Chapter 2: Daydreaming
[Three Months Post-War]
Quistis spent a fortnight battling the flu.
During those brutal two weeks, life went on without her:
1. Wine tasting with Xu and Selphie.
To their great delight, the two ladies had recently discovered they were oenophiles. Selphie apparently collected wine corks and Xu was subscribed to a monthly wine box. Quistis thought wine was okay—definitely not her favorite—so she didn't mind missing out on this event. She much preferred the cheese without the wine.
2. Strawberry picking with Rinoa, Angelo, and Honey.
Rinoa enthusiastically planned whimsical outdoor expeditions primarily so that their pets could get sunshine and exercise. Angelo and Honey slowly warmed up to each other with each subsequent outing. Quistis felt bad about not being able to go to the strawberry farm because Honey had grown stubbornly attached to her and didn't like to go anywhere without her. Being the sweet girl that she was, Rinoa postponed the outing for the four of them.
3. The prospect of a blind date with some guy whose name Quistis promptly forgot.
Irvine claimed that his good buddy was an aeronautical engineer who worked for the Estharian Government. Though the guy's credentials certainly sounded impressive, Quistis politely declined, relieved that she could hide behind the legitimate excuse of illness, after which she returned to her daydreaming of another man whom she just couldn't seem to get out of her head.
4. Ma Dincht's 45th birthday party.
Quistis heard that Zell reserved an entire restaurant to treat Ma, their friends, and half the town of Balamb. The highlight of the party was an enormous, multi-tiered birthday cake taller than Ma herself. Quistis asked Zell to pass along a birthday card and gift certificate to Ma. Quistis was touched when Ma sent a thank-you card and a feel-better tin of tea.
5. The Commander's request to help evaluate job applications.
Balamb Garden saw yet another resignation, this time the departure of their Human Resources Director. Squall was in urgent need of someone with a background in both administration and the law. More importantly, he couldn't afford any interruptions in payroll. Quistis asked Nida if he wouldn't mind filling in for her until she got back to the office.
When Quistis was finally feeling like she could safely leave her dorm without fainting or vomiting, the first thing she did was to take Honey outside.
She didn't know where Garden was currently stationed but the landscape was beautiful with her favorite kind of melancholy: gray clouds and light drizzle dominating the day, fog-kissed mountains with imposing peaks, the occasional burst of turquoise flowers.
That quiet feeling of both awe and insignificance in the vastness of nature.
Honey ran ahead, releasing her pent-up energy, while Quistis followed at a comfortable pace.
Quistis was grateful for clear sinuses and the ability to smell again. The combination of cold and damp, perhaps dreary to others, was beyond refreshing to her.
Suddenly the horse reared with a cry.
In search of the disturbance, Quistis squinted through the curtain of mist that clung everywhere.
Honey's excitement intensified.
Quistis' fingers curled around Save the Queen as she checked her junctions.
Her breath slowed as she discerned who was walking toward them.
Her daydream had come to life.