AN: Thank you so much for the reviews guys! I was so happy to see soo many arrive so quickly. And thank you to all the C2 managers who have added me to their community. So here we see if Squall will show up for the date or not. Exciting yes? Anyways, Griever decides to pay his favorite pupil for a visit and offer some words of wisdom. I denote his speech in a different manner, so look out for it. Thanks everyone!
Rinoa's day couldn't have gone slower as she watched the clock throughout the day. A few of her classmates noticed her anxiety and couldn't help but hunt for the answer, eager for any bit of gossip. A brunette with glasses sitting next to her was the first one to speak "Hey Rinoa, what's going on? You seem a little bit off today?"
A tall redhead joined in "Yeah, you seem distracted. It doesn't look like you heard a word the instructor said." That wasn't true. The exact opposite was. She had heard precisely one word from her instructor.
Rinoa began blushing again feeling a bit shy. 'Can I tell them? Would Squall mind? Of course he would mind! But they won't leave me alone till I tell them something and I'm no good at lying. Hmm, better play it safe.'
"I'm meeting someone later" she said feigning disinterest, as if she was meeting someone to do work.
A blond whom Rinoa could have sword wasn't there a minute ago suddenly asked "Who? Is it a guy? I bet it is!"
Rinoa's silence answered the question for her.
An indistinguishable voice from the background spoke up "Oh I bet he is cute! Is it instructor Irvine? I hear he has been hitting on a lot of the female students."
Rinoa only shook her head, only to realize that action confirmed she was meeting a guy later. The posse continued to name a number of potential guys, only to receive a negative reply each time. Finally the brunette was getting fed up with the guessing game. "Come on Rinoa! Give us a hint already!"
Rinoa looked thoughtful for a moment, and then decided upon a clue that wouldn't be too dangerous. "He is an actual SeeD."
A dreamy look swept over their faces, all couldn't help but think about being swept off their feet by a sweet-talking soldier who would pledge to die for them. They could be whisked off into the sunset by a tall dark and handsome young man eager to please them anyway possible.
It was then one of her friends suddenly came to a realization. "Wait…are you talking about that attractive guy who held the weapon's demonstration for our class? The one with that scar across his face? I saw you talking to him after everyone left."
Rinoa shook her head furiously muttering "No" whenever she could, but her friends saw through her ploys as one girl came close to squealing. "It is! Oh my gosh! How did you manage that? He sounded so cold…so manly. And those eyes… wow. Not to mention that scar! A girl would sure feel safe around a guy like that!" Did all the bubbly girls at this garden just happen to be surrounding Rinoa at this precise moment? It certainly seemed so.
Another girl broke in with her own thoughts. "Come on Rinoa, give us the details. We want to know!" The fact a class should be in progress did not appear to bother anyone.
Feeling a little overwhelmed, Rinoa just excused herself and ran off into the bathroom and locked the door behind her, disregarding the fact that it was a public one. 'Get a grip on yourself girl. You don't even know if he will actually show. Why did you have to go ahead and say anything to those screeching harpies?'
Rinoa collected her calm demeanor once more and peered outside the bathroom door looking in both directions, finding no signs of her pursuers. Filled with a sense of security she exited the restroom and walked towards her dorm. 'I'm going to find something that looks absolutely amazing. Squall won't know what hit him. It'll leave him speechless. Ack, scratch that. He doesn't say enough as it is.'
At the highest point of the garden a man who was not suited to work a desk job was now stuck behind one. He saw a stack of papers awaiting him this moment that put more fear in him than any horde of T-Rexaurs. He decided it was about time he hired a few assistants to take care of some of the more mundane details about running the Garden. They certainly had the funds to do so.
Exhausted from handling the latest pile of nonsense, the events that may or may not occur that evening where the furthest thing from his mind.
< So what shall you gift her young pup> Even talking on the silliest topics, Griever sounded wise.
'Go away.' Squall was in no mood to put up with this.
