PeRFecT
Chapter 21
It was located in the bowels of East Garden, and the detention center appeared as though it hadn't been used in a decade. A thick film of dust and mold clung to the walls and the ground, making the concrete almost slippery to touch. Quistis trailed Xu through the murky, clandestine corridor and toward the cell blocks.
"Right through there."
Their escort, a beefy brute of a Galbadian grunt, motioned through a narrow passageway. Nodding, Xu dismissed him and ventured toward the specialized cell.
"State name and position." The warden halted them at the cement portal.
"Field Commander Xu of Balamb Garden, SeeD Level A."
"Lieutenant-Instructor Quistis Trepe currently of Galbadia Garden, SeeD Level seven." Quistis stated blandly. She felt. . .a little outclassed. The warden grunted.
"What is your business with the prisoner?" His mouth drew up in a gruesome sneer, displaying his decaying maw and odious breath. Quistis gagged.
"As the Highest ranking officer of Balamb Garden, it is my duty to represent Headmaster Cid Kramer and conduct a private inquiry, since this matter involves a Garden instructor and SeeD mentor."
"Can I see your papers." The warden snarled, rolling his eyes. Glaring, Xu presented the official documentation. Groaning, he opened the heavy steel door that separated the cell from the dank passageway. "Knock three times, pause, then knock again to be let out. Watch her. . .she's slippery. . ."
Ignoring his comment, the two SeeDs entered the chamber.
". . .My, aren't we a pathetic figure?"
A broad face framed with intense, red hair peered out of the darkness. A deranged grin danced upon a pair of saucy lips.
"You're always good for support, Xu." Evana chuckled, rising to her feet. A sharp and grating metallic sound reverberated through the cell. Shrugging, Evana held up her manacled hands for the younger women to see.
"Shackled like a common felon." Quistis murmured.
"Well- she was caught like one." Xu sighed.
"Alright alright- let's not get catty." Evana groaned. Glancing around, she wiped at the floor with her boot. "Would you like to have a seat, ladies? I really should be a good hostess. . ."
"What? Now that you're in prison I finally get to see where you live. . ." Quistis laughed.
"Believe me- this place is cleaner than THAT hole in the wall. . ." The gunbladeswoman leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. "In any case. . .how was Winhill."
"It was hell on earth." Quistis replied bluntly. Xu only nodded, turning away.
"W. . .what? What happened?"
"Too much." Quistis replied. "First we met up with Captain Wynston, who'd been attacked by a . . ."
"Let's keep it short and manageable." Xu interjected quietly. "Evana- Winhill was a disaster. We were all seconds away from annihilation and were forced to use Vigil. He tried to murder Kinneas for a reason only that beast knows, and now, The Time God is currently residing in the comatose body of Lukan Samah. We did, however, manage to get Wynston's key back, though, we did lose a requisite component of the Aede Project."
"Lukan's. . .shit." Evana swallowed hard and stared off into the darkness. "I. . .always knew that fucker'd get him killed."
"It's what he was born to do, Evana." Xu replied. "Who are we to judge the roles Hyne gives us in his ever-expanding epic? The Trance Prophecy stated that Vigil would be held prisoner by mortality- We've always known this. And Lukan is the only one who can sustain him."
'Huh? Trance- Prophecy?'
"Wow Xu- for a woman who's just lost the love of her life, you're taking this rather well." Evana pronounced gently. It was the most compassionate the gunbladeswoman had ever sounded, in Quistis' ears.
"I. . .had a lot of time to think about it on our way back from Winhill- we were on the road most of the day. Seto's prophecy just kept replaying in my mind and I realized that there was nothing I could've done to stop it. I'm . . .just glad Quistis saved Irvine. Even if it means. . ." Xu simply shook her head. "However. . .this means I have to contact Ellone and, unfortunately, Odine- and this is all going to be severely problematic since you've caused such a ruckus between the two nations."
"Shit- Lukan'll be swearing a blue streak in that unconscious little mind. He fuckin' hates that psycho. Make sure you contact Kiros and Ward- they'll ensure that Odine keeps his overzealous fingers off that kid. . ." All of a sudden, Evana groaned and fell against the wall. Even in the poor light, Quistis could see that the woman had been brutally beaten.
'She probably brought it on herself, but. . .'
Quistis placed her hand on Evana's shoulder and whispered.
"Trepe, what the. . ."
