Phenomenon
Lost in Translation
"So, that's the story," Quistis said, "I didn't want to tell you, but…I really didn't have a choice anymore."
Zell, Selphie, and Irvine were completely stunned by the news as they stood in silence, looking at her with expressions of disbelief, confusion, and worry. The sudden revelation had caught them off-guard just as the young headmaster herself upon having first heard it. Their reaction to her story only made the whole situation worse for her - her regret at having chosen to tell them quickly overwhelming her as she closed her eyes. Nevertheless, it had been necessary. If things really were as bad as they had seemed from the beginning, the whole ordeal could no longer afford to be kept in the dark. It concerned all of Garden – and they'd need all the support they could get.
Zell shook off his shock as he looked at Quistis in a bit of panic.
"So, Galbadia and Esthar are allying against Balamb? What the hell?!"
"Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Selphie asked, a hint of anger in her voice.
Quistis sighed as she looked at them intently.
"It wasn't that easy," she said, "Squall had requested we keep it to ourselves for the time being. We didn't feel we had sufficient information to believe what we'd heard – and we didn't want to rile up all of Garden at risk of the news proving false."
Zell only got more upset by her words as he burst out again.
"Frickin' hell! That's no reason to keep it from us! If Garden is in danger, we have a right to know – especially if Galbadia is involved. If what you're saying is true, we've just lost a powerful ally – and, we don't even know why it happened!"
"I know…" Quistis said, softly, "And, I'm sorry. I just couldn't tell you – at least not right away. It would have been much worse if we had acted on the news immediately and then everything turned out to be a misunderstanding. You have to understand: we didn't keep it from you because we didn't feel you should know. We did it because we couldn't afford to be wrong. Acting too soon would have been reckless. Galbadia would have found out we knew and who knows what would have happened. We felt it was best to wait and see if any specific details would come up so we could confirm our suspicions. It was really all we could do."
She looked at the floor as she folded her arms, reflecting on the conversation with Xu in her office the other day – how sudden the news had hit her. It had been so surreal; so unbelievable. Even now, she still couldn't bring herself to really accept such a possible, and apparent, reality.
"Unfortunately…" she mumbled, "Things only became worse over time – and now…Rinoa's been pulled into the middle of it. We have no idea why though."
They all glanced at Rinoa.
"What's wrong with her exactly?" Irvine asked.
Quistis looked toward Rinoa at his words, her eyes staring at the sorceress's shoulder as she recalled the moment she'd seen the puncture wound - the impact of such a sight still just as powerful as she turned back to her friends.
"Quistis…?" Selphie asked, a concerned tone in her voice once again.
Quistis took a deep breath as she slowly brought out the words – hesitant to speak, yet again, as they were only certain to deliver another shock to her already greatly bewildered comrades. It was so much to hit them with at once, but at the same time…they deserved to know. Given the extremities of the matter at hand, nothing could afford to be left out.
"…Rinoa was injected." she said, quietly, her head dropping toward the floor.
The trio looked at her in question at such a response. What kind of answer was that? What did it even mean? They glanced from Quistis to Rinoa, still resting tranquilly on the bed – their eyes locked on her intently for a moment before they quickly retracted their attention back to the blond.
"Injected?" Irvine asked, a clearly puzzled tone in his voice. Though he wasn't sure what she had meant with such a reply, he'd nevertheless, felt his stomach drop upon instantly having heard those words – his heart sinking rapidly at the mere thought of having dared to ask for more.
Quistis took a deep breath as she choked on her reply for a moment. She lifted her head towards her friends again – the words slow to emerge as she reiterated in better detail.
"It happened while Squall and Rinoa were in Esthar yesterday," she explained, "I don't know the full details, but somehow it ended with Rinoa being hit with a syringe."
The mouths of her friends dropped open at those words as they looked at her – their dumbfounded expressions, though very much understood by the young woman, only serving to make this moment more uncomfortable.
