Who: Irvine Kinneas, Logan Youngblood, Selphie Tilmitt.
Where:  Dormitory Corridor, Garden Parking Lot, Garden Northern Atrium.
Why:  Selphie and Irvine are -not- engaged, entertaining ideas of it, but not engaged.  However, the rumor mill is at it again.
Date of Log:  August 18, 2000.





Exiting his dorm room, Irvine looks back to his old self again, the content and somewhat smug little smile tugging at his lips, as if life were some kind of private joke to him. Sans duster and chaps, he's not quite as cowboyish as he normally is. Both are in need of repair and cleaning -again-. The third time in two months. But, Selphie's safe, and things are getting somewhat back to normal. Turning, he starts down the hallway, hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans.

Walking out of the door that leads into his dorm room, Logan shuts it behind him and then turns to walk down the hallway as well. Though Logan's duster got a bit dirty as well, his must have been easier to clean. However, his gloves are seemingly brand new. Maybe he had another pair, but with all the slime that got all the old ones, not many would keep them as they were. Grinning a bit as he notices Irvine, he offers a nod to him in greeting, "Heya, Irvine ... I see yer back t'yer ol' self again, eh? Had me worryin' fer awhile there, I tell ya.", he says, somewhat jokingly, though there's a bit of truth behind the statement.

Irvine reaches up to tip his hat with semi-mock drama, even bowing slightly in Logan's direction. He's grinning now. "Yeah, I'd say things are getting back to normal." He's also had a decent night's sleep for once. Having Selphie beside him, though it's breaking several Garden rules, helps with that. He notices Logan's duster and gestures toward it, "Must be nice, my duster was coated inside and out." Yeah, well it was his bright idea to wrap Selphie up in it to get her out safely.

Logan nods his head in agreement that thing are getting back to normal and then glances down at his duster, grinning slightly with a stifled chuckle, "Yeah, well ... ain't like I took someone into mine who was all covered in that slime stuff.", he winks at Irvine, shrugging his shoulders, "I had some crap on the outside of it, but I spent a few hours scrubbin' it all off, personally. Took a lotta work gettin' it off, but I wasn't gonna let it soak up, y'know?", he smirks.

Irvine understands and nods, then reaching up to adjust the hat atop his head. "Hey... what happened to your face?" He doesn't recall Logan getting burned. He wasn't there when everyone went down to finish off the sludge beast. Then again, Logan may also notice the streaks that mar his bare arms, though they've dimmed to more of a pinkish color, the gunman has to avoid touching them. They don't burn they just -itch- to death now.

Logan runs a gloves hand across one of his cheeks and ahhs, shrugging his shoulders slightly, "When I was restrainin' Selph, one o'the ... erm ... former Cadets kinda got it's hands on my face an' left me with a li'l souvenier. I try not t'think 'bout it much, though.", he then looks at your arms, noticing similar marks, pointing them out, "Looks like ya got a bit o'em too, eh?"

Irvine resists the urge to itch at his arms again, shoving his hands back into his pockets. It's the best way to avoid that, after all. He shakes his head, "Not really, I got a little, mostly on my left arm..." which is noticably more red then pink, "... that's when I tried to duck away from a nice hot steam bath, compliments of Moja and landed in the sludge. The rest of it's just steam burns. I got off light compared to some of the others." And considerably better then the victims of the sludge critter, those who were too far gone to be saved. "Oh..." his features suddenly draw grim, the smile fading like a plucked morning glory. "Ailanya's... gone. I need to tell Farrell sometime..."

Logan raises an eyebrow a bit, curiously, "Ailanya? Y'mean the girl that ya tried t'hook Farrell up with awhile back? What'd ya mean she's gone? Jus' disappeared or d'ya think that maybe she was kidnapped, like the others? I thought the sludge creature was defeated, though ...", he asks ... he's just a veritable question machine lately, isn't he?

Irvine looks like he's about to really be sick. "I shot her, I had to. I didn't want to but we couldn't... save her." Meaning she was one of those 'too far gone'. One of the few Cadets he knew here from Galbadia, a girl he'd been friends with for five or more years, who he used to flirt with incessantly until Selphie came along. And he had to euthanize her, instead of let her be blown to bits by the explosion or waste away as digestive decay. No more worrying about her paper.

