This is really a well done fic and you've captured everyone's personalities really well can't wait for the next chapter

First, I want to commend you on your descriptions. Truly beautiful; for example the way you’ve described it, the cities themselves become almost a character who is always in the scene, even if they are negated to the background. Really, like here Esthar is not only part of the scene, it’s another character as realistic as Squall - with personality and quirks. I think if there is one thing about Final Fantasy VIII, no matter what couple you write for, or even if you don’t write a couple at all, is that the game itself has given the foundations that opens itself for exploration. So awesome job on your descriptions in the first few paragraphs.

After that, I feel for Squall, I like what you said about Laguna messing up his childhood memories, the ones he’d created for himself. I think that’s the opposite of what we’ve come to accept through fandom, so again I commend you on taking a new concept and exploring it.

Also, yay! Rinoa finally has a ring – a princess cut – loved Squall had to say that. :D Awkward moment for him was awkward. Also, YAYNESS for zombies. Okay, the Squall and Rinoa writing in me feels bad about doing a bigger ‘yay’ for zombies than them, but well, zombies are ‘teh awesome.’

Finally, I wanted to say that I’m so glad Ellone found someone here. I think it’s really easy just to have her as a throwaway character in a fic. If she does show up, she usually doesn’t have a boyfriend/husband, she’s usually dotting on Laguna…or reverse that, whichever. XD Still, you know what I mean, it’s nice that she has someone here that again isn’t just a passing mention, rather you’ve taken them time to flush out the character and have him interact with the main players.

As always, just wonderful! Can’t want to see were this goes from here, still looking forward to reading more and of course Caraway versus Laguna – seriously, Zell and Irvine should start selling tickets, they could donate all the money, paying for all the weddings that way. :D

Nice story

I think that you did a wonderful job with Squall's feelings towards his mother...that longing and feeling of protectiveness is just so sad but so lovely, and I'm glad that we got to be privy to those thoughts of his.

I also may have laughed quite a lot not just at Zell liking zombie movies-and the subsequent commentary on Zell AS a zombie-but on poor Jasper being an outsider to zombiemania. Too, too funny!

Rinoa crying: Squall kryptonite. Yup. If he was intending to surprise her, keep the ring a secret, he didn't manage that so well. Very cute scene though, I love how he was just so completely confused by her emotional state, bond or no bond.

and the zombie discussion, with jasper kind of freaking out quietly at the movie..that was cute too. I sorta got the feeling early on that he was intending to pop the question to Ellone, just as i'm figuring out (or maybe it was mentioned in an earlier chapter? ) exactly WHY she's been feeling sick...*ahem* Uncle Squall anyone?

So him confirming that he's intending to ask her wasn't a huge surprise for me, but i like Squall's reaction to it...suddenly, he's all attention. Love to see what he says about it.

Squall and his feelings...the boy has issues, lol. I really liked Squall's musings about Winhill, and how he was struggling with the new thoughts/emotions about the whole situation. It came across really great, you captured his inner strife well. Darn that boy and his sassy feelings...

Ok, I just have ti say I wanted to smack Rinoa for whining, lol. But you know how I feel about her sometimes. ;)

I almost peed my pants about the zombie stuff. I could totally picture Zell all "zombie-fied." LOL.

Great chapter...it was worth the wait!

B

Glad to see an update! I really like this story. I totally get the illness thing. It's been terrible this winter with my family too. Just as I get over something my little plague carrier of a son brings home something new. What can you do? Anxiously awaiting more!

Great chapter, but I want mmmooorreee!

*whacks with tuna*

Okay, that has nothing to do with the review, but I wanted to do my part for motivation. I find that whacking friends with pixilated faux fish often works wonders. Don't ask, really. :D

Silliness aside, oh wait the silliness shall not rest until I bow down to the Leonhard placement (don't overthink that statement) and also love the Moomba t-shirt and Cactuar pajamas, upping the ante with pants for our 'thorny commander' is always good! (the WiBi group really is a strange lot, aren't we?)

Okay, now silliness aside... oh wait, I could mention that whole Laguna/sex talk, it wasn't 'silliness' by Laguna's design, but the secondhand embarrassment I felt for Squall was great. This is coming from the mother of an 18 year old who has faced similar things, but hopefully came off a lot better than that. Plus, you know, not asked way that many detail.

You know, I think if I was Squall I'd prefer the black eye. Still, I felt for Squall for such an awkward conversation. Really awkward.

Anyways, looking forward to see how it goes with Caraway. I think the world needs more Caraway and Laguna interaction, talking about more awkward situations.

Don't make me whack you with more imaginary fish, keep writing!

Great story, it's definitely one of my favorites.
If I could make a prediction, ima guess that Caraway is going to show up at the wedding and be a D-Bag. Am I close?

I liked this chapter, in particular i liked how you really let Squall go after Laguna. I love him, don't get me wrong, but you really let him have it in the form of Squall's attitude. Nope, 'Guna's not going to have it easy with this kid, and there's no reason why he should. I do like how you had them relating to each other as adults for the most part however as they worked through all of that stuff.

I also love how you let Squall work out what he was looking for in a ring, illustrating that he paid a lot closer attention to Rinoa that people (including her) might think. And then, there was that hint of intrigue at the end there... can't wait for the rest of it!

As soon as an idea pops up for this story art-wise, I'll let you know. My muse is a little capricious and she gets stubborn if she feels overworked.

Oooh the conversation with Squall and Laguna is so awkward-in a good way! You did a great job writing what had to be super uncomfortable for both of them. Poor Laguna, he means well...

I like the bit with Jasper, and how he and Squall seem to see eye to eye on things (so far at least). I hope to see more of him!

And that ring sounds really pretty! As someone who chose an unconventional engagement ring myself, I like that Squall is going a different route and picking something so personal.

You're doing a great job balancing humor and romance...What a fun, sweet read. (Also, while I wasn't looking super close, I did not notice any major typos or anything!)

OK, my dumb computer had a spazz and submitted my review before I was done...grrr on technology. I was saying...

I loved the scene with Fury and Lavender. He definately needed to see the situation from another perspective. We all know he hates Squall, but she was right...he needs to move on, let Riona have some happiness in her life, and maybe-just maybe-she'll begin to accept him again.

OMG ring shopping! That was great! *cough cough-Leonhard* Ivan was very "Odine-esque" in his speaking,lol. It is very sweet that Squall wanted an non-traditional ring, ie. a blue stone. He really can get the "romantic thing" down if he sets his mind to it! I can't wait to see what her reaction will be.

Great chapter, it was fantastic!

B (for the second time) ;)

Great chapter!

I really enjoyed the conversation between Laguna and Squall in the morning. "I need more coffee if I'm going to have this conversation with you..." Such a fatherly thing to say. It's neat to see that Laguna is trying his hardest to let Squall be an adult, but at the same time, he feels he needs to intervene as the father and guide his son on what could possibly be the most important move of his life. And the sex talk? *I* even felt awkward for Squall,lol! My heart did break just a bit for laguna when Squall lashed out about him abandonning Raine, and even though he is entitled to his opinions, he definately needs to think before his speaks sometimes. Laguna did what he thought was needed and right at the time, and he lives with the guilt every day of his life. Leave it to a smart-assed kid to remind him of it. ;) You captured the emotion of the scene very well.

I *LOVED* the scene with Fury and Lavender.

Slept in a room full of other boys, and when it stormed I had to share my bed with Seifer because he was too afraid to sleep alone." - awesome! lol