2/18/07

The characters are the sole property of Square Enix. I have borrowed them for my purposes and will return them unscathed when I have done with them.

In Pursuit of Happiness

Chapter 1 - First Encounter

LeBlanc had just arrived at the party and already it had been too long. Her eyes were smarting from the ygdral fumes and her face felt stiff from smiling at all the jokes she had heard before. What was worse is that she was bored, bored, bored, bored. She had met all the other guests at other parties; she had eated the same exotic foods from other buffets; had drunk the same bitter intoxicants from other glasses and had found it all too tedious to be borne any longer. The last time she had been amused at such a gathering had been a month ago when she had premiered her idea of everyone choosing one name and ignoring more complex titles. To her amazement the notion had caught on and now it was a rarity for any Spiran anywhere on the globe to introduce himself with multiple names. It made for a certain confusion when several persons chose the same identifier but - hey! - there is almost always a price to pay for progress. One must be au courant, n'est ce pas?

She turned and scanned the reception room. The usual crowd of fashionable men and women circulated in formal patterns. The usual drinks were being poured by the same bartendeers usually hired for such affairs. The usual trays of the usual delicacies were being passed by the usual servants. It was all predictable and banal. She was already overwhelmed with the dreariness of it all after less than a quarter-hour.

With a carefully concealed yawn, she set herself to choosing who she would take home for the night. Might as well get the selection done. Then she could leave this tedious gathering. She was tired of the endless round of parties, the sight of the same faces, the drone of the same gossip about the same persons commiting the same sins in the same hot overly decorated rooms with only the combinations changing.

LeBlanc moved through the clots of military men in dress uniforms playing the gallant to women in extreme decolletage. Her idly drifting mind seized on the fact that one never saw warrior women or gigolos at these events. Perhaps they had their own galas. She made a mental note to check that out. It would be something different, at least.

As she brushed her white shoulders, covered only by the narrow lavender straps of her bodice, past the outstretched hands of colonels and majors and the occasional general who sought to detain her and on into the second room, she saw no one who piqued her interest or stirred her desires. This was the ballroom and held a more lively group of celebrants as well as a small orchestra which was taking a break at the moment.

Her appraising glace swept over the inhabitants of this much larger room as it had done in the reception area and - paused.

There on the far side of the space was a stranger. He had his back to her but she noticed him because he stood half a head taller than any other man at the party. As she walked toward his group she carefully appraised this new candidate for her favours. His shoulders were wide and his waist narrow. He was dressed in the uniform of an officer in the Crusaders complete with glossy boots which showed his well-turned calves to some advantage. The short dress cape flared over his left arm, leaving his right one free to symbolically wield the sword which swung gently against his left thigh. He had improbably long and thick dark hair, dressed in the elaborate style of an unfamiliar tribe and he stood with a casual arrogance, commanding the attention of the men and women who clustered around him.

As she drew near enough to hear the conversation of the strangers, the music struck up behind her and the tall man turned to find her standing before him, near enough to touch. She could now see what his features which were entirely new to her. His face was sharp featured with eyes so intense a brown as to be almost black and full, well defined lips with a downward curl. His olive skin sported no beard or mustache, nor even full side burns. Flared brows accented his intense gaze.

LeBlanc had screened much of her own face with her fan, a move which served to emphasize her violet eyes and add a note of mystery to her appearance. It was a ploy which had worked well for her many times in the past. She fully expected the stranger to be impressed by her, all men were. It, therefore, came as a surprise when his glance swept past her without reaction and he turned to the thin woman on his right, offering her his hand and leading her to the floor.

LeBlanc flushed angrily as she watched the pair merge into the mass of dancers. In spite of his size, the man was as graceful as his partner and they executed the intricate steps of the dance with careless skill. He seemed entirely concentrated upon the woman in his arms, taking no heed of the other couples swirling by.

"Uh, pardon me, but would you like to dance?" A hestitant male voice sounded in her ear. She spun around to see a diffident Al Bhed in elaborately fashionable garb bowing before her. "I'm - er, called Aquelev. I am attached to the quartermaster unit here in Luca." He seemed to feel called upon to explain his temerity.

"You're Al Bhed." She burst out before she could stop herself.

"But one of the socially acceptable ones," he responded. "I have credentials from the High Temple and am considered largely free from contagions - so far as can be ascertained." He smiled innocently, his hand still extended.

