Take Your Bets!

Chapter 4

Advance GF Junctioning 102 has just finished that day, and everyone in the classroom has left along with Seifer and Quistis who headed straight for the Training Center to continue their lecture on Discipline in Actual Combat 304.

Rinoa quietly picked up her things. She was starving and knew that Squall had been waiting at the cafeteria for her for over thirty minutes. She rushed out of the room and headed for the elevator. Just before she made the turn, she saw Selphie waving at her like there's no tomorrow.

"Oh Rinoaaaah!" Selphie pranced about the hallway—energetic as always.

"Hey Selphie, what's up?" Rinoa waved back at the vigorous petite.

"Guess what I have?" she teased, hiding her hand behind her back, keeping a secret.

"What is it! Lemme see!" she begged with puppy eyes.

"Lookie here! It's our picture with Sis Elle the other day near the library." She said, holding up the picture for Rinoa to see.

"WOW! This is so...so...sad." was all Rinoa could comment as she looked at the picture. There they were, at the very edge of the photo with cut bodies and a very broad background. They only took a quarter of the space while the rest was the library's hallway.

"I know! Irvine says it's called rule-of-thirds, I say, it's AWFUL BLIND OF HIM!"

"Next time, let's ask anyone BUT him, okay?" Rinoa said archly, with eyes glued irritably at the picture. "Hey look, it's Seifer and Quisty!" she commended as she spotted the two caught in the background passing by the library's hallway, a few meters from where they stood. Since Irvine decided to take a whole lot of background area, he accidentally included Seifer, who was then holding a pile of books for Quistis, and her, merrily nudging him from behind.

"Oh golly! You're right, it is them!" Selphie said in a high-pitched trill. Grabbing the photo from Rinoa's hand, she started to survey the photo with suspicion, "Know what? There's something fishy about those two. I mean, they've been doing really well lately—too well. I say there's a spark!"

"Really! I never really thought of it like that...after all, they don't have much choice, they're stuck together until the SeeD Test."

"True. True. How're they doin' in class?"

Rinoa laughed, "You have no idea! They're impossible! They get on each other's nerves a lot. Seifer just LOVES to challenge her every lesson, always contradicting her every word that they often squabble like a married couple, and no one could really stop them—they're the most intimidating people I know. I'm sure anyone who'll get in their way will get a good beating." She stopped and rubbed her chin in deep thought. "But you know what, these last two weeks, their arguments no longer seem to be aggravating the hell of each other...more of like a cuddly squabble. In fact, they no longer seem to get on each other's nerves, they're just arguing to laugh at each other. I say they're kinda cute to watch!"

Selphie became quiet for a moment, then slowly, her eyes widened with excitement.

"You know, I've been thinking about it a lot lately. Remember when we girls had a little talk about him a few weeks ago, when Quisty was having trouble with him? I think she's seeing him with a new light because those two are becoming inseparable recently though always arguing...and you also remember when Xu asked us to go find a guy more intimidating than Quisty? Well...I'm guessing the only guy who fits the bill—"

"—Seifer! Are you serious! Those two might strangle each other to death!"

"Exactly! Don't you get it? Those two CAN strangle each other! They make a match!"

"I doubt it...Seifer isn't really the kinda guy who'd go for the Ms. Perfect girl...he's out for the damsel in distress who's fun to hang out with. And I bet Quisty's out for a guy who's more focused and in tuned with the world." Rinoa assessed in sceptical tone.

"Okay...how's this?" Selphie insisted, this time covering their faces on the photo and framing the two with her fingers. "Don't you think they look cute together?"

"Hmmm...you're right, they do have chemistry." Rinoa muffled through her palm which covered her huge grin. "Wow, I didn't see this coming."

"Yupyupyup! That's what I've been trying to tell you—they look so good together! I bet they'd make a hot couple!"

"I'll say! But it's not like they can figure things out for themselves...I do wish there's something we can do." She said dubiously, rubbing her fingertips against her temple.

Her words silenced their conversation as their thoughts were shifted to come up with a plan.

Two minutes passed and still no words were spoken; an unusual air for the two.

"...You know...Quisty helped me come up with the plan to hook you and Squall together. Care to return the favor?" Selphie uttered with a grin.

"Sure! I'll do anything to make the both of them happy...Seifer's done a whole lot for the Timber Owls, and Quistis...well, you know how much she's done for me." There was the faintest trace of longing in her voice. She really wanted to help out.

"Good, because I think I may have the perfect plan, but we need every help we can get!" Selphie motioned Rinoa to come closer. When she did, Selphie began to whisper to her the scoop of the plan, her lips at Rinoa's ear.

To those who witnessed the two's chitchat, saw suspicious glances and heard airs of sinister giggles.

o O o

Early the next morning, at the break of dawn, at about five in the morning, a meeting was called for with regards to the duo's plan the previous day. Everyone came, Cid, Edea, Xu, Zell, Irvine, and Squall, plus the two masterminds. The former six mentioned were clueless, sleepy and glum, while the latter two were very much alive, awake and enthusiastic about unveiling their ingenious plan.

