After the girls had left to go shopping, the boys weren't quite sure what to do. Squall took charge of the situation, assuming it was his responsibility. He took them back to the Presidential Palace and offered them somewhere to eat and sit down. Once they were all settled with a glass of wine, Irvine struck up a conversation close to his heart.
"So… that Tifa, she's pretty hot, isn't she?" Irvine casually said, sipping his wine. Cloud raised his eyebrow.
"Not really my type…" Cloud replied, slightly uncomfortable. The topic seemed to be turning to girls and he didn't really want to share his preferences. Especially if she liked someone else.
"So you don't mind if I take a shot at her, then?" Irvine questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Go for it. Like I said, not my type. Then again, you might not be hers," Cloud put his fear on someone else.
"Not a problem. So you've got your eye on one of the other two, then?"
"Aeris or Yuffie? No way. We're all too good friends to be anything other than that," he replied.
"What's wrong with Aeris?" asked Squall, feeling slightly defensive of the girl.
"Nothing; it's just like I said, too good friends. We went on one date years ago and nothing came of it then. Nothing's changed since, so you've got nothing to worry about." Cloud smirked slightly at Squall's faint blush.
"Well Quistis is free too, so I'm sure you'll have a dandy time." Cloud looked a bit shocked at the accusation Squall had made, but then relaxed.
"Sure thing," Cloud answered, sipping his wine and effectively withdrawing from the conversation. Squall also withdrew, not wanting any further part in the discussion that was unfolding.
"So, Reeve is it?" Irvine asked, nodding in Reeve's direction. Reeve gave a brief yes and allowed Irvine to continue. "I noticed you had your eye on our little girl in yellow."
"Well, not really…" Reeve trailed off as he recalled the way that Selphie's dress had clung to her petite form, how her eyes had sparkled with life when returned to her home, how her hair bobbed when she turned her head. He realised that Irvine was saying something in a sarcastic tone that seemed to be along the lines of "Suuure you don't." However, he simply shrugged and gave a secretive smile.
"How about you, Vincent?" Irvine queried, looking in the direction of the dark-haired man. Vincent gave him a look that said "None of your business" and Irvine knew he'd not get anything out of him. He didn't bother asking Zell; he'd noticed the shorter man looking at the shortest new girl. He ran the list through in his head and realised that only left Rinoa for Vincent. He looked over at him again; the question in his eyes, but Vincent simply smiled a tiny little smile that spoke volumes to Irvine's trained eye.