fandomhigh | Library, Tuesday

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Library, Tuesday

It wasn't right, the way Rinoa was fidgeting today. It had been bad enough yesterday, but today, it was even worse. Every time her mind drifted, it was to the same thing. There were different faces -- Christian, Squall, Seifer, even Irvine once or twice -- and different settings, but ... well. Yes. That.

Rinoa really wanted to curl up with one of those Angelica Demesnes books, but giving her hormones more ammunition would probably only make things worse. Instead, she was going to keep herself occupied with busywork.

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Distractions are welcome. Although hot distractions might just make things worse.

"I'm sorry I went missing for a few days," Christian announced sheepishly as he came in. A smile was spreading over his face -- he was always happy to see Rinoa, but today he was even happier than he usually was.

He had a wonderful smile. Very nice lips. Had anyone told him that?

"You missed the bonfire," she said, her voice sounding low and thick to her own ears. "Jono was worried. I was worried, too."

Jono had been worried for the band's sake. Rinoa, well. That was a different matter entirely.

"I got stuck in a locker," Christian explained. "It went off without me? I'm -- sorry to have worried you. It wasn't on purpose!"

She had a beautiful speaking voice. He hoped she was aware.

"Of course it wasn't," she agreed easily. He'd never do something like that, just to upset her. He was far too considerate for that. And kind, and giving ...

"Jono found back-up singers," she added. "I'm sure you would have been better."

Both back-up singers were girls. How could they possibly compare?

"I like to think I would have," Christian agreed readily, no insult meant to the back-up singers. "I would have had you to sing to, and that would have made it impossible to be other than my best!"

"You're such a romantic," she sighed happily. There was something wonderful about guys who made grand gestures. Really made you feel appreciated. "So how did you get stuck in a locker?"

Shouldn't someone have heard him bang on the door? Poor thing, to be cooped up in a dark place for several days like that!

"It was much bigger on the inside," Christian explained, with a shake of his head. "I saw Miss Quinn being pulled in, and naturally I tried to help her. I -- I promised not to explain the rest of it, but it was several days before we were able to get out. I don't think," he added, confidingly, "that it was entirely a normal locker."

"Are you all right?" she asked, eyes growing serious with concern. "I won't pry, if you've made a promise. Something ... strange things happen."

Trust her on this one.

"Did you both make it back all right, or is she still ..."

"Nothing a hot shower and a square meal didn't cure -- and what there was, is better now that I've seen you," Christian reassured her. "And she is perfectly well. You know her?"

"She helped me pick out my dress for Homecoming," Rinoa explained. "She's fun. I'm glad you weren't alone. I think that would be the worst, being stranded somewhere and completely alone."

'Fun' wouldn't be the word Christian would use to describe the experience ... but who could even think about that? It all faded into mists as he looked into Rinoa's eyes.

"I had company," he agreed simply. "Though of course, if I could pick ... she wouldn't be the person I would have chosen."

"No?" Rinoa asked, batting her eyes coyly. "I suppose being trapped in a locker could be ... romantic, in the right circumstances. And with the right company, naturally."

"Naturally," Christian agreed. "We'd be ... facing peril together. But anything can be romantic, in the right circumstances. Libraries, even."

"I think libraries are very romantic," Rinoa said loyally. "All the books, and the quiet moments inbetween the stacks? It's like they're asking for someone to slip aside and steal kisses."

Christian's eyes sparkled. "Now, would you do that, or are you talking about other, less diligent aides?"

Rinoa tried her very best to look innocent. "Do I seem like the kind of girl who would do something like that?" she asked.

Because she was. And would. In fact, was he free? She probably had a break coming up ...

Christian gave her puppy-dog eyes. "Only if the right person asked in a very nice way," he wheedled. "And ... didn't have any other plans for the day."

Oh, the puppy dog eyes! And how was she supposed to resist those?

It helped that she didn't have any intention of trying to resist them.

She turned her head to each side once, taking a quick look for the librarian. Not seeing him, she decided to chance it, leaning across the circulation desk to offer him an all-too-brief kiss.

"How do you feel about the reference section?" she asked.

"It should be quiet," Christian said, smiling. "And full of -- informative books and things."

He ran his fingers over his lips. "Fancy giving me a tour when you get a break?"

"Meet me there in ten minutes?" she suggested, eyes flashing.

She couldn't take too long of a break. She happened to like working here, and wouldn't like it to be fired for kissing on the job. But ... well.

Everyone was entitled to breaks.

"I'll be there," Christian promised, and took a moment to memorize Rinoa's face before slipping off into the stacks.

He didn't think ten minutes had ever been so long.

It was a distressed-seeming Alexander that came into the library as soon as he had some free time today, a practically permanent wrinkle of worry creasing his forehead. "Oh, Rinoa," he said. "You simply must help me; I have to know, are you aware of any new books on geography or travel or history or anything that might have come in since last week? Anything at all?"

He mustn't leave any possibility unexamined!

"I'll help if I can," she said, sympathetically -- he was strikingly handsome when he was so upset! -- "but I don't know of anything that did. Have you asked about looking in the back area? Special Collections?"

Unfortunately, Rinoa was unaware of the particular nature of Fandom's Special Collections. She only knew that she wasn't supposed to go back there, and so she didn't.

Alexander's shoulders slumped pitifully. He was just barely away from a whimper.

"Special Collections? What's that? Do you think....do you think there might be something there?"

"The area in the back," she said. "Very secret, lots of unusual texts. We aren't allowed back there without a good reason. You should talk to the librarian. Maybe he'd let you explore it."

"...I should hope so," Alexander said, blinking before giving a longing look toward the area Rinoa indicated. "I can hopefully convince him that my purpose is the greatest reason in all the world. If there is anything left to explore that might have any sign of where my Cassima might be, that must be it."

"Then talk to him," Rinoa decided. "Love is the best reason to do anything in the world. He has to understand that."

Who needed logic, when you were willing to be ruled by your emotions?

"Exactly!" Alexander said, looking suddenly uplifted and inspired. He pounded his fist into his hand. "He must! Nothing should stand in the way of love, and, if it must make the attempt, then I shall find a way to surpass it!"

"Love opens doors and windows and everything else," Rinoa said. There was some quote to that effect, but she couldn't remember it. "... You haven't talked to the portal people, have you?"

Just checking.

"I have," Alexander said with a heavy sigh, his distress returning as quickly as it had left. He shook his head. "They said it's...problematic, making a portal to a land if they don't know where it actually is, either..."

"I would have thought they could find anything," Rinoa said, biting her lip at his news. "But ... you said you saw her. Didn't you? This girl."

She was going somewhere with this. Give her a moment, here.

"Of course," Alexander said with emphasis. "She helped my father save my family from the evil wizard Mordack, and we discussed my coming to visit her..."

"Okay," Rinoa said. "Do you believe in fate? I do. You saw her for a reason. She's real. She exists. So you'll find her one day. You just have to believe."

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Library, Tuesday

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