"GOOOOD MORNING!" Selphie greeted, gleefully hopping about the Headmaster's office and patting everyone on the head.

No one was in the mood to react just as energetic, save for Rinoa who happily hopped with her.

"Selphie, dear, can you please stop bouncing about the room and start the forum." Edea calmly requested with the slightest hint of irritation.

"WHOO-HOO! That's the spirit!" Selphie concluded her series of hops with one big jump. When her feet touched the ground, her face quickly turned from jovial to dead serious. "We are gathered here today for a very special reason...a reason so grave that if left unresolved, our conscience will haunt us for the rest of our LIVES!"

"What the heck are ya blabberin' about!" Zell blurted in utter frustration.

Instead of a repartee, she simply chuckled, holding in a bigger excitement. She called for Rinoa to help her unveil a rolled up tarpaulin. Then releasing it at the same time, they exclaimed in perfect unison, "Seifer Almasy and Quistis Trepe Love Matchmaking Bet Contest 101!"

"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaat!" Xu reacted the second the two spoke the title.

"You're kidding right?" Squall said with sarcasm, but only on the surface.

"Nuh-uh!" Selphie shook her head. "We're down right serious, we are! I mean, guys, think about it! Don't you think those two would make a good couple?"

"In a very shallow way, they probably would." Xu answered in distressed tone.

"At first glance maybe, but Selphie and I thought really hard about it and realized it could actually work. Besides, they're not complete opposites, in fact they complement each other's personality." Rinoa defended, then showed them the picture where Seifer and Quistis were caught in the background. "They have an unspoken respect for each other...perhaps even admiration, who knows? But looking at the picture, I say they're a match made in heaven."

"Uh-huh!" Selphie continued, "There's no one more intimidating than Quistis but Seifer. If you think about it, he has the qualifications, tall, smart, handsome, brave, strong, and intimidating—"

"Yeah, and not to mention obnoxious, egotistic and bad-tempered!" Zell cut her praises off.

"I know...he's no different from you!" Selphie chuckled.

"Say WUT!" he jumped off his seat with clenched fists.

"C'mon guys, let's be serious here. Selphie, I don't know what suddenly occurred to you, why you think those two would make a great couple...but please, PLEASE, for Quistis' sake, don't do this." Xu protested, practically pleading her concern.

"Then if not Seifer, then who?" Selphie made a daring statement and caught Xu off guard.

Quistis' best friend fidgeted to reply. "Rank A SeeDs, male faculty, older cadets, Trepe groupies, okay…I'll accept any SeeD…exchange students, the guy at the parking lot or the guy by the gate…the electrician, the plumber, the janitor…Nida…ANYONE! Dammit! Isn't there a single decent guy left in the Garden that isn't taken!"

"Wanna give up on your boyfriend?"

"No…but we can get someone else's." Xu wailed, looking particularly impish at Squall.

Squall's eyes widened and he quickly slunk below the table to hide.

"Let's stick with Seifer shall we?" Rinoa interrupted, standing between Xu and her prospect victim.

Xu shook her head and turned her attention back to Selphie. "Refresh your memory and consider someone else."

Selphie's lime eyes glistened with the slightest hint of nuisance. She was getting tired of the argument and just HAD to shut that mouth of that loyal but bitchy acquaintance of Quistis.

"We not only scanned for the biodata of the entire Garden, we also made careful considerations because just like you, Quistis is our friend and we can't just hook her up with some random stranger. The fact is, the whole faculty is ten to forty years older than her, if not married. SeeDs…we saw a few, but they just don't match up to Seifer's qualifications. All Trepes praise her like a goddess, and that isn't how she wants to be treated, unlike Seifer who sees beyond her perfection. For the cadets…well…the only cadent we have that is the same age as Quisty is Seifer. There are no exchange students this semester, the only new one we admitted is a particular guy named Seifer. The rest of the guys you mentioned, including Nida…out of the question…I'd rather go with Seifer."

"So you're saying that everything just points back to Seifer, is that it?"

"Yep!"

Xu closed her eyes and banged her head on the table.

"Oh c'mon, it's gonna be fun! I mean, think about it, seriously, it could work out because their personalities match up against each other. They're both talented, smart, confident, popular, witty, competent, independent and have outrageously disturbing personalities—not to mention, they're childhood friends—I say it's PERFECT!" Selphie vigorously persisted in defense.

"Yup, they're meant for each other...they just don't know it yet! I've thought about it." Rinoa too insisted their stand.

"They're not meant for each other, we're the ones who'll be making them." Squall suddenly made a wise comment which made everyone turn to him. "Don't you think it's better if we just leave them? If there's a spark, then we don't have to intervene."

"Well...that's true...but things might not have worked out between us if no one had intruded." Rinoa reminded, looking at Squall with frustration.

"Ouch..." Zell muttered to himself.

Squall was silenced at what Rinoa had said, it hurt him and regretted that he ever spoke.

"I'm sorry..." Rinoa pressed, holding his hand, "but I really wanna help them."