Logan's expression suddenly drops as well, not liking how the explanation begins or finishes. Sighing a bit, he shakes his head and pats Irvine once on the shoulder, "Man ... I'm sorry t'hear that. I know ya said she was a really good friend o'yers ... but if she was too far gone, then there's nothin' else ya coulda done. It sucks, I'm sure, but it's jus' the way it is.", his head lowers a bit and he sighs and shakes his head, "A shame that it was the only thing ya coulda done."

Irvine closes his eyes a moment, letting the hat dip lower. He doesn't respond to the gesture from Logan, or to his attempt to comfort the cowboy. "You shoulda seen her, Logan. I didn't even know it was her except I recognized her favorite blouse, the red one with the lace around the collar. She was wasted away to nothing but a little skin and bones." But, he still didn't like having to shoot her. Why couldn't someone else have done it and left him blissfully unaware? Forcing his eyelids open again, he tries to shrug it off, "Some things can't be helped, and Selphie's safe."

Logan nods his head, "Yeah, man. Ya gotta keep that in mind. Selph's safe an' back t'normal now ... an' the threat o'the monster is pretty much taken care of, I'd say. Be thankful fer whatcha have, y'know? But I ain't sayin' t'ferget 'bout Ailanya ... that's impossible. Jus' remember the way she was 'fore all o'this happened. Not much consolation, I know ... but it's all ya can really do."

Irvine nods, looking more mellow now, thoughtful, rather then depressed. He's really been counting his blessings that he has Selphie back. "Tell ya true, Logan, I love her now more then I ever thought I did before. Sefie's... " he shrugs, grins, even the thought of her cheers him up. "... threatening my reputation."

Logan smirks, stifling a chuckle as he punches your arm playfully, "T'hell with yer reputation, man! Man, I tell ya ... ya look after yer reputation too much, I think. I'd give my left arm t'have somethin' like what you an' Selph got an' yer worried 'bout whether yer rep's gonna be affected?" Logan rolls his eyes and makes a 'pft.' sound, shaking his head as he points his finger at you, "Ya got yer priorities all mixed up, I think.", he chuckles.

Irvine laughs, staggering to the side for balance as Logan punches his arm, "Yeah, well, she -is-. I never said I didn't -like- it." Nudging Logan back with an elbow, a half-hearted retaliation, the cowboy then shrugs his shoulders. "Sef's the best think to ever happen to me, I know it." Hell, he's even entertained thoughts of marriage. -That's- how serious he's started taking it.

Logan nods his head in a satisfied manner, smirking, "Well, that's good, then.", he says as he's nudged with an Irvy-elbow, "Cause I'd hate t'see ya takin' somethin' as great as love fer granted, y'know ... but I think yer smart enough t'understand that on yer own, without me smackin' ya 'round.", he says jokingly, still grinning.

Of course, Irvine does lapse into a moment of thought. Glancing left and right, to make sure no one's watching, he gets that devious look on his face, like he's up to something. "Hey, let's skip off somewhere else, I need to talk to you." Uh oh...

Logan hrms, raising an eyebrow slightly, "Er ... alright. What'd ya got t' ...", he pauses, then shrugs slightly, figuring that whatever it is he has to say will be explained upon arriving at their next location. So, with a smile he nods his head, "Lead the way.", he says.

Now comes the problem of -where- to go. Not his room... *cough* Selphie's in there. Not the Quad, too crowded. Cafeteria's the same. Library is mandatory silence. Infirmary? Er, no. Training center? Possible... wait, the parking garage, who in their right mind goes there these days? So, gesturing for Logan to follow, he starts down the corridor leading toward the atrium.

Logan follows Irvine into the Parking Lot and then folds his arms across his chest, "Alright, so what's so important an' so secretive that ya gotta tell me here in the Parking Lot where there ain't a single person 'round, eh?", he asks, curiously wondering what exactly it could be. He's patient, however, waiting for Irvine's response.