"H-How? Who?" Zell asked, stuttering, as he fidgeted from shock.
That…was the question Quistis hesitated to answer most of all. How could she say it? How could she tell them Laguna was behind it all? She didn't even want to believe it herself. Never in her life had she imagined Esthar – imagined Laguna, joining forces with a known enemy of Garden – especially given his relation to Squall. However, after what had happened to Rinoa…it scared her more than anything to realize just exactly how wrong she had been. She couldn't bear to see Laguna as an enemy - but, it also wasn't like he had left her with any other option. The only thing that bothered her more, however…was how easily Squall could.
She sighed to herself as she forced the words to the tip of her tongue – nearly shaking her head as she wanted so much for it to be a lie; to know, somehow, that they'd been mistaken. It was just too hard to accept that Laguna, of all people, could really be so callous; deceitful enough to easily play them into his hands as a friend – and then swiftly strike so harshly when least expected. Something about that didn't seem logical to her – but, at the same time…the last few days had proven that anything really was possible.
"…We believe it might have been Laguna." she mumbled, staring at the floor again, in shame at such a thought.
"Laguna?" Irvine asked, his voice bearing a hint of doubt.
"No way!" Selphie said, shaking her head in disbelief. The news hit her the hardest of all. Selphie had shown a very clear interest in Laguna and never once doubted his humanity or sincerity even before they'd finally met him. She had often viewed him as a source of inspiration – someone to admire and honor for his accomplishments and integrity. To hear this sudden accusation, it was as if her whole world had been shattered; every foundation of her beliefs about the kindhearted man immediately blown away in one fell swoop.
Quistis could only shake her head lightly in reluctance, and regret, as she slowly lifted her head toward them again.
"I don't want to believe it either," she said, in a low voice, "But, given the situation…it's doubtless he was at least a part of it."
She closed her eyes as she let out another sigh.
"…I'm sorry." she said, in a hushed tone.
Selphie and Irvine glanced at each other, trying to make sense of the whole scenario. Like Quistis previously, they, too, found it hard to believe Laguna could do such a thing – especially to Rinoa. He had always treated her kindly – almost as a daughter of sorts. Upon discovering his relation to Squall, it was as if that compassion had only doubled, at least. He'd always done his best to help keep her safe and constantly worried for her well-being. It was just too hard to accept it could really have all been a ruse.
"What did they inject her with?" Zell asked, trying to be calm about the situation.
Quistis shrugged lightly in response.
"We don't know. We only found out about it a few minutes ago."
"Well, is she going to be okay?" Selphie asked, in a worried tone.
Quistis nodded reassuringly at her friend, a faint smile forming in hopes of lightening the mood.
"She'll be fine," she answered, glancing back at Doctor Kadowaki, "She's being kept under close surveillance."
Selphie and Irvine breathed a faint sigh of relief at her words as they looked toward Rinoa again. Zell, however, was only getting more agitated at the whole predicament.
"So, Esthar has betrayed Balamb – siding with Galbadia, they've got Rinoa sedated with who-knows-what…and we're just supposed to sit back and let this continue?" he yelled, "Are you out of your frickin' mind? It seems now is the perfect time for action. I think the truth was clear the moment they got hold of Rinoa. It was an open invitation to retaliate!"
He glared at her angrily as he balled his fists – the intensity and rage in his eyes unexpected to Quistis, even from Zell. She had seen him upset before, but never in this way. This whole revelation of conspiracy and deception had set him off to a whole new level – and there was only one way he knew to ease the aggression that burned so fiercely inside of him.
Quistis closed her eyes as she shook her head lightly.
"We can't do that," she said, calmly, "We still don't have all the necessary information, and on top of that – it's up to Squall to make that decision."
