[Thread, Closed]

[livelyangel]

Characters: Rinoa, Squall, Irvine, Selphie, Raine, Ellone, Laguna, Seifer
Progress: Ongoing
Summary: En route to Dali, Rinoa and Seifer stage a coup d'état. Squall and Irvine are imprisoned. Then Rinoa plays another little trick on her friends in Dali. Check here for more details. Also, because there are so many characters and things going on here

Comments

In Dali

[livelyangel]

With Squall and Irvine taken care of, Rinoa landed in Dali feeling confident of success. Ultimecia's words were still ringing in her head: Do not let word escape. She had to succeed.

She called Ellone to let her know that they had arrived, asking them to meet Rinoa at the gate. Rinoa was waiting in front of it, accompanied by Angelo. Other than her pet, she was alone - or so it appeared. In fact, Rinoa had two loyal students waiting just inside, not to mention Seifer. Ready to give her friends a little surprise.

In Dali

[winhillstime]

Ellone had gotten Rinoa's call and very excitedly told Raine her friends were there. She was so excited to have them all come see Raine. But she wasn't entirely sure if Raine would want to or be able to come with her to the entrance, so she poked her head around the house to find Raine and Selphie. The younger brunette would definitely want to come with her.

"I'm gonna go see my friends. They're here already," she announced. "Do you want to come with me?"

In Dali

[waitedinwinhill]

Raine had just returned from the tavern, where she'd posted a sign to say it was closed for the day. In a village as small as Dali, one day without drinks wouldn't make or break the populace or her business. She sent Slai outside to play with the local children already, in anticipation of the visit.

"Of course I do. Let me get the cake." Chocolate with sprinkles, just like Rinoa suggested. Once she had it in hand, she nodded to Ellone. "Let's go."

[prez_leg_cramp]

"Whoa, is that for Squall?" Laguna hadn't known Squall's birthday until Raine told him and so could only guess exactly who it was for. He didn't need to ask Ellone or Raine if he could come, he was going to go regardless. He slipped on his boots and placed a kiss on Raine's temple. "I was wondering what smelled good earlier."

[boomchucka]

Selphie was grinning from ear to ear when Ellone said that it was time to go meet up with everybody. She hopped down from her seat, slipped into her boots and raced outside. Zipping past Ellone, Selphie turned around and tapped her foot impatiently.

"C'mon slowpokes, hurry up!"

[winhillstime]

"Raine's cooking always smells good." Ellone grinned in return and headed out after Selphie. "I'm really excited. I can't wait to see everyone again."

At least the walk wouldn't be too long. "Rinoa?" she called, once they were close enough.

[livelyangel]

Rinoa spotted them easily enough and waved.

"Over here!"

She was so excited she could hardly stand still. Not out of excitement to see her friends, but in anticipation of putting her plan into motion. Oh, this would be fun.

[waitedinwinhill]

"It's for Squall, Laguna. You can't have any until he gets the first piece, no matter how much you flatter." Raine grinned at her husband, unable to resist the opportunity to tease him a little.

On seeing Rinoa, she balanced the cake on one arm, and waved back. "Rinoa! It's so good to see you. Does Squall know we're coming?"

[prez_leg_cramp]

Laguna made a show of pouting. "Oh, alright."

He waved to Rinoa as well, grinning at Rinoa's excitement. It was rare to be able to celebrate something like this and, before arriving to Gaia, impossible to celebrate with the whole family.

[boomchucka]

Selphie waved excitedly to Rinoa before running up to her friend. She didn't have a clue about the malicious intents of her friend nor the person controlling her. She'll leave Ellone, Raine and Laguna eating her dust.

"Rinny! It's so good to finally see you!"

[winhillstime]

Ellone doesn't leave Raine and Uncle Laguna behind, preferring to walk with them close by. But she waves at Rinoa and grins excitedly. "Hi, Rinoa!"

[livelyangel]

"It's great to see you all too!" Rinoa replied. She gave Selphie a hug before gesturing for everyone to follow her inside. "And yep, Squall knows you're coming. We'll give you the grand tour."

Selphie being the closest was convenient for Rinoa. Even though she was weaponless, as a SeeD, Rinoa considered her to be the biggest threat. The next biggest threat was Laguna, so she would be taking out the pair of them first.

That was why, the moment they walked through the gate and into the Garden lobby, Rinoa snapped her fingers and the two students waiting there aimed Sleep spells at Selphie and Laguna. She grinned.

"Seifer! This is your cue."

Whichever of the remaining ladies Seifer chose to threaten, Rinoa was ready to grab the other.

[bastard]

Stepping into view from where he had remained hidden until Rinoa was ready for him, Seifer immediately flashed the two women still standing his trademark grin. While the idea of going for Squall's mom did have some appeal, he opted instead to focus his attention on Ellone. After all, this was just too similar to their last encounter. After the way she'd made it so clear that she wanted nothing to do with him, and how his very presence seemed to have her on edge, he couldn't pass up the opportunity to make good on all of those fears.

"I was just starting to get bored, too."

He'd take his time closing the short distance between them, the tip of his gunblade dragging along the hard floor and creating a none too pleasant scraping sound before he lifted it as he neared the brunette. It was almost as though he was taking part in some game to see if she'd turn tail and run, or actually try to put up some sort of resistance.

[prez_leg_cramp]

Laguna's brows furrowed when the unknown SeeDs came at the sound of Rinoa's snapping fingers. What was going on? "Rinoa? What're you-" He was suddenly hit with the sleep spell and his eyes widened only briefly, trying to fight it and was, unfortunately, unsuccessful. He fell to the floor beside his wife.

[winhillstime]

Ellone was caught off-guard by the sudden spells aimed at Selphie and Uncle Laguna, but the sight of Seifer definitely had her guard up. She began backing up as he advanced, crying out once Laguna fell to the ground.

"Rinoa! What's going on?" she yelled at the person she'd thought was her friend. Feeling the fear swamping her, she did the only thing she could now: she called up her magic and cast a low-level fire spell at Seifer. If she was going down, she wasn't going down without a fight.

[waitedinwinhill]

So much happened at once, Raine wasn't sure what to make of any of it. Her husband dropped to the ground beside her and that friend of Squall's was threatening Ellone and Elle was... casting more magic? What in the world?

"Laguna!" Raine dropped to her knees beside him right away, the cake she'd carried falling to the ground, and trying to rouse him so they could get Ellone and Selphie, then run away. Her other hand rested protectively on her stomach. "Rinoa? What are you doing? Elle, run!"