Two weeks later...
Zell had taken the opportunity of this mission to visit Ma Dincht, ever since Ultimecia he had been so busy he didn't have time to see his adoptive mother as much as he'd like. Seifer paced back and forth in the small Balamb Hotel room. Quistis, who had been lying on the bed, thumbing through an issue of Timber Maniacs, folded up the magazine and sighed.
"Can you please stop doing that? It's incredibly annoying."
"This mission blows! I'm so bored."
"This mission has the possibility of turning into something quite interesting and important. You simply have to have the right attitude about it."
"Quistis. We have to research and dig up information about a bunch of freaking fish. How interesting could that ever be?"
"The case of Balamb vs. Badamb fish is presenting a major problem to this town. People are becoming sicker than they ever have before. The occupants fear that this is intentional, that an army or corporation or something is behind this; infusing a dangerous chemical in the fish. They are especially fearful because there are reported similar cases in Fishermans Horizon as well..."
"Yeah yeah I know, I was already briefed. But it is still boring as hell, sitting here in a tiny ass hotel room waiting for Chicken-wuss to come back, just so we can go and stare at some freaking fish all day!!!"
"...I'm sensing hostility,Seifer," Quistis said with a small smile. "Perhaps if we get out, take a walk or something, it will put you in better spirits?"
"Oh gee Quistis, a walk, that sounds real thrilling."
"Fine, be a jerk about it. Just keep in mind that you are the one in a bad mood," Quistis' face was expressionless. She picked up the issue of Timber Maniacs, relaxed against the pillow, and promptly ignored Seifer.
Seifer stalked to the small balcony that was part of the small, yet luxurious hotel room. He scowled and reached inside his trench coat's pocket for a pack of cigarettes. Before he could even bring one to his lips, however, Quistis called from inside.
"Smoking is a disgusting habit."
Seifer turned to look at her, her eyes still focused on the magazine. If possible, the statement had put him into an even worse mood. Deep inside, he agreed with her that smoking is not a good thing, but that is none of her concern. His disgusting habits were his own business, right?
So, just to spite her, he lit up the cigarette, inhaled deeply, blew the smoke out in her direction; all with a "So there!" look on his face.
She never even glanced up.
It drove Seifer up the wall when people deliberately did not pay attention to him. Trepe seemed to know all the right ways to lodge herself right underneath his skin. He turned back to the balcony.
The ocean stretched out before him, vast, endless. He took in the sight of the sunset, and felt himself calm down a little.
Quistis studied him from the corner of her eye. She did so once in awhile, not all the time, but enough that she had become used to it. Taking in his tall, lean (not to mention muscular) frame, the way his trench coat moved in the gentle breeze, and the effect of the dying light on his hair, she could not deny that Seifer Almasy was rather attractive. However, his horrid personality could make you think him the ugliest person in the world.
He had become almost intolerable post-Ultimecia. Before, he had been somewhat snobbish, but it gave him charm. Now, he was much colder, sarcastic, and complained when there was nothing to complain about. Even cracks at Zell, which he had taken so much joy in before, had become half- hearted, and more out of habit than anything.
On occaison, Quistis wondered what drew Seifer down the wrong path. But more often she wondered what led him back home again. Quistis was an extremely observant woman, and she prided herself on her ability to figure others out. Yet Seifer's mind, motives, entire persona was a mystery to her.
A small smile tugged at Seifer's lips as he watched two small children fishing and laughing. Suddenly, the little girl became angry, and kicked the bulky boy into the ocean. Reminded of Fujin and Raijin, he wanted to laugh. But he fought the urge and decided he would not give Quistis Trepe the satisfaction of seeing him happy.
He did not have to fight the urge for long, however, as something else caught his attention. He narrowed his emerald eyes, concentrating on the end of the dock.
A man, dressed entirely in black and dark sunglasses, was looking left and right, and then towards his wrist, which could be assumed held a watch. Seifer could sense a nervous vibe coming from the man, even at his distance. He was so suspicious looking it was ridiculous.
"Quistis, come and look at this."
Quistis raised an eyebrow, forced herself to stand and walk over.
"What is it?"
The balcony was tiny, so the two of them standing side by side was a little cramped. Seifer stood sideways so that both could fit. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, as if afraid the man would be able to hear.
"Look at that man in black. Doesn't he seem a bit suspicious to you?"
The man checked his watch again and was now tapping his foot impatiently.
"He certainly does not look like he belongs in Balamb. How long has he been out there?"
"Noticed him a couple minutes ago."
Quistis leaned over the rail, trying to view the man in better detail.
"Hey, could we try being a little less obvious here?"
"I don't have my glasses with me... besides like he'll really noti...uh oh..." she moaned as the man suddenly turned fully in their direction. She didn't need her glasses to know the man was frowning and eyeing them.
