Chapter 19 Broken Enchantment
The Gold Siren lived up to every inch of its name. The place was almost as big as the Presidential Palace, and definitely just as impressive. Quistis caught her breath as they entered the main balcony and reflexively tightened her grip on Squall's arm. "Wow."
Squall nodded vaguely. He wasn't the kind who appreciated beauty, but his eye for detail told him this place was the work of masters. The main balcony swept down on both sides in graceful blue carpeted staircases, and from where they stood they could see the ballroom below, with people moving about, head dipping and swaying to the music provided by an orchestra that occupied an elevated alcove. The walls were papered in watered silk, and marble pillars circled the ballroom. The ballroom ceiling opened to the heavens in a gorgeous glass dome, and she could see the moon shining in all its full glory.
Laguna and Ellone were busy greeting people. Quistis caught phrases like "SeeD Commander......... Squall - "
"And who, I pray is this ravishing beauty?" A man smiled and shook Squall's hand heartily, but his eyes were on Quistis. She smiled politely and gripped Squall's arm tighter. The man looked like an overgrown Shumi.
"This is Quistis Trepe." Squall said pleasantly. "Quistis, this is the Duke of Dollet."
"Roger, that's my name," He leered at Quistis who suddenly wished she brought her whip. "Pleased to meet you." She managed quite calmly.
"Oh for sure," He boomed. "But may I have the pleasure of this dance?"
Quistis caught the strains of a slow beguine. "I'm sorry, I can't dance," She said, still smiling. "Maybe some of the other beauties can spare you their time."
"In other words, scram." Squall mused lightly as the Duke made his way to another group. "Very well phrased," he escorted her to Laguna's table. Quistis merely shrugged. "You'd say no if the person looked like Norg, wouldn't you?"
"You mean the Duke?" Laguna said with interest. "Ellone danced with him before, didn't you?" The girl shuddered. "Don't make me remember." Quistis giggled behind her fingertips.
"President Loire, good to see you." A familiar curt voice addressed Laguna. Both Squall and Quistis tensed as Squall looked up to see the man.
General Caraway stared at Squall, his expression hovering between distaste and anger. "Commander Leonhart." He acknowledged curtly. Squall nodded, but Quistis saw his grip tighten on the stem of his wineglass. "Quistis Trepe," he bowed slightly and she gave him a gracious nod. "It's been a while, general."
"Three years," He gave her a tight smile. "It seems like you were not able to protect her very well, Commander. I've heard of the recent... events."
Squall prepared to give him a brutal set-down but Quistis laid her hand gently on his arm, silencing him. "It was totally unforeseen, and we regret what has happened." She said slowly, keeping her voice pleasant. "But nobody was hurt, I hope you have heard that too."
"Of course," His eyes were cool. "This has been an...enlightening meeting, Miss Trepe."
"Likewise. Goodbye," She smiled as he left. Ellone gave her an admiring look. Laguna was beside himself with glee. "Good one!"
She caught Squall's eye and saw he had softened. Just then two men came bearing down on her with the obvious intention of asking her to dance. Feeling decidedly satisfied, she accepted, rising from her seat with that fluid motion of hers.
Squall watched her dance from over his glass. Feeling bored, he got up and strolled around the room, occasionally getting stopped by people (especially women), but he declined dance offers. A waiter offered him a glass of champagne, but on impulse he took a whole bottle - not that the waiter minded. Walking around, he came to the double doors leading out to the back garden, and wanting no more human contact, he stepped outside.
The moon threw everything into a silver paradise, the leaves gilded with moonbeams and the fountains sparkling like laughter. He sat in one secluded section, inhaling the heady scent of honeysuckle and roses. It reminded him of the female he had just left inside.
Quistis. Her name ran in his mind, laughing at him. How many times in the past had he thought this way? And how many times did he force himself to think otherwise? When Rinoa came, he was fascinated by her bubbly and slightly giddy demeanor, and was amazed when she managed to make him actually feel something. She taught him not to hide, instead confront his fears and problems in the open. And that was when the questions came. Did he love her for what she has done? Undoubtedly. But deep inside, he could feel that their affection was merely two people who found a way to deal with their own feelings. It so happened she found him, and he found her. In truth, she only made him open the door, to make him see who was inside.
Was it possible? The night she confessed she lost her Instructor's license; he was uncomfortable that she wanted to tell him, of all people. But he convinced himself that people must solve their own problems, thus he turned a deaf ear to her. He remembered seeing the hurt in her eyes, and how that caused a reaction in him; but being too selfish he didn't understand. But now he does. When she cried he wished he could absorb the pain, to see her cerulean eyes sparkle again. She was fragile, but strong. She shouldered his responsibilities and bore them without complaint; she fought alongside him and bore his scars - but most of all she understood him beyond anything else. She believed in him and never left his side even when he hurt her - such was her faith in him. She gave her whole life unselfishly and wanted no return. How was he going to stand with her when all along he stood on her shoulders?