She lowered her head a little as she thought about Squall – recalling, once again, the expression on his face: the anger and intensity that burned in his eyes; in his walk as he'd stormed out of the room fiercely. Where was he going? What had compelled him so strongly to behave in such a way? The anxiety she felt from such thoughts nearly made her sick – her heart sinking a little as she was overcome with a terrible sense of discomfort. She didn't know Squall to be careless – but, then again…she'd also never seen him so driven by emotion; by anger and aggression. She could only imagine what was going through his head – and nothing she came up with was the least bit pleasant.
She lifted her head once again and her eyes met Zell's – both locking on each other's intently as she spoke once more.
"…I know that you're upset. We all are. None of us expected Esthar to turn on us – especially so suddenly."
She looked away again for a moment as she thought to herself – a light sigh emerging from her mouth once again before quickly looking back at the others.
"But, we can't let emotion drive us in this matter. Reckless action will only give them a bigger advantage," she stated, "If this is really happening, we have to be prepared."
Zell was disgruntled by the mere thought of having to wait as Irvine looked at her in discontent – the same expression of disbelief still a bit evident on his face.
"So, what do we do?" Selphie asked, in a soft tone of reluctance.
Quistis relaxed a little as she lowered her arms to her side, glancing at each of her friends as she nodded lightly.
"We don't know what they're planning yet, but they targeted Rinoa for a reason," she said, "If we can find out why…maybe we can figure things out and counter their intentions."
They all turned their attention towards Rinoa once again - the raven-haired sorceress still and silent as ever as they stared at her in wonder, and worry. Quistis was filled with dread, and fear, once again as her mind was overwhelmed with the endless possibilities they faced. If Galbadia and Esthar's plans truly included Rinoa, the reality of the situation was proving to be far more complex, and frightening, than she could have ever imagined – and the fact that Laguna really had played a role in the ordeal only served to make things that much worse. The whole chain of events only drove her restless with anxiety as she reflected on it all, still none-the-wiser to the truth as one specific question sat at the front of her mind.
"Laguna. Why are you doing this?"
Laguna sat at his desk in the Presidential Palace, engaged in a serious phone conversation with an Esthar officer. A new problem had recently arisen in the technologically advanced city and he'd been trying to get to the bottom of it for the past twenty-four hours. Unfortunately, the seemingly endless search was proving to be futile – not even the slightest information pertaining to the issue at hand could be acquired. Needless to say, he was growing tired…and worried.
"Just keep searching," he said, sighing lightly, "He didn't just disappear."
He went quiet again as the officer spoke once more – Laguna's face dropping further at his words as he closed his eyes, only getting more restless towards the whole endeavor as he was quick to argue back.
"Look!" he said, loudly, in an irate tone, "I don't know if you understand exactly how serious this matter is! It doesn't take much to make him talk – and we cannot afford to let any information he holds get into the wrong hands."
He took a deep breath to try and relax – the moment not lasting, however, as he quickly found himself shaking his head in frustration at yet another rebuttal. He didn't want to be mad, but he found it hard to resist in this case. Though their efforts so far had gone unrewarded, past experience had taught him that things were never what they seemed. He may have his moments, but he certainly wasn't as incompetent as popular opinion made him out to be – and he couldn't believe that Esthar officials, highly trained as they were, could possibly be either. No matter how bleak the situation seemed, he wasn't willing to give up until he was certain there was nothing they could do.
He let out an exasperated sigh as he finally cut the officer off mid-sentence.
"I know you're trying, but it's just not enough. You're gonna have to try harder, alright! He's out there somewhere. I don't care what it takes - just find him!"
Without another word, he put the phone down on the receiver – dropping his head onto his palms as he stared down at his desk, sighing heavily.
"Still no trace?" Kiros asked.
Laguna kept his head down, shaking it in grief as he grumbled.
"Man. I don't know how this day could get any worse."
"WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?" an enraged voice shouted from across the room.
Laguna's head shot up as they all three looked toward the door to see Squall storming toward him. The expression on his face was the sternest they'd ever seen it before - his eyes raging with such ferocity; such spite – a sight that quickly sent a chill down the spine of the usually cheerful man. He was completely livid as he stared Laguna down intently.
