Chapter Fourteen: Sig

Social Welfare Agency Infirmary, Undisclosed Location, Italy

About the same time as Chapter Thirteen

Sig woke up to find herself wearing scrubs and lying down in the infirmary. She did not remember what happened after she got inside the papal helicopter and how she ended up in the Agency. But what she did remember was the terrible string of events: her killing a lot of people including women (who knows if those behind the masks were all men?) and ultimately her childhood friend. Sig embraced herself tighter, her wounds and bones still throbbing and she sobbed. The emotional pain was greater than the physical pain.

Suddenly, the curtains covering her bed opened and Dr. Bianchi came in. "I see you're awake," the doctor said, "I was walking and I heard sobs here so I went to check you. How are you feeling?"

Sig wiped her tears and stopped herself from crying. She remembered how Angelica told her that Bianchi also served as their counsellor so she decided to tell the truth. "I still ache in some places…but…I guess the pain and guilt in my heart is greater…" Sig's voice faded as she cried again.

"Well, you're wounds are not yet fully healed; but you're good to be discharged after a day. But you should stay here for a week. As for your emotional pain…you may be suffering from PTSD. I suggest you come back here every day so we could take about it," Bianchi said with a comforting smile.

Sig nodded. "How are the others?"

"The rest are okay, you shouldn't worry much about them. Their recovery is much…faster, I should say."

"That's good to know, sensei. Do you think I did the right thing?"

"What exactly happened out there, Ms. Sig?" Bianchi knew what happened but wanted to hear it from Sig herself. So Sig recounted it and as she did so, she cried her eyes out. After her tale was finished, Bianchi gave her a pat in the head. "If you ask me, you did the right thing, Ms. Sig. You had no real choice back there. And you saved countless lives for the pope's death would have triggered more violence. As for your friend…he was clearly gone. You don't know how Padania really brainwashes people to forget their humanity…

"In any case, Ms. Sig. You shouldn't stress yourself much when you've just recovered. I think we've had enough for today. We'll talk again tomorrow. For now, please rest. I'll inform Jean and the girls of your progress."

Sig nodded and she lied on her bed again and fell asleep.

Later that day, Jean and the girls visited Sig. They gave her flowers and talked, but not for long since it was getting late already. But the look of gratitude and appreciation was clearly there. Before he left, Jean talked to Sig. "For a non-cyborg, you did great out there Sig. We owe our lives to you. Rest now."

"Uhm, Sir Jean. When do I get home and what did the school say?"

"Oh yes, about that. I've informed them of the incident," Jean answered. This time it was true. He did called the Academy. "They were proud of your actions which they rightly call heroic. And they want you to come home immediately. But we insisted you stay for another week for recovery which they accepted. Apparently, our exchange student also got into trouble and was injured. So really, it is a tit-for-tat situation.

"Also, for your remaining week, you are discharged from training. Use the time to rest. I suggest you hang out with Claes. She's a deep thinker and would really help you out."

"Thank you, sir," Sig replied. Jean nodded and told her to rest and they left the room.

Sig's last day…

The day after the visit, Sig was discharged and she hanged out a lot with Claes during her last week. Sig found Claes' company comforting and pleasurable especially because of Claes' penchant for books. Sig spent her last week learning many diverse things: planting, astrology, fishing, and geology. Sig also accompanied Claes in her herb-planting which she enjoyed. She also had tea with Triela, Angelica, and Henrietta almost every night. Her counselling with Dr. Bianchi continued supplemented by talking with Claes and her other friends' support. Her days flew fast and before she knew it, it was her last day. Her last counselling session was the day before and she felt better already.

It was afternoon and Sig and Claes were at the latter's herb garden, tending to Claes' basil, rosemary, and thyme.

"Siiiig!" a voice called out from behind them. Sig turned and clutched her straw hat which was being blown by the wind. She also grabbed hold the green sleeveless dress she wore. It was Henrietta. She was running towards her, waving. Behind her were Triela and Angelica.

"How are you, 'Etta-chan? Is training over?" Sig asked.

"Yup! I'm fine. Are you feeling better now? I mean, it's your last day. We don't want you sad!" Henrietta replied as she held Sig's hand.

"I'm fine, 'Etta-chan. Thank you for thinking about me," Sig smiled. Henrietta beamed widely in return.

"Hey Claes, there's a meteor shower coming tonight, right?" it was Triela who asked. Claes answered affirmatively. "Since it's Sig's last day, we should watch it later tonight! The hill near the dorms would offer a great view!" Triela proposed.

"Would the Handler's agree? Will they supervise us?" asked Claes.

"Yup!" it was Henrietta who replied, "I already talked about it to Giuse and he agreed to supervise us. So no problem!"

