Chapter Thirty-Nine: An Evening of Serenity

"And how long has it been since you've seen Aralyn? Tell me!"

Sephiroth massaged his temples; not bothering to hide how much Zack was annoying him. "It's not relevant, and what you're asking simply isn't practical."

"This isn't about practicality, Sephiroth! And you haven't answered my question."

Sephiroth sighed deeply, turning back to his papers as he answered, "Two weeks."

Zack shook his head and slid the paper in front of the general. The delicate flyer was printed on lacy velum, pastel blue paper with white ink. It announced the annual Shinra company party was in two days. The theme was much more formal than last year's, and was to include dinner and ballroom dancing.

"What could it hurt? Take her out and enjoy yourselves! Give me one good excuse!"

"I have work."

"I said one good excuse."

Sephiroth laid his head in his hands and motioned Zack away, desperate to end Zack's endless nagging. "I will consider it."

Zack shook his head, scoffing, but left, leaving the flyer on Sephiroth's desk.

Sephiroth picked up the paper, frowning deeply as he examined it. He turned his gaze back to the papers that Reno had delivered, which were gift wrapped and tied with a ridiculously frilly bow as a joke.

If he worked all night tonight, he supposed he could find the time.

Aralyn stood in front of the tall mirror, sighing as she examined herself. Zack had insisted that she dress up, and when she refused, she had come back to her apartment to find a formal dress draped on her bed. Not wanting to offend Zack by rejecting his gift, she had reluctantly complied.

The dress was a very light pink, dusted lightly with glitter, and flowed past her ankles to pool at her feet. The sleeves were long and loose and the collar was in the shape of a V, allowing her rainbow pendant to be viewed. She had curled her hair and piled it up in a bun on the top of her head, allowing only her slightly longer bangs to frame her face.

She didn't know why Zack was making this big of a fuss.

Judging herself to be as ready as she would ever be, she put on a long white trench coat to protect her from the cold night air. Her dress was hidden for now, but she knew that Zack wouldn't let it stay that way. She made her way through the hallway, rode the elevator to ground level, and then exited the building and made her way to the location of the party, relying on the sound of the distant music to be her guide. She was glad for her long cloak, as it was snowing quite steadily.

She hadn't taken two steps into the party when two strong arms grabbed her and whirled her around playfully. "Hey! You made it!" Zack set her on her feet and pulled the coat off her shoulders. "And you look stunning, if I do say so myself!" He winked at her, causing her to blush furiously.

"I blame all this on you," she murmured.

"Oh, you won't, I promise. Give it oh…" he peered at his watch, "ten, maybe fifteen minutes."

"Thank you for the dress," Aralyn said lightly. "Even though I'm still mad at you…"

Zack grinned widely. "Oh, that wasn't me."

"It…wasn't?"

"Nope! Maybe it was a fairy, or a tonberry, or…" He smirked mischievously as he trailed off. "Or maybe even a certain silver-haired someone…"

Aralyn wavered. "He would not…!"

"I said to give it ten or fifteen minutes."

"He's coming?!"

"Yep! Excited?"

"You could have told me!" Aralyn cried, suddenly feeling very nervous. "A little warning would have been…"

"Aralyn."

Aralyn froze, not daring to breathe. Zack smiled, gesturing for her to turn around and answer to the smooth voice that had called her name. "Earlier than usual, Seph. I'm impressed."

Aralyn couldn't move. Zack laughed. "She hasn't even seen you yet and already she's breathless! Good going, man!"

She felt strong hands pull her into an embrace, though she still didn't dare to face him. "Aralyn," he called again. His hands moved to her shoulders, and he slowly turned her toward him.

Sephiroth was dressed in a dark, navy blue suit with gold trimming the edge of the sleeves at his wrists. The jacket was long, the coattails coming down to his knees in the back. His long, silver hair contrasted against the dark fabric.

"You better do something quick or she might stop breathing," Zack advised, clapping Aralyn lightly on the shoulder.

She was quickly brought out of her stupor by the thought of how ridiculous she must look. "Hello, Sephiroth," she managed. "It's been…a while."

He nodded, looking truly sorry. He lightly fingered the fabric of her draping sleeve. "You look…radiant."

She blushed red. She could hear how hard it was for him to say it. He was not used to using such language, and he'd never said anything like that to her before. "You were behind all this?"

"I confess. I am guilty."

"You didn't have to be this lavish, Sephiroth. It's…too much."

He looked stunned. "You…don't like it?" He quickly turned her around, desperate to make up for what he had done. "Zack," he growled, "I told him it was…"

"Oh, Sephiroth," Aralyn chuckled, causing his concern to turn to confusion. "You're hopeless!" She threw her arms around his neck, her worries swept away. "What will I ever do with you?"

Zack punched Sephiroth on the forearm, smiling and giving him a thumbs-up. "Hate to leave, but I've got a girl waiting on me too! Don't blow her night, Seph. Take good care of her."

"As if I needed to be told," Sephiroth countered. He turned back to her as Zack left. "So, you aren't angry?"

"No, of course not. Just…stunned."

Sephiroth hummed his consent and gently folded her hands in his. "It has been…far too long." Aralyn had never seen him like this; he was so calm and serene, and he looked at her with an emotion she couldn't name.

"I miss you," she said. "Even though we're so close, we never seem to meet."

They stood there for a long time, oblivious to the people moving around them. It was Aralyn that first broke the silence. "I know I'm pushing my luck but do you suppose you and I could…?"

He raised a single eyebrow. "I'm not one to preach on etiquette, but aren't I supposed to ask you?"

"Well I didn't think you'd…" she stopped, looking up at him.

"Aralyn," he cut across her, his tone soft and quiet. He lifted her chin as he cupped her face in his white-gloved palm, gazing into her eyes. "Would you dance with me?"

With her dazed, slight nod, he pulled her into the swirling crowd, ignoring Reno's open-mouthed stare. He saw the redhead turn to Rude, pointing and stuttering something.

Sephiroth pulled her closer and stepped deeper into the crowd. Reno stuck his tongue out at him, Sephiroth answering with a smirk. He released one of her hands, moving his now free hand to rest lovingly on her shoulder. "Ready?" he asked.

"No…"

Sephiroth moved in time to the music, Aralyn following afterward. They spent the dance in silence, but it was comfortable and even welcomed. Sephiroth proved capable of guiding her through the steps, leading her on their path, and catching her when she lost her balance.

Somehow, the sonata being played seemed a lot shorter than when Aralyn had heard it last. When the last chord rang through the room, reverberating until the tone died, he pulled her back to the side. To her utmost embarrassment, he brushed her fingers to his lips in a very formal kiss.

"Sephiroth!"

"Thank you, Aralyn."

She was speechless, her face burning crimson. She caught sight of Zack, who apparently had seen the occurrence, and was laughing very hard, much to the confusion of his brunette dancing partner.

Sephiroth looked around, his face dangerously passive. "You're uncomfortable in the crowd, aren't you?" Aralyn asked.

"I'll live for one night," he insisted.

"I might not, though. Come," she said as she took his hands. "Let's go outside. It's a beautiful night."