Disclaimer – There are times when I play with things that I own. This is not one of those times. Now is the time that I play with something borrowed.
Hideous
As they made their way towards Ultimecia, Zell grew increasingly reticent, drawing towards the back of the group. Curious as to what could alter Zell so drastically, Quistis moved back to walk alongside him.
"Is something wrong?" Quistis asked.
"We're… we're really about to fight Ultimecia, aren't we?" he responded nervously.
Quistis nodded. "Yeah… you're not having second thoughts, are you?"
"No!" Zell responded a bit too fast. "It's just… Adell was hideous and didn't wear a shirt… which made her more hideous. What if… what if Ultimecia is even worse?"
Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, Quistis tried not to laugh or make Zell feel embarrassed – an impulse not shared by the eavesdropping Selphie and Irvine, who both began giggling uproariously and drawing the attention of Squall and Rinoa – and attempted to answer honestly. "Then I suppose you'll have to try not to look at her directly, then."
"I guess," Zell muttered glumly, staring at his feet. "By the way, you didn't happen to hear whatever joke amused those two," he gestured to Selphie and Irvine, "so much, did you? I could really use some cheering up about now."
That was the last straw. Looking away from Zell, Quistis began to giggle uncontrollably while Zell wondered what was so funny.
A/N – The hideousness… it burns my eyes. I felt particularly sorry for Rinoa considering that she was practically eaten by Adell. (Shudder)