"What Would I Be Without You"
-Kawaii Hana-
DISCLAIMER:
I don't own anything from FF8. Too bad... I would have made a direct sequel from it, though... (Ehehehehe...)
NOTE TO READERS:
... Italic... -represents thoughts
(Italic) – don't mind them
Bold – "emphasized" words
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Chapter 4: "1...2...3...Smile!"
It was like the hallways would never stop... It seemed like forever to get there to that room where they will finally do it... Here he is on his way... He was nervous, sweating, and at the same time, frustrated because this is happening too fast...
Wearing a black tuxedo with a white rose pinned on his left pocket, a matching pair of black pants and black leather shoes polished with perfection, one could say he was ready for this big day...
This might be just another groom and his personal anxious moments. But the truth is that he was not even a groom and he was not even getting married... It's just the clothes... (LoL...)
Yes...Yes...Yes... We are still in the 3rd floor of Balamb Garden where we see a certain 18 year-old blonde SeeD cadet on his way thru his last chance to become SeeD. This is our very own... Seifer Almasy.
Walking alongside Seifer was a brown haired young man wearing the same style of clothes from top to bottom except that his rose was sky blue. He was, one could say, chosen for the part of 'best man'. He was Seifer's archrival... Squall Leonhart. Wow... (It's the best choice for best man, huh?)
At last, they were just in front of the door. Seifer couldn't even move... Damn! I'm really going in there...
Squall rolled his eyes and impatiently opened the door for him. "Seifer, you are already here... There's no escape... So get into that room for Hyne's sake!"
Seifer sighed again for the umpteenth time and slowly made his way inside. It was a fairly small room. The windows were tightly closed from the sunlight. The only source of light of the room was only one flourescent light. The walls were painted white and the floor was just covered with the regular peach colored tiles that were very common in the Balamb Garden.
Seifer was surprised to see that no one actually noticed him enter as they were all busy either getting the last adjustments on the camera, finishing the last touches on the 'make-believe' wedding decorations or simply because they just want to see Quistis in her adoring and glamorous state.
"Guys... we're here." Squall spoke, indicating their presence. Pretty soon, the annoying 'boys' started commenting...
"Hey... you look hot, Seifer! Hot! You ought to marry Quisty right now!" Zell said, adding another moment of hilarious laughter with the cowboy joining as well.
"Would you take this woman as your lawful and wedded wife?" Irvine said, imitating a deep voiced minister, with laughter all the way.
"Zell! Irvine! Would you please...stop? We have been through this already! Don't you know want another painful headache, Zell? I can hit harder if you want..." The Commander threatened the two boys once again, earning chills from both of them and a faint smile from Seifer.
"What's going on?" Rinoa suddenly came into the scene. Seifer was taken aback from what he saw. The raven-haired woman was wearing a gown much like the one she wore back at the SeeD inauguration party except it was colored sky blue and the ends of the gown reach down below her knees. She was wearing make-up, perfectly matching her gown and her face. That could only mean one thing... If Squall's the 'best man', it obviously means that Rinoa was the maid- of- honor.
"Nothing... I'm just scolding very 'naughty children'." Squall said sarcastically. "Here's Seifer..." He pointed to the blonde's direction.
"Seifer! What's wrong with you?" Rinoa suddenly scolded him.
"Huh?"
"You look great in your outfit but nothing on your face fits in! C'mon! Sit here and I'll just get my make-up kit." Rinoa said, pointing a chair beside her.
Make- up!? The ones girls put on their faces...? Damn! This is getting worse as it gets! Damn it! Hyne... a little mercy in here please...
"Go on..." Squall encouraged. "You don't want to oppose what she wants. She can be pretty persistent...and very violent..." His tone suddenly changed into a scarier tone.
"Yeah... I totally agree to that." Irvine agreed, recalling the time when Rinoa tired to persuade him to help the SeeDs still trapped in D-District Prison by merely scratching him to death.
