Disclaimer- Are you kidding me?
Author's Notes- Well, it's been quite some time since I have updated but I have no intention of dropping this fic. It's always in my head and I have picked up little ideas from time to time but here it is! Chapter 5. As always Read and Review!
Thanks to Desi for her editing and support, woot woot!
Chapter 5
"If you think and worry too much, everything tends to turn out bad," –Quistis Trepe
Rain trickled down from the weathered stone orphanage, a good amount of it seeping through the ancient roof and ending up in rather large puddles on the bedroom floor. Edea spread out every available container under the leaking roof but by now half of them were overflowing and their usually bustling Matron was nowhere to be found. Aside from the soft murmurings of the children and the occasional creak of a springy mattress, Quistis was left with several peaceful hours. No more of Seifer's scathing remarks or Irvine's loud and obnoxious imitation of gunfire. They were thankfully, all asleep and she was left alone to her own thoughts. The cool dampness cleared her mind and the stiff, uncomfortable chair kept her from drifting off. Her usual calm appearance was scrunched with concentration. Perspiration gathered at her brow, and her pulse steadily climbed as she stared unblinkingly into the palm of her hand. The minutes crept by and the rain continued ceaselessly outside, a gentle rhythm of falling water. Her feet felt heavy and numb, and the aching soreness in her shoulders was spreading to her lower back. Nearly biting her lower lip in anticipation, her other hand clutched the armrest until she could feel blisters beginning to form.
And there it was. A tiny flicker of warmth flooded her veins and in her cramped hand, a faint orb the size of a marble glowed a pale blue.
A burst of pride overwhelmed her aching muscles and she redoubled her efforts, until the tiny ball expanded, shimmering with a weak but steady light.
Pleased with her own success, Quistis was too excited to have noticed that someone stirred from his sleep nor was she surprised when a curious spiky blond boy whispered to her from the bed, rubbing his eyes at the sight of a illuminated five year old girl.
"What is that Quisty?" An astonished Zell asked, allowing his stuffed moomba to fall from his grasp and tumble to the dusty floor.
Her own brilliant blue eyes glowed with exhilaration as she turned to face him.
"Magic," Quistis whispered, her lips forming a pleased smile. "Blue magic,"
"So, this is Galbadian City now, isn't it?" Xu breathed out, as she stepped out onto the train station. It was only 8 o'clock in the evening and rush hour had ended but the platform was still ridiculously crowded. Maneuvering through the crowds, Quistis could barely hear her old friend over the blaring techno beats and gigantic television screens on the sides of buildings, flashing advertisements of the latest T-Boards.
"Sounds better than Deling City anyway," Xu added as an afterthought, and without pause, struck a pickpocket between the eyes with her palm. Startled, the would-be thief dashed into the crowd.
"Looks the same," shrugged Rinoa, gently tugging on the cuffs of her new but painfully stiff SeeD uniform. Her usual long hair was kept in a neat pony tail, and she had dyed out the highlights so that it was now a complete raven black. Although she wasn't technically a SeeD yet, Cid had insisted the young sorceress attend the Galbadian Peace Talks as a representative of Balamb Garden. After receiving some basic training in SeeD protocol, Rinoa was more than committed not only in representing Balamb, but to also serve the interests of her hometown, Timber.
"It smells the same," grunted Zell. He was busy helping Squall and Irvine unload their luggage, occasionally scowling at the flamboyant advertising boards and flashing neon lights. Having grown up on the small, quiet island of Balamb, his childhood had given him an appreciation for his hometown and contempt for the big city. Because Zell adamantly refused to cut his hair, the group was forced to compromise and his usually over gelled hair was combed down a bit in hopes of making him look presentable for the conference but it only seemed to feed his aggravation.
"What do you mean the smell?" Irvine stared accusingly at the blond as if he had sprouted another head. "This here was my new home after the orphanage!" He waved his arms wildly to gesture the grand city, unknowingly dropping an extremely heavy suitcase onto Zell's foot, who reflexively let out a stream of curses while hobbling around on one leg.
"Hyne's freaking Grendel mother…"
"It reminds me of midnight street races, card gambling, expensive wine, beautiful women..." Irvine dramatically portrayed, leaning closer to Selphie on the last part. The perky brunette giggled, and playfully squashed his face away with her hand.
"The stagnant sewage puddles reminds you of women?" Xu arched an eyebrow.
"Don't forget the aroma of diesel fuel and rotting garbage either," Rinoa added, abandoning her cuffs and now repeatedly tugging the throat constricting collar. She glanced at the Presidential Palace in the distance and sniffed disapprovingly in its direction. She, like Zell despised the Galbadian capital, but unlike him it was not the gaudy atmosphere, but because it represented the center of the hated empire that had long oppressed Timber. Not to mention her own father was head general of the Galbadian Army. Rinoa had every right to hate Galbadia.
"Piece of filthy malboro snot infested…"
"Oooo, nice vocabulary Zell!" chirped Selphie.
"Rotting garbage!" Irvine looked like he had been told his womanizing charms were not up to par, which Quistis had to admit, they certainly were not. "That's just the fragrance of the urban life! Isn't that right Commander?"
"Whatever,"
"Vile putrid brainless, scum shoveling son of a-"
"See!" exclaimed Irvine, jabbing a thumb at their ever stoical leader. "Even Squall agrees. Bow down and kiss the feet of the world's fastest, smartest and sexiest sniper!"
Several passersby stared openly. Two children burst into tears and while their mother ushered them by, she paused long enough to fix him a frosty death glare that would have frozen the air.
"You sure that head is big enough for that ego of yours?" Xu murmured under her breath but Irvine's sharp hearing caught it anyway.