"White wind."
The white and blue electricity pranced around them. Evana shivered.
"Ahhh, yeah. That's the stuff. Fuck- If I was a sorceress I think I'd magic-masturbate twenty-four-seven. Those cure spells feel so damned good. . ."
"Alright, alright, Evana- we're not here to watch you get off and Quistis will not be your personal sorceress-whore." Xu chuckled. " Now. . .we need to talk." The commander brushed at the ground and sat herself down. Instructor Botchaskya followed. Quistis remained standing. . .just in case.
"Alright- so talk, commander. I know 'WE' have something to say."
"Hyne- you just can't keep your smart-ass comments to yourself, can you?" Xu asked- her voice laced with amusement and exasperation. "You need to make a joke at every turn- well, I am glad that you can find humor in my sermons, 'cause your about to get a bitch of a tirade."
Evana bit her lip. She suddenly looked very young- like a delinquent cadet, or school-child. Absolutely frustrated, Xu ran her hand violently through her shaggy bob and swore.
"The least amount of time you could get for this is fifty years. And, considering they have enough treasonous hearsay to fill a year-subscription of Timber maniacs, I do believe that they will dish out a life sentence. Now- I would really like to know how you got caught. After fifteen years of being Loire's mole, you had to be caught three weeks before Project Aede went up. Really, I need to know how you managed this. . ." Crossing her arms over her chest, Xu leaned against the wall and waited. Evana sighed.
"Well. . .you know I'd never get caught in normal circumstances. It's just. . .somethin'. . .happened. . ."
"Obviously." Xu rolled her eyes. "Really, Evana- you're being a fucking child. Now, how did you get yourself into this?"
". . .mid-life crisis."
Quistis choked on her own laughter. Xu's eyes simply bugged out of their sockets. Evana grinned and scratched her head.
"Heh heh. . .um. . ."
"What the hell, Evana?" Xu bellowed. "What do you mean?"
"Well, it's sort of a long story. . ."
"Evana- go on!" Quistis interrupted, grinning from ear to ear. It really wasn't very funny, but the guilty smirk on Instructor Botchaskya's face was simply priceless. . .
"I. . .shit." Evana laughed out loud. "This is fucking embarrassing."
"Ah hell, Evana." Xu groaned. "Would you just let it out. I've known you for twenty-two years- you're practically my mother. . .well, bitchy, immature older sister. Now spill it."
"Well. . .it's. . .sorta Trepe's fault. . ."
"My fault?!?!?" Quistis exclaimed. "How?"
"Well- I've been spendin' WAY too much time with you and Kinneas, and I started thinking a little too much- giving into nostalgia and 'what if's' y'know. Anyway, I've really been feelin' my biological clock tickin' lately. . ."
"I fail to see how this is actually my fault. . ."
"So, I've been wandering around with all these stupid fantasies whirling 'round in my head," Evan continued, ignoring Quistis' insertion. "So, a few weeks ago, I get a call in the middle of the night from that sharpshooting brat- pardon me, Quistis- telling me that they needed my assistance right away. So I pull those two wingnut cadets I keep leashed up outta bed and we get over to Deling City, where Trepe and Kinneas are waiting for us. The two had obviously been fucking like teenage bunnies. . ." Evana grinned and ducked just as Quistis swatted at her, "And had also been rudely interrupted by this assassin. So, I relieve them of this assassin and they get back to their passionate soiree. . ."
"Evana- I fail to see where this is going. . ."Xu interrupted, sighing. The red-headed amazon continued.
"Yeah, so, yeah- the assassin just happened to be Kiros Seagil."
Xu stared dumbly at Evana, who was blushing brilliantly.
"So, y'know, I decide not to bring him back to Garden and drop him back off at Loire's instead- like a good ex-comrade. Well. . .he just started smooth talking me like you wouldn't believe- He's worse than Laguna, y'know, because he actually knows what he's saying. . ."
"Evana- why was Kiros trying to kill Quistis and Irvine?" Xu interrupted, looking positively dazed.
"Oh- he wasn't. He just wanted to talk to them and persuade them to move to Esthar. Y'know, so they could be 'monitored'."
". . .probably would've been better than this. Alright, continue. So you saw Kiros. How long has it been?"
". . .seventeen years." She answered softly. " Ever since. . .y'know. . ."
"So, someone found out that you had failed to file the report and bring him back to Garden custody?"
