Disclaimer: If Squaresoft was a pawn shop, they would be mine. But
Squaresoft is a lot bigger than me :P
Warning: Lots of dialogs in this one. Am I turning my fic into a soap opera? We'll see *grins*
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Chapter 12 : An interlude
Allen couldn't remember being loaded in the train, but he felt incredibly good when he woke up feeling the movements of the wagon under his back, and the distinct roaring of the engine. Every minute led him farter away from her. Carefully, he stretched and grunted when he felt the muscles of his stomach and legs scream in anger. Another body, dangerously close to him, stirred beside his right arm, and his eyes shot open.
The body stirred again and groaned loudly while it rolled on the side, and almost on top of him. A bunch of lump, dirty blonde hair fell on his face as the other man settled his head against Allen's shoulder, his powerful arm moving to cuddle against his side, and went back to his light snoring. Allen didn't move, but blushed furiously searching for an escape with eyes as round as dinner plates. Out of his vision, he heard a foot tap and a slight chuckle, something that betrayed amusement, but definitely not good mood.
"Cute. Don't make yourself hopes, kid, he's mine." The unmistakable voice of the gunblade-man grunted behind him. The boy twisted his neck to cast a glance at the leather-clad man, who was sitting on a bench near the window, gunblade on his lap. His legs loosely crossed straightened as soon as the boy seemed to want to get up. Allen stood frozen and stared at the point of the menacing weapon, purposely held right under his chin. The man's glare could have shot bullets, that's for sure.
"You don't move until we read Deling City."
"But I have to pee!" Allen whined in all his thirteen-years-old glory.
"You can piss all over yourself if you want."
"And all over him too?" Allen motioned to the sleeping blonde cuddling him like a Teddy Bear.
The man's eyes narrowed, and his lips retreated to a thin line, but the blade finally retreated from his throat, allowing him to breathe freely again. A gloved hand grabbed his wrist painfully and pulled him out of bed, in the direction of the small restroom. Much to the boy's surprise, the tall scowling man entered with him, and pushed him unceremoniously in the toilet's direction, while he kept his face turned to the nearby wall. Allen wanted to jump in the bowl and flush himself down, but he shakily managed to do what he had to do, without aiming wrong but not without a couple very offensive words from the man about the time he took to finish such a simple task. Sincerely terrorized, Allen let himself be drawn out of the restroom, and thrown again on the bed while the gundlader returned to his seat and settled the weapon back on his knees. Snuggle boy beside Allen didn't seem annoyed the slightliest bit about the interruption, and simply puts his arms back around the boy's chest, and rest his head on his shoulder. Well it actually felt nice.
"Is he drugged?" The rough voice asked.
"I don't know. I never knew how my mother threat them. But it's a possibility. Another one would be that his mental capacities have been magically diminished. In that case the brain damage can be permanent."
The man's breath caught, but he didn't say anything else. The train continued its course, and the warm breath of the blonde continued to beat against the youth's skin, giving him some kind of comfort, but knowing it wouldn't last. Allen had no idea what awaited for him in Deling. The gunblade-man openly displayed his hatred for him. Of course he had reasons. But Hyne, he was just a boy. Most of all this still escaped his understanding. He still had no idea what happened in the facilities his mother owned. He wasn't allowed to enter those places. He knew nothing. Would they torture him in hope to get information he didn't even got close to? Probably. For now, the idea of suffering wasn't as bad as he thought it would be-he had suffered a lot in the past days, and would probably still suffer in the upcoming days. No big deal.
The blonde's body shifted again, lightly turning to the other side, his arms leaving him. Almost immediately, the boy shifted too and wrapped his arms around him. The presence comforted him, and the blonde-Zell?-would probably hate him too as soon as he'd be back to his normal self.
Well, that was if he ever went back to his normal self.
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"..I don't have the slightliest memory of that." Quistis' voice dripped with incredulity. She was nervously playing with the long cloth that covered her skull.
"It happened. You disappeared and was brought to that farm near Obel Lake."
"I should remember if it happened."
"And you also should have remembered you were with us at the orphanage years ago."
Quistis straightened in the bed, glaring daggers. "It was the GFs. I haven't been junctionned since Time Compression."
