Chapter 2:
"But it is stupid... you didn't do anything wrong." The red haired woman complained as she sat down on the other side of the door. Simply looking through the slot where they slid the trays of food.
"I wouldn't go that far Vanille. I did give a current crown prince and his bodyguard a concussion." Lightning said as she just smiled at Vanille's hand gently waving as if it was looking for something. Something that Lightning knew. Gently catching onto her hand, Lightning gave it just a gentle squeeze as she took a deep breath. "And Yuna said I'm not being punished. It is just because she fears what I'd do."
"Okay, I'm slightly less mad because you do tend to get very aggressive towards yourself when you hurt people. Like that time you accidentally threw me off your lap you needed fifteen stitches in your arm and that was just hurting my butt." Vanille said softly as she just took a deep breath. "But anyone that knows you knows that you aren't very keen on surprise hugs or people touching you when you aren't expecting it."
Taking a deep breath, Lightning gently shook her head as Vanille gently pulled their joint hands through the slot. "In Noctis' defence... the touching thing is fairly new. Last time I saw him it was before the Purge. And I can guarantee that Serah already screamed at him enough." Lightning said with a light laugh as she could just hear Vanille gushing a little.
"Doesn't mean if I don't run into him I'm not going to scream at him. Who goes into an Asylum and hugs a patient? One that he hasn't seen in years?" Vanille spoke softly as she raised Lightning's hand gently to just smile as she dragged her thumb over the knuckles. "Your knuckles seem to be healing up nicely though. And your nails were so pretty when they were green." Vanille pouted as Lightning just smiled at her.
"I disagree. It is stupid to colour them... and my knuckles are healing because I stopped throwing my fists into the wall out of anger." Lightning said as she gently just took her hand from Vanille's to gently just cup her cheek. "And Vanille. He is the crown prince of a kingdom thousands of miles away. I don't even know why he was here."
"That would be my doing." A voice came that caused Lightning to quickly try and rip her arm back into the room. She knew the voice pretty well. "Sorry about Prince Noctis. Although from what I've been told he is regretting what he did a lot more than you." The man spoke as he slid a tray into the room. "So before you dig in... do you mind telling me how you know him? Because from what i know of the prince, which has been just over a decade, I don't recall ever dealing with any Farron bar for a Serah and a Claire."
"That would be my younger sister... and unfortunately that is my real name respectively... and I am the head of the family technically. I just don't know how much of a relationship I have with most of the crown princes and princesses. Don't tell me he is the huggy type of person." Lightning said as the chef just chuckled.
"No. That surprised me as well to hear. When he was eight he was involved in an accident and became a very distant individual." The chef spoke as he glanced towards Vanille. "You should probably go up and get some dinner Vanille."
"No. Yuna said I can stay down here until she or Rosa comes and gets me." Vanille said as Lightning just shook her head gently at what she just knew was her sticking her tongue out at the man.
"Sorry about her. She is just a little mad. Something compounded by the fact I only have one book in here and it is a book about philosophy. And specifically about the perception of humans and if anything we do can be categorised as truly good or truly evil because we only ever seem to look at the intent or the aftermath instead of the whole picture." Lightning said softly as the man shook his head.
"Plus because of one poopyhead you are in solitary because you've got a nasty habit of hurting yourself when you hurt others. And turns out he is some friend of Ignis'... doesn't make it less of me screaming at him if I ever saw him." Vanille pouted as Lightning just chuckled, shaking her head.
"He'd probably take it on the chin. Largely because we've witnessed Serah getting furious before and people who say hell hath no fury like a woman scorned have never seen a scorned Farron. And technically I'm employed by him. I am a royal caregiver. I just took a forced sabbatical when his father wanted him to go to college." Ignis said as he began to stretch. "And unfortunately today is meant to be my last day here. They were coming to get me because he is set to wed Lady Lunafreya in a year's time and Noct wanted to go on a road trip. Probably under orders of Regis. Speaking of which, do you think Serah will be at the wedding?"
"If she was invited, probably. She is a sucker for weddings. Or at least my mother would if Serah couldn't due to the fact that she now feels figuratively the weight of the world on her shoulders. She was just saying how she was mad because she was forced to be the mediator for peace talks between Archadia and Niflheim."
"That would be stress inducing. But I did hear the talks went without a hitch. Which is impressive considering they were moments away from going to full out war with each other and you do not want to have two powers like that going for each other's throats." Ignis said as he started to stand up that Lightning could see. "Vanille. I might not see you again. Just, if you do scream at Noct... it is best to use his soon to be wife."