"Oh no, no no no." Evana shook her head. " Let me tell the story, Xoodle."
Quistis burst into laughter at Xu's bristle.
"Don't go there Evana. . ."
"Alrighty, Xuey." The older woman laughed. "Okay, I'll make it short. Anyway- Hunter and Astrid and I stayed the day in Esthar, and I got to see my old cronies again. Gawd. . it was like old times. It was great. And Kiros. . .well, he hadn't changed much. Still real handsome. . .not like this old bag." She cackled and shook her head. "But, leaving the next day, he proposed something to me right before we left. And. . .I should've been able ta get it right outta my head but. . I couldn't. So I've been thinkin' about it for awhile. So. . .four days ago I finally decided to go and see him again. I stole Martine's zeppelin and went to Esthar for the night and then, as I was coming back, I was stopped mid-air by the Galbadian military. It seemed pretty routine 'n shit- just a customs type of search. They let me go and I returned to Garden. After, I went to grab my bags from the back and noticed what was ACTUALLY back there.. . ."
"Which was?"
"Dossiers on terrorists. Files on Garden. Microfiches, weapons- shit, Martine had a whole arsenal back there. And government info. . .confidential stuff. That idiot just leaves his stuff all over the place. . ." Evana chuckled
"So they found it." Xu announced blandly.
"Yeah- it wasn't even my stuff. I mean- I'm guilty of the charges, but not for the reasons they think. But they reported it all and Deling decided to show up to arrest me personally. Ironic, eh?"
"Pathetic." Xu shook her head. "You should've known better. Loire and the boys make you do stupid things. I've heard it from Mother and Furtivan. . ."
"I know but. . .shit. . .I got nothin'. . ."
"What was his proposal, Evana?" Quistis interjected. Both women looked up at her. "I. . I'm curious." Xu nodded in agreement.
"Actually I am too- what did he propose?"
"Ah. . .well. . heh heh. . he um. . .proposed that. . .we should get married."
"WHAT?!?!?" Xu, for the third time that night, bellowed and fell over incredulously. Quistis grinned.
"Did you say yes?"
". . .You're lookin' at a woman finally married at the age of thirty eight, Quisty-girl. Only took him twenty years to ask me. . ."
"Evana! You. . .you got married and now you're going to jail. . ."Xu burst out laughing. Evana joined her. Quistis, failing to maintain her composure, fell to her knees and began giggling as well. Soon, all three of them were holding their aching bellies and wiping the tears from their eyes.
"So. . ."Xu finally cut through the hysteria. "You're Mrs. Kiros Seagil, eh? I'll have to tell Matron that before we seal her- she'll have a field day."
". . yeah." Evana suddenly fell silent. It was a sobering moment. "I. . .won't ever see her again. I'm going to miss the sealing. . ."
"If there is one. Everything's falling apart. I don't know if Ellone can handle transporting Matron's unadulterated state without Lukan. . ." Xu whispered coldly. Their gaiety had been squelched.
"Shit- I guess I really messed up, didn't I? Hyne- men really fuck with my mind. And it's always at an important time. Now. . .it's really all moot. My biological clock's been tickin' at light speed- the big thing I wanted to do was finally have a family. Don't have many more childbearing years left in me. Now, unless I'm pregnant now- which I doubt- I'll probably never have a child. . ."
"Hmmm. . .isn't that bullshit?" Xu's response was more of a comment than an answer. " Five words and you can have yourself a son. . ."
" Well, I don't think I'll be saying the words : "*blank* I'm your biological mother", anytime soon. He wouldn't want me, and I would be of no use to him now. . ."
"E. .Evana?" Quistis stammered. She couldn't believe what she'd heard.
'Evana, has a . . .'
"Forget you heard that, Trepe- I don't deserve to call him my son. Not after the cowardly things I did to hinder his existence. Anyway. . ."
Suddenly, the door swung open and an official-looking gentleman stepped into the gloomy cell. He paused and glanced from one woman to the next.
" Rose Laurentide- Seagil?" He asked.
"Yeah- over her buddy." Evana lifted her hand. Glancing down at his clipboard, he presented it to her.
"I need you to sign each of these spaces, Mrs. Seagil- including your aliases and codenames. This is a court legality and if you fail to disclose any of this information, you will be held in contempt."
