PeRFecT
Chapter 13
"There is no way in Hyne's holy hell I'm riding that thing, Irvine Kinneas. . ."
Quistis protested as Irvine strutted back and forth, proudly displaying his noble steed.
"What, hun? Ya got somethin' 'gainst Chocobos? Look at'im- he's so gosh darned cute! Look at his lil beak an. . ." Irvine cooed, stroking the yellow down above the creature's beak. Quistis crossed her arms over her chest and wagged her finger at him menacingly.
"No! I absolutely refuse to do this. We'll walk. I'll take one of the Garden vehicles- there is now way I'm. . .ack. IRVINE KINNEAS!!!" She shrieked as Irvine mounted the large bird-like. . .um, thing. . .and galloped towards her. She fell to a crouch and covered her head with her hands. The loud Qwekking sound that signified impending doom grew louder and closer. "IRVINE! NO! GET THAT THING AWAY FROM ME! YOU'RE GOING TO GET US ALL KIL….what the hell?!?!" She suddenly felt a hand wrap around her waist and hoist her up into the air. The chocobo's legs were pumping hard alongside her, and she glanced up to see Irvine's naughty face above her. Balancing himself with his knees, he hoisted her up onto the creature's back and wrapped his left arm tightly around her waist. She grasped onto the long, wild feathers to secure her position. Irvine laughed behind her.
"See, hun? Isn't this great? Looky-see how fast Don Choco can gallop. He's a world champ ya'kno….oompf!" Quistis silenced him with an elbow to the gut, which caused him to curl up against her back.
"It's wonderful, Irvine." She giggled, taking the reins from his weakened hands. "But, I guess I should've told you that I don't really care for Chocobos. I'm not afraid- just a little uncomfortable around them. I almost got trampled to death by a herd of them when I was a toddler. . ."
"Betchya let them outta their pens, right? 'Cause you thought they should be free?" Irvine posed the question as he rubbed his aching solar plexus. She sat back against him, and turned her neck to look him in the face.
"Yes. That's exactly right. The only memory I have of my early childhood. Strange. I guess. . .that's something I would do, isn't it?"
". . .yeah. I was just guessin'." He took the reins from her and slowed the chocobo to a canter. Quistis sat back to lean her skull against Irvine's chest as he tightened his hold on her waist. Slipping her arm over his, she entwined her fingers in his and shut her eyes. 'This is perfect. There is no place I would rather be right now. .. save in a different vehicle, in the exact same position. It's kind of lulling, though- and it does give the opportunity to. . .Well! If he isn't a sneaky little casanova! I bet he learned how to ride a
chocobo just to get girls to sit in his lap. Not that I'm complaining. . .'
"How long will 'Don Choco' take to get us to Deling City?" She asked, tentatively stroking the bird's head fluff. She felt Irvine's shrug.
"Dunno. Maybe a half hour or so." He replied tenderly, reaching around her to ruffle the bird's head. The chocobo responded with a hearty 'Kweh' and resumed it's galloping pace. "You okay at this speed? woozy? Cold?"
"No, I'm fine. Thank you." She squeezed his hand in assurance. She was PeRFecT. They enjoyed a few moments of silence- Quistis listened as their pulses fell in synch with the chocobo's pace. The sun was setting in a glorious masquerade of orange and purple hues which ricocheted off the chocobo and the surrounding landscape. It was like riding on and through passion personified.
"What are we going to do in Deling?" She inquired, closing her eyes again.
"I thought maybe we could park Don Choco just outside of the city, then we could just stroll through town- 'could show you a couple of the sights. Then we could go for a drink at the Galbadian Hotel. It's real swank- real classy-like. I thought you might like that. . ."
"Irvine- unless you're three years older than your records say, I don't think they'll serve us. . ." She felt him shuffle around behind her uncomfortably. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he handed her a plastic card. "What is. . .hyne. Irvine, where did you get this?"
