[ Quistis tells you that your job is the most important. They may be the ones up on the stage, but you're the one they're relying on to make sure Squall shows up. And in the end it's not as hard as you think it will be; it's as simple as telling him that you'd like him to come out, that you want to talk. There's reluctance in his blue eyes, but he agrees, and before you know it, you're seated on a ledge looking out over the floor of Fisherman's Horizon while your friends play a jig. ]
It's about your promotion. Things are gonna get real tough for you, right? [ He looks away, but that just gives you the courage to keep going. ] Squall, I'm sure there'll be a lot of difficult things that you'll have to deal with from now on. We were talking about that, and saying how you'll probably try to handle everything on your own. They know you too well. I do, too, although I haven't been around you that long.
[ He's easy to tease; you copy the way he slumps, brows creasing, hand to your forehead. He starts, frustration on his features, and you roll away with a giggle. ]
I'm out of here.
Oh, come on! I'm sorry! [ Despite the apology, you're still giggling to yourself as you move to crouch behind him, smoothing the soft cream fabric of your dress over your thighs. It's just... ] ...You can't handle everything on your own.
[ And then your hands find the flat of his back, and you shove him right off the ledge, sending him sprawling onto the glass floor below. He's furious, you can see it all over his face, he even gestures angrily with his arm, but you meet him with ferocity of your own. ]
That's it! Just let out anything! [ Your own fire dies quickly, fingers closing around your mother's ring where it's hung at your neck. ] We want you to talk to us a little more. That's all. Y'know, if there's anything you want to tell us, or anything we can do, don't hesitate to let us know. I know it's not easy but I wish you would trust us and rely on us a little more.
[ Squall puts his head in his hand and turns away, silent. Silent, despite what you only just said. You can see the cogs turning in his head, but there's still no words on his lips. Your hands locked behind your back, you turn to walk in a circle, and when you talk, your tone is flirty, playful. ]
What a night. Great music... Good-looking guy... Not only is he good-looking. He's the sweetest guy... a great listener. Right now, he's seriously thinking about what I said. He's shy and doesn't say anything, but I know. [ You stop walking, hands falling back to your sides, looking at him quietly. The flirtacious tone is over, your face serious again. ] So, what do you think? None of our business?
I appreciate your concern... But...
[ You run to him, heels clicking on the glass floor, lifting a hand toward him, palm out as if to tell him to stop. ]
No 'buts'! [ You tilt your head, looking at him with a smile. ] Just think about this. This might be the only time we'll all be together. So, as long as we're together, we might as well enjoy each other's company and... just talk, right?
...Just for now, huh? [ He shakes his head. ] Forget it. I don't want friends who won't be around tomorrow.
[ You can't help it; you laugh, hand coming to your mouth to hide the wide smile behind it. ]
Gosh, you're such a pessimist. There are no guarantees in the future. That's why TODAY, the time we have now, is important. Squall, we wanna help you, as much as we can, for as long as we can. [ You reach out, tap him over his heart before lying your hand over your own. ] We all love you. There, I said it. Please don't freak out. We just wanna live, y'know, live through this time with you, together.
[ His eyes are wide as he looks at you. ] ......Together...?
Keep it in the back of your mind. Call on us whenever you need to. We'll be waiting. Like I said, who knows what's gonna happen in the future... but I have a feeling we'll be together for a while.
1/2 Rinoa's memory
It's about your promotion. Things are gonna get real tough for you, right? [ He looks away, but that just gives you the courage to keep going. ] Squall, I'm sure there'll be a lot of difficult things that you'll have to deal with from now on. We were talking about that, and saying how you'll probably try to handle everything on your own. They know you too well. I do, too, although I haven't been around you that long.
[ He's easy to tease; you copy the way he slumps, brows creasing, hand to your forehead. He starts, frustration on his features, and you roll away with a giggle. ]
I'm out of here.
Oh, come on! I'm sorry! [ Despite the apology, you're still giggling to yourself as you move to crouch behind him, smoothing the soft cream fabric of your dress over your thighs. It's just... ] ...You can't handle everything on your own.
[ And then your hands find the flat of his back, and you shove him right off the ledge, sending him sprawling onto the glass floor below. He's furious, you can see it all over his face, he even gestures angrily with his arm, but you meet him with ferocity of your own. ]
That's it! Just let out anything! [ Your own fire dies quickly, fingers closing around your mother's ring where it's hung at your neck. ] We want you to talk to us a little more. That's all. Y'know, if there's anything you want to tell us, or anything we can do, don't hesitate to let us know. I know it's not easy but I wish you would trust us and rely on us a little more.
[ Squall puts his head in his hand and turns away, silent. Silent, despite what you only just said. You can see the cogs turning in his head, but there's still no words on his lips. Your hands locked behind your back, you turn to walk in a circle, and when you talk, your tone is flirty, playful. ]
What a night. Great music... Good-looking guy... Not only is he good-looking. He's the sweetest guy... a great listener. Right now, he's seriously thinking about what I said. He's shy and doesn't say anything, but I know. [ You stop walking, hands falling back to your sides, looking at him quietly. The flirtacious tone is over, your face serious again. ] So, what do you think? None of our business?
I appreciate your concern... But...
[ You run to him, heels clicking on the glass floor, lifting a hand toward him, palm out as if to tell him to stop. ]
No 'buts'! [ You tilt your head, looking at him with a smile. ] Just think about this. This might be the only time we'll all be together. So, as long as we're together, we might as well enjoy each other's company and... just talk, right?
...Just for now, huh? [ He shakes his head. ] Forget it. I don't want friends who won't be around tomorrow.
[ You can't help it; you laugh, hand coming to your mouth to hide the wide smile behind it. ]
Gosh, you're such a pessimist. There are no guarantees in the future. That's why TODAY, the time we have now, is important. Squall, we wanna help you, as much as we can, for as long as we can. [ You reach out, tap him over his heart before lying your hand over your own. ] We all love you. There, I said it. Please don't freak out. We just wanna live, y'know, live through this time with you, together.
[ His eyes are wide as he looks at you. ] ......Together...?
Keep it in the back of your mind. Call on us whenever you need to. We'll be waiting. Like I said, who knows what's gonna happen in the future... but I have a feeling we'll be together for a while.