The Princess of Light
III: Gone With the Wind
Life's under no obligation to give us what we expect. We take what we get and are thankful it's no worse than it is.
- Margaret Mitchell
August 25th, 1999: Celestial Academy of Elemental Sorcery, The Island Closest to Heaven
TERRA KASE
The tall tanned Elf with brown hair in messy spikes strode to the front of the crowd and placed his orb into the fountain and watched the swirls of colour intently. His blue eyes shone brightly as a flashed and green smoke appeared in the form of a Turtle. The Northern house cheered loudly at the sight.
AQUA LEE
A slender Elf with shoulder length pale blue hair and eyes walked towards the fountain and smiled at Terra as she dropped her orb into the fountain. Crossing her arms over her chest she waited as the colours swirled and a bright light flashed with blue smoke in the form of a dragon flying up.
Rinoa and Tifa looked towards Edea and smiled.
VENTUS LOCKHART
Tifa's younger brother jogged to the front when he heard his name, his messy dirty blond spiked hair and bright blue eyes shone in the light as he threw his orb into the fountain. His grin widened and the bright light flashed and white smoke appeared in the form of a Tiger and the room cheered.
August 25th, 2000: Celestial Academy of Elemental Sorcery, The Island Closest to Heaven
TIDUS DINCHT
Son of the famous Blitzball player Jecht Dincht, a Shape Shifter with dishevelled blonde hair in spikes and sea blue eyes jogged to the front. Whispers followed as the young boy reached the stand, high-fiving his friends in the crowd of students. Dunking his orb into the fountain, he watched as the colours swirled and the bright light flashed. Green smoke burst out in the form of a Turtle and everyone cheered.
O O O
RIKKU MORI
A petite Air Sprite, with green eyes and blonde hair tied into a high ponytail and two thin pigtails with orange feathers attached, skipped to the front with her orb and quickly dropped it into the fountain. She peered over the edge with anticipation, watching the colours swirl about and took a step back when smoke began to form.
Light flashed and a tiger in the form of white smoke appeared and everyone cheered. Rikku looked at Edea, confused.
"Western House of the White Tiger!" the headmistress announced immediately, sending a small nod to Quistis.
Quistis nodded back, eyeing the girl carefully.
YUNA MORI
Rikku's cousin, a petite air sprite had shoulder length brunette hair with one green and blue eye, hugged her cousin for good luck and strode to the front of the fountain. Eyeing the orb, she dropped it in, watching a small splash form from the impact. With a quick flash of light, green smoke erupted from the fountain in the form of a turtle.
"Booyaka!" Selphie stood up, cheering, with a clapping Aerith beside her. Yuna smiled at them and made her way towards their table.
August 26th, 2001: Celestial Academy of Elemental Sorcery, The Island Closest to Heaven
GARNET TIL ALEXANDROS XVII
A fair-skinned young Elf with chin length dark brown hair and eyes walked towards the fountain when she heard her name being announced. Dropping her orb into the fountain, she waited, rocking back and forth on the balls of her heels as the water swirled with colour. With a flash of bright light, red smoke in the form of a phoenix shot out of the fountain and the room cheered.
Ami smiled at the young girl kindly and Paine smirked.
O O O
SORA LOCKHART
Tifa's lanky, youngest brother with wild spiky brown hair and bright blue eyes walked forward nervously. Clutching the orb tightly in his right hand, he peered over the edge of the fountain and dropped the orb in. Sora took a step back quickly, seeing the water turn colours and bright light appear. In a flash, white smoke appeared and form a Tiger and he smiled brightly at the cheering students, giving his older sister a thumbs-up and joining his older brother Ventus at the Western House table.
O O O
YUFFIE KISARAGI
Prancing to the front, the Air Sprite with short black hair and dark brown eyes quickly tossed her orb into the fountain and watched with wide eyes as the water changed into a rainbow of colours. At the first sight of smoke, Yuffie squealed in delight and jumped up, watching as the bright light flashed.
"C'mon Yuffie!" Rikku cheered, jumping up from her table
White smoke appeared in the form of a tiger and Yuffie ran towards Rikku, hugging her friend as their table cheered.
Quistis smiled at the two, her blue eyes shining brightly.
O O O
KAIRI MATSUO
The red headed Mermaid standing at the back in her land form with violet blue eyes brushed her shoulder length hair back and walked forward to the fountain. Peering into the fountain, she dropped her orb in and stepped back, watching the swirling colours in awe.