"Really... geez... I better get there then." Said Seifer and quickly got to the chair Rinoa pointed awhile ago. Not long after, Rinoa came carrying a handful of items consisting of a foundation cake, a comb, a gel container, and lip gloss.
"OK... Just look straight. You don't move or I'll scratch you to death!" Rinoa threatened jokingly after giggling a little. (Although, Seifer took it rather seriously.)
As Rinoa carefully rubbed Seifer's face with foundation, she heard him mutter something like: "This is the worst day of my life... I just wanna die..."
She rolled her eyes and gave a 'Whatever' look. "Seifer...please. Things don't go your way. Sometimes, you have to go with the flow... "
"Yeah...Yeah... I heard Instructor Trepe say that a billion times already." Seifer answered back.
"Well, I think it's about time to apply what she said a billion times. Remember life is too short. If you're like this all your life, you 're gonna end up regretting it later."
"Yeah! I regretted courting you... You dumped me and replaced me with Commander Squall. That's an excellent choice!" Seifer retorted and then gulped.
Rinoa stopped applying make-up. She placed her free hand on her hip and made a not very nice look. That was not a very nice thing to say to a girl right in front of you, isn't it?
"B-but that's OK... I guess you guys are meant to be from the start..." Surprisingly, Seifer said it with a serious tone in his voice, looking down and staring at those polished leather shoes as if they are the most interesting things in the world.
"Look, Seifer... I was upset when I heard from the guys that you're going to be executed. I blamed myself for letting you into this with the faction. But to side with evil...? Yes, I know Mrs. Kramer was possessed that time. But your friends or at least your comrades and I were in that prison! And guess what? It was my father who got me out not you..." Rinoa said, trying to pull back some tears that threatened to come out.
"Hey, what about the time in Galbadia Garden? You chose to fight with them not with me!" Seifer defended.
"Because I had enough! Don't you remember what you just did? You ran a whole military to destroy this Garden! Does this place mean anything to you?"
"To me, the orphanage was the only good thing in my life... But, hey, that was more than a decade ago... Everything else is nothing to me!" Seifer exploded. But luckily, only Rinoa heard it.
"You mean... you were pretty much upset when you saw me fighting with them... And then, when you just really need them, Fuu and Rai just walked away..." Rinoa said, feeling guilty after she realized how much pain Seifer had to get through after the Ultimecia defeat...
"See? Everything is a big joke... The good times I used to have are just memories... Memories that I can't even sort out because of those damn GFs!"
Silence entered between the two. The guy still stares at his shoes as he sat there in the chair. The girl looked down on him with pity and disappointment. Slowly, she walked closer to him and placed her free hand on his shoulder.
"Look at the people around you now, Seifer... Aren't they supposed to be in those memories...? There's Zell whom you used to call crybaby. There's Irvine and Selphie...They're still best friends and it might move on to the next level... There's Squall and Ellone...There's still like brother and sister... There's Edea... the one you called Matron... And Quistis too... The whole group is here, Seifer... Here are your lost memories... What the hell were you looking for...?"
His eyes looked up and saw everyone busy. Each of their faces flustered with smiles and excitement as they help in with the preparations... (Squall does not show it, though...)
"They changed, Rinoa... They're not what they used to be..." Seifer said, keeping the sad atmosphere...
"Well, does it mean because they all have grown...? And you have to change as well...?" Rinoa said simply.
"Well, you do have a point there..." That was all Seifer could say.
"Anyway, 'bout us..." Rinoa continued. "I guess this is the end..."
Seifer looked up and nodded. "I prefer demoted to friendship"
Rinoa snorted and reached out her free hand once again. "OK then, friends?"
Slowly, he took her hand and held it tight. "Friends..."
Sighing, she placed her hand back on her waist. "Well, let's start by applying make-up..."
Seifer's eyes widened. "Aw, come on..."