"Yeah Squall, there's no harm in fanning the flames a bit." Selphie added, insisting still.

There was long pause, their words got the others thinking, considering the possibilities. It was like solving a rubrics cube, it was easy to match up one side, but the rest of it would remain as random color…didn't make much sense, and would certainly take a long time to solve if persisted.

It took someone who knew how the pattern worked to make all sides match.

With one last revolve to complete the puzzle, it clicked…

It is possible.

"Personally, I think they'll have to try harder than most couples to make their relationship work. Those two never really got along as far as I can remember..." Squall mumbled beneath his breath, "It's gonna take a miracle for this one to work...but I don't mind helping them out."

"Really!" Rinoa's eyes brightened when Squall nodded.

Another minute of silence passed.

"...Now that I think of it, Sefie may be right...their personalities do match up." Irvine finally motioned, rubbing his chin, "I mean, if there's anyone who can set Seifer straight, it's her...and for Quisty's side, I'm sure she'll love teaching him a lesson or two. After all, she needs all the excitement she can get...her life's been a little of a routine lately."

"Yeah! I'd love to see her strangle Seifer with her whip. And the sooner, the better!" Zell enthusiastically added with a grin.

"May I just say, I think it's a splendid idea. After all, they grew up together as family. I think it would be nice if they'd end up as a real family." Edea smiled.

"I always figured those two had chemistry. Plus, they are Balamb Garden's finest—they'd make a super-couple!" Cid giggled in a teasing tone.

"Then I guess it's decided! Xu, are you gonna be in on this?" Selphie spun around to show Xu her puppy-pleading eyes.

Xu hesitated to speak, but then what could she do? She was the only one who opposed against seven others. "I guess it's about time Quistis gets a man in her loveless life—but seriously, SEIFER!" She amended with a hard glance at the subject of her statement.

"No one else makes the qualifications!" Selphie assured.

Xu could only sigh in sullen agreement, "I guess Seifer does make the match..."

"BOOYA! WHOO-HOO! Now we're talkin'!" Selphie jumped twice with gladness to the plan that was now to be undertaken.

"YEY!" Rinoa clapped with excitement, but the clap quickly turned to an attention-grabber. When every eye on the room laid upon her with anticipation, she started to brief them. "And now, for the rules—"

"WHOA! There are rules!" Zell immediately cut her off.

"Shhh! Just hear her out will ya?" Irvine scolded, and then motioned for Rinoa to continue.

"Thanks Irvy!" Rinoa sweetly smiled at him, while gave Zell a piercing stare. "As I was saying, Selphie and I decided that it would be more interesting if we had a few agreements to abide with—you know, rules to make it more formal."

"What kind of rules, exactly?" one grizzled eyebrow rose, and the wrinkles on Cid's forehead deepened.

"First, can everyone promise me that you won't overreact?" Selphie said, staring hard at Zell in particular.

"That all depends. What are the terms?" Squall said without expression.

"Okay...here goes..." Selphie took in a deep breath to gather the courage to tell them about the wager. "Everyone must pay 3000gil to join—"

"WHOA!" Zell jumped up in surprise causing his chair to topple behind.

"—HEY! I said not to react! Lemme explain!" Selphie shut him up with a push. "Now here's the scoop...we'll have a pot were we'll keep the cash we paid for safety. Anyone who wins the bet, gets the pot along with the cash!"

"I like the sound of that..." Irvine gave a confident smile at Selphie.

Selphie smiled back, "So anyone who gets to hook up Quistis and Seifer into making them a couple will get eight times than what she paid for." She paused, thought, then went on, "The rules are simple...make them fall for each other; but you can only do a single attempt, after that, you're forfeited from the game...so make sure your plan is one-time-big-time if you wanna get 24,000gil into your account!"

"I don't exactly allow gambling—" Cid tried to protest but Selphie cut him short.

"It's not gambling! IT'S A BET!" Selphie yelled in defense that it bordered on disrespect. "—I-I mean...it's a bet..." she restated, this time embarrassed.

"Well in that case..." Cid thought long and hard while the others waited for his verdict.

"You have my permission." Edea suddenly uttered, calm but full of recognition.

Cid was left without choice but to concede with her decision. With nothing more left to be said, Cid took out from his pocket three 1000 paper bills and placed it at the center of the table.

One by one, the rest followed.

Sneak Preview:

Epic Prelude

Chapter 5

"...I don't know the details...but I may have a figured out why Xu was so angry." He said, changing the topic into something that was more current.

"Was she in love with Gavin as well?"

"Don't be silly. She's frustrated by the fact that Gavin arrived a little too late."

"For what?"

"Didn't you hear her? If Gavin had arrived before we made the bet with Selphie, Xu would have rooted for him instead of Seifer."

"Yeah, you're right!" Rinoa agreed, enlightened. "We could bring back the love! Gavin and Quistis make a perfect pair!"

"What about Seifer?" he asked, disappointed at her lack of sensitivity.

"Ohhh..." she couldn't answer, and it made her sad.