who: Edea and OPEN what: Night on the town where: Balamb when: Friday evening warning: tbd
The lights of Garden twinkled like a magnificent carnival, the kind that inspired awe and wonder. The kind that made children want to run away and join the circus. Running away from one's problems, was that not such a natural reaction? Running toward something bigger and brighter on the mere hope that it promised a bigger and brighter future in turn. Edea took one last moment's look at the Garden before pulling off the side of the road and continuing toward the town. She had rented a car for her meeting with Rinoa and it seemed convenient to spend the night in town when she dropped it off. Better to wait until morning and catch a taxi to the Garden. There was nothing for her there anyway save for quiet and contemplation. At least in Balamb she could accomplish as much with a good meal and a drink.
After returning the car, Edea took to walking the streets. So much of it was familiar but Balamb had grown quite a bit since her absence. So many new shops and sights. It was not long before she found herself staring into the window of a dress shop. There was a beautiful wrap-styled evening dress, all purples and blues. She knew she could never get away with wearing it considering her strict aversion to those colors, but a girl could dream, couldn't she? The full, saturated colors looked wonderful against her skin and served to compliment her long, dark hair. Fingertips pressed against the glass without thought as she stared at the garment and fancied herself hosting a dinner party. All her children would be there, of course. And they would all be happy. Squall on her right, Seifer on her left. Holding hands with them and laughing as she fought with them over who would say grace. How Quistis would be the one who did it and Selphie would be cackling throughout the whole thing. How Irvine would fight not to yawn and Zell would be caught up tending to his own daughter.
When the brief fantasy faded, Edea caught herself smiling wistfully in the reflection on the glass. She blinked out of it, almost surprised at the sentimentality and certainly embarrassed at how she had left fingerprints upon the glass. Stepping back abruptly, Edea found herself nearly running smack dab into another pedestrian.
"A-ah!" Came her startled, apologetic exclamation as she turned to face whoever she had almost run over. "Very sorry, I was not paying attention to where I was going. Clumsy me."