Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Domestic ❯ And Then the Moomba Said... ( Chapter 14 )

Domestic

WARNINGS:

1) I do not own FF8, Squaresoft, or get any profit out of this story

2) Rated PG-13 for violence, language, and sexual content

"Whatever makes you happy.

Whatever you want.

You're so fuckin' special

I wish I was special.

But I'm a creep. I'm a weirdo.

What the hell am I doing here?

I don't belong here.

I don't belong here."

Radiohead - Creep

Chapter 14: And Then the Moomba Said…

Squall wasn't quite sure why he brought Selphie along with him, but it seemed like a good decision at the time. Seifer could obviously take care of himself and he was confident that Irvine could also take care of things. Selphie plus Irvine however, that equaled disaster. Irvine was the perfect example of being whipped, and any girl could influence him. This was proven by Rinoa at the Missile Base and on countless other occasions by Selphie. So he had to separate the two. Rinoa was brash too, but he made Wattsand Zone promise to keep her in Timber. That left Zell as the only wildcard. Luckily, Zell was as far away from the Garden as possible, and it would take an incredible amount of stupidity to return there.

Squall let out a sigh and lied back down. He thought too much about these things. Maybe it was just his nature. Was it normal to think out every possible situation? You could write a book with all the thoughts that flew through his head every day, but couldn't even fill a page with what he actually voiced.

Esthar was the last place he wanted to be. If it was up to him, he would have marched back to the Garden and taken it back himself. It wasn't up to him however. Quistis literally forced him onto the train to Esthar and told him exactly what to do. Unfortunately, Squall would have to kill her to get his way, and that was definitely uncool. As he learned in the battle against Ultimecia, you can't go it alone. The thing he learned most was compromise, and unfortunately this was one he had to take.

This compromise wasn't working out however. While Squall took Quistis's advice, things weren't working out in Esthar. Squall had spent the last month attempting to schedule a meeting with the President. This was to no avail. Esthar hadn't abandoned him however. They provided the safest refuge he could possibly ask far. Cid made a bold move in taking the Garden from under Squall's nose, but he wasn't bold enough to attack Esthar. So that's where Squall's hopes rested. He needed their support. With Esthar at his back, the lion could easily march back to the Garden and take back what was rightfully his. It was ironic actually. At one point, Squall actually wished that Cid would have pulled this stunt. It was too late now though. Cid was too far in the Garden's past to influence it. It was Squall's Garden now, and he intended to get it back.

Here in-lied the problem. Squall needed an army. Preferably an army from Esthar. With the fall of Galbadia and Trabia, Esthar remained as the final stronghold of the world. They were the last superpower, however they were also very pacifist. Esthar learned their lesson in warfare during the rule of Adel. It was another road that they didn't want to go down. Squall knew this going in, but he thought he might have the right connections.

"That's why he's not talking to me," the brunette thought. "He knows he'll say yes when he does. He's brash and stupid enough to do it." At least that's what he hoped.

"SQUALL! SQUALL!" Selphie squealed, running into his bedroom. "THEY HAVE MOOMBA STICKERS!" She then proceeded to show him a sheet. The moombas were in various positions; most of them fairly happy.

Squall's heart rate dropped back to non-panic mode. Although Selphie usually made at least one worthless exclamation a day, he still hadn't got used to it. Examining the stickers, Squall nodded and made to leave the room. If he was quick enough, maybe Selphie wouldn't follow him.

"Wait! Where are you going?"

"Too late," Squall said to himself. Dropping his face into his hands, Squall walked out of the condo and onto the street. Esthar was still under reconstruction from Lunatic Pandora, but things were coming along nicely. A telepad buzzed by right in front of him. The sun was shining and the city was bustling. Ignoring Selphie's cries, Squall continued on his path down the clear blue streets. Today smelled faintly of gasoline, but as he made his way to the shopping district a breeze of strawberries engulfed him. It was refreshing, but after thirty straight days of it the smells were old. He just wanted to go home. The longer he let Cid sit in his Garden, the weaker he looked. Squall wanted nothing more then to rally the troops and take his Garden back, but the risks were too great. He didn't have word on exactly what happened, so it would be a better idea to bring backup.

