dear_mun | (no subject)

Finding who?

Who do you think? [she gives him a moment to think about it] You, of course!

Did you miss me?

[she wrinkles her nose, holding up her hand and showing him the smallest space between her thumb and forefinger. But then she smiles, shakes her head, and stretches her arms out wide]

That much.

[ Ok, Rinoa. That might earn the teeniest of smiles from him. ]

You've been missed, too.

You probably got lost in your own head without me, huh? [she says it in the most loving way possible, Squall]

[ . . . ]

Maybe.

[that's as good as a "yes" from him]

So what were you up to?

Maybe not as hard work as you think! When your heart's like a beacon, it attracts people right to you!

Oh, is that how it works? How bright do you think Squall's heart is, then?

Hm... Depends, I guess. For anyone but you? Probably about a firefly's worth. But for you? If you don't see that thing from space, you've probably got your eyes closed!

You'll have to tell him that next time you see him. [and let her be there so she can see if he blushes]

I can already picture his reaction.

[ She shifts her stance and folds her arms, looking away and in a deep voice says, ]

...Whatever.

[she laughs] That's a pretty good impersonation.

We're never too far away, I find.

Looks that way! All I had to do was ask.

Seems we're all fated to be together. It's a far cry from just a mere few years ago for me.

[ She means without her memories. Without Rinoa, it never would have been possible. They would all be separated, unaware of the reality of their connection. She knows for certain she would have been worse off. Incapable of relating to students as a teacher yet too young to really relate to other instructors. She didn't know why she felt the need to be controlling or to protect her peers like she was older than her years and the connections she craved so desperately were impossible to cultivate either due to her own position at Garden or her awkwardness and uncertainty.

Hardly any time has passed and she'd not just gained friends, but the family she so desperately desired. Funny how things go. ]

Any plans now that we've started to gather?

[truthfully, she owes them just as much. She isn't a SeeD and she didn't grow up with them in the orphanage, yet they all embraced her without question. They were the first close friends she ever made.

So it's an easy thing to think of what she can do for them in return]

Selphie's birthday is coming up, isn't it? She's always planning things for other people. We should plan something for her!

[ Quistis could understand why Rinoa might feel the odd man out, considering, but things have changed. There had been a lot of things that went into Quistis scolding her so early in their... well, at the time, it had been employer and employee relationship. Frustration over how easily she made friends and fit in, her carefree attitude even if in reality Quistis got it. She supposes that's why she had apologized not long after. Seifer had supposedly been dead and everything seemed to be escalating and she knew that she'd taken it out on the wrong person in the wrong way. She could've stood to have been more understanding and less take-charge.

She tilts her head forward in a slight nod. ]

Are you proposing a surprise party? I'm not sure how well we could pull that off. She's a pro at getting me, er, everyone to talk. I am willing to give it a go, of course. Perhaps more on the coordination aspect. I can't say I'm the best at the whole "fun" and "exciting" part.

[ By which she means she prefers her parties a little more low-key. Selphie, on the other hand, would require balloons and streamers and live music and party games. Probably even some costumes or masks. ]

[ah, back when they didn't know each other. Rinoa thought they were all stiff and almost robotic in the way they followed orders. Then again, her first impression of the Garden came from Seifer. Not the best example. In a strange way, she's glad their contract kept them with her for so long. They've all grown and changed through knowing each other]

Hm, that's a good point. Irvine would break in two seconds if Selphie started asking him. We'll just have to send him to get all the party supplies and get Squall to keep the secret. He'll never crack.

[she should know. It took her ages to get past his shell]

[ Then again, Seifer was a different person with Rinoa from what she could recall. It seems she brought the best out in everyone -- including Quistis. Admittedly not immediately, but she feels more relaxed with her now. ]

I suppose we'll have to pre-plan and then get Irvine involved once things are under way. It seems Zell would be our wild card in all of this, but I trust him to know how to throw a decent party. Perhaps he would do best with keeping Selphie busy? [ Quistis, herself, wouldn't be the best bet. While she may not crumble she can sometimes be fairly obvious in what she feels. Maybe Selphie wouldn't pry it out of her so much as she would make it obvious. Espionage is much easier than keeping anything from her friends. ] Squall would be the way to go. Unfortunately I don't think he could distract Selphie for long, otherwise our plans would already be complete...

[isn't Zell always the wild card? Rinoa will have to think about this a bit more. She has gotten pretty good at making plans through her work with the Forest Owls]

We'll find something for everyone to do. Even if we blow the surprise, I bet she'll appreciate it just because we all worked on it together.

[ Quistis has to give her credit where it is due, though. While some things she didn't execute well it had all been about experience, opportunity, and accessibility. She's an invaluable asset -- and friend, of course -- now. And certainly able to be the friendly businessperson that Quistis wasn't capable of. Quistis could play the part, but she couldn't wine and dine and befriend the way Rinoa seemed to with such great ease. ]

I think she'll just be happy we're having a party. Perhaps throwing it earlier would throw her off balance? She might not expect that.

That's true, she loves parties. We can do this! [can she get a high five?]

[ Quistis is a little subtle (and awkward) about her congratulatory gestures like high fives, but she doesn't leave her friend hanging. It's a bit lower and not overhead, for certain, but it's more than enthusiastic for someone like her. ]

Then it's a plan! I have to admit that I'm looking forward to it.

[don't worry, Quistis. If Rinoa can crack Squall, she'll get you, too. He's not even at high-five status, so you're already ahead]

So am I.