Miss Balamb Garden
Chapter Twelve | He's All That
And so Pageant Day arrived in a flurry of excitement and anticipation. Usually on the weekends Balamb Garden was quieter, with students opting to sleep in and laze about inside their dormitories, or else head out to the beach or the town. But today there was an uptick in traffic in the common areas as students congregated together chattering about the event that evening.
Meanwhile, the contestants dealt with their mounting nerves differently. Nida reviewed all his skills and talents under the watchful eye of Xu; Rinoa took Squall for a spa morning to get a couple's facial; Raijin and Fujin went fishing by the pier deciding he'd earned a well-deserved break; and Quistis had similar sentiments, telling Seifer not to think about the pageant at all and to do whatever he liked that day.
When he stared blankly at her, she asked patiently, "What do you want to do, Seifer?"
You, was the instant reply that came to mind, but it was perhaps both crude and unhelpful.
"What are you doing?" Seifer instead decided to ask.
"I'm going to make sure all your outfits are ironed and ready," Quistis replied briskly. "Leave nothing to a wrinkle."
And normally, before he'd screwed it all up, he wouldn't have thought twice about inviting himself to join, but there was an invisible boundary now that he felt he couldn't cross. Not if he didn't want to scare her away forever.
Seifer tried to sleep in that morning, but his body most gratuitously awoke him at a reasonable hour and then wouldn't let him slide back into slumber. So he dragged himself to breakfast with Raijin and Fujin but declined their fishing invitation. By eleven o'clock Seifer started to regret this decision. Maybe it would've been better to have gone with them. All he had for company was his self-deprecating thoughts and enlarging anxiety about the pageant tonight.
He sat at the cafeteria long after breakfast was finished and most people had left to get on with their day, intermittently fiddling on his phone (Raijin was currently in the lead for the bets) and then slumping his head against the desk.
"You there!" barked out one of the senior cafeteria ladies sometime later. Seifer slowly pulled himself upright, hair dishevelled, grumpy-faced. This particular lady had long dark hair and a severe-looking expression. "Seifer Almasy, right?"
He nodded, a little wrong-footed. She beckoned him over imperiously and he shuffled to the counter.
"Take these coffees to the headmaster and his wife," she ordered, pushing forward a tray. "They must have forgotten about them."
Seifer took the tray, asking a little impertinently, "What if I said no? I'm a really busy man."
She raised an eyebrow. "You sure don't look like it," she said tartly. "You've been sitting there for two hours like a potato. You know, you should go visit them more often. They're like your parents, aren't they? I was always waiting for my son to come back, you know, he went out chasing a dream and disappeared for a year, making me worried sick…"
Five minutes later, Seifer was sincerely regretting his snark and inadvertent invitation for prolonged conversation. When the cafeteria lady finally drew breath, he seized the carton of cups and walked away, promising to deliver them.
Without much excitement he rode the elevator up to the third floor, knocking on the headmaster's door and entering before being invited. It was sort of a bad habit of his.
Both Headmaster Cid and Edea were sitting at the large oak desk on the same side, eyes fixated on the computer screen. They glanced up when he walked in.
"Oh, Seifer!" greeted Cid, not rising up from his chair. His gaze quickly went back to the screen. "Come in!"
"What a lovely surprise, Seifer," said Edea warmly, though she was clearly preoccupied as she merely gave him a glance and noticed what he was carrying. "Oh, we forgot the coffees again, Cid."
Seifer stared, rooted to the spot as he registered the sight before him. Neither had stood and, in fact, were still staring at the screen in avid concentration.
"...Are you playing video games?" he asked incredulously.
"Yes, yes," Cid said amiably, fiddling on his controller. "It's one of the things we recently got into together. You know, old couples trying to find a hobby to share, that boring thing. We tried the normal activities - pottery, gardening, painting. We didn't like any of them."
"What about bird watching?" Seifer suggested with a straight face.
Edea made a distasteful noise that was somehow still poised and graceful. "No thank you. We have found the perfect activity to do together. Come join us, Seifer!" She smiled graciously up at him and waved him over. "We need an extra player to get four stars on this level."
Seifer lingered on the threshold, trying to process the idea of Cid and Matron playing games. Then, shrugging his shoulders, he sauntered forward to Cid's desk, set down their coffees before them and took the controller that a beaming Edea passed to him.
They were deep in the throes of some cooking game, but nothing Seifer had ever experienced before. Half the kitchen (which was situated on a hot air balloon - some serious OHS issues here) was on fire and he had to run around extinguishing them while Matron gave snappy orders and directions to him and Cid to chop vegetables and stop burning the rice.
Matron was seriously very good at this game, apparent in her leadership in each level. Headmaster Cid wasn't bad either. Seifer was terrible. He swore several times as he smashed the buttons on his controller, always followed by a quick mumbled apology when he remembered who he was with.
Soon it was time for lunch, and both Cid and Edea insisted Seifer stay and join them. He didn't need much convincing; what else was he going to do?
"Here we go," announced Cid grandly, carrying two large bento boxes and placing them carefully on the table.