"Come on Reginald! This is your daughter! We've got less reason to keep her alive" The male voice said as Rosa began to shiver a little as she paused the video.
"I can see why she breaks down around Kramer. Cid has only appeared for six hours and dear gods is he one of the worst. And he looks just like Kramer." Rosa said to herself as the door opened and she could see Yuna walking into the room. "How is she?"
"Fine. She was reading Nietzsche when I last saw her. Her blood sugar is at an acceptable level for her." Yuna said as she shivered a little. "What are you doing with the video?" Yuna asked as Rosa just held her hand up to stop Yuna questioning.
"I'm still studying some of the older scenes... or at least the first ones we watched. I'm just at the stage where Cid proceeded to hang her and electrocute her as she just laughed and for once I seriously don't want to know what she is covered in..." Rosa said as she just took a deep breath. "Also to remind myself that we can't punish Lightning for doing what she assumes is defending herself when people invade her personal space like they did. It was even a little cathartic to see her absolutely destroy those men for doing it." Rosa spoke as she reached over to simply turn the disturbing media off.
"Serah even warned the big guy to not do that. But apparently the first guy is a prince who Lightning and Serah both knew for a long time before then and that was just the first time he saw Lightning since before all of this." Rosa said as she pointed towards the television.
"That doesn't really excuse anything..." Yuna said as they could hear a knock on the door.
"Come in!" Rosa yelled as she could see the door opening to reveal Sazh and a finely dressed man next to him. "Ignis, I thought your final shift ended half an hour ago." Rosa spoke as the man just smiled faintly before he bowed gently.
"It did, but I was helping out in the kitchen and I want to apologise for Prince Noctis' actions. I may be his royal caregiver, but that doesn't mean I won't give him a good lecture and inform his soon to be wife about this incident. Apparently he was deeply worried when he hadn't heard about Lightning nor how she had been after the news coverage about her recovery after the Purge and his normally cold emotionless front feel. I have already explained these things to the Lightning and she seemed accepting that he didn't mean ill will towards a stranger and instead was shocked to finally see an old friend for the first time in a long long time."
"Roughly how long?" Yuna asked just wondering how or more importantly what memories Lightning might have suppressed.
"Before I knew him. So you are looking at close to twelve years. Thirteen maybe. I'm sure if you asked Serah Farron she could give you a better number. Or I could ask Noct. Possibly Luna might know but there is no guarantee."
"Don't. Just... if you do need a reference for anything or if you would like to come back, don't hesitate Ignis. While Kain may not be overly keen on people I do know he enjoys working with you." Rosa said as she stood up and gently reached across the table as the man walked over and accepted the hand.
"I shall keep it in mind. As I enjoyed working with him. But my first duty has always been to the crown of Lucis and to the people within its domain." Ignis spoke as he took a simple deep breath. "Although it will be a bit hard to go back to simple things and even simpler meals... but I'll be happy to do it."
"Goodbye Ignis. And tell your friend and his bodyguard, they are lucky because Lightning could have seriously killed them. And I don't mean because of her family. I mean she has been trained to actually fight and kill. And has taken out a number of ex-special forces. One of which had the jump on her and almost got a hit in." Yuna said as she just took a deep breath as she could see the man just smiling at her. "I'm not joking."
"In all my time, I've never seen anyone being able to keep Gladio down for long except one man. And he is currently the bodyguard of the current king of Lucis." Ignis said, taking a deep breath, "So I assure you. I'll be saying that amongst so many other comments. And I can almost guarantee that Cor will be in agreement." Ignis said as he walked towards the door. "Goodbye doctors."
Seeing him walk out of the room with Sazh, Rosa just took a deep breath and began to rub her eyes. "Gods be damned if he thinks that is even close to a joke. If I was in Lightning's shoes... I'd be a lot more fast and loose with that when people touch me. Almost broke Tidus' hand last night when he tried to hug me asking what was wrong." Yuna said as Rosa just nodded her head in understanding. "Why are you torturing yourself though? This is the third time you've watched parts by yourself."
Sighing as she looked up at Yuna. "Besides hoping to desensitize myself to what she went through? Just hoping I can find something that can just let me grasp what is the absolute lowest someone can be and still be considered human. Plus I might find something that allows me to grasp why Lightning still has that survival instinct in the form of the voice... six going on seven years after the Purge ended."
