PeRFecT
PeRFecT
Chapter 16
"No."
Her would-be assassin gasped as the bracelet snapped upon touching the skin of her wrist. The severed chain fell from his grasp to the floor, utterly ineffective.
"The charm. . ."
"Useless now- my power must've overloaded it. . ." Quistis offered, glaring. The heat of her magic and anger boiled her blood- her body quivered with the force of her heart beat. Though he was unnerved, the assassin still held his knife to her throat.
"Miss Trepe, I do not wish to kill you. But I must speak with you. . ."
"Huh. Most people call 'n make appointments." A voice emerged from the darkness, followed by the sound of a gun cocking. Irvine approached the assassin, arm extended, gun loaded. The assassin glanced down at Quistis for a moment, then lifted his arms in defeat.
"Mr. Kinneas, I presume? I had wondered where you'd run off to. . ." He spoke in a quiet, polished tone with clean diction and subtle inflection. He sounded more like a scholar than a hired gun. Irvine grunted and pushed the gun's barrel to the intruder's temple.
"Ten seconds away the entire time. Now- I'm gonna give you ten seconds t'explain yerself before good ole Valiant here frees yer head from yer neck. Ready. . .set. …"Irvine waited, gun still readied. The man took in a deep breath.
"Estharian President Sends for Diadem. Odine Help. Deling Conspiracy." He finished abruptly and waited. As did Quistis. Irvine sighed.
"Nine seconds. Shit yer good guy. Quisty- go turn on the lights, and rip up them sheets. We'll tie'em up to the desk chair. Hurry girl. . ."
Quistis leapt from the bed in a mess of covers and sheets and illuminated the room. The episode had been terrible with the lights off, but suddenly, everything about the situation was damn funny.
Irvine stood with the 'assassin' in the middle of the room. He had obviously just gotten out of the shower, because his hair was a tangled, wet nest behind him and he was half-naked, wearing only a bath sheet wrapped around his waist. He held Valiant to the head of a tall, willowy, middle-aged man garbed in an ill-fitting and ancient Galbadian Army uniform. The man had in his possession a set of tarnished katals, but he was otherwise weaponless. He glanced her way, but quickly turned away as a blush spread over his brown cheeks. The reason for this was the third element of this ridiculous equation. She realized she was clad only in her red, French-lace bra and matching thong. She couldn't help but laugh at herself.
"Uh. . .maybe ya better put yer clothes on first, there, Quisty." Irvine offered, biting his lip. She concurred and slipped back into her skirt and sweater, then ripped some strips from the bed sheets. 'This definitely won't please the hotel management. . .' Irvine pushed the elder man towards the desk and sat him in the stiff, wooden chair. He confiscated the gentleman's katals as Quistis bound both hands and feet. Smiling politely, the trespasser checked his hands and feet and nodded an approval.
"Very well knotted, Miss Trepe. Tight- but the satin sheets are quite comfortable. . ."
"All right, all right. Just shut up." Irvine glared and sat on the desk. Quistis checked her throat in the mirror for an abrasions, but the katal had left no mark. She returned and sat herself beside her fervent lover. He slowly lowered the gun and stuffed it in his towel.
"Estharian President Sends for Diadem. Odine Help. Deling Conspiracy." Irvine tasted the assassin's explanation. The dark-skinned man nodded with a smile.
"Well- obviously our scouts have been correct in their descriptions of your phenomenal memory, Mr. Kinneas." He acknowledged then continued, a little mournfully. It's unfortunate that most of them lost their lives in the process." He bowed his head slightly in recognition. Both his mannerisms and dialect clearly indicated his breeding and status-his presence puzzled Quistis, but she allowed Irvine to continue.
"Yeah- it is real unfortunate when spies and traitors are revealed for what they really are. Now- explain to the lady why you climbed into her quarters in the middle of the night and stuck a knife at'er neck. Don't look at me- look at Miss Trepe. I'm just here for moral support and bullying tactics, though you and I both know she can handle this here situation 'erself. Quisty-hun- why dontcha show this nice gentleman what ya can do for a man in the bedroom. . . "
Choking down a stern reprimand, Quistis drew and snapped her whip half an inch from the Estharian's groin. He blinked and followed the weapon as she sheathed it. Gulping, he turned his focus to the blonde-haired SeeD. Irvine disappeared into the bathroom.
"Miss Trepe. I've been sent by the President of Esthar to locate and retrieve you for protection purposes."
