Chapter 11 A Five Million Gil Mistake

Disclaimer: Really, nothing's mine.

Author's note: Heheh... really late I am.  The holidays are here (cheer) so enjoy!

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Quistis looked down at the rose.  "What does she mean?"

            Squall however, was thinking of something else.  "The Moon Waltz? Isn't that an item for tonight's auction?"

            "Oh... Riddel mentioned it a while ago," Quistis remembered.  They approached the glass case and Quistis caught her breath in awe.

            The object inside rested on a bed of crushed midnight velvet.  A delicate platinum necklace shaped in a swirly design, encrusted with diamonds, the thing itself would have been enough to make any woman swoon.  But the main thing was not the necklace itself, but the glittering sapphire the size of a large grape hanging off a curled tendril shaped like a teardrop. 

            "Dear God," Quistis breathed.  "Is this the Moon Waltz?"

            "Yes," Squall examined the place card.  "The minimum value set for the auction is 4 million Gil."

            "Four mil?!" Quistis felt quite faint.  Why do these people have so much money to spare? Four million could set her up for life in a nice cottage with a pretty garden and a little flock of goats for her to tend to! Make that a cottage with a swimming pool.

            "It's no wonder Riddel wants it," Squall said dryly.  "This would be a sensational way of announcing their marriage to the press." 

            "Transport Tycoon buys Waltz," Quistis mused faintly, The jewel winked and blinked from its bed, and Quistis couldn't take her eyes off it.  She tried to imagine Riddell wearing it and felt rather jealous.  Lucky girl, she thought.  She suspected Riddell intentionally wore very little jewels and a scooping neckline to flaunt the Moon Waltz later.

            There was a hush as the sound of a copper gong echoed around the room.  Quistis turned around and saw the butler standing by a pair of double doors which have swung open.  "Please, sirs and madams," the man intoned loftily.  "This-a-way."

            In contrast with the simple exhibition room, the banquet hall was lavishly decorated with large vases of orchids, Casablanca and glittering chandeliers.  The thick maroon carpet under her feet sank under her weight, and she felt like she was walking on air. 

            Squall guided her to a table in the very front, where Riddell and Dario had seated themselves.  Quistis smiled when Squall silently pulled out her chair for her.  "Thank you."

            "Charming," Riddell gushed.  "Dario, why didn't you pull out my chair for me?"

            "Darling, I was too lost in your eyes to pay any attention to your chair," He winked and she laughed.  "Flatterer."

            Quistis sat next to Squall and instantly realized that it was a bad seating arrangement.  She may have Squall on one side, but Dario was right next to her, and she didn't quite like the way he was smiling at her.  And she didn't like the way Riddell was smiling at Squall either.  Tearing her eyes away from her dinner companions, she received another jolt when her eyes locked with a pair of cold obsidian orbs – Edea.  The woman was seated near the side of the hall, but for some reason she could see her in pain view.  Feeling troubled, she reverted her attention to her plate and resolved to keep it there. 

            The appetizer was served promptly and Quistis forgot all about seating arrangements as she dined.  The mushroom and asparagus in apple mint sauce was heavenly, so was the roast duck in red wine.  But there was no way she could ignore Dario's leg, which banged into hers at frequent intervals. 

            As dinner was cleared, Quistis looked at Squall expectantly and was slightly surprised to see Riddell smiling suggestively at Squall.  Suggestive was rather blunt – as she conversed with the man, her hands kept straying to her chest, toying with the neckline.  Trying to ignore Riddell's obvious flirtation was easier than ignoring Dario's hand, which had suddenly landed on her thigh.  She looked at him and saw the same look that was in his wife's eyes –

            "May I please have your attention, Sirs and Madams?" The auctioneer was standing at the auction stand, a gravel in his hand.  An assistant was carrying a glass case covered in black cloth.  "The auction will begin shortly.  Now, the procedure is fairly simple.  Those who wish to bid will raise their hands in the customary bid signals, and may I remind you that bids cannot be withdrawn.  That is all, let us begin," He motioned his hand and the glass case was uncovered.  "The first item, a Faberge egg which was a favorite of the First Lady's.  The price will begin at 200,000 Gil.  Who will give me..."