This really isn't easy to admit to himself, let alone another guy, but Irvine turns around finally, "I trust you, Logan. So, I know this isn't gonna go any further then you and me, right?" He's most definately nervous about whatever this is. "I mean... what I'm thinking isn't for the immediate future, but I might need your support."

Logan hrms and nods his head, "Yeah, man ... o'course. I can keep a secret, if that's whatcha mean.", now his interest is really perked, eager to find out what the big deal is, "An' yer right ... ya can trust me. So, whatever's on yer mind ... let's hear it.", he smiles.

Sheesh, he can't even look anyone in the eyes when he admits this, "I've known Sef since we were kids, I mean really little. I just feel like, well, we're fated for each other. She's really been hinting at me about... marriage." He blushes a bit, then really quickly adds, "I'm -not- ready to go that far, not yet. I'm still a Cadet for Hyne's sake. I'm still seventeen too, and she's... so lofty like that. SeeD and already eighteen. But, I wondered, you know, when I do decide to ask her, if you might help me set things up. I want to do something surprising and really special for her."

Logan's smile slowly fades a bit as his eyes go wide ... after a moment, however, the smile returns to his face and he nods his head enthusiastically, "O'course I will! Whatever ya need, Irvine ... all ya gotta do is ask. Y'know ... when yer ready t'ask _her,_ that is.", he chuckles slightly, "But yer right ... I wouldn't rush into things _too_ quickly. Take it one step at a time, y'know? But when yer ready ... ya can count on me t'be there fer ya."

Breathing a sigh of relief, Irvine grins slightly and nods, "Thanks." He half expected to be either reprimanded for moving too fast, just for -thinking- about the idea, or laughed at. One can never be sure when you're still an uncertain teen. "Nah, I love her, and I'm pretty sure I'll be settling down with her, but it's way too early. And I'm way too young... don't wanna end up like Seifer and Fuujin." Though Selphie views marriage with starry eyes, Irvine sees it as an ending somewhat. It's a rather large commitment to be making.

Logan nods his head, shrugging slightly, "Not a problem, man. 'Sides ... what're friends for, y'know?", he grins, pausing for a moment, "Glad yer thinkin' it all through, though. Plannin' ahead's the smart way t'do anythin' ... otherwise ya never know what could happen, right?"

Irvine stands off to the side, talking with Logan about some sort of plans. He hasn't yet spotted Selphie, but one look at him shows a bit of embarassment on his face. Whatever it is, it's not a comfortable subject.

But as it stands, she just now trots slowly into the area, hanging around the entrance. A quick glance around allows her to spot both Irvine -and- Logan, just as Jakya told her. Yay! Beaming, she takes a few tentative steps closer, quietly. Maybe she can hear what they're talking about. --But wait! She has to be sly about it! So, if anyone were watching her, they'd see her hold her hands up in a 'gun' replication, look left, look right, and tumble expertly behind a car. Cue the Mission: Impossible theme!

Logan pats Irvine on the shoulder and grins, "Glad ya talked t'me 'bout all o'this, though ... it's gonna be interestin'. An' ya can count on me, my lips're sealed. Jus' lemme know when ya need help. But I should prob'ly get goin' fer now ... got some readin' t'do 'fore I get my trainin' in fer the day."

Unfortunately for Mission Impossible Selphie (tm), Irvine appears to have finished whatever deal/talk was going on between the two. "It's the only way to do something like this. Besides, it's a long ways down the road. Thanks again."

"Uh!" Upon hearing said words, Selphie hop!s up to her feet, hands on her hips. "What a -total- gyp!" Er, yeah, cover's blown. "That suu~uucks!" Stomping her foot, she scrunches her nose. "C'mo~on, just another few sentences..." But she does send a little wave Logan-wards, as if she had been a part of this conversation. She'll -see- about his lips being sealed. Dangit, she'll find out! Now for Irvy to grill her. Hee.

