Act I : Trial of A Man
Chapter XIX - Illiterate
~*~
For once, I am dreaming nothing. Not of Malon's demise, or of the fall of Hyrule. My head is a blank as I sleep, and I welcome that darkness. It surrounds me and binds me, holding me close and dear, and I allow myself into it's embrace, grateful for the lack of dreams. There I stay, unmoving and unwilling to do so, perfectly comfortable in this land of darkness where dreams and memories can no longer bother me. I am detached, removed, and glad of it.
However, the feeling of shaking and talking begins pulling me from that world of unconsciousness, but I fight it. I roll over with a mumble, facing away from the intruder of my sleep. I will ignore them for as long as possible. . .I don't want to leave this realm of empty sleep.
I realize that I'm given no choice when I can feel rough hands pressing down on my bruised ribs. I wince unwillingly, the pain contorting my face. The sudden blast of fire that the touch sent across my chest is enough to wake me up, but that doesn't mean I want to. I start to roll over yet again when I feel hands about my waist, grabbing at something, lifting up my shirt. . .
My eyes snap open, "What the Hell?" I ask Seifer, who's in the process of pulling my shirt up and over my eyes, "What are you-"
"Ah, so you didn't escape uninjured," I hear the words through the cloth of my shirt (that crappy medic outfit from yesterday still), "I knew it."
"That's nice," I mumble as the shirt comes back down into it's normal position, "but I really don't think that warrants stripping a guy while he's still half asleep," Seifer looks on impassively while I wipe the sleep from my eyes. He's wearing what he always does, that white trench coat of his, over top that blue shirt with the silver cross.
"What do you want?" I mutter after a moment, laying back down on the couch. He woke me too early, I'm still tired. . .
"Kadowaki want's to see you," he says, his arms crossed before him, "And so does Selphie and Quistis."
"That's nice," I say half heartily, the mere thought of the ever too bubbly Selphie already giving me the start of a headache, which will go along quite nicely with the pain from the bone crushing (not much left there for her to shatter) hug, ". . .When?"
"Now." He suddenly grabs my left arm, hauling me off of my bed (couch) and to my feet. I have no choice but to comply, unless I want to be dragged across the floor and to the door on my ass. I stand with a yawn, raising a hand gingerly to try and rub some of the ache from my side.
"Did you have to do that?" I ask, partially satisfied when I can no longer feel the nerve endings burn in my ribs.
"Only way to wake you up, fucking lazy ass."
"But sleep is good. . ." I mumble absentmindedly, blocking another yawn. He just shakes his head and sighs, walking over to the door.
"Come on. It's a good thing you're going to see Kadowaki," a grin which I don't like (not like I like many grins) crosses his face, "That bruise looks like it could use some attention."
I shrug, "It's just a bruise," I walk over to him, and he opens the door, one hand motioning for me to go through. I stare suspiciously at this almost formal gesture, eyeing first him, and then the door. Then him. I eventually give up and walk through, but his words stop me half way.
"You got to be careful, huh?" He says, that smile from earlier suddenly gone, but soon replaced once his fist has found it's way into my ribcage. He didn't hit me very hard, but. . .
"Ow. . .What the Hell?" I say through clenched teeth, trying not to double over.
"Just proving a point, now, do you need me to show you where the infirmary is, or can you find it yourself?"
"I. . .I think I'm good," I say, forcing myself to stand straight and hurry out of Seifer's reach.
"Well then, get lost," he says calmly, closing the door with a slam. I stand there, staring at the closed entrance for a moment before my current task comes back to me. I've got to go see the Good Doctor again, and I'll be out of Seifer's way for a while. It all works out, I suppose, though I would have preferred it if the day did not start out with a punch to the ribs.
The hall is empty, completely desolate besides me, making this place seem so much bigger. My footsteps echo in the dead halls, and if it weren't for the neatness of the place, I'd swear that I'm the first person that's been here for years. Where is everyone? How early did Seifer wake me up? The sun is up, but. . .
Once I reach the circular hall, things have not changed. There is no one here.
"I've seen livelier tombs, for Din's sake," I sigh, scratching the back of my head. With this place so empty, it seems like the infirmary is so far away. . .Almost like it's miles farther then it was before. . .
"I bet my tomb would have been lively," Malon muses, suddenly phasing into existence beside me in a manner like she's been walking beside me all along, "So many people coming from all around to mourn my death. . .It's just too bad you weren't there."
[I doubt that they would have given you a tomb, with the way you're acting,] I reply in a calm fashion, and I watch with mild (great) humor as her face contorts into some kind of death frown of doom aimed at me. I merely shrug (very slightly, so I don't attract attention) and roll my eyes, [What? It's true, you know.]