Tifa and Aqua crossed their fingers and with a flash of bright light, blue smoke emitted from the fountain in the form of a Dragon. The two older girls stood up and cheered along with Rinoa
O O O
RIKU MIKI
Fujin's younger brother was tall and pale, with long silver hair and bright blue-green eyes. Riku held a calm expression like his older sister as he approached the fountain and dropped his orb in. Waiting patiently as the colours changed and bright light flashed, green smoke formed into a Turtle and the Northern house cheered loudly.
June 30th, 2003: Celestial Academy of Elemental Sorcery, The Island Closest to Heaven
"Congratulations to the graduating class of 2003!" Headmistress Edea announced from the podium at the front as the whole auditorium erupted in cheers. "There are no words to describe how proud I am of everyone, please join me in the Main Hall for celebrations."
Quistis, Xu, Fujin and Raijin sat in the front row, dressed in white ceremonial robes. They cheered loudly from their seats, as Edea made her speech. When the ceremony came to an end, the occupants quickly exited and made their way down to the Main Hall.
Entering the brightly lit Main Hall, gasps could be heard as they took in the sight of the lavish designs covering the room.
"We have Selphie and her decorating committee to thank for this" Quistis said, smiling at her group of friends.
"Speaking of Selphie, where is she?" Xu asked, peering at Quistis from the side
"She's with Headmistress Edea, as the new Messenger girl." Quistis shrugged when Fujin looked at her questioningly "Rinoa's with her."
"C'mon, let's party ya know!" Raijin pumped his fist in the air, and put an arm around his girlfriend as she rolled her eyes at him.
June 30th, 2003: Celestial Academy of Elemental Sorcery, The Island Closest to Heaven
Knocking twice on Headmistress Edea's door, Rinoa and Selphie stood outside nervously. As the doors swung open, the two girls peered in to see their Headmistress sitting behind her large desk. Motioning for the two girls to enter, they sat down in front of her.
"Selphie dear, your decorating committee did a wonderful job with the Main Hall" Edea spoke, smiling at them "It's a shame that I must drag you away from this event, but I need you and Rinoa to deliver a message for me."
The two girls looked at each other and then back at Edea.
"Sure! How can we help?" Selphie replied brightly and Rinoa nodded
"I need you both to take a trip to see my husband. He is the Headmaster of Balamb Garden and I will need to hire a team of SeeDs" Edea explained. "Mr. Highwind shall take you there on The Shera. Wear something formal please, and be ready to leave in an hour."
Edea handed the two girls a large envelope as she walked them out of her office and gave them a hug.
June 30th, 2003: Balamb Garden, Balamb
The clear night's sky filled with stars, sparkling through the glass rooftop of Balamb Garden as the ballroom bustled with its newest SeeD graduates. A seventeen-year-old Squall stood off to the far side of the room in his uniform, sipping on a glass of dark red liquid as he attempted to blend in with the wall. Celebrations were never an interest of his, and growing up in the Esthar Palace only further encouraged his disinterest in social events.
Staring towards the ceiling, a flash of light danced across the sky and he lowered his gaze to the floor, where a petite young figure stood in the center. Dressed in a short ivory gown, her dark hair and highlighted bangs stood out against her pale skin, and she pointed towards the glass rooftop. He stared at her large brown doe eyes and tilted his head. "She's beautiful."
Squall darted his eyes around the room when he realized she had begun walking towards him. Her kitten heels clicked across the floor as she approached him.
"You're the best looking guy here" Rinoa said cheerily, and put her hands on her hips. "Dance with me?"
He took a sip from his glass and stared at her with a puzzled look on his face.
"Let me guess… You'll only dance with someone you like" she stated, not bothered by his silence as she stepped closer to him.
A blush crept across his face at being in such close proximity to her. He could smell the scent of her blood and tried to bite back the feeling of his fangs elongating. "What's a Water Nymph doing here?"
"Okay then…" Rinoa tapped her chin thoughtfully, then raised an arm to wave her fingers at him and began chanting, "Look into my eyes"
Squall raised an eyebrow at her.
"You are going to like me… You are going to like me…" she continued, giggling half way. "Did it work?"
He shook his head and replied automatically "I can't dance." He scolded himself internally when he noticed the look of disappointment on her face.
"You'll be fine. Come on." Still determined to dance with the handsome vampire, she grabbed his hand and placed his glass onto a nearby table as 'Walt for the Moon' began to play. "I'm looking for someone. I can't be on the dance floor alone"
Dragging him to the center of the ballroom she placed his right hand on her waist and his left hand in hers. "Just follow my lead," she said moving to the waltz with Squall stumbling as he attempted to follow.
At one point he slammed into her as she spun them, causing his friends and fellow graduates Cloud and Seifer on the side to snicker at his misfortune. "I don't see you assholes dancing with anyone" He thought to himself and sneered at them. Hearing Seifer laugh loudly, he attempted to walk away from Rinoa.