Turning suddenly at the sound of Selphie's voice, Irvine turns six shades of pale. Holy cow, how long has she been standing there? Did she hear any of it? How the -hell- did she -find- him anyway. "Um... hi Selphie." Boy did he go all sheepish and embarassed all of a sudden, what in the world is he up to? Logan's departed already, so he's kinda defenseless too.
      
Beaming suddenly, she hops from behind her hiding spot, trotting already up to the cowboy. "Hi, Irvy!" Teehee. This is gnna be so much fun! She really does want to know what was said, though -- if it's enough to make Irvine like -this-, it -must- be interesting... "You talked in your sleep last night," she lies. "Is that what you were telling Logan?" let's make him squirm, shall we? Of course, she's -so- innocent during all of this.

Talked... in his sleep? Um... "I don't remember what I was dreamin' about last night, Darlin'." Good grief, he's blushing! Whatever it is, it's definately not something he wanted Selphie to find out about, and he -is- squirming under her scrutiny. "Hey... how'd you find me and why were you spying, huh?" Uh oh, he's trying to recover!

"Aw," she mock-pouts. "You don't? Well, that totally sucks!" Selphie got him to blush, though! Waha! Shifting her weight, she waits until he questions her to move in for the 'kill.' That is, moving to snake both arms around his waist, and press her cheek to his chest, vest or no. Hee. "Someone told me they saw you come this way," she drawls, "and I wasn't -spying-, I was -eavesdropping-."

"Six one way, half dozen the other, Darlin'," Irvine chuckles and lets her move in for the kill, he may as well be dead anyway, he's so smitten. Wrapping his arms around her, can't help but smile down at her. "Besides, I've heard -you- talk in your sleep before too." Yes, he -does- remember that.

Blink. Looking up to the cowboy, Selphie blinks a few times, face blank, if not a little confused. "--Huh?" She's talked in her sleep...? --Hey! Irvine's probably just lying, like she did. Yeah! That's gotta be it. He'd have mentioned it to her sooner! "...-When-? Whad' I say?" The subject of what he and Logan were discussing flits out the window.

Gaining the upper hand, Irvine's embarassment is snuffed out like a candle. He grins knowingly down at Selphie, breathing in deeply with that really irritating and smug smirk tugging at his lips. "Oh I dunno what you were dreaming about, but it musta included me." However, even as he goes into 'tease Selphie' mode, he starts directing her out of the parking lot. No need to stay here.

How Selphie -hates- when the table are turned by someone other than her. Face taking on a more confused look than before, she follows his direction, not taking her eyes off that annoying smirk. "--You?" Her mind races -- trying to remember any dreams she's had that might fit said criteria. "...Why?"

Oh Irvine -could- spare her the embarassment... but why? This is kinda fun. "You were mumbling my name, as I recall. So you tell me, what -were- you dreaming about?" He still looks kinda smug, wait, scratch that, he looks -extremely- smug. Trying hard -not- to snicker, he even adds, in a fake, feminine tone, "Irvy~." He was gonna tease her about this awhile ago, but then she got spirited away and he had other things to worry about. Oh yes, and out of the parking lot they go.

To say that Selphie blushes would be an understatement. "--Uh! I was no--" He then, of course, imitates her. Wrinkling her nose, she looks away, face hot. What -did- she dream about?! It's hard enough remembering a dream after you wake up, let alone -days-, probably a whole week, later. Think, Selphie, think. ... "I did -not-!" Yeah, when in doubt, deny!

Really really trying hard -not- to laugh, Irvine lifts a hand to his mouth, trying to stifle it. "Sorry, Darlin'. I'm really not lying about this. I heard you." Sure, he could be doing this just to turn the tide in his direction. But, he knows he's not, regardless of Selphie's desire to deny it all. "You woke me up with whatever it was." Oh he's -so- enjoying this. He even tilts forward, trying to see the blush he -knows- has to be on her face.
      
Selphie just turns away further, as she feels Irvine turn to her. Hrmph! "I-- I was prolly saying something else!" Not that anything really rhymes or sounds like 'Irvy,' save for 'pervy.' "..." She just -cannot- remember anything that she's dreamt that would prompt that sort of response, in her -sleep- no less. Selphie doesn't find this funny in the -least-. "Maybe -you- were dreaming!" Well... o_o Maybe.