"It's a present from Mama Red- she says that if we're old enough ta kill for money, then we should be old enough ta drink ourselves into oblivion ta forget it. Frankly, I think her reasonin' is pretty sound, don't you?"
"That is terrible." She studied the fake and oh-so-wrong identification card. "Well- I guess it's all right. Just one night. . . Besides- it's a good thing to have when you're on a mission- what if you're shadowing someone and they pop into an age-restricted area. This will allow us more freedom, hence we can do our jobs more efficiently."
"A 'course, Quisty. If ya need ta justify it like that, by all means, do so." He chuckled and she could feel his stomach contracting and releasing behind her back. Feeling his laughter was exquisite. She breathed him in before melting back into her original position.
Don Choco covered an enormous amount of terrain and the twisted/eerie/beautiful light pollution that was Deling City slowly crept up on them. Quistis marveled at it's architectural girth- no matter how she refined herself, she would always be a small-island girl. Deling City was nearly the size of Balamb island itself.
It was daunting to say the least.
"It's prodigious-how many people live here?" She asked as they tied Don Choco's reins to a tree trunk. Irvine shrugged and stroked the chocobo's nose.
"Dunno- none that I really care for. All the smog makes it look bigger, y'know? From the factories."
"Factories? What do they manufacture?"
". . .Beaurocrats."
Quistis raised an eyebrow at her clever partner- It was a glib remark, but he meant it. He knew because he was thoroughly involved in the beaurocrat's guilty, unscrupulous, anti-humanitarian sphere. He was usually so laid back- but comments like this came from his sniper side. The intense side that he saved for those crucial moments of pain when he snuffed out a life. Quistis glanced over at this assassin who was busy making dopey faces at his over-sized-chicken-of-a friend. He caught her glance and laughed heartily, pushing his hat back on his head. He'd changed out of his field clothes and worn his cadet uniform, minus the jacket. The hat remained loyal. He looked like any other young Galbadian man.
But he wasn't.
He held out his arm graciously. With a covered smile she took it. His face illuminated the landscape. His heart was back on his sleeve, and Quistis adored what she saw of it. It mirrored her own.
They walked-arm in arm, in a blissful, innocent stupor- to Deling City.
"Alrighty, see- We got the train-station down thatta way, the city gates down over there, General Bastard-Caraway-sir's place is to the left- Howdy ma'am and good ev'nin' to ya-
There's some really fancy gardens down that way. . .uh, um. . . oh- the shopping center is just past the garden- there's lotsa overpriced, fancy-pants stores. ..good ev'nin sir- yes sir, it is indeed a mighty fine night for a stroll. Where was I? Oh yeah, them stores aren't real practica. . ."
"Irvine- slow down!" Quistis giggled, putting a hand to his diligent lips to end his tyrannical sightseeing rant. Grinning like a mad-man, he took the opportunity to extend his flirtation by planting a kiss on those fingers. She threw out a mock glare. "Well- at least it shut you up. Now, why don't we walk, and you can detail the points of interest as we happen upon them . . ." He seemed content with this, so they strolled along the promenade- arm in arm, like virginal lovers intoxicated with the mystery of their pseudo-affair. While she was content in her silent state, he was bubbling over with enthusiasm- he made sure to notify her when anything remotely interesting, or slightly Galbadian, presented itself. 'Is he nervous? Hyne- he's like a perpetual talking machine. . .' She giggled at herself, and smiled and nodded to Irvine as he pointed out the flora of Deling City. She followed his every gesture, if only to keep him this innocent.
He dragged her through the Deling Market, tipping his hat to shoppers and merchants alike. Most of them grumbled a quick response to the excitable cowboy, while others made quick, prejudiced comments about teenage 'drug-induced' behavior. He laughed at her scornful sneer.
"Quisty-hun. They're city folks. They don't know any better. . ." He grinned and inclined his hat to an elderly female shopper, who giggled and curtseyed for the handsome cadet.