"Please stay!" She grabbed his hand, picking up from where they left off and gave him a reassuring smile "you're getting better."
"Whatever" He mumbled back, only for the pair to collide with another couple on the dance floor. The guy narrowed his and glared at Squall, embarrassing him further while Rinoa merely stuck her tongue out at the couple.
As the rhythm picked up, Squall's dancing improved and the pair moved in perfect timing with each other. Turning and sliding to the beat, Squall spun the beautiful Nymph in his arms twice before the song came to an end and he held her close to him as the lights in the room dimmed. He inched his face closer to hers and breathed in the scent of jasmine and vanilla as she rested her head on his shoulder.
Fireworks exploded from the rooftop, breaking him out of his reverie and looked up towards the sky. Flashes of multiple colours lit up the sky, bathing the ballroom in an ethereal glow. Squall peered down at the girl in his arms and noticed her looking above his shoulders.
Suddenly, she smiled his way, quickly thanking him for the dance and taking her leave in the direction of his Headmaster. He watched her walk away, and suddenly, he felt empty again. "I never did get her name."
O O O
"There you are Rin!" Selphie called out to an approaching Rinoa, standing in a sleeveless yellow gown and waving her hand in the air. "I found Mr. Kramer!"
Her shoulder length auburn hair curled at the ends, bouncing as she moved. Standing next to her was an older Elf, with blue eyes, greying floppy brown hair, and round glasses. Dressed in a suit, he smiled at the two girls. They bowed politely towards the older man and introduced themselves.
"Please, call me Cid. You must be the students my wife sent." He stated
"Yes sir! We were sent to hand you a message" Selphie replied excitedly. "Headmistress has requested that we hire SeeDs next year."
"Come, let's discuss this in my office, shall we?" Cid suggested, directing them out of the ballroom and towards his office.
The two girls entered, silently trailing behind him and took a seat on the couch in the corner. Cid sat across from them in a singlet, and crossed his leg. He had a kind smile, giving off a familiar warmth as to that of their headmistress.
"So, Ms. Tilmitt and Ms. Heartilly, what has my beautiful wife sent you two here for?"
"Headmistress has asked for your aid Sir!" Selphie piped in, waving the large envelope Edea had given them, in the air. "We have the details in this envelope. She said we were to personally deliver it to you 'cause it's safer Sir."
"Thank you for seeing us on such short notice Sir." Rinoa added "Headmistress is requesting to hire a team of your SeeDs for next year. It has become increasingly dangerous with the surge of Ultimecia's followers."
"But of course dear, I shall send my finest. I assume this is for the start of September classes until the end?"
"Yes Sir, thank you! We'll let Headmistress know immediately." Selphie jumped up, hugging the man quickly. Rinoa giggled behind her hands at the man's surprised look.
"That's… quite alright dear." Cid chuckled slowly rising from his seat. "I will have them ready by September."
"Booyaka!" Selphie shouted victoriously and grabbed her friend's hand. "C'mon Rin, let's head back to The Shera so we can tell Headmistress the good news. Cid's waiting on us."
"You're both very welcome, and by the way Ms. Heartilly, that is a lovely necklace."
"Thank you, Sir" Rinoa smiled, reaching up to hold the delicate ring that hung on the chain around her neck and caressing the smooth band. "It was my mothers. Headmistress held on to it and gave it to me this year on my birthday."
"Ah, yes… Well dear, I'm sorry about your parents, they were amazing and wonderful. Many lost their lives that year unfortunately." Cid replied sympathetically. Rinoa nodded back, blinking back they stray tears in her eyes. "Now, let me walk you both to your airship."
"That's okay Sir, we've taken up enough of your time. We'll walk ourselves out so you can enjoy the rest of the party!" Selphie replied as they made their way out of his office and into the hall.
"Well, that's very kind of you dear. It was nice meeting the both of you." Cid reached out the shake their hands before parting ways to return to the ballroom.
The two girls quickly strode down the hall towards the lifts, when Rinoa suddenly paused mid stride, halting in front of the doors. Without a moments notice, she turned around and stalked back in the direction of the ballroom.
"Rin! Where are you going?" Selphie shrieked in surprise, waving the girl to come back.
Rinoa paused, turned her head around and shook her head in response "You keep going! I forgot to ask Mr. Kramer something, I'll meet you back at the ship sis, don't worry!"
"But Rin…" Selphie trailed off, watching her turned back and speed walk in the Headmaster's direction. "Twenty minutes! Or I'm coming back to rescue you!"
Rinoa stuck her thumb up in the air without breaking her pace, and at the sound of the bell ringing once, the lift's doors opened and Selphie stepped in, watching her friends figure fade into the distance as the doors closed.