"Well, either way, at least I know that someone mourned my death," she floats around me, coming in front of my face, hovering there so that her eyes fill my vision, ". . .You will die all alone, Hero." Her voice comes as a murderous whisper, and though I wish to turn away, I cannot stray from those eyes.
Eyes that I fell in love with over five hundred years ago. . .
Finally my will comes back to me, and I force myself to walk away, past her and through the door that leads to the infirmary. Malon does not follow, perhaps because she knows that I will not listen to anymore of her whisperings right now.
Or, maybe because she knows that she's won this round. . .
I find my way to that door eventually, the one that will lead me to Kadowaki (or Marie, or whatever she wants to be called). The door clicks open, a loud noise in this world of silence, and I walk in to see no one in sight. Not completely satisfied with this instant observation (she wouldn't call me down just to leave), I move towards the little room off in the corner. The one that they had Squall in while he was injured. Inside sits Kadowaki (who gives me a brief glance before turning around again) who is watching over a patient.
For once second I think that it is Squall, and that he's somehow managed to injure himself beyond anything I've seen done to a person before.
Or at least, a person who is still alive.
It doesn't take me long to see that I am wrong. It's not Squall, it's just some other boy with brown hair. This kid (he looks awfully young) has bandages all over. . .On his chest, around areas of his head, his shoulders. . .He's not awake (conscious), and it's easy to see why. Beneath those bandages I can see the bright red of many lacerations, and to Kadowaki's side there is enough evidence to convince me that she's been changing bandages often.
"He's going to make it," Kadowaki says, turning around again, "But barely. I'll call one of my assistants to look after him while I take a look at you."
"What exactly are you looking for?" I ask as she gets up and moves to her desk, which is behind me. I step aside as she walks by, and for one moment I think that she has somehow managed to forget that I'm even here when she finally answers.
"Oh, nothing really. I just want to see what kind of medical condition you are in," she replies, moving around to the back of her desk. She leans forward and touches some little blue thing, "Hello?" I stare at her quizzically, wondering what mental condition she's in, when a little static voice answers:
"Yea?"
"Send down someone, I need some help watching a patient."
"Okay, someone will be there in just a minute."
Kadowaki takes her hands off the blue box, "Sorry about that, now, if you'll just follow me," the Good Doctor leads me to the side wall where there is a door that I've never noticed before (it blends in rather well). She opens it without a second thought, and I follow, looking around as we enter the room. It's a plain white room, like any other part of the infirmary, except it's much larger though it still has a low ceiling. It holds a total of about ten to fifteen beds. None of them are currently occupied, so it's just the two of us in here.
Us, and a few machines against the wall here and there.
"That blood," she asks, her voice weary and distant, as if she's in a haze, "Is it yours?"
"No, I was training yesterday."
Kadowaki studies me for a moment, before nodding and motioning me to go over and sit down on a bed, and I do as she says, not really sure on what she intends to accomplish. I sit there like I should, when suddenly a question enters my head.
"Hey, uh, where is everyone?"
"Hm? Oh, they're in class, why?"
"I just didn't see anyone when I was going through the halls," I say as she begins pulling my shirt up off my head, "What Time does class start?"
"Seven thirty to - Holy Hyne boy!" The shirt comes off completely, and instantly Kadowaki is running her hands over my bruises, "What on earth happened to you?" She traces the large blood red and purple markings on my ribs, gently, as if afraid of hurting me.
Thank Farore.
"I got attacked by something in the Training Center," I mumble, watching as she motions for me to lay down. Again I comply, but this Time I have a feeling that I know what she's planning on doing.
"You should have come here right away," she replies, pressing her hands down into my chest, "I'm just checking to see if anything's broken. . ."
"I checked yesterday," I comment, wincing as her fingers come in contact with the center of the bruise, "There's nothing wrong, it's just a bruise."
"What caused this?"
"A T-rexsaur." I reply, near tonelessly, my breath light and cautious as her fingers probe the worst part of my injury.
"You fought one? With who?"
I want to answer that I fought the thing by myself, but that would sound. . .rather boastful, "Three cadets."
"I see. . ." She studies me for a long while, before walking away from the bed, "Okay, well, you're right, there's not much I can do for that. . .So just becareful for the next few days. Now, as for the rest of the examination. . ."
I sigh as she begins checking various things. . .This could be a long, long day. . .
I sigh again when the thought of Selphie comes into my head.
Yes, a very long day.
~*~
After an hour or two of persistent prodding, Kadowaki finally agrees that I'm fine, alive and well, and all that sort of stuff (though she says I'm a bit skinny). I'm rather glad, seeing as I actually made it out of there with enough mental energy left to survive an 'attack' from Selphie.
