Legacy

Second story in the Sands of Time series.
by scribblemoose

Chapter 10

Squall leaned his chair back against the wall, tapping his pen against his thigh, and let Quistis's voice wash over him as she briefed the room full of SeeDs. It was soothing, somehow; calm, confident tones that reminded him of hours in the training centre, in the classroom and on the battlefield. There was something about the way she spoke to her subordinates, and particularly her students, as if she had a smile in her voice that could bubble into laughter at any minute.

Even when Quisty had been furious at Squall (usually because of something he and Seifer had done), she hadn't been far from smiling. There was that time a couple of years back when she'd been down, and now Squall found it hard to imagine how he hadn't noticed, but these days the old Quisty was back and he was grateful for it. One constant in a shifting, hostile world.

Most of the new cadets were in the briefing hall, excited and attentive. He'd spotted Frila as soon as he'd come in, noticing with disgust that she was sitting next to Seifer. Quistis seemed to like teaming them together, despite Squall's disapproval. His attempt to point out to her that putting two gunbladers together was a waste had ended with a polite but firm reminder that leading Garden was Squall's job; assigning missions was Quistis's.

For all her good qualities, Quistis had never lost her bossy streak.

The briefing ended and Squall watched Frila rise from her seat. Seifer put a hand on her arm; she turned and listened to him. She nodded, and if Squall wasn't mistaken, she smiled.

Squall kicked his heel back against the leg of the chair. Quistis was collecting up her papers, chatting to the small cluster of SeeDs gathered around her desk. When they'd finally gone, Quistis took a deep breath and sighed it out, indulging in a long stretch. She smiled at Squall as he crossed the room to join her. "They're a good bunch," she said. "But they ask a lot of questions."

"Better that than they fuck up in the field," said Squall. "You said you had some news for me?"

"Yes." Quistis's smile faded a little. "The selection process for the Deling election has finished. Fargi's up for election."

"And Poppy?"

"Yes. But the initial poll looks bad. Fargi's in the lead by ten points."

Squall blinked. "Points? What the fuck does that mean?"

"It means that at the moment he stands a good chance of winning," said Quistis patiently. "And that would be very bad news for us indeed."

"He still thinks Deling can survive without SeeD?"

Quistis nodded.

Squall banged his fist on the desk in front of him. "Idiot! I should pull Galbadia Garden out right now. Then let the fuckers see just how well they can do without us."

"We can't do that, Squall. People would die, innocent people, and it would look like we were taking sides-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. I'd just like to get them to face facts for once. You seriously think people will vote for him?"

"It's entirely possible, yes. He's got powerful friends, and the election system in Galbadia has never been particularly fair or decent."

Squall wondered, and not for the first time, how it was that everyone but him seemed to understand politics. "If that's how it is, that's how it is. If the bastard gets elected and kicks us out, how long is he going to stay popular? It won't take long until Deling's under seige to a whole army of monsters and then they'll come crawling back to us, right?"

But Quistis didn't look convinced. "He must have some kind of plan. He's a clever man."

"So what do we do? Just sit back and wait? Haven't our intel. missions got anywhere?"

"Well... have you ever talked to Rinoa about any of this?"

"No. It's nothing to do with her."

"But it has a lot to do with her father, and she has been in Deling a lot lately. Squall, I'm sorry to ask, but is everything okay between you two?"

"Of course," Squall snapped. "She just took some time off, that's all. She's allowed."

"I know, but...." Quistis caught Squall's expression and hesitated. "If there is anything the matter you can always talk to me. Anytime."

Squall was sorely tempted. Fury and doubt and hurt swirled around in him, making it hard to think. But he couldn't. Not until he was sure. Just couldn't. "Thanks," he said. "But everything's fine."

"We'll do our best to find out what his plan is," Quistis said. "That's all we can do for now, I think. Edea is adamant that we remain apolitical, so we can't support Poppy."

"Put Galbadia on standby." Quistis looked worried, so he placated her with a smile. "Just in case. I promise I won't do anything rash, but if the worst happens I will protect my people. Tell Martine just what he needs to know, and no more."

"Very well. There is one other thing..."

"Yeah?"

"We could talk to Laguna. Maybe Esthar could help with technology, or they could influence Galbadia, even if we can't..."

"No. I've told you before. No Laguna. I can't trust him to be discreet, and even if I could, the last thing SeeD needs is to think its leader is a whiny kid who runs to his father every time we get in trouble. SeeD stands alone."

"But-"

"Quistis!" His eyes flashed angrily at her.

She didn't so much as flinch; she just let out an exasperated sigh and muttered "Squall," in that way she used to when he tried to explain why he absolutely couldn't ignore Seifer when he was being challenged to a fight. "You don't have to do it all alone, you know. Just because you're leader doesn't mean-"

"Leave it, Quisty," he said softly. "I don't need lectures."