"Squall?" Laguna asked, a bit flustered, and surprised, by the sight.
The teen didn't respond as he approached the desk in fury, slamming his hands down on it hard as he glared at Laguna fiercely.
"You injected Rinoa?!" he shouted.
"What?" Laguna replied, quickly, "When? What are you talking about?"
Squall just shook his head violently, even more angered now as he looked at Laguna in utter defiance.
"Yesterday – Odine's lab," he said, in a cross tone, "Cut the act already! I know you had something to do with it."
Laguna was only getting more confused, and shocked, as he looked at the SeeD in question.
"Squall, are you serious?" he asked, "You actually think I would do anything to hurt Rinoa? That's ridiculous!"
Squall stood staring back at the man whom dared to call himself his "father" in absolute disdain, nothing but utter hatred flaring in his eyes as he refused to fall for another trick - fighting the undying urge to strike him hard as he spoke again.
"We trusted you...and this is how you respond?" he grated, "Turning against us and siding with Galbadia – dragging Rinoa into the middle of it?!"
Laguna stared at him in shock by his words, completely speechless from the wild accusations made against him as he glanced toward Kiros and Ward – both men merely reflecting his state of mind as they, too, looked at Squall, dumbfounded.
"Whoa, wait a minute!" Laguna said, "Now, I really have no idea what you're talking about! Esthar hasn't sided with Galbadia. What in the world gave you that idea?"
"Don't try to deny it!" he said, seeming even more irate now by Laguna's apparent games, "We received the report of your alliance the other day. After everything that's happened, what else am I supposed to believe?"
Laguna looked at Squall in complete disarray as the SeeD kept his eyes locked on him, staring him down intently - his expression bearing an unyielding aggression and resent as he breathed heavily from yelling. Laguna just shook his head lightly from the whole scenario as he looked back at Squall calmly, hoping his light approach would help to appease the enraged teenager.
"Look. Squall...," he said, "Just calm down and talk to me. What's going on?"
Squall balled his fist at his side as he shook with anger and grief, his teeth clenching tightly as he thought about Rinoa for a moment.
"…It's your fault what happened to her," he grumbled, "You tricked us! You and that weasel of a doctor!"
Laguna's eyes went wide at Squall's mention of Doctor Odine as he glanced toward Kiros and Ward again, both men nodding in unison as they immediately put everything together.
"Of course," Kiros said, holding his hand to his chin as he thought on the SeeD's words, "It all makes sense now."
Laguna nodded in agreement, quickly turned back to Squall - a look of alarm coming over his face as he began to explain.
"Squall, listen to me," he said, "I can understand why you're upset, but you've gotta' believe me. I had nothing to do with what happened to Rinoa."
Squall was only getting more irritated as he was quick to argue back once again.
"Rinoa was injected while you were talking to me in the chamber. That's why she was lying on the floor when I found her. You can't tell me that wasn't intentional, wasn't a way to keep me from getting to her."
Laguna nodded his head lightly, again, in response at Squall's words - realizing what he was getting at. The supposed evidence the SeeD was stating did look rather incriminating…but, given the prior issue before this confrontation – it also left a gap for the elder man to clear his name, and hopefully bring the teen to his senses again.
"Okay, I know that looks bad. You're right. It was too much of a coincidence," he said, "But, there is a simple explanation for everything. Trust me."
Squall glared at him with a heated intensity at those last words – such only serving to fuel his rage, and resent, even further.
"Why should I?" he grumbled, "It didn't do any good for us before."
Laguna took a deep breath as he shook his head from the whole ordeal, looking back at Squall closely as he said his next words.
"Squall, you've got it all wrong," he said, in a hushed tone, "I don't know who gave you such ridiculous information, but you've been completely misled. Let me clear this up for you. I promise, it will all make sense when you hear."
He sighed as he glanced down at his desk for a moment, lifting his head slowly back toward Squall as he spoke one last time.
"….Please, just listen to me."
