Love Square

Remember that love triangle between Cloud, Tifa, and Aeris in Final Fantasy VII? Well, Square has done it again - enter Quistis, Squall, Rinoa, and Seifer. I admit, once events start going faster in Final Fantasy VIII, half of the contenders drop out and all that's left is Squall and Rinoa, but the fact still remains that there was some sort of a weird love square - even though there's a lot of unrequited feelings on some parties.

First and foremost, Final Fantasy VIII is a love story. The sorceress(es), Laguna flashbacks, and Time Compression are all plot devices to enhance a story about a young man - Squall Leonhart - caught in a decision between his love (Rinoa) and his duty. Sound boring? That's not all, of course. In order to spice things up, Square-Enix included a character already in love with Squall (Quistis) and a former love interest of Rinoa's who might still hold her attention (Seifer). Cue soap opera!

And I admit, although I love and over-glorify both Quistis and Seifer, they don't have much of a role in this little love square. Quistis' significance is just to act as another part of Squall's characterization, and Seifer's is to act as the cocky and arrogant antagonist.

So first things first: Quistis. Quistis' main role was to establish the fact that Squall is a lone wolf. In the beginning, he cares for no one but himself, he doesn't want to be the bearer of her burdens, and he is basically individualistic - he needs no one to support him and no one to care for him. This makes it all the more romantic once Squall realizes that he's in love with Rinoa, you see? Basically, Quistis' role at this point is to make the love story that Final Fantasy VIII is even more lovey-dovey.

As for Seifer, he's there to provide a conflict. It is revealed in the game that Seifer and Rinoa were once a couple; the two had a summer "fling" in Deling when Rinoa was sixteen. Even though they had broken up, Rinoa apparently still holds some type of feelings for him; when it was announced that Seifer had been executed for his crimes while the Squall and co. were at Galbadia, Rinoa goes on reminiscing:
Selphie: Your boyfriend?
Rinoa: I don't really know. I... I think I was in love. I wonder how he felt...?
Selphie: Do you still like him?
Rinoa: If I didn't, I wouldn't be talking about it. It was last summer...I was 16. Lots of fond memories...
So who should Rinoa choose, Seifer or Squall? The old interest or the new one?

We know how this all ends, though: Squall and Rinoa choose each other despite what the world may think. Squall chooses his heart over duty - but not without help. Once Seifer spirals even further down the sorceress' manipulation, he's completely out of the picture, but Quistis, who had been quite dormant in expressing her feelings toward Squall after the Secret Area thus far, strikes back with an even larger role. She could even take the credit for the relationship between Squall and Rinoa that has developed by the end of the game. Why?

Once Rinoa is taken to be confined at the Sorceress Memorial because of her newly acquired sorceress powers, Squall is conflicted: Rinoa is now a sorceress, a figure which he and other SeeDs had been trained to exterminate, but also a newly recognized love. Should he stick true to the SeeD organization, or should he rescue Rinoa? He's immensely troubled, but Quistis gives him a piece of her mind.
Quistis: Oh! Stop that! What are you talking about!? Why did you go all the way out into space to save Rinoa! To hand her over to Esthar!? So that you might never see her again!? No, right!? Wasn't it because you wanted to be with Rinoa? You're a fool.
Quistis harshly shoves him in the right direction and acts not only as his concerned older sister but also his heart. She makes Squall realize that his thoughts are really quite idiotic - of course he should choose Rinoa over SeeD. Of course heart over duty - and in the process sacrifices all chances (microscopic...but chances) she had with Squall. She recognizes that she's not the one Squall wants - that Rinoa is - and makes it happen.

And so it all ends: the love square has diminished into a love, err line and they all live happily ever after. ♥

Return: Quistis