"Protection? What in Hyne. . ." Irvine re-emerged- fully clothed with his hair tied back. 'Dammit, he can do that quick. . .' Quistis silenced Irvine with a glance. The disgruntled cadet shrugged and leaned against the wall. Quistis crossed her legs and sat directly before the elder man.
"Why should I believe you? Galbadia garden has been threatened with many Estharian terrorist attacks and I myself was the object of an assassination attempt only a week ago-why should I trust anything that comes from your mouth?" She spoke simply. The gentleman smiled and nodded.
"This is all very true- I have no proof save my insignia ring and my very person. But- I think it quite safe to say that I am at a much higher risk in coming here than you are with me being present. I was once a military officer, but I am now one of his Presidency's aids, and he sent me personally because there are only a handful of elite personnel who know about your powers. And we wish to keep it this way." He paused to acknowledge Irvine. "We mean no harm to either of you, but I will grant that the approach we've taken clearly undermines the truce between our two countries. But, Miss Trepe. . ." He returned to her, his whole body exuding an aura of desperation. "The Galbadian government is contriving to realize their aspirations in the most hideous manner possible. You must believe me when I say that both your and Mr. Kinneas' lives are in grave peril."
Irvine snorted. Quistis frowned and crossed her arms across her chest.
"How are we in peril? And how do you know about my powers?"
"Miss Trepe, I do not know the details of President Deling's scheme, but I can tell you that word of your heroics reached us in Esthar and intrigued Doctor Odine, the famous sorceress researcher. He was able to trace the particular spells you used to those found in the blue magic repertory, and from this data he concluded that you were the present descendent of Diadem. He's been monitoring your magic activity since then, but was disturbed when your magic simply. . .stopped flowing. He announced that it was obviously one of his devices, and from this we realized that someone here in Galbadia must be aware of your gifts. This instigated your retrieval."
"Y'know- you're not a very good spy."Irvine interrupted pointedly. " I mean- you're offering up all this information and we're not even torturin' ya."
"I'm not a spy, Mr. Kinneas. And I am to do whatever is necessary to procure both your and Miss Trepe's cooperation. Save any information on Sorceress Adel, I am an open book to you."
"What would happen if I accompanied you? Would I be handed over to Odine? Would I be incarcerated?"
"Would she be sealed?" Irvine asked. Quistis hadn't even thought of that. The cadet continued. "It's true, isn't it? Esthar sealed Adel somehow. . .what would stop you from sealing Quistis?"
"Mr. Kinneas, we do not believe Miss Trepe to be the threat Sorceress Adel was. However, we know little about her powers. We offer this invitation to give her an opportunity to explore her abilities, under the supervision of a peaceful, understanding state. Esthar is impenetrable and, honestly, we do not wish to disturb or associate with any other nations. We have facilities and scientists that can help Miss Trepe without abusing her powers. The President fears that Galbadia might seek to control and manipulate your powers for evil. Essentially, this is our case. I apologize if I lack clarity. . ."
"I do understand." Quistis replied. "But, I want to know why and how Irvine is involved in this. . . project." Irvine turned his head to stare out the window. The Estharian sighed and shifted awkwardly in his seat.
"He. . .isn't involved in this. His is a. . . different matter."
"I want an answer." Quistis seethed. Her tone was low and strained.
"It don't matter, hun. . ." Irvine spoke to the window. She turned on him.
"Irvine! Don't you want to know why they're after you? Why they keep sending these assassins after you?" She entreated desperately. He shook his head.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I know." He snapped. She blinked. His face was full of sorrow and bitterness. Another side to the multi-faceted Irvine Kinneas. He never turned from the window. "And I don't wanna hear any more 'bout any of this." Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew his PHS and punched in a number. Quistis jumped from her perch and ran to his side. He held her at an arm's distance.
"Hey- yeah, it's me. Look- we gotta situation. . . huh? Yeah. . .No, we caught one. An important one. Uh huh. . .Naw- he's alive an' kickin'-he's a talker too. . .yeah, will do. Galbadia hotel. . .Trepe. No, I ain't doin' nothin' wrong. . .No- the double negative don't mean. . ah hell, We'll be here. Kinneas out." He threw his PHS back in his pocket. Quistis frowned.
"Who did you call?"
"Evana. She'll be here in about ten minutes with the bush airship ta take this aristocratic asshole back ta Garden, where we'll deal with'em properly. . ."
