Author's Note:
How doth the little chocobo improve each shining feather? And for a moment contemplate the Calm Lands's peaceful weather? ... Yes, actually, I am on crack. And that is why I do not own Final Fantasy or any of its characters.
Chapter Four: Curiouser and Curiouser
Quistis's hotel room closet was now bursting at the seams with new outfits. But just as her closest was swimming with clothes, her head was swimming with questions... which made it impossible to sleep.
What happened to him? He's changed so much... It's almost like he's a completely different person. I... want to ask him so many things.
She shook her head.
Why should I even care?! After all, he almost killed my friends! ...And me!... Then again, he was under Ultimecia's control... Like Matron...
She rolled over onto her other side.
He looked so scared... Something must have happened to him... Maybe I'll... No, no, no! Quistis! This is supposed to be a vacation! You don't try to piece together ex-sorceress knights' pasts while on vacation! You're supposed to go club hopping and go to the spa and... all those other things I hate to do...
Quistis groaned.
After what seemed like an eternity of arguing with herself, she began to drift to sleep. Just before she did, she made up her mind.
I'll go see him again.
-The Next Day...-
"I'm soOOOoo bored!" Selphie whined as she sat in Irvine's lap.
"Me tooOOooo..." Zell echoed. "I wish there was something to do."
It's the same thing every few minutes! Irvine thought. Now that Quistis isn't around, it's like these two can't come up with anything on their own... They're driving me insane...
"I MISS QUISTIS!!!" Irvine cried.
"WE DO, TOO!!!" Cried a suddenly-gathering mob of Trepies.
"...That's... just... freaky..." Zell said.
"....Yikes..." Agreed Selphie.
"Damn... I wish I had a following that huge..." Breathed Irvine.
"WHAT?!?!" Selphie screeched.
"Uh...heh...heh... I m-meant... It's a good thing I have you, darlin'! I don't know what I'd do without you!"
"Awww... Irvy..." She immediately glomped the cowboy.
"...Be still my stomach..." Zell groaned.
-Meanwhile...-
What's wrong with me... It feels like my stomach's in knots. Quistis walked almost cautiously towards Designique. Before long, she had reached the front walk. She stared at the doors. ...Should...I...? I should... No, no... Why am I even here? I... This isn't like me at all! It's just... I can't think of anything better to do... Yeah, that's it... That and my analytical brain... I could go pick up a newspaper and find something else to do... But... Then again... I want to know... Ugh... There must be something wrong with me...
"Something wrong?"
Qustis's head whipped to the right. "Oh, Seif-"
Seifer immediately covered Quistis's mouth. His eyes were slightly wide. He released his hand slowly.
"I mean... Alexander..." She said sheepishly.
"Did you forget to buy something yesterday?" He asked with a surprised look on his face.
"Oh... no... I... uh..." Quistis began. She cursed herself inwardly for sounding so flustered. "Actually," She continued after quickly collecting her thoughts. "I was looking for you."
Seifer raised an eyebrow. "...You were?..."
Quistis nodded. "I... wanted to invite you to have lunch with me." She continued. "Uh, to thank you for your help yesterday."
One of Seifer's infamous smirks began to spread across his face. "Well, this is a first. None of the other people I've assisted have invited me to lunch. I'm honored, Instructor."
Quistis frowned. "It's 'Quistis'..."
"Aww, but 'Instructor' just rolls of the tongue so nicely."
"So does a certain other name, Sssss..."
"Okay! Okay... Quistis....ssssss..."
Quistis narrowed her eyes. What the hell was I thinking...
"Aww, c'mon, Quis. You don't have to be upset. It's my day off anyway. I'll go to lunch with you." He locked his arm with hers and began to lead her down the street. Quistis immediately released her arm.
"I'm perfectly capable of walking on my own," she hissed.
"Tch, sorry." Seifer replied sarcastically.
The two walked in silence for most of the way. Before long, Quistis could see a brick building up ahead. She could smell the aroma of tomatoes, basil, and garlic dancing in the air.
"The only reason we're going here," Seifer began, motioning to the source of the wonderful smell, "is because it's the only decent place to eat around here. So... don't read too much into it... okay?"
Quistis raised an eyebrow. "Uh... okay..."
The closer they came to the restaurant, the more cautious Seifer became. Okay... So far so good... We've made it this far, now if we can get through the door without-
"Alexander! It's my dear Alexander!" A rather stout, older woman ran up to the tall blonde and nearly glomped the life out of him. She released him and then shook a finger at him. "I hardly see you anymore. And just look at you! Skin and bones! You need more meat!" Quistis giggled, catching the woman's attention. "And who is this beautiful young lady?"
"I'm Quistis," she said smiling.
"She's just a friend." Seifer added quickly. Quistis noticed a hint of a blush rising to his cheeks.
"Tch, sure, sure," She replied with a wink. "Well, I'm Mama Capricci. Just call me 'Mama'. Let me show you two 'friends' to your seats."
-Meanwhile...-
"I spy with my little eye... something... brown!" Selphie shrieked happily.
"Irvine..." Zell replied in a monotone voice.
"Hun, it'd help if you picked something different each turn." Irvine added.
"I know... but I have a hard time deciding..." Selphie explained.
"I'm so bored that not even a hot dog would cheer me up." Zell whined.
"Hey! Let's go visit Squally!" Selphie exclaimed as she jumped up and down.
"EW! NO! I don't wanna get chicken pox all over me!" Zell replied.
"...Zell... You're an idiot..." Said Irvine as he pulled his hat over his head. "I'm embarrassed for you..."
"WHAT?!"
"We've already had the chicken pox. We won't catch it again."
"Well!... I... knew that..."
"C'mon!" Selphie cried as she locked her arms with theirs. "To Squally's room we go!"
