Actress In The Mirror

Chapter Ten - Inner Truths

I saw it, why won't anyone believe that I saw it? So they sent me here…what good will it do? Just because I saw one thing it doesn't automatically make me crazy. And no my mind isn't playing tricks on me because I know I'm not that depressed. I should have kept quiet, then they wouldn't have booked me this stupid appointment. "We think it's for the best. This might become a habit, it's better to be safe than sorry." Ha, what do they know? I mean, look at who's making me do this. One can't maintain a stable relationship because of his reputation as a ladies man and the other is so obsessed with his food that he gets upset if he can't have a hot dog a day. They're the ones who need to be here, not me.

Why does he keep staring at me like that? Does he think I'm mad too? Well I'm not! I don't know why you're here but I'm definitely not a crackpot. This is just crazy, I've been here for half an hour and my appointment was supposed to be fifteen minutes ago. Maybe I should just leave. But then again, Irvine and Zell wouldn't be too pleased with me. So I should just do this for them? Oh here comes the nurse. It must be me next. I can't stand waiting here any longer.

"Miss Heartilly, the doctor is ready to see you now."

Finally, its time to see the guy who's going to cure my supposed 'mental disorder'. Why this huge corridor just to get to his room? And it smells of coffee too. I hate that smell, it reminds me of my dad……no……General Caraway. He never could get by without the stuff but mum never used to mind. Hmph, that's bound to be a question this so called doctor is going to ask me. "Tell me about the relationship you have with your parents." There's nothing to tell. All he has to is take one look at me and tell me to go home.

"Good afternoon Miss Heartilly, sorry to keep you waiting."

Ok, so at least he's polite. And not as old as I was expecting either. What's the deal with all these books? Has he ever actually read them all? Ugh…I'm starting to sound like Squall.

"Please sit down."

What, don't I get the sofa? I have to sit in a normal everyday chair? Hmm…maybe he can tell already. Looks like we're getting off to a good start.

"Now then, let's begin. I'm going to ask you a set of simple questions first of all and then we will discuss this problem you have."

There is no problem! How long is it going to take before people realise this?

"Can you tell me your name please?"

"Rinoa Heartilly."

***

Seifer looked over the balcony at the students in Garden. He envied those who were wearing the glorious SeeD uniform which he had always longed to wear. But it was never meant to be. His dreams had been shattered by his close rival Squall and it was never likely that he would be able to pick everything up and start anew. No, Squall had stolen everything which was dear to him. Everything.

"SEIFER?"

"Yo Seifer, we were looking for you ya know."

Fujin and Raijin just couldn't leave him alone. What was it that they found so special about him that they had to always be by his side? He would never understand it that was for sure.

"What do you two want now?" he asked annoyedly.

The pair looked at each other and Fujin pushed Raijin forward.

"Well, we were worried about you. You've been kinda distant ya know. What's the problem?"

"There is no problem! How long is it going to take before you realise this? Can't I just have a moments peace?"

"SEIFER. FRIENDS."

Fujin grabbed hold of and held tightly to his hand. She just wanted to know that he was all right and that what had been spoken about at the ball had just blown over. She hated to see him like this, so distant and cold.

"I know, I know. Maybe I have been a bit distant lately and I'm sorry but I have other things to do. Don't take this the wrong way." Seifer's words relieved Fujin as well as scaring her at the same time. What did he mean by having other things to do?

Raijin pulled on Fujin's arm and told her that they didn't have all day to chat seeing as they had made plans to go fishing at Balamb harbour. They said their goodbyes to Seifer and walked off.

Seifer stayed where he was. He didn't have anywhere to go, he was just waiting.

"Seifer!"

He turned round and saw a short young girl wearing a beautiful dress. It was blue at the top with a pale yellow skirt. In her hair she wore a red headband.

"Rinoa, how did it go?" he asked quickly, wanting to know the details.

"Pretty well but there were a few problems which need to be sorted out," the girl answered.

"Anything you say."

"I think I got through but there were a couple of people who shortened my stay. Deal with them."

Seifer's eyes narrowed and he let out an evil smile. He put his hand inside his jacket and carefully drew out his gunblade. The metal was sharp and his hand slotted into the trigger perfectly. He was ready for action. As he was about to leave she placed her hand in front of him.

"Aren't you forgetting something, my knight?"

Their eyes met and he bent down to kiss her passionately.

Fujin walked down the corridor to get to Raijin's dorm. He had forgotten to pick up the fishing bait and was so eager to get the right spot that he had sent her to get it. As she turned to go to the lift she saw Seifer with the girl. That dress she was wearing, Fujin was sure she had seen it somewhere before. But where and just why was he with her?

***

"Yeah, it was a big shock…I guess maybe it could have triggered something in my mind. Like, I wish I'd never gone back there. But why would she have said that? That's what I don't understand."

To her surprise Rinoa had actually found her time with the psychiatrist useful. He had answered her questions about what she had seen and she now believed that it truly was just to do with her break up with Squall yet there were still some parts of the puzzle which didn't fit together.

"You'll have to figure that out for yourself. If you see anything again then be sure to give me a ring."

"OK," she smiled.