Wow, such an amazing fanfiction. Though there is a lot left unsaid, you have a way with words that captivates and astounds. You have a gift, so keep using it. There are a few things I'd like to inquire about, though seeing how old this fanfic is I highly doubt I'll ever get an answer. Still, I have to ask just the same. What happened the first time around? That's the big one that keeps bothering me. If Seifer was never taken under Ultimecia's wing, how exactly did they get involved? Did they still have that mission in Deling? What difference did Seifer's presence make to Squall and Rinoa's relationship? More than a sequal, what I'd like to see is a prequel. What happened before Ultimecia decided to take a knight?

Oh crud, I can't remember my other question. Oh well, I guess you're off the hook. But if I remember while reading another one of your stories (which I can promise will happen as soon as I finish this review) I'm gonna ask, so be forewarned!

Anyways, great job, and even though you wrote this seven years ago, know your fics still delight new audiences, and that I hope whatever you are doing in life right now, it involves writing. Seriously, anything else would be such a waste of talent.

Ack! Ok, I was gonna wait until the end to review but I can't. This is LEGENDARY. Genius format (I've never watched 24, but imagine this is very similar, only even more drawn out). I don't even have time to look for the literary references, I'm too busy being his with a barrage of awesome. Wow is this good. Wow. I can't stop thinking it. Actually, my brain is screaming "omigodomigodomigod what next?" but Wow seems more eloquent, or at least more mature. So yeah, I'm gonna go read more now. Oh, and count this fic favorited.

Well, I'm finished! And I must say, the brilliance of this fic is really underappreciated. My mind is still swimming and I know I'm going to feel the urge to revisit "Hourglass" again and again in the future. In the meantime, I'm off to read your other fics!

I have to agree with Bippo: I applaud you for tackling the gray area that is the FF8 battle system. I think this is one of the reasons I love fanfiction so much. On the one hand, it's a meticulous business because you've got to know your material inside and out, but the real beauty comes through in each writer's creative interpretations, and, in a way, extrapolations. Every Seifer is a bit different, but all still capture his essence...sort of like that, I hope I make sense. Anyway, I do love your junction plate idea!

Does AP BatStrat stand for Advanced Placement Battle Strategy? That is so creative - it's all in the details, really.

In your ending note, you mention that you had been writing this in history? I just think that's hilarious because I've been READING this in history...lol!

Sorry I haven't reviewed in forever! I really need to stop with these sporadic readings, because I keep forgetting what's happened in all of the fics I'm still in the middle of. Incidentally, I'm also in the middle of class, alternately typing notes and reading "Hourglass" - lol. Anyway, I am, as always, amazed by your story concept, and things just keep getting better and better. And you know what, I don't mind the cliffhangers at all (although, as Cyrell pointed out, it's probably because you've already posted all the chapters and I can just zip on to the next bit whenever I feel like it).

Really cool idea you've got here. As another reviewer has already mentioned, "Hourglass" is the perfect title. I like how each chapter covers five minutes and switches viewpoints between the two. First person persective has the potential to end up sounding awful, but you are QUITE masterful with it! Not to mention I love your choice of words all throughout - "rudely jolted from the halcyon dream", for example.

Two things to say.

1)Loved the story. It is immediately going in my favorites.

2)Waiting for a sequel. It will also go into my favorites.

Oh my God! You're one hell of a wonderful writer! I forgot how exactly I stumbled upon your story, but I'm praying that I'll do more of those "accidents". I saved all the chapters in my pc quite a long time ago without even reading the first chapter and kind of forgot about it (ack...school work started to flood in) and only now was I able to read the fic. After reading the first chapter, I was hooked. I couldn't stop reading...but as we all know, eyes do strain. I'm pausing for a while to take a break and leave a review in case I forget to do so later.

Hmm, where do I start?

I. You've got a very nice style of writing. You put a lot of wonderfully written introspection, one thing I admit I couldn't seem to do in my writings even if I try. I can't find any irrelevant sentence (or word, for that matter) everything adds up to make a very strong impact.

II. The plot is wonderful. It's a very unique idea: Seifer going through the cycle...with the knowledge of the future. I also like the interplay of fate and destiny. The idea of everything being planned and them being mere toys in this whole set-up is unique, and coupled with your good writing skills-it makes up one hell of a fic. This story is very intriguing, and since I haven't reached the ending yet, I'm still anticipating how it will end for Seifer.

I. I don't really like seiftis fics that introduces the idea that they've been in love all along, or one of them had been secretly loving the other...but this fic is an exception. I can say this a hundred times: I love this fic! It's not sappy, instead it touches on the more sophisticated side of love. (hehe, I'm pretending that I know what I'm talking about)

IV. Seifer is such a darling in this fic (yeah, i know, he's the epitome of the perfect good "bad" guy in every seiftis fic, but it's quite different in this one.) It's a different perspective on how Seifer thinks. The protectiveness he's got is different. This fic gives him the wisdom of the future and so comes the sense of maturity that can make any girl swoon. He doesn't say much Seifer trademark quotes, but you were able to keep him as "Seifer" as possible without his usual lines.

V. There are certain parts in this fic that, written in any other way, would have been disastrously out of character. But since you're a good writer (how many times have I written that, I can't seem to keep track) you make it seem so appropriate.

I can't find anything to criticize...maybe because I'm still too high right now and too happy to bother...or maybe because there really aren't flaws in what I've read so far.

I'm not leaving this review just to inflate your ego. I want to just sort of reaffirm what you already know, and tell you how much I appreciate your work. hmm, anyway...off to chapter 9!

Erm, if this review seems to be a little messed up, forgive me…I’m kinda high, sleepy and crazy right now

-I'm standing on Balamb's pier, AWOL from Garden, off to go rescue a mother I never knew I had, with a man I never knew I loved. My greatest failure. My greatest success. He has in him what I never did. More than the ability. More than the power. Belief in himself. Belief in his dreams. - just gotta love it.

Love the fic, man.

Great fic, man.

Wonderful start, man.

Cool!

this is a great story! i love it! very deep, very intricately simple (yeah, i know, but it works for this). and i swear its just a coincedence that i happen to be dating the author.

Wow...what a way to end. The simplicity of the last few lines made them especially powerful. It was a superb ending to a superb fic. The quality of writing throughout this story has been simply astonishing. Great job.