"Hey... come on, look at me," Irvine says, reaching over with a hand to draw her chin toward him. "I was just teasing Darlin'." Sheesh, must remember not to give Selphie a hard time about such subjects. She's touchy if it's sexual innuendo. Or sex anything for that matter. He's leaning over too, that irritating smirk having dampened to something much more reasonable. "I love you, you know." Oooh, dirty pool.

The brunette doesn't -fight- her face being turned towards Irvine, though she probably should have. Awww! She's bluuushing! "--You were?", she asks, queitly. Hee. Her first instinct was to glare, and yell, and stomp!. But cutely. However, she's decided that this tactic gains much more fun, response wise. Of course, at said Dirty_Pool, she -almost- wrinkles her nose. That's -her- schtick! "--I know you do," she drawls, sendign a smirk right back. Hee! "Duh!" Back to normal, even if she's still blushing.

"But, it doesn't change the fact that you said that, in your sleep no less," Irvine then finishes. Cruel! As many times as she's totally humiliated him in public, this is a proper and fitting revenge. And it probably won't last. On a side note, he -really- is curious what she was dreaming, seeing as she's so dang scared of the mention of anything 'sex' that he can't really see her having such a dream. Unless it's just that nasty subconcious perking up.

Maaaybe Selphie won't be humiliating Irvine as much, now that she's getting a taste of her own medicine. ...Probably not. "--Uh! It's not like it was anything bad!" Of course, she doesn't -know- that. Would she really dream about something like that? Eek! She hopes not. And if Irvine thinks -he's- curious...
Subject change needed! "So what were you n'Logan talkin' about?" Hee.

Aw, dammit. Just when he thought he'd gotten away from that topic. He squints down at Selphie, pressing a finger against hte tip of her nose briefly, "None of your business, Darlin'." He's not about to tell her either. And really, he -prays- Logan can keep it a secret from her too, the cowboy knows the two are close friends. "Besides, you -sure- you wanna know? I mighta been discussing something like where to buy condoms around here." Distract her! That's his tactic! And what's more distracting then -that- subject?

Cross-eyeing as her nose is pressed, she looks back up to Irvine, lips pursed. "..." None of her business, huh? She'll show him! Surely she can drag it out of Logan... Though she has a smallish seed of doubt, in her mind. He'd better! Of course, at Irvine's attempt at distracting her, she doesn't even flinch. Nope! She's learning! "--Nuh-uh! Cause Logan isn't seeing anyone, and -you- know -everything- about that stuff!" Hee. "And it's not like you'd -ever- blush about something like that...! And you call -me- a minx." Hee!

Dammit, it's not working this time. Irvine folds his arms over his chest and grins, "I'm learning from the best little minx in Garden." Indeed, he wouldn't blush at all, he's proud of his belt notches... he just won't let Selphie know that. It's more condusive to his own preservation. "And don't try asking Logan, he -promised- he would keep it to himself, no tempting him. I know how well your charms work."

"--Tch! Like I'd really try that!" Of -course- Selphie would. "And I -totally- don't know what you mean... 'Charm'?" And even as she says this, her actions betray her words. Yes! Wrapping one arm back around Irvine's waist, her other hand repeats the motion that she used when convincing him to take Ballroom Dance lessons -- something she's almost totally forgot about, thankfully -- and traces a little circle on his chest with her index, on the purple vest. And! Kicks one of her legs back, smiling a little coooy smile. Teehee.

Irvine glances down warily at Selphie. Ok, he's onto this little ploy this time. "Uh huh... charm, Darlin'. I know you." At least she's not trying to convince him of anything this time... ball room dancing. *shudder* Reaching down, he takes ahold of that hand circling against his chest, lifting it up to kiss it oh so chivalrously. "You are a minx. Definately."

Jutting her lower lip out a bit, Selphie -pouts-. She'll have to practice some more! And Irvine is most likely smart to not mention the Ballroom Dancing 'lessons,' since Selphie hasn't said a word about them since she convinced him to join. He may be saved, yet! Even as the cowboy places a kiss to her hand, she cocks her head to the side, pout continuing. "What's that make you, then? Huh?"

