AN: Hi guys. Thanks for all the great reviews in the last chapter. It certainly was encouraging. Here is the next chapter. I hope you enjoy this one as much as you did the previous ones. It is not as long as i would have liked, but i think it gets the job done. Remeber, more reviews equals faster updates:-)
In the afternoon that day, a far more typical conversation was taking place. Rinoa had entered the cafeteria and found Quistis already enjoying a hot cup of coffee while patiently awaiting her student. Not wanting to further delay what would certainly be an awkward conversation; Rinoa decided to pass on refreshments and took a seat across from her instructor. For once it would be someone other than Rinoa who would initiate conversation.
"I appreciate you coming down here to meet me. I would say that this wouldn't take long but frankly I'm not really sure how long this will last. I understand that this might be uncomfortable, seeing as I am your teacher, however I hope you will feel at ease enough to speak freely. Frankly I would like us to be friends." If this woman could become friendly with Squall, she must certainly be very likeable.
"Of course I would like to be friends! Although I must admit, the more you keep saying, the more nervous I'm feeling. What exactly did you need to talk about?" She already had a vague idea who would be the center of this chat.
"It's about Squall. I just thought you should know that you shouldn't let his cold exterior fool you. He tends to build a wall around himself when people pry too much. He doesn't like letting anyone get to close. He figures if he just acts that way people will leave him alone." Quistis spoke as if she had experience in this field.
"Is that why I never see him with any of his friends?" 'Come to think of it, who are his friends? I never saw anyone even remotely near him.'
Quistis felt a little edgy saying the rest, even though it would end up being more embarrassing for Squall than herself. "Actually…..I think you are his only friend Rinoa." Who was she kidding? Did Squall ever feel embarrassed?
If the young girl had been holding a fork, she would have dropped it. If she had been drinking a cup of coffee, she would have instantly spit it out. "What? How could he not have any other friends? That's impossible. Surely you must be a friend of his to know him so well?"
This actually caused Quistis to fidget around a little more, the next sentence painful to bring to words. "Actually I think he just tolerates me a little more than others because I won't leave him alone. But you…you're different somehow. From what I can tell, you've managed to actually get him to talk and you've only known him a few short days! I would even go so far as to say that, I think he is actually starting to like you."
The last comment brought a blush to her face, causing her to look down at the hands she wringed together.
"Had I or anyone else tried anything like you did, he would have had a blade to our necks before we had a chance to react." There was no jest to her voice; she knew it to be true, the hard way.
Rinoa caught on to that tone quickly and decided not to press the matter further, yet. But a dozen questions filled her mind and she wanted answers. "But… I mean what's so special about me? I didn't do anything extraordinary with him that I don't do for every other guy." The rest of the sentence she spoke only in her mind 'Except kiss him on the cheek, force him to dance, barge into his room, and wake up early in the morning just to talk to him. Damnit…I really do like him a lot. Great, I get the social outcast.'
Quistis peered at her student who seemed to be waiting for her to snap out of her daydream. Once satisfied she had her attention the teacher continued. "To be honest, I'm not really sure. What I do know is that regardless of how he treats everyone, Squall is a very good judge of character. I guess that just means he thinks you are really exceptional."
Rinoa's blush deepened as she was clearly becoming embarrassed with all this flattery and not sure how to respond. "Is there anything else you wanted to tell me? Or was that all" Rinoa couldn't believe she was feeling so much anxiety over just this, but her doubt returned with Quistis' response.
"Err, actually there is a little bit more, but I think Squall would get mad if I said anything about it. Oh! There is one thing." Quistis now put down her cup and leaned in over the table towards her pupil "If he ever gets angry or says something stupid, don't take it to heart. I know deep down inside he is not such a bad guy, he just has a tough time accepting it. He may threaten people a lot but he would never intentionally hurt someone who didn't deserve it in the first place." Quistis then reached out and held Rinoa's hand tenderly.
"I know I may be jumping the gun here a little, but keep at it. I'm sure you guys will find a way." With that Quistis stood up and began walking away from the rather tense young lady who remained seated.
'Wait, I still have more questions, she can't leave yet!'
"Quistis wait! What made him so cold and uncaring in the first place?" Quistis paused as she was walking away from Rinoa, hoping that question wouldn't come up. She didn't turn around, didn't answer the question directed towards here. She just dipped her head down a little and shook it before continuing to walk away.
All Rinoa could do was wonder. 'What have I gotten myself into?'
The night offered little sleep or comfort to the dozing couple who weren't together, nor involved with one another. Morning couldn't have come soon enough, thought it could only be refereed to as morning technically. The sun had still yet to fight its way up. Rinoa got dressed in a similar spunky outfit that she wore yesterday and made her way to the cafeteria once again, this time more nervous than before.
She was hit with a burst of apprehension when she entered and saw him sitting there in the same seat wearing similar clothes as before. His shirt was plain white but he wore a leather bomber jacket the held fur around the edges. She thought it was kind of funny that he wore his leather gloves even while he ate, but decided not to press the issue. Once again hugging herself she walked towards him, ready to start the little dance they had shared the previous mornings, but this time with an added twist.
She once again poked his right shoulder and sat down to his left, but as Squall's face turned around back towards his meal, it was stopped by the feeling of soft lips once again placed against his cheek. Though his face registered no emotion his eyes told the truth of his amazement. He refrained from yelling his displeasure, only there was none. That and the wisdom of Griever still lingered within his thoughts.
"What was that for?" he asked a bit harsher than he should have. She acted like a child who was always used to getting what she wants. It was then and there he decided she descended from a rich family.
Rinoa smiled at his tough guy attitude. "For being nice to me yesterday, and for being such a gentleman. I was beginning to think you didn't like me."