I swear, that girl has got some unlimited energy or something. . .If they could focus that energy into a physical force, then countries would fall at their feet. Squall could testify to that. Though it hasn't happened often, there have been a few occasions where Selphie has deemed the situation grand enough to risk Squall's anger. She flies at her opponents, embracing them in a 'friendly' hug before they have Time to react.
I hope she doesn't do the same to me.
. . .Where did I get that idea, anyway?
I mean, on regular circumstances, I could almost assure that Selphie would be on my case immediately, pouring her extreme love of all things righteous into some outrageously tight hugs.
I know that, because I was with Squall for most of the Time that he knew her.
But. . .I mean, how could I be so sure of how she'll act, since most of the Garden still doesn't trust me? She could just as easily tell me to get lost, or go to Hell, or something. . .
I guess it doesn't really matter. . .I'm just going to have to wait and see.
I tug the shirt that Kadowaki gave me (a new, pristine medic shirt) over my head, struggling not to hit into anything as I get the material away from my eyes. I manage rather well, staying rather clear from the walls, though I almost smacked into the door.
I wonder where the Headmaster's office is. . .? Last Time I followed Seifer. . .
"The elevator, in the center, remember? Third floor, end of the hall," Malon's voice repeats cryptically inside my head. I nod absentmindedly, ignoring the slight stare of Kadowaki's assistant. I walk down the halls of this institution, dodging my way through crowds of students all busy trying to get to their next classes or whatever. . .
At least I didn't try this with my bloody shirt still on. . .I'm getting enough stares as it is. . .
The roar of the students is louder than the soothing sound of the water fountains, and I find myself wishing that Kadowaki finished sometime between classes. Not much I can do now, so instead of complaining, I make my way to the central area, where the elevator is located.
Though I had expected to wait in some lines, the entrance to the small elevator is completely desolate, enough so that I wonder whether the thing is out of order or not. I see no sign, or any form of a warning (not like I'd be able to read it anyway), and so, I activate the device like I have seen Squall do so many Times before.
Squall. . .I wonder how he's doing.
My thoughts are returned to the here and now when the sound of a tiny bell rings, and the doors open. I step inside the thing, able to feel it adjust to my weight (I do not like that feeling, I keep thinking that it's going to fall). The glowing of buttons greet me, and I press the top one.
There's the shifting movement, and soon, the slight whirring sound of this machine moving is all the sound there is. I sigh, not liking the idea of this meeting. I don't know why, but no matter what I do, I can't help but think of what Selphie's going to do. Hell, I don't even know if she's going to be there, but in my mind there's really no doubt.
Another bell, and again the door opens, showing a narrow, dark hall of several feet. Right across from me is a door, and as I open it, the darkness of the hallway falls back to reveal a large room with a high ceiling. Skylights keep it bright, shining light down on to the forms at the desk across from me.
Selphie and Quistis.
They stand there, with the raised section for the pilot of the Garden right behind them. Quistis, with her arms crossed, leaning against the desk. Selphie, a bubbly smile on her face, her hands behind her back. She seems unable to stand still, hopping from foot to foot. I blink, wondering how to handle the situation, but before I can think of anything, Quistis motions for me to come over.
"Thank you for coming. We have looked over the reports," Reports? On what? "and we have decided that you would make a good SeeD candidate. Do you accept?"
I lower my head to think. SeeD? Me? But. . .I've got nothing else. . .My friends are dead by now, I can't find my way home. . .I raise my head and nod, "Yes, I accept."
"Alright then," a slight smile crosses Quistis' features, and I find myself wondering if she's going to 'like' me again, "That makes everything simple. Now there's only some paperwork you have to fill out, and then it's up to the testing."
"Okay, fine. . .Wait! Paperwork?" I ask, though I already know that I didn't hear her wrong, "Wait wait wait, I don't 'do' paperwork."
"What do you mean, you don't 'do' paperwork?" The Instructor asks, one eyebrow arched.
"I think that he means he can't. . ." Selphie states, leaning forward slightly and studying my face, as if just looking at me will tell her all, ". . .You can't? Can't. . .read?"
"Heh. . heh. . ." I scratch the back of my head, suddenly really nervous, "Well, you see. . .When I grew up, it wasn't expected that I would be of much. . .use. . .so I was never really taught how to read."
A frown forms on both of their faces, and an uncomfortable moment of silence follows until at last Selphie looks up, a bright gleam in her eyes.
"I know! We'll teach you how!"
[Wow, it took you that long to figure that out, huh?] I mutter mentally, wishing that I could roll my eyes without drawing attention to myself.
"Why don't you say that to her face?" Malon states from beside me, but she doesn't bother to 'grace' me with her presence. . .which, is fine by me. I'd prefer it if she never showed up in my life again (at least, not this fake version of her), but the chances of that happening are so low that they shouldn't even be considered.
"Teach me how?" I repeat, watching as the light look of calm authority reappears on Quistis' face, "How?"