"Seifer...it's just a foundation..." Rinoa said, stubbornly applying the said cosmetic product. And Seifer just gave up...
As she was finishing, she sneaked in a little smile...
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"Oooooh! Quisty, you look absolutely gorgeous!" A squealing Selphie remarked as she hugged the bride'.
"Thanks, Seifie... Don't you think maybe you should really give this to a real bride? I mean really this is a really a great gown but---"
"Aww...really? Thank a bunch, Quisty!"
Oh well... She's avoiding the topic... the blonde girl thought, sighing in defeat.
"Selphie! The camera's ready and the background, too. Get the bride here!" A certain cowboy called from the distance.
"Alrighty! Be right there in a minute!" Selphie let her friend stand up from where she was sitting. "C'mon, let's go! I got the humongous tail of the gown... Don't worry..."
Quistis sighed heavily but tried not to do it too much as it might mess up her hair. Thank, Hyne. This is just the solo... I'm not ready to see him yet... Damn it! Why do I sound nervous here...?
Meanwhile, the other pair was just finishing up. Rinoa wanted everything to be picture perfect. But in truth, she was enjoying every minute of seeing Seifer getting impatient and knowing the fact he has 'make–up' on his face.
"Rin... please stop. I know you are enjoying every moment of my humiliation but..."
"But this is all part of your undercover identity in this SeeD exam-mission... Look, I'm trying to have fun as much as I want." The girl interrupted.
"Why!?"
"After tomorrow, Rin is going to Timber again to help out with the resistance faction. Things have been going hectic lately. She doesn't have much free time..." A deep voice entered their conversation. And yes, it was Squall...
Seifer's eyes widened again. Rinoa came all the way here just to help in with this 'picture taking thing' when all of her comrades are there hiding from (or fighting) Galbadian soldiers.
"Squall said I should take a break. But I know he was just trying to get me out of that chaos... He's extremely worried, you know..." The girl explained.
"Rin, it's for your own good..." Squall said. Then suddenly, the serious aura shifted into a much lighter tone as the girl let out a giggle from within her.
"Aww... you just miss me... That's why you want me back..." Rinoa teased her boyfriend as he turned around to hide the redness in his face.
Seifer couldn't help but maybe smile for just a second. Just once in his lifetime, he would have never thought that the Loner Lion Boy would actually do that... blush... (Is there a video cam, around?)
"Rin... Quistis's solo is done... is Seifer done yet!?" The photographer called out, seemingly very serious in his contribution to the group.
"Yeah, we're coming..." The lady replied and looked at Seifer. "Well, this is it... Let's go!"
The blonde SeeD cadet sighed heavily. "Give me one hundred reasons why should I go there? I mean I wish I'm dead right now, don't you know that?"
"Yes, Seifer... you said that one hundred times as well. As for the required 100 reasons, my answer would be -'because you have to x 100'. Go, Squall!"
Before Seifer could even comprehend what she meant, a sudden push let him out of his chair and when he turned his head, it was Squall with a tiny mark of a smile... (Ehh... A SMILE?)
As Seifer turned to the direction of the picture-taking setting, he pondered of the big, I mean BIG difference of Squall nowadays...
Seriously, a guy like him can actually change in two months time just because he's got a girlfriend... Though, he still keeps the none-of-your business attitude, he certainly opens up if he wants to... (Especially with Rinoa, of course...)
That got him thinking... If Seifer really wants to change, does this mean he needs a girlfriend, too? Yikes... that gave him sudden chills inside...
"Hey, Seifer! I still have to develop these pics by tomorrow... We don't have all day! Hurry up!" The cowboy said, surprising everyone with a serious tone in his voice and didn't notice the light make-up Seifer has on his face.
The blonde hurried to the said wedding set-up as he senses Rinoa and her beau following from behind. Everything he has done today was a just a waste of time but... since his 'friends' wanted to help... Well, it's one way to show your gratitude...
