Rinoa: First Gaze

The first time Squall sees Rinoa is at the SeeD Inauguration Ball (held at some room in Balamb Garden that confuses me because I can't figure out where it is.. :P) that has a purpose of, obviously, congratulating the new members of SeeD on their accomplishment. And while new SeeDs Selphie and Zell are off frolicking around being the extroverts that they are, Squall is standing alone by himself off in some secluded corner. (I'm sure it must've been required that he attended the party in the first place: the thought of Squall at a party.. Well.. It's just not right. ^^)

The roof of the ballroom is made of glass, and Squall looks out at the night sky just in time to see a falling star. His gaze shifts back to the dance floor, to see a girl about his age with black hair wearing a white dress - yes, 'tis Rinoa. ^_^ She points upwards at the sky, having seen the star as well, and without another thought heads over to Squall's little corner.
And of course, she asks him for a dance. (And comments on how he's the cutest guy there. Hehe.)

You gotta admire Rinoa's persistence. ^_- Waving your hand in front of someone's face while chanting "You're going to like me, you're going to like me" is a completely new approach. (And apparently one that works, too.)

Rinoa does somehow manage to get Squall to dance with her (maybe because she grabs him by the hand and won't let go) but of course, seeing as he's Squall, he's clumsy at it. Rinoa asked for it, though - Squall flat-out admits he can't dance! She has to put his hands in the right place because he's clueless. ^_^; At one point he even accidentally runs into her and tries to escape back to his corner - only to have Rinoa yank him back by the arm to start over again.

When Squall's almost getting the hang of it, the two crash into another couple; resulting in one of my favorite scenes in FF8 - Rinoa gives them this funny little mean look, almost like a.. Snarl.. ^^; like she's saying "What the hell is wrong with you?!" or something. And Squall has this bewildered look on his face. It's very cute.

Eventually, Squall starts getting the hang of ballroom dancing (or remembers his work related training courses, he claims later, whatever) and the two are able to finish off the dance perfectly as fireworks go off in the distance. ^^ But the scene is shattered as Rinoa spots someone she knows (later we find out he is none other than Seifer Almasy, Squall's rival and Rinoa's old love interest), and suddenly heads off with only a tap on the shoulder to poor Squall; who stands looking bewildered for the second time as Rinoa leaves him standing there alone.

But anyways; as it turns out, Rinoa was at the SeeD Ball for work related reasons; to ask for SeeD assistance for the Forest Owls back in Timber. But this definitely isn't the last time she sees Squall Leonhart, as coincidentally HE is one of the SeeD members sent to help out. >:D Was it fate that led the two to meet under a falling star?

Oh, and by the way! If you'd like to see more screencaps of this scene (since I only included a few that I liked) they can be found in the image gallery. ^^

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