Chapter 10:
Staring at the ceiling, Lightning just had to take a deep breath as she could hear a knock at the door. "Go away." Lightning yelled as she could hear a jingle that just caused her to sigh as she started to push herself up a little as she could see Rosa walking into the room. "I didn't do anything. And have actually gone out of my way to try and discourage Vanille from her constant asking you for a shared room."
Smiling as she held her hand up, Rosa just went to sit on the edge of the bed to just smile at Lightning who had resumed her stance of staring at the ceiling. "No. I've got that largely handled. Frankly though if you two weren't in a relationship, I'd be all for it. No, this is about your family."
"I've got no control over my family Rosa. Serah is extremely pig headed. Especially when it comes to me. As for my mother... I might be able to talk her into seeing reason but that is a long shot because of how controlling Serah is. So what specifically do you want me to talk to them about?" Lightning said as she swung a hand up and gestured towards the ceiling.
Smiling faintly Rosa just had to admit that as she was thankful that those were the problems Lightning had to deal with with her family now. Especially given what she had witnessed on those tapes and her experiences with her father.
That simple fact was what gave the psychiatrist hope in the matter. She knew that once Lightning was on the other side of everything she was going to be a remarkable person that nothing was going to be able to keep her down.
"This thankfully just has to do with what we talked about briefly. I need you to get your sister to cut back on those absurd donations she has been giving us seemingly weekly. At least talk her into doing it in one lump sum at the start or end of the year if she must give us some. But Ideally she won't hand us any unless we ask her. Thanks to the one I just received from her, we've got enough to upgrade half the wings and expand the other half... which we can't realistically do." Rosa said as Lightning began to push herself up to look up at her.
"Out of curiosity, and because Serah will ask. Without a doubt in my mind in that regard, why can't you?" Lightning asked as she began to push herself towards the wall. "You know besides the logistical nightmare of moving people out to upgrade things to like the next decade ahead of where we or any other asylum is currently will be for decades to come." Lightning said with a sigh as she began to get comfortable at the wall. "But I mean I'm sure the medical ward could use a full time doctor and other equipment... I mean I recognise some of those exact things my family had in our on site hospital from when my Father was an infant and that place has been closed down when he turned twenty."
"Why does your family have a... you know what that can wait for a much later date. The truth is I require a certain level of skill, even if it is something as mundane as cleaning clothes, washing the floors, even something like gardeners. I want to make sure everyone is the best they can be because not everyone is all that stable. And anything can realistically set them down a bad path. Including something as simple as changing rooms around or even extending some can be a dangerous thing. Which is ultimately why we can't just do things." Rosa said as she started to stand up.
"I'll talk to her... but that doesn't necessarily mean she'll listen all that well. And if you think what you are getting a lot now, I don't think seeing it as a lump sum will do much for you. In fact it might get worse... I suggest just putting it into a rainy day fund and get the staff to decide how it is spent. I mean what are you at now donation wise that you can't deal with."
Rubbing her eyes gently, Rosa just sighed gently. "One hundred and fifty million I can't actually move anywhere for this month only. After giving all the staff members massive raises and just about any luxury they could want that still can help their work. Including some expensive ingredients that will last us a year. Hell I even took on the tea bill of Yuna just because we had to expend so much according to the accountants that we have. And until a few months ago we only had one, but now we have five handling various aspects and then the original one is over seeing those. Pretty sure they'd all be just happy with the rest being allocated to a rainy day fund. Hell all of them could now pad their pay-cheques and they'd never get caught... nor would I care. Even if it would be yet another headache for me to deal with because they already are doubtful that the Farron pockets are that limitless."
"Yeah I'll talk to her. But It sounds like she is already toning down the amount given. Because that really is nothing to us. I just ask that you give Vanille a bit more slack with shooting her down about the double room. While I'm sure she isn't entirely pure with her ideas of it and I wouldn't let it... but largely right now it has been down to her wanting to learn longer about reading and writing... and while she is waiting for the results from that test with Yuna to come back... she is still trying her hardest to overcome the barriers she thinks that exist for her."
"Not everyone has that same diamond spoon Light."
"And yet if I do anything besides take over for my family I have failed in everything."
"Light when you get out of here and do anything... I'd consider you the most remarkable person. Even if you wanted to live the life of a hermit."
'I'd think less of you. That is beyond a waste of your abilities.'
"Shut up."