"Irvine- he's a politician, not a soldier. We can't deal with him the same way we would an assassin." Quistis gently reminded him, growing a little fearful. In most cases, Irvine would be the one to tell her to ease up on her jurisdictions. But he had a hunted look in his eye that made her shiver.
"I know, hun- but I'm just doin' my job. The authorities can properly deal with him."
"Mr. Kinneas- please reconsider. . ." The Estharian solicited earnestly. "You are in danger. You don't know the power you hold. . ."
"I know what it is, and you're not cuttin' me open fer it!" Irvine hollered. Quistis backed up and sat on the bed. She could see the metaphorical headlights reflected in his eyes. "You think I trust you, after all I've been through? Hell- I don't trust anybody with this. Not Esthar, not Galbadia, not Garden-not anybody! It's gonna die with me, and you remind your president of that the next time he sends one of your snipers after me."
"Mr. Kinneas, we don't mean to harm either of you. The assassination attempts have been unauthorized, vigilante attacks. The President wishes to protect you. But do you honestly believe that Galbadia is going to let you alone? They will never let you leave. . ."
"Are you sayin' your President has no ambitions whatsoever? Are you tellin' me that that greedy fucker Odine wouldn't finagle and wheedle his way inta my life? I don't trust any of ya, and I don't know how you managed ta find out 'bout this, but if your government lays another hand on me, I'm gonna blow my own fuckin' brains out. Then where will you be? eh? Where the hell does that leave ya?"
"Matron, Irvine."
Irvine suddenly ended his passionate tirade. He dropped his arms to his sides and stared at the ground.
"She told us."
"She wouldn't tell ya nothin' unless you hurt her. Where is she?" His voice was thin and strident and it seemed to take every ounce of his strength to form the words.
"She told us, before she was sealed. She wanted to make sure you were okay."
"No. . . ."
"She told the president to find you before it was too late. I don't know what too late is, son." The Estharian spoke to him patiently and delicately. Quistis watched in awe as Irvine's sniper persona began to break down.
'What the hell is going on?'
'iRvY iS pREcIoUs To hIs MaTRon. . . aNd hIs MamA'
'What does he have? What do they want from him?'
'IrVy iS PeRFecT. . .'
'Stop being so bloody cryptic- why are they hunting him?'
'hE reMeMBerS PeRFecT. . .'
Quistis ignored the voice in her head. It was such a ambiguous bitch sometimes. . .
"Mr. Kinneas. . ."
"Just shut up." With one swift motion, Irvine drew and cocked his Valiant. He aimed it at the Estharian's forehead. "I don't generally have a bad temper, but I'm real tired and I just wanted ta spend a nice night with my sweetheart and you have ruined that for me. Now, I'm gonna untie ya and walk ya outta here with this here gun in your back. Behave, and you won't even feel my breath on yer neck. If yer naughty, I'm gonna shoot you and dump ya in the back alley. I'm sure the cats are hungry. Ya got me, padre?"
The exotic Estharian's dark skin paled slightly, but he nodded submissively. Quistis took the initiative and unfastened the make-shift ropes.
They marched him through the halls, down the elevator and straight out the front door. The concierge had fallen asleep at her post and the restaurant was vacant save for a couple of rich lushes passed out on the grand piano. Not one person to hassle them.
"Mama Red's gonna meet us out in the main circle, near the
train station. . ." Irvine informed
Quistis as they casually strolled down the main boulevard. She remained silent until they saw the
compact airship land on the Deling asphalt.
Quistis took a few steps away from Irvine
in a lame attempt to de-emphasize the fact that they were now intimate. As the
propellers ground to a stop, the side hatch hissed and Evana's solid form was manifested.
She looked from Quistis to Irvine,
then back to Quistis. Shaking her head,
she jumped from her perch and approached the group.
"Well, well, well- what in Hyne's fucking name do we have here? Shit- this is no assassin. . ."
"You'd be totally right if he didn't try to kill us half an hour ago. . ." Irvine answered dryly. He pushed his prisoner forward so his commanding officer could get a good look. Not that Evana, being almost a foot shorter than the lanky Estharian, could see his face very well, but she studied his form carefully.
"It's one of 'President Esthar's' lackeys." Irvine spit out. " And you wouldn't believe the shit he knows. . .and I'm pretty sure that was just the tip-a-the iceberg."
"I'll bet." Evana stared at the Presidential aid, her face devoid of all emotion. She turned on Quistis.
"You all right, Trepe? Everything in working order? All yer prettiness is still intact?"
"Yes, ma'am." She answered staring at the ground.