"Alright, alright. Hand the sucker over." Grasping it with her right hand, Evana furiously scribbled in a name. Then, altering hands, she scribbled in the next couple with her right hand. She passed it back to the Legal officer, who surveyed the paperwork, then, tipping his hat, he exited and the Warden re-closed the cell door.
". . .you're name is Rose?" Quistis gasped. Evana groaned.
"Don't start, Trepe. There's a reason why I got rid-a that name."
"Yes. . .so you could get a fake Balamb I.D and join the Galbadian military when you were fifteen." Xu smirked.
"Does your 'Matron' tell you everything? God that woman has a big mouth. . ."
"Actually, it was Cid. . ."
"Well, Cid can kiss my wrinkly, old ass." Evana exclaimed. "You have grown up to have no respect for me- I don't care how high your SeeD rank is-I used to change your diapers." She glared at Xu, then Quistis. "And yours too. Hell- I was everyone's favorite babysitter. . ."
"You. . .knew my parents?"
Evana fell silent. Quistis swallowed hard.
'Why am I always in the dark? What else don't I know about myself?'
"Yeah- just a little. Before you were sent to the orphanage. But not really. You'd have to talk to Matron."
"Matron?" Quistis rose to her feet. "Matron. Who is this matron? I keep hearing about her- from you, from Irvine, from Xu and Samah, from my dreams- I don't know this woman. And yet- why is her name on everyone's lips? Why does it seem like she's so involved in my life? Why. . .?"
"Quistis, Matron owned the orphanage where you lived until you were seven." Xu answered seriously. "On the centran coast. Don't. . .you remember any of it?"
Quistis paused.
"No." She stated firmly. "No- nothing save the things I've been told in the last six weeks- since I came to Galbadia. But. . .h. .how can this be true? You're saying that this 'Matron' took care of me at an orphanage and that now you are going to seal her because she's a sorceress. And this sorceress is the only one who knew my parents?"
". . .pretty much." Evana answered. "I mean, other people too,but. . .some thing's are pretty painful to talk about."
"I. . .can't believe what I'm hearing. . ." Quistis slouched against the wall and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I. . .don't recall any of it. . .I can't remember. . ."
"Well then-" Evana stood and slapped her on the back. "Isn't it convenient to have Kinneas?"
Irvine. . .
"W. ..wait. Irvine lived with Matron when he was little. He told me that he lived in an orphanage and. . .Hyne almighty. . .Seifer. . .got angry with him because. . .shit. . .I. . ."
The door to the cell swung open. All three woman bolted to stand at attention as the Serpent slithered his way into the prison block.
"Well, well- isn't this nice. A SeeD rendezvous. I hope you three lovely ladies aren't devising any underhanded plots, hmmmm?" Vinzer Deling simply oozed charm, but Quistis maintained a firm hold on Evana's wrist. Her mentor's entire body was shaking with rage. Three guards entered and grabbed a hold of the red-haired woman.
"Mr. Vice President, what is the meaning of. . .?" Xu began, stepping forward. Another voice answered her.
"You mean, Mr. President, Field commander." Martine stepped unpretentiously out from behind the throng of soldiers. He gave Evana a sympathetic grimace. "As of yesterday. . .President Lao Deling is now deceased."
"I'm so sorry for your loss, Mister President." Evana spat out venomously.
The officers began drag Evana from the room. "The trial begins tomorrow, so tonight there is prep work that needs to be done." Martine resumed his speech. "And. . .you'll be put under house arrest in your room, Mrs. Seagil. The authorities have confiscated any item that could be considered dangerous."
"Martine! You little weasel. . ."
"I'm sorry." It was all he could offer. President Deling gestured to the officers.
"Please escort the lady to the Grand Auditorium. I shall be there shortly. . ." Deling demanded elegantly. The officers, and Evana, trudged off through the murky bowels of East Garden. Turning to Xu, President Deling offered the Balamb commander his hand.
"If you would- the Galbadian Council would really appreciate Balamb's input on this matter. This is, after all, a blow against SeeD and Garden as well."
Glancing to Quistis, Xu took Deling's arm. They left together.
"Trepe. . ." Martine began. Quistis shook her head and joined the execution parade.
A.N: Next chappie half done, oh and- I think this will be a couple chapters longer than I thought- just because of rhythm and spacing. I guess that's a good thing. . ? Anyway- R and R please! I'm sick and it feels like I'm not loved! *sniff sniff* Remedy me by remedying this.