"Another ace move by Instructor Trepe...quick, look like you're my girlfriend. Hug me or something."
"Excuse me?" Quistis narrowed her eyes up at him.
"Trust me, I know how the male mind works. Just do it."
Quistis frowned, but stepped into his embrace. She rested her head against his strong chest and felt his arms loosely close around her. Embarrassed, Quistis felt her heartbeat quicken and face flush a bit. The uncomfortable moment seemed to stretch on forever, but really only lasted a few seconds.
"Okay. Coast clear," Seifer said, softly. He dropped his hands from her waist. Thankful, Quistis stepped back and adjusted her vest; although it did not need any adjustments. She saw that the black clad man was indeed no longer looking at them.
"How did you know that would work?"
"Simple guy logic. Girls always lean over railings to look at sunsets with their boyfriends, and sissy romantic crap like that. Acted relationships can sometimes be great cover," Seifer responded. Quistis chose not to continue that aspect of the conversation, and watched with interest as the mystery man climbed aboard a boat that had just pulled up. It sped away as quickly as it had arrived.
"...They were heading towards FH," she observed aloud.
"Yeah."
Quistis took charge immediately, much to Seifer's dismay.
"Well Seifer, I think our mission just gained a little interest for you. We'll be heading for FH. I never bothered to unpack, but if you did, gather your things now-and Zell's stuff too please. I'm going to get him now. Bring all our bags to the docks, we'll hurry there as well. If there's a boat available for rent, get it. We'll wait in the ocean for about a half hour, give them a nice head start. If there's information to be found right then, we'll do it, but we'll probably just end up going to the hotel, it'll be late by the time we arrive. This isn't a wild goose chase, Seifer, I feel it in my veins," Quistis said excitedly, the adrenaline of an impending mission and battle already coursing through her.
For some reason, Quistis did a very uncharacteristic thing. She grinned, stood on her tiptoes, and ruffled Seifer's hair. Then, without a word, she left to go get Zell from his house.
Seifer sighed, fixed his hair, and eyed the three unpacked bags on three perfectly neat beds. His was normal. Quistis', however, was a bright peach color. Zell's had underwear sticking out of the sides. And he was the one who had to carry them to the dock.
It was going to be a long, humiliating walk.
A/N: Yay! That was a fun chapter to write. Woohoo, now we're getting a little more interesting. I hope I have everyone in character, that is kinda hard to do. Well, what does everyone think?!
Zell had taken the opportunity of this mission to visit Ma Dincht, ever since Ultimecia he had been so busy he didn't have time to see his adoptive mother as much as he'd like. Seifer paced back and forth in the small Balamb Hotel room. Quistis, who had been lying on the bed, thumbing through an issue of Timber Maniacs, folded up the magazine and sighed.
"Can you please stop doing that? It's incredibly annoying."
"This mission blows! I'm so bored."
"This mission has the possibility of turning into something quite interesting and important. You simply have to have the right attitude about it."
"Quistis. We have to research and dig up information about a bunch of freaking fish. How interesting could that ever be?"
"The case of Balamb vs. Badamb fish is presenting a major problem to this town. People are becoming sicker than they ever have before. The occupants fear that this is intentional, that an army or corporation or something is behind this; infusing a dangerous chemical in the fish. They are especially fearful because there are reported similar cases in Fishermans Horizon as well..."
"Yeah yeah I know, I was already briefed. But it is still boring as hell, sitting here in a tiny ass hotel room waiting for Chicken-wuss to come back, just so we can go and stare at some freaking fish all day!!!"
"...I'm sensing hostility,Seifer," Quistis said with a small smile. "Perhaps if we get out, take a walk or something, it will put you in better spirits?"
"Oh gee Quistis, a walk, that sounds real thrilling."
"Fine, be a jerk about it. Just keep in mind that you are the one in a bad mood," Quistis' face was expressionless. She picked up the issue of Timber Maniacs, relaxed against the pillow, and promptly ignored Seifer.
Seifer stalked to the small balcony that was part of the small, yet luxurious hotel room. He scowled and reached inside his trench coat's pocket for a pack of cigarettes. Before he could even bring one to his lips, however, Quistis called from inside.
"Smoking is a disgusting habit."
Seifer turned to look at her, her eyes still focused on the magazine. If possible, the statement had put him into an even worse mood. Deep inside, he agreed with her that smoking is not a good thing, but that is none of her concern. His disgusting habits were his own business, right?
So, just to spite her, he lit up the cigarette, inhaled deeply, blew the smoke out in her direction; all with a "So there!" look on his face.
She never even glanced up.
It drove Seifer up the wall when people deliberately did not pay attention to him. Trepe seemed to know all the right ways to lodge herself right underneath his skin. He turned back to the balcony.