Seifer looked at them, recognition dawning on him. Wait… that scarf…
"Quistis made us bento boxes yesterday," Edea explained, removing the lids to reveal a colourful array of food. "We already had food so we thought we'd have them today. Aren't they just beautiful?"
The sight of the lunch boxes was giving Seifer the uncomfortable feeling that a fist was clenching around his heart. I was the first one she told me about this, he wanted to burst out, invoking some sort of invisible claim on her. I gave her the push to do it. She trusted me enough to tell me. She made ME one first.
Edea glanced at him, her gaze softening when she saw his tense expression. She reached over and patted his hand kindly. "Quistis cares very much about you, Seifer."
His eyes darted to her questioningly, heart beating fast. Matron's returning smile was gentle yet knowing. "Just as you care for her," she finished quietly.
Does she know? No way. She definitely does. How does she know? Maybe it's an ex-sorceress thing.
Maybe it's just written all over your damn face.
To test out this theory, Seifer turned to look squarely at Cid as he sat beside him. The older man just smiled jauntily at him, passing over some chopsticks. "The tamogoyaki looks so tasty," he said eagerly. "Let's eat!"
Nope. No idea.
The day turned out not to be a total loss after all. Cid and Edea's genuine delight at seeing him, and never dismissing him, made Seifer think to himself that maybe the cafeteria lady did have a point. He probably should make more of an effort to see these two people who had taken it upon themselves to care for all of them when they had nowhere else to go.
"Good luck tonight," Edea whispered when Seifer finally took his leave later that afternoon. "Don't tell anyone this - but my vote is on you."
He couldn't help grinning back at her, and perhaps it was what Matron needed to see from him - a genuine smile, an inner lightness and acceptance - because her eyes glimmered fondly and she reached out to pinch his cheek. (There was no one else on this planet that would get away with doing that. Apart from Quistis. And maybe Sis.)
Eat your damn heart out, Leonhart. I knew I was always the favourite one.
"Thanks Matron."
At 5:30 that afternoon, with the rest of Balamb Garden abuzz with exhilaration, Seifer arrived at the closest classroom to the auditorium. It had been organised into a makeshift dressing room with racks of clothes zigzagging all over the place and dividers erected ensuring that each contestant had their own semi-private area, complete with a vanity, stools and electrical outlets for hair tools and irons.
A tiny bubble of uncertainty ballooned in Seifer as the hour approached, but for the most part he felt prepared enough. That was until he rocked up at the same time as Nida who had two pink hair rollers already propped up in his fringe. Nida sheepishly said he'd had them in all day, then proceeded to show Seifer his fingernails which were perfectly manicured and painted a deep red.
All of a sudden Seifer felt grossly plain and a bit foolish standing there in his regular military pants and shirt, with nothing on him except his phone.
Fortunately Quistis arrived just a moment later, smiling at the both of them as she approached. Both her arms were laden with his gowns wrapped in costume bags and she was wheeling a silver suitcase behind her (what the heck's in that?). As Seifer relieved her of the outfits, he snuck extra peeks at her, noticing that her hair fell straight past her shoulders, shining and golden, and she'd braided one part in an especially charming way. Something sparkled around her eyes and cheekbones too - or maybe it was the lights in the room that was making that happen.
Nida separated to his section and Seifer was relieved that none of the others were there yet - so at least he wasn't running late.
And so he sat on the stool in front of a mirror and underwent the well-familiar routine by now, Quistis applying layers and layers of make-up and assorted powders on his face, eyes and lips with an analytical eye. Seifer tried not to stare at her as she worked in such close vicinity, and for the most part was distracted enough by the increasing volume outside as the auditorium began to fill with people. Raijin and Squall arrived just five minutes later with Fujin and Rinoa, and were now in their corners getting their make-up and hair done. No one was speaking much. Seifer wondered if they were also feeling the strange curdling in their stomachs.
Quistis disappeared for a moment to ask Xu something - Seifer was too busy trying to keep the contents of his stomach down to pay much attention - when she came hurrying back, looking slightly harassed.
"I'll be right back, Seifer," said Quistis distractedly. She was still holding a mascara wand and had several lipstick swatches running down the side of her hand. "I forgot something in my room - just stay here with the others. I'll be back."
"Wha - ?" He watched mutely as she swept away, exiting their makeshift dressing room. Seifer stared forlornly into the mirror, and his own very pretty reflection stared back. She looked a bit gormless, though, so Seifer attempted his seductive smile as a last-ditch attempt. He could hear the others standing up and moving about, having a stretch, perhaps trying to shake off some nerves. He supposed if his make-up and hair was all done, they would be ready too.
The door swung open and he glanced up, hoping that it was Quistis already, but instead it was Irvine who sauntered in, wearing a full suit and a jaunty grin. Because he's not the one about to go drag on stage. Just a second later, the door opened again and several other students dressed in all-black came filing in, talking amongst themselves importantly. Their arrival brought in a manic, excited kind of energy.
"C'mere, contestants!" Irvine whistled, standing in the middle of the room.