"Your pervert, remember?" Irvine winks, back to grinning again. Still holding that hand in his, he glances around, "Well, where shall we go?" No sense standing around in the Atrium. Of course, that's when he notices a few Cadets staring at him and Selphie, looking somewhat surprised or something. Huh, weird.
And about that time, a group of three girls pass by in their Cadet uniforms. One waves to Selphie and says, "Congradulations."

"--Oh ye~eah!" How could she -forget-? Giggling quietly, wondering if it's a good thing for him to be glad about his Pervert Stature, Selphie glances around idly at his words. "I dunno," she says, noncommitally. She -is- kinda tired, being that she hasn't been used to being up and around as of late, but... It's too early to retire. And if she tells Irvine that, he'll no doubt make her go to one of their rooms. Hrmph! Of course, that train of thought is rather put on hold, as she's... congradulated? "--Oh!" ...Uhm. "Thanks!", she gushes, beaming happily. Maybe she knows something Irvine doesn't?

Irvine is sorta confused by that, and reaches up to tug on his ponytail. The girl smiles at Selphie and waves before turning back to her friends and continuing onwards. That was odd. So, looking down at his little ray of sunshine, he asks, "What was that all about?" Did she do some great achievement he wasn't aware of and should be congradulating her for?

About that time, another of Selphie's numerous aquaintences dashes up with a squeal of delight, "Selphie, I just heard the news!" She pauses and beams, smiling even at Irvine. "I'm so happy for both of you, that's so mega cool. Let me know when the date is, ok? I'll be there!" And before anyone can get a word in edgewise, she waves and darts off down the Atrium.
      
Glancing up to Irvine, Selphie gives a helpless little shrug, and a confused look. "Iounno." She finds it easier to just go along with most things, of course. However, before she can ask the same thing, the next happy_girlie runs up. Blinking slowly, widely, the brunette listens to her gushing. "--Uhm--" Staring off after the girl, she looks slooowly back up at Irvine. "...News...?" The date...? Happy for them...? A little cold pebble forms in her stomach. c_c Yuhoh. Why does this sound like what she had planned for Irvine?

Irvine blinks, watching the second girl prance off with an extremely confused expression. What the hell is going on? This about the time he looks down at Selphie, catching the expression on her face. Now he's wary, "Darlin', what in the blazes is goin' on?" This is starting to sound really bad to him too, for a different reason, however. Did Logan say anything? No way, he wouldn't have...

Selphie erks, snapping out of her bothersome thoughts, Selphie really does look confused, if not worried. "--I don't know! Why would I know? I didn't do anything this time!" And she -didn't-. She just... accidently left that photo in the classroom where the Paper is printed. Oops? Looking left and right, now, she just clings to the cowboy. c_c Oh, plee~eease don't let someone have published that fake story she was planning without asking her...  Plee~eease...

Irvine sighs and wraps an arm around Selphie's shoulders, actually believing her this time. "Well, let's forget it for now, want something from the cafeteria or anything?" He's still worried about her health, after all. The others had been unable to be healed due to malnutrition in many cases. So naturally he thinks Selphie needs to eat. Worry about... whatever this is later.

Still glancing around at all of the people looking their direction, Selphie just leans into the cowboy, as if he could protect her from the stares. c_c Now, don't get her wrong. She loves attention. Just... not if it's because of what she thinks it is. Hmm?ing, the brunette comes back to reality, blinking. "--Uh-- Oh! Well, I mean, I had lunch earlier..." ...Dangit. "--Er, dinner." Well, too late now. Now she'll get dragged for more food, no doubt. It's no fun being stubborn when it doesn't get you anywhere!
Spotting another group of cadets approaching, she erks. Panic! Selphie does -not- want to have an affirmation of why she's getting congradulated, and so... Perfect. Hopping onto her tiptoes, she reaches to yank! Irvine's face down to hers, and give as lengthy of a kiss as is needed until the girls change direction. c_c

Gack! Huh? What in the world? Irvine doesn't really protest, any excuse to kiss Selphie is a good one, after all, but um, she's -never- done that before. Normally he's the one who initiates the kiss. The girls do change direction, but they're -giggling- and cooing things like 'Aw aren't they so cute together? I just knew Irvine would ask her.' Ask her what? What's going on!