"Of course it is!" he snapped. "Why wouldn't it!"
Always the mature and responsible one, Quistis knew it was pointless to intervene. Fifteen years and living half way across the world had changed nothing for the orphanage gang and according to Edea, they retained the same qualities as children. Unhitching the extendable handle, she rolled her suitcase towards the exit, coughing slightly for their attention. The others followed suit, Squall and Rinoa side by side, Selphie humming an aimless tune that sounded distinctively like her "Train, Train" song, Xu and Irvine bickering into a heated argument with Zell pulling up the rear with his bright orange duffel bag, still muttering a string of swear words that she knew he didn't learn in rural Balamb.
Thankfully, Quistis found two cabs before Irvine could hit on any more pedestrians. He now had a slight limp from Selphie's shin destroying boots. The latter refusing to speak with Irvine kicked him again for good measure before she jumped into the front seat and slammed the door in his face. The others climbed in their rides, Selphie, Quistis, Rinoa and Squall in one, Xu, Irvine and Zell in the other. After noticing the other cab almost swerved into the opposite lane, Quistis could only shake her head in sympathy for Xu. Paying the driver, the group entered the famous hotel. The Galbadian Hotel had essentially remained unchanged since their last visit. All traces of President Deling's propaganda was erased, and in their place held portraits of famous singers and actors who had stayed in the posh hotel. The bar where Laguna openly gaped at the pianist Julia had changed very little in all these years. Except for the new brilliant crimson seats, the room retained its character; brimming with memory and dream. Cumbersome chandeliers still hung from the ceiling, distantly reminding Quistis of an old opera house. A few couples shared private thoughts under its sparkling sway. Yes, very little had changed indeed. Turning away from the past, Quistis checked the group in, the men in one room, the girls in the other, much to the dismay of the hapless cowboy, still limping around on his one boot.
"But why can't I have a room with at least Selphie!" whined Irvine incessantly.
Dragging his suitcase behind him and creating quite a bit of racket, he followed Xu down the hallway where the girls were staying. Squall was contacting Cid at headquarters, Rinoa and Selphie were shamelessly flirting with the bellhop who almost tripped over his own feet every time one of the girls even breathed on him, and Zell headed towards the restaurant in search of hotdogs. The warmth of the hotel was welcoming compared to the busy metropolis outside. Although the city was impressive, it just felt too artificial to enjoy. Having already unpacked her clothing, Quistis stood in the doorway, treating herself in finding amusement in Irvine's melodramatic scene. It was the least he could do anyway after all his antics.
"Because this is a diplomatic mission cowboy, not a kiddy sleepover!" Xu snapped back, not pausing to face him. Her black, shining boots stopped louder than usual and her swinging arms looked like she was using every ounce of discipline to refrain from pummeling Irvine. Quistis knew her friend's movements anywhere. She was pissed. Unlike Quistis who responded with cold, controlled anger, Xu had a quick temper and an even quicker fist. "If you have a problem with that, you're welcome to check in another room!"
"Sweet! Hey Selphie! I-"
"I meant alone! Stop being ridiculous Kinneas! As a higher ranking officer and coming from someone who can hand your ass to you any day, you better watch it!" Xu shot back, spinning around on one heel and stamping the other, which sounded like the crack of a whip.
"But Squall won't talk to me and Zell will wet the bed!"
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!" The man in question appeared, grasping a tray overflowing with hotdogs and a bottle of ketchup.
"Well, Edea DID say that-"
The plastic serving dish snapped in half and out spilled Zell's dinner.
Xu leaned her head against her palm, making pathetic whimpering noises.
"Why me? Why do I have to put up with this obnoxious prick?"
Rinoa arched an eyebrow and picked out a camera from her purse.
"Because you volunteered as the head delegate for Cid and you have more experience than any of us put together," Quistis replied, patting her friend's back.
"You've also received one of the highest rankings for diplomacy and have effectively represented Balamb Garden in conferences than any other delegate. Minus Cid of course."
"Thanks for reminding me," Xu muttered gloomily.
"That's what I'm here for,"
"All my hard work and this is my major assignment," Xu replied, breathing out a heavy sigh. "Babysitting a hormone crazed teenager and a violent 5-year-old."
Behind her, Zell and Irvine began chucking hotdogs at each other and she heard the distant chanting of Selphie.
"Come on Zell! Kill! Kill!"
"Selphie, how could you-"Irvine gasped in exasperation before getting socked between the eyes by a ketchup bottle.
"Nice Zell, could you do that again? I missed that shot," Rinoa said nonchalantly.
"Well, I still think YOU would have been a better candidate than me," Xu mumbled, swatting away a stray hotdog that nearly struck her face. Taking a brief glance at the continued fight, Xu shuddered at the sight and Quistis couldn't blame her. The walls were splattered in a rainbow of ketchup and mustard, smearing down onto the carpet where Zell and Irvine were covered in relish, chili, onions, peppers and moomba gummies.
"Why me?" Xu wailed despairingly. "What have I ever done to deserve this?"
Squall walked in just in time to see the destroyed hallway and four extremely guilty looking SeeDs. Rinoa tucked her camera away, smiling innocently. Selphie stopped bashing Irvine on the head with a tray, coughed into her fist, and glanced around trying to find a distraction. When she failed to find one, she chucked the half broken plate out the nearest window, amidst the screeching sound of swerving cars. The condiment covered martial artist dumbly picked up a hotdog and began eating and their sniper instinctively whistled at a passing maid who gawked at the chaos. When Xu began speaking in the room's phone, Quistis heard something about having a dozen double espressos brought up first thing in the morning.
Hyne, it was going to be a very long week.