Seifer walked over reluctantly, chancing glances at the others too as they emerged from their corners. He did a double-take as three pretty ladies moved over towards him, yet they were awkward and lumbering still with their boyish gait.
Raijin's eyes were huge, framed by stunning fake eyelashes, and his dark hair cascaded down his back in intricate braids and twists. Nida's hair was similarly long and wavy, his curtain bangs billowy and voluminous. Every feature on his face was bold and rosy, with blush stained high on his cheeks and his lips painted bright red. Squall's hair was eerily seamless, and for a second Seifer wondered if Rinoa had done some magic to make it grow longer. (Later he found out she'd just done a marvellous job finding extensions that perfectly matched his silky brown locks). No one was in their dresses yet, which only made their appearances more outrageous.
It was a very strange experience. Seifer gaped suspiciously at them all for a good few seconds, and judging by the way they were eyeing him, he must have been giving off the same effect.
"Hey, hey, how are my beauties?" Irvine called gaily, putting an arm around Squall and Nida. "Ready for the big night?"
"Super ready, ya know!" boomed Raijin enthusiastically. Nida nodded with slightly less vigour and Seifer grimaced. Squall did not say anything. He appeared faintly ill.
Irvine grinned at Raijin indulgently, handing over sheets of paper to them. "The final runsheet, y'all. Hot off the press, had to get 'em reprinted because they spelt a few names wrong.."
Seifer scanned the runsheet without too much interest. There was the obligatory welcome and blurb about the pageant and orphanage, the schedule for the evening, followed by a list of people. There was his name and the other contestants listed with their assistants (Squall's spelt correctly this time, unfortunately), plus a few special guests and the MC…
"Wait," Squall broke his silence in a slow voice of disbelief. "The MC is Mayor DOBE?"
"From FH?" Nida questioned, also sceptical.
"And his missus Flo," nodded Irvine affirmatively.
"Who's that?" Seifer asked, feeling as though he was missing some crucial information here.
"The pacifist major of FH is the master of ceremonies for a military academy's beauty pageant," mumbled Squall in a foreboding voice. "How the hell did you manage to convince him to do that?"
"Not much, to be honest," Irvine said with a shrug. "Sefie's friends with Flo and visits every time she's passing through. They bond over the fact that they're ferroequinologists."
They looked blankly at him.
"They love trains. Yeah, Sef had to teach me that term. Always wanted to use it."
"They're not dressed yet, Irvine. How are we supposed to mic them up?" one of the students that had come in with Irvine asked.
"Ah, just a sec, Vera. They need a little peek backstage." Irvine beckoned them to follow him with an air as though he was giving them a great treat. "Come on, ladies."
He led them through a short empty corridor that wound back to a flight of steps and a small door armed with a lock panel. Here he stopped to hand out key cards to Rinoa, Fujin and Xu. "Stick close to your assistant to gain entry back in here," Irvine explained, "since you won't have anywhere to keep the card safe. Hey - where's Quis?"
"She's gone to get something," said Seifer heavily, "I'll take the card for now."
The noise level increased drastically as they tiptoed up the stairs and tentatively into the backstage area. There were a couple more people here, also dressed in black and wearing headsets, some Seifer recognised as SeeDs and even Instructor Jarrah. They all gasped and beamed at the sight of the contestants.
"Gosh, Seifer, I really didn't think you had it in you," said Instructor Jarrah with delight. "You're absolutely glowing."
The old man's compliment actually made Seifer feel a smidge better and he managed a small smile. "Thanks, instructor. What are you doing tonight?"
"Oh, just helping with the stage organisation, you know. I love a good pageant!"
Seifer turned to survey the backstage. There wasn't much back here; just dark wooden floorboards and metal racks housing black cases. A couple of chairs and desks in the corner for quick make-up and hair touches. Irvine was now discussing something with the girls. Seifer pivoted on the spot, swallowing back some nerves and hoping Quistis was returning soon. Her absence was not helping his mounting unease. Meanwhile, Raijin, Nida and Squall were all grouped near the heavy black curtain, their heads a blend of long dark hair.
Nida turned, caught Seifer's eye, and waved at him. "Seifer, you gotta check this out."
With a great feeling of trepidation Seifer walked over and joined them, peering around the curtain edge.
The auditorium was completely packed with people. This explained the sheer amount of noise, talking, shuffling and laughter that they could hear backstage. There were dozens of round tables where guests were seated and behind them, rows of seats which Seifer guessed were the students and younger members of the audience.
His stomach flopped even more in the sight of this.
"That's a turn out," he managed to grunt out.
"There's gotta be hundreds of people out there, ya know."
"I wasn't expecting this," Squall muttered in dread, arms crossed firmly.
"Why are people so interested in this?" Nida demanded in genuine bafflement.
"Ladies, ladies!" Irvine declared then, making the four of them whirl around. "Are we feeling the excitement now?"
"Sis' orphanage better be decked out in gold by the end of this. I expect those kids to wipe their butts with silk toilet paper," Seifer muttered as they walked back to the middle of the room.