She regarded him for a moment over the top of her glasses. "All right. Just remember. You're not alone." She smiled then, and gave him a brief hug. "I've got a class to teach. See you later."

Squall smiled back and watched her walk from the room. He supposed he should follow her: he had a briefing with Xu and then the usual interminable round of meetings and reports.

On top of all that, somehow, he had to work out why anyone with half a mind would want to offer up their country to the scum of a lunar cry on a plate.

And how to stop them.

*******

Irvine awoke with a rumbling headache and the feeling that something was missing.

He opened his eyes cautiously. He was in his room. His bed. Alone. There was sun spilling through a gap in the blinds, not very early morning sun but not noon either. He probably wasn't late yet.

He pulled himself up to sitting, and blinked a few times. Last night....

Oh.

The door swooshed open and Selphie bounced in, fully dressed and, judging by her somewhat dishevelled appearance, just back from the training centre.

"Hi!" She twirled her nunchaka a few times before slinging it over the hook on the back of the door. "I just ran into your friend Duck. She said you've got half an hour to get to main reception to meet them, or you're dead."

"Okay. Guess I better get up then. Good training session?"

She nodded enthusiastically. "I've got this new technique, it's fab. Killed three suckers outright, first shot. Not bad, eh?"

"Sounds great. Maybe you should take the mission, give me a lie-in?"

She wrinkled up her nose. "Nah, thanks all the same. I'm on vacation, remember?"

"Oh yeah, that's right."

"Hey, do you want the shower or can I go in first? I got gunk in my hair again."

"We could go in together," said Irvine, with a grin.

But Selphie gave a nervous sort of laugh, eyes fixed on her feet all of a sudden. "No, that's okay, you go first. I'll wait and-"

Irvine's heart sank. "Last night-"

"Wasn't it fun?" she said, brightly. "We were both so drunk! I haven't been that much off my head for ages."

"Then-"

"Go on, get in the shower. You don't want to be late for your mission, silly Cowboy!"

She turned her back on him, presumably in some strange effort to save his modesty. Or hers.

He got out of bed and grabbed a clean towel from the radiator, pointedly not covering himself with it. "Just one of those things, then?" he said, keeping his voice light, feeling sick inside. "You don't want-"

"I don't think it's a good idea, do you?" she said, as if they were discussing a battle plan or where to go for lunch. "It'll just get in the way. It's better like this."

"Right. Okay, if that's what you want. It's just that last night..."

"I know. I drank far, far too much. Was I really embarassing?" She turned around, gave a girlish little shriek and covered her eyes.

"You were fine," Irvine said, still and cold inside. "Don't worry about it. I'd better get in the shower, okay? Don't want Duck and Zef getting mad at me."

"Course! I'm gonna go buy an energy drink, I'm all wiped out after that workout. I'll see you tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah. Don't know what time."

"Whatever! I'll either be here or training. Be good!" She gave him a little wave on her way out of the room.

It felt like a slap in the face.

*******

Rinoa hesitated outside her father's office, her hands balled into fists, thrust deep into the pockets of her coat.

She took a deep breath, and was about to knock on the door when it burst open and a man swept through. A somewhat tall man, with dark hair and an air of confidence that exuded from him like cologne.

"Why, Rinoa! What a pleasure!"

"Minister Fargi."

"You've come back to see us so soon! Don't tell me your father was making up all those stories about how you're so dedicated to SeeD that he only sees you twice a year."

"I'm on vacation. We do get those, occasionally."

"Well, I'm pleased to hear it." He was in no hurry to get out of the way. "Sudden, was it?"

"An opportunity arose. Now, if you'll excuse me-"

"Of course, I'm sorry." He stepped to one side, but no sooner had she moved towards the door than he stepped back. "Just one moment. I have tickets for a very excellent play this evening. Would you do the honour of accompanying me? I did so enjoy spending time with you on your last visit."

"Thank you, but no," she said firmly. "I'm already going out with friends."

"Ah, that's a pity, although to be expected; I'm sure you have many friends, of course. Are you perhaps going to the new club that's opened opposite the garage?"

"No, it's a party."

"The play isn't terribly long. You would still have time to meet up with your friends afterwards, perhaps. I promise I won't mind, in fact I could drive you there."

"No. Thank you, no, it starts at eight, it's a formal thing. Now, if you don't mind, my father-"

Fargi swept aside, flinging the door open for her to walk through.

Her father was oozing disapproval. As soon as the door shut behind her she wished she'd never come.

"It wouldn't hurt you to be nicer to him," her father said. "He's a very important man."

"I was nice to him. Daddy, don't be unreasonable. You know I'm with Squall."

General Caraway sighed deeply. "All too well." But just as Rinoa's exasperation was about to carry her out of the room in a tantrum, his expression softened into a smile. "Forgive me, Rinoa. I'm a terrible father sometimes, I know. I'm very pleased to see you. Would you like some coffee?"