Griever however, had an annoying habit of ignoring Squall's commands when it amused him. < I would suggest flowers maybe? Perhaps an assortment of fine chocolates. You would have no problems finding some in the city. Both might be a bit too much for someone of your…caliber for lack of a better word. >
'I'm not going.'
< Foolish young pup. You want to go. I can sense it, along with the uncertainty brewing in your mind. When you are cold, you approach the fire, not turn your back from it. >
'Will you just tell me what you mean? I don't have the patience to decode your words right now.' In all truthfulness, he never had the fortitude to do so.
< It means you are uncertain about this girl, who she is and what impact she is having on you. To get your answers you must pursue, not run away. Honestly you can be such a troublesome pup. > Griever knew a suspiciously large amount of information regarding girls. Just what happens between GFs when they are not being summoned?
'You know pups are for canines right? Last time I checked, you were a lion. Heh, more of a kitten if you ask me.'
A fearsome roar echoed painfully throughout the Commander's head causing him to wince as he fought physically showing his displeasure. However Griever would not let one so naïve best him in any regard. < Do you not consider yourself to be a lone wolf? Before you can claim your role as the alpha, you too must start from scratch. >
'Whatever'
Griever never took kindly to that catchphrase. < Be careful imprudent one, I am not so amused by your human antics. I cannot make you go, but it would be in your best interest to do so. >
'That leaves me wondering, what exactly is your stake in my personal affairs again?' Of all the GFs that choose to reveal themselves to him, he had to pick the one who thought so highly of himself and couldn't help but butt in on other people's business.
< All in good time young pup, all in good time. Until then I must ask that you have a little faith> Faith. Belief in the unknown. Could one have trust in the unknown?
'I only keep my faith in myself Griever, you know that.' Squall was even an enigma unto himself.
< Sadly I do. But I best be off, or you will not finish in time for your date this evening. >
'IM NOT GOING' Squall would not get a response; Griever had stopped listening for the time being.
Squall frowned when he looked at the pile of papers still awaiting his approval. He sighed and just folded the next few sheets and put them down. That single act was all it took to give the commander an idea.
Night rushed in after those events, not wanting to delay the spectacle that awaited these two. Near the entrance of the lobby in front of the directory, a gorgeous young lady with silky smooth black hair paced back and forth in anticipation. She wore a spaghetti strap baby blue dress that showed a modest amount of cleavage and left her back bare. It ran down just short of her knees and was accompanied by a matching pair of heels.
'Where is he? It's 8! You would think the commander of this place would learn to be punctual and not keep a girl waiting. I hope he shows up….I mean he will show! Who could resist me when I'm so nicely dressed up?' But she wasn't as sure of that as she would have liked to have been.
So an elegant Rinoa Heartily continued to wait, and wait, and wait. But he didn't come.
She turned her back and faced the directory, a sorrowful tear crawling down her cheek that stung her like acid as she sniffled. 'Its almost 9. He's not coming.' The tears began to flow more freely as she sat down and buried her face in her hands.
Sure he was just supposed to be a tool she was originally going to use to help accomplish her mission. Sure he had treated her poorly every time they had met despite her attempts to become his friend. It shouldn't have hurt to be stood up. It wasn't the first time. What was it with Gunbladders that made them act so introverted and smug?
What was it with her that caused her to keep running into them? She hadn't counted on the fact that she might actually come to like this one. She hadn't counted on the fact that she might be able to see through the tough exterior he put on for the world to protect the man who was still a child deep within. She also hadn't counted on the fact he wasn't the man of honor and integrity she thought he was.
Just then a someone walked up to her wearing a nice maroon shirt along with jet black slacks and shoes. He wondered what the young lady could be doing with her face pressed down into her hands like that, but when he heard her sniffling he understood. "Ahem."
Rinoa wiped away the remaining tears and looked up at who would have chosen such an embarrassing moment to interrupt when she saw the scarred man. She leaped to her feet in surprise to find the only person she wanted to see at that instant. "Squall you came!" She almost dove into his arms to embrace him in a hug, forgetting all the misery he had just put her through for the moment, but he held her back when she tried. Her fears returned with far more malicious worries than before.
