It was a beautiful night. The Garden was bedecked with light, pinpricks of white shining and shimmering from all around the ballroom. Most everyone was at the party, and all to celebrate the graduation of four new SeeDs. One of the young men was standing with a close knit group of friends; the only girl graduate was hopping from group to group asking for volunteers for the upcoming fair or festival. It was evident she was the only one excited with the idea. On one end of the ballroom stood a slim figure of a solemn young man with dark hair, the third grad. The fourth and final was standing at the exact opposite from the third, watching him intently.The fourth, a young blonde man by the name of Zell Dincht, was trying very hard to contain himself. He was overjoyed at the thought of becoming SeeD. He had wished to do so for so long, to follow in his grandfather's footsteps. He had already been a slight disappointment when he chose his own fists as his weapon, rather than the rifle, as his grandfather had taken. When his mother had looked at him so sadly, with a forced expression of happiness at his choice, he knew he had to turn SeeD. Now here he was, dressed in the crisp uniform of the elite mercenary. It made him happy to know he was making his mother so happy...however, it wasn't everything he wanted.
Zell's eyes grazed bored over the vast collection of teachers and pupils celebrating. There were a few people Zell didn't know personally, but it was only a handful. He usually made it his business to know almost anyone that came within the walls of Garden. He was taught that when he was still young. Know both your friends and enemies, friends more so for they are simply enemies with advantages.
His eyes met those of a young woman with feathery dark hair, wearing a short yellow number. His gut sank a moment, as if he was going to be sick. He turned his eyes away quickly. They roved until he came upon the welcome sight of a wanted friend, standing by himself. Not as if anyone would expect any more from Squall Leonhart.
"Yo!" Zell shouted, raising an arm and waving. Squall looked up at him, his gaze cold. Zell inwardly grimaced; this wasn’t going to go well. Ah well…He strode up to Squall, confident and all smiles.
”S’up, Squall? Heh, heh, guess we’re both SeeDs now, huh?” Zell smiled. He extended his hand. Squall just looked at Zell’s hand a moment, took a sip from his glass and turned his head to look away. “Put it there, man.” Zell insisted. Squall ignored him.
"Hah, even as a SeeD, you're still the same." Squall scowled. Zell turned to leave. "Well, that's typical of you. See ya." Zell frowned and walked off, heading towards the exit rather than towards his previous spot. What was the point of sticking around a stuffy dance when he didn’t want to dance with anyone? Well, that wasn’t all true…but the person he wanted to dance with wanted to pretend he didn’t exist.
He bumped into Selphie Tilmitt, at least he thought he did. She was asking something about volunteering. Not wanting to be rude but obviously annoyed, Zell tried to brush her off. She frowned but her grin was restored when she noticed Squall. Zell growled inwardly, rushing towards the exit. Maybe he wasn’t as good at getting rid of potential friends as Squall was, but at least he succeeded in ditching the genki chick.
Zell reached the exit in time to hear some annoying female giggle. He scowled darkly and turned to look behind him, and his heart sank. The girl he saw earlier was leading Squall onto the dance floor. Squall didn’t look too pleased, but the girl paid him no mind. She yanked his arms around her and tried to dance with him. Zell could feel a headache coming on and he turned his eyes away. He didn’t want to watch. No matter if Squall could or couldn’t dance, no matter how much fun it would be to watch him try, Zell couldn’t stay. He clenched his fists and teeth and stormed out, just in time to bump into Headmaster Cid.
“Oh, Dincht! You startled me!” The Headmaster said, gasping. Zell sighed and bowed slightly.
“Sorry, Headmaster. I’m just a little tired. Wasn’t looking where I was going.” Zell muttered his apology. Cid nodded and let Zell pass. On afterthought, Cid reached out in time to grasp onto Zell’s arm.