The ocean stretched out before him, vast, endless. He took in the sight of the sunset, and felt himself calm down a little.
Quistis studied him from the corner of her eye. She did so once in awhile, not all the time, but enough that she had become used to it. Taking in his tall, lean (not to mention muscular) frame, the way his trench coat moved in the gentle breeze, and the effect of the dying light on his hair, she could not deny that Seifer Almasy was rather attractive. However, his horrid personality could make you think him the ugliest person in the world.
He had become almost intolerable post-Ultimecia. Before, he had been somewhat snobbish, but it gave him charm. Now, he was much colder, sarcastic, and complained when there was nothing to complain about. Even cracks at Zell, which he had taken so much joy in before, had become half- hearted, and more out of habit than anything.
On occaison, Quistis wondered what drew Seifer down the wrong path. But more often she wondered what led him back home again. Quistis was an extremely observant woman, and she prided herself on her ability to figure others out. Yet Seifer's mind, motives, entire persona was a mystery to her.
A small smile tugged at Seifer's lips as he watched two small children fishing and laughing. Suddenly, the little girl became angry, and kicked the bulky boy into the ocean. Reminded of Fujin and Raijin, he wanted to laugh. But he fought the urge and decided he would not give Quistis Trepe the satisfaction of seeing him happy.
He did not have to fight the urge for long, however, as something else caught his attention. He narrowed his emerald eyes, concentrating on the end of the dock.
A man, dressed entirely in black and dark sunglasses, was looking left and right, and then towards his wrist, which could be assumed held a watch. Seifer could sense a nervous vibe coming from the man, even at his distance. He was so suspicious looking it was ridiculous.
"Quistis, come and look at this."
Quistis raised an eyebrow, forced herself to stand and walk over.
"What is it?"
The balcony was tiny, so the two of them standing side by side was a little cramped. Seifer stood sideways so that both could fit. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, as if afraid the man would be able to hear.
"Look at that man in black. Doesn't he seem a bit suspicious to you?"
The man checked his watch again and was now tapping his foot impatiently.
"He certainly does not look like he belongs in Balamb. How long has he been out there?"
"Noticed him a couple minutes ago."
Quistis leaned over the rail, trying to view the man in better detail.
"Hey, could we try being a little less obvious here?"
"I don't have my glasses with me... besides like he'll really noti...uh oh..." she moaned as the man suddenly turned fully in their direction. She didn't need her glasses to know the man was frowning and eyeing them.
"Another ace move by Instructor Trepe...quick, look like you're my girlfriend. Hug me or something."
"Excuse me?" Quistis narrowed her eyes up at him.
"Trust me, I know how the male mind works. Just do it."
Quistis frowned, but stepped into his embrace. She rested her head against his strong chest and felt his arms loosely close around her. Embarrassed, Quistis felt her heartbeat quicken and face flush a bit. The uncomfortable moment seemed to stretch on forever, but really only lasted a few seconds.
"Okay. Coast clear," Seifer said, softly. He dropped his hands from her waist. Thankful, Quistis stepped back and adjusted her vest; although it did not need any adjustments. She saw that the black clad man was indeed no longer looking at them.
"How did you know that would work?"
"Simple guy logic. Girls always lean over railings to look at sunsets with their boyfriends, and sissy romantic crap like that. Acted relationships can sometimes be great cover," Seifer responded. Quistis chose not to continue that aspect of the conversation, and watched with interest as the mystery man climbed aboard a boat that had just pulled up. It sped away as quickly as it had arrived.
"...They were heading towards FH," she observed aloud.
"Yeah."
Quistis took charge immediately, much to Seifer's dismay.
"Well Seifer, I think our mission just gained a little interest for you. We'll be heading for FH. I never bothered to unpack, but if you did, gather your things now-and Zell's stuff too please. I'm going to get him now. Bring all our bags to the docks, we'll hurry there as well. If there's a boat available for rent, get it. We'll wait in the ocean for about a half hour, give them a nice head start. If there's information to be found right then, we'll do it, but we'll probably just end up going to the hotel, it'll be late by the time we arrive. This isn't a wild goose chase, Seifer, I feel it in my veins," Quistis said excitedly, the adrenaline of an impending mission and battle already coursing through her.
For some reason, Quistis did a very uncharacteristic thing. She grinned, stood on her tiptoes, and ruffled Seifer's hair. Then, without a word, she left to go get Zell from his house.
Seifer sighed, fixed his hair, and eyed the three unpacked bags on three perfectly neat beds. His was normal. Quistis', however, was a bright peach color. Zell's had underwear sticking out of the sides. And he was the one who had to carry them to the dock.
It was going to be a long, humiliating walk.
A/N: Yay! That was a fun chapter to write. Woohoo, now we're getting a little more interesting. I hope I have everyone in character, that is kinda hard to do. Well, what does everyone think?!