Selphie noticably tenses as she hears their words, but just wraps her arms around his neck, trying to block them out, until they've faded into the distance. ...She didn't tell anyone to publish that story! That was her -one- ace, and someone plucked it out of her hand. That's -not- cool at all, especially since she's on the same end as Irvine is. And as her mind reels, trying to pinpoint -who- is on the Newspaper Crew, she doesn't think to end the kiss. No problem. ...Okay, yes problem. Irvine's gonna think -she- did it! Waaah!

Indeed, Irvine is doubly suspicious now that Selphie's acting all weirded out and kissing him out of the blue and... he draws away very suddenly, actually looking somewhat angry. He grabs Selphie's wrist, though not hard at all. Even when upset, he'd -never- hurt her. "Selphie Tilmitt..." uh oh, the whole name, "What is going on?" He had believed her at first... but now he's not so certain at all. She obviously knows that -something- is going on and he's getting tired of her avoiding the subject.

"--Erk--!" Taking a step back, Selphie's stopped from any further retreat by Irvine's hold on her wrist. Chin tilting to her chest, the brunette really does look guilty -- even if she didn't do anything, this time. "--I didn't -do- anything...! I swear! But-- But I-- I think someone's--" Eek. Blushing lightly, glancing around for a moment, she steps back up to the cowboy. "I think someone's started a rumor... Uhmmm~. About us... Being..." Figdet, fidget. She trails off, looking up at Irvine, helplessly.

"Being what?" Irvine prods, not about to give up until Selphie's fessed up the whole story. He's forgotten about the picture she snapped of him that day. He really does look mad too, eyes narrowing and turning from that bright baby blue to a stormy purple. Why? Selphie's acting very suspicious and not telling him the whole story and on top of that, he feels she's not being honest with him.

"...Engaged," she finishes, very quietly. Sure, she had -planned- to do this same thing, but was increasingly of the opinion that perhaps she -shouldn't-. Seriously! Staring down at her shoes, she -does- look guilty, though. "I think someone got ahold of that picture that -- uhm -- I had that girl took, you know... When you were apologizing to me?" She might as well spill her side of it, right? Well, most of it. Looking back up to the angry Irvine, she adds, quickly, and with a pout on her face, "I really didn't do iiiit! I know it totally looks like I did, but I diiidn't! Don't be mad, Irvy, please?" Hoooahboy.

Releasing Selphie's hand, Irvine has to actually take a step back. The anger melts instantly into disbelief. Engaged? Wha-- hey, he's no where near ready for that! Glancing around, he now knows why so many are astaring at the two. Holy Hyne... Turning his back to Selphie, he shoves one hand in his pocket, the other reaching up to rub his temple. Oh crap. His heartbeat is pounding in his ears practically. Why did this have to happen now? He'd really been thinking about it, but he was gonna wait till he became SeeD and and... till he was at least -eighteen- for crying out loud!

Selphie bounces on the balls of her feet, biting her lip. Ooooh, this isn't good! Clasping her hands in front of her, Selphie whii~iines. "Irvy~! Are you okay? It's just a silly rumor, is all! Just like all the other ones!" ...Except that she's pretty sure -this- one is in black and white. Trotting back right up to Irvine, she moves to wrap her arms around him from behind. "Irvy, c'mon!" Though she knows the subject bothers him, is the idea really -that- revolting...? For someone who said that he thinks they're meant to be...

It's got nothing to do with the actual idea of marriage. Irvine's kinda resigned himself to the fact that he is intending to ask her at some point in time. That time just wasn't -now-. He doesn't attempt to shove Selphie's hands away, letting her hug him from behind as he tries to peice this together in his head. It's just a rumor. It can be overcome, with time, and a -lot- of patience. He's weathered worse rumors, right? Just hope he never finds out this is in -print-. With a weary sigh, he says quietly, "Selphie, I do love you, and I do want to marry you, but this isn't the time. I was gonna wait to ask..." he pauses, "How did this rumor get started?" She seems to know more then she's revealing, after all.

