(no subject)

[takeoffmyhead.livejournal.com]

Who: Quistis and Blank
What: Payment for the performance.
When: Day after the show.
Where: Balamb
Warnings: None yet!

Late morning, early afternoon, Quistis made her way towards the Prima Vista. The evening had gone very well, and everyone who had attended had really enjoyed it. There was a lot of buzz about Garden, a happy yet peaceful excitement that hadn't been there in too long. She had missed seeing all the students gossiping, chatting - be it about the play itself, certain actors or actresses, or whatever flirting had gone on between SeeDs or cadets that night.

With a light step, Quistis approached the Prima Vista. She felt that she owed it to the group to thank them personally, not to mention thanking Blank for agreeing to make the visit. Standing by, she hoped that someone would be around to talk to.

Comments

[thespianred.livejournal.com]

Blank had really enjoyed the show. It seemed a long time since Tantalus had performed a full, proper show and he had almost forgotten just how much fun it was and how good the buzz was afterwards.

He was currently out on the deck, polishing his beloved figurehead of the Prima Vista. A task he did regularly and took very seriously.

[takeoffmyhead.livejournal.com]

Quistis walked around the Prima Vista, blue eyes scanning for anyone familiar, when she spots Blank cleaning. She stood for a moment, surprising herself by realising she was smiling.

So she cleared her throat, clutching carefully at the envelope in her hand. She didn't want to startle him, so she didn't call out too loudly, "Good afternoon."

[thespianred.livejournal.com]

Blank set his rag down and turned to the source of the voice, bringing up a hand to shield his eyes from the sun. He smiled it return. "My afternoon just got a whole lot better for seeing you, Ms. Trepe."

He hopped off the edge of the airship and made his way over to her. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

[takeoffmyhead.livejournal.com]

Quistis flushed softly at his comment, but shook her head slowly - it was probably just the sun that was making her warm. She'd gathered herself together by the time he was near her, and she held out a hand to over the envelope. It was a decent thickness, and contained more than double the amount of Gil that they had agreed on. After all, that little date could hardly count as any kind of payment.

"I came by to thank you for the performance last night, and to pay you for the pleasure."

[thespianred.livejournal.com]

Blank took the envelope from her and caught her hand with his free one, drawing it to his lips to kiss the back of, smiling against it. He let it go and opened the envelope, raising an eyebrow at the contents, even though it was hard to see with that blasted bandana in the way.

"There's too much here, Ms. Trepe..."

[takeoffmyhead.livejournal.com]

Quistis took a deep breath, desperately wishing she could make the heat disappear from her cheeks - her face was definitely flushed pink. She just stared at him for a moment before blinking down at her hand.

"I think we've paid you just the right amount." She smiled as she said it, knowing fine well she'd given an extra bonus. But they deserved every penny of it.

[thespianred.livejournal.com]

"Well..." Blank once more looked at the contents of the envelope, and then back to Quistis. The money would come in handy that was for sure. The problem with being a thespian thief was that you never really knew when the next meal would come. "... If you're sure, thank you. The pleasure was all ours."

[takeoffmyhead.livejournal.com]

"You are very, very welcome." Quistis smiled, practically beaming, and feeling like she was probably staring she quickly looked away, focusing on the Prima Vista. "You all played very well..."

"And it would be nice if you came back soon." She glanced at Blank, "If you all would, come back again some time for us."

[thespianred.livejournal.com]

"We all enjoyed it. The crowd was great, so engaged and well behaved. You should be proud. Best group of youngsters I've seen in a long time." Blank grinned at her, pocketing the envelope.

"We'll come back whenever you want us." Another smile. "hey, want the guided tour while you're here?"

[takeoffmyhead.livejournal.com]

Quistis beamed at the compliment - after all, she was a very professional woman, and it really warmed her to hear that she was doing a good job. "Well, thank you very much. We do our best."