Chapter 21
It was located in the bowels of East Garden, and the detention center appeared as though it hadn't been used in a decade. A thick film of dust and mold clung to the walls and the ground, making the concrete almost slippery to touch. Quistis trailed Xu through the murky, clandestine corridor and toward the cell blocks.
"Right through there."
Their escort, a beefy brute of a Galbadian grunt, motioned through a narrow passageway. Nodding, Xu dismissed him and ventured toward the specialized cell.
"State name and position." The warden halted them at the cement portal.
"Field Commander Xu of Balamb Garden, SeeD Level A."
"Lieutenant-Instructor Quistis Trepe currently of Galbadia Garden, SeeD Level seven." Quistis stated blandly. She felt. . .a little outclassed. The warden grunted.
"What is your business with the prisoner?" His mouth drew up in a gruesome sneer, displaying his decaying maw and odious breath. Quistis gagged.
"As the Highest ranking officer of Balamb Garden, it is my duty to represent Headmaster Cid Kramer and conduct a private inquiry, since this matter involves a Garden instructor and SeeD mentor."
"Can I see your papers." The warden snarled, rolling his eyes. Glaring, Xu presented the official documentation. Groaning, he opened the heavy steel door that separated the cell from the dank passageway. "Knock three times, pause, then knock again to be let out. Watch her. . .she's slippery. . ."
Ignoring his comment, the two SeeDs entered the chamber.
". . .My, aren't we a pathetic figure?"
A broad face framed with intense, red hair peered out of the darkness. A deranged grin danced upon a pair of saucy lips.
"You're always good for support, Xu." Evana chuckled, rising to her feet. A sharp and grating metallic sound reverberated through the cell. Shrugging, Evana held up her manacled hands for the younger women to see.
"Shackled like a common felon." Quistis murmured.
"Well- she was caught like one." Xu sighed.
"Alright alright- let's not get catty." Evana groaned. Glancing around, she wiped at the floor with her boot. "Would you like to have a seat, ladies? I really should be a good hostess. . ."
"What? Now that you're in prison I finally get to see where you live. . ." Quistis laughed.
"Believe me- this place is cleaner than THAT hole in the wall. . ." The gunbladeswoman leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. "In any case. . .how was Winhill."
"It was hell on earth." Quistis replied bluntly. Xu only nodded, turning away.
"W. . .what? What happened?"
"Too much." Quistis replied. "First we met up with Captain Wynston, who'd been attacked by a . . ."
"Let's keep it short and manageable." Xu interjected quietly. "Evana- Winhill was a disaster. We were all seconds away from annihilation and were forced to use Vigil. He tried to murder Kinneas for a reason only that beast knows, and now, The Time God is currently residing in the comatose body of Lukan Samah. We did, however, manage to get Wynston's key back, though, we did lose a requisite component of the Aede Project."
"Lukan's. . .shit." Evana swallowed hard and stared off into the darkness. "I. . .always knew that fucker'd get him killed."
"It's what he was born to do, Evana." Xu replied. "Who are we to judge the roles Hyne gives us in his ever-expanding epic? The Trance Prophecy stated that Vigil would be held prisoner by mortality- We've always known this. And Lukan is the only one who can sustain him."
'Huh? Trance- Prophecy?'
"Wow Xu- for a woman who's just lost the love of her life, you're taking this rather well." Evana pronounced gently. It was the most compassionate the gunbladeswoman had ever sounded, in Quistis' ears.
"I. . .had a lot of time to think about it on our way back from Winhill- we were on the road most of the day. Seto's prophecy just kept replaying in my mind and I realized that there was nothing I could've done to stop it. I'm . . .just glad Quistis saved Irvine. Even if it means. . ." Xu simply shook her head. "However. . .this means I have to contact Ellone and, unfortunately, Odine- and this is all going to be severely problematic since you've caused such a ruckus between the two nations."
"Shit- Lukan'll be swearing a blue streak in that unconscious little mind. He fuckin' hates that psycho. Make sure you contact Kiros and Ward- they'll ensure that Odine keeps his overzealous fingers off that kid. . ." All of a sudden, Evana groaned and fell against the wall. Even in the poor light, Quistis could see that the woman had been brutally beaten.
'She probably brought it on herself, but. . .'
Quistis placed her hand on Evana's shoulder and whispered.
"Trepe, what the. . ."
"White wind."