The Lady was not used to being mocked, still less to being at a loss as to the proper action. The colour rose again under her pale skin and she gracelessly gave him her hand. "I am LeBlanc."

"Yes, I recognized you. We will be formally introduced in a day or so since I understand you are one of the suppliers with whom I shall be privileged to work. I am told you are head of the Syndicate and have the best contacts on the planet for locating hard to find materiel."

So that was it! It was not her charm or beauty which had attracted him but a need to get on the right side of one of the army's chief contractors. She tightened her lips and followed his surprisingly adroit lead.

"I saw you looking at my old friend just now." Aquelev tactfully gazed over her shoulder.

"And who would that be? There are so many people in this room. I thought I knew most of them but you are new to me."

"Yes, I suppose I am. I just got here, actually. I've been learning my trade in the back country, trailing along after a team of Crusaders who were cleaning out some fiends and bandits. Interesting lads, those Crusaders." He spun her into an intricate dip.

It took her a moment to collect her breath. She had known the Al Bhed to be excellent workers with their hands; it had not occured to her that they might be equally adept with their feet. "I'm sure we can manage to find some mutually profitable paths to follow. Would you care to stop by my hotel tomorrow?"

"Hotel? That's what you Spirans call those city mansions you build, isn't it?" He smiled to take the sting from the comment.

Without really meaning to, LeBlanc smiled back. "Yes, anyone in the city can point mine out to you. Shall we say about three o'clock in the afternoon?"

"I'll be there. Oh, the music's stopping. Would you like a drink to refresh you?"

"That would be pleasant." She permitted him to lead her to the bar over near the windows.

"Ah! Here's Nooj!" Aquelev exclaimed as he bowed her to a seat. "May I introduce him?" He gestured toward the tall man she had been admiring earlier.

"If you wish. Is he alone? Without his partner?"

"You mean Chayeth? She's one of his lieutenants and had time for exactly one dance before she had to report for duty." The Al Bhed handed her a glass of sparkling wine and turned to his friend.

"Madame LeBlanc, may I present Captain Nooj of the Crusaders?"

She looked up. The dark man was bowing before her, taking the hand she had automatically offered and brushing the back of it with his lips.

"Madame LeBlanc, it is an honour. You are spoken of with great admiration."

"Thank you, Captain. Will you sit and tell me about yourself?"

"There is little to say. I am a simple Warrior in the service of my country with few graces and little else to commend me." It was a formulaic response to a formal greeting. He seated himself on her right and Aquelev took the chair to her left. LeBlanc felt comfortable thus attended. She was accustomed to having court paid to her at social gatherings.

"This is a pleasant place. It is the first time I've been here." Nooj bent his head to her."

"How long have you been in the city, Captain?"

"A little less than a week. And there is no need to use my rank. I have been given to understand that single names are the custom here."

Aquelev leaned forward with a grim. "This little lady was the one responsible for that custom, Nooj. she saw the silliness of such formality amongst friends."

"Then you are not only beautiful; you are wise." The Captain saluted her with his lifted glass. "I hear the music is beginning. Would you honour me with a dance?"

She floated toward him and felt the touch of his hand on her back. He radiated a warmth which suffused her body and made her tingle from head to foot as though an electrical charge had passed through her. If he felt her tremble, he gave no sign.

She wanted him to press her closely against his body but he held her the exactly proper distance away. With a flare of irritation, she wondered if he did everything with such grave propriety. Was he coolly courteous even in bed?

"You don't smile much." She had not meant to say that; it just came out by itself.

"No. As a Warrior, I have found little in life to amuse me. Does that displease you?"

"Not at all. It makes a change from all the grinning fools who make up most of the men at these functions. ... You dance unusually well for a soldier."

He laughed shortly. "It was part of my training. Officers are expected to be able to hold their own in social settings. Just part of the course."

"Then you must have been an excellent student." They danced for a while longer without speaking. LeBlanc would have rested her head on his shoulder had she received the slightest indication that it would have been welcomed. Instead, he continued to lead her expertly through the complicated steps - very properly.

When the music stopped, he bowed to her and offered his arm. "Would you like to rest or shall we have another go?"

"Oh, let's dance, please. You are such an excellent partner I am reluctant to let you go." She was astonished to hear herself aping his formality.

"It is my pleasure, madam." He took her again in his arms as the first notes rose from the orchestra and she felt again the shock of excitement at the touch of his large, competent hand on her waist.