The background was simple. There was a wedding arc stand strewn with roses of white and sky blue. Underneath it were two seats. There were three chairs at the back of Irvine which were to be used later... All in all, it was a nice setting in Seifer's opinion. (At least, he said it's nice...)
"OK... Here he is, finally... Quistis, you can stand up... He'll have to take the solo pictures first..." Irvine commanded with a very professional-like voice...
"Yes, Mr. Camera Man. As if I can stand up on my own, you know..." The 'bride' complained.
"Seifer, help your 'bride' off the chair..."
Seifer reached out his hand to said person and looked up... Damn! He didn't breath for one second... Is this a dream or ... has he gone crazy?
There she was... The 'bride' in all of her splendor and beauty was right before his eyes... The 'groom' couldn't do anything but stare in pure amazement...
He didn't know if Rinoa was a real hair and make-up artist or something professional for she had really done a good job. The face was perfect! It was evident that Quistis had make-up because of the rosy blush-on, the eyeliner, the peach eye shadow which had the same color as her old outfit and the light maroon lipstick yet it still looked natural on her all the same...
The hairdo was also another work of exquisite art. Not even a single strand of hair was lurking out. The frontal bangs were trimmed for a few inches and the rest of her hair were tied up in a bun with another round of white roses around it which held the veil at the back.
And the dress? Seifer felt this was really a wedding right now... The upper part of the dress was an off-shoulder type with the sleeves ending up at her wrists with tiny white 'roses' hanging at the end. The balloon type skirt was like waterfalls flowing down to the floor... It gave Quistis a 'royal look' and all she needed was a crown...
"Uhhh... Seifer..." The 'queen' waved her hand in front of Seifer's awed eyes. "Hello! Uhhh... I need some help here..."
After a few split seconds, Seifer took the hand and helped her up. "You... uhh... Selphie and Rinoa did a great job on you... You l-look great" He managed to sputter out.
The blonde woman blinked twice...
Seifer just gave a compliment to... me? Whoa... Now, I believe in miracles...
"Yeah... you look dashing as well." Quistis managed to say as she returned the favor.
"Oh, wait!" She paused.
"Huh?" Seifer asked.
"Your tie's not properly done... Here..." Quistis said as she carefully loosened up the knot of the cravat and tied it up again.
"Thanks, I'm not really used to wearing this formal stuff..." Seifer tried not to look up because their faces were really close to each other. He can practically feel the warmth of her breathing.
"No problem... There..." Quistis looked up causing Seifer's face to look up as well. In that time-frozen moment, they stared at each other in awkward state yet they can't take their eyes off each other at all... (Ohhh... Heeheehee...)
In all of his life, Seifer swore he had never seen those eyes as blue and as peaceful as the summer sky before... It was like seeing the Instructor Trepe in the different side of the mirror... But, he has been with her for years... How come it just hit him out of the blue . . .? (Get it? Blue eyes? Out of the blue?)
"1...2...3... Yup!" A flash of light destroyed the moment and it took a few seconds for the two to realize that Irvine just took a picture from that.
"Hey! What the hell was that for?" Seifer said.
"Aww, come on... It was perfect! It had to look natural." Reasoned Irvine as he switched back into his not-so-serious self... Being an expert in observing details, Quistis noticed a small smile that formed in the cowboy's lips... (Ain't he a sneaky one...?)
"Anyway, let's get over with Seifer and then the both of you..." Irvine said, back to business. Rinoa and Squall helped Quistis safely away from the setting leaving Seifer alone with Irvine and Zell... again... (Oh boy...)
As Seifer stood there seeing the very playful stares from both boys, he was beginning to think that all of this is a punishment for everything he's done. Hehe... I guess this is what Rinoa meant by 'regretting it later'...
"Okay, Seifer. Just sit on the chair. Sit straight. Place one hand on top of the other on your lap and... Smile!" Irvine said as he was making a happier change of tone by the time he got to the last word.
