The reason I think I liked this so much is the fact that it's Squall falling apart rather than Seifer. It's such an abrupt reversal of roles that it's refreshing. The idea of Fujin inheriting Rinoa's powers is startling, and it works. The dialog in this is flawless and effective, and works for both men involved.

This is a meeting between the two that I'm very, very happy to have stumbled on and read. Nice work.

This fic is gorgeous. The personalities of the characters are very, very well done - you display the changes that the war has brought about in all of the characters in a way that is befitting to each character and is very beautifully done at the same time.

I love the fact that Seifer has come to realize that wishes don't come true, and I love the fact that he's realized that, now, they're "all grown up." I love how Seifer thinks of Ultimecia, and how he's realized that this is just how things are.

I love how Squall treats Seifer. Unlike in other fics, he doesn't treat him as if nothing has happened between them - they treat each other just as people who were on opposites sides of a war should, and I enjoy that.

The fact that Squall may have been the villian if he chose differently shows a nice insight into their characters.

The last line of this fic is very powerful as well.

I love this fic. You have a lovely writing style, and a lovely method of portraying emotion.

I can't believe that I have not read this before. It is an excellent character study of Seifer I feel.

I really enjoy the way you write about the disparity between how Seifer *seems* to feel and how he actually does feel. At first glance, Seifer seems almost gleeful to be terrifying the secretary. In his thoughts, however, he merely seems resigned to the secretary's reaction. Everyone reacts this way to him and since there seems little to be done about it, he plays into their expectations.

Seifer's longing for the normalcy of Garden even though he is clearly rather disgusted with the place is another ambiguity which you portray excellently.

The language you use also reflects the wonderful amiguity of your story: ". . . when I accidentally-with-some-intention hacked open Leonhart's face." I love Seifer's observation that Squall is now more terrifying in some ways that the sorceress. I like the way you characterize Squall, cold, weary and apathetic. I think that being the Commander would likely make him that way.

I like the brief glimpse you give of Seifer's recollection of the sorceress. In such a brief sentence and with such a brief portion of speech from Seifer you give a multitude of impressions of how she might have seemed to him. Seifer's neutral "she wasn't so bad," in comparison with the wistful memory he has of the sorceress' love is perfect. It seems very like Seifer not to voice his feelings fully.

Squall's observation that the only difference between Seifer and himself is dreams is another wonderful insight. I like that Squall is *aware* of the injustice perpetrated on Seifer by the world, but he doesn't much care anyway.

Squall's speech on good and evil is beautiful. It's perfectly him and it's the kind of thing that would never ever appear in a final fantasy game unfortunately.

Squall's solution is an excellent choice. The way he balances Seifer's situation and his own in his mind ends up becoming the closest thing to justice that can possibly be found in this slightly bleak vision of the world of ff8 that you have written. "Slightly bleak" might sound like a criticism, but actually I much prefer it to stupidly optimistic, which is the tone of the game's actual ending and it's certainly meant as a compliment.

I love that strange balance that you execute in the two character's situations. Neither of them will be fine and that seems to make sense given the way the game played out. Those SeeDs were a very disturbed set of individuals.

I don't think it's obvious that you started out disliking Seifer. I don't think that you betray your personal feelings anywhere in the story and I think that is a very good thing. Everyone is seen with a stark unbiased glance.

I am most impressed by the complexity of character that you portray and by the complexity of the justice executed by Squall and by you, which results in a strange balance at the end of the story which feels so right. Your writing is beautiful and insightful.

If you are the same thaw from Neopets, I want you to e-mail me at as soon as you can.

If you are not, then disregard this message, but you can still E-mail me.

I loved this fic. :) I do go in for the 'Seifer was manipulated' idea, on the basis of a pile of little things that aren't quite evidence, but to a fangirl's mind... well.

Anyway; loved this fic. It's going on my favourites. :D

Despite the fact that I disagree with you on Seifer being controlled or making the conscious decision of becoming the sorceress' knight, I have to admit that this is an utterly wonderful piece of fiction.

Squall, as the bastard you portrayed him here, is very believable, as is Seifer and their ongoing rivalry. Many congratulations on that.

And it has to be said, Butterflies and Hurricanes is gorgeous. (:

Great fic, Chickie.

Really.

Enjoyed reading it.