Rinoa took a deep breath, and slipped out of her coat.

"Thanks, Daddy. Actually, there was something I wanted to ask you."

"Of course," said her father, with another smile. "Sugar?"

*******

"To the left!" Duck yelled. "Two Belhemels, behind that rock!"

Irvine took aim and fired, killing one outright; Zephyr was set up for the other, but Irvine got that one too. Cautiously, he lowered his rifle, scanning the horizon for more.

"Looks clear," said Zephyr. "Any signs, Duck?"

Duck shook her head. "Nothing showing up." She gave the screen of her hand-held scanner an irritated tap.

Irvine took a step forwards, painfully alert. It was completely different, fighting without a Guardian. He'd become so used to having Siren to help him out in battle, heightening his senses, boosting his strength, providing a wealth of magic. He felt oddly naked without her, and as weak as a kitten.

But it wasn't about to stop him. He wanted to kill things. There was something very, very satisfying about killing things right now.

"Hang on," Zephyr said. "There's something moving over there by the bushes."

Irvine squinted in the direction he'd indicated, but saw nothing.

"There's a blip," Duck announced. "Not sure how big it is but there's something there and it's being damn cautious for a monster."

"Let's go check it out," said Irvine.

A few paces closer and Irvine caught a glimpse of something shimmering through the undergrowth.

"Careful," said Zephyr.

"Always," said Irvine, and raised his rifle, taking a good look down Exeter's crystal-clear sights. There it was again. It looked like mist. A gas cloud, maybe. "Duck?"

"Can't get anything stable. It's moving all over."

"It's either not fully corporeal yet or it's a fuckin' mist monster," said Irvine. "I'm going closer. Cover me."

"Right behind you," said Zephyr.

"Try not to kill it, Shotgun," said Duck, with a grin.

Irvine moved forwards steadily. Step, aim. Step, aim. Step-

"It's getting stronger," said Duck.

The swirling blue and purple was starting to take shape. For a moment Irvine thought he saw a woman; then the cloud shifted, as if she was dropping to her hands and knees, and she looked more like a cat; then the shape began to grow. Changing like shifting clouds across a summer sky.

If it took this long to corporealise, it was going to need a lot of planning before it could be any use in battle.

"It's a GF alright," Duck said. "And that's all I can tell you. It's blocking the scanner."

The cloud was changing shape again, this time becoming more dense and solid. It was cycling, Irvine realised. Woman, cat... mesmerise?

A shapeshifter?

And then he felt something in the back of his mind, a touch so startlingly familiar that for a moment he thought he'd junctioned Ether by mistake.

"Sniper." Definitely a woman now, dressed in a clinging scrap of silk that draped around full breasts and lush hips. Silver hair flowed down her back and swirled in a mist around her head, crackling with power.

"What are you?" Irvine breathed.

"I am Ishera! Fear me!"

For an instant, Irvine found he did. Deeply, vividly. His stomach clenched and his legs went to jelly. But as quickly as it had come, the feeling faded. It wasn't real.

That touch. The place where Ether lived and spoke to him. She had reached into his mind and planted a spell, but it hadn't taken. She looked confused, probably surprised he hadn't run.

"Ishera," Irvine said. "I don't fear you. I challenge you."

"You?! You, challenge me!!"

"Yep," said Irvine.

"Irvine, are you sure?" Zephyr's voice came from behind him, a little to the left. Duck was beside him. Well within wire-range.

"Yes." No time for discussion. "So, what's it to be, Ishera? A fight? Some kind of riddle? Or do you wanna come quietly?"

The lightning bolt shot out so fast Irvine only just managed to dodge it. Thankful for the speed potion that made up part of the cocktail of chemical assistance flowing through his veins, he wasted no time in taking aim and firing at her.

He hit first time, right through where her heart would have been if she'd been human. But she wasn't. She exploded into a million fragments of light and mist, only to reform as a cloud, a cat, a mesmerise, a woman.

"You have skill," she said. "But you cannot defeat me."

"Wanna bet?" said Duck, and her wire flung out at the same time as Zephyr fired his gun. The result was the same; she scattered, reformed, shifted until they were back at the start, with no discernable damage.

Irvine found himself wishing fervently for something he could simply disembowel.

"We can't do it," Duck muttered. Irvine dared a look over his shoulder; she was frightened, panicked. Duck never panicked.

"We can," he said, firmly, his eyes set on the shifting mirage of Ishera in front of him. "She's getting in your head, Duck. Ignore it."

"Like Ether," Zephyr noted. "Time to junction, d'you think?" Damn, but the man was bright.

~Ether.~

Ether flowed into junction, settling rapidly into his usual place in Irvine's consciousness. Irvine gasped at the power, the heightening of his senses, his strength, the sudden clarity of mind.

~Sniper.~

There was a somewhat resentful tone to his voice, as though he'd been reluctantly dragged from a rather good sleep.

