Disclaimer: Final Fantasy and Devil's Cub do not belong to me. I lost them in a game of cards, I was having a bad week. Damn poker, knew I should have stuck to matchsticks but noooo….::rambling grows fainter::

Devil's Cub

Chapter 4

"Hey Quistis!" Saria waved a hand in front of her sister's face "You're even quieter than usual!" she tittered and Quistis cast an irritated look in her direction.

'She won't thank you.'

She shook her head and walked on. Saria paused to look at the interesting dress again. Without stopping to look Quistis caught her sister's arm and carried on walking. "Hey stop that!" cried Saria indignantly, jerking her arm back. "Someone's got issues." She added darkly.

A minute later after a period of silence Saria started back up in exclaiming her elation. "He's in love with me, I'm sure of it." Quistis tuned out of her sister's excited one-sided conversation. Only adding a few contributions where necessary. She was still deep in thought about her encounter with Seifer Almasy. She believed her suspicions to be correct. Seifer did not cherish any tender feelings towards her sister, he merely wanted the excitement of the chase but was prepared to fight. Saria would not be expected to put up any resistance and nor would their mother, it was up to Quistis. She knew perfectly well that they would suffer more than the Almasys if there were any controversy. The content of their 'chat' wasn't the only thing that troubled her. When Seifer had grabbed her wrist, she had expected to feel disgust but…she didn't. Quistis shook her head "Saria?" Her sister paused "Yes?" Quistis sighed "Are you sure you know what you are doing? You know I don't think it is wise."

Saria looked at her "If you weren't my sister I'd say you were unbecomingly stiff. Joshua'd still want to marry you!" she finished brightly. Quistis rose her eyebrow. Joshua was nice but she didn't love him. Plus he seemed to love her as a defiant act against his father.

The rest of the journey home continued uninterrupted.

Julia Caraway was sitting in the window seat gazing absent-mindedly at the street below. Beside her was her cousin-in-law Leonie Almasy, who was humming. Her Grace of Avon, or Leonie Almasy, still looked almost the same as the tomboy Darien Almasy had brought back from Esthar all those years ago. Her fiery auburn hair and deep green eyes still displaying all the sparkle that had attracted Darien Almasy in the first place. Nineteen years of marriage had given her dignity, when she felt like being dignified and much wisdom but no social eminence, weight of honours or motherly responsibility had put out the fire that was Leonie. Julia thought her a little too impulsive but she had to admit, it only added to Leonie charm.

But Julia was not in a mood for admiring anyone, life seemed to be throwing up unpaid bills and undutiful daughters. She was vaguely annoyed that Leonie, if she could only realise it, had a very unsatisfactory son but could look so carefree. And hum.

Julia stood up "I do not see why we slave to bring our offspring up only for them to turn out so troublesome!" she cried, picking up some embroidery and frowning at it.

"I don't think John would ever disgrace you, Julia." Soothed Leonie. John was Julia's first child, who was currently travelling on the continent of Centra, he was known to be a very upright and- some said- a bit pendantic.

"Oh I wasn't talking of John!" said Julia "Sons are different although I do not know how your hair is not white with worry with all the exploits Seifer that gets up to, young as he is!"

"I do not have trouble with Seifer," said Leonie flatly "I think him jano ysicehk (very amusing)."

" I take you have not heard his latest adventure? He bet young Crossly- a wild boy if I ever saw one- that he could drive from Winhill to Deling in under six hours! And he bet a thousand gil!"

"I do not think Seifer will break his neck, he is a very good driver. But of course, Julia, it does make one quite yhqeuic (anxious)." Said Leonie kindly. She then proceeded to not look very worried.

Julia chose to ignore this "And he insists on making wagers he will not win!"

Leonie looked indignant at this "He will not lose! And you think so I will lay you a wager he will win!"

Julia looked exasperated at this. "Leonie! I tell you Seifer is making himself he talk of the town, with his bets and robbers!"

Leonie looked fairly interested "Robbers? Please, tell!"

Julia sniffed "Even though I don't doubt it was in self defence, he shot a robber and left his body on the road!"

"I prefer plains swords, so does Suhceain, but Seifer, he likes his guns too."

Julia almost cried "Leonie! You are as terrible as Seifer! Its all very well for everyone to call him 'Devil's Cub' and say its all Darien but I think that he is very much like you!"

Leonie's face broke into a delighted smile"You really think so!"

Julia sank down into the window seat in resignation.

"My dear Julia." Came a soft voice. Julia jumped in shock "Darien! Don't do that!" she exclaimed in annoyance. Leonie jumped also but hers was not of shock, she bounded over to him "Suhceain!" she said joyfully. Darien Almasy smiled and bent down to kiss his unconventional wife. After his show of affection, she grinned happily at him and went back to sit next to Julia.

Darien Almasy, his Grace of Avon, turned his attention to his cousin. "Lamenting my son's wickedness again, I presume?" he spoke in his slightly rasping voice.

"Suhceain! Seifer has shot a robber!" interrupted Leonie before Julia could reply. Darien walked over to the fire and stretched. He had blonde hair, much like his son, which was only slightly whitening at the temples and dark brown eyes. His voice held a hint of his accustomed mockery "Very proper."

"He left the body in the road!"

"Untidy."

At this point Leonie decided to voice her view "What is wrong? There is nothing useful at all with a corpse." She spoke pragmatically.