"--Er..." Blushing quietly, she squeezes the cowboy lightly, resting her cheek against his back. "--I know this isn't the time," she notes, smiling nervously. "It's just a silly rumor! It's not like you actually -asked- me, silly!" Too young! Waaaay too young. Of course, then he asks more about her inifite pool of knowledge. Ruh roh. "...Erm, how should -I- know? I didn't start it...! --And if I -knew- how it got started, I'd like, know who -started- it! And I'd go kick their butts." yeah. c_c

With another heavy sigh, Irvine tilts the hat down over his eyes, making no moves to extracate himself from Selphie's embrace. He -does- love her, after all. She's acting highly suspicious, but he -trusts- her. She wouldn't lie to him. She just wouldn't. "I guess we'll just have to weather the storm together." He sounds uncertain. This just all happened so damn fast. And if he finds out who started this one... heads will roll, or be shot off anyway. Turning, he pulls Selphie into his arms again, "I'm sorry I got upset, Darlin'. I believe you."

...Oh, -jeez-. -Make- her feel bad. Even if she didn't do anything, and didn't even -tell- anyone about her plan... It's still her fault for leaving that photo. Waaah! Squirming slightly in Irvine's grip, she ponders telling him. Will he get mad? --Yeah! He totally would! And he'd remember that she was being all suspicious about that photo in the first place, and think she was lying about all this, and -- and -- and -- "It's okay," she finally says, "It's not like, y'know, I haven't ever -done- anything before!" Waah...

Better grab up all those newsletters and hope Irvine never accidently sees one. He might not remember the photo now, but seeing it right there in front of him will certainly jog the memory. Leaning down, he kisses the top of Selphie's head. "It's ok, Darlin', I know this wasn't your fault. I just hope I never find out who started this." Bad news for poor Selphie. Irvine'd be heartbroken if he found out the truth from another source. Reaching for her hand, he says, "Come on, let's go somewhere else, I'm tired of getting stared at out here."

...Even if Selphie never revealed her 'engagement announcement' plan, that -photo- is what sparked this, no doubt -- which would basically make her responsible, even if she didn't really want to do it afterall. Waaah! Life is so complicated! "..." Aw, man. She feels terrible! --Pulled out of her thoughts at Irvine's prompting, she oh!'s, letting him take her hand. "Okay...!" What's she gonna -do-?!

Unaware of Selphie's dilemma, Irvine starts leading her off toward the Cafeteria, trying to head off a couple of other students smiling and waving at the 'engaged couple' to wish them good luck. He opens scowls at one Cadet, who blinks in confusion and darts off with an 'eek' look on her face. He just needs to get something to drink and sit and think, and talk to Selphie. And forget this rumor ever came up. Of course, right there at the door is the rack for the newsletter, with the offending picture right on top. He hasn't not seen it yet, however.

Selphie keeps her eyes on Irvine's back, as she follows him to said cafeteria. Rrrr. If she doesn't tell him, she'll get in trouble. If she tells him, she'll get in trouble. She didn't even -do- anything this time, and she's already up the creek without a paddle! How -does- this stuff happen to her? Of course, she glances up just in time to spot that picture, on the front page of the Paper. Eyes going wide, she immediately picks up her pace, moving to tug -him- along, and hopefully distract him from looking around. c_c "Hungry? Did you have dinner?" Change the subject, yes!

Irvine pauses for a moment as Selphie suddenly starts tugging him forward. He's never been one to rush along anywhere. "Huh? I ate, just wanted a drink. You ok?" She's still acting odd, this raises his hackles, but he lets it go. She -would- tell him if anything was up, right? Right. However, luckily for Selphie he decides against it all together, reaching up to rub at his face, "I'm tired, actually, I think I'm just gonna go to bed." Of course, that offer extends toward Selphie too and he turns away from the cafeteria, and away from the rack.