"Guided tour?" She blinked, and glanced up at the Prima Vista, "I'd like that."

[thespianred.livejournal.com]

Blank took hold of Quistis' hand. The Prima Vista really was his pride and joy. To many it was just a fancy airship, but to him it was everything. It was something he could call his own, something he had worked hard for.

He took her down below deck, straight to the stage. It looked a lot smaller when it wasn't opened out like it had been during the show. "Well, this is where the magic happens. The built in stage."

[takeoffmyhead.livejournal.com]

Quistis was struggling to hide her excitement by this point; the whole ship fascinated her, and all this acting business. She felt like a little girl being granted a dream come true, and it was beginning to make her feel a little giggly.

"It looks so much smaller..." Really, she was quite amazed at how compact the place could be. She was grateful Blank was holding her hand, otherwise she'd be off looking at things, running on the stage, and generally being entirely unprofessional.

[thespianred.livejournal.com]

"Heh. It really does, huh?" Blank continued to lead Quistis through the ship. "That's where the band play. Great bunch they are, wouldn't be the same without them, they really add to the play."

He was trying not to rush, but it was hard, he just wanted to show her everything. He led her to the sleeping area. Hammocks and bunkbeds and blankets on the floor. It wasn't elegant living, but to him it was a palace. "This is where we sleep."

[thespianred.livejournal.com]

"I hardly did anything." Blank nudged back playfully, grinning bright. He let her pilot completely by herself once more, looking out over the horizon. "Beautiful, isn't it? I love flying. It's like nothing else in the world."

[takeoffmyhead.livejournal.com]

She breathed a bit more easily with her piloting now, completely calmed by the ocean around her, and in the knowledge that Blank would save her from the airship's doom.

She just nodded slowly, sighing softly.

[thespianred.livejournal.com]

"With a set of wings and the open skies... You can go anywhere your heart desires. Just up and go. Whenever you wish it." It was one of the reasons he loved his lifestyle - the freedom.

[takeoffmyhead.livejournal.com]

"Now I really understand why Selphie was so excited when she bought her airship." Quistis gazed out dreamily, again giving another sigh.

"I imagine it's such a lovely way of life... So different from mine." And there was a sense of longing in her voice.

[thespianred.livejournal.com]

"Tell me about your life? What's it like being an Instructor and a SeeD? You must get to travel quite a lot too, right?"

Blank noticed the tone of Quistis' voice, worrying now about her happiness.

[takeoffmyhead.livejournal.com]

"Well...it's always busy. Fast paced. Very busy." Just repeating herself. "But it is very rewarding, and I'm very proud of doing what I do. It's an important job." She nods, as if to verify this to herself.

[thespianred.livejournal.com]

Blank watched her, moving away from the wheel to lean against the edge of the airship. "Are you happy? Do you enjoy your work? Life's far too short to be stuck in a job you don't like, after all."

[takeoffmyhead.livejournal.com]

Quistis glanced at him, though only briefly, so that she could turn her attention to continuing to fly the ship. "Of course. I really enjoy my work, and I've worked very hard to be here." And hadn't she just? All the same, it was just the path the orphanage had directed her in.

[thespianred.livejournal.com]

"I'm glad. Happiness is really important." He paused, watching Quistis from under his bandana. "Maybe... if it's not too forward of me... next time you have some time off, we could... go away together?"

[takeoffmyhead.livejournal.com]

Quistis could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, but she refused to look at Blank - otherwise she could be driving them to trouble. She does her best to remain, and to appear, calm. "Where do you have in mind?"

[thespianred.livejournal.com]

Blank grinned. "The world is our oyster. Wherever you want to go, Quistis. Snow, beach, city, forest, anywhere."

[takeoffmyhead.livejournal.com]

Quistis again sighed softly, dropping her gaze for a moment, "Sounds...wonderful. Though I doubt if I would ever have the time..." Really? Could she just up and leave Squall with garden?