Knocking on the door, as she started to sway back onto her heels from the balls of her feet, Vanille just smiled as she could hear a groan coming from the other side closely followed by the door being tossed open. Seeing Lightning standing there with a towel in her hair just caused Vanille to frown a little.
"Vanille, I don't have time to play fifty questions or make out with you. I need to call home because last night Rosa asked me to get Serah to stop what she is doing with her constant donations."
"Is she giving a lot? Like a number you know I could comprehend." Vanille asked as she fell into stride next to Lightning, quickly looping her arms around the taller woman's as they walked into the elevator as Lightning started to take long shaky breaths. "And if you are uncomfortable Light, you know I won't think twice if you just say so." Vanille said as they spun around.
"I'm a little uncomfortable Vanille..." Lightning whispered as Vanille just nodded her head as she separated from her girlfriend. "And it is a lot more than you can comprehend Vanille... Rosa is even having issues comprehending it. Most people would have issues grasping the amount and frequency that the money is given... just it is probably more than enough to buy Oerba a thousand times over and still enough to rebuild everything and keep people there living comfortably for dozens of generations."
"But we always lived comfortably. Like yeah we couldn't always get what we wanted... but we never needed anything and that is a pretty big difference."
"You're right. That does have a vast range of differences, but with the money Serah is giving the institute everyone in here wouldn't want anything. I mean every staff member got an absurd raise and any piece of equipment they could ever want and there is still too much funds free. Hence why she is asking me to just put an end to this. Or at least have it so it is a once a year thing instead." Lightning said softly as she started to walk out of the elevator with Vanille skipping next to her as they came to the phone banks. "And you are aware I'm going to be just fine calling back to my home by myself right?"
"Yeah, but I don't get to spend as much time as I would like with you. I mean today we only have one thing together not counting meals and reading time and I didn't just write three pages on the motives of the cat from the cat in the hat not to get a decent reward... plus you said I'd need to wait for this morning to get it and you are just going to remove that option from me?"
"That was before Rosa told me to do this... I'll make it up to you after dinner. I promise you that I'll do and wear anything you want."
"So if I say I want to watch you doing jumping jacks and then shirtless making out while you are sweaty... you will?" Vanille asked as Lightning stopped her dialling to just look at her.
"Yeah sure if that is what you want." Lightning said as she finished dialling the number and pressed the phone to her ear as she just smiled at Vanille quickly wiggling her way in between the phone and Lightning's body, just smiling up at her as she began to fix the way the hoodie had been sitting on her. "Seriously?" Lightning asked softly as Vanille just smiled at her.
"If you are calling this number to ask me to do something I already told you isn't happening, I swear whoever it is, I'm going to burn your domain down to the ground and salt the earth that was under it. If you are looking for more money, you should be talking to my public relations people."
"Try again Serah." Lightning said as she gently freed her hoodie from Vanille's grasp as she just smiled as Vanille sneaked her arms around Lightning's waist as she just smiled as she rested her head on top of Lightning's bosom as she just smiled and hummed appreciatively as Lightning wrapped her free arm around Vanille to pull her into a tight hug.
"Claire, not that I don't appreciate the call, can this wait? I'm expecting several calls before I need to rush towards a meeting with several kingdoms and governments."
"I'll be quick then Serah even though this is a conversation that should take longer... but it is something Vanille will thank you for as well because she won't stop playing with my hoodie. I need two things from you."
"Ew... I don't need to know what you and Vanille do in private Claire. And if you called to brag, that could have waited until we see each other again next month. I already have that weekend hollowed out for us to just sit down and talk."
"What? No. That has never happened Serah." Lightning said exhausted as she just took a deep breath. "I meant that literally. She keeps fixing my hoodie trying to get me thinking subconsciously that I should give her another one of my hoodies to borrow that I'll never see again. Which is one of the two things. Send me some more hoodies... and another towel. My hair is a lot longer now and I can't get by with just one anymore."
"Yeah sure, I'll ask Mom to bring you some for her going down next week. What is the other thing?"
"The much harder thing. You need to cool it with all the donations Serah. It is causing a bunch of issues and there are already funds they can't place anywhere. Rosa has asked me to ask you to limit it to once a year."
"I can't do that Claire..."
"Serah, I think I know what this is about... but you just have to trust me. If you want to feel like you aren't abandoning me and actually helping me ask Rosa or Yuna what you can do to be hands on. Because all this money isn't going to be something that can help. At least not for years to come seriously there is too much for anyone here to spend and while I find it a little bit funny, it is just causing Rosa stress." Lightning said softly as Vanille just glanced up at her as Lightning just started to sway gently with her inside of the strong arms.