Irvine chuckled heartily. "Go get dressed, put on your finishing touches and return back here when you're ready. Almost show time, baby! Seifer, you need to stop letting Quis run away from you. Do you need help getting into your dress?"
Seifer did not fancy the idea of stripping and having his bare skin caressed by Irvine (dancing with him over and over again was bad enough), so he declined.
The nerves only stacked higher like a precariously built tower of cards as Seifer delicately put on his water boobs, clasped the bra as he'd learnt and then struggled into his green dress by himself. He could hear Raijin and Fujin laughing in the corner; Xu telling Nida to hold still as she adjusted his neckline; Rinoa humming cheerfully as she worked with Squall. Seifer couldn't quite get his sash tie to sit right but was too proud to ask anyone else for help. As soon as he was dressed, the students in black returned and started to fiddle with him as they clipped on his microphone. They were unexpectedly brisk, handsy and unashamed about this; Seifer wasn't sure how he felt about their brazenness as they prodded and poked him, randomly lifting up his skirt or shoving their hand down his back.
All too soon, it was time to return backstage ready for the entrance dance. Still no sign of Quistis. Why the heck does she keep disappearing? he thought nervously. Has she really done a runner?
Face set, feeling strangely faraway and as if he was undergoing an out-of-body experience, Seifer followed Raijin's back (he dimly registered that Raijin was wearing some silky mustard yellow gown) up the stairs and through to backstage. The noise was still unruly and chattering beyond the curtains, a sign that there was still time to change his mind and conveniently disappear -
"Seifer!"
He blinked as Quistis halted in front of him, having just sprinted through the back door. She was breathing heavily, her honey hair static and messy as though she'd been running. Seifer's heart swelled. He'd never been happier to see her, and that was saying something.
"About time," he gruffed out in both relief and reproach.
"Sorry - that took longer than I thought. But oh - you got dressed yourself?" Quistis sounded impressed, taking a step back to survey his efforts.
Seifer put on a whinging, sad tone, "You left me all alone and I couldn't figure this damn bow out - "
"Let me do it." Quistis motioned for him to turn around and he complied, smiling to himself as she re-tied the sash and smoothed down his skirt. For a moment, everything felt calm and right as she fussed over him.
"Where'd you go?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder.
"Xu was talking about all the jewellery she was decking Nida out in and I suddenly realised we don't have any bling for you," Quistis explained, now adjusting his shoulder straps. Her touch was, as always, gentle and practised. "So I went looking for a necklace I got a few years ago and it took much longer than I thought." She tapped him on the shoulder to signal that he could turn back around, and when he did, he saw that she was holding out a fine gold chain with an emerald pendant.
"Here it is," Quistis said cheerfully. "It'll go perfectly with your green dress."
Seifer's breath got caught in his throat as he studied the necklace. There was an intricacy to the chain, a delicate twist of each knot, a deepness to the emerald that told him that this necklace was expensive. Precious. Probably something she'd gotten when reaching a milestone like becoming a SeeD or when she was granted her instructor role. They were orphans; they didn't just own things like this. No money to buy them with, no family from whom to inherit heirlooms.
And she was just going to hand it over to him?
Quistis' expression faltered in the wake of his silence.
"You don't have to wear it…" she muttered, retracting her hand, but Seifer suddenly grabbed it in his own and closed his fingers around her hand. She looked up at him, startled.
"It's perfect," he told her quietly. "Thank you."
She blushed a little under his piercing gaze, but gave a little smile all the same. After helping him clasp it around his neck (on the last loop), Quistis stood back and gave him a thorough once-over. It was probably the hundredth time she had looked him up and down while he stood there dressed as a girl, but it was the first time since he'd realised how he felt about her, and Seifer avoided her eyes as he tried to contain the fire that was spreading throughout his body.
A grin spread across her lips and she gave a final, approving nod. "You're perfect, Miss Almasy," she declared.
Seifer didn't reply and she stooped down to meet his gaze, noticing his wooden expression. She probably thought it was because he was nervous about the pageant. Well, that was partially true.
"Hey," Quistis said consolingly, and reluctantly he looked back at her. A kind smile lit her face when she was sure she had his attention. "You can do this, Seifer. I've seen you at it for the last two months. You're a natural."
A part of him turned to mush inside, but Seifer snapped out of his delicate state and rolled his eyes. "Gee. Thanks, I guess?"
Quistis laughed before schooling her expression into something serious and extending her hand out to him as she had done a few times before.
Seifer eyed it apprehensively. The handshake. Again.
"Are you in?" she asked playfully.
Standing very still, heart pounding, Seifer slowly reached out to take her hand. A gasp of surprise left her lips when he tugged her forward, so that she stumbled - and he wrapped her smaller frame into his arms. He tried to convey his gratitude in that hug and he thought she got the idea because, after a few seconds of holding still, she relaxed into his embrace and reached up her hands to hold his back.
"OHMYGOSH!"
