~*~ When Did This Happen? ~*~

:: Seiftis. Squffie hints. (Quistis x Seifer, Squall x Selphie hints) ::

Chapter Six: And So the Silence Grows

Note: I usually go into detail with things, but I'm in university now, I have a midterms and essays staring me in the face. This is a quick and casual read. We think. Reviews are more than a little appreciated.

~Silverium~

Disclaimer: Squaresoft. Not Silver.

The night of the party was a massive success. Dressed as a French Maid, Selphie toured around with drinks and treats, chirping and scurrying to each cluster of people and demanding to know if they were having fun. Satisfied with her results the girl took a break and plopped down on the couch next to Squall who was sitting stiff as a statue.

"Squally!" She grinned,

Squall just looked at her. He had the face of a caged animal which had the brunette laughing. Taking his hands she pulled him up and then towed him to the middle of the floor. Panic settled in his stormy eyes. He remembered this situation. This is what Rinoa had done. Trying to resist was hopeless, because Selphie announced in a high-pitched squeak that they were going to have a dance.

"Squall, you'd be really good at the robot," She laughed, imitating his stiff-bodied pose and letting her arm sway as if on a hinge, "Lighten up, come on, I won't make you do a waltz,"

Squall nodded uncertainly and when the lights dimmed and music rose up he felt slightly better. Darkness was his eternal friend. The seniors of Balamb crushed around him and the leader realized no one was looking at him, only Selphie with her emerald eyes, pools of black in the anti-light. Her heart-shaped mouth was quirked up and he became aware that he was dancing. Loosely. Of free will. Shock spread over his features and he saw Selphie laughing, he couldn't hear her for the music was too loud but an uncertain smile flashed momentarily over his face before it faded and the panic resumed. Giggling, Selphie moved closer and wrapped her arms around him, swaying to the beat.

Managing to tear his eyes off her he saw his reflection in a raised wineglass. There he was, catching the beat, moving to it, his leather attire melting against the darkness around him but the gleam of his silver accessories caught every stray light in the room. He should dance more often, he looked good. Selphie seemed to agree.

A new smile came out, this one more confident. Taking a dare he took one of Selphie's hands and twirled her. A brilliant grin was on her face and the two livened up their dance, making it more intricate. Unbeknownst to him Quistis had caught the two and a small smile was hovering over her face. She poked Zell and pointed, and the two snickered quietly.

"Our fearless leader has decided to get his groove on!" Quistis yelled in Zell's ear,

"I know! Figures Selphie would be the one to thaw him out!" Zell shouted back,

Quistis laughed but then stopped short. Thaw. Selphie could melt Squall, but who could melt the Ice Queen herself? Quistis frowned and felt an emptiness grow inside her. She looked at the throbbing bodies and then found her eyes attached to Seifer as he came closer.

"Lose it, Chicken Wuss, I want to dance with Blondie," Seifer said, a wink in Quistis' direction and a glare in Zell's,

"Hey!" Zell growled but it was too late, Seifer had spun Quistis away.

Shooting him a sympathetic look before allowing Seifer to pull her into the crowd, Quistis blushed pink which his arms coiled around her waist. The dance was long and by the end they were all tired. Selphie turned on the lights and offered more drinks and the party subsided into individual conversations between small groups. Lounging on the couch beside Squall, who had stretched his arms to either side and thrown his head back, Selphie waved Quistis and Seifer over. Irvine was already beside them, though his attention was on the raven-haired beauty he had just met, and Zell was eating. As usual.

"So, what did you guys think? Not too bad, not too bad?" Selphie asked breathlessly,

"It was good," Quistis said dryly, the calm instructor coming out in habit,

"Lighten up Trepe, you had fun," Seifer pressed,

"Yeah, I saw you Quisty, lookin' good on the dance floor,"  Selphie did a little dance from where she sat,

"Hey! No picking on me, fiends," Quistis simpered, "Don't forget someone else who made a debut on the dance floor,"

"Ooh yeah! You were hot tonight Squally," Selphie poked him in the ribs.

The grey eyes caught those of the group as Squall's head raised and he stared at them blankly. Blinking and then dropping back to look at the ceiling his shoulders made a small shrug,

"Hn."

"We always did have trouble making little Squally-boy be quiet, he was such a little chatterbox…" Seifer murmured and rolled his eyes at the death glare he received.

At 4:30am every dispersed and the friends were left, minus Irvine, with a giant mess to take care of. Irvine and Seifer took down the decorations while Squall put the glasses and plates away, wiping down the tables. Selphie was sweeping glitter off the floor and Quistis was packing away the decorations that the two gents were throwing down to her. Zell was making sure no food was left uneaten.

"Whew! Quisty, you know where these go, right?" Selphie asked, looking at the boxes of garlands and other things,

"Yeah," Quistis bent down and picked one up,

"I'll help." Seifer offered, taking the other.

The blonde woman shot him a grateful look and began to thread her way through the door,

"Don't forget to separate them and put them back in the individual boxes!" Selphie cried, "I organized them last month!"

"Right!" Seifer called as he kicked the doors open and allowed Quistis the first exit.

"The food is gone! And so am I, night!" Zell darted out before Selphie could assign him a new job.

Making a 'tsk' sound and shaking her head Selphie helped Squall throw out the used cups and such.

"Tonight was so much fun! Thank you for helping me Squall, oh! We should do this more often! All the lights and everything, wow, it was great! And you danced with me! That was awesome! Aw, I'm never gonna forget this ever, ever, EVER! I had so much fun, and everyone was having this great time and I love seeing people smile so much! Even Quistis had fun and you know how she is at parties, she never knows what to do but Seifer's kind of loosened her up, don't you think? I do. Honestly! Hey, pass that plate, thanks, oh, wow, tonight was so wonderful. It was all magical and sparkly and…yeah." Selphie sighed, "I hate it when these are over though…"

Squall looked up. He hadn't been paying much attention to her but her last note sounded sad. She was looking around, a dirty paper plate held loosely in her hand and her emerald eyes staring miserably at the empty room. He was surprised by the complete transformation of her.