            And so the auction progressed, with one item sold after the other.  Quistis sensed that most of the ladies were holding back, however.  Tension hung in the air like a taut string, and Quistis shifted nervously in her seat.

            "How long much longer is it going to be?" Riddell sighed and beamed at Squall.  "Did you see the Moon Waltz, Squall? Wouldn't it look fabulous on me?" She touched her chest again and Quistis stifled a snort.

            "You look fabulous in anything darling... and in nothing as well," Dario laughed as he affectionately kissed his wife's cheek.  But Quistis nearly jumped when his hand landed familiarly on her thigh.  Reflexively her hand shot out and gripped the nearest thing – which happened to be Squall's hand.  He looked querying at her and she looked at him with a pleading look, which went unnoticed by the other two occupants of the table.

            Squall was not blind.  But he wished he was, so he wouldn't have to entertain Riddell's lecherous attentions.  Twice he caught her hand drifting to his crotch, and he had gently moved her hand away.  Attention was the last thing he wanted right now.  He had managed to keep a dumb look up till now, until Quistis gripped his hand.  The pained look in her eyes was evidence that she was suffering the same torture, only she had no idea what to do.  Damn Dario! He cursed silently while smiling politely at Riddell.  Well, the two deserves each other. 

            He looked at Quistis again when she gripped him – harder.  Her eyes were reverted to the table, but he could see the panic in her eyes.

            "Quistis," He said slowly,  "There's a smudge of sauce on your dress.  Why don't you go to the washroom?"

            She looked at him and he could see the feelings reflected in her cerulean depths.  Bewilderment, confusion, and finally understanding.  She smiled demurely at him and reluctantly let his hand go.  "How careless of me," She murmured and pushed her chair back.  'Please excuse me for a moment," She smiled and got up.

            "Squall darling," Riddell said puzzled as she watched Quistis disappear out of the door.  "Who is Miss Trepe, really? I've never seen her around before, and with that kind of beauty, I doubt she would be able to stay incognito for long."

            "What kind of beauty, Riddell?" Squall asked casually as he sipped his wine.  Strangely, he was suddenly feeling light – it must be the wine.

            Riddell shrugged.  "I don't know... something ethereal... like a Goddess." She said, eyes lighting up.  "There.  In a dark room, she will shine."

            "Lovely poetry, darling," Dario grinned.

            Perhaps the beauty of the night can only shine in the light of day, Harle's voice echoed in his mind.  Perhaps that harlequin isn't as goofy as she looked.

            The gravel rapped again and Squall's attention was reverted to the stage.  A hideous-looking painting had just been sold for a quarter of a million.  He sensed the tension escalating suddenly, as if the climax had finally arrived.  A movement next to him indicated that Quistis had returned. 

            All the sudden, the lights in the banquet hall were extinguished, leaving only the dim tea lights in the center of each table.  The general murmur too was wiped out in the same instant, and for a moment Squall was confused. 

            Quistis looked around, her eyes getting used to the change in lighting.  Although the light was rather weak, she could see almost everyone in the room were staring at the stage in excitement, the light reflected in their eager eyes.  Before she could ask Squall what was happening, the silence was broken by a tinkle of bells.  Automatically she looked at the stage, and caught her breath.

            Harle the harlequin was moving slowly towards the front of the stage, still decked in her jester costume.  In front of her she carried a glass case, and a narrow beam of light from the ceiling illuminated the object in the case, casting the jester in an ethereal glow.

            "Ladies and gentlemen," The auctioneer's monotone was now grave, full of reverence and awe.  He knew what he was handling here.  "May I present to you, the acclaimed Moon Waltz.  Crafted in neo-Centran era, this masterpiece was a gift for the High Priestess of Hyne from the Centran Royalty.  It is said to have been inspired in the image of the Great Goddess Herself, but before the gift could be presented, the Centran rule was overthrown and much was lost.  The necklace resurfaced again in a Deling antique shop fifteen years later, but historians decided that the piece did not bear any ties whatsoever to the worship of Hyne, and has become a commercial piece.  A commercial piece with incredible value, even without the history," He gestured to the jewel.  "First grade diamonds set in adamantium and gilded with platinum which contributes to its bluish hue. The swirl shape is one of a kind, as adamantium is extremely hard to shape in this design.  Of course, the main attraction," He smiled slightly; "Is the Moon Sapphire – the flawless stone," He picked up his gravel.  "The minimum price is four million gil, and part of the proceedings will be given to the Galbadian Historical Society. You may begin now," He announced.