"I told you they conducted some experiments on you. I saw they had a needle plounged in your brain."
"Yeah, or so you say."
"Are you implying I lied to you?"
"That could be considered."
"Fuck you."
"Fuck you back."
"I hate you." Seifer knew it was only true for that conversation, and so was quite pained to see his declaration didn't seem to hurt Quistis' feelings.
"I hear that." Quistis crossed her arms and turned her face away from his gaze, watching the damn rain trickle down the window. So damned stubborn.
"Won't you ever trust me?"
She kept her face turned away, but answered. "I have no reason to trust you. You never showed me anything but malevolence."
Seifer was beginning to think that the amnesiac Quistis was far better than the real one, but kept his mouth shut for once.
"When will you bring me back to Garden?" She said, bringing her eyes back on his.
"Hopefully you will be admitted back in there, but I can't go back. Me, Zell and Squall have been expelled a few days before we dragged you back from Obel."
"What?? What in Hyne's love happened?"
Seifer sighed. How he wished he never got into that conversation. "Well it's a long story but I'll only say that we decided to search for you against Cid's will and were all punished for it. I used my Blue SeeD rank to initiate the search. Now if we ever get back to Garden, or give a hint of where we are, we risk martial court and the likes. So you can go back, but only if you swear on your life that we won't have to worry about you spilling out the beans."
".That doesn't sounds like Cid at all."
"Yeah, but he changed a lot after Time Compression."
".So you made it to SeeD?"
"Damn right! Surprised, Instructor?"
"..Not that much. And you went to search for me first?"
"Mhm."
"Well.that's a side of you I've definitely missed back then."
"Everyone changes. Not necessarily for the best, but they do."
"Wow.are they the words of the Sorceress' lapdog?"
Seifer's face went sour.
"You can't know what it was like."
"How was it?"
Seifer smiled, surprised of her sudden interest. "You really do want to know?"
"Yes" was her firm response.
"Well.I was floating in a dream. The moment she took me away with her, she was nothing but a motherly figure for me. She never threat me bad, never got angry against me.she was sweet, and understanding, even when I failed her.I felt like I should have felt if I had a family.I would have done everything for her. I deserve the blame, but never in my life I have been happier than during those weeks spent with Ultimecia."
"."
"You are blaming me, aren't you?"
".well, yes. But I think I understand your motive. But you killed."
"Yeah, I did. And I would have killed all of you. I aren't trying to defend Ultimecia here. But she truly made me happy, and that's why I stayed. And I think she might have gotten any of us. She chose me because I was in the right place, in the right moment, not because I was a stupid arrogant bastard. Well, not only because of it.Ah damn it!"
Quistis lightly laughed. "You make sense."
"Tsk."
"I don't know if I want to go back to Garden knowing that Cid is...changed."
"Well you will have to make a decision pretty soon, because I am running out of money. In fact we might have to leave by tomorrow."
Quistis' breath caught. "Leave??"
"This is a hotel. I am running out of money, and trying to enter my SeeD bank account will tell them where I am."
"Where will you go?"
"If I only knew.that's why you should go back to Garden Quis.you're weak and you can't remember a thing.we could make up a believable story so Cid wouldn't suspect anything"
"yes.but where's Squall and Zell?"
"I.I don't know. Zell was at the same place you were, and Squall stayed to get him out too.and that's all.Just hope nothing bad happened to any of them."
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Edea straightened her classy dark blue skirt before opening the door of the room she shared with her husband. As always, her presence in the hallways was greeted with a flock of salutations from the students and Instructors. Edea smiled warmly at every of them, as she knew every name in the book, and cared for most of them. Carelessly pushing a raven-with-salt lock behind her hear, Edea walked down the main hallway to the Infirmary, where doctor Kadowaki was busy holding a junior student down while Rinoa, her helper since she decided to settle down in Garden, slid a cloth wet with a disinfectant over a bleeding gash that went from the boy's shoulder down to his navel. The poor child screamed his lungs out and nearly passed out when Kadowaki, with the skill she was known for, methodically used a pair of tiny pliers to remove pieces of wood, sand, and other dirt from the wound. Once it was clean t her liking, the boy's face was slowly turning from gray to green, but then she motioned to Rinoa, who put one of her slender hands on the student's chest and activated a cure spell. Amplified by the sorceress' magical abilities, the spell washed through his body like a thunderbolt, and the wound immediately closed without leaving even the smallest trace. Blood seemed to flow back in the child's body, giving his cheeks a healthy rosy color, as a sleep spell hit him and sent him into deep slumber.