The questions buzzed in his mind and without realizing it he had downed the whole bottle of champagne.
"Squall?"
He hazily snapped out of his thoughts to see a pair of blue eyes peering intently at him. She was half crouching, grinning at him. When he scowled she stood up and sat next to him. "Took me long enough to find you. Laguna wants to go back."
"Already?" he eyed his watch. Hyne, he had been sitting here for over two hours! But his mind was still feeling tipsy, and he didn't want to move.
"Guess you must have been doing some thinking," She snickered lightly and patted his shoulder. "Let's go, I'm tired."
"How much did you dance tonight?' he curiously slurred as she stood next to the fountain, admiring the sculpture. "Enough to make my bones creak," She laughed and held out her hand. "You're drunk, Leonhart, do you know that? Better get your bearings or Ellone will have me for breakfast!" She finished with a laugh.
That laugh... He was suddenly seized with a sudden childish inspiration. He stepped up to her and deftly removed the sticks so her hair spilled down in a gorgeous stream. "Catch me!" He grinned and suddenly ducked behind a bush. She stared at him, open-mouthed and then gathered herself. "Oh you're drunk as a wheelbarrow. Come back here!"
He taunted her from behind a tree and vanished just as suddenly. She furiously swung around, searching for a glimmer of movement. Darn him for wearing black, she cursed. Grimacing, she peered carefully, and got the feeling of a pair of eyes watching her from inside a bush. Grinning confidently, she sauntered over and leaned down so she was eye to eye with those eyes - eyes she could feel but couldn't see. "Gotcha."
With a rustle the bush burst forward and Quistis was knocked over with a squeal. "Squall!!! Get off me!!!" She laughed as he pinned her to the ground, grinning like a fool. "How much did you drink, Squall?" She laughed, trying push him off and finally succeeded in rolling him over, landing half atop him, still laughing. But he had her tightly gripped around the waist, so she was trapped. "Squall," She giggled as she looked down to his grinning face. Her hair spilled down , framing one side of her face as she pressed against his chest, convulsed in mirth.
His chest. She was suddenly aware of his arms around her waist; the warmth of his body beneath hers; the feel of his legs tangled with her own. His eyes drew her closer, and she felt helpless as she drowned in their depths. Her mind was screaming something, but she couldn't listen; didn't want to listen. Their faces were so close that their breath mingled. Just a few inches...
Their lips met in a sizzling burst of electricity. His mouth slanted over hers, causing her world to tip. Maybe she did. In one swift movement Squall rolled her over and she was pressed under the hard length of his body, her arms twined around his neck, pulling him closer. His tongue slid along her lips, demanding entry, and when she did he thrust himself into her with a groan. She welcomed him dazedly, hands running in his thick hair, her thigh pressed against his. She instinctively melted against his unyielding contours, fitting himself perfectly like she was a piece of him. She surrendered herself to his insistent mouth, his caressing hands as they ran along her back, sending shivers of pleasure.
They finally broke the kiss, breathing ragged and unsteady. She gulped, collecting herself. It was... for a moment there she had a vision of her tangled passionately in his arms and the thought made her flush in embarrassment. "Um..." She found her voice. "Guess we should go back."
He seemed to have no intention of moving however, as he lightly traced her cheekbone, staring absently at her until she heard something.
"...Quistis...?"
"Ellone!" With a flash and strength she didn't know she possessed Quistis pushed Squall off her and hurriedly stood up. Squall too got to his feet, rubbing his neck dazedly. Quistis straightened herself as best as she could and saw Ellone coming towards them. Darn, act normal. She hoped the flush had gone.
"There you are." Ellone said breathlessly. "Laguna's getting drunk, so I had to haul him into the car. Oh dear...' She said worriedly as she saw Squall looking dazedly at her. 'Don't tell me you're - "
"Drunk." Quistis finished firmly. "He was singing an Irish jig and making me do the polka."
Squall frowned slightly. "I don't know - "
"Come on!" Ellone took his arm and practically dragged him out of the garden. Quistis breathed in relief. But the lingering feel of his hands and lips kept her body tingling even when she had crept into bed. Hyne, what was she thinking? He was dead drunk - he didn't realize what he was doing; but a part of her so wanted her to believe it was real......... that he really did kiss her because he loved her.........
Author's note: Muahahahaha.... my Favorite chapter (and the hardest to write) I had to keep it in the rating and at the same time try to make it slightly spicy... what do you guys think? Review please, and I love you!