Quistis and Seifer sprang apart immediately, and he scowled, ready to unleash hell upon who had interrupted their moment when he was confronted by a beaming Selphie. Of course. She was in a black top and long denim shirt that fell past the tiny shorts she was wearing, short hair pulled back in a bun and equipped with a headset and clipboard. A camera was also hanging around her neck.
"You two look like you're sisters. Or hot girl besties," she gibbered excitedly, holding up her camera. "Same sorority group. Can I get a pic?"
Seifer arched an eyebrow, realising half a second later that he, of course, looked like a stunning lady hugging Quistis. He smirked, putting an around the blonde instructor and pulling her close so that their heads touched. Quistis made a sudden movement but didn't try to squirm away. "Sure," he said in his girlish lilt.
SNAP.
Selphie examined the photo she'd just captured. "That'll make the Trepies' day," she muttered to herself, "I'll get hundreds of hits on this on Garden Square…"
"Hey," Seifer growled, losing the sultry smile instantly. "You aren't posting any pictures of me like this anywhere - "
"Anyway," Selphie spoke over him loudly. "It's time to take your place, Seifer. Quick, quick!"
He glanced around and saw, to his alarm, that Squall and the others were already lined up behind the curtain. The backstage volunteers were running back and forth, taking their positions with laser sharp focus and energy. It was only now he was concentrating that he heard the dry, slightly sardonic voice of the MC as he welcomed the audience to the evening. Seifer pictured some old pompous man in an ancient suit reeking of moth balls.
"Hurry up, Almasy!" Xu yelled from the side, gesturing for him.
"Geez, Xu, I'm coming. Ever heard of backstage whisper?"
"Ever heard of shut-the-f - "
"Go, Seifer," Quistis urged. His eyes found hers one last time for what he wasn't sure - reassurance? Encouragement? She nodded at him, gripping his arm for a second.
"Smile. Hips. Seduce," she reminded him breathlessly, and then Selphie was dragging him away from her as the entrance music began blaring. His gut tightened and he stumbled a little in his shoes. It's time. But he felt less queasy now. It had always been like this; slight nerves in anticipation of the event, but calm and control once action could be taken.
Seifer fell into place. He briefly sized up the others, but none of them were talking, processing this last minute before show time in their own way. Squall's condition had not improved from thirty minutes ago. As they took their places in the line, ready to take their cue, Seifer took pity on him. Squall looked greener than ever and his mouth was clamped tightly shut as if he was about to hurl.
"Oi."
Squall jerked his head back to acknowledge that he was listening, one silky brown curl gracefully draping over his shoulder.
"They're gonna see us in drag either way," grunted Seifer. "Just own it, Commander."
Squall made some non-committal noise in his throat as he turned back to face the front. Raijin was the leader of the line; Seifer could see him bouncing on the balls of his feet.
"Ladies and gentlemen…" the old man's voice announced with surprising drama and suspense. It didn't sound like this was his usual tone.
A female voice joined in with him as they bellowed, "PRESENTING - THE CANDIDATES OF - MISS - BALAMB - GARDEN!"
The music swelled, the bass throbbed and the auditorium was shrill with cheering and applause. Seifer saw Raijin's massive shoulders rise with a deep breath as he held his head high and stepped out beyond the black curtain.
Laughter, whooping and screaming could instantly be heard. The reaction seemed so genuinely positive though that Seifer felt a grin tug the corner of his mouth. He could see Nida's shoulders relax slightly, and Squall let out a deep breath. They perhaps all shared a common relief that they would, at the very least, be received well. A few moments later, Raijin's breathy girl voice reverberated around the hall.
"I felt radiant until I laid eyes on you, audience. You should be the ones up here. At your service… RAIJIN - WALLACE!" More cheering and clapping.
Selphie nodded vigorously at Nida who exhaled, took a step forward and disappeared beyond the curtain. Gasps and catcalling joined in with the applause this time, as well as several wolf-whistles. Seifer fidgeted impatiently; it would've almost been worth it to be first to see the reactions of the audience to everyone else.
"Ladies and gentlemen…" Nida's voice was uncomfortably soft and sensual, causing another outbreak of laughter and a shudder to ripple down Seifer's spine. "You're in for a surprise. NIDA - TURNELL!"
Then Squall took to the catwalk, and Seifer hadn't been sure he'd make it but he was surprisingly poised. The audience's response was just as appreciative. A moment later, Squall's female impression of a voice, cool and untouchable, rang out.
"Only the disciplined and dazzling will be worthy of the crown. SQUALL - LEONHART!"
Seifer extremities vibrated with nerves, a feeling he likened to the minute of calm before a mission. It was his turn. Selphie gave him the thumbs-up; he sucked in a deep breath, put his hands on his hips (Quistis' voice still pulsing through his brain: smile, hips, seduce), set a seductive smile in place and took a step through the curtain that may as well have been a leap into the unknown.