"Here.done. Thanks again, Mr. Heartilly."
"My pleasure, as always. Will he be alright?"
"Well the shock will remain, for sure. He'll probably have nightmares full of T-Rexaurs for a couple weeks, but nothing a strong young body can't handle. I'll put him to bed." With that said, the Doctor easily lifted the junior's small frame in her arms, and headed for one of the rooms.
Rinoa smiled at Edea and walked to the small sink to wash her bloodstained hands. Edea simply sat down waiting.
Dr. Kadowaki emerged from the room, followed by the heavy scent of camphor balm. She grabbed her purse and announced her intention of heading to the cafeteria for a quick lunch. Both Rinoa and Edea saluted her and watched her leave.
"How Cid's doing?" Rinoa finally asked, drying her hands with a towel.
"Fine."
"Oh."
"But he seems more nervous than before. That's why I came to see Dr' Kadowaki. I know he hates doctors but I'd like her to check him up."
"Nervous. Maybe he works too much."
"I doubt it. He worked all of his life, since he was 12. But he seems to be slowly loosing his mind. He's growing paranoid, he's convinced there's a plot going on in Garden against him. But who would want him dead? He's always been an example for students. He's a father figure for most of them. I don't understand him."
"He's growing old. How how is he? 58?"
"60 in three months."
"So you want me to tell Dr. Kadowaki when she gets back?"
"Well if you don't mind I will wait for her here."
"No, I certainly don't."
Rinoa pulled a chair from under the round steel table and sat beside Edea, taking one of the older woman's hand in hers."
"He's growing old, Edea. And you know that he soon won't be able to lead Garden like he did in his younger years. Why keep him in place? When you could easily get rid of him and take his place."
Edea blinked several times "What? What are you saying Rinoa? Cid is."
"Cid is nothing but an annoyance now."
"No! Cid is my."
"Your burden." The growing glassy look in the ex-sorceress' eyes pleased Rinoa. Edea was starting to fall under her influence.
"My burden?"
"And I know a way you can get rid of him." With that said, Rinoa stood up and headed for the small medicine cabinet. She opened it and searched inside until she pulled out a small blue bottle, and handed it over to Edea.
"What's this?" The ex-sorceress asked with unsure tone.
"Seems like Cid is developing a resistance to the drug we used first. This is a stronger stuff. Once per day will be enough. Understood?"
"I.yes."
"Give him maybe one more week, Edea. Your time is coming"
Edea smiled weakly. She stood up, nearly stumbling on her feet, and left. Once alone, Rinoa allowed a true, full-width smile to spread across her lovely, innocent face. Edea had been possessed once, that only made her even weaker to another possession spell. Rinoa didn't even have to concentrate hard-Edea's mind opened like a flower to the sun at the slightliest mental caress.
It had been pretty easy to access her deepest secret, and Rinoa had been very surprised to find out that ruling the Garden was amongst them. Maybe Ultimecia used that too when she first possessed her? The desire was pretty strong, amplified by years of playing the perfect housewife while Cid took all the responsibilities- and the glory who came with his position. But dangling the tasteful prize in front of Edea was just another hoax. Rinoa had no intention to leave the control to Edea once Cid's brain was irremediably destroyed by the debilitating poison. The place was already reserved for her lover.
When she had learned that Cid was about to take Squall as his apprentice for the Headmaster position, Rinoa's heart soared with joy and pride. Squall was the perfect warrior, he deserved it. She knew Cid had called him back when they were both in Deling City's hospital. Then she learned that Squall had declined the post, and said he wasn't interested in a leadership position. Even worst, Cid understood his motives. Cid actually talked about taking Xu as the new apprentice. How could he? Xu was a pale reflection of a aler reflexion of Squall. The bitch barely deserved the commander rank. Rinoa had thought about simply killing Xu, but then Cid would have chosen Nida, then maybe Quistis.