"Wow- are there any restrictions to your flirting, Irvine?" Quistis asked when they stopped at a hat shop. Grabbing a pink Stetson, he plopped it on her head and winked. She threw it back into his face. He shrugged, replacing his own black hat with the lovely, pink sou'wester.
"Do I look beautiful, Quisty?"
"Of course. . . now, take it off, Kinneas." 'take it all off. . .oops! Bad Quistis! Bad. . .mmm. . . ' Irvine pouted, but handed the garment back to the sales clerk. She took his hand and squeezed it, which erased the doleful look from his face. Finding herself slightly hypnotized by his profound gaze, she pulled her eyes from his and affixed them to the most garish advertisement she saw.
"Galbadian Hotel. . .wasn't that where we were going to. . ."
"Right as rain, sugar. Shall we?"
Evana had told Quistis that she had felt out of place at the hotel- the blonde instructor now realized why. Sumptuous and ornate with a spiral, opera-house staircase and a gilded cage-lift, the bar was actually a posh, ritzy restaurant-slash- VIP entertainment salon. As she descended the staircase with her handsome escort, she was blown away by the romantic aura that permeated the scene. 'Does Irvine realize just how serious this feels? If he's not careful I'm going to fall in love with him. . .' She stopped suddenly, almost tripping over her own feet.
'Love? Oh God, Quistis. Don't consider it. . .please don't. . .'
"Are you okay, hun?" He was genuinely concerned and held her arm tightly for assurance. She nodded mechanically as they descended the last few stairs. Upon reaching the ground floor, the maitre 'd greeted and sat them at a cozy, wrap-around booth, fully laden with candles and wine and hors d'oeuves. Irvine grinned at the elderly gentleman who replied with raising his eyebrows and winking. When he had left, Quistis poked her silly cadet in the ribs.
"Irvine Kinneas! When did you find the moment to plan this. . .?" Quistis forced him to look at her. He sobered quickly and bit his lip, but she knew he was going to burst out laughing any second.
"I don't know what yer talkin' 'bout, hun- They treat all their customers like this. . ."
"I bet." She pinched his knee, causing him to lose his focus and created a joyful domino effect. First a smile, then a chuckle then he reached around and engulfed her in an immense hug. Quistis pressed her head against his shoulder and wrapped her arms around his waist. They broke the embrace, and he threw his hat over onto the seat.
"Are ya mad? I. . .well, at first I wasn't sure if ya'd come with me, so I just told'em ta watch fer me. If I came with a gorgeous blonde lady, they were supposed ta set up the table real nice, but if not, then I was just gonna sit by myself in tha corner. Lucky for me it was the former. . ."
"Lucky for both us. . ." She agreed, pushing a loose strand of auburn hair from his cheek.
"I was afraid you were mad at me.. . ." He looked down, frowning. Quistis stroked his cheek.
"Why? You haven't done anything to merit my anger, Irvy. . ." 'You should be very upset with all the things I've done to you, but you haven't done anything wrong . . ..'
"Umm. . well. I. . dunno 'bout that, but I don't really wanna ruin this. So…do ya want some wine or anythin'? These slimy things are supposed ta taste real fine. This gray stuff too. . ." He was trying to change the subject with a joke. How well Quistis knew the routine. . .
"Irvine, why should I be angry with you?" She softly interjected,. He didn't answer, but poured two glasses of white wine. "Irvine?"
"I wanted ta apologize. . ."
"For what?" She took a sip of wine, already feeling the impending sense of heartburn.
"Saturday. . ."
"Saturday. . ." She thought about last Saturday. She had been labeled a Blue Sorceress, killed an assassin, attacked a T-rexaur, kissed Irvine and left him to. . .no- he had kissed her. 'That's it? He's sorry for that after all we've been through?'
"It was real rude of me ta act like that, and I apologize. I hope I can make it up to ya. . ."
"Yes. . .well, I think you can. . ." She whispered, clamping her mouth over his.