"Do you think today's the day?" Selphie squealed excitedly, as she placed a sticker on Squall's jacket. "Maybe they'll talk today. I'm just sure they will."

Squall just shrugged. He learned that any verbal interaction with Selphie caused her to spit out 714 questions. Yes, this was his first mistake. He definitely should have brought Irvine and left Selphie to fend for herself. Shaking his head, Squall pushed his way through the shopping district and made his way towards the Presidential Palace.

"Ah, Mr. Leonhart," an Esthar guard greeted. "I assume you're trying to schedule a meeting with the President again?"

"Yes," Squall said roughly.

"Well…" the guard sighed, looking down at his clipboard. "I'm afraid that he's all tied up today. Maybe tomorrow something might open up."

Squall rolled his eyes and then looked to the ground. By the time he arranged a meeting, his Garden would be completely destroyed. Today was the last straw. He put up with this long enough. "I want to talk to Laguna today," Squall glared.

"Well many people do, but he's a very busy…" the guard started, but was interrupted by the brunette unsheathing the Lion Heart. Squall said nothing, but the sword spoke plenty of words. "Let me get my supervisor," the guard laughed nervously.

"Open the door."

"I really can't…"

"Open the door."

Readjusting his collar, the guard nervously flipped a switch. The doors of silver opened slowly and Squall proceeded on his hunt to find his father. Of course he knew that the alarm was sounded as soon as he pulled out the Lion Heart, so he had to be quick. Selphie kept close to him. She was paranoid that ninjas were going to jump out of nowhere and behead them both.

Squall pushed his way through another set of doors and made his way into a narrow hallway. Pictures of Laguna, Kiros, Ward, and a few other people Squall didn't recognized lined the corridor. It smelled heavily of new carpet and was painted a soothing aqua.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!?" Selphie snapped, grabbing onto Squall's arm. "Laguna's going to be so pissed. Have you even thought about…"

"I've thought too much about it," Squall growled, glaring at her. "How long did you think we were going to sit here?"

"I'm just saying that this isn't the way to get support," Selphie pouted.

Squall continued to stare at her angrily, but then was pushed back by a man larger then life. Bouncing back to his feet, Squall looked up to see Ward blocking the entire hallway. Ward was dressed in a light green robe and had a harpoon strapped to his back. He was larger then Squall remembered him, and this time he was angry.

"Put that sword away," Kiros commanded as he stepped out from behind Ward. "What the hell is wrong with you?" Kiros had on a yellowish robe and his Katal hung from his belt. He was still a scrawny fellow, but Squall knew better then to mess with him.

Reluctantly, Squall sheathed the Lion Heart and looked to his father's friends. "I want to speak with Laguna."

"You think we don't know that?" Kiros smiled, throwing his hair back. "Do you know how hard it's been to keep him from seeing you? Luckily you don't make many public appearances." Ward nodded in agreement.

"He doesn't even know I'm here?"

"You big meanies!" Selphie exclaimed, shaking her fist.

"You think he'd ignore you if he knew you were here?" Kiros laughed. "It takes a lot of work to keep information from him."

"You've wasted my time," Squall growled in as serious of a tone as he could muster. "You've killed my students. You've wasted my money. You've destroyed my home. " Squall stopped speaking and glared at Kiros and Ward. "You think this is funny? You think this is a joke?" He was beyond angry now. They screwed him and expected everything to be cheerful. "I want to speak with Laguna."

"Sorry," Kiros muttered, fixing his gaze at the ground. "Keep following the hall and you'll find him." Ward nodded and got out of the way.

Squall just shook his head and Selphie stuck out her tongue as they passed by. Walking faster then usual, he went through another set of doors. Inside was an office of sorts. It was painted a midnight blue with differed astrological signs painted in white.

"May I help you?" a secretary asked.

"Is this Laguna Loire's office?" Squall questioned, pointing to the big wooden doors.

