I cried so hard

I started reading this story a week ago and just finished reading right now, and WOW. I am so taken aback at the plot twist ending! I did NOT see that coming, at all! It’s totally unexpected, but I like it! It’s refreshing and I enjoy being mindblown like that every now and then. Bravo for pulling something like that off!

I really loved the beginning and the premise of the story—it’s what made me keep reading instead of hitting the back button. I wanted to keep reading to the end to see what would happen when Ellone finished showing Quistis everything and she returned to her reality. I admit I kind of lost interest here and there in the middle of the story, because I’ve read other Seiftis AU fics that cover the events of the game differently (Sound of a Trembling Heart being my absolute favorite) but there were still many moments in this fic that I thoroughly enjoyed, especially seeing Seifer being among the others during the course of the game's events. It felt strange and weird at times, but I still liked it now and then.

I wasn’t going to fave this story until I read the last chapter. The reveal about what Quistis was really experiencing, that everything was fake and just a dream, I just… WOW! Like I said before, I was not expecting that at all, and I was completely floored by the revelation. I was like, what? It wasn’t real? Not even an alternate reality? It was all just made up? I was so, so shocked and sad. It was like waking up from a good dream, and realizing that everything wasn’t real, even though it FELT so real. Something that seemed so vividly tangible and made you so happy, gets ripped out of your hands and out of reach, and you can never get it back ever again, leaving you feeling lost and empty. So heartbreaking and devastating! The revelation was so jarring and disorienting that it even brought tears to my eyes.

But if that wasn’t enough, the reason for it all was because Ellone and the others needed to create memories powerful and significant enough for Quistis to wake up from the time compression in the first place. How depressing, that she doesn’t have anything in her life like that at all. But it’s something I noticed during the game, too. How the others had found love and something or someone worth dying for, but Quistis didn’t, not really. I love your thoughts in your author’s note at the end of the fic. Quistis definitely deserved more than what she got in the game. And yes, now that you mention it, I can’t unsee her forced and empty smiles during the game’s epilogue. You’re totally right!

And I love how you closed the story with an open end. Giving Seiftis the possibility of ending up together for real. It’s still somewhat sad because she’s in love with him already but he doesn’t reciprocate. Her hopes and expectations are dangerously too high. She’ll have to be patient. It will take time, and it won’t be like how they fell in love in the fake memories, but there’s still the possibility of it becoming reality. I love it. (And LMAO at them throwing each other's stuff in the water!)

So yeah. The ending just made me sad but also happy and hopeful at the same time. And just freaking mindblown. WOW! This story will definitely stay with me for a long, long time. I’ll try to reread it all in one sitting someday, even though it’s so long! But I’ll never forget my first experience and reactions to this story. Thanks so much for taking me on this emotional rollercoaster!

It was happy and sad and funny I loved it

Phew, and done. I finally finished reading your fic after... a week or so of not doing my homework :D I must say, I'm left with that bitter yet happy feeling of finishing something... like a game or a good book. I certainly didn't expect that ending yet somehow it really does fit the story. I actually hoped it would end on a happier note with Quistis going back to her errr... universe and somehow breaking Seifer out of jail or something but I couldn't think of a way that would ever work out XD

Moving on, you are amazing with keeping the characters in character. The way you also managed to incorporate Seifer so realistically in the game just blows my mind. Also, all those tiny little scenes between the couples were sweet yet weren't nauseatingly so. I must say that my favorite scene in your story is the part where Seifer sings 'Slutgarden'. It was ridiculously funny and I could actually imagine it happening.

Well that's about it. Thank you again for this wonderful fic :D

great story I really loved it! I just started reading ff8 fictions and this is among the best! great job!

My god, this story was amazingly beautiful (and sad). And clever ( I hadn;t really expected such a big plot twist.

I loved the ending.

Oh that was fantastic! hehehehehe xD I can actually imagine all this going on around me and I think I might be in either Zell or Squall's shoes (DONT TELL ME ANYTHING, I AM HAPPILY INNOCENT!). Good job! although I half expected a comment or two from Quisty-of-the-real-world. Ehh-well, nevermind eh? Great chapter :)

-Okami

Oh for heavens sake... Now I have to actually go LOOKING for the rest of it...

Damn, you shoulda killed him xD It woulda been funny xD

-Okami

not bad not bad xD

-Okami

great! :D

-Okami

Damn! And here I thought it was all going so well for Q and S... Oh well, all's fair in love and war, it has to end at some point *shrug*...

Fairly good and I enjoyed the shower scene xD If only Quisty knew she had a peeping tom, she would definitely skin him alive with that whip of hers xD

Good so far and I'm really enjoying reading this. You know, I wanted to upload a little bit of 'Rabbithole' today, but I couldn't because that would mean leaving your story and I just couldn't do that, so the next chapter isn't going to be up until I've finished reading this xD

Hyne, the affects fanfiction has over my life... I haven't got any studying in today either... Damn... Oh well xD

-Okami

Dude... that was fanstastic...

-Okami

Gah! You tease! xD

-Okami

Aww that was sort of sweet, although the funeral was a little... less sweet xD

Good chapter, I've said it before, but your style of writing had greatly improved :)

-Okami