"Squall, what's wrong?" Rejecting her invitation in person was certainly not much better than just leaving her abandoned.
It was then he pulled out a single blue rose with a white stem from behind his back and offered it to the lady. It was graceful in its blend of complex simplicity but something was different about it, something unnatural. He handed her the rose which she held delicately as if it were the most fragile china.
"You…you did this? For me?" Squall nodded in return. In a situation where most would be wearing an award winning smile or looking shyly at the floor, Squall offered the same blank expression. He had made her an origami flower out of a delicate blue fabric that was rather hard to handle with its tissue-like texture. Now he could not fend of her hug which proved to be too vicious an attack. Her hands wrapped around his physique, one still holding the rose.
Feeling rather self-conscious with a girl wrapped around him, he didn't return the gesture as he wasn't used to this kind of social interaction. Instead he did something else he was rather unfamiliar with. He spoke "I'm sorry I'm late. I couldn't get the rose to look right and lost track of time."
'So he always intended to show up?' Squall wasn't able to catch the fiery smile that streaked across her face as she buried it within his shirt. He could hear the smooth vibrations of her voice as she spoke up still locked in that position. "So…where are you taking me?"
"I thought this date was your thing" It was a good enough cover. Truthfully he had spent so much time on the gift that he forgot a date actually included going places and doing things.
Rinoa had to give some concessions, at least he actually considered this a date. "Hmm, I think I know something we both might be able to enjoy."
"Whatever." But that response just wasn't going to do tonight.
"Oh no you don't! That's the last time you will say that tonight. You are going to have to try some real conversation tonight. You owe me for being late. And if you so much as begin to utter that word, I'll show you just how much better than you I really am!" However Squall Leonhart did not take kindly to orders.
"I don't owe anybody anything. Forget it, this was a mistake." He started to turn around and head back the way he came but he felt something tug against his arm. He turned around to find Rinoa looking at him with big shiny doe eyes to accompany her puppy-dog face. "Please Squall? For me." She batted her eyelids for that little extra oomph.
It was a look he couldn't resist even if he wanted to, which oddly enough he didn't. His face remained blank but he gave her a nod, and let her lead the way out the garden while he was towed behind. "So where exactly are you taking me again?"
"First I thought we would get something nice to eat. Afterwards I have a surprise for you that you will defiantly like." That last part sounded a bit too seductive and sent shivers down his spine. He looked back at the garden they now stood in front of. 'Maybe it wouldn't be too late to turn back.…'
Squall found himself looking straight at Rinoa as he was lost in doubting thoughts about himself, about this date, but strangely enough not about his companion. He sighed at his insecurities, still hoping some tragic event would save him from the awkwardness of this evening. She turned around briefly as they walked, allowing her laughing brown eyes to rest upon his. Squall couldn't help but fear the openness they offered. Looking right at her he thought 'Where's a killer sorceress on a rampage when you need one?'
But before he knew it he found himself seated at a nice restaurant outside sitting across from Rinoa. It was unavoidable for him not to notice the way the light from the candles accentuated the softness of her face and the warmth it held naturally. It was nothing he could bring himself to say. He looked around and felt oddly at ease not finding too many other people outside. He preferred it that way. She had indeed picked a restaurant he would feel slightly at ease at.
Rinoa was unnerved by his continued silence, hoping against hope that he would suddenly become a master of words and show off his Shakespearian talent. 'I suppose he will need a little guidance.' "You look very handsome Squall." She got a nod. Perhaps a little bit more assistance was needed. "Um… what do you think about my dress?"
'You are so beautiful that you make any dress look unbelievable' he thought, but ended up saying "What about it?"
"You are supposed to say something about it." Was this guy for real?
"What? The dress?" Time to fight a battle on his terms. Stay calm. Aggravate your opponent. Victory will be at hand.
"Yes the dress!" Primary objective achieved. Target aggravated.