The whole hall opened up before him, so much larger and vacuous than it had been backstage, and lights instantly dazzled his eyes - the spotlight was shining on him, and as Seifer strode through his rehearsed route towards the catwalk, his senses took in everything around him. His eyes rove to the audience first. The auditorium was full, completely packed with people, from important-looking guests sitting down at the tables to students in the stands, some of them holding banners. They were making an ear splitting noise. For a split second Seifer thought they were boo-ing him until he realised they were woo-ing and cheering. His heart felt lighter within him. By the side of the stage he caught a glimpse of Raijin, Nida and Squall, now dancing and bopping in time with the music while they waited for him.
The music continued, vibrant and catchy, and now he was turning down the catwalk. Through the camera flashes and colourful stage lights he made out a long table down the front where the judges were seated. Irvine saluted him with two fingers; Zell sniggered and gave him the thumbs-up; a dark-skinned man with his black hair in plaits inclined his head with a discreet smile, and then there was Ellone. She beamed when Seifer caught her eye and waved both hands at him in excitement. His face automatically relaxed into a genuine grin and he returned her wave as prettily as he could.
Reaching the end of the catwalk, Seifer dramatically struck a pose, throwing out his balloon chest so that they jiggled. The adrenalin was truly flooding through him now, and true to his nature, he was going to ride it to the hilt.
"A little bit of sugar, a bit more spice," he declared in his sultry tone. "But I can guarantee I am all things nice. SEIFER - ALMASY!" He threw both arms in the air to tumultuous cheering and applause.
Then he was strutting back, joining in with the others to dance the rest of the song as they moved to the centre of the stage. The MCs came forward too so that Seifer could see them for the first time. They were both older, looking like they could be grandparents. The man had greying shoulder length hair which he wore out and was indeed attired in a black suit with a long tail coat. The woman had light blonde hair, almost white, pulled back in a chignon bun. She had on a dark plum dress with a beaded neckline. They definitely had a stuffy grandparent-ly air about them, the kind that put up with no-nonsense and would tell you off for chewing too loudly, but they were also smiling in a way that made Seifer feel they were enjoying this whole affair perhaps against their better judgement.
The lady was now moving down the contestants' line, each of them bowing their heads as she placed a sash around them. Seifer glanced down at his pink one which bore the letters MISS ALMASY.
"Give it up again for our contestants!" the MC man shouted, holding his hand out, and everyone cheered again before they trooped back off stage.
Squall muttered to Seifer as they emerged mercifully backstage, "Did you see Caraway in the audience?"
Seifer snorted, slightly in sympathy. "Yeah. Sucks to be you. Didn't you see him listed as one of the special guests on the runsheet?"
"No," said Squall dourly. "I got stuck on Mayor Dobe being the MC."
"Well, sorry-not-sorry to be the bearer of bad news." Seifer grabbed a runsheet that was lying around and stuck it in front of Squall's (pretty yet sullen) face, pointing at a particular name in the special guest section.
Laguna Loire.
Squall's eyes widened in panic. Seifer slapped him on the back between the shoulder blades in a bracing gesture. "Good luck, mate. Surprised you didn't notice him. He had a banner with your name and a heart on it."
Their assistants had reached them now, so Seifer left Rinoa to deal with the blow. There wasn't any time to lose though; the talent portion was starting immediately and no one wanted to miss out on watching. The girls whisked the boys back to the dressing room before rushing back in their costumes. Seifer was now wearing his black dancing dress which conveniently featured a very long split up near his hips. Quistis had quickly added some colour to his eyes and pinned some of his tresses up that apparently "subtly changed his look".
Then it was time to perform. Seifer knew he wasn't alone in his burning curiosity about what the others were doing. It had been a secret for so long, and tonight it was finally all on display.
Raijin's talent was a dramatic reading of a one-man play titled 'Treat Me Nice'. Seifer peered around the side and had to swell with pride as he watched Raijin deliver the monologue flawlessly. Nice choice, Fujin. The silver-haired girl stood on the other side of the stage behind the curtain, mouthing the words in time with had always been good with the theatrics and voices, and he had absolutely perfected this piece. The monologue was about a daughter speaking to her mother, begging her to treat her like one. When Raijin reached the line, his voice faltering and cracking, "Be nice… to me. I'm worth enough to be treated nice", Seifer saw several members of the audience wipe away tears.
He applauded hard along with everyone else, a grin on his face. Freaking Raj, man. You killed it.
The stage lights stayed dim as Squall then took up his position, sitting on a chair with a microphone set up in front of him. Everyone watched curiously as their Commander, silent and stoic, took out a ukulele and began to sing a soft acoustic version of the song 'Stand By Me'.
Soon, it was as though a spell was cast over the entire auditorium, and everyone listened intently as Squall performed. Several people in the audience swayed and waved their arms in time with his singing. Rinoa watched with proud and shining eyes, her hands clasped together. At one point, Squall looked over at her, a rare smile brightening his face, which, of course, the audience just absolutely lapped up even though they couldn't see who he was smiling at.
Ugh, how sickening, Seifer thought, profoundly jealous of the couple and their disgusting happiness.
"Squall's voice is beautiful," whispered Quistis, clapping hard along with everyone else when his performance ended. "I had no idea he could sing."