"Ah, it won't be a problem!" Selphie replies, cutting off Quistis' attempted remark, "But first. . .Let's get you something better to wear. You look like a medic!. . .I bet Rinny can help! Let's go get her!"
It's amazing (and frightening) watching Selphie go. . .hyper in so short of a Time, but I still manage somehow to mutter something, "But-"
"No buts! When we're done with you-" she grabs my arm and starts hauling me down the way I came, back towards the elevator, "-you'll look so cool that they'll be forced to let you in!" She looks over her shoulder at the ever placid Instructor, "Right, Quisty?"
"Yes, I'm sure we'll be forced indeed," as Selphie turns back around and continues to drag me, I am just able to catch Quistis mouthing the words, 'Good luck.'
'Thanks,' I reply, careful not to make any actual sound, 'I think I'm going to need it.'
At first I am very pleased with how Quistis ended that (though I am not happy with my current situation, but there's not much I can do about that), but the smile that she gives me just before the door shuts behind us is not very reassuring.
"She's in love with you again," Malon states, suddenly floating alongside me, ". . .Poor, poor naive child. . ."
~*~
Such a poor, insolent child. . .He will never know his true potential in such a state as he is. Looking at him, that foolish Hylain, now, I know that I must intervene soon. . .But there are so many ways. . .Bring up the horrors of his past? Destroy those who he is already beginning to bond with? So many choices!. . .And each one more favorable than the first.
But now. . .Now is not the right moment to strike. Soon, soon when he has his precious status and friendships and whatever else is soon to be his. . .then I shall strike. Not now, no. . .Not yet. Things will be in motion soon, they always are, I suppose. . .This was nearly a respite of the storm.
Damn that Tyrael. . .Slowing everything. Curse his bones! I will see that Angel in my grasp one day. . .His meddling has never been more than an annoyance. . .still. . .
The time to strike comes soon. . .so close. . .so damned close I can almost taste it.
Soon Hero, you will be trapped in a web from which there is no escape. . .
Perhaps, you already are. . .
~*~
After seemingly hours of a mind numbing haze, Selphie, Rinoa, and myself arrive back at Garden. First thing I do (after taking the bags they have shoved into my hands), is head to the dorm room to get some sleep.
Who knew that shopping, of all things, could take so much out of you?
The fact that the dorm is technically Seifer's does not escape me. . .It's just. . .not all that important right now. I'm sure, that as I now reach for the knob, I'll probably run head first into him, and somehow manage to get into trouble-
I open the door, halfway through an automatic flinch, but there's nothing (no one) there. It's empty and quiet, almost unnaturally so. . .I take a step in, listening carefully. . .
I can't hear anything suspicious. . .
I close the door quietly, moving as quickly and as silently as I can through the darkness, over to where the couch should be. Soon I am upon it, and feeling it out with my hands. . .There seems to be nothing wrong with it. . .
Maybe I'm just being paranoid. . .
I set down the bags next to the couch, forcing myself not to wince at the loud crinkling sound they make as they touch the floor. Then I run my hands over the couch again. . .Could it be that Seifer left this thing alone after all. . .?
I seem to doubt that very much, but who knows? I can't hear, see, smell, or feel anything out of the ordinary, so maybe I really am just paranoid. I sit myself down, waiting a moment for any hidden trap to spring, and when nothing happens, I begin to lay down. Nothing happens. . .
With a careful sigh, I begin thinking of things to make my weary mind ready to sleep. . .Hmm. . .Today's questions are. . .How come the SeeDs could see me the first Time around when I was still a ghost? I've got absolutely no explanation for that one. . .What was up with that dream that Isabel had? That whole line about 'if you leave, you can never return' stuff? So many questions, and no answers. .
At least the question of what to do next has been answered.
Tomorrow, Selphie had said, is when they are going to teach me to read. Rinny - Rinoa - offered to help, so at least it won't just be me and Selphie. . .I think I would go insane if that happened. . .Snap like a twig, I would.
After that, well. . .I guess I'll try to become a SeeD. . .
"And after that?"
[I really don't know, Malon, I really don't know. . .]
Sleep came late that night.
~*~
A/N: AHAHAH! We are nearing the main plot of Act I !!!. . .Sorta. . .Act I is really. . .um, odd and stuff. . .Kinda weird, actually. . .Lots of good stuff though, but unfortunately a little slow. . . . Act II (if we ever get there, and I don't say that because of Time constraints, because there are none!) is a lot more. . .Interesting? Dark? Malicious? Cruel?
All of the above?
Maybe .
Act III - You can bet your butt that this will be a sorrowful Act. . .But hey, that's in the future. . .not now. . .but soon.
Sorry bout the crappiness of this chapter, but it kinda had to be done. . .
