Devil's Cub
Chapter Three
Quistis was sitting by the window looking out on the street, idly watching the people go by. Her mother and sister were arguing in the background about some matter or another. Finally Saria picked up a cushion and then sighed dramatically "Let us go for a walk!" Quistis was vaguely surprised, she had never thought her sister liked walking, when it wasn't shopping.
Mrs Trepe leant back in her chair "Quistis, you like walking, go with your sister." She said wearily, closing her eyes and fanning herself. Quistis got up without comment and nodded shortly. Saria smiled brightly, throwing down the cushion carelessly "Good, now shall we go to the Botanical Gardens? I'm sure Vivi will be there and I should so like to see her!" Quistis looked at her suspiciously "Yes but-"
"Good!" Saria cried. Her elder sister blinked "Right then."
A few minutes later, after Saria had changed into a new dress avoiding Quistis's questions, they were outside. Saria was humming some faint tune and Quistis was silent. "You know," spoke Saria conversationally "If you wore something else apart from that peach outfit you'd look okay." Quistis looked at her amused "I am perfectly fine in this- peach outfit- thank you." Saria threw up her hands "Just saying!" She then found interest in the form of a dress in a nearby window. "Not now Saria! Anyway I thought you wanted to meet Vivi?" Quistis said almost pleadingly. Once Saria got started shopping she found it hard to stop. Saria tore her eyes away from the dress and caught sight of a nearby clock.
"Quistis! We must walk faster! We may miss hi- Vivi!" she exclaimed and proceeded to hurry down the street. Quistis rose a sceptical eyebrow and increased her pace in order to catch up with her flustered sister.
The Botanical Gardens had a few people walking around it, admiring the various flowers and trees. It wasn't busy and Quistis thought it a strange meeting place for Vivi and Saria, neither of them were much interested in flowers. Saria walked in with Quistis in tow. Saria looked around impatiently, her eyes skimming over the crowds but her troubled brow cleared once she caught sight of a person. Quistis, who was gazing around with interest, watched with surprise as her sister took off once more. "What's wrong with you today Saria!" she sighed bemusedly, sweeping a stray piece of hair from her face.
Upon reaching her sister Quistis met the reason for her sisters strange behavior. The six-foot tall grey trenchcoat-wearing reason. Saria blushed becomingly when he turned round and saw her "My Lord! I did not think to meet you here!" Seifer rose an eyebrow "Well then," he said gently moving over to them. "You must have a very short memory." He tapped underneath her chin with a gloved finger. Quistis decided that whatever else Seifer Almasy was guilty of, he was not guilty of duplicity. Saria giggled "Oh my Lord! Oh, and this is my sister Miss Quistis Trepe." She added on quickly.
Quistis felt fairly annoyed at her sister for dragging her here to be an extra wheel. She was still engaged in watching her sister wrathfully when Seifer turned his gaze on her. When she realised, she flushed but met his look coolly "Honoured, my Lord." And gave a small curtsey. He raised an eyebrow again but bowed. "A pleasure."
Saria found the tense atmosphere to her dislike and evidently thought enough time had been wasted on her sister and took Seifer's arm. "Come now! There is a new flower I would very much like to see over there." Quistis soon discovered that she had been brought to fulfil the role of chaperone and so was walking behind her two companions. The flower that Saria had found so interesting was soon forgotten She rolled her eyes tiredly on seeing Saria bat her eyelids at her tall companion. She caught sight of Vivi Matchem walking by.
"There's Vivi Matchem." She commented casually. Saria turned around and looked "Vivi!" she called and skipped over to her. Quistis congratulated herself as a flash of annoyance appeared in Seifer's green eyes. He caught sight of her and she contrived to look innocent.
As Saria skipped joyfully forward, Quistis allowed herself a small smile of satisfaction, she would stop Seifer Almasy yet. She made a move to follow but was prevented by long fingers closing on her wrist.
Quistis spun round indignantly and faced Seifer who watched her in a curiously detached fashion. "Stop it." He commanded quietly, his eyes never leaving her face and still holding her wrist. Quistis narrowed her eyes and tried to tug her wrist from his grip. Sparing a quick glance for her sister, she saw Saria was still deep in conversation with Vivi. Seifer followed her look, seeing the concealed concern on her face. She hissed in shock as he tightened his light clasp. "My Lord-" she started. He ignored her and continued "I know what you're doing and caution you to stop, or you will come off the worse for it."