“I almost forgot. SeeD members have different quarters than students. You have a new room, all your things have already been transported.” Zell nodded. “Please inform your peers of the change at your convenience. Of course, I’m already heading into the party, so I’ll try to tell whomever I can find.” Cid grinned. Zell nodded again, this time a bit more terse. Cid let go of Zell, and bowed his head slightly. “Have a splendid evening. Sorry you can’t enjoy your party more.”
“Thank you, Headmaster. Before I decide to traverse the entire dorm, where are the new rooms?” Cid snapped his fingers, nodding.
“Oh, I knew I’d forgotten something! Yes, now, SeeD rooms are in the 200s…your previous room was 165, correct?” Zell nodded. “Then I think you’ve been moved to 204. You may want to be the one to tell Leonhart where his room is. He’s now in 200.” Cid waved, turned and entered into the party. Zell stood a moment, considering going back in to tell Squall about the new living arrangements…but, he wouldn’t want to interrupt him and his dancing partner. Zell frowned and turned, walking towards the dorms.
“Maybe I should just let him figure out on his own. Or Headmaster Cid can tell him, he’s probably still dancing…” Zell mumbled. He shut himself up when he noted the level glare of one of the school proctors, watching him from under one of those stupid enormous hats. He grimaced and quickened his pace, ducking into the Dormitory. He waited a moment, watching the proctor who had been watching him.
“Never liked those guys much.” Zell whispered to himself. He straightened up and brushed off his uniform unnecessarily. He glanced up at one of the doors, taking note of the number on the panel. “130. Great, got a bit of a walk ahead of me.” Zell pursed his lips and began walking.
Out of habit more than anything, Zell stopped at 165 and tried to open the door. Through the reflection of the panel on the side of the door he saw he was still wearing a SeeD uniform. That reminded him of the room change. He rolled his eyes and stepped away from the door. He looked at his watch, noting the time. A little past midnight. He had to get some sleep or his eyeballs were gonna roll right out of his head and onto the floor.
“They really should do this to people when they’re more awake.” Zell grumbled. He shook his head and continued trekking towards his new quarters.
It was about 12:45 when he finally found his new place. He opened his door and was awed by the size more than anything. He was used to sharing a room, this was a lot more spacious. The thought of asking his mom about letting him bring back a bag or two from his home room wafted through his sleepy mind. Heck, he had enough space now. Zell grinned, flicking on his light. He backed out for a moment, hearing the sound of approaching footsteps. Zell shut his door quickly and peered into the hallway. Squall was walking up the corridor…Zell forced back a blush.
Squall looked up at Zell, knowing full well what his room number was. What was Zell doing so far from his room?
“Uh…Zell?” Zell snapped back to reality. He quickly remembered Headmaster Cid’s instructions.
“Oh! Finally! There you are!" Zell grinned. Squall raised an eyebrow. Zell stepped back, tilting his head. "Where the hell were you? I was lookin' all over the place." He lied. "We're both now members of SeeD, right? Well, guess what!? We got our own rooms, baby!"
That explained why Zell was here and not back where Squall thought he should have been. Squall crossed his arms, expectant. Zell noted the annoyed stance and grimaced.
"Your new room is right across the hall from your old one. That's what I was asked to tell you. Man, it took me forever!" Squall rolled his eyes.
“200, then?” Zell nodded. Squall turned to his new room and opened his door. Zell stepped forward, half regretting it the moment he did. Squall obviously noticed. He turned his head, puzzled.
“Um…good night, Squall.” Squall nodded.
“’Night, Zell.” Zell couldn’t hold back the blush this time, but thankfully Squall was no longer watching him. Squall walked into his room, closing his door quickly behind him. Zell watched Squall’s door a moment, his eyes glazing over. He blinked and shook his head, bringing himself out of his stupor.
“Congratulations, Zell, for making SeeD. And for making a complete ass out of yourself in front of Squall.” Zell murmured, shaking his head. He opened his door, walked in, flicked off his light and flopped onto his new couch. Without changing, he fell asleep there, thinking about…well, what he usually thinks about.