Thoroughly put out, Seifer looked at her with a frown. "You never considered if I could sing."
"I know you can dance. Oh, Irvine, thank goodness! You look great." Quistis waved eagerly as Irvine approached from the backstage exit, now dressed in his dancing suit. He made a carefree clicking noise with his mouth, coming up between the two of them and placing an arm around their shoulders.
"Flo's gonna judge for us," Irvine whispered. "I'm ready to boogie!" He paused suddenly, his head turned to the left. "And what the heck is Nida wearing?"
The three of them looked at Nida, now prepared to enter on stage. He didn't look back at them, and they glanced up and down his body. He was wearing a very revealing silver bodysuit decorated with tassels in suggestive places, and flashy heels several inches tall. Xu, hovering by his side, turned at the sound of Irvine's voice.
"What are you doing back here, Kinneas?" she whispered loudly.
"You'll see," replied Irvine, still regarding Nida with wide eyes. He jerked his head towards him, "What is he doing?"
"You'll see," said Xu doggedly, a faint smirk on her face.
And with that, Nida disappeared onto stage while Xu hurried to the other side through the back. Seifer, Irvine and Quistis craned their heads immediately around the curtain to watch.
"Here we go," mumbled Seifer as the audience gasped and screamed, and the bass of some suggestive song began to blast out of the speakers. It was so loud and deep that he could feel it in his hairline.
Nida's performance did not come as nearly a surprise to Seifer as it did to everyone else, but even he was not prepared for the erotic show that Nida gifted the audience. Using the same chair Squall had just vacated, plus one of the pillars that held up the giant tiara, Nida gyrated and moved his body ("Oh my," Quistis said blankly), sliding up and down and sideways in all kinds of manners that had people whistling and catcalling (and probably feeling nauseous, Seifer was sure).
The performance was disturbingly hypnotic. Like a lava lamp.
Nida finished in a rather impressive split, drawing himself back up to full height in his flashy heels and being sure to kick his legs up slowly before leaning forward and blowing a kiss to the audience. The response was uproarious.
"Well, that was illuminating," remarked MC Dobe in his dry, reedy voice as Nida took his leave.
Selphie appeared at Seifer's side. "You guys are next! Good luck Seify, Irvy!" She pushed both boys forward and pulled Quistis back away from them.
Irvine appeared peach-drunk, a dazed look in his eyes. Giving himself a little shake, he readjusted his bowtie and muttered, "Holy hell, I dunno if I can concentrate. That image of Nida is still burned in my eyeballs."
Seifer grunted, watching as the stage was cleared for their dance. "Let's do this, Kinneas," he murmured in a steely voice. "Give it our all. No half-assin'."
Irvine came to a little at his words. He grinned lazily at Seifer, "That's what I've been sayin', Almasy. Glad you finally caught my drift."
"We need to blow the image of stripper Nida from their minds."
"Maybe don't use the words 'blow' and 'stripper Nida' in the same sentence."
MC Flo was now cueing them in for their performance. Seifer took a deep, rallying breath, adjusting the split of his skirt and patting down his long hair.
"Wait, Seifer - "
He turned back automatically, as if his body was in tune to just respond to her voice, and saw Quistis reaching out to him with one hand. For a heartstopping, breath-whooshing second, Seifer thought she was going to kiss him, but she pressed her thumb under the corner of his lip without pulling any closer.
"Your lipstick got smudged," she murmured, and Seifer's nerves sagged and twanged simultaneously. Good Hyne, this girl is going to send me into a nervous breakdown.
His agitation must have shown because Quistis' eyes darted up to meet his and softened. To his surprise she brought the hand that was fixing his lipstick up to cup his cheek, forcing him to look at her.
"Seifer," she whispered. "Break a leg."
And then she was off, walking away to watch him on the other side of the stage and sending him one last wave. Seifer gave himself a little shake just as Irvinve had done and turned back around to find the cowboy smirking at him.
"That was cosy," he remarked. "Quisty didn't do that for me."
"Guess you're not that important," Seifer shot back, though he was unable to keep a smile off his face.
"Guess not," snickered Irvine. "But wipe that lovesick look off your face, Romeo, because it's time to be my Juliet now. You've only got eyes for me, baby."
And, for the first time uncaring that their bare skin was touching, Seifer linked his arm into Irvine's and together they walked onto stage. Collective gasps, squeals and roars greeted them instantly as the lights hit their faces. Seifer made sure to smile winningly at everyone. Someone screamed, "I LOVE YOU, IRVINE!" and he was sure that voice did not belong to Selphie.
Seifer turned his body to face Irvine who was pressed, polished and dapper as a gentleman ought to be. He winked back at Seifer, and as the familiar beats of the waltz began, something glorious happened. His body just knew what to do, a smile worthy of a lady graced his face, and he was enjoying the dance.
They didn't miss a single step, coming together at the exact right moments, never missing a beat, Seifer's arms poised gracefully and Irvine ever the gentleman to receive his lady.
The waltz slowed down and faded out as they came together in the final intimate pose, hands clasped together and almost nose-to-nose. Breathless and looking surprised, Irvine murmured, "We've never had such gorgeous cohesion before."