~Hi. We could use a hand here.~

~Ishera,~ Ether said.

~You know her?~

~I have made her acquaintance,~ said Ether, as if he were talking about someone he'd met at a party and hadn't much liked.

~We have to get her to join forces with us.~

~You are in a battle situation,~ Ether observed, disapprovingly.

~I challenged her. Bullets won't harm her.~

~I will not harm her.~

~I wouldn't ask you to. She attacks us in our minds. I need you to sheild us, that's all.~

"Irvine?" said Zephyr, concerned at what must to him seem like a protracted silence. Irvine tapped the side of his head.

~I will sheild,~ said Ether, a little huffily, and Irvine felt the glow of blue power as his Guardian projected a field around them.

Ishera laughed. Loudly, her body shimmering with it.

"You!" She yelled. "You are with... this??!"

~It is wise to ignore her,~ Ether said. ~She is a grand master of nonsense.~

~If you say so. How can I defeat her?~

~She is vulnerable when changing form. At one precise moment it is possible to interrupt the process and throw her into crisis. It is not fatal but it could earn respect.~

~Okay.~ Irvine could feel Ishera pushing curiously against the shield. She might have recognised Ether but it didn't look as if she knew all his tricks. ~How big a window are we talking, and how do I do it?~

~Any physical attack should suffice. I do not know time.~

~Okay. I'll give it a go.~ "Zephyr," Irvine whispered. "Take aim. Shoot on my mark. One, two, three..."

~You delivered your needs with Spirit.~

"Mark! What??" Irvine grappled with three things at once; registering the firing of Zephyr's gun, the scattering of light and colour that marked Ishera's change of form, and his Guardian's accusation. He barely managed to get his own shot off at all, and when he did it was far too late.

~Shit, missed.~ "Again, Zef!" ~Can we talk about Selphie some other time?~

~She hates me,~ said Ether, huffily.

"One, two..." ~It's more complicated than that.~ "Mark!"

Closer this time, but she scattered sooner, before the bullet was even close. She'd worked out what they were doing and anticipated it.

"Again!"

~Spirit's hostility is painful.~

~Ether, this is a really, really bad time.~

~Changing form costs energy, she is already weakening.~

"One, two..." ~You could have mentioned that before.~

~You did not ask.~

"Mark!"

Once again, she anticipated their move, and shimmered into cloud form.

~She is in pain.~

~Really? I'm getting somewhere?~ "One, two-"

~Not Ishera. Spirit.~

"Maybe we can do it without counting," muttered Zephyr. "She can probably hear us."

It occured to Irvine that perhaps he really wasn't cut out for leadership after all. "'kay. Fire at will."

Duck snickered. "You're so cute when you think you're in charge, Shotgun."

Feeling distinctly got at from all directions, Irvine took a moment to reload his gun. He popped in some of the plasma bullets on a whim, and took aim again. Zephyr was watching him out of the corner of his eye, waiting to time his shot to Irvine's. Just like Irvine did with Squall.

~She is trying to counteract the shield,~ Ether informed him calmly.

Irvine took a deep breath, aimed and fired. The bullet shimmered through the air, leaving a trail of blue-green magic behind it, hit her at the very instant her form began to disspiate. Zephyr missed, but it didn't matter. The bullet casing shattered and a burst of plasma energy flowed through her like water, giving off a flash of flight so brilliant Irvine had to shield his eyes.

"Man, that's good shit," Zephyr said. "Where'd you get those?"

"Little shop in Balamb." Ishera had apparently vanished. "What's going on?"

~She is weak and scattered,~ said Ether. Irvine had worried that the violence of battle might drain him or make him uncomfortable, but his Guardian sounded perfectly happy, and not a little smug.

"Ishera! You've seen our power," Irvine called. "Join us."

Irvine was just starting to worry that the plasma bullet had been a bit too effective, when he spotted something moving on the ground through the bushes. It was small, furry and blueish.

It looked distinctly like a hamster.

"Ishera?"

The creature shuffled towards him on its tiny little legs.

"Cute," said Zephyr.

Ether was smirking in Irvine's mind. There was no mistaking it.

"Ishera," said Irvine, trying to keep a straight face, and reminding himself that whatever her external form, this was a Guardian in front of him and he couldn't be certain she didn't have some trick up her sleeve. "Join us."

"You are worthy," she said, in a ridiculously squeaky voice. "Do with me what you will."

Irvine reached out his hand and prepared to draw her into junction.

She bit him on the finger, hard. Little teeth sharp enough to pierce his glove and almost through the skin. He yelped and shook her off. "Ow! What was that for!"

"I will not join you while you have that... that thing in your head."

~That is welcome news,~ Ether said.

"I heard that!" she squeaked.

"Zef?" said Irvine. "Incompatibility here. I can't take both her and Ether. You'll have to draw her."