Thanks ya'll, please R+R!! ~_^
Chapter XIX - Illiterate
~*~
For once, I am dreaming nothing. Not of Malon's demise, or of the fall of Hyrule. My head is a blank as I sleep, and I welcome that darkness. It surrounds me and binds me, holding me close and dear, and I allow myself into it's embrace, grateful for the lack of dreams. There I stay, unmoving and unwilling to do so, perfectly comfortable in this land of darkness where dreams and memories can no longer bother me. I am detached, removed, and glad of it.
However, the feeling of shaking and talking begins pulling me from that world of unconsciousness, but I fight it. I roll over with a mumble, facing away from the intruder of my sleep. I will ignore them for as long as possible. . .I don't want to leave this realm of empty sleep.
I realize that I'm given no choice when I can feel rough hands pressing down on my bruised ribs. I wince unwillingly, the pain contorting my face. The sudden blast of fire that the touch sent across my chest is enough to wake me up, but that doesn't mean I want to. I start to roll over yet again when I feel hands about my waist, grabbing at something, lifting up my shirt. . .
My eyes snap open, "What the Hell?" I ask Seifer, who's in the process of pulling my shirt up and over my eyes, "What are you-"
"Ah, so you didn't escape uninjured," I hear the words through the cloth of my shirt (that crappy medic outfit from yesterday still), "I knew it."
"That's nice," I mumble as the shirt comes back down into it's normal position, "but I really don't think that warrants stripping a guy while he's still half asleep," Seifer looks on impassively while I wipe the sleep from my eyes. He's wearing what he always does, that white trench coat of his, over top that blue shirt with the silver cross.
"What do you want?" I mutter after a moment, laying back down on the couch. He woke me too early, I'm still tired. . .
"Kadowaki want's to see you," he says, his arms crossed before him, "And so does Selphie and Quistis."
"That's nice," I say half heartily, the mere thought of the ever too bubbly Selphie already giving me the start of a headache, which will go along quite nicely with the pain from the bone crushing (not much left there for her to shatter) hug, ". . .When?"
"Now." He suddenly grabs my left arm, hauling me off of my bed (couch) and to my feet. I have no choice but to comply, unless I want to be dragged across the floor and to the door on my ass. I stand with a yawn, raising a hand gingerly to try and rub some of the ache from my side.
"Did you have to do that?" I ask, partially satisfied when I can no longer feel the nerve endings burn in my ribs.
"Only way to wake you up, fucking lazy ass."
"But sleep is good. . ." I mumble absentmindedly, blocking another yawn. He just shakes his head and sighs, walking over to the door.
"Come on. It's a good thing you're going to see Kadowaki," a grin which I don't like (not like I like many grins) crosses his face, "That bruise looks like it could use some attention."
I shrug, "It's just a bruise," I walk over to him, and he opens the door, one hand motioning for me to go through. I stare suspiciously at this almost formal gesture, eyeing first him, and then the door. Then him. I eventually give up and walk through, but his words stop me half way.
"You got to be careful, huh?" He says, that smile from earlier suddenly gone, but soon replaced once his fist has found it's way into my ribcage. He didn't hit me very hard, but. . .
"Ow. . .What the Hell?" I say through clenched teeth, trying not to double over.
"Just proving a point, now, do you need me to show you where the infirmary is, or can you find it yourself?"
"I. . .I think I'm good," I say, forcing myself to stand straight and hurry out of Seifer's reach.
"Well then, get lost," he says calmly, closing the door with a slam. I stand there, staring at the closed entrance for a moment before my current task comes back to me. I've got to go see the Good Doctor again, and I'll be out of Seifer's way for a while. It all works out, I suppose, though I would have preferred it if the day did not start out with a punch to the ribs.
The hall is empty, completely desolate besides me, making this place seem so much bigger. My footsteps echo in the dead halls, and if it weren't for the neatness of the place, I'd swear that I'm the first person that's been here for years. Where is everyone? How early did Seifer wake me up? The sun is up, but. . .
Once I reach the circular hall, things have not changed. There is no one here.
"I've seen livelier tombs, for Din's sake," I sigh, scratching the back of my head. With this place so empty, it seems like the infirmary is so far away. . .Almost like it's miles farther then it was before. . .
"I bet my tomb would have been lively," Malon muses, suddenly phasing into existence beside me in a manner like she's been walking beside me all along, "So many people coming from all around to mourn my death. . .It's just too bad you weren't there."
[I doubt that they would have given you a tomb, with the way you're acting,] I reply in a calm fashion, and I watch with mild (great) humor as her face contorts into some kind of death frown of doom aimed at me. I merely shrug (very slightly, so I don't attract attention) and roll my eyes, [What? It's true, you know.]