The Gold Siren lived up to every inch of its name. The place was almost as big as the Presidential Palace, and definitely just as impressive. Quistis caught her breath as they entered the main balcony and reflexively tightened her grip on Squall's arm. "Wow."
Squall nodded vaguely. He wasn't the kind who appreciated beauty, but his eye for detail told him this place was the work of masters. The main balcony swept down on both sides in graceful blue carpeted staircases, and from where they stood they could see the ballroom below, with people moving about, head dipping and swaying to the music provided by an orchestra that occupied an elevated alcove. The walls were papered in watered silk, and marble pillars circled the ballroom. The ballroom ceiling opened to the heavens in a gorgeous glass dome, and she could see the moon shining in all its full glory.
Laguna and Ellone were busy greeting people. Quistis caught phrases like "SeeD Commander......... Squall - "
"And who, I pray is this ravishing beauty?" A man smiled and shook Squall's hand heartily, but his eyes were on Quistis. She smiled politely and gripped Squall's arm tighter. The man looked like an overgrown Shumi.
"This is Quistis Trepe." Squall said pleasantly. "Quistis, this is the Duke of Dollet."
"Roger, that's my name," He leered at Quistis who suddenly wished she brought her whip. "Pleased to meet you." She managed quite calmly.
"Oh for sure," He boomed. "But may I have the pleasure of this dance?"
Quistis caught the strains of a slow beguine. "I'm sorry, I can't dance," She said, still smiling. "Maybe some of the other beauties can spare you their time."
"In other words, scram." Squall mused lightly as the Duke made his way to another group. "Very well phrased," he escorted her to Laguna's table. Quistis merely shrugged. "You'd say no if the person looked like Norg, wouldn't you?"
"You mean the Duke?" Laguna said with interest. "Ellone danced with him before, didn't you?" The girl shuddered. "Don't make me remember." Quistis giggled behind her fingertips.
"President Loire, good to see you." A familiar curt voice addressed Laguna. Both Squall and Quistis tensed as Squall looked up to see the man.
General Caraway stared at Squall, his expression hovering between distaste and anger. "Commander Leonhart." He acknowledged curtly. Squall nodded, but Quistis saw his grip tighten on the stem of his wineglass. "Quistis Trepe," he bowed slightly and she gave him a gracious nod. "It's been a while, general."
"Three years," He gave her a tight smile. "It seems like you were not able to protect her very well, Commander. I've heard of the recent... events."
Squall prepared to give him a brutal set-down but Quistis laid her hand gently on his arm, silencing him. "It was totally unforeseen, and we regret what has happened." She said slowly, keeping her voice pleasant. "But nobody was hurt, I hope you have heard that too."
"Of course," His eyes were cool. "This has been an...enlightening meeting, Miss Trepe."
"Likewise. Goodbye," She smiled as he left. Ellone gave her an admiring look. Laguna was beside himself with glee. "Good one!"
She caught Squall's eye and saw he had softened. Just then two men came bearing down on her with the obvious intention of asking her to dance. Feeling decidedly satisfied, she accepted, rising from her seat with that fluid motion of hers.
Squall watched her dance from over his glass. Feeling bored, he got up and strolled around the room, occasionally getting stopped by people (especially women), but he declined dance offers. A waiter offered him a glass of champagne, but on impulse he took a whole bottle - not that the waiter minded. Walking around, he came to the double doors leading out to the back garden, and wanting no more human contact, he stepped outside.
The moon threw everything into a silver paradise, the leaves gilded with moonbeams and the fountains sparkling like laughter. He sat in one secluded section, inhaling the heady scent of honeysuckle and roses. It reminded him of the female he had just left inside.
Quistis. Her name ran in his mind, laughing at him. How many times in the past had he thought this way? And how many times did he force himself to think otherwise? When Rinoa came, he was fascinated by her bubbly and slightly giddy demeanor, and was amazed when she managed to make him actually feel something. She taught him not to hide, instead confront his fears and problems in the open. And that was when the questions came. Did he love her for what she has done? Undoubtedly. But deep inside, he could feel that their affection was merely two people who found a way to deal with their own feelings. It so happened she found him, and he found her. In truth, she only made him open the door, to make him see who was inside.
Was it possible? The night she confessed she lost her Instructor's license; he was uncomfortable that she wanted to tell him, of all people. But he convinced himself that people must solve their own problems, thus he turned a deaf ear to her. He remembered seeing the hurt in her eyes, and how that caused a reaction in him; but being too selfish he didn't understand. But now he does. When she cried he wished he could absorb the pain, to see her cerulean eyes sparkle again. She was fragile, but strong. She shouldered his responsibilities and bore them without complaint; she fought alongside him and bore his scars - but most of all she understood him beyond anything else. She believed in him and never left his side even when he hurt her - such was her faith in him. She gave her whole life unselfishly and wanted no return. How was he going to stand with her when all along he stood on her shoulders?