"What? Man, I've never been junctioned, I don't know if I could-"

"I will not go with any unworthy person," said the hamster.

"Oh, for Hyne's..." Irvine sank down to his haunches. "Duck?"

Duck shrugged. "I'll give it a go. What do I do?"

"This is ridiculous," Ishera said. "I shall reconsider."

~She is regaining strength, Sniper.~

The hamster did look a little bigger than before. Shit. Irvine tried to think; he didn't want to fumble this, not after getting so close. Duck would make sure it got all around Garden, Balamb would know and he wasn't sure he could bear it.

~Ether, leave me.~

~You prefer her over me?~

~It's just until she's properly subdued, then I'll junction you again. It's that or you go to Zef. Choice is yours.~

~You know I never wish to join with any other.~

~Then leave. I'll make it up to you, I promise.~

Ether faded from junction, shifting restlessly to the back of Irvine's mind.

Irvine took a deep breath, and used the remnants of strength and dexterity from the junction to scoop Ishera up into his hands and dangle her in mid air by the scruff of her tiny neck.

"Join me."

The hamster struggled for one horrible moment of pure indignity, then faded to multicoloured dust.

Ishera melted into Irvine's mind, and settled there.

"You okay?" Zephyr asked, and at that point Irvine realised he'd sat down, rather suddenly. His head was pounding.

"Yeah. It's not gonna be a quiet ride. Let's get back as soon as we can, eh?"

"Squad Leader should be waiting at the hotel. Let's move out. You sure you're okay?"

"I'll be fine. Damn, but you guys have it hard out here."

"It's not everyday we bag a GF," said Duck. "Usually just behemels and two-faces. This is special."

"We might get more capture missions now you're with us," said Zephyr. "Martine's wanted GFs here for a while. You could just be his golden opportunity to prise a few out of Balamb's clutches."

"Great," muttered Irvine. "Because this is so much fun."

"Poor boy." Duck reached out a hand to pull him to his feet, and kissed the top of his head. "Once a hero, always a hero."

"Well, I sure as fuck don't feel like one," said Irvine.

"Hey, should we call ahead and tell them to order one of those little exercise wheels?" Duck exchanged a grin with Zephyr, but Irvine managed little more than a feeble smile.

"It's going to get dark soon," said Zephyr.

Irvine rubbed his throbbing temples. "Sounds good to me. You guys just leave me here with the hamster, I'll be fine by the morning."

Zephyr draped Irvine's arm around his shoulders and turned him in the vague direction of the train station. "No leaving you anywhere. We'll get you back to Deling if we have to carry you there."

"Too right," said Duck. "It's party time."

*******

Rinoa fiddled with the strap on her dress for the thousandth time, making some minute, unnecessary adjustment which had more to do with keeping busy than refining her appearance.

She looked at herself in the bathroom mirror, and let out an anxious little sigh.

The dress was perfect, clinging in all the right places, tiny beads glittering under the lights. Her hair was a stylish, glossy mass of little braids and silk wraps and beads that matched her dress. Her skin glowed and her eyes shone, thanks to the hour and a half in the beauty salon. But her stomach was full of butterflies and she had the faintest hint of a suspicion that this was stupid and indulgent, and not at all a good idea.

She turned on the tap and ran cold water over her wrists in the hope of calming her nerves. The sink was a huge, marble affair, typical of a Deling ballroom, strangely alien after the Garden austerity she'd become used to.

The door swung open a crack and Ness's head popped through. "Rin? Oh, there you are! I thought we'd lost you!"

"Hi." She smiled apologetically, shaking the water from her hands.

"You look amazing. I told you Tantonito was the best hairdresser in the world, didn't I?"

"Hm. Is Zell here yet?"

"He just arrived, he's in the bar. There's loads of people in there, and the band sounds really good. You coming?"

"Sure," said Rinoa. "I'm ready."

As soon as she stepped into the ballroom, Rinoa started to feel better. Silly to be nervous: it was just a party, no different from the ones she'd attended with her father or her friends when she lived in Deling. Home territory.

Ness plunged into the crowd with her debutante smile, full of confidence and with her eyes fixed firmly on Zell, at the far end of the room. Rinoa followed her, acknowledging a few familiar faces, pleased that Ness had been right: this wasn't the usual diplomatic crowd. Much younger, and there was no sign of any of her father's cronies. Ness was right about the band, too: a subtle blend of strings and percussion, classy but with enough beat to make her want to dance.

"Rin, Rin, come here!" Ness beckoned her towards the bar. Zell gave her the thumbs up. He looked very smart in dress uniform, his hair slicked back into a neat ponytail. "I'd like to introduce you to someone. This is Binti. His father's in the Ministry of... what was it, Binti?"

"Economic Regeneration and Land Communications," said Binti, who was tall, dark-haired and had a broad, confident smile. "Pleased to meet you."