This time he drew her closer since the music signaled a slow, romantic dance. She nestled her cheek against his chest and so did not see the knowing smile which flickered across his lips. The length of his body pressed against her and her suddenly sensitized skin felt every inch of him and melted into his embrace.

She could smell the clean scent which rose from his skin - a mixture of amber and that intoxicating indefinable fragrance of maleness. He was firm against her, steady and supportive. She felt as though she was enchanted, dancing effortlessly as one might move in a dream. He was all she had hoped and more; she was seized by a demanding desire for him, a desire she had not felt in longer than she wished to remember. All at once, she was eager for the entertainment to be over and the real pleasure of the evening to begin. Her breath came short and saliva flowed freely in her mouth.

Nooj must have sensed something for he stroked his lips across her forehead, murmuring nonsense syllables against the skin. She gasped and held him more tightly as their steps slowed and they swayed together at the edge of the floor.

Without asking, he steered her out onto the adjacent balcony which was empty of other people. Once shielded from prying eyes by the lush night blooming plants which adorned the place, he turned her in his arms and kissed her. Her lips opened at his insistence and she sucked his tongue into a twisting embrace with her own. She slid the strap of her gown off her shoulder and offered her bare breast to his touch. His fingers grasped the nipple and manipulated it as she pressed her hips into his groin, feeling his arousal.

"Is this what you want?" He asked hoarsely, bending his head to her breast and seizing the hardened nipple in his teeth.

"Yes! Yes!" She clutched his head to her, her hands laced into his hair. "Come home with me."

He continued to caress her for an eternal moment, baring her other breast and stimulating the second nipple. She cried out in passionate moans. "I need you. Now!"

Nooj reached inside her skirt and slipped first one then two fingers inside her moist vulva. He found the clitoris with his thumb and stroked the nubbin until she exploded in a climax which left her limp and panting in his arms. "Nooj! Take me home."

He gently helped her regain her balance and rearranged her clothes as best he could. He could do nothing about the wrinkles in the fabric and the disorder of her hair. When she was reasonably presentable again, he stepped back a pace or so, pulling a snowy handkerchief from his pocket and meticulously cleaning his hands before dropping the fabric over the edge of the railing to the earth below.

"I must regretfully decline, my dear. I have a previous engagement tonight which cannot be broken. Believe me, I would greatly prefer your suggestion but duty summons me." He bowed deeply. "Would you like me to escort you back to the ballroom or would you rather have some time to yourself?"

LeBlanc stiffened with dismay. She ran her fingers through her hair to tuck iti into place. "No. I will stay here for a while. You must, of course, attend to your duties. Thank you for your courtesy." She almost giggled. Courtesy was a new word for what he had done. Her legs were still shaky and she leaned against the balustrade. "Are you not needing release for yourself?"

"Thank you but no." He swept back the edges of his jacket so that she could see there was no sign of the excitment she thought she had detected.

"Was that something else you learned in your training?" She tried for a brittle bravado.

"Self control is greatly valued in my profession." With another bow, Nooj turned and returned to the ballroom, his short dress cape swirling about his broad shoulders, his attitude providing no clue to what had happened on the balcony.

When she felt ready to go back inside, LeBlanc saw no sign of him and assumed he had left. However she did see Aquelev surreptitiously moving away from the area. So that was why Nooj had showed no hesitation in doing what he had done. His friend was guarding against any interruption. She flushed painfully and wondered if she would be able to ever face the Al Bhed again. The thought was surprisingly distressing; she had liked the man and looked forward to doing business with him. He was witty and amusing.

She looked around until she located Logos who, as usual, was carefully watching in case she needed him. She beckoned discreetly and he was at her side.

"Do you have your memorandum book with you?"

"Of course, ma'am." The thin man squinted his eyes with an even greater display of obsequiousness. He drew the little leather-bound book from his pocket.

"Set this down. Nooj, Captain in the Crusaders. Now I want you to find out where he is stationed and for how long. And I want the information yesterday." She snapped her fan briskly.

"Yes, ma'am. Immediately." Logos saluted and gestured for Ormi to take over the duty of attending LeBlanc. When he was sure everything was in order, he loped quckly from the building, on his way to complete his task.

-X-

The cadet she took to her bed that night was, predictably, unsatisfactory. She sent him away before she slept, preferring her memories of the encounter on the balcony to the presence of the obsequious boy who tried too hard to please. Afterward, she heard he had been greatly relished by the Fem-Goons in residence as well as by one of the Dr. Goons who just happened to be hanging around.

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