'How do I hide this from Evana? I was practically molesting her surrogate son. . . .'
'ShE is nOT hIs MoTheR. . .'
'Fine. Whatever. She still takes care of him. . .'
'He'S a BiG boY- he tAkEs cArE oF HimSELf. . .'
"All right, then. Good work Trepe, Kinneas." She approached Quistis and grasped the younger instructor's shoulder. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Don't. . .worry 'bout writing this up, okay? I'll take care of everything so nothing is. . .questioned. No one has to know 'bout this save us, you got it? Shit, Quisty-girl. I know he's worth it, but be careful."
Quistis simply nodded, but she was ready to hug the life out of her mentor. Evana thumped her on the back, then turned back to the ship and whistled. Two cadets emerged from the hold, carrying handcuffs and firearms. Hunter and Astrid. Evana's protégés. Though they were both in cadet uniform, Hunter's hair was on end, and Astrid was still wearing a pair of pink hippopotamus slippers. Irvine chuckled and scratched his head.
"Pride 'n joy of Garden, eh?"
"You better shut up, Kinneas and take a look at yourself." Hunter glared- Evana had obviously roused him specifically for the mission. "I'm getting sick 'n tired of rescuing you in the middle of the night. This wouldn't happen if you broke your nasty habit of falling into strange broad's beds. . ."
"Hey hey- that 'strange broad' is Instructor Trepe, Hunter." Astrid hissed loudly. Quistis groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. Noticing her superior's reaction, the cadet squeaked and clamped her pixie hands over her bowtie mouth. Evana pointed to the Estharian.
" Sargent, Lorenz- cuff the bastard and toss'im in the hangar. Don't leave him unattended. I'll join you in a moment." Grumbling, the two cadets snapped the manacles shut and hauled the politician toward the ship.
"I know you remember everything I told you, Mr. Kinneas. Please, consider your situation wisely. ..Good night, Miss Trepe."
The tails of his robes disappeared into the ship. Shaking her head sadly, Evana grabbed the back of Irvine's head and shook him once.
"You okay, boy?"
He shrugged.
"I. . .dunno, mama. Honestly- I'm feeling a little paranoid now. Some of those things he said in there- to me, to Quisty. Everything. . .I'm kinda. . ."He paused and opened his stance dejectedly. "I'm scared. I don't know what's going on. I almost lost it in there. God- if Quisty had lost it, I woulda lost it and that would'a been the end of that. Damn."
"Quistis?"
"Evana, we're okay- just a little shaken. We've had a long, really emotional night and I think we both just need to get some sleep."
"Fine. Why don't you head back to the hotel for a couple hours of shut-eye. I can't get you in tonight without alerting the alarm, but you can get back in tomorrow morning and sleep in. If you need to talk, I'll be in my office most of the day, okay?" She looked at them both and, without another word, she climbed aboard the airship and took off.
"Bye." Irvine whispered. Quistis took his hand.
"Irvine. . ."
"Let's just go ta sleep, okay Quisty?"
"Of course."
They left Deling just before dawn- still exhausted and disoriented. Don Choco had waited for his friends all night and was more than happy to carry them back. Quistis sat backwards in front of Irvine with her head buried in his shoulder and her arms encircling his waist. He held her fiercely, even possessively. They stole inspired kisses and worshiped each other silently and furtively. The sun rose and dawn dusted the landscape in gold and peach splendor. Beads of dew glistened on the foliage like drops of topaz and quartz and wrens warbled from the majestic oaks in the coppice. Quistis' romantic metaphors sprung into her head and she accepted them lovingly. She was allowed.
She was in love.
They kissed goodbye at the gates, and clasped one another tightly- both were tentative about leaving the other to their memories. And both were afraid of being left with those memories. Irvine embraced her one last time.
"I'll come and find you. Whenever you need me- whenever you want me- I'll be there. I'll just know. . ."
"Then you know that you need no invitation. Any moment. . .don't push me away. I want to know everything. . ."
"I'll tell you everythin'. I promise. Now, go to bed. Get some rest." He stroked her unpinned hair- they'd never found her barrette. "I. . .'ll miss you." He kissed her swiftly-too swiftly- and ran up the stairs. He waved, but kept running. He had left her.
She found her way to room fifty-two. In that room. . .she cried.
She mourned herself and mourned the gaping hole in her chest.
She was in love. She wanted, lusted and needed.
She was a parasite- she was now dependent.
And she was happy.