"I mean... and I hate to use this term to describe him... her Father died just over a year ago. And the fact he kept this... and what Lightning said about him and you... I'm pretty sure anyone would need to maintain that survival edge and always be on their feet around him." Yuna said as she shivered gently before taking a deep inhale. "I mean who in their sane mind would keep these videos and even flaunt the fact they still have them to the thankfully but shockingly the only living person in them."
"I know. Believe me. I know it is shocking that Lightning still fights so hard to live. Despite how it has gotten to the point where we need to keep her in solitary for a night every time she injures someone accidentally... but after watching some parts five or six times... I wouldn't be scolding Lightning for harming people. I'm still shocked she could let anyone into her personal space under any reason. But her family... Vanille... even occasionally us and a few patients and orderlies... after she went through that?" Rosa said pointing to the turned off television. "I mean I counted thirty times she was stabbed and had something shoved into the wounds last night including multiple penises. And she can actually stand people even touching her once she gets past minor skin crawling... could you imagine how you would be able to handle that?" Rosa asked as Yuna shivered gently. "I know how I'd do it. A length of rope and a rickety stool."
"Just the thought of that being actually done to anyone is enough to cause me to vomit again, let alone to a child that hasn't even started puberty... but I wouldn't leave it up to chance like that... a gun in mouth. And I don't mean something small like a pistol. I mean I'd actually figure out how to rig a shotgun to blow my brains out. I actually don't care how messed up Tidus or Auron or Lulu or even Wakka would get seeing or hearing that is how I chose to end it." Yuna said as she just took a shaky breath. "I'm still surprised that she hasn't lashed out at Vanille yet. Because Vanille is still doing those surprise hugs."
"Remember when the hardest thing we had to do was explain to her that being attracted to women isn't the worst thing? I really miss those days. I also miss the days when we ignorantly assume that these videos weren't going to be that bad. Back when birds used to sing... and just the simple touch of my husband didn't make me feel ready to violently get sick... even tempted to risk the lawsuit and ask Kramer if he could get plastic surgery to change his face any. I'd even pay for it."
"I'd go half on that. The scary thing is... according to him... they had identical upbringings. Even down to the schoolings. The only difference is... Kramer got punished more often for doing something he enjoyed over his brother's well being. Like taking care of injured animals... and his brother just tended to injure said animals. Brings up the nurture versus nature debate."
"Yeah. I'm actually a little glad that Vanille has caused her to open up and trust more. Even though, if that relationship fails... I fear what we'll need to pick up. Literally the only solace is the fact Serah seems just as happy about her progress as she is." Rosa said as she just took a deep breath. "You might want to leave unless you want to continue on from where we left it last night."
"Might as well. I'm not sleeping tonight anyways and haven't eaten yet. I'm on call."
"I guess it is better than nothing. Just... try and get over the hour mark please."
"It is a lot easier if we aren't on a twisted rape moment in her life. I'll take the torture... or hell her eating one those rats she caught and her bedding. Or hell her needing to patch herself up." Yuna said as she took a deep breath. "Remember those days when we couldn't say that because we thought torture was the worst? Those days seem so far away."
"They really do."
Skipping the rock in her hands across the sea, Lightning just took a deep breath as she looked towards the small corporal form sitting in the wet sand. Just leaning back and staring at the sky.
"I figured once you remembered my name... you would have used up everything for me... except what you made me swear to never let you remember." The voice spoke as she looked towards the pink haired woman. "Or at least you'd stop bringing me here... could you at least give me something different to wear?"
"I don't know why we are here. I have to admit though... it is nice not seeing anything but grey. Grey and grey and grey." Lightning said as she took a few steps back to sit on the drier sand. "And if it was that easy to get rid of you... don't you think we would have been done here already?" Lightning continued to speak as she just sighed gently. "As for the whole you being in something different... I've got no idea. I'd love to no longer see you as my younger sister."
"Trust me Light. I like the colour too... this place used to be so depressing. And the whole Serah thing... that is barking up the wrong tree. I don't want to look like her... I guess when you gave me this form that was the easiest appearance for you to talk to but you didn't want to confuse me with your real sister so you put me in something even she wouldn't wear and you latched on. Once you grasp something it is impossible for you to let go of. I think that is why you held onto the hope your Dad loved you for so long."
"Was I ever that stupid?"
"Yes. Yes you are. Everyone is at one point. But your captivity should be over soon. Might want to get up."
"You're right."
"Of course I am. I'm the smarter you."
"Whatever Lumina."
Author's Note:
And here we have another chapter. one that has a lot more development of things between the stories… and what nightmares Lightning endured… catch you all later.