Rinoa shook his hand. "Rinoa Heartilly," she said.

"Rin's father's General Caraway," Ness informed him.

"Really?" said Binti. "That Rinoa Heartilly, eh?"

"I guess," said Rinoa. "But I'm nothing to do with the military myself. I'm a SeeD."

Binti smiled. "In that case, you have to dance with me. I've never taken to the floor with a mercenary before, and it sounds rather dangerous. Would that be alright, Rinoa Heartilly?"

After the barest moment's hesitation, Rinoa accepted.

*******

"Are you sure about this?" Zephyr said. "Looks a bit out of our league."

Duck stowed her cloakroom ticket somewhere in the depths of her cleavage, and winked at him. "Who gives a fuck?"

Irvine chuckled. "Come on Zef. Where's your spirit of adventure?"

Zephyr sighed, and produced a joint from his jacket pocket, resigned, outnumbered and probably not caring so very much. He looked tall and unusually military in his dress uniform, silver-blond hair falling in a neat braid down his back. Irvine could almost imagine taking orders from him. Almost.

They strode through the double doors into the reception area, collecting drinks from the offered trays as they arrived.

Irvine was feeling much better. Relieved to have deposited Ishera with their mission leader and with Ether fully junctioned, he finally began to enjoy the rush of a successful mission. Even Ether seemed to have forgotten his sulk, intrigued by Irvine's excitement and Duck's sense of mischief.

"Quite laid back for this bunch," said Duck.

"Formal dancing," Zephyr observed, with a little shudder. He passed the joint to Irvine.

"Formal wear," said Duck. "And so many pretty things. I'm going to mingle, boys. See you later. Save a dance for me!"

Zephyr and Irvine watched her slink over to a group of particularly young-looking business types huddled in a corner.

"You could almost feel sorry for them," said Irvine.

"Oh yeah," said Zephyr. "Almost."

They exchanged a grin. A waiter passed by and they exchanged empty glasses for full ones.

"Wanna mingle?" said Irvine.

"In a manner of speaking," said Zephyr, and took Irvine's hand rather firmly in his own.

*******

"Of course Rinoa can't drink much, because she's a Sorceress," Ness told Binti in a stage-whisper. Zell had the decency to cringe a bit.

"Sorry," he said. "She gets a bit excitable."

"It's okay. Not like it's a secret."

"What happens?" said Binti, dark eyes glittering. "Are you a mean drunk, likely to blow up the world, or a sappy drunk determined to kiss everyone to death?"

"It just doesn't agree with me," said Rinoa.

"Kinda like an allergy," Zell supplied helpfully.

"Too bad," said Binti. "I think I'd rather like you drunk. Or at least just a little tipsy."

Rinoa found herself smiling. "I'm sure you wouldn't. Besides, I like to be alert. Ready for anything."

"Oh, listen!" exclaimed Ness. "That's my favourite tune! Come on Zelly-babe!"

Zell was dragged off to the dance floor, protesting feebly about his abandoned drink.

"Shall we?" said Binti. "Or would you rather tell me what a nice mercenary like you is doing in a place like this?"

"Let's dance," said Rinoa.

*******

"So where did you get to last night?" Zephyr leaned back in a big leather chair, watching Irvine in a way that made it very difficult for Irvine to avoid the subject.

"Miss me?" he said.

"Of course. So who is she?"

"Who?"

Zephyr just raised an eyebrow. It was hopeless, the man was impossible to lie to.

"Selphie," said Irvine, and drained his glass.

"Oh man," said Zephyr.

"Yeah, well. Want another drink?" Irvine got up, fishing change out of his pocket.

"Sure, but it's my turn. Just give me a chance to catch up."

Irvine sank back into his seat: Zephyr had more than half his beer left, and Irvine knew full well that he wasn't about to gulp it down. "We were drunk," he said. "Totally out of it."

"Don't give me that bullshit, man. I know you. You never get that drunk."

"She was," said Irvine, in a very small voice.

"Hey, I'm not judging you. You know I wouldn't do that."

Irvine gave him a grateful little smile. "It isn't important, I mean it's not going anywhere. She made that perfectly clear. It was just a blip."

"I'm sorry, man. I know what she means to you."

"I shouldn't have done it. She needs me to be there for her as a friend, not anything else." Irvine tipped his glass to his lips, draining the last few drops. "Tell the truth, I'm pretty sure she's still in love with Xu."

Zephyr pushed his drink across the table to Irvine. "So it's not going to happen again?"

Irvine shook his head. "Nah. Thing is, we were just starting to get somewhere, you know? She's been doing so much better lately, training every day, she seems pretty happy most of the time. She's got some stuff to work through, that's all."

"And what about you?"

"I'm fine with it, really. It was like…" Irvine paused to finish off Zephyr's beer. "Closure. Yeah, that's what it was. Because of how we broke up, then losing our memories, not really… it was messy. Didn't feel right. This is better."