"Are you threatening me, my lord?" she tried to speak coolly but anger seeped into her words. He smirked "A friendly warning, so to speak." Quistis couldn't think of any words, she stood glaring at him. "You bastard." She spoke feeling surprised at how her voice came out steadily. His eyes widened in astonishment, but he quickly recovered. "I advise you," he spoke coldly, looking down at her his eyes burning with verdant fire and letting go of her wrist "Not to cross to cross swords with me, as I am much more experienced duelist."
Quistis turned away "I don't fight with swords." She stood looking at the flowers, her form stiff with anger. Seifer watched her for a moment "She wouldn't thank you, you know." He said softly before turning to walk away. "My Lord!" came the lightly teasing voice of Saria "I thought you had forgotten me!" she said with a pout. Seifer smirked and strode up to the giggling Saria and the envious Vivi. He didn't see Quistis's gaze on his retreating back.
~*~
"My Lord Seifer Almasy." Came the grave announcement. Lord Irvine Kinneas gave a start and sat up from his leisurely slouch on the chair and placed the gun he had been cleaning on the table in front of him. "Come in." he drawled. The blond man walked in casually and placed a few envelopes on the desk. "They're for you." He said carelessly and sat down on the chair opposite. Irvine had picked up the envelopes with a muttered curse but on registering the way Seifer's eyes were slightly unsettled, put them down and fixed his friend with a shrewd eye. "Someone's pissed you off."
On hearing Irvine, Seifer's expression cleared. "That'll be the day." He said humorously. "So what are they?" waving a gloved hand in the direction of the envelopes. "Probably some people wanting money." Irvine grumbled slitting them open with a gleaming paper knife. Seifer chuckled.
"Whiskey?" questioned Irvine perusing his received mail. "Yeah." The brunette tossed the mail aside and stood. He poured a glass for himself and Seifer, handing the gunblader a glass, he proceeded to take a sip. "Good year this one. Forget where I got it though…" Irvine said frowningly.
Seifer looked at him with a sardonic smile "Me." Irvine smiled and outspread his arms "That's where! Whatever else is wrong with you. You still have a great taste in this area." Seifer yawned elegantly but rose his eyebrow at the last remark "Whatever else?" Irvine sat down and placed his boots on the desk "I guess you know you're called Devil's Cub?" From the expression on Seifer's face, a predatory grin, Irvine deduced he was. "Worse than your father." Sighed Irvine. The exploits of Seifer's father had been known all over town years before, he had been known as 'Satanas'. But he had calmed down once he met his wife, Leonie, she was originally from Esthar.
"I don't care what people think of me." Came the reply. Irvine nodded and took up his mail again with a sigh. "Bills, bills, bill…. Not him again! Damn that man! You know I got a revolver from this man, but it was such poor quality he should have paid me to take it off his hands! Now he wants me to pay!" he snorted and tossed it into the fire.
Seifer watched with grin. "Short again Irvine?" Irvine gave a lopsided smile "All I try to do is live comfortably and then the next thing I know, poof! There goes my allowance."
They sat in a companionable silence for the next few minutes, both men contemplating different things. "Heard you beat your father's record. I should congratulate you. And thank you, I had a wager on you would." Said Irvine, looking pleased.
Seifer inclined in head with a mocking smile. "Glad to be of service."
"Which club are you going to tonight?"
"Drake's."
"I agree, White is getting too popular with bishops…And Almacks wasn't too pleased with your shooting that candle flame, famous shot though."
"I was drunk at the time."
"Oh yes…"
"How is it with you and that woman?"
"Fellisa? Oh finished with her a while ago. Too clingy."
"Congratulations."
Irvine laughed and shook his head "Indeed." Seifer stood up a stretched languidly "See you tonight." Irvine looked up and waved.
~*~
I'm sure these chapters are getting shorter…Anyway don't own FF8 or Devil's Cub etc etc
Oh and review!