertained to the whole assembly.
You're in a world of your own! (Ohhhh..oh)
There's a passion inside…an inner strength that drives…Can nobody take that away from you! It's the greatest high…you set the floor on fire…When you come alive!
And there she went on again, dancing. Squall watched as her suave movements took over the auditorium's interest: there were those who were clapping with the rhythm; others, trying to dance like her in their seats. Somehow, he felt proud of her…she was just infectious!
And we're dancing…and it feels alright…
I can't control my desire! She crossed her arms above her chest, loving the feeling.
She was now shaking her waist, twirling her arm over her head as she repeated her impromptu dance steps.
"And we're dancing…And it feels alright…Yeah…Yeah…Yeah!" Rinoa turned to Selphie's direction, inviting her best friend to dance with her, "SELPHIE! Dance with me!"
"Huh?" and the next thing she knew, Quistis had bolstered her up to her feet. Selphie was still having a little problem in grasping what was really happening when she started to see people smiling at her direction, really expecting her to dance!
"C'mon, Sefie! You're not on stage!" Rinoa encouraged with a big smile. Thinking that her friend might still be a bit bashful by being in the hot seat, she then decided to sway everyone into dancing, "C'mon now, everyone! Let's help Selphie fight her stage fright!"
Push it to the max…Feel the room fall on your feet…
Incredulously, one by one, the speculators fell for Rinoa's request; standing on their feet making up their own moves, trying their best to enjoy this weird, yet, refreshing experience.
Don't you dare hold back…
Squall saw Rinoa happily led the steps, somehow even trying to teach the whole assembly how to do her moves.
Cuz' it feels so good inside!
"Rin!" Selphie screamed, finally getting hold of her confidence. She doesn't have any idea what made Rinoa decide to trap her this way, but whatever it is, Selphie was grateful. "Let's do it!"
Rinoa gave a thumps-up as a reply. And then it started. Seeing that Selphie was up, the crowd cleared an aisle into where Selphie can dance with Rinoa on stage. The two girls were in tempo right away, not wasting any time to display what they would have been doing if Selphie was only up the stage from the start. The crowd roared; their movements were impressively interconnected and in sync. Even Selphie herself had a hard time believing how her body was reacting.
"There's a passion inside…an inner strength that drives…Can nobody take that away from you…" Rinoa opened her arms, persuading the chaos to sing with a gentle smile.
"It's the greatest high…" the assembly chanted, "You set the floor on fire!"
"When you come alive!" Selphie astonished the crowd, adding the verse alone. She nervously laughed, covering her mouth as Quistis placed a congratulating arm around her shoulder—she did it!
And we're dancing…(Yeah!)…and it feels alright…(feels alright…)…I can't control my desire!
And we're dancing….and it feels alright…yeah…
Rinoa admired the festivities in front of her. This is what performing is all about…
And we're dancing…(yeah)..and it feels alright…(feels alright…)…Can't hold me down gotta reach for the sky!
She crossed her arms above her chest, savoring the precious sensation of combined smiles, laughter and unwavering energy…
And we're dancing…yeah…yeah…yeah!
I can live like this forever…
And we're dancing!
A/N: I know! I know! Everyone just wants to hit me with a mallet right now! But first things first…
:DISCLAIMER: The song used above is entitled 'We're Dancing' by PYT for the movie 'Centerstage'. It's not mine, and if ever I did revise it somehow, I'm terribly sorry—I can be careless at times!
Anyway, I also want to apologize to all those people who've read my previous installment. I felt that it was really cut off short, and the loopholes…geez! Gives me the shivers! You would not believe the frustration I had! I know I didn't follow proper etiquette by just revising the chapter without notice, so please, forgive me!
Thank you so much to Lady-Rinoa14 for ever being so kind to me. I really find your reviews sweet and touching; I hope this made you feel better. Also, thank you to all those people who have taken their time to remark my progress—I really, really appreciate it!
Please R&R!
Tootles,
Moonshadow Angel