"Good. That's really good." Zephyr squeezed his arm. "I'm pleased for you, man. Besides. Not sure we can do without your dick just yet. Kind of getting used to it again, you know?"

Irvine couldn't help but grin. "You and Duck are just fine on your own, and you know it."

"Yeah," said Zephyr. "But the more the merrier, all the same."

"Thanks, man. I mean… thanks."

"Don't mention it. Now, isn't it your round?"

*******

"Isn't Binti adorable?" Ness fluffed her hair up around her ears, grimacing into a little hand mirror. They were sitting at the back of the ballroom; the band was taking a break and soft piano music echoed through the room.

"He seems nice enough," said Rin. "Have you known him long?"

"I went to school with his sister. She's a sweet thing, got married last year. Big wedding in the presidential palace, everyone was there. A bit showy but I suppose people have expectations."

"Hmm."

"Her husband is already tipped for a government job, and he's not even twenty five. He made his first million before his twenty first birthday. Connections, you see?"

"Really? That's awfully-" The expression on Ness's face stopped Rinoa in her tracks. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," said Ness, shoving her compact back into her purse and getting to her feet. "Let's see how they're doing at the bar, shall we?"

"I thought we were going to wait here," said Rinoa. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," said Ness with a humourless smile. "They might have got lost and-"

But Ness didn't get to finish her sentence, or to run away. A woman with long dark hair, wearing a tight red dress that seemed to have the sole purpose of drawing attention to her full breasts and magnificent curves, approached their table and gave Ness a huge bear-hug. Rinoa looked on in astonishment as Ness wriggled her way out of the embrace.

"It's been so long!" The woman said. "You never come around any more."

"No," said Ness. She looked cross and flustered. "I've been terribly busy."

"Still screwing that Balamb kid?"

Ness made a strangled sort of noise. Rinoa had never seen her so flustered.

"I'm Rinoa," she said, holding out her hand.

"Why, so you are!" The woman took her hand and clasped it for a moment: her skin was smooth and warm. She winked. "What brings you so far from Balamb? Got Mr Leatherclad-and-Broody with you?"

"No, he's at home," said Rinoa, before she really realised what she'd said. "Um."

But the woman in red just smiled at her; a much friendlier smile, Rinoa noticed, than she offered Ness. "Shame. He's so pretty. Ah well, nice to meet you. And nice to catch up with old friends. You really ought to drop by sometime, babe," she said to Ness. "I used to love our little, um, chats."

And she stalked off, leaving Ness blushing furiously, hands clasped tight around her purse.

"Ness? Are you okay? Who was that? I thought maybe I've seen her before, but-"

"No-one," said Ness. "Just some tart."

"Oh. Um, how did you-"

"She introduced me to Zell," Ness spat. "And I'd appreciate it very much if we never mention her again. She's nobody."

"Oh," said Rinoa. "Well, um, alright. Oh look, there's the boys."

"Splendid," said Ness, her voice shaky, and pulled out her mirror to help plaster the smile back on her face.

*******

Irvine slipped backwards into Zephyr's arms, floating on a haze of alcohol, grass and the warmth of Zephyr's body.

Fortunately, Zephyr was propped firmly against the wall, so he was able to catch Irvine neatly without any threat to his own balance. He nuzzled into Irvine's hair, and murmured something.

"What?" said Irvine.

"I said, you smell good."

"Oh." Irvine smiled. "Good."

Zephyr chuckled.

"Not such a bad party after all, is it?" Irvine wrapped Zephyr's arms around his middle, and stole the spliff he was holding.

"It's okay." Zephyr propped his chin on Irvine's shoulder. His thumb had worked its way into the gap between Irvine's shirt buttons and was touching bare skin. Irvine couldn't be sure whether it tickled or not. Probably not. He certainly didn't want it to stop.

"Who are all these people?" he said.

"Rich kids, mostly. Spawn of diplomats, politicians and generals. Scum of the earth."

"I thought we were the scum of the earth," said Irvine with a grin.

"Oh yeah. That's right." Zephyr kissed his neck, dragging on the skin with his teeth. "Silly me."

"So why are we here?"

"One of Duck's pets."

"Girl or boy?"

"Boy. Over there, by the chocolate fountain, see?"

Irvine followed Zephyr's pointing finger, and immediately spotted Duck, who was draped over a tall, thin-looking boy with dark hair that brushed his shoulders. He wore small, round glasses. "Shit. He looks about fourteen."

"Yeah." Zephyr chuckled again. "Poor bastard doesn't know what's hit him."

Irvine laughed too, and closed his eyes for a moment while Zephyr nibbled his ear.

When he opened them again, Duck and her boy had moved away a little. She was whispering something in his ear and he was blushing furiously. Irvine was about to make a wisecrack about that when...

"You okay?" Zephyr asked. "You just shivered like someone danced on your grave."