"Yes but he's currently in a meeting," the secretary said quickly. She recognized Squall and she went into a state of panic. "Prime Minister Seagill and Reagent Zabac are currently available if you wish to…"

Squall just ignored her and pushed his way into the office. The walls were painted as a mural of the city. The shopping district could be seen on the back wall and Dr. Odine's Laboratory was painted on the right wall. There was bright green carpeting, and the office smelled of coffee.

"Squall!" Laguna exclaimed, jumping out of his chair. "My Hyne, when did you arrive? I haven't seen you in ages." He ran over to the brunette and wrapped him in a warm embrace.

Squall limply patted him on the shoulder and made his way to the chair in front of Laguna's desk. Selphie gave him a big hug and sat in the adjacent chair.

"So what brings you to Esthar?" Laguna asked, returning to his desk. "WAIT! WAIT! Did you come for Christmas? It's a little late, but that's ok. You've never come for Christmas be…"

"Actually!" Selphie interrupted. "We had Christmas in Dollet. I planned it. But I'll definitely get everyone to come here next year!"

Squall shot her daggers and she dropped her head to the floor. In all honesty, Selphie acted more like Laguna's child. Squall wasn't exactly sure how he became Laguna's son, but there must have been a mistake somewhere along the line. Clearing his throat, Squall restarted the conversation. "So how's sis?"

"She's just as strange as you are," Laguna laughed as he lounged in his chair. "She's still my little girl here, but right now she's vacationing down in Winhill. Said she might visit you on her way back, but I guess that's not possible, because you decided to visit you're old dad!"

Squall's eyes widened slightly, but then he relaxed. "When did she say she would stop by?"

"I don't know. She never tells me anything. I told you she's weird. I don't understand girls at all." Laguna took a sip out of his coffee mug and leaned back in his chair. He was wearing a button down Hawaiian shirt and khakis. "Hopefully you won't have any girls. They're the most difficult creatures to deal with. Especially the little ones."

"HEY!" Selphie protested, crossing her arms.

"That's not what I meant!" Laguna replied, quite alarmed. "I'm sure you're…you're perfectly normal!"

Squall dropped his face into his hands. This was going to be a long meeting indeed.

Suddenly the large wooden doors swung open and Ward and Kiros stormed the room. "Sorry Squall," Kiros coughed, as he leaned on Squall's chair. "But Laguna, a war will get us impeached. Especially if it's your son." Both Ward and Kiros were short on breath. Either they ran from across town or they didn't get out much.

"War?" Laguna exclaimed, almost spitting out his coffee. "Where?"

This is why Squall didn't visit very often. Lifting his head from his hands, Squall looked Laguna in the eyes and explained the situation. After nearly fifteen minutes of explanation, Squall dropped his gaze back to the floor. "So if we don't get your support, the Garden could be lost," he concluded.

"Wow! That is a pickle!" Laguna smiled, scratching his chin. "Well of course something has to be done about it!"

"Yes!" Selphie cheered and Squall almost broke into a smile.

"We'll put it to a public vote on the first day of next month!" Laguna shouted, waving his fist triumphantly.

Selphie's smile faded. "But…we don't have a month."

"Well, all this month's legislation is already planned," Laguna tried to explain, seeing their downtrodden faces. "But I can push back of all next month's votes for this special one. Will that be ok?"

"And if the Garden explodes tomorrow, how's this supposed to help us?" Squall growled.

"Um…well you always have a home in Esthar!" Laguna said with a smile. "I guess that's the way things fall sometimes."

Squall stared at him with a blank expression and said nothing. Selphie was ready to strangle him, but Squall restrained her. "I'm going back to the Garden tomorrow," the brunette muttered, staring at his father. "I'm going to go rally my six friends and we're going to take on a sorceress. If you find my dead body, be sure to bury me in Esthar. I always have a home here."

Laguna wasn't quite sure how to respond to that, so he remained quiet. The silence was deafening. Slowly, Squall and Selphie stood up and left the Presidential Palace. Laguna, Ward, and Kiros remained in silence for a few minutes.

"That didn't go well did it?" Laguna questioned, nudging Ward. The giant just shrugged.