It was in the predawn hours, Esthar time, when the Ragnarokset down on the circular landing pad of the Esthar Airstation. The huge, dragon-like spaceship dwarfed the newer, sleeker Esthar craft, taking up most of the landing area. The honor guards then escorted Squall, Zell and Selphie through the building and out onto the broad, blue-tinted skyway.
Man, I didn't think you guys'd be able to get rid of all those monsters, Zell observed.
Selphie agreed. It looks great! Just like the first time we came!
The guards were silent.
Squall ignored his surroundings, his head still spinning from everything that was going on. His anger at being unable to save Rinoa had surfaced once again, as it was the only emotion he could truly decide on. The Lunar Cries around Winhill, the revelation about Laguna, and anything to do with Ultimecia left him completely lost. Once again, all he knew was Rinoa.
Unfortunately, she was now the one thing he could do nothing about.
The lifts were working again, so the five of them boarded the stool-like device for the trip to the Presidential Palace. Squall barely paid attention to the cityscape as it whizzed past them on the outside of the red transport tube. Before long, he would have to face Laguna, and he still had no idea what he could do. If he could feel angry, or betrayed, or hurt, or something, it would certainly make things easier. But he couldn't seem to make up his mind about even that. It was all too much.
The trip was made in silence; at least, if anyone spoke up, Squall didn't notice. It wasn't a particularly long distance to the palace, and when it set down outside the courtyard, he was the first to get off. He didn't really understand what he was doing, but his feet nonetheless propelled him toward the lift into the Presidential Palace. He still had no idea what he meant to do, but an idea seemed to be forming beyond his conscious mind's ability to detect. He rode the lift into the Palace, completely oblivious to the actions of the others, and walked straight to the aide standing in the main hall.
Where's Ellone? he asked, without preamble.
- - = = = = - -
He had been in the waiting room for only a few minutes when the door opened to admit the aide's return. Ellone followed behind him, wearing her customary blue sleeveless shirt and dress, though her customary green sash was absent. Her hair was disheveled, and she looked as if she had just gotten up. Considering the time, Squall guessed that she probably had. And yet she had wasted no time in coming to see him.
After a moment, the aide stepped out, leaving the two of them alone in the room.
It's good to see you again, Squall, Ellone ventured.
Squall hesitated. He was here, but still had next to no idea what to say. ...I have questions.
Ellone nodded. Of course.
Why did you tell me about Laguna? he blurted. And why like that? Why didn't you wait until I got here, and tell me in person? Why...? He trailed off, unsure as to what else to say.
With a sigh, Ellone walked to the couch on the north side of the room and lowered herself into the seat. Uncle Laguna...ever since he met you, he's been trying to decide whether or not to tell you that he's your father. He came close a couple times, but about when you were called here, he convinced himself that it would both be better if he didn't say anything. She shook her head, looking at him with a solemn expression. He doesn't know that I've told you. I just thought it was something you needed to know. And I guess I wanted to give you a bit more time to deal with all this.
It wasn't enough.
Squall, I can't imagine what you must be feeling right now, Ellone continued, but please, try not to hate him. For seventeen years, he's known that he had a son somewhere, but had no idea where. And now that he knows...he doesn't know any more about what to do than you. Please, be easy on him.
Squall's forehead was aching. It's obvious how Sis wants me to feel. If it were just that easy.... ...I don't know what to think of all this, he admitted. I've never even imagined something like this could be. I don't know what to feel.
Ellone nodded. I understand. I just don't want either of you to be hurt.
The room was silent for a moment, as Ellone presumably waited for a response Squall did not have. So far, he had no more of an idea as to what to say or do than he had before. He had grown up in an environment without parents, and had no idea what a father was supposed to do. No one he knew had a father. The concept was, to him, completely alien.
What would my life have been like, if I hadn't grown up in the orphanage? Would I have joined SeeD? Would I have ever met Zell, Quistis, Seifer and the others?
Would I have ever met Rinoa?
Quickly, he shook away the thought of Rinoa. Wherever she was, that was just another thing he couldn't help, as hard as it was to admit.
And he still had one more question he needed answered.
he began, approaching the couch. Can you Connect me...to Ultimecia?
Ellone blinked.
Ever since I fought her, I've been...I don't know how to describe it. I have to understand, why she was so willing to destroy the entire universe. If I don't know, I think I might go crazy.
There was a moment's pause. With a sigh, Ellone lowered herself back onto the couch, her eyes never leaving his face. Squall...I can only Connect people I know in the present to people I knew in the past. What you're asking...for me to Connect you to someone centuries in the future...I don't think it's possible.
You've Connected Ultimecia before, with Rinoa, Squall pressed. And to Adel; you never really met her, did you?
Ellone shook her head, thoughtfully.
And you Connected me to Rinoa. Squall's tone was as close to pleading as it had ever been in his life. Sis, please. Just...try. I need answers.
For a moment, Ellone just looked into his eyes. Squall wondered if she were actually reading his thoughts. And if she could make any sense out of them.
Finally, she nodded. All right, Squall. I don't know if I can, but I promise I'll try. Anything I can do to help.