Sig was excited. It has been ages since her last stargazing and she's going to do it with her friends which made it extra fun. "Thank you everyone. You really didn't have to. I'm sorry for bothering you…but thank you!"

Henrietta clasped both of Sig's hands with her own and shook her head, "It's nothing, Sig! It's our send-off party and way of saying thanks to you!" Henrietta smiled so did Sig.

"See you later tonight!" Triela said. "Henrietta, borrow a telescope from Giuse so that we could see constellations too!"

"Okay!" Henrietta beamed.

Later that night…

Everyone was gathered in the hill and Giuse had left them to watch them for a distance after he set up the telescope. Before the shower, Henrietta was pointing constellations to Sig.

"There Sig, there's the small bear, ursa minor and there's the big one, the ursa major!" Henrietta enthusiastically pointed.

"Hai! Utsukushii!" Sig exclaimed. "That one is the Cassiopeia right?" Sig pointed while looking at the telescope.

"Yup! Yup!" Henrietta nodded her head. Then she ran her finger somewhere, "and that's' the Cepheus!"

"And there's Draco the dragon! It's really huugee!" Sig answered. And so the two looked for more constellations.

"'Etta really gets excited when looking at the stars," Triela remarked. Claes merely nodded, "after all, its' Giuse who taught her that," Triela continued.

"They sure get along well. Too bad she'll leave soon. It's nice to see Henrietta happy like that once in a while," Claes replied.

"Right! Stars sure are their thing!" Triela glanced at her watch, "Hey! The shower's bound to start soon! Come, let's lie down and wait for it! It's good to watch it while lying down!"

Henrietta and Sig ran to Triela and company and they lied down in the cool grass, the wind blowing gently upon them. They glanced at the sky…

"Look! Look! There's one!" Henrietta pointed to the shooting star, all excited. "And another!"

Sig smiled, happy to see Henrietta like that. She really reminded her of Funko and Sig was sure Funko would react the same way when she watches a meteor shower.

"Now, now Henrietta! You get all excited and jumpy!" Triela commented and laughed.

"But I love the stars! And watching them with you makes it better!" Henrietta giggled. To her surprise, Sig held her hands. And for a moment, they watched more and more stars shooting in silence. The beauty and awe of the sight simply overwhelmed them.

Triela finally spoke after a while, "Sig, you know Swiss German right?" Sig nodded, "Can you do German then?"

"Uhm, a bit…" Sig replied, a bit unsure of her skills.

"That's enough already!" Triela beamed, "Let's sing the Ode to Joy, it's perfect for a night like this!"

"Yes, it is," Claes said as she sat up. The others followed except for Sig and Henrietta who remained lying down, holding hands. Triela began.

O Freunde, nicht diese Töne!

Sondern lasst uns angenehmere anstimmen

und freudenvollere!...

Soon, the girls joined Triela in singing, their voices rising in unison amidst the shooting stars.

Freude, schöner Götterfunken,

Tochter aus Elysium,

Wir betreten feuertrunken.

Himmlische, dein Heiligtum!

Deine Zauber binden wieder

Was die Mode streng geteilt;

Alle Menschen werden Brüder

Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt…

The next morning, a car was already waiting in the Agency entrance. Inside it was the Japanese Teacher who saw the girls for the first time. "Kawaii! Your friends sure look cute, Sig."

"Everyone, thank you for taking care of our Sig," the Japanese Teacher smiled at Henrietta and company. "Why don't we take pictures of all of you together?"

And they did just that but not in any place where buildings are seen but in the gardens. After a while, Sig approached Henrietta and embraced her, "Thank you, 'Etta. And thank you everyone. I'll miss you!"

"Thank you too, Sig. We owe our lives to you. And sorry if we made you do terrible things…" Henrietta replied. The others joined the group hug. The Teacher also took pictures of that. When they were finished, Henrietta fished something from her pocket. It was a beautiful multi-coloured bracelet with star pendants in it.

"We made this for you last night, Sig," Henrietta began, "I asked Giuse to buy the parts and we worked it out last night. Take this as a remembrance. I hope you like it."

Sig sobbed as she wore the bracelet beside her watch. "It's…it's so beautiful! Thank you so much everyone!" And she bowed.

"You're welcome," Triela replied. "Now, now. Stop crying and show us a happy face!"

Sig wiped her tears and smiled. "Thank you again. Take care always. I hope to see you again!"

"You too Sig!" Henrietta answered. Sig turned and entered the car with the Japanese Teacher. She waved goodbye as the car sped away. Henrietta and company continued to wave in return until the car was no more in their sights.

On the plane…

Sig touched the bracelet that her friends gave. It would be one of her lifetime treasures. Even though her experience at Italy was bittersweet, her new friends made sweetness prevail. She looked at their picture together and again shed tears. She was starting to miss them sorely. She really hoped she would see them again. With that, Sig fell asleep on the plane.