Seifer's smile widened. "It's our time to shine, honey," he said sweetly in his female voice. Irvine smirked back.
And then the beats of the drums began, there was a shrill cry from students as they realised the show was not yet over, and Seifer and Irvine turned their backs to the audience in unison. It was time for their own choreographed dance.
Just like the waltz, this dance was second-nature by now and Seifer threw himself into every move, jump, thrust with rigour. Irvine matched his energy perfectly. The audience were going wild, cheering and screaming when he jumped up and straddled Irvine, and Irvine proceeded to swing him bodily from one side to the other.
Then, all too soon, it was over; Seifer was curtseying and Irvine was bowing as the auditorium rang out in applause. He saw General Caraway actually clapping and looking as though he was enjoying himself, and Laguna Loire hooting and on his feet as if giving a standing ovation.
That's it, a dazed Seifer thought, squinting through the bright lights while his chest heaved up and down. I'm never gonna have to do that stupid dance again.
Irvine took his hand and Seifer was sure to wave at the audience as he allowed himself to be led off stage. There was a little throng of the other contestants and their assistants waiting to meet them just by the side, but it was Quistis who reached them first.
She ran the last few steps, a beam splitting her face as she threw her arms around the both of them. As euphoric as he was, Seifer was taken-aback by this outspoken display of emotion.
"You were both amazing!" she cried, standing on tiptoes to squeeze him and Irvine. "That was the best you've ever done."
"Uhh, that was so cool, you guys!" exclaimed Rinoa, and Squall nodded beside her. "All of you. I'm thinking we should hold an annual talent quest."
"Attaboy, Seif, you were like a swan!" Raijin slapped him hard on the back. Fujin nudged Seifer too, saying, "GRACEFUL."
Even Xu said begrudgingly, "That was impressive, Almasy. Nice to see you work in tandem with someone."
"That was really good, Seifer and Irvine," nodded Nida with a grin. He had ditched the heels but was still in his sparkling tassel suit. "You guys looked effortless."
Irvine regarded him warily, saying, "You were good too, Nida. Really took me by surprise there. It was - uh - rousing."
"Booyaka, you all killed it!" exclaimed Selphie exuberantly. "You totally blew the audience away. Well done! You've earned yourselves a bit of a dinner break now so enjoy. Irvy, they need you back down at the judge table."
"See you, Romeo," Irvine muttered significantly to Seifer before bidding everyone else goodbye and taking his leave. Rinoa immediately converged on Xu, demanding to know how she got Nida to learn all those moves, and the girls formed their own little circle whispering and squealing and congratulating each other.
Leaving the four male contestants of Miss Balamb Garden standing there. Seifer glanced around at them all, suddenly feeling much fonder of everyone even with their pounds of make-up on, their fake hair and synthetic chests. He was aware that he was sweaty too after all that dancing.
"Nice," he said with a smirk. "We did it."
"Thank Hyne," mumbled Squall.
"You were all so inspirin', ya know!" remarked Raijin. "No idea you had some of that in ya."
"Let's go eat," said Nida amicably. "Our food's been brought here so we can have it backstage."
The little tables were covered in plates of dumplings, onigiri and a soba salad, as well as a fruit platter and small bottles of juice and water. Seifer's stomach rumbled as he realised just how hungry he was. Everything seemed so much more defined and relieving now on this side of the talent portion. He'd been on stage, he'd pranced around in drag, he'd danced with another guy and the audience was loving it. Nothing could catch him off guard now.
Raijin was teaching Nida and Squall how to put on a different voice as they enjoyed their dinner. As they ate, Seifer found himself glancing back over to where the assistants were, joined by Selphie. They were all giggly and cheery, perhaps riding off the high of their apprentices' outstanding performances. Even Fujin was whispering something with great vigour, causing all of them to burst into another fit of laughter.
Rinoa giggled with one hand clasped over her mouth; Xu was doubled over howling and gasping for air; Selphie was hopping from one foot to the other squealing.
But Seifer only had eyes for Quistis. She was laughing too, her hands clutching her elbows as she held them over her waist. His eyes lingered. There was something captivating about her tonight. Was it the way she'd done her hair? Was it her sparkling eyes? She was positively glowing. She wasn't dainty like Selphie, or bubbly like Rinoa, or even distinct with sharp dark features like Xu, but she was something else.
At that moment Quistis looked over at Seifer and their eyes met. Fondness bloomed in his chest, and it felt as though he was about to topple over or slip into a deep blue sea. She blinked, then slowly a shy smile spread across her face for him, and she dropped her gaze back down to her food.
I've gotta tell her, Seifer found himself thinking, gripping his chopsticks tightly.
I need to win. For her. I'll tell her how I feel after I win.
Notes: Irvine and Seifer's waltz song: Johann Strauss II - Voices of Spring
Second dance inspired by: Apache (Jump On It) by the Sugar Hill Gang (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air)
I had Guniwine's Pony in my head ever since I visualised Nida's performance