'Kissing a cadet in a restaurant, eh? You're as good as disbarred, Trepe. . . umpf.' Quistis silenced her mental voice as she dipped her tongue into her boy's flabbergasted, wine-filled mouth. She took a small taste then pulled away- she didn't want to be uncouth. Checking her lipstick in her spoon and wiping the corners of her mouth, she called the server to the table. A youthful waitress presented the couple with menus, all the while glancing at a shocked and somewhat subdued Irvine.
"Is your boyfriend all right? He looks a little. . .um, pale and flushed and overall kinda traumatized. . ."
Quistis studied Irvine's face and squeezed his hand. "No- he's fine." She gave him a chaste kiss on his closed lips. He melted into a sly little smile and looked up at the waitress.
"I'll have the rib-eye with them garlic potatoes, hun. " He handed her the menu and put his arm around Quistis' shoulder. Quistis gave hers back as well.
"No beef, no pork- Surprise me. I'll feeling adventurous. . ." She announced with an Irvinian grin. This stunned and scared the waitress.
"Miss- I can't do that. What if you don't like it? What if you're allergic to something. I could get sued, I could. . ."
"No allergies, pretty open." Quistis replied. "You choose. I'll eat whatever it is and give you a better tip. No beef, no pork." Quistis turned from the waitress to stare into Irvine's bemused face. "What?"
"What time is it?" He asked. She shrugged and downed her wine. "I don't know."
"Wow. No meal preference, timelessness- you're a wild woman tonight, Quisty. . ." His eyes suddenly unfocused and he looked off into the crowd. Quistis knew exactly what that look was. She pinched him.
"Behave yourself, Irvine Kinneas. Get your mind out of the gutter."
"Get MY mind out of the gutter? Hyne- you just tried ta seduce me in the middle of a crowded restaurant, not to mention pinchin' my poor, defenseless behind for no apparent reason. . ." He rubbed his wound. Quistis cocked an eyebrow. "Oh. . .alrighty. Sorry." He reclined a little and drew pictures in the condensation that had formed on his wine glass. "Quisty. . .?"
"Hmmm?"
"Y'know. . .that. . .uh. . .waitress called me yer boyfriend. . ."
"I know." 'Is he mad about that? What's with all these mixed signals? Dammit- Hyne, just let me have this, okay? Is that too muck to ask?'
"And you're okay with that?" He asked. Quistis listened for a subtle motivation. Hope? Maybe. Definitely discomfort. She refused to meet his eye.
"Why not? It's not like she knows us, and we probably won't see her again, so she can say whatever she wants. Doesn't make it true. . ." She watched his face out of the corner of her eye. She wanted to gauge his reaction before she continued. He was crestfallen. She felt like a cruel bitch, but she also felt like rejoicing.
"But it doesn't make it false either." She finished, revolving to speak to his face. She held him-the ladies man, the Galbadian women-slinger- in the palm of her hand. " I don't care for anyone's opinion about us- not some ignorant waitress, or Galbadian politician. Not my students or even Headmaster Martine himself- I. . ." What began as a brave declaration of affection ended in a whimper. She couldn't say it out loud. "Irvine. . I feel like I've known you my entire life. While everything you do delights me, it never surprises me because I know you. I don't know how and I don't understand what this means, but I. . .I mean. . .Hyne, I was so afraid you hated me after Saturday- you fainted and I didn't know what to do and I ran, and I was worried but scared for both us and. . ."She was babbling quietly, but she couldn't stop. "And all this week, I've been trying to control my powers and meditate, but all I can think about is how I know we belong together- that no matter how different we are, we're flawlessly corresponding puzzle pieces- I know that's trite, but it's the truth. We're. . ."
"Perfect. I know."
Echoes of a lost, wise voice reverberated in her head. 'He's yours. I made him so.'
"Quisty. . .I'm fallin' hard and fallin' fast. It's. . .scarin' me too." He did look scared, but elated and blissful. He held her like a glass figurine.
