Chapter Seven:

"I don't understand what made that so difficult," I half mumbled from my bed, face buried in pillow. It was late evening, and the negotiations had finally come to be settled. The Galbadian troops would back out of the city, so long as during times of emergencies they were allowed free lodging and meals, also, the townsfolk would provide the necessary weaponry when requested. The treaty was drawn up with my own hand stating that should any violence toward either side by either mentioned party the treaty would be nullified and SeeD would intervene, assisting only the party which had been the one two uphold its end of the bargain. I could hear Professor Dincht changing by the bed next to me.

"It's taken over two years to get any of these people to sit side by side and speak like civil adults. Today was a miracle. It's not so much the negotiations that are the challenge you see." I nodded, my eyes half closed. There was a knock on the door and Professor Dincht moved quickly, answering it. After a moment the door closed again and I felt something light on my head.

"A letter." I reached up, hardly moving and grabbed it. Rolling over I smiled when I saw the penmanship.

"Adora!"

Nevar!

By Hynes name its boring here.  We just arrived in the hotel room and I already feel like this mission is gonna be a dead beat. Something else tells me having Professor Kinneas around isn't going to help situations much but, I'll find a way to make it fun! You know, get drunk, meet a cute guy….send Professor Kinneas on some kind of wild goose chase for something that isn't even in town…OH! I know, I'll send him to look for a bookstore that is only in Timber!

Do you think that's too mean?

I figure you got to hear about what happened from Professor Dincht…don't be too mad! At least I don't have to do any homework for this. Hey…speaking of Professor Dincht, you two sure have been hanging out a lot, especially since last years SeeD ball, y'know, the one you helped cater? Is there something going on between you two? He is cute you know! If there isn't anything going on, I think once you become a SeeD (which you will) you should go for it! You guys would make a really cute couple!

Ok, I'll stop talking about that, cause knowing you, you'll kill me when I get back. Anyways, I know this letter is pretty short but, I promised Professor Almasy a letter too, and Professor Kinneas is starting to snoop through my stuff.

I promise I will write a letter to you every day Nevar! I miss you! I hope to come back soon! Don't get into too much trouble without me!

Adora

I laughed, a slight blush on my face from reading about the part concerning Professor Dincht. There was no way I could be interested in a guy like him! He was more like a brother. The thought made me chuckle. Professor Dincht gave me a funny look and plopped down onto his bed.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing really, she's just griping about how boring it is there." He laughed, laying back with a sigh. We would go home tomorrow, I would get another letter upon my arrival. Hopefully her next letter would contain good news, such as a completion of her mission. Of course, I couldn't totally expect that, even the SeeD's had trouble tracking those guys down. I rolled over, and stared over at Professor Dincht, wanting to do something. Y'know, he really was very cute. What with his super spiked blonde hair, the perfect physique of a martial artist, and his adorable white boxers with the little red hearts on them. It was almost laughable. I threw one pillow at him and watched him groan, irritated as it bounced off the side of his head.

"I'm bored Professor." He groaned, pulling the pillow into his body.

"So go do something." I glared at him.

"You go with me."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Please?"

"Fuck ooooffff"

"Professorrrrr…c'mon!"

"NO!" I felt a pillow smack into my face and I growled.

"Oh its on now!" I dove from my bed and onto him, beginning to tickle his sides frantically. He writhed under me, yelling for me to get off.

After about ten minutes he managed to pin me and I lay there breathing heavily. It wasn't easy to keep him busy for that long, seeing as he was far more talented then I was. I was proud though, even he was sweating. Half glaring, and half laughing, Professor Dincht leaned over me, his legs pinning mine down. His face inches from mine he laughed.

"You lose." I could feel the heat rising in my face. Though whether from embarrassment or irritation stood to question. I struggled a little more to get out of his grasp, and when I raised my head to twist my shoulders, my lips accidentally brushed his. Wide eyed I tried to sink into the bed.

"I'm sorry Professor!" Unable to hide my face I looked away from him, out the window and tried to tame the red I could feel rising in my cheeks. He didn't move, or speak, he just sat there and slowly, began to laugh. He released me from his grasp and lay on the bed next to me, poking my side to get my attention.

"Nevar?" I sat up, and looked curiously at him with an uneasy gaze.

"Yes Professor?" He patted the side of my face and rolled onto his back.

"It's ok." The smug smile on his face only made my blush deepen and I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly.

"I'm uh…gonna go pick up something to eat…you want anything?"

"A couple hot dogs?"

"Hot dogs it is, see ya!" I bolted from the bed, grabbed my purse and quickly ran outside.

Could that count as my first kiss? No way, it was only a brush, and a total accident at that. Stuff happens. I smiled slightly, his lips tasted like strawberries and sugar. I verbally yelped slightly and shook my head frantically, no no no no no no no no no no no I did not think of him that way! I wouldn't think of him that way! I knew I was getting strange looks from people as I walked the streets to the small market but I didn't pay any attention. I had to change my train of thought.

I wonder what Adora was doing right now. Ha, probably getting drunk knowing her. I had never approved of the actions she frequently chose, but, it was her life, so long as no harm came to her, I wouldn't get in the way. As soon as I saw something significantly changing her, for the worse, I would do something about it, whether or not she appreciated, or liked me for it. After all, part of being friends is looking out for each other and protecting each other, even from ourselves.

My hands danced over the meats and finally I lifted a package of hot dogs and tossed them into the small hand basket. I made my way to the bread isle, grabbed some buns, went and paid for the food and then headed back to the hotel.

The next morning I found myself having slept in, Professor Dincht chuckled as he pushed me, waking me up.

"What time is it?" I yawned out the words lazily.

"12:45. You must have been tired." Sitting up, I accepted the bagel he handed me and took a bite, savoring the face that he had remembered the veggie spread that I loved so much.

"When do we leave?"

"About 3:00, we've got plenty of time." I nodded and stretched. Why in Hyne's name did he decide to wake me up then? Meh, whatever, I was certain we could find something to do until it was time to go. Upon finishing my bagel I looked at him questioningly.

"Why did you wake me up?" He flashed his cheesy grin and pulled two tickets to the theater out of his pocket.

"A new movie came out, and it looked like something you would enjoy. A reward for getting everyone to calm down at the negotiations the past couple days." I smiled and hugged him. Jumping out of bed I rushed to change. I loved going to the movies. In the bathroom, behind the closed door I rubbed the back of my neck with a chuckle. No one could tease me for going to the movie with a professor after a negotiation mission. So it was perfectly safe…right? Looking myself in the mirror I balked. There was no way I could go to the movies looking like I did.

Eventually I emerged from the bathroom. A tight black kimono top with red trim, went well with the flare leg black pants I wore. Silver chains draped in three layers from my left hip, a soft clanking noise sounding with each step. I wore brown eye shadow, hinted red, and there was a soft tint of grey lip gloss evident on my lips. I bent over, adjusting the laces on my boots. I heard a gentle ahem and looked up to see Professor Dincht with an eyebrow raised.

"I've never seen you dressed up before. Not bad." I stuck my tongue out at him and pulled my hair up into a tight ponytail, exposing the large hoop earrings that dangled from my ear lobes.

Even if I did dress up on a regular basis, it wasn't like anyone would notice anyways. Especially not anyone I wanted to have notice. We packed our bags to get ready and then headed over to the movies…