Chapter Four: Dinner and a Meeting
Seifer straightened the tie around his neck, making sure he looked decent for his re-appearance into the world. Looking around at the features of his formerly untouched bedroom, he slowly collected old memories from the past. The neat little stacks of magazines on his desk…a flat screen computer beside it. His closet, neatly clean, with his infamous trench coat inside, and finally, his side table, where he kept a picture of Emma and himself on it, at her SeeD inauguration.
"Are you sure you want to do this? What if you get caught?" Morus asked Emma before she stepped out of the car.
"…I'm positive. Thanks for being my chauffeur…" She gave him a hug and stepped out. "I'm a spy remember? I know when I'm in danger."
A purple sky shot with orange, in the west. Drifting strains of classic music could be heard in a distant from where the garden was located by Dollet. Seifer hated it almost instantly. Dashing in his black-tie tuxedo, right down to his shiny black suede shoes. Seifer stepped in and his breath was taken away by the splendor spread out before him. Overhead was the enormous glass dome, with a crystal chandelier at its center. Sweeping down six stories was the staircase, with new guests entering the room. Seifer looked around for a moment. Examining the women in their floor length dresses, elaborate hairstyles and abundant jewelry... the gentlemen in evening dress, standing with one hand at the small of the back, talking quietly.
Seifer descended the stairs. Several men nodded a perfunctory greeting. He nodded back, keeping it simple, and hating it with a passion.
He played the role smoothly, nodding with just the right degree of disdain. Squall and Zell came down the stairs, with Quistis and Selphie on their arms, covered in jewelry. They both walked right past Seifer, Squall nodded at him, and one gent to another. But Seifer barely had time to be amused. For just behind Squall and Quistis on the stairs was Emma, a vision in pale gold, Her low-cut dress showing off her neck and shoulders, her arms sheathed in red gloves that came well above the elbow. Black rimmed glasses, and her hair, in a black bun in the back. Seifer was suddenly hypnotized by her beauty. But then realized something. He grabbed her hand and looked up at her.
"What are you doing here?" He whispered almost inaudibly.
"I came to see you…I found out through my brother you had been released." Emma led Seifer out onto the dance floor, where they began to dance to an elegant tune, closely identical to Waltz to the Moon. Seifer leaned in towards her ear and smiled warmly.
"You are the one who's beautiful…but you cannot stay here. They are after you for the assassination attempt." Seifer whispered calmly and then pulled away from her, gazing into her sapphire eyes.
"Seifer…" Emma looked back at his aqua eyes, smiling sadly. "They'll never be able to catch me."
"Seifer!" Zell and Selphie walked up towards the two. Emma felt her hand being squeezed by Seifer's.
"Who's this?" Zell asked cheerfully.
"This is Tera…Tera Rhich." Seifer quickly replied. Emma looked at the Zell and Selphie and bowed for them. "She's from Esthar and is visiting her parents in Dollet."
"Ah…you know, I have a cousin who lives in Dollet he has a ship on the sixth pier." Zell said slyly.
"But…that's impossible. Dollet only has five piers." Emma said and watched as Zell warmly smiled and took her hand.
"My name is Zell Dincht. I am the vice president of Balamb Garden. This is my fiancé, Selphie Tilmitt. She is the Headmaster of Trabia Garden."
"Oh dear…I am so sorry. It was most definitely a close call for you. Are you all right?" Emma put her hand to her mouth and sighed sympathetically.
"Oh, I'm fine. Just rattled. I didn't know what I'd do had I not have gotten the prank phone call to come here." Selphie smiled at Zell, not noticing the look on Emma's face.
"A p-prank phone call?" Emma asked carelessly, feeling the squeezing grip on Seifer's hand.
"Oh…well, you know how you get prank phone calls telling you when the garden is going to explode! Haha then EVERYONE gets into a tussle!" She replied cheerfully. "Ooh! Look sweetie! Irvine and Rinoa are here!" Selphie dragged Zell away and the two were left alone again.
"Seifer…I need to talk to you…" Emma led Seifer onto the balcony and hugged him tightly. "What is going on?"
"What? What do you mean?" Seifer pulled her away and looked into her eyes again.
"What are you doing out?" Emma looked down. "I came up there today to see you and you had been released."
"I had another hearing… and I passed their evaluation." Seifer wrapped his arms around her tightly. "I'm out for good. I promise. Things are going to be better soon..."
"I hope so." She said quietly. Seifer led Emma back out onto the dance floor, and out of the ballroom, but were stopped by Squall.
"Seifer…it's time for the meeting…" He said, looking at Emma. "And this is?"
"Oh! My name is Tera Rhich. And you are?" Emma said bowing her head.
"Headmaster Squall Leonhart…" He nodded his head in respect at the two. "Seifer…it's time for the meeting."
"You said that already…Squall." Seifer said and walked past his rival with Emma.
"I should go." Emma said and released his arm and glided down the stairs.
"What?" Seifer began to follow her. She stopped and turned around.
"Seifer…just watch your back…please." Emma smoothened out his jacket. "Be careful." She turned on her heels and left. Seifer sighed and turned to go back into the ballroom to see Squall, arms folded and a cross look on his face.
"What is it now Leonheartless?" He taunted and smirked.
It's time for the meeting…follow me."