Fanfiction: "Until I Burn Away"
Aug. 1st, 2019 06:34 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
deemoyzaTitle: "Until I Burn Away" (4,122 words) [AO3]
Chapters: 1/6
Fandom: Final Fantasy VIII
Rating/Warnings: Teen & Up / strong language, disturbing imagery, and mild gore
Characters: Seifer Almasy, Edea Kramer, Ultimecia
Summary: Having become the Sorceress’ Knight, Seifer finds the title difficult to live up to. To demonstrate his loyalty, he makes a promise – one that will bind him through all time. (My multi-chapter project for the Successor Challenge on Tumblr.)
Excerpt below the cut.
"I'm serious! I have money, and the rest of the Owls are chipping in. We're going to hire people to help us, to fight alongside us." Rinoa leaned forward and looked him straight in the eyes. "We're going to hire SeeD."
Seifer's shoulders spasmed at the name of the organization he'd failed to join – for three years running. His last attempt had ended abruptly, giving him no chance to prove himself. Dispatched to neutralize a small skirmish between Galbadian and Dollet forces in the Yaulny Canyon, everything was going well for Seifer until another cadet stepped in and took out an enemy he had engaged. Nobody stole Seifer Almasy's kills, and he let the unfortunate cadet know that in no uncertain terms. Minutes later, he was back in the combat vehicle, fighting the effects of a Sleep spell, his rage smoldering under Xu's glare.
After the headmaster had given him his annual "talking-to" – something about talent, intuition, and obedience – he had fled to Timber to lick his wounds and heal his ego. A swaggering, good-looking stranger in this town, he received no shortage of positive attention from the local ladies, and had begun amassing something of a backwoods harem when Rinoa stopped him outside of the Timber Hotel one evening.
"You," she said, jabbing a finger into his chest. "I heard you were from Balamb. That you studied at Garden. Is that right?"
"Who wants to know?"
"The Forest Owls."
As if waiting for their cue, two young men stepped from the shadows of the building across the street and flanked Rinoa. They tried their best to look intimidating, but Seifer wagered he could knock both of them over with a single finger. He looked from one member of the motley group before him to the next, then laughed, long and loud.
"What's so funny?" Rinoa asked.
"You are. All of you." Seifer wiped his eyes. "Fine, you got me. I'm from Balamb Garden. Now, do you mind telling me who the hell you guys are?"
That was the beginning. Once Seifer learned of the Forest Owls' mission, the company of women took a back seat to the promise of fame. Rinoa was open with her criticism of Galbadia and President Deling, and she was extremely forthcoming about the Forest Owls' plans. She looked to Seifer for help with strategy, and as they worked together, she warmed to him. She laughed at his jokes, complimented his suggestions, and seemed to draw on his confidence to bolster her own, carrying herself straight and proud, even in – especially in – the face of the Galbadian soldiers stationed throughout the city.
But beneath her outward assuredness, Rinoa was still vulnerable, still desperate to be heard and understood. An easy target. Seifer figured it couldn't hurt to string her along, until the Forest Owls finally had a plan in place to liberate Timber, and he could swoop in and play savior.
So, he played along with her fantasy, staying one step ahead of her, keeping her at arms’ length. Cute as she was, he didn’t want to complicate matters, didn’t want to muddy his goals. He let Rinoa hold his hand, he kissed her on the cheek, and whenever she moved in for a hug, he shifted and pulled her in with one arm, from the side, like an old buddy. She didn’t seem to notice, or if she did, she didn’t mind. Personal affection – particularly when coupled with interest in her mission – was enough to keep her attached.
Until now.
Now, she was considering SeeD.
Chapters: 1/6
Fandom: Final Fantasy VIII
Rating/Warnings: Teen & Up / strong language, disturbing imagery, and mild gore
Characters: Seifer Almasy, Edea Kramer, Ultimecia
Summary: Having become the Sorceress’ Knight, Seifer finds the title difficult to live up to. To demonstrate his loyalty, he makes a promise – one that will bind him through all time. (My multi-chapter project for the Successor Challenge on Tumblr.)
Excerpt below the cut.
"I'm serious! I have money, and the rest of the Owls are chipping in. We're going to hire people to help us, to fight alongside us." Rinoa leaned forward and looked him straight in the eyes. "We're going to hire SeeD."
Seifer's shoulders spasmed at the name of the organization he'd failed to join – for three years running. His last attempt had ended abruptly, giving him no chance to prove himself. Dispatched to neutralize a small skirmish between Galbadian and Dollet forces in the Yaulny Canyon, everything was going well for Seifer until another cadet stepped in and took out an enemy he had engaged. Nobody stole Seifer Almasy's kills, and he let the unfortunate cadet know that in no uncertain terms. Minutes later, he was back in the combat vehicle, fighting the effects of a Sleep spell, his rage smoldering under Xu's glare.
After the headmaster had given him his annual "talking-to" – something about talent, intuition, and obedience – he had fled to Timber to lick his wounds and heal his ego. A swaggering, good-looking stranger in this town, he received no shortage of positive attention from the local ladies, and had begun amassing something of a backwoods harem when Rinoa stopped him outside of the Timber Hotel one evening.
"You," she said, jabbing a finger into his chest. "I heard you were from Balamb. That you studied at Garden. Is that right?"
"Who wants to know?"
"The Forest Owls."
As if waiting for their cue, two young men stepped from the shadows of the building across the street and flanked Rinoa. They tried their best to look intimidating, but Seifer wagered he could knock both of them over with a single finger. He looked from one member of the motley group before him to the next, then laughed, long and loud.
"What's so funny?" Rinoa asked.
"You are. All of you." Seifer wiped his eyes. "Fine, you got me. I'm from Balamb Garden. Now, do you mind telling me who the hell you guys are?"
That was the beginning. Once Seifer learned of the Forest Owls' mission, the company of women took a back seat to the promise of fame. Rinoa was open with her criticism of Galbadia and President Deling, and she was extremely forthcoming about the Forest Owls' plans. She looked to Seifer for help with strategy, and as they worked together, she warmed to him. She laughed at his jokes, complimented his suggestions, and seemed to draw on his confidence to bolster her own, carrying herself straight and proud, even in – especially in – the face of the Galbadian soldiers stationed throughout the city.
But beneath her outward assuredness, Rinoa was still vulnerable, still desperate to be heard and understood. An easy target. Seifer figured it couldn't hurt to string her along, until the Forest Owls finally had a plan in place to liberate Timber, and he could swoop in and play savior.
So, he played along with her fantasy, staying one step ahead of her, keeping her at arms’ length. Cute as she was, he didn’t want to complicate matters, didn’t want to muddy his goals. He let Rinoa hold his hand, he kissed her on the cheek, and whenever she moved in for a hug, he shifted and pulled her in with one arm, from the side, like an old buddy. She didn’t seem to notice, or if she did, she didn’t mind. Personal affection – particularly when coupled with interest in her mission – was enough to keep her attached.
Until now.
Now, she was considering SeeD.
