Ace of Diamonds, The Read online

  ~~~

  Setzer swirled the wine in his glass as the children participated in a loud and all-consuming production of the final battle with Kefka. Terra watched the rambunctious collection of six-, eight-, and nine-year-olds with a smile while curled up on the couch to the left of his chair. Setzer tapped the arm in a continuous rhythm as he absently watched the production. Understandably. Surprisingly. With a certain amount of uncontrollable predictability. He had hoped the time with Terra and the children would have filled his apparent craving for company. Setzer knew, though, he had a weak spot for adventure and fun. Marée encompassed both. Intoxicating and consuming in a way he’d missed since Darryl’s death.

  “Setzer? What’s the matter?”

  Setzer’s frown disappeared as he changed his minutely surprised expression to Terra’s face. “Pardon?”

  Terra spared a quick glance to the children, noticed they were enthralled with the killing of the Atma Weapon--which, of course, had been defeated before the entry into Kefka’s Tower, but what did children care of details?--and then moved her eyes back to Setzer. “I’ve never seen that look on your face before, Setzer. What’s wrong?”

  Setzer smiled. “Nothing, Terra. I have embroiled myself in a wee bit of a lively adventure that I hadn’t expected. Lady Luck took me by surprise.”

  Terra’s eyes showed a glint of reluctance. “Are you sure I can’t help? Talking helps, doesn’t it?”

  Setzer moved his eyes to his glass of wine as it lapped the sides of the blue-tinted glass. Aquamarine blue . . . He cleared his throat and looked to the children’s newly begun battle with the first tier of the Statues. “I’m fine, Terra. Adventure is old hat to me, and the unexpected is welcome. You know that.”

  Terra sighed with a slight nod, returning her attention to the children, but only partly. Every so often she would send Setzer a stealthy glance to make sure the frown hadn’t returned. So Setzer set aside the possibilities and decided to let the cards fall the way they would. He had planned a stop at Thamasa by weeks end to pick up some supplies for Locke and Celes’ wedding. If she was there, she was there. If she wasn’t, she wasn’t. It was all a matter of luck.

  “Have you any message for Strago or Relm?” Setzer asked Terra suddenly. “I’m off to Thamasa in a few days time to gather supplies for Locke and Celes.” He met her gaze. “Anything to be transported?”

  “Just some drawings and stories the older ones have done for Relm. If you don’t mind?”

  “Of course not. I’ll be sure to get them from you tomorrow before I set off for Figaro.”

  “Figaro?”

  He took a sip of wine as he watched Terra’s cheeks slightly flush. “Yes. Did you have a message for Edgar?”

  She blushed a deeper shade of rose as she lowered her eyes to her fingers. She picked at them, as usual. “No--Yes. Tell him . . . tell him ‘thank you’ for the flower, but I can’t come to the party. I wouldn’t want to leave the children alone.”

  Setzer raised an eyebrow. “Alone? Terra, Duane and Katarin would be happy to watch them while you spend some time with your friends.”

  “I . . . I know, but . . . just tell him ‘thank you’.”

  “Very well, Terra. I’ll relay the message, but he’ll be disappointed. He hasn’t seen you for ages.” Setzer watched her reaction to the news with interest. “Shall I tell him you miss him? That you wish you could be there?”

  “No. Just tell him--“

  ”’Thank you’. Yes. I know.” Setzer hid a smile behind another sip of wine. Then the final battle with Kefka began and his attention was distracted between sword fights and aquamarine eyes.