ETERNITY
[VIVI AZUL]
/ CHAPTER ONE:
The sky outside the Balamb pub was dark. Through the window the clock on the right wall glowed a bright 9:36 P.M. Inside, a small amount of people chatted amongst themselves. A TV above the bar played the nightly news; The Balamb Garden SeeD's successfully aided the school in defense against a large dragon and smaller bird-like fiends that flew in from the north seas the day before. It was big news for them. The Mayor, Cid Kramer, expressed his absolute joy in picking the most elite students for his team. 'If it wasn't for them,' he said repeatedly throughout the day, 'Balamb wouldn't be the same, or safe at all.'
Balamb's people greatly agreed. Except for one: Squall.
He stood behind the bar, a large bottle of liquor in his hand. A toothpick sat just on the corner of his lip; hair fell over his cocked up eyebrow. He had listened to the statement all day:
Oh the SeeD's were great!
Oh how Cid did great choosing them to protect us!
Oh Joy! Joy joy joy!
Oh fuck, Squall thought, this is a load of shit. People believe anything now a-fucking days. He stared at the screen, sighing when the head of the Balamb's SeeD squad emerged. The student's name was Irvine Kinneas; he waved the moment he saw the camera. "When are people going to figure it out?" a woman's voice spoke.
Squall cocked his head to the left, and looked at his – what he liked to call – his partner in crime, Elizabeth. She was short, very skinny with a dark demeanor; though by nature she was the kindest person he had met in years. She had crazy curly hair, that she usually pulled up in a sloppy ponytail. It did her justice for her face was very pretty. "No one will." Squall said, "People fully believe he's a teenager. I think it's hilarious. Shame... I did like the idea of staying in Balamb."
Elizabeth turned her body to look at the television. On the screen, Irvine boasted how he had led the team through battle and found himself victorious, even when he had thought he wouldn't have made it out alive. "I liked the idea too. Life's been fun since you two came around."
Squall glanced over at the young woman. He remembered when he and Irvine first met her. They had walked into the pub a few months back, both covered in dirt from rummaging throughout the woods for a fiend to suck dry. She hadn't questioned them. She had simply smiled, told them both she hadn't seen anyone at all that night and poured them a drink each. They had returned each night until Elizabeth had asked them if they needed a place to stay and work. Once trust was established, they both exposed their secret. When they had expected to be thrown out the doors of the pub and the towns people chasing after them with pitch forks and flaming sticks; Instead, she had jumped up onto the bar and laughed hysterically, "I knew it! You guys were funny from the moment you two walked in. Blood stains on the side of your mouths... shiiiiiitttt."
"I'll miss you too, Liz." he said with a smile.
The night went by smoothly after. The people had ate their fill, drank their bunches and left for the night. Elizabeth made her rounds to each table, wiping each tabletop clean with disinfectant. Squall continued to stand his place as bartender, wiping the glasses dry as he pulled one by one out the mini dish washer. The time was around 11:45 P.M.
Irvine had made his way through the pub doors, placing his precious shotgun against his shoulder. "Woah! What a whooping fucking day!" he gleamed, and laid sprawled out on a futon just near the door. He pulled his hat off his head, and shook his pony tail loose from its tie. "You guys would not believe the fucking fun I had."
"Sure." Squall said, laughing slightly, "189 years old, and you're acting like a damn teenager."
"Well, damn. I look 18. I might as well live it up every once in a while too." Irvine laughed. He looked over at Elizabeth and smirked, "Miss me, Sugah?"
She looked over at him slightly, and continued to wipe the tables clean. A scoffing sound was heard under her breath. "Shut it. Just tell us how the mission went."
"Amazing!"
Irvine jumped up from the futon. His eyes glowed with excitement; so excited his fangs bared themselves beyond his control. Nothing violent, just the remembered adrenaline rush sent him into a moment. He explained the battle, using arm movements and all. How he had used his shotgun to shoot heads clean off winged pests and made his way towards the dragon once it made it's presence. It was fucking huge! Shit, took four kids out with it's wing! Then, I shot the fucker. Wham! Right in the noggin. Bugger went down with a slammin' bang and was out cold for the rest of it's days. I'm good, ya'll. I'm effing good, good, good...
Irvine continued his story. The mini mission to pass potions around to the injured SeeD's and how he had saved a beautiful, little damsel. In demonstration, he had grabbed Elizabeth and wrapped his arm around her waist. When she squealed, he laughed and pulled her into a tight hug. They all laughed after, enjoying the moment of relaxation and story telling. Forgetting that soon they'd have to become nomads again, and leave their humble lives goodbye.
Suddenly, came a soft knock at the door.
At first no one heard it. Their laughing continued, and the sound drowned out in it's echo. Again, the knock came. Irvine raised his head towards the door, and quickly stood straight. "Sir!" he said.
Cid Kramer stood outside the door, smiling wide, "Ah," he said, "Is this your own mini celebration party? You shouldn't forget the banquet we're having tomorrow."
"No no, Sir. I didn't forget at all." he replied.
The mayor entered slowly, and politely waved at both Squall and Elizabeth. Behind him, a small young woman followed close. Squall spotted her through the corner of his eye and suddenly, he froze. He cocked his head slightly, not to seem overly obvious, and peered at her through the side of the mayor. Soft, thick locks of hair were cut short around the shoulders, with two small streaks of brown spread through them. Her skin pale; with rosy cheeks as she smiled at them all politely. As Irvine and the mayor talked amongst each other, Squall lost himself. Her blue outfit caught his eye. Rinoa's favorite color was blue... she looks just like Rinoa... he thought to himself.
"Oh, my manners." Cid said, and scooted the girl forward, "This is my niece, Rinoa. She'll be attending Balamb started tomorrow... making her grand appearance at the banquet."
Squall's heart stopped.
The mayor's niece? Rinoa?
As his mind raced, he couldn't pin point when the night ended and he made his way into his bed. For once, in over 100 years, sleep took hold that night. And he dreamed...