"Well, either way, at least I know that someone mourned my death," she floats around me, coming in front of my face, hovering there so that her eyes fill my vision, ". . .You will die all alone, Hero." Her voice comes as a murderous whisper, and though I wish to turn away, I cannot stray from those eyes.
Eyes that I fell in love with over five hundred years ago. . .
Finally my will comes back to me, and I force myself to walk away, past her and through the door that leads to the infirmary. Malon does not follow, perhaps because she knows that I will not listen to anymore of her whisperings right now.
Or, maybe because she knows that she's won this round. . .
I find my way to that door eventually, the one that will lead me to Kadowaki (or Marie, or whatever she wants to be called). The door clicks open, a loud noise in this world of silence, and I walk in to see no one in sight. Not completely satisfied with this instant observation (she wouldn't call me down just to leave), I move towards the little room off in the corner. The one that they had Squall in while he was injured. Inside sits Kadowaki (who gives me a brief glance before turning around again) who is watching over a patient.
For once second I think that it is Squall, and that he's somehow managed to injure himself beyond anything I've seen done to a person before.
Or at least, a person who is still alive.
It doesn't take me long to see that I am wrong. It's not Squall, it's just some other boy with brown hair. This kid (he looks awfully young) has bandages all over. . .On his chest, around areas of his head, his shoulders. . .He's not awake (conscious), and it's easy to see why. Beneath those bandages I can see the bright red of many lacerations, and to Kadowaki's side there is enough evidence to convince me that she's been changing bandages often.
"He's going to make it," Kadowaki says, turning around again, "But barely. I'll call one of my assistants to look after him while I take a look at you."
"What exactly are you looking for?" I ask as she gets up and moves to her desk, which is behind me. I step aside as she walks by, and for one moment I think that she has somehow managed to forget that I'm even here when she finally answers.
"Oh, nothing really. I just want to see what kind of medical condition you are in," she replies, moving around to the back of her desk. She leans forward and touches some little blue thing, "Hello?" I stare at her quizzically, wondering what mental condition she's in, when a little static voice answers:
"Yea?"
"Send down someone, I need some help watching a patient."
"Okay, someone will be there in just a minute."
Kadowaki takes her hands off the blue box, "Sorry about that, now, if you'll just follow me," the Good Doctor leads me to the side wall where there is a door that I've never noticed before (it blends in rather well). She opens it without a second thought, and I follow, looking around as we enter the room. It's a plain white room, like any other part of the infirmary, except it's much larger though it still has a low ceiling. It holds a total of about ten to fifteen beds. None of them are currently occupied, so it's just the two of us in here.
Us, and a few machines against the wall here and there.
"That blood," she asks, her voice weary and distant, as if she's in a haze, "Is it yours?"
"No, I was training yesterday."
Kadowaki studies me for a moment, before nodding and motioning me to go over and sit down on a bed, and I do as she says, not really sure on what she intends to accomplish. I sit there like I should, when suddenly a question enters my head.
"Hey, uh, where is everyone?"
"Hm? Oh, they're in class, why?"
"I just didn't see anyone when I was going through the halls," I say as she begins pulling my shirt up off my head, "What Time does class start?"
"Seven thirty to - Holy Hyne boy!" The shirt comes off completely, and instantly Kadowaki is running her hands over my bruises, "What on earth happened to you?" She traces the large blood red and purple markings on my ribs, gently, as if afraid of hurting me.
Thank Farore.
"I got attacked by something in the Training Center," I mumble, watching as she motions for me to lay down. Again I comply, but this Time I have a feeling that I know what she's planning on doing.
"You should have come here right away," she replies, pressing her hands down into my chest, "I'm just checking to see if anything's broken. . ."
"I checked yesterday," I comment, wincing as her fingers come in contact with the center of the bruise, "There's nothing wrong, it's just a bruise."
"What caused this?"
"A T-rexsaur." I reply, near tonelessly, my breath light and cautious as her fingers probe the worst part of my injury.
"You fought one? With who?"
I want to answer that I fought the thing by myself, but that would sound. . .rather boastful, "Three cadets."
"I see. . ." She studies me for a long while, before walking away from the bed, "Okay, well, you're right, there's not much I can do for that. . .So just becareful for the next few days. Now, as for the rest of the examination. . ."
I sigh as she begins checking various things. . .This could be a long, long day. . .
I sigh again when the thought of Selphie comes into my head.
Yes, a very long day.
~*~
After an hour or two of persistent prodding, Kadowaki finally agrees that I'm fine, alive and well, and all that sort of stuff (though she says I'm a bit skinny). I'm rather glad, seeing as I actually made it out of there with enough mental energy left to survive an 'attack' from Selphie.
I swear, that girl has got some unlimited energy or something. . .If they could focus that energy into a physical force, then countries would fall at their feet. Squall could testify to that. Though it hasn't happened often, there have been a few occasions where Selphie has deemed the situation grand enough to risk Squall's anger. She flies at her opponents, embracing them in a 'friendly' hug before they have Time to react.