The white and blue electricity pranced around them. Evana shivered.
"Ahhh, yeah. That's the stuff. Fuck- If I was a sorceress I think I'd magic-masturbate twenty-four-seven. Those cure spells feel so damned good. . ."
"Alright, alright, Evana- we're not here to watch you get off and Quistis will not be your personal sorceress-whore." Xu chuckled. " Now. . .we need to talk." The commander brushed at the ground and sat herself down. Instructor Botchaskya followed. Quistis remained standing. . .just in case.
"Alright- so talk, commander. I know 'WE' have something to say."
"Hyne- you just can't keep your smart-ass comments to yourself, can you?" Xu asked- her voice laced with amusement and exasperation. "You need to make a joke at every turn- well, I am glad that you can find humor in my sermons, 'cause your about to get a bitch of a tirade."
Evana bit her lip. She suddenly looked very young- like a delinquent cadet, or school-child. Absolutely frustrated, Xu ran her hand violently through her shaggy bob and swore.
"The least amount of time you could get for this is fifty years. And, considering they have enough treasonous hearsay to fill a year-subscription of Timber maniacs, I do believe that they will dish out a life sentence. Now- I would really like to know how you got caught. After fifteen years of being Loire's mole, you had to be caught three weeks before Project Aede went up. Really, I need to know how you managed this. . ." Crossing her arms over her chest, Xu leaned against the wall and waited. Evana sighed.
"Well. . .you know I'd never get caught in normal circumstances. It's just. . .somethin'. . .happened. . ."
"Obviously." Xu rolled her eyes. "Really, Evana- you're being a fucking child. Now, how did you get yourself into this?"
". . .mid-life crisis."
Quistis choked on her own laughter. Xu's eyes simply bugged out of their sockets. Evana grinned and scratched her head.
"Heh heh. . .um. . ."
"What the hell, Evana?" Xu bellowed. "What do you mean?"
"Well, it's sort of a long story. . ."
"Evana- go on!" Quistis interrupted, grinning from ear to ear. It really wasn't very funny, but the guilty smirk on Instructor Botchaskya's face was simply priceless. . .
"I. . .shit." Evana laughed out loud. "This is fucking embarrassing."
"Ah hell, Evana." Xu groaned. "Would you just let it out. I've known you for twenty-two years- you're practically my mother. . .well, bitchy, immature older sister. Now spill it."
"Well. . .it's. . .sorta Trepe's fault. . ."
"My fault?!?!?" Quistis exclaimed. "How?"
"Well- I've been spendin' WAY too much time with you and Kinneas, and I started thinking a little too much- giving into nostalgia and 'what if's' y'know. Anyway, I've really been feelin' my biological clock tickin' lately. . ."
"I fail to see how this is actually my fault. . ."
"So, I've been wandering around with all these stupid fantasies whirling 'round in my head," Evan continued, ignoring Quistis' insertion. "So, a few weeks ago, I get a call in the middle of the night from that sharpshooting brat- pardon me, Quistis- telling me that they needed my assistance right away. So I pull those two wingnut cadets I keep leashed up outta bed and we get over to Deling City, where Trepe and Kinneas are waiting for us. The two had obviously been fucking like teenage bunnies. . ." Evana grinned and ducked just as Quistis swatted at her, "And had also been rudely interrupted by this assassin. So, I relieve them of this assassin and they get back to their passionate soiree. . ."
"Evana- I fail to see where this is going. . ."Xu interrupted, sighing. The red-headed amazon continued.
"Yeah, so, yeah- the assassin just happened to be Kiros Seagil."
Xu stared dumbly at Evana, who was blushing brilliantly.
"So, y'know, I decide not to bring him back to Garden and drop him back off at Loire's instead- like a good ex-comrade. Well. . .he just started smooth talking me like you wouldn't believe- He's worse than Laguna, y'know, because he actually knows what he's saying. . ."
"Evana- why was Kiros trying to kill Quistis and Irvine?" Xu interrupted, looking positively dazed.
"Oh- he wasn't. He just wanted to talk to them and persuade them to move to Esthar. Y'know, so they could be 'monitored'."
". . .probably would've been better than this. Alright, continue. So you saw Kiros. How long has it been?"
". . .seventeen years." She answered softly. " Ever since. . .y'know. . ."
"So, someone found out that you had failed to file the report and bring him back to Garden custody?"