The SeeD cadet rolled his eyes. "What makes you think that I will. . . Smile!" Seifer retorted, imitating the last word from the photographer...
"Aw, come on do the one you did back at Deling City." Zell piped. He flashed a suave grin and his hand wiped his hair all the way to the back of the head and winked. He was imitating what Seifer did back at Deling City alongside with back then, the possessed Sorceress Edea...
"Oh, shut up!" Seifer said, definitely peeved. But, it still didn't stop both boys from laughing harder. (Geez, I made them so evil, ne?)
"Ahem..." A familiar stern voice came in the scene giving the 'poor groom' a lot of relief. "Well... how are we doing...Irvine?" His grayish-blue eyes were like small blades of ice ready to pierce something.
"U-uhh... About to start, s-sir..." The cowboy managed to sputter out.
"Ohhh... I see... Well, Zell, may I ask you...do you have any business with the photographer or Seifer?" The Commander acted as if he was some sort of villain... (A comical villain...)
"N-nothing, sir. Just h-happened to p-pass by..." Zell said, sounding rather nervous.
"Well then, why not try to help Selphie and Rinoa carry that bundle from Quistis's gown?" Squall suggested in a scolding tone. And with that, the tattooed martial artist scampered off...
The brunette gave a nod of acknowledgement to Seifer and was rewarded with a grin. It gave Seifer more courage to actually... Smile!
After a few solo shots, it was now both the bride and groom. The feeling of awkwardness was not there anymore. Seifer and Quistis voluntarily held hands, smiled genuinely and even proudly show their 'wedding rings' together... The rest of the group didn't know what got into the two but were all pleased because it would make the job easier and faster...
Soon afterwards, Rinoa and Squall joined in the couple putting in their best smiles and pose as the photo session was going rather well. The most surprising is that Squall also smiled which gave the aura of ease around the group...
Despite his past attitude towards the situation, Irvine held out on his own as the photographer. He checked out angles, the position of the light, and the position of the people in the setting as well.
As the proud designer of the wedding gown, Selphie's main priority was the durability of the clothes and the welfare of the people wearing it. She made sure that gown didn't have any visible errors to make sure it won't show when the pictures were to be developed... As for the people, she asks the person, especially Quistis, if he or she is comfortable with the garments.
He may have no major role in this session and have spent more time 'having fun' than helping out, but Zell certainly helps in at the crucial moments such as: helping to lift the tail of the wedding gown, setting up the camera and the lights, or just filling in for the decorations. Either way, one could always give a hand to friends in need, right?
Obviously in charge of the hair and make-up part, Rinoa had brought her very personal kit along with some items that she borrowed from Zell. Though she is much more needed in Timber, she chose to stay with best friends and have a little enjoyment once in a while...
In charge of safety of all members involved, and well, in patrol of some slacking off their work such as Zell, it may have been a surprise to see Squall join drawn into this. To think that he is the 'best man' might have been a brow-raising reaction if we were to see the developed pictures for the first time. But, let's face it; he is the only one that fits in the category, right?
It may have started out a little edgy but Seifer and Quistis pulled it thru till the end. Maybe, they thought they should play along with this because well, it's fun! Somehow, it retuned memories of when the group used to play the 'PLAYHOUSE' with Rinoa as the substitute for Ellone. This time, they played the part where Mr. and Mrs. Branforde actually married, in some sort of way. (Using real props...)
After about an hour and 30 minutes, the session ended without much trouble. The four changed back into their regular clothes and cleaned their faces from all the make-up. (You know, eliminate all evidence... LoL...)
Life is truly a funny thing. Squall and the rest are good examples. They used to be small innocent orphans caused by the first Sorceress War. And now, they are pretty much involved with the Second Sorceress War.
Seifer used to tease poor Zell and now it seems the latter is the one that gets the upper hand.
