Chapter 8

Quistis began to stand hesitantly, then thinking better of it, sat down once more. She watched her sister uncertainly. She was sure Seifer had said something to Saria last night, and it wasn't just that her hair looked nice. Seifer had told Saria something important and Quistis just hoped it was marriage.

She sighed, but then Saria would have told everyone. Quistis dreaded that Seifer had invited Saria to run away with him and that Saria, stupidly thinking herself more than a match for the infamous Seifer Almasy, would consent to go. The difference between Quistis and her mother and sister was that they though Seifer was a foolish man in love, Quistis knew he was a clever man in love with the chase. She knew also that once Seifer had Saria, she would quickly lose the power to attach him.

Seifer, she knew, probably would leave Galbadia for a while until the scandal died down, and would think nothing of taking Saria with him. And ruining her and her whole family.

Saria sat across from her, humming and staring out the window. She seemed preoccupied and had an air of suppressed excitement about her. And considering Saria's meager powers of concealment, it was fairly simple to discern she was very happy.

Quistis had, for most of the morning, been trying to think of ways to find out what exactly Saria's plans were but so far, had had little success.

She stood up, Mrs Trepe looked up from her magazine inquiringly. "I'm going to see Xu." Quistis merely supplied. Mrs Trepe nodded and looked down once. Saria did not appear to notice that Quistis had said anything at all.

A few minutes later, Quistis walked out from the house. Taking a deep breath, she looked up at the sky. It was cloudy and a slight breeze rustled through the tree outside their house. Xu didn't live far away but it was a fair walk.

She set off, nodding to few acquaintances along the way, vaguely weary after spending the morning feeling like it was her responsibility to stop Seifer. She brushed her hair out of her face and paused just before the Deling Archway.

A figure was walking towards her with a languid stride. On catching sight of the distinctive grey trench coat, Quistis spun around and walked in the opposite direction.

The figure increased their pace and caught up with her easily. "Not pleased to see me?" a calm voice asked mockingly. Quistis slowed and turned to look into the green eyes of Seifer Almasy.

"How could you accuse me of such a thing?" she replied dryly and continued to walk briskly. Seifer laughed and kept in pace with her. "Where are you going?" asked Seifer pleasantly. Quistis gritted her teeth. "Its not right for a young lady to walk alone." He finished casually.

"Of course it appalls your acute sense of propriety."

"Of course." Replied Seifer with a twisted smile.

They continued walking in silence. Quistis's mind was in turmoil, the source of the problem was walking beside. And it was anger that was making her heart race, not him, she thought determinedly.

"What do you fight with?"

"I'm sorry?" asked Quistis confusedly.

"You said you don't fight with swords."

"I hardly think that's relevant."

"Just making conversation. Or don't you have a weapon?"

"A whip." Said Quistis curtly.

"Hm." Seifer spoke meaningfully. Quistis glared at him.

"So how are you?" asked Seifer lazily. Quistis looked up at him questioningly "Why would you care?" she said bitingly, staring straight ahead. Seifer narrowed his eyes "Good then."

Quistis said nothing and instead marched under a bridge. Seifer followed and caught her arm.

She turned to him with an angry expression "What? Just leave me alone!"

He shrugged and followed "I'm escorting you." Her angry expression faded, replaced by annoyance. She sighed.

"I hardly think your company will do my reputation any good."

"Touch" he answered and continued walking next to her.

I am well aware that this chapter is almost illegally short and crap but I'm not going to be able to update for a while as I'm moving residences. Not fun. Well, even though this chapter was, honestly, not very good (I was gonna delete it…), I still want people to review! Then I suppose I might write some more on a random piece of paper…Anyway please review and I hope I'll be back in the computer seat soon!