Seifer is one of my favorite characters in FFVIII, and I wanted to write a story that focuses on the changes happening in his life. Since my mom pulled me out of high school to get my GED, I've been somewhat obsessed with what could have been – I'm getting over it now, since I've been drowning myself in video games…

That's what this will be; Seifer analyzing his… err… "new lease on life".

Stick with me – it'll be interesting.

Spire

By Burning Bridges

Part One: About Squall…

"… Lose your dreams,

You'll lose your mind

In life unkind."

- Rolling Stones, "Ruby Tuesday"

Seifer had always secretly admired Squall.

He was so aloof, the Ice Prince… and yet, people loved him. They looked to him for leadership, and didn't ask for anything more.

Now why couldn't he be like that?

He was a somewhat more outgoing personality. His will alone had kept him alive all this time, through the discouraging catastrophe that had been his short-lived career as a Sorceress's Knight. He had a strong voice that was bound to be heard by everyone, everywhere; when he spoke there were few who could turn away and just ignore him.

His passion could hew armies… And yet, he wasn't well liked.

No one wanted to be near him – they just rejected him, like a bad piece of meat.

It was a little painful to be pushed away like that, but Seifer knew that existing in a world that completely ignored him would be worse. He liked being noticed, feeling like all and sundry had enough consideration to have heard him speak – and enough brainpower to remember him.

But he felt so… left out.

Squall had done nothing. He had just strolled along casually, and had everything just handed to him. He had the lives of thousands of people in his hands, and he hadn't even asked for it. He had their love, their admiration, and he nearly shied away.

Seifer wouldn't have done that.

Seifer had to work for everything he'd possessed, had to defame himself constantly to even be noticed. Bullying students… Nearly killing President Deling… Assisting all-powerful women to almost crush civilization… Becoming someone the only two people in the world he could count on didn't want in their company…

Squall was loved. He had more than a thousand people who adored him, and numerous friends to stick by his side… He had the world. And he didn't even ask for it.

"Squall…" Seifer whispered to himself in the dark, looking out over the ocean from the muted golden beach, "I'll show you someday. You've beat me at nearly everything now, but I… respect… you. And sooner or later, I'll show you how."

So, what did you think? Let me know!

It'll be comprised of short chapters, and eventually go into Seifer's… relationships. If you catch my drift. … "Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday. Who could pin a name on you when you change with every new day? Still I'm gonna miss you."