"Oh no, no no no." Evana shook her head. " Let me tell the story, Xoodle."
Quistis burst into laughter at Xu's bristle.
"Don't go there Evana. . ."
"Alrighty, Xuey." The older woman laughed. "Okay, I'll make it short. Anyway- Hunter and Astrid and I stayed the day in Esthar, and I got to see my old cronies again. Gawd. . it was like old times. It was great. And Kiros. . .well, he hadn't changed much. Still real handsome. . .not like this old bag." She cackled and shook her head. "But, leaving the next day, he proposed something to me right before we left. And. . .I should've been able ta get it right outta my head but. . I couldn't. So I've been thinkin' about it for awhile. So. . .four days ago I finally decided to go and see him again. I stole Martine's zeppelin and went to Esthar for the night and then, as I was coming back, I was stopped mid-air by the Galbadian military. It seemed pretty routine 'n shit- just a customs type of search. They let me go and I returned to Garden. After, I went to grab my bags from the back and noticed what was ACTUALLY back there.. . ."
"Which was?"
"Dossiers on terrorists. Files on Garden. Microfiches, weapons- shit, Martine had a whole arsenal back there. And government info. . .confidential stuff. That idiot just leaves his stuff all over the place. . ." Evana chuckled
"So they found it." Xu announced blandly.
"Yeah- it wasn't even my stuff. I mean- I'm guilty of the charges, but not for the reasons they think. But they reported it all and Deling decided to show up to arrest me personally. Ironic, eh?"
"Pathetic." Xu shook her head. "You should've known better. Loire and the boys make you do stupid things. I've heard it from Mother and Furtivan. . ."
"I know but. . .shit. . .I got nothin'. . ."
"What was his proposal, Evana?" Quistis interjected. Both women looked up at her. "I. . I'm curious." Xu nodded in agreement.
"Actually I am too- what did he propose?"
"Ah. . .well. . heh heh. . he um. . .proposed that. . .we should get married."
"WHAT?!?!?" Xu, for the third time that night, bellowed and fell over incredulously. Quistis grinned.
"Did you say yes?"
". . .You're lookin' at a woman finally married at the age of thirty eight, Quisty-girl. Only took him twenty years to ask me. . ."
"Evana! You. . .you got married and now you're going to jail. . ."Xu burst out laughing. Evana joined her. Quistis, failing to maintain her composure, fell to her knees and began giggling as well. Soon, all three of them were holding their aching bellies and wiping the tears from their eyes.
"So. . ."Xu finally cut through the hysteria. "You're Mrs. Kiros Seagil, eh? I'll have to tell Matron that before we seal her- she'll have a field day."
". . yeah." Evana suddenly fell silent. It was a sobering moment. "I. . .won't ever see her again. I'm going to miss the sealing. . ."
"If there is one. Everything's falling apart. I don't know if Ellone can handle transporting Matron's unadulterated state without Lukan. . ." Xu whispered coldly. Their gaiety had been squelched.
"Shit- I guess I really messed up, didn't I? Hyne- men really fuck with my mind. And it's always at an important time. Now. . .it's really all moot. My biological clock's been tickin' at light speed- the big thing I wanted to do was finally have a family. Don't have many more childbearing years left in me. Now, unless I'm pregnant now- which I doubt- I'll probably never have a child. . ."
"Hmmm. . .isn't that bullshit?" Xu's response was more of a comment than an answer. " Five words and you can have yourself a son. . ."
" Well, I don't think I'll be saying the words : "*blank* I'm your biological mother", anytime soon. He wouldn't want me, and I would be of no use to him now. . ."
"E. .Evana?" Quistis stammered. She couldn't believe what she'd heard.
'Evana, has a . . .'
"Forget you heard that, Trepe- I don't deserve to call him my son. Not after the cowardly things I did to hinder his existence. Anyway. . ."
Suddenly, the door swung open and an official-looking gentleman stepped into the gloomy cell. He paused and glanced from one woman to the next.
" Rose Laurentide- Seagil?" He asked.
"Yeah- over her buddy." Evana lifted her hand. Glancing down at his clipboard, he presented it to her.
"I need you to sign each of these spaces, Mrs. Seagil- including your aliases and codenames. This is a court legality and if you fail to disclose any of this information, you will be held in contempt."
