Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VIII belongs to Squaresoft.
Save the Queen
by Paris Lockheart
V.
He knew it wasn't good manners, but the formal ball was just too…well…formal for him. Quistis was going to skin him alive.
That would happen later. Right now, Seifer was just contented with watching the town festival from his first floor balcony.
He let his thoughts wander to a while ago, holding his instructor for about…gee, if he timed it, it would have been 1.5 seconds.
Not that he was, in any way, desperate to dance with her.
But Malcolm whatzisface should have at least let her dance with me.
But no. Seifer could still hear the scratchy voice of the old geezer as he gently tapped Quistis' shoulder with his wrinkly hand.
" My apologies, Majesty, but Lord Allan would like to present himself.."
He snorted. Yeah, right. The old man was such a kiss-ass.
" Queen Ayla, this way please…"
" Oh, Your Majesty, you look wonderful!"
" Ladies, I want the best gown for the queen.."
" Oh, Queen Ayla, I'd like to kiss your perfect feet!"
Well, he didn't actually say the last one, but Malcolm did sound like he wanted to do it. What was with the Ayla crap, anyway? He had seen the queen's portrait. Hell, it was right outside his room. It looked like Quistis Trepe, alright, with all splendor and regalia, but…
Hyne, even Kay bought it!
Seifer's eyes wandered around the Town Square, where a bonfire was burning high and bright. All the people, it seemed, were wearing their best clothes. They were at their most cheerful, music playing from a flute and ladies and men flirting, talking, eating; children running around, some drinking for the future.
And in the center of it all (beside the raging bonfire) was a lively young woman in a long-sleeved light violet dress dancing to the music with tambourine in hand.
He smirked.
Guess I did see Kay in a dress, after all.
Seifer watched her as she twirled and spun and danced so lightly on her feet. Everyone seemed to love her. He felt, for a moment, something too. As the villagers clapped and laughed, Seifer jumped off the balcony to the Square, just a few feet off.
Kay whirled, giggling, just in time to see Seifer, smirking, top buttons of his once crisp and elegant shirt popped open, jump to the ground.
They exchanged a glance.
The crowd of joyous people parted as she danced toward him, smiling. Seifer could only wonder what the hell she was about to do as she stopped in front of him.
Kay held out a hand, inviting him to dance.
Seifer drank up the sight before him, the beautiful girl with raven hair swirling in the rampaging night wind, skirt flying from its insistent blow. Her outstretched hand, slender and pale, and her warm eyes and smile, welcoming, beckoning, asking.
Would you dance with me…?
He found himself caught in her violet eyes as he smiled a rare, real smile.
I'd love to.
Seifer placed his larger hand on top of Kay's, accepting.
At once, everything around him seemed to come alive again as she pulled him to the middle of the Town Square.
Much like the same way Rinoa pulled Squall to the dance floor so long ago, He realized.
Seifer and Kay danced to the merry music of the wooden flute, under the millions of stars and the moon overhead.
*
Rinoa stared wistfully at the millions of stars and the moon overhead. Beside her, Squall looked the sky with silent contemplation.
Somewhere out there was Quistis and Seifer on their mission…
Rinoa frowned. Why did she have that odd sense whenever she thought about their assignment? Quistis Trepe and Seifer Almasy were one of the best.
She never worried about her friends like this before.
Squall felt the woman beside him tense. He sighed inwardly. He was not good with women. If he wanted Rinoa to stay—although deep inside of him, he knew she would—he had to be…more gentle, maybe…?
He frowned and, oblivious to him, they both looked like twin sculptures with the same knit eyebrows sitting on a ledge in Fisherman's Horizon.
" Squall—"
" Rinoa—"
They both stared at each other, waiting for the other to say something.
" Never mind," They both said in unison, in which, if possible, Squall frowned deeper and Rinoa giggled.
There was a pause as both returned to their own respective reveries.
Biting his lip—I can't believe this, Squall thought—he hesitantly let his arm creep up Rinoa's slim shoulders. Inching closer and closer, he felt himself go tense—What if she…What if…she thinks something else…?
Closer, closer, closer…Just as he was about half an inch…
"Squall!" Rinoa bolted up.
He withdrew his hand fast as lightning.
Shitshitshitshitshitshitshitshitshit…
He looked down, reddening profusely. " Uh, sorry, Rinny, I didn't mean, I mean…"
" Tell me again—who hired Quistis and Seifer on this mission?" Rinoa said, dread and excitement filling her.
Squall frowned. Being a workaholic is…my influence on Rinoa…?
" Your father, why?"
The excitement faded, only replaced by the sudden loss of color in her face. " Are you sure?" She whispered.
" Yes…"
" Squall…My father went on a vacation to Esthar three days ago—and he's not coming back until next week."
The festival had just ended and, without words, Seifer led Kay inside the inn, in their eyes the night promising much, much more.
The End.
…just kiddin'!;) Who do you want Seifer to end up with—Kay or Quisty? J I'm really having a hard time deciding…