I hope she doesn't do the same to me.
. . .Where did I get that idea, anyway?
I mean, on regular circumstances, I could almost assure that Selphie would be on my case immediately, pouring her extreme love of all things righteous into some outrageously tight hugs.
I know that, because I was with Squall for most of the Time that he knew her.
But. . .I mean, how could I be so sure of how she'll act, since most of the Garden still doesn't trust me? She could just as easily tell me to get lost, or go to Hell, or something. . .
I guess it doesn't really matter. . .I'm just going to have to wait and see.
I tug the shirt that Kadowaki gave me (a new, pristine medic shirt) over my head, struggling not to hit into anything as I get the material away from my eyes. I manage rather well, staying rather clear from the walls, though I almost smacked into the door.
I wonder where the Headmaster's office is. . .? Last Time I followed Seifer. . .
"The elevator, in the center, remember? Third floor, end of the hall," Malon's voice repeats cryptically inside my head. I nod absentmindedly, ignoring the slight stare of Kadowaki's assistant. I walk down the halls of this institution, dodging my way through crowds of students all busy trying to get to their next classes or whatever. . .
At least I didn't try this with my bloody shirt still on. . .I'm getting enough stares as it is. . .
The roar of the students is louder than the soothing sound of the water fountains, and I find myself wishing that Kadowaki finished sometime between classes. Not much I can do now, so instead of complaining, I make my way to the central area, where the elevator is located.
Though I had expected to wait in some lines, the entrance to the small elevator is completely desolate, enough so that I wonder whether the thing is out of order or not. I see no sign, or any form of a warning (not like I'd be able to read it anyway), and so, I activate the device like I have seen Squall do so many Times before.
Squall. . .I wonder how he's doing.
My thoughts are returned to the here and now when the sound of a tiny bell rings, and the doors open. I step inside the thing, able to feel it adjust to my weight (I do not like that feeling, I keep thinking that it's going to fall). The glowing of buttons greet me, and I press the top one.
There's the shifting movement, and soon, the slight whirring sound of this machine moving is all the sound there is. I sigh, not liking the idea of this meeting. I don't know why, but no matter what I do, I can't help but think of what Selphie's going to do. Hell, I don't even know if she's going to be there, but in my mind there's really no doubt.
Another bell, and again the door opens, showing a narrow, dark hall of several feet. Right across from me is a door, and as I open it, the darkness of the hallway falls back to reveal a large room with a high ceiling. Skylights keep it bright, shining light down on to the forms at the desk across from me.
Selphie and Quistis.
They stand there, with the raised section for the pilot of the Garden right behind them. Quistis, with her arms crossed, leaning against the desk. Selphie, a bubbly smile on her face, her hands behind her back. She seems unable to stand still, hopping from foot to foot. I blink, wondering how to handle the situation, but before I can think of anything, Quistis motions for me to come over.
"Thank you for coming. We have looked over the reports," Reports? On what? "and we have decided that you would make a good SeeD candidate. Do you accept?"
I lower my head to think. SeeD? Me? But. . .I've got nothing else. . .My friends are dead by now, I can't find my way home. . .I raise my head and nod, "Yes, I accept."
"Alright then," a slight smile crosses Quistis' features, and I find myself wondering if she's going to 'like' me again, "That makes everything simple. Now there's only some paperwork you have to fill out, and then it's up to the testing."
"Okay, fine. . .Wait! Paperwork?" I ask, though I already know that I didn't hear her wrong, "Wait wait wait, I don't 'do' paperwork."
"What do you mean, you don't 'do' paperwork?" The Instructor asks, one eyebrow arched.
"I think that he means he can't. . ." Selphie states, leaning forward slightly and studying my face, as if just looking at me will tell her all, ". . .You can't? Can't. . .read?"
"Heh. . heh. . ." I scratch the back of my head, suddenly really nervous, "Well, you see. . .When I grew up, it wasn't expected that I would be of much. . .use. . .so I was never really taught how to read."
A frown forms on both of their faces, and an uncomfortable moment of silence follows until at last Selphie looks up, a bright gleam in her eyes.
"I know! We'll teach you how!"
[Wow, it took you that long to figure that out, huh?] I mutter mentally, wishing that I could roll my eyes without drawing attention to myself.
"Why don't you say that to her face?" Malon states from beside me, but she doesn't bother to 'grace' me with her presence. . .which, is fine by me. I'd prefer it if she never showed up in my life again (at least, not this fake version of her), but the chances of that happening are so low that they shouldn't even be considered.
"Teach me how?" I repeat, watching as the light look of calm authority reappears on Quistis' face, "How?"