"Why?" Retain control of the conversation. Fire arsenal of questions.
"Because!" Emotional outburst detected. Danger imminent
"It's blue" Standard guy remark initiated. Situation bleak.
"I already knew that!" Opponent appears to have sufficient intel as well.
"Then why did you ask?" Refrain from offering additional facts.
"I meant say you like the dress!" Interrogation complete. Enemy objectives obtained. Situation reaching critical limit.
"Fine. I like the dress, happy?" Password accepted.
"Do you mean it?" Verification required.
"Does it matter?" Warning. Verification failed.
"YES!" The password has been altered. Hacks have failed. New Algorithm needed.
"Shouldn't you be the one who likes the dress?" New tactics adopted.
"Squall!" she said louder than she intended and then burst out it into a fit of giggles, barely able to control herself after playing along with what she knew was a jest of his "You certainly are a fun date Squall, thanks" she said sincerely. He had made things memorable, even if it was by accident. "Anything else you might like to add?"
"Your hair." Rinoa blushed and looked down wondering what he would say. She had meticulously tried different styles and ended up wearing it up, hoping Squall would approve. "I don't like it."
This time Rinoa gritted he teeth "Careful or you will find yourself with a matching scar across your face."
Squall replied with a firm tone that assured his seriousness in this life or death issue. "I meant it, I don't like it."
"Well you could have lied you insensitive jerk!"
"I don't lie." With that Rinoa looked away angrily at the ground and soon began wondering what it was she saw in someone so rude.
"I like it better when your hair is down. The wind can blow through it all nice and, you know…" Giving compliments was not something that came naturally to him.
She looked back at the man who sat across from her and tugged out a single clip from her hair, letting the strands fall slowly down and curtain the sides of her lustrous face. She waved her hair a little bit helping it fall into place causing Squall to smile. Well it was more of a half-grin.
"You know Squall, you look even better when you smile. You should do it more often." If she wanted compliments, she was going to have to dish them out. He would learn by example.
"I'll try" They were both stunned. Had Squall Leonhart actually passed up a chance to say 'whatever'?
Just then the waiter came and placed their food in front of them. Rinoa mouthed Squall a "thank you" just to make sure he realized the gesture had not gone unnoticed. They ate but not in silence. Rinoa controlled most of the conversation about where she came from, her likes and dislikes, and most importantly why she came to Garden to become a SeeD.
She didn't want to try and coerce Squall into opening up since something told her he wouldn't respond well to such a request, not yet. They finished their meals and Rinoa continued talking while Squall was content to just sit there and absorb her every last word.
"Oh my! I didn't realize we had been here so long. Hmm. It's not that late yet. Are you ready for your surprise?" She winked in his direction once again catching him off guard.
She stood up and signaled for him to do the same, but one question still tormented her mind.
"Squall, honestly, how do you think I look tonight?" There was no escaping this question. It sounded like the answer would mean a lot to her, but Squall would not lie no matter the consequences.
He started down at her feet and worked his eyes up her long slender legs till they came to her dress. Her creamy skin melded into the soft blue color that suited her nicely. His eyes continued to stroll slowly up her midriff and landed on her chest where they lingered for seconds longer. His gaze finally met her eye to eye just as a cool breeze tossed her hair about. He didn't have to tell her what he thought. It was evident on his now completed grin.
She hugged Squall, finding his apprehension lessen with each one and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before whispering "thank you" slowly yet softly into this ear. Not wanting him to feel too out of place in this situation she continued to lead him around town until they reached what looked like a relatively old building. She dragged him inside the dark murky structure without fear or hesitation, and led him up the stairs.
So, how do you think it is going so far? The rest of the date can be found in the next chapter. Remember more reviews (the more detail the better) the faster i get this stuff up. I am looking foreward to reading and responding to your comments, concerns and questions. On that note, i hvae a question for you all. Anyone know a decent name for an Angel type summon i am taking up? It will be important later and i have a milestone in this regard. You can either message it to me or include it in the review. Thanks!