Author's note: I do not own Final Fantasy VIII or its characters. This is AU.
Plans, Prospects, and Progress
Miss Quistis Trepe was absolutely adorable, and Seifer didn't think that she knew it. So much of the time she tried to project a tough and serious image, but there was a much softer person underneath. He was currently watching Quistis and Fuujin try and figure out the best way to hide her long blond hair, which was her most noticeable feature. At this point, it looked like they were going with a combination of braiding, a bandana, and a hat. Quistis was also now dressed in a combination of borrowed clothes. She looked more like a young ranch hand than the young lady he'd first seen. The two women had done their best to disguise Quistis' curves, but Seifer knew that she would never pass as a man on close inspection. Still, with a second bandana covering the lower part of her face, it would hopefully be enough to fool people from a distance.
Disguising Quistis was part of their plan. They were hoping to be able to sneak her by Adel's goons as they made their way back to Caledonia Canyon. And if Adel's people were looking for a young lady with blond hair, another ranch hand wasn't going to attract their attention that much.
"What do you think, Seifer?"
Quistis' question brought Seifer out of his thoughts, and he gave Quistis quick once over, as if he hadn't been watching her for the past five minutes.
"It should work to fool people at a distance. It might work if face to face if you keep the bandana over your mouth and nose."
Quistis nodded. "That's what I thought. When are we leaving?"
"Tomorrow morning at first light." Seifer gave her a long look. "Are you ready for this, Quisty?"
"As ready as I'll ever be. I'm not going to let that woman keep me from defending my home, and I won't let my people fight on their own."
Seifer nodded. "All right then."
He wasn't really surprised about her determination to be involved. Quistis was bossy, stubborn, and opinionated. But she also was intelligent, caring, and willing to pull her own weight. Seifer rather liked her when they weren't on opposite sides of an argument. And it was clear that her home was incredibly important to her. Not that Seifer begrudged her that, though he was a bit envious. He hadn't really had a home in years. But he understood how important one could be, and Seifer was more than to help her fight for hers.
It was a quiet evening. Everyone was preoccupied with the next day's events, and there wasn't much conversation over dinner. Once the clean up was done, the various members of the group adjourned to their own sleeping arrangements in order to get a good night's sleep. Seifer settled down in front of the fire place with a sigh.
Quite frankly, they all knew that getting Quistis back to Caledonia Canyon Ranch was only a first step. Assuming the managed that, they still would have to fend off any attempts to take the ranch from them as well as find a way to get rid of Adel permanently. Seifer didn't think that Adel was going to stop trying to get Quistis' land, and he wasn't sure what they could do about her, except maybe kill her in a firefight if she decided to participate in one. While what she was doing was illegal, they couldn't actually prove that she was behind the plot and finding a lawman that Adel hadn't bought would be difficult.
A soft rustling in the kitchen drew his attention. Seifer grabbed his gun even as he rose to his feet. He needn't have worried though. It was just Quistis. Dressed in a shift and with her hair unbound, she looked younger than her eighteen years of age. There was a kettle in her hand, so he guessed she was making tea or something.
"Can't sleep?"
She jumped at the sound of his voice. "Seifer, don't sneak up on me!"
"Take it easy, Quisty." He rest his hands on her shoulders. "You're going to hurt yourself."
She sighed, relaxing. "Would you like a cup of tea?"
"Sure."
He watched her move about the kitchen, doing her best to keep from waking anyone else. It did not take long for the water to heat or for Quistis to make the tea. She handed him a mug, complete with the three spoons of sugar he normally took.
"So what are you still doing awake? It's going to be a long day tomorrow."
Quistis shrugged, sipping her own tea. "I know. I just can't seem to get to sleep."
"Worried?"
"Yes." She bit her lip. "We have a long way to go, and I don't want to get anyone else hurt. It's bad enough that my father is dead, but I don't want to get any of you killed. And we still don't know how to stop Adel for good. I have to accept the fact that one day I might have to give up the ranch in order to protect the people I care about. I just don't know if the best thing to do is give in now."
She was oddly uncertain. Quistis was normally quite sure of herself, and for her to doubt herself so someone else could hear her was very out of character.
"Hey, what happened to all that determination that Adel was never getting you home?"
Quistis sighed. "I thought about what could happen."
"I didn't peg you for a quitter."
Her eyes flashed. "How dare you!"
Seifer just shrugged. "You're the one who's giving up."
"I'm trying to be responsible about this. I don't want to get you killed, you idiot."
"So you'll give up without trying. You don't know if we could do it yet."
"I can't get you and your friends killed for my fight."
He smirked at her. "I'm not going to die. Not unless I'm taking Adel with me."
"You're an idiot." Her hands were on her hips, and she looked furious, but Quistis was looking like herself again. "Fine, we'll do it your way, but don't blame me if you get yourself killed."
"That's my girl." Impulsively, he kissed her forehead. "Go get some sleep, Quisty. We're going to busy tomorrow."
