Chapter 7

Saria Trepe pouted and leant back in her chair, surveying the whole world with a dark glare. Vivi Matcham had had the kindness to inform her several times that Saria's favourite beau was not in attendence. Vivi, Saria, her sister and their cousin were at the theatre, in one of the side boxes. While everyone else was at least pretending to watch the play, Saria seemed to be looking anywhere but the play.

Quistis turned to her sister "He can hardly be expected to turn up after the events of last night!" she whispered. Saria made no reply but sighed heavily.

The tale had spread like wildfire. Everyone was whispering of the misdeeds of Devil's Cub. Rumour had rippled out and had reached the ears of the Trepe family. Joshua had also heard it too and had spent several minutes before the play proclaiming what he thought of the renowned Seifer Almasy.

Saria had told him sharply that he should not presume to judge one so far above himself. Then she had turned her back on him and proceeded to completely ignore him. By the time he came up with a suitable comeback, she was talking with great enthusiasm to Vivi Matchem.

Hence Quistis had to hear the rest of his opinion. He did not appear to notice her glazed eyes and the thought that she might not be giving him her full attention did not enter his mind at all.

Suddenly Quistis sat up and her expression changed from abject boredom to surprise. "Oh my…" she said in almost disbelief. "Yes, yes. I know, shocking isn't it?" continued Joshua unabated, seemingly unaware that her surprise was not because of his previous comment.

The focus of Quistis's attention was not on Joshua's scintillating conversation, it was that Seifer Almasy had just walked into the theatre.

He strode in nonchalantly, it appeared he was oblivious to the attention he was receiving. His gaze swept coolly over the people in the theatre. Quistis thought she saw a small smirk at the eyes glued on him but as quickly she dismissed it as he seemed totally expressionless the next moment.

Joshua broke off in his discourse to glance over at where Quistis was looking. "Oh Hyne! Its him!" he exclaimed in shock. Quistis rolled her eyes and fixed her attention on Seifer again, curious as to what he would do next.

"If he has the audacity to come up here, I shall give him a piece of my mind!" said Joshua wrathfully. Quistis sighed, as if he would, she thought tiredly. "That is as well, because I think he will."

Seifer, without warning, looked in their direction. His eyes locked with Quistis's cool gaze. She jumped slightly but quickly recovered her composure and met his arrogant stare levelly. Shameless. She thought drolly. As if reading her thoughts, he smirked, turned away and disappeared behind a curtain. Saria had, by this time, having discovered Seifer was nearby. She sat upright and her expression turned eager "Oh is he here? I knew he would come! But he is late." He shot a triumphant glance at the sour Vivi.

Joshua shot her a glare "I shall forbid you to speak to him!" He waited a few moments for a response but Saria had started ignoring him and she meant to continue. He sank back into his chair with a sullen expression.

Saria was half standing looking around the theatre trying to see Seifer. Quistis gave an exasperated sigh "At least pretend to play hard to get." She advised her sister caustically. Saria glared at her but sat down anyway.

All of a sudden a pair of gloved hands went over Saria's eyes and a voice whispered "Guess who?" Saria uttered a small shriek and pulled them off. "My Lord!" she turned to the relaxed Seifer with a pout. He smiled devilishly at Quistis, who was sitting with a blank expression, and kissed Saria's hand.

She tittered "Oh my Lord! After all the tales we have heard, it makes me half-afraid of you!" and flicked her hair.

"Afraid? Why?" inquired Seifer "You know I wouldn't hurt a thing half as pretty as you."

"What if I made you angry?" laughed Saria.

"Then I advise you do not. Make me happy by walking with me in the corridor. The curtain won't go up for a good five minutes."

"No," Saria paused "But this is the fifth act and I declare that if you only come to see the end of a play, it is a farce!"

"Then you had better tell me what it is about." Seifer replied pragmatically.

"You don't deserve I should!" scolded Saria, not having much more of an idea about what the play was about that him. "Although I shall walk with you, for few minutes." She stood up.

Joshua decided at this point to intercede by clearing his throat loudly, attracting Seifer's somewhat bored notice "You spoke, sir?" he questioned haughtily. Joshua stammered a few words and subsided into a mutinous silence.

Saria and Seifer turned to leave. Quistis shifted in her seat "Saria." She said unexpectantly. Saria and Seifer turned around. Saria looking rather annoyed and Seifer with his chin tilted surveyed her through narrowed eyes. "Yes?" inquired Saria impatiently. Seifer raised his eyebrow, knowing that Quistis knew full well what he was thinking.

Quistis held out her arm, an object in her hands "You forgot your shawl." She commented tonelessly. She handed it over, not without giving Saria a warning look. Saria took it silently, tossed her hair defiantly and walked out.

Seifer bowed mockingly and gave a smug smile to her sister and followed her. Vivi knotted her handkerchief violently. Joshua regained the art of coherent speech and was using it to full effect to continue complaining of Almasy's atrocious behavior. Quistis clenched a fist and gritted her teeth.

She would not lose to him.

Saria walked a few paces then stopped and stamped her foot "Argh!" she cried angrily. "They are so stuffy!" Seifer followed at a leisurely pace into the deserted corridor. "Even your sister?" he inquired.

"Especially her!" she frowned and turned to face him.

He laughed at that and then walked close to her, she caught her breath "And are you?" The look in his eyes made her pulse race and half frightened her, half excited her.

He moved his hand to hold up her chin so he could look at her. Her blue eyes were unresisting and she gazed at him. His hold tightened slightly.

She made a half-hearted attempt to get out of his embrace "Oh my Lord!" she said breathlessly. She put her hand on his shoulder, he was watching her again. "Will you come to me?" he whispered huskily.

This direct question flustered her, she stammered a few words "I don't know what you…" but he interrupted her "Everything of the most dishonorable, remember that, for I don't cheat, at love or cards."

She gazed at him in surprise. Seifer took advantage and kissed her swiftly.

After, she giggled. With no further doubts, Seifer laughed. Saria had the odd fancy, unusual in one so matter of fact, that little devils danced in his eyes.

"I see we understand each other," he said "Now listen to me, after last night I shall have to leave Deling."

Saria uttered a small cry of dismay "Oh no! My Lord!"

"But I won't leave you. Come with me! To Esthar."

Saria gasped "Esthar!" To her, the glamorous city spelt all the things she craved in life, fun, fine dresses and trinkets.

Seifer knew what she thinking "Anything you want." He grazed a gloved finger down the side of her face. She blushed. "I'll come." To her surprise he showed neither rapture nor relief.

"I shall send word to you, everything will be arranged." With the distant sound of the fifth act starting again, he looked up "You'd better go back in."

"Are you coming, my Lord?" Saria asked coyly.

"No, I have business to attend to." He kissed her hand and left.

Dude, short chapter OO. Anyway, I'm going on an expedition this weekend 30km in two days….(Help) Anyway, make me feel better (and able to write chapters) by reviewing! And at least Quistis and Seifer were at least in the same building!