"And you're probably right Claire because shocker I care about you. But you need to understand Claire that I can't just actively do something nowadays. This is just about all I can do." Serah said as Lightning shook her head gently as she just took a deep breath.
"I know that Serah. But you need to understand there is a fine line between helping and causing more harm with your good deeds. Seriously, just hold off and actually talk to Rosa. She can point you towards things that can give you that feeling like you are doing something and not tread that line and only be helpful."
"Claire. What you say is making no sense."
"Then just listen to me and hold off from donating more until the end of the year. Or at least until you talk to Rosa and actually listen to her. Don't just drown her out and do that stupid hand thing you do when people say something that you think is stupid. Which, I bet dollars to donuts that you are doing it right now."
"What? I... I... I don't need to answer that. Shut up." Serah yelled into the phone as Lightning started to chuckle. "Look I've like an hour free at noon and after that I'm not free again until nine at night."
"I have a meeting with Rosa at noon so I'll dial the number myself, Serah. But seriously, I need more hoodies. I'm down to my last one because I'm not joking Vanille has all the other thirteen of mine. Which is confusing me because there is a pretty big size difference between us. And up to a few weeks ago she only had one and I'm confused as to how she got them."
"It is complicated Claire. And I'd love to get into the ins and outs of how relationships work...especially the appeal behind your significant other's hoodies and sweaters... but that will take up literally all the spare time I have today. I'll get mom to send some down in advance. Just don't bother asking for your hoodies back unless you and Vanille break up and then don't be surprised that they are set on fire and returned in a box filled with ashes. For all intents and purposes those are now her's."
"Whatever Serah. I'll talk to you later. Breakfast is going to be served soon and I'm hungry." Lightning said happily.
"Okay, talk to you later then. Tell Vanille I said hi."
"Bye Serah. Love you and don't get as snippy towards others that you are meeting."
"I am the head of the Farron household. They can't do crap towards me... wait did you say you love me? Oh my god Claire that is the firs-"Serah had started as Lightning rolled her eyes and hung the phone up.
Glancing down, Lightning just could feel her smile start to fall as Vanille had stared at her. "How come you can say that casually towards your sister? But I don't get that unless we are in private?" Vanille asked as Lightning just started to sigh as she started to gently cup her cheek.
"It took me years upon years to even get to that point with Serah Vanille. You know me Vanille. You know I do mean it when I say it regardless... it is just something that I need to move at my own pace for. You know most of my life and have met both of my parents... I mean it took me weeks upon weeks to even let you hug me this long without me starting to break down."
"I know... I'm just a little jealous is all. I mean she can read easily... can probably spell stupid words without issue... she can hug you just fine and gets told publicly that you love her..."
"She is also my sister and my skin would probably be crawling if she hugs me this long. You shouldn't be jealous Vanille. You are still the only person for me."
"Enough for me to borrow that hoodie for the day?" Vanille asked as she pulled back and stared into Lightning's eyes with a smile as Lightning just groaned softly.
"It's my last one Vanille. I wasn't joking when I told Serah you have the other thirteen of the fourteen I brought here with me. And I know I'd end up getting cold today if I gave you my last one."
"But they aren't as fluffy and you are getting some more anyways..." Vanille said softly as Lightning just chuckled softly shaking her head. "Plus I'll give you it back. I promise."
"How about as collateral I get one of my old ones back? That seems fair to me."
Staring into the blue eyes Vanille began to gasp. "It is like you are talking crazy. Your sister even said don't bother getting those back. They are now mine." Vanille said as Lightning shook her head at Vanille's comment just because it signified that Vanille wasn't actually being serious. "Come on. It is bacon day which means that I need to get into the line early because otherwise I'm going to get oatmeal which is bland and tasteless and I swear you are the only person I know that is happy to eat that." Vanille said with a happy tone as she separated from the hug and slipped her hand into Lightning's as they started to walk towards the elevator. "Plus you didn't eat much at dinner so you are going to need some calories soon."
"I'll be fine. I don't feel the normal shaking and even if I do I'd be able to get in earlier and then save you some bacon."
"Yeah but the panic and stress I'd be feeling wouldn't be worth it. At least to me."
"Okay Vanille."
Author's Note:
And I'm done which means I'm going to start posting this story now… fingers crossed I don't catch up too quickly...