Thanks N.Mits the cat child of light for being the first to review this story! It made my day to finally see a review for it.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
As they traveled, Vincent noticed that Synthia never spoke and would sometimes answer when she was spoken to. But most of the time, she would just watch everyone's movements and the landscape with those glowing green eyes of hers. It didn't escape his knowledge that he was most likely looking at Lucrecia's granddaughter. Even if the girl did look mostly like her father, he hoped that she would have some of Lucrecia's sweet nature hidden somewhere deep within her. Another thing he noticed, they weren't attacked by any of the beasts in the area. If one did approach them, they would go straight to Synthia, who would pat them on the head or even ride them sometimes if the men were moving too fast.
When they reached Junon, she stopped at the entrance and seemed to curl up inside herself. Barret swooped her up and placed her on his shoulder.
" Don't worry," he said, " I won't let anything happen to you."
As they walked through the streets, Vincent kept a sharp eye out for the small gunsmith shop that people who weren't looking would pass by. When he finally spotted it, he motioned to Cloud and Barret to follow him and entered the small store.
"Vince!" A small woman with dark features greeted him. " Long time no see buddy! I thought you were going to stay for a while but I guess not everyone is meant to stay in this place."
Vincent grimaced. "For the last time, Sandra, don't called me Vince."
But Sandra was already greeting his friends. Barret had placed Synthia on the ground, who was now hiding behind the two men. When they parted to introduce her, Sandra gasped and stumbled back. " It can't be," she whispered, " Vince what's the meaning of this? Who is she? Please don't tell me what I don't want to hear…"
Vincent grabbed her arm and dragged her to the back room. " Look Sandra, I need your help with something. Do you think you can close up shop for a bit and travel with us? I want to take her to Nibelheim."
Sandra glared at him. " Are you nuts! Do you realize what that could do to her?"
Vincent stared at her in alarm. " Sandra what did you sense?"
Lowering her head she muttered something that Vincent couldn't hear, then aloud she said, " She was created naturally…well as naturally as could be being who she is. There's definitely a connection between the two. If you take her to Nibelheim, who knows what would happen? There's someone else though… someone-" Suddenly Sandra clutched her head and screamed in pain. Vincent grabbed her by the arms just in time to keep her from collapsing. " I would check out the materia she has," Sandra said, after she composed herself. She still looked shaky and Vincent gave her a concerned look. " It will take a couple days, but I can close up shop and come with you. She probably would feel a bit better with another female in the group." Sandra touched Vincent's arm. " Whatever happens Vince, remember that she's only a child…I don't think she even knows who her father is, otherwise she would realize why you're so tense around her."
When they re-entered the main area of the shop, Vincent noticed Cloud giving him a peculiar look. He raised his eyesbrows slightly and Cloud quickly looked away.
" So Sandra," Cloud said, " how do you know Vincent?"
Sandra gave him a measuring look and replied, " He came in because he needed his gun repaired. I was surprised that he found my shop, not many people know about it. Vince ended up working for me as well as teaching me a few things about guns that I never really bothered to learn."
Cloud nodded and looked away under Sandra's intense gaze. Synthia just stared at her until Sandra placed her gaze on the girl. Synthia's eyes widened and she shuddered. For the first time since they met, she huddled against Vincent. He looked down at her in surprise then looked at Sandra. She gave him a look and turned away to start cleaning up her shop.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Synthia snuck out of the shop and started to roam the streets. They were mostly empty since it was so late at night and she could hear the ocean. This place felt familiar. There was a brief flash in her mind, of a large cannon. She hated it when images flashed in her mind because she never knew if it was of the future or past. Whenever she looked at Vincent though, the images she saw were definitely from the past. The eyes she saw him with seemed to be her own, but it felt as if she was taller.
I want you to do away with the Seer.
Synthia jumped. " Why?" she whispered, she glanced around her fearfully. It seemed like the buildings were watching her every move and listening to every word that was said.
Because I said so.
" No," she whispered back, " I'll do no such thing. She won't hurt-"
You will get rid of her any way you can. She is a liability.
" I won't do anything to harm her. She's his friend."
The pain came again. But this time she refused to give in to it. Clenching her fists, she bit her lip until she made it bleed. The pain subsided and Synthia breathed a sigh of relief. It was the last breath she would remember taking that night. When she tried to breath again, she found that no air would enter her lungs. Falling to her knees, she clawed at her chest, neck and face in desperation. Air…she needed air. Feeling arms wrap around her, she started to fight against them. Something metal pressed against her forehead and through blurred vision he saw Vincent's pale face.
Do as I say or that large man will suffer the same torture you are suffering.
Suddenly, air wooshed into her lungs and everything went black.