The 'loner wolf' Squall now show some signs of a more cheerful aura and seems to be comfortable with people... And who would have thought that he and Rinoa would actually be together in the first place?
Of what used to be just simple game of PLAYHOUSE is now turning into a real thing. An example is Selphie and Irvine... Though they have spent the most of their lives in two different places, a certain point of their journey brought them together again bringing them to the next point of the 'friendship'... And a similar effect might happen to childhood best friends, Seifer and Quistis...
Life has lots of surprises. Some lives start out good and some bad. Some are in high points while others would love to go there... But even so, we must continue to move on forward...
And so that someday, we will be able to look back and... Smile!
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AUTHOR's STILL ALIVE and WELL!
Hiya guys... Yes... I know! You guys are supposed to kill me for not updating for a long time. But, it's just that... Oh well, it's a cliché... That damn Writer's block and that Schoolwork... (Ooooh...)
That's why I have made this chapter a little too long for my opinion... I hope you guys enjoyed it as much I have in writing it, especially the last paragraphs.
Since this chapter is a little special, I would like to thank the ffg:
Dragon Princess Isis – Thank you for reviewing... And yes, you should update all your fics. There are still a lot of people waiting... Keep and reading! By the way, you have a cool pen name!
Lucrecia Almasy – Seifer and Quistis is my most fave pairing of all... I so do believe in 'opposites attract'. Hey, it happened with Squall and Rinoa... What more if its Seifer and Quistis, huh? By the way, cute pen name!
Revir - Aww... you complimented the wedding dress... You used the word 'stunning'. I'm quite flattered, you know. I'm sure you loved the way Seifer reacted to it (Heehee...) Seiftis Forever!!! Please do keep on reading... Oh yeah... what does your pen name mean? Is it like 'river' spelled backwards? Just asking?
Oneiromancy - Thanks for reading. And yup, there are more orphanage memories to come... both happy and sad... Just keep on reading, kay!? Likewise, what does your pen name stand for?
xXxTifa Lockhart xXx – Thank you so much for putting this story into your Favorites list. I'm definitely flattered! Please continue supporting this story of mine... And well, it is already understandable what your pen name means... Ehehehehe...
Lady in Blue – Thank you for that compliment... I totally agree with you. There are only a few Seiftis fics within the Humor category. I'm happy that I have satisfied your satisfactions... (Geez, did I sound too formal or something?) Cute pen name you have there... You are like Lija-chan!
Lija-chan – You are the first reviewer, my dear friend. I congratulate you... And you are the one with the longest review which is... well, not really surprising! I know you will always continue reading this and thank you for that... Of course, I don't need to ask what does your pen name mean, ne?
Black Rose- 18 – Here it is my dear friend! Your 'much awaited' chapter. Now what about mine...? Give it to me now... Heehee... You have produced one review for each chapter. Thank you... I must say- I still cannot forget about the Squall holding the balloon thing... It was a laughing blast! Thank you for the suggestions. You're always reading so I don't need to worry... Your pen name? I don't need to ask that either...
To everyone, please thank Black Rose-18 like you have never done so. She is the sole reason why this story has come to existence and well, served as my regular persuader when it comes to updating. Mostly, I dedicate this fic to her. Ahehehe... I mean, think about it: Quistis's wedding gown motif is always roses... Seifer and Squall has roses on their left pockets. (Get it? Rose Wedding Motif? Black-Rose-18? Hmmm?)
What I meant by 'thanking her' is that you should read her fic: "I Think I Love You". It's a humorous and romantic story with the Kingdom Hearts Characters; a SoraKairi pairing.
Also, try Lija-chan's fics as well. She has written a lot, you know... At least give appreciation to all her work. She gives me ideas for this fic while I give mine when she asks for it!
Well, that is all I got to say... I'm pretty happy with the results of this story... I sure hope that this will continue and the number of readers and will grow... And so...
MERRY CHRISTMAS!