The questions buzzed in his mind and without realizing it he had downed the whole bottle of champagne.
"Squall?"
He hazily snapped out of his thoughts to see a pair of blue eyes peering intently at him. She was half crouching, grinning at him. When he scowled she stood up and sat next to him. "Took me long enough to find you. Laguna wants to go back."
"Already?" he eyed his watch. Hyne, he had been sitting here for over two hours! But his mind was still feeling tipsy, and he didn't want to move.
"Guess you must have been doing some thinking," She snickered lightly and patted his shoulder. "Let's go, I'm tired."
"How much did you dance tonight?' he curiously slurred as she stood next to the fountain, admiring the sculpture. "Enough to make my bones creak," She laughed and held out her hand. "You're drunk, Leonhart, do you know that? Better get your bearings or Ellone will have me for breakfast!" She finished with a laugh.
That laugh... He was suddenly seized with a sudden childish inspiration. He stepped up to her and deftly removed the sticks so her hair spilled down in a gorgeous stream. "Catch me!" He grinned and suddenly ducked behind a bush. She stared at him, open-mouthed and then gathered herself. "Oh you're drunk as a wheelbarrow. Come back here!"
He taunted her from behind a tree and vanished just as suddenly. She furiously swung around, searching for a glimmer of movement. Darn him for wearing black, she cursed. Grimacing, she peered carefully, and got the feeling of a pair of eyes watching her from inside a bush. Grinning confidently, she sauntered over and leaned down so she was eye to eye with those eyes - eyes she could feel but couldn't see. "Gotcha."
With a rustle the bush burst forward and Quistis was knocked over with a squeal. "Squall!!! Get off me!!!" She laughed as he pinned her to the ground, grinning like a fool. "How much did you drink, Squall?" She laughed, trying push him off and finally succeeded in rolling him over, landing half atop him, still laughing. But he had her tightly gripped around the waist, so she was trapped. "Squall," She giggled as she looked down to his grinning face. Her hair spilled down , framing one side of her face as she pressed against his chest, convulsed in mirth.
His chest. She was suddenly aware of his arms around her waist; the warmth of his body beneath hers; the feel of his legs tangled with her own. His eyes drew her closer, and she felt helpless as she drowned in their depths. Her mind was screaming something, but she couldn't listen; didn't want to listen. Their faces were so close that their breath mingled. Just a few inches...
Their lips met in a sizzling burst of electricity. His mouth slanted over hers, causing her world to tip. Maybe she did. In one swift movement Squall rolled her over and she was pressed under the hard length of his body, her arms twined around his neck, pulling him closer. His tongue slid along her lips, demanding entry, and when she did he thrust himself into her with a groan. She welcomed him dazedly, hands running in his thick hair, her thigh pressed against his. She instinctively melted against his unyielding contours, fitting himself perfectly like she was a piece of him. She surrendered herself to his insistent mouth, his caressing hands as they ran along her back, sending shivers of pleasure.
They finally broke the kiss, breathing ragged and unsteady. She gulped, collecting herself. It was... for a moment there she had a vision of her tangled passionately in his arms and the thought made her flush in embarrassment. "Um..." She found her voice. "Guess we should go back."
He seemed to have no intention of moving however, as he lightly traced her cheekbone, staring absently at her until she heard something.
"...Quistis...?"
"Ellone!" With a flash and strength she didn't know she possessed Quistis pushed Squall off her and hurriedly stood up. Squall too got to his feet, rubbing his neck dazedly. Quistis straightened herself as best as she could and saw Ellone coming towards them. Darn, act normal. She hoped the flush had gone.
"There you are." Ellone said breathlessly. "Laguna's getting drunk, so I had to haul him into the car. Oh dear...' She said worriedly as she saw Squall looking dazedly at her. 'Don't tell me you're - "
"Drunk." Quistis finished firmly. "He was singing an Irish jig and making me do the polka."
Squall frowned slightly. "I don't know - "
"Come on!" Ellone took his arm and practically dragged him out of the garden. Quistis breathed in relief. But the lingering feel of his hands and lips kept her body tingling even when she had crept into bed. Hyne, what was she thinking? He was dead drunk - he didn't realize what he was doing; but a part of her so wanted her to believe it was real......... that he really did kiss her because he loved her.........
Author's note: Muahahahaha.... my Favorite chapter (and the hardest to write) I had to keep it in the rating and at the same time try to make it slightly spicy... what do you guys think? Review please, and I love you!