"Alright, alright. Hand the sucker over." Grasping it with her right hand, Evana furiously scribbled in a name. Then, altering hands, she scribbled in the next couple with her right hand. She passed it back to the Legal officer, who surveyed the paperwork, then, tipping his hat, he exited and the Warden re-closed the cell door.
". . .you're name is Rose?" Quistis gasped. Evana groaned.
"Don't start, Trepe. There's a reason why I got rid-a that name."
"Yes. . .so you could get a fake Balamb I.D and join the Galbadian military when you were fifteen." Xu smirked.
"Does your 'Matron' tell you everything? God that woman has a big mouth. . ."
"Actually, it was Cid. . ."
"Well, Cid can kiss my wrinkly, old ass." Evana exclaimed. "You have grown up to have no respect for me- I don't care how high your SeeD rank is-I used to change your diapers." She glared at Xu, then Quistis. "And yours too. Hell- I was everyone's favorite babysitter. . ."
"You. . .knew my parents?"
Evana fell silent. Quistis swallowed hard.
'Why am I always in the dark? What else don't I know about myself?'
"Yeah- just a little. Before you were sent to the orphanage. But not really. You'd have to talk to Matron."
"Matron?" Quistis rose to her feet. "Matron. Who is this matron? I keep hearing about her- from you, from Irvine, from Xu and Samah, from my dreams- I don't know this woman. And yet- why is her name on everyone's lips? Why does it seem like she's so involved in my life? Why. . .?"
"Quistis, Matron owned the orphanage where you lived until you were seven." Xu answered seriously. "On the centran coast. Don't. . .you remember any of it?"
Quistis paused.
"No." She stated firmly. "No- nothing save the things I've been told in the last six weeks- since I came to Galbadia. But. . .h. .how can this be true? You're saying that this 'Matron' took care of me at an orphanage and that now you are going to seal her because she's a sorceress. And this sorceress is the only one who knew my parents?"
". . .pretty much." Evana answered. "I mean, other people too,but. . .some thing's are pretty painful to talk about."
"I. . .can't believe what I'm hearing. . ." Quistis slouched against the wall and pinched the bridge of her nose. "I. . .don't recall any of it. . .I can't remember. . ."
"Well then-" Evana stood and slapped her on the back. "Isn't it convenient to have Kinneas?"
Irvine. . .
"W. ..wait. Irvine lived with Matron when he was little. He told me that he lived in an orphanage and. . .Hyne almighty. . .Seifer. . .got angry with him because. . .shit. . .I. . ."
The door to the cell swung open. All three woman bolted to stand at attention as the Serpent slithered his way into the prison block.
"Well, well- isn't this nice. A SeeD rendezvous. I hope you three lovely ladies aren't devising any underhanded plots, hmmmm?" Vinzer Deling simply oozed charm, but Quistis maintained a firm hold on Evana's wrist. Her mentor's entire body was shaking with rage. Three guards entered and grabbed a hold of the red-haired woman.
"Mr. Vice President, what is the meaning of. . .?" Xu began, stepping forward. Another voice answered her.
"You mean, Mr. President, Field commander." Martine stepped unpretentiously out from behind the throng of soldiers. He gave Evana a sympathetic grimace. "As of yesterday. . .President Lao Deling is now deceased."
"I'm so sorry for your loss, Mister President." Evana spat out venomously.
The officers began drag Evana from the room. "The trial begins tomorrow, so tonight there is prep work that needs to be done." Martine resumed his speech. "And. . .you'll be put under house arrest in your room, Mrs. Seagil. The authorities have confiscated any item that could be considered dangerous."
"Martine! You little weasel. . ."
"I'm sorry." It was all he could offer. President Deling gestured to the officers.
"Please escort the lady to the Grand Auditorium. I shall be there shortly. . ." Deling demanded elegantly. The officers, and Evana, trudged off through the murky bowels of East Garden. Turning to Xu, President Deling offered the Balamb commander his hand.
"If you would- the Galbadian Council would really appreciate Balamb's input on this matter. This is, after all, a blow against SeeD and Garden as well."
Glancing to Quistis, Xu took Deling's arm. They left together.
"Trepe. . ." Martine began. Quistis shook her head and joined the execution parade.
A.N: Next chappie half done, oh and- I think this will be a couple chapters longer than I thought- just because of rhythm and spacing. I guess that's a good thing. . ? Anyway- R and R please! I'm sick and it feels like I'm not loved! *sniff sniff* Remedy me by remedying this.