XII
"I would not for the wealth of all this town
Here in my house do him disparagement.
Therefor be patient, take no note of him.
It is my will, the which if thou respect,

Show a fair presence, and put off these frowns.
An ill-beseeming semblance for a feast."

"It fits when such a villain is a guest.
I'll not endure him."

"He shall be endured."
--"Romeo and Juliet"

Quistis stared across the ballroom floor, watching as Squall exited with Rinoa. For a moment she felt a pang of jealousy--almost anger--but it passed. What right do I have to be mad at them for being happy? she demanded silently. Still, it smarted a bit to see how everyone else had some kind of--attatchment. She had her fan club, but they were, to tell the truth, a bit disturbing. They acted like she was a goddess instead of a normal human. She didn't know if she could take that in close quarters.

So she was here, alone, watching as everyone seemed to be having a good time while she stood on the edge of the floor and smiled sweetly at anyone who actually looked her way.

"You look lonely," a voice said from beside her. She almost jumped when she looked over to see who it was--the trenchcoat was gleaming in the ballroom lights. And the red swords on the shoulders seemed almost foreboding.

Seifer himself had a pleasant expression on his face, as if he was simply another member of Garden wanting to check in with a friend.

"What?" Quistis asked, staring at him as if she was trying to figure out what he was up to. Of course, she was.

"I just thought you looked a bit lonely," Seifer said. "Came to cheer you up."

"Cheer me up?" Quistis practically spluttered. "You?"

Seifer frowned slightly. "I notice we seem to be the only ones not having a good time. Even Squall broke a smile back there," he said, motioning back towards the balcony.

"Then why don't you go have a good time," Quistis suggested, "and I'll just stay here."

Seifer actually sighed. "Have good time how? When the entire population is screaming for my blood?"

Quistis shook her head. "It's not that bad. I know, I've seen it. They're a bit upset, but as long as Squall doesn't kick you out they'll put up with it. They trust him."

"I only wish it wasn't so--obvious," Seifer said. "I feel like, well, an extra. An embellishment. Like I'm nice to have around, but I don't do anything useful." He gimaced painfully. "Except no one considers me nice to have around."

Quistis stared at him for a moment. Since when have you cared? she wondered. "Seifer, just go away."

"I've been hearing that all day," Seifer said, face becoming grim. "I think I might have to. I fit in here about as well as... as a Gesper among Mesmerizes. I keep thinking that one of these days I'm gonna get sliced." He put a hand to the scar on his cheek, shaking his head. "It won't be long now, probably."

Quistis shook her head. "At least you fit in once. I never did. How many normal people do you see walking around with fan clubs named after them?"

"I had my posse," Seifer said, voice almost a whisper. Quistis shook her head.

"They were your friends, not a group of gawking admirers. And--"

"We really shouldn't be talking about this," Seifer said.

"Uncomfortable?" Quistis asked, turning to stare at him. Can't anyone just hear me out? I need to tell someone... I need someone else to understand... even if it is only Seifer.

"No, just..." Seifer paused, making a grand, sweeping motion to the sky and the dance. "Just the night is too nice to waste it moping around. Want to dance?"

"What?" Quistis did a double-take at Seifer, staring at him as if he had just suggested they go kill Zell.

Seifer shrugged. "You're the only one here who's both unattached and who hasn't tried to lynch me yet," he said. "Anyway, if you don't have some fun you're going to turn into Squall. One of him is enough, two would be hell."

Taken by surprise, Quistis laughed for a second. "Two Squalls?" she asked, risking a slight smile. "I don't think we could handle that."

"Neither do I," Seifer said. "Well, come on. It might be my last Festival here, might as well, uhm, live it up with the, mmph... prettiest... girl around." He grimaced. "I have no practice with this sort of thing."

Smiling in spite of herself, Quistis brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "I'll cover for you," she said.

"Great," Seifer said, extending a hand. Quistis, still a bit confused at the spontanious gesture of friendship, took it and allowed herself to be led out onto the dance floor.

A fair. How did I get talked into this? Squall stared at the ceiling in his room, unable to sleep. We have to figure out what to do about Dyne.

The problem is, Dyne knows me. He's either been listening in on my thoughts for a very long time, or has read my mind and memories. Either way, he'll find me just as predictable as Quistis and Rinoa do. More, probably. So anything I do, he'll be able to anticipate.

Something nagged at the edge of his conciousness, but he pushed it away. Then, doing a mental double-take, he grasped at the idea.

If Dyne knows me, and knows that I'm in charge, then he'll be able to anticipate me. But if I do something entirely unlike me... would that work? Would he be that off guard? Of course, there was a way to check that. Do a bit of an experiment on my friends. And a fair? A fair might be the perfect way...