"Irvine. . ."
"Here's your salad, I . . .oh. I'm sorry for disturbing anything…"
They broke their intense chain as the waitress distributed the salad. Quistis was ready to cry-not because of melancholy, but not wholly from excitement. Just intensity- it was a little too much. Irvine didn't even look or smile at the waitress- that's how affected he was. They didn't speak until the server had left.
"So. . .whadda we do 'bout this, hun?" Irvine asked in little more than a whisper. Quistis knew exactly what she wanted.
"We accept it and hide it. Nothing else to be done. I. . .can't go on suppressing my feelings- It's. . .going to kill me, I think." 'Don't sound so tragic. . .even though it's probably true. . .'
"Quisty, are you sure? I mean. . .I know about the Instructor conduct clause. But not just that- hun, are. . .you sure you want me? I mean. . .there's lotsa things ya don't know 'bout me. . ."
"Of course there are, Irvine!" She said, a little exasperated and very excited. "And thank god for that, or else we would have nothing to talk about. There are things about me too. . .dark things that I don't want anyone to know. But I want to tell you! I want to share this with you so I'm not lonely any more." She lowered her voice. "Isn't that what you want? I was sure it was. . ."
"More than anythin'. . ." He murmured softly, stroking her cheek and neck. He planted a kiss on her rose-hued lips and held her face in his hands. Quistis couldn't suppress that delighted little shiver that always accompanied the sensation of his hands on her skin. Suddenly they heard a slight sniffle. They turned to the source.
The little waitress stood a foot away, teary-eyed, holding a pepper grinder and a cheese grater. She held them up.
"I'm sorry. . . sniff. . .I forgot to ask if you would like some fresh. . . sniff. . . .pepper or parmesan. . . sniff sniff. . . .."
They exchanged looks. Irvine burst into a boisterous laugh and bobbed his head up and down. Quistis clutched at the bridge of her nose.
"I'm so. . .sorry. . that was just so. . .beautiful. . I. . .sniff. ." The girl dispensed the cheese and spice. "And my brothers say my soaps are. . .sniff. . .unrealistic. . .so beautiful. . ." She left for the kitchen, still mumbling and sniffling. Irvine dove into his food as Quistis stared into the flickering flame of the candles. 'It is beautiful. . .so why am I so damned scared? How can this feel so right and yet. . .dangerous at the same time. I don't understand. . .' She watched him devour the leafy greens- wasn't really his style, but he was a hungry growing boy. 'Boy. We're practically children. We've led cruel lives, but we are still growing. We're sprouts. And it'll be hard to uproot him. . . .'
"Gil for yer thoughts, hun. . ." Irvine offered, shovelling forkful after forkful of salad into his mouth. It was adorable. Quistis stole a crouton from his meal and sighed.
"If you were with me, would you be able to give up your flirtatious, philandering tendencies?"
He stopped eating.
"Hun- why're you talkin' in hypothetical terms? We're tagether-right?-, and, though I can't stop bein' nice ta people, I'm not gonna go skirt-chasin' or nothin'. I have no reason ta. I didn't even wink at the waitress."
"You're right- I did notice. I just wanted to hear it. Not that I'm accusing you of anything or implying that you would- I know you wouldn't. You compulsively flirt and date because you're lonely and have no one to come home to. I understand- that's why I live in my head. . ."
"We're peas in a pod, darlin'. Always have been." He poked at his salad and stared into the bowl. "Don't mind the metaphor, y'know- I'm just entranced by this here colorful salad. . Hyne, how do they do it? Too bad Garden' ain't this happy, eh? That's one damn happy salad. . ." Quistis glanced down at her own. It was, truly, happy. Green lettuce, red, yellow and orange peppers, marbelled cheese, sunflower seeds, carrots and olives and cucumbers cut in daisy-shapes with cheese and pepper sprinkled along the surface. It was a colorful, happy, depressing sight. Quistis sighed.
"Irvine- I'm a sorceress."