O O O
Picking up her pace, Rinoa walked towards the ballroom with a look of determination across her face. 'He knew my parents. Maybe he can tell me what Headmistress won't.'
Turning a corner at the end of the hall, she walked further down and heard the faint sound of a piano being played. She slowed down, noticing a single door ajar among the many closed ones, with a sliver of light peeking out and carefully crept towards it. She stared at the engraved metal nameplate on the door. 'Squall Leonhart'
Staying as quite as possible, she peeked into the lit room and gasped softly. It was the boy she danced with, sitting on the piano bench dressed in a white v neck tee and loose fitted black jeans, with his head bent downwards and his hand flitting across the keys to the notes of Beethoven's 'Moonlight Sonata'.
"Are you going to come in, or spy at me through the door all night?" He drawled out, not once looking up from his seat or stopping the piece.
Heat pooled across her cheeks, burning her pale flesh a pink hue as she silently stepped through the opening and into the room. "Hi…I-I… wasn't spying!" She blushed again, embarrassed at being caught. "I think I'm lost…"
"Close the door."
"Oh… S-sorry" She turned around, stammering again and gently closed the door, not noticing that the music had stopped playing.
Rinoa turned around and gasped, seeing that Squall had moved from his seat in front of the piano to stand behind her when she had her back turned. She could she the faint outlines of his solid muscles through the thin shirt he wore and her eyes widened as she peered upwards to look at his face. His eyes had turned from a cold steel blue to a warm blood red tone and she instinctively took a step back, pressing against the door from behind.
Squall stepped closer to Rinoa, effectively trapping her between the door and his body, and placed his hands on her tiny waist. He lowered his head towards hers and brushed his coarse lips against her forehead as she closed her eyes while his left hand trailed upwards, resting at the base of her neck.
"Squall…" Rinoa breathed out.
"Shhhh"
His name sounded almost melodic with her soft voice and it caused a burning sensation in the lower pit of his abdomen. Caressing her neck and waist, he took her by surprise when he locked his lips with her soft pink ones in a searing kiss. He held her tighter, lowering his lips further towards her jaw and sent a trail of kisses down her neck, right towards her pulse point.
She let out a soft moan and rests her delicate hands on his chest, taking note of his hard chest. The feeling of his lips on her neck and his musky scent sent a shiver down her spine and she leans into his touch, revelling in the warmth radiating from his body. A pool of heat formed in between her thighs and she bit her lower lip.
Squall could smell every scent radiating from her body, causing him to lose control. He lifted his head and let out a deep growl, feeling his canines elongate. Unable to control himself, he focuses on her carotid artery and lowers his head back to her neck.
As Rinoa felt two pricks on her sensitive skin, she broke out of her trance and widened her eyes in horror. Attempting to push him off of her, she cried out in pain as his sharp teeth scraped her skin in the struggle.
"N-no!" She struggled to break free of his grip and panicked, casting a small Aero Spell that sent him flying off of her.
He landed with a resounding thud on his back and lay there still, too shocked to move and she took the opportunity to open the door and run out of the room. The clicking of her heels fading as she ran further away. Squall sighed, running a hand down his face in shame.
O O O
Rinoa peered over her shoulder every other second as she ran down the halls in fear. Clutching her neck in pain, her vision began to blur from the tears welling up in her eyes and let out a sob, letting the warm salty liquid trail down her face. As The Shera came into view, she wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand, not caring if she smudged her make up.
The doors flung open and Selphie jumped out ready to greet her but stopped at the sight of her distress.
"Rinny! What happened?!" Selphie cried out, hugging her friend as she lead her back into the airship. "Where's your necklace?"
"I… I… don't want to talk about it…" Rinoa sobbed, holding onto Selphie as though her life depended on it
"Did you speak to Mr. Kramer?" Rinoa shook her head, crying harder at the loss of her mother's ring. "Don't worry, I'll go back and find it? Where'd you last notice you had it?"
"NO!" Rinoa practically screamed, clinging to the confused girl's arm.
Without another word, Selphie casts a Curaga spell on her bleeding neck and shoulder as she lays her head in Selphie's lap and closes her eyes. Running her fingers through Rinoa's soft locks, she hums softly and The Shera hovers into the air.
"You kids okay?" Cid turns around, glancing at the two girls after hearing Rinoa's sobs die down.
"Yes Mr. Highwind, she's just had a rough night" Selphie replies quietly, trying not to wake her friend.
"Alright kiddo, take a nap yourself. I'll wake you both when we're back at Celestial" Selphie nods, and thanks Cid, slowly drifting asleep in her seat.