            Quistis silently gulped as the price jumped from four million to five – no thanks to Dario.  But the other occupants in the room seemed just as determined.  The price continued to climb, and she looked down at the plate.  There was no use saying she wasn't interested, but it just wasn't attainable.  She fiddled with the napkin and was startled when Dario's hand landed on her thigh again and began caressing her in an intimate manner.  She was thankful for the dim lighting which wouldn't show her embarrassment or anger. 

            Out of the corner of his eye, Squall noticed Quistis lifted her wineglass with a trembling hand and he guessed what was happening.  Anger sparked, and escalated when he felt Riddell's leg pressing against his as she looked adoringly at her husband.  Her husband my ass, he gritted.  They're fooling each other right under their noses!

            He looked at the stage again and for the first time, he noticed Harle.  The harlequin looked at him and he saw a smile curve her painted lips.  The jester looked at Quistis, then winked meaningfully at him.  The tinkle of bells from her coxcomb seemed to laugh at him, telling him something.  And Squall thinks he understands.

            "Third calling for six million," The auctioneer intoned.  The gravel lifted and Squall saw a look of triumph light up Riddell's face.  On an impulse, he held up his hand.  "Six and a half," he said carelessly. 

            The room suddenly came alive.  Whispers became murmurs and people began casting looks at their table.  And Dario was staring at him in disbelief.  "Six seven," he countered and Squall smiled slightly.  Quistis gripped his arm.  "Squall?" She whispered and he squeezed her hand back.  "Seven." he said evenly and the murmur became a roar.  He decided to throw a trump card before Dario raised the price even higher.  "I'm surprised you're spending so much for her, Dario."

            "My wife deserves the best." He snapped and with that, Squall leaned forward and smiled again, this time with an amused glint.  "Your wife wants me," he said in a low voice, but loud enough for Riddel to hear.  "If I were you I'd give a divorce."

            "You!" Riddel jumped to her feet in outrage, her face a livid mask of anger.  She furiously looked at Dario.  "I refuse to stay here a minute longer!" She turned and flounced away, Dario hurrying after her. 

            Squall looked at Harle, and the jester was giggling now.  She daintily stepped down from the stage and with mock solemnity, bowed down to Squall.  "I believe this is yours," She presented to the case to him with a flourish bow.  "Congratulations, Monsieur." She smiled and handed a rose yet again to him.  "Now the moon can shine," She said meaningfully and blew out the tealight on his table.  Before he could blink, she was gone.

            Quistis however totally missed out on this meaningful exchange.  Instead, her mind was whirring, torn between relief and inimicality.  Relief because she finally got Dario out of her skirt, and quite shocked that Squall had made such an impromptu decision.  "Seven million," She whispered in awe.  Seven million is an amount never heard of, and she felt quite dizzy.

            Her brief spell was shattered however, by the presence of another, who silently approached Squall with a smile like a sneer.  "Congratulations, Squall,"

            Quistis looked up and blanched when she saw Edea giving her a cold stare.  Squall regarded his ex-wife with some trepidation.  "Yes, Edea?"

            "Amazing that you would spend so much on something that nobody would wear," Edea said with malice.  "Or are you trying to provoke me?"

            Squall quirked an eyebrow.  "Assuming things? I bought this for my future wife," he said evenly and was pleased to see a flicker of surprise in her eyes.  "So soon?" She said half in awe and quickly caught herself.  "I mean, she must be an expensive bitch," She corrected with a smirk and Squall tensed in anger when her eyes drifted to Quistis.  The later caught her words and stood up with an outraged look.  "Miss Kramer, I believe it's time to part." She said icily, but not before Edea could get a last word.  "How thoughtful," Edea said, her eyes glinting.  "Take some advice from one who has experienced it – you won't want to marry an iceberg."

            It took all his self-control not to slap her then and there.  "Let's go," he said through clenched teeth and took Quistis' hand.  "The party is over."

            In the corner of the room, a pair of eyes watched with interest, and chuckled to herself.  This is interesting...