He responded out of instinct more than anything else, not even realizing what he said before it was too late "I don't. Stop doing that." The brooding gentlemen quickly regretted those words once he heard them through his own ears. His words were supposed to always speak the truth, and yet one simple action on her part shattered the warrior's resolve he had erected throughout the years.
That drove the smile from her face quickly, but Rinoa was still Rinoa. She would have persisted even without Quistis' words yesterday. "I'm sorry I've been such a nuisance to you lately."
'Lately? We have only known each other a few days.' He turned his head to look upon her face only to see that it was truly quite solemn, a bit of disappointment evident. 'Oh crap, what did I do now?'
He took a short sip of his juice and returned his gaze back upon the blank wall, not exactly thrilled with the fact he would need to comfort someone. "Don't worry about it."
Feeling a little better she looked up hopefully only to see him staring at the wall. Well, he hadn't denied that he thought she was a nuisance. "If you don't want me sitting here I can move you know. I didn't mean to annoy you so much early in the morning."
Squall sat in silence for a few minutes as he didn't eat nor respond in any physical way, though Rinoa felt much more time had actually passed "If it bothered me I would have moved."
And then her upbeat attitude returned in a flash "Great!" She turned back towards her food and began eating peacefully, deciding he had earned a peaceful morning of silence. Though Squall never actually said anything he did notice her attempts to be a bit more reserved, and while he never spoke, he did appreciate it. He in no way understood why people just couldn't seem to appreciate the calm sometimes, especially when the world made so much noise.
Though even for Squall it was hard to concentrate on eating alone when someone was doing the exact same thing right next to him. He couldn't help but glance at the young woman out of the corner of his eye every so often out of curiosity, and Rinoa knew it.
She feigned ignorance on the subject, respecting his need for serenity at the moment, but was glowing on the inside. She suddenly felt conscious about the way she ate, her posture as she sat, even her facial expression until it dawned on her. 'Hey, how come I got to fidget around when he is the one who prefers to be alone and keeps looking over at me?'
The next time Squall's eyes wandered over to her, he saw her sticking out her tongue at him, catching him by surprise. He darted his eyes back, trying to pretend nothing happened for a few moments but felt a little weird about the situation.
"Sorry." But Rinoa wasn't done playing just yet.
"Apology rejected" she stated without looking at him. Squall's jaw almost dropped not expecting to hear that from her. She seemed so forgiving and nice, what was going on? Must be that spoiled upbringing.
"What?" The commander had walked himself into a trap. Reinforcements where unavailable and ammunition was low. He was behind enemy lines with transportation or backup plan.
Rinoa played around with the eggs on her tray shifting them from side to side. "I don't accept your apology."
"Why not?" This is what he gets for choosing to speak to a girl. Who else would twist words around to suit their purposes? Defeat was imminent. Interrogation was at hand.
"Just because you say you are sorry doesn't mean you really are." It appears the simple truths escaped even the mightiest of SeeDs. Well it wasn't totally Squall's fault. He was a guy after all.
Squall had had enough of this. "Whatever." He went to finish off his meal but only ended up playing with his food as well. He tried to take his mind off of the situation at hand but failed, only hearing the word 'rejected' bounce around in his head.
"Fine, how do I prove I am sorry?" Enemy misdirection was proving more cunning than he thought. More intel should have been acquired before engaging hostiles.
Rinoa now completely ignored her food and turned towards him, a glint in her eye. "Thought you didn't care." Even the most proficient killer cat toyed with its prey once it had it cornered.
The two quickly snapped comments back and forth between one another in order to gain control of the conversation with Squall trying to lead the way.
"You didn't answer my question."
"You didn't answer mine"
"That wasn't a question."
"Sure it was, you just got to read between the lines"
"Why can't you just say what you really mean?"
"How do you know what I really mean?"
"I just do. Hey, why do you think you know what I mean?"
"Cause I'm a girl"
"What difference does that make?"
"Smarter"
"You think you're smarter than me?"
"Of course"
"Impossible, I'm already a SeeD with countless missions under my belt including the defeat of…nevermind" 'Did I just say that? Why am I worried what she thinks of me? Get a grip Squall. She is pulling you into a battle on her terms.'
"Fine, want to prove you really meant your apology?" Squall nodded. He placed much value in being true to his word. If one felt the need to speak, it should be done so with integrity.
"Great, meet me in front of the directory at 8:00 tonight." She began collecting her things and made her way towards the garbage can to dispose of her trash and place aside her tray.
Squall still sat in his seat, but turned around so he could watch her leave. "Why?" In his head, his mind was screaming to abort while red sirens were going off. Danger was quickly approaching. It would have been best to just turn tail and run. The enemy was increasing antagonistic activities. Cyanide pills were an acceptable alternative.
Rinoa continued walking towards the door, wrapping her light blue duster around her. When she was just near the exit she replied just loud enough for him to hear, thankful the room was pretty much empty. "For our first official date silly." With that she jet out the room and ran towards her dorm, the one Squall never found out.
For once in his life, Squall showed some emotion, as his jaw dropped and his stern face looked rather shaken. 'Damn, she really did outsmart me.'
Did that work out well? I kind of had some doubts in how their banter would sound or look like. I think i kind of got it considering the situation i placed them in. I would like to know what you guys think, about that and this chapter in general. I hope you guys are still interested in whats happening. After i further Squall and Rinoa's relationship to a certain point, i am going to enter in the real conflict. Yep, sounds like this might be a long fiction. That is unless you guys don't think it should be. Well, maybe. Lemme know what you think. Comments, rants, all that stuff is apprecaited. Please Review now that you have read. :-)