"That's-" Irvine scanned the crowd around the fountain again. It had been just a glimpse, maybe his eyes were playing tricks, but...

Irvine's eyes never played tricks on him.

Then he saw her again. Standing on tiptoe, her lips parted, shoulders shaking with the effort of not laughing as the man with her dripped chocolate into her mouth from the end of a spoon.

"Rinoa," said Irvine. "That's Rinoa."

"Who?" Zephyr craned over his shoulder to see. "Which one?"

"The dark haired girl in the love-me fuck-me dress, just behind Duck."

"Wow. Hot. Very, very hot."

"Rinoa Heartilly. Sorceress. Squall's."

"Really? Shit. What's she doing here?"

"She came to stay with a friend on vacation, I think, she had lunch with Sephie today. Who's that she's with?"

Zephyr craned his neck for a better look. "Not sure. I've seen him at these things before, I think, or maybe... what's his name, um, Fanti, Bargi, something like that. You wanna go say hi?"

"I think she's still mad at me for something."

"Ah, best not, then. Be a shame to spoil the party."

"Mmm."

Then the crowd shifted, and Irvine lost sight of her again.

"What the fuck's she doing here?" he murmured.

"Having a good time, by the looks of it. Chill out, man. You don't have to worry about that shit anymore, remember? Not your problem."

Zephyr had managed to pop Irvine's lowest shirt button open, and was sliding his hand inside. Irvine let out a little groan, and his eyes slid shut.

He should do something, really, surely they were still his friends, and anyway... he still... but for now....

~Sniper. West Breeze. Want.~

Worrying could wait.

*******

Rinoa's feet ached from dancing, her ribs ached from laughing and she had to admit that she'd enjoyed herself. She sat out the first of the slow dances, perched on a stool by the bar, sipping at a long drink with silly umberella in it.

"I hope that's not strong liquor, Dangerous Sorceress Woman."

She smiled at Binti and shook her head. "Nothing but orange and starfruit, I promise. Oh, and ice."

"I'm safe, then?"

"Yep." She winked at him. "For now."

"Want to dance?"

"No, thanks. I'm all done for tonight. But don't let me stop you. There's lots of pretty girls here."

"Not like you."

He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.

"Exciting," he whispered, kissed the delicate bones of her wrist. "Beautiful." He turned her hand, dropping a kiss to the inside of her wrist, her palm. "Dangerous."

"I'm not dangerous. Really."

"You're a sorceress. That's about as dangerous as they come, Rinoa Heartilly."

She swallowed hard. He was looking up at her through thick, dark lashes, his thumb caressing her wrist. "I'm sorry," she said. "This can't... I..."

"I know," he said. "You've got someone back in Balamb. Some lucky bastard who doesn't know what he's got and isn't treating you right."

"No, that's not it, I-"

Binti gave a tragic sigh, and let his hand fall from hers. "Well, if you ever change your mind, here's my card." He slipped a little address-chip into her purse. "He'd better appreciate you, that's all."

"Thanks for a wonderful evening," Rinoa said, meaning it. Hoping he wasn't mad.

"Thank you, Rinoa Heartilly. Tonight you have truly changed my life. The sun will be a little brighter when it rises with the dawn." He bowed deep, and with a mischevious grin and a blown kiss, he was gone.

She was still staring at the place where the crowd had parted and swallowed him up when Zell found her a few minutes later.

"Hey, Rin. We're making a move, Ness is tired. You gonna come with?"

It took her a moment to register what he was saying. "Leave? Oh, yes, of course." She picked up her purse and slipped the strap over one shoulder. "Where's Ness?"

"Said she'd meet us in the cloakroom. I think she's got a headache."

Zell looked pretty tired himself, and not particularly happy. It must have been a tough couple of days for him. Rinoa gave him a smile, and slipped her arm through hers. "Come on then, Instructor Dincht. Let's go home."

"It's really good of you to talk to Squall," Zell was saying as they worked their way through the room, "is that okay, do you think he would-"

His voice faded to white noise, along with the music and the hundreds of conversations around them, and it was all Rinoa could do to keep walking.

"Irvine," she murmured.

Irvine, sprawled on a couch, kissing a man Rinoa had never seen, while a woman draped in a red dress draped herself over both of them, her hand working between their bodies as if she was....

Rinoa blushed furiously, and whipped her eyes away, aiming all her attention firmly at the door they were about to push through.

"I'd understand, if you don't think it's a good idea," said Zell.

She stared at him for an instant. He can't have seen. He was asking her for something, what was-

"Sure," she said, weakly.

"There you are!" Ness rushed up to them both, hugging Rinoa first, then Zell. "You don't mind leaving, do you Rin? I'm totally exhausted, you've no idea, I mean you have to put on a brave face but really after all I've been through-"

"That's fine," said Rinoa. "You're right. I think it's time to go home."

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