Using possession on Cid was a hard task for a Sorceress who still barely knew how to control her powers. She succeeded a few times, enough to implant in Cid's mind the persistent idea that Squall HAD to be headmaster. Knowing Squall, Rinoa was absolutely certain he would surrender. The idea of loosing his only home would probably force him to accept.
From then, everything went wrong. Squall seemed to surrender, then Seifer disappeared, then him, followed by Zell. Rinoa thought her plan was ruined.
But Cid was under her influence with his poison-weakened brain. He was conducting intensive searches for them. Sooner or later, they would run out of money, and head back to the only place they knew. That day, she would be in the first line to greet her lover. Hopefully her possession skills would allow her to take advantage of his weakened state.
Then they'd take care of old Cid.
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Squall had sheated back his weapon, not at all willing to draw attention while he led the young boy and Zell out of the train station. Zell seemed more awake than the day before-he had slept and eaten a lot-but he was still posing awe-wide eyes at the world surrounding him. Squall remembered fondly the childish guy he met in his second year at Garden. How he hated the blonde, and always found a way to escape his company. Such an immature boy Zell was.
He could only glare at the other boy's back, knowing he couldn't really hate him, but still couldn't help wanting to hurt him. He had scanned the boy several times, and had proven him to be nothing but innocence and guilt. His memories only showed a loving but overprotective mother, whom he missed greatly but loathed at the same time. His latest memories before Squall captured him where nothing but a blurry mess of blood and weird sounds that sounded like yelling mixed with the sound of someone drowning.
But it was that boy's fault if all this mess happened. How could he possibly forgive him? Especially if Zell never got back to his old self.
"Where are we going?" Zell asked, sounding very annoyed.
"We're going to meet an old friend of ours. Seifer." Squall briefly hoped that Zell would recognize the sound of his former hate interest, but the innocent face didn't falter.
Squall silently led them through the crowded streets, his arm wrapped around Zell's shoulder and Allen on the other side. They passed several hotels before Squall finally walked up to a good-looking one, with raw stone walls and large windows framed by white curtains. They walked in and Squall asked if Sylvan Neiko still rented room 8. Being answered positive and feeling a lot lighter, Squall pushed Allen and pulled Zell through the dimly lit hallway.
A knock and a half later, they were confronted with a ill-looking, hirsute Seifer, whose bright green eyes seemed to flare as soon as they met Squall's. Without even having the time to utter a word, Squall was trapped in a bear hug, his friends laughing hysterically while roughly petting his already messy hair.
"Hyne Squall, I thought you were dead!" Seifer whispered, deep emotion making his voice break.
"I was-"
"Seifer? Who is it?" The unmistakable instructor tone brought a half-smile to Squall's lips.
"She's awake"
"Yeah, she is. But she.kinda forgot everything that happened."
"what do you mean by 'everything'?"
"Her last memory is Time Compression."
"Oh fuck." At this point Squall knew that Hyne had abandoned them all. Meanwhile Seifer had turned his attention to Zell, who was standing behind Squall and held Allen by the arm.
"Good to see you back, chickie. But you do looks like crap, boy!"
Zell's eyes only widened and Seifer was blown over to see tears swelling the boy's cerulean orbs. There was absolutely no recognition in those huge weeping eyes, only hurt, and lot of it.
"What the.Squall?"
"He doesn't remember more than Quistis."
Seifer hung down his head.
"You know, it doesn't even surprise me. Come in, I was about to order something to eat." And at that very second, he noticed the familiar shaven and scarred skull he had been pursuing in the train station. He instantly moved to a fighting stance.
"What the fuck is he doing here?"
"He's the cause of our problems. And the solution too, hopefully. So let's not kill him. Yet"
"Then just not leave him alone with me."
Seifer still motioned for the other to come in, but made sure to stay behind Allen.
The place was nice and cozy, with a small living room next to a large double-bed. Quistis was sitting in the middle of it, pale and beautiful in the too large grey shirt that matched the silver cloth on her head. She looked like a Goddess, ready to shows her vengeance on the strangers who dared enter her lair. Until she recognized two of them as her dearest friends.