"La! These callous notions of yours! All Seifer would say that he would not bring a corpse to the party!"

"I had no notion he was so sensitive." Said Darien drily "But come Julia, I don't think you came here only to mourn Seifer's sad character."

Julia sighed "My headstrong daughter had taken it into her head to take a fancy to a mere nobody and I am forced- yes, forced, to send her to Esthar until she is done with these foolish notions!"

Leonie shifted and moved closer "Rinoa is in love! Tell! Who is he?"

"Don't say the 'l' word in her hearing! I beseech you not to put such ideas into her head! I certainly did not marry the first man I took a fancy to! Its nothing but a crush-- but she is such a headstrong girl I fear she shall do something she will regret."

Darien was seated comfortably in a chair by the fire "And who," he inquired languidly "is the nobody she so inclined towards?"

"Oh, no-one of account, just some young man Lord Kramer is supporting."

"Is he nice?" asked Leonie innocently.

"Probably, but that's nothing. I have other plans for Rinoa." She carelessly swept a speck of dust off her sleeve. "You know," she began casually "How we have talked, you and I, and besides it being a charming match, it would fulfil a dear wish of mine. They also remarkably well suited and I have no doubt they would be engaged by now if had not Rinoa taken it into her head that she wants this nobody. And to her being a little cold to him, I sure it will make no difference as he probably deserves it."

She paused and shot a look at Darien. He looked unperturbed and a smile hovered around his lips and he watched his cousin with an air of cynical amusement. "I do not fully understand you, my dear," he said ironically "Pray, enlighten me."

Julia glared at him "You understand me perfectly well, Darien."

"I don't." said Leonie, exasperated. "Who deserves her being cold? Is it the poor nobody?"

Darien leant back "I apprehend, my love, that Julia is talking about you son."

Leonie looked confused for a moment "Seifer? But— " She stopped and looked at Julia "No." she said flatly. Darien rose an eyebrow.

"I do not want Seifer to marry Rinoa." Leonie finished.

Julia sat up erect in her chair "Please be so kind as to explain why." She said stiffly.

"Cunno!! Cunno!! (sorry) Was I rude Suhceain?"

"Very, but wonderfully frank."

Julia relaxed a little but demanded "I still await an explanation."

Leonie sighed "It would not work, it would not amuse him."

"Amuse him…!" Julia turned with pardonable annoyance to Darien "If that is all! Don't you remember the plans we made? Years back?"

"I never make plans." Came the short reply.

Leonie interrupted the angry reply Julia was about to make "It is true, it was Julia and I who planned, but they were babies! It is different now."

"How so?" questioned Julia.

"Seifer is not…" began Leonie "He is not respectable enough for Rinoa."

"What?" cried Julia "You expect him to come home with one of those women?"

From the doorway a cool, faintly insolent voice spoke "I see my good relation interests herself in my affairs." Seifer Almasy stepped into the room, there was a glint in his eyes but he bowed politely to Lady Caraway and walked towards his mother.

She flew out of the chair "Ah, my meddma uha (little one)! This makes me happy!"

He put his arms around her. The red light went out of his eyes and a softer look transformed his face. "My dear and only love, good morning." He said. He shot a glance of mockery at his aunt.

"My dear –and only- love." He repeated maliciously.

Leonie cackled "Really?"

She saw him smile at her, a true smile without mockery or bitterness, the smile he kept for his mother alone. "Oh quite." He said negligently. He turned to his father and gave him a short bow and their eyes met in understanding. Darien smiled and half-closed his eyes, watching the fire. Julia stood up and announced coldly that she was taking of leave of them.

Leonie glanced up and frowned slightly, she turned Seifer who seemed to be- if it were possible- lounging gracefully against the wall. "Seifer," she began in a coaxing voice. Her son narrowed his eyes in suspicion "Would you be so kind as to escort Lady Caraway to her transport?" Seifer grinned lazily "Of course, mother." He pushed himself from the wall and strode over to Lady Caraway "My Lady?" he inquired, holding out his arm.

She took it stiffly and together they exited the room.

Darien sighed and opened his eyes fully "Well, my love, you handled that subtly."

Her Grace the Duchess of Avon stuck her tongue out at her husband.

For a while Seifer and Lady Caraway continued in silence. Halfway down the stairs she abandoned her air of frosty dignity, she watched his silent profile and suddenly laughed. "I declare you're as disdainful as Darien! But you need not be so stiff, even if I do 'interest myself in your affairs'." She tapped his elbow with her hand. " You know, Seifer, I am fond of you. I have known you since the cradle, and your parents longer."

Her looked down at her enigmatically "I shall strive for your regard." He said solemnly, his green eyes dancing.

She hit him lightly "I'm sure you shall. But I had hoped you and Rinoa would make me happy."

"Console yourself with the reflection that I would be a devil of a husband."

Julia frowned a little "I do believe," she said slowly "You are right." She got into the car and Seifer watched as it drove away. He dismissed the image of blue eyes glaring at him. "A devil of husband." He murmured with half closed eyes. He smiled faintly, banished the memory and walked back inside.

Well, that's another chapter done faints from fatigue , I'm lazy. Oh well, I shall strive to get up the next chapter soon. However, the amount of striving-ness may depend on the number of reviews….looks cunning and cackles evilly….coughs I apologise if this chapter was a tad boring, but it was necessary… Action coming soon! However, the amount of action may depend on the- knocked unconscious by flying tomato