"Ah, it won't be a problem!" Selphie replies, cutting off Quistis' attempted remark, "But first. . .Let's get you something better to wear. You look like a medic!. . .I bet Rinny can help! Let's go get her!"
It's amazing (and frightening) watching Selphie go. . .hyper in so short of a Time, but I still manage somehow to mutter something, "But-"
"No buts! When we're done with you-" she grabs my arm and starts hauling me down the way I came, back towards the elevator, "-you'll look so cool that they'll be forced to let you in!" She looks over her shoulder at the ever placid Instructor, "Right, Quisty?"
"Yes, I'm sure we'll be forced indeed," as Selphie turns back around and continues to drag me, I am just able to catch Quistis mouthing the words, 'Good luck.'
'Thanks,' I reply, careful not to make any actual sound, 'I think I'm going to need it.'
At first I am very pleased with how Quistis ended that (though I am not happy with my current situation, but there's not much I can do about that), but the smile that she gives me just before the door shuts behind us is not very reassuring.
"She's in love with you again," Malon states, suddenly floating alongside me, ". . .Poor, poor naive child. . ."
~*~
Such a poor, insolent child. . .He will never know his true potential in such a state as he is. Looking at him, that foolish Hylain, now, I know that I must intervene soon. . .But there are so many ways. . .Bring up the horrors of his past? Destroy those who he is already beginning to bond with? So many choices!. . .And each one more favorable than the first.
But now. . .Now is not the right moment to strike. Soon, soon when he has his precious status and friendships and whatever else is soon to be his. . .then I shall strike. Not now, no. . .Not yet. Things will be in motion soon, they always are, I suppose. . .This was nearly a respite of the storm.
Damn that Tyrael. . .Slowing everything. Curse his bones! I will see that Angel in my grasp one day. . .His meddling has never been more than an annoyance. . .still. . .
The time to strike comes soon. . .so close. . .so damned close I can almost taste it.
Soon Hero, you will be trapped in a web from which there is no escape. . .
Perhaps, you already are. . .
~*~
After seemingly hours of a mind numbing haze, Selphie, Rinoa, and myself arrive back at Garden. First thing I do (after taking the bags they have shoved into my hands), is head to the dorm room to get some sleep.
Who knew that shopping, of all things, could take so much out of you?
The fact that the dorm is technically Seifer's does not escape me. . .It's just. . .not all that important right now. I'm sure, that as I now reach for the knob, I'll probably run head first into him, and somehow manage to get into trouble-
I open the door, halfway through an automatic flinch, but there's nothing (no one) there. It's empty and quiet, almost unnaturally so. . .I take a step in, listening carefully. . .
I can't hear anything suspicious. . .
I close the door quietly, moving as quickly and as silently as I can through the darkness, over to where the couch should be. Soon I am upon it, and feeling it out with my hands. . .There seems to be nothing wrong with it. . .
Maybe I'm just being paranoid. . .
I set down the bags next to the couch, forcing myself not to wince at the loud crinkling sound they make as they touch the floor. Then I run my hands over the couch again. . .Could it be that Seifer left this thing alone after all. . .?
I seem to doubt that very much, but who knows? I can't hear, see, smell, or feel anything out of the ordinary, so maybe I really am just paranoid. I sit myself down, waiting a moment for any hidden trap to spring, and when nothing happens, I begin to lay down. Nothing happens. . .
With a careful sigh, I begin thinking of things to make my weary mind ready to sleep. . .Hmm. . .Today's questions are. . .How come the SeeDs could see me the first Time around when I was still a ghost? I've got absolutely no explanation for that one. . .What was up with that dream that Isabel had? That whole line about 'if you leave, you can never return' stuff? So many questions, and no answers. .
At least the question of what to do next has been answered.
Tomorrow, Selphie had said, is when they are going to teach me to read. Rinny - Rinoa - offered to help, so at least it won't just be me and Selphie. . .I think I would go insane if that happened. . .Snap like a twig, I would.
After that, well. . .I guess I'll try to become a SeeD. . .
"And after that?"
[I really don't know, Malon, I really don't know. . .]
Sleep came late that night.
~*~
A/N: AHAHAH! We are nearing the main plot of Act I !!!. . .Sorta. . .Act I is really. . .um, odd and stuff. . .Kinda weird, actually. . .Lots of good stuff though, but unfortunately a little slow. . . . Act II (if we ever get there, and I don't say that because of Time constraints, because there are none!) is a lot more. . .Interesting? Dark? Malicious? Cruel?
All of the above?
Maybe .
Act III - You can bet your butt that this will be a sorrowful Act. . .But hey, that's in the future. . .not now. . .but soon.
Sorry bout the crappiness of this chapter, but it kinda had to be done. . .
Thanks ya'll, please R+R!! ~_^