"Squall!!" She squeaked. Squall smiled and leaned over the bed for a hug. She smelled clean and healthy. Squall extended the hug, feeling content for the first time in several week.
"And Zell!" Quistis released Squall and extended her arms in the stunned blonde's direction. Zell didn't move at first, then, maybe out of habit, leaned and let Quistis hug him, although not responding.
"Have a seat, all." Seifer entered the room with the chairs from the living room, and settled them in circle around the bed. Zell and Squall quickly sat, but Allen, shied out by this camaraderie, stood still focusing on his shoes.
"Who is the child?" Quistis asked.
"A.friend." Squall replied before Seifer could make up a bitter reply.
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I am sorry I had to cut off the chapter right there, because it was growing way too lengthy! Chapter 13 is already half-written so expect update very soon. Damn this fic for being so easy to write when I bug the life out of me for the two others : (
Sorry Miss D for not updating quicker ;) I am no longer a university student now *hooray for sessions-0ff!* so I will have more time for this *dances around*
Warning: Lots of dialogs in this one. Am I turning my fic into a soap opera? We'll see *grins*
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Chapter 12 : An interlude
Allen couldn't remember being loaded in the train, but he felt incredibly good when he woke up feeling the movements of the wagon under his back, and the distinct roaring of the engine. Every minute led him farter away from her. Carefully, he stretched and grunted when he felt the muscles of his stomach and legs scream in anger. Another body, dangerously close to him, stirred beside his right arm, and his eyes shot open.
The body stirred again and groaned loudly while it rolled on the side, and almost on top of him. A bunch of lump, dirty blonde hair fell on his face as the other man settled his head against Allen's shoulder, his powerful arm moving to cuddle against his side, and went back to his light snoring. Allen didn't move, but blushed furiously searching for an escape with eyes as round as dinner plates. Out of his vision, he heard a foot tap and a slight chuckle, something that betrayed amusement, but definitely not good mood.
"Cute. Don't make yourself hopes, kid, he's mine." The unmistakable voice of the gunblade-man grunted behind him. The boy twisted his neck to cast a glance at the leather-clad man, who was sitting on a bench near the window, gunblade on his lap. His legs loosely crossed straightened as soon as the boy seemed to want to get up. Allen stood frozen and stared at the point of the menacing weapon, purposely held right under his chin. The man's glare could have shot bullets, that's for sure.
"You don't move until we read Deling City."
"But I have to pee!" Allen whined in all his thirteen-years-old glory.
"You can piss all over yourself if you want."
"And all over him too?" Allen motioned to the sleeping blonde cuddling him like a Teddy Bear.
The man's eyes narrowed, and his lips retreated to a thin line, but the blade finally retreated from his throat, allowing him to breathe freely again. A gloved hand grabbed his wrist painfully and pulled him out of bed, in the direction of the small restroom. Much to the boy's surprise, the tall scowling man entered with him, and pushed him unceremoniously in the toilet's direction, while he kept his face turned to the nearby wall. Allen wanted to jump in the bowl and flush himself down, but he shakily managed to do what he had to do, without aiming wrong but not without a couple very offensive words from the man about the time he took to finish such a simple task. Sincerely terrorized, Allen let himself be drawn out of the restroom, and thrown again on the bed while the gundlader returned to his seat and settled the weapon back on his knees. Snuggle boy beside Allen didn't seem annoyed the slightliest bit about the interruption, and simply puts his arms back around the boy's chest, and rest his head on his shoulder. Well it actually felt nice.
"Is he drugged?" The rough voice asked.
"I don't know. I never knew how my mother threat them. But it's a possibility. Another one would be that his mental capacities have been magically diminished. In that case the brain damage can be permanent."
The man's breath caught, but he didn't say anything else. The train continued its course, and the warm breath of the blonde continued to beat against the youth's skin, giving him some kind of comfort, but knowing it wouldn't last. Allen had no idea what awaited for him in Deling. The gunblade-man openly displayed his hatred for him. Of course he had reasons. But Hyne, he was just a boy. Most of all this still escaped his understanding. He still had no idea what happened in the facilities his mother owned. He wasn't allowed to enter those places. He knew nothing. Would they torture him in hope to get information he didn't even got close to? Probably. For now, the idea of suffering wasn't as bad as he thought it would be-he had suffered a lot in the past days, and would probably still suffer in the upcoming days. No big deal.
The blonde's body shifted again, lightly turning to the other side, his arms leaving him. Almost immediately, the boy shifted too and wrapped his arms around him. The presence comforted him, and the blonde-Zell?-would probably hate him too as soon as he'd be back to his normal self.
Well, that was if he ever went back to his normal self.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~xXXx~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"..I don't have the slightliest memory of that." Quistis' voice dripped with incredulity. She was nervously playing with the long cloth that covered her skull.
"It happened. You disappeared and was brought to that farm near Obel Lake."
"I should remember if it happened."
"And you also should have remembered you were with us at the orphanage years ago."
Quistis straightened in the bed, glaring daggers. "It was the GFs. I haven't been junctionned since Time Compression."
"I told you they conducted some experiments on you. I saw they had a needle plounged in your brain."
"Yeah, or so you say."
"Are you implying I lied to you?"
"That could be considered."
"Fuck you."
"Fuck you back."
"I hate you." Seifer knew it was only true for that conversation, and so was quite pained to see his declaration didn't seem to hurt Quistis' feelings.
"I hear that." Quistis crossed her arms and turned her face away from his gaze, watching the damn rain trickle down the window. So damned stubborn.
"Won't you ever trust me?"
She kept her face turned away, but answered. "I have no reason to trust you. You never showed me anything but malevolence."
Seifer was beginning to think that the amnesiac Quistis was far better than the real one, but kept his mouth shut for once.
"When will you bring me back to Garden?" She said, bringing her eyes back on his.
"Hopefully you will be admitted back in there, but I can't go back. Me, Zell and Squall have been expelled a few days before we dragged you back from Obel."
"What?? What in Hyne's love happened?"
Seifer sighed. How he wished he never got into that conversation. "Well it's a long story but I'll only say that we decided to search for you against Cid's will and were all punished for it. I used my Blue SeeD rank to initiate the search. Now if we ever get back to Garden, or give a hint of where we are, we risk martial court and the likes. So you can go back, but only if you swear on your life that we won't have to worry about you spilling out the beans."
".That doesn't sounds like Cid at all."
"Yeah, but he changed a lot after Time Compression."
".So you made it to SeeD?"
"Damn right! Surprised, Instructor?"
"..Not that much. And you went to search for me first?"
"Mhm."
"Well.that's a side of you I've definitely missed back then."
"Everyone changes. Not necessarily for the best, but they do."
"Wow.are they the words of the Sorceress' lapdog?"
Seifer's face went sour.
"You can't know what it was like."
"How was it?"
Seifer smiled, surprised of her sudden interest. "You really do want to know?"
"Yes" was her firm response.
"Well.I was floating in a dream. The moment she took me away with her, she was nothing but a motherly figure for me. She never threat me bad, never got angry against me.she was sweet, and understanding, even when I failed her.I felt like I should have felt if I had a family.I would have done everything for her. I deserve the blame, but never in my life I have been happier than during those weeks spent with Ultimecia."
"."
"You are blaming me, aren't you?"
".well, yes. But I think I understand your motive. But you killed."
"Yeah, I did. And I would have killed all of you. I aren't trying to defend Ultimecia here. But she truly made me happy, and that's why I stayed. And I think she might have gotten any of us. She chose me because I was in the right place, in the right moment, not because I was a stupid arrogant bastard. Well, not only because of it.Ah damn it!"
Quistis lightly laughed. "You make sense."
"Tsk."
"I don't know if I want to go back to Garden knowing that Cid is...changed."
"Well you will have to make a decision pretty soon, because I am running out of money. In fact we might have to leave by tomorrow."
Quistis' breath caught. "Leave??"
"This is a hotel. I am running out of money, and trying to enter my SeeD bank account will tell them where I am."
"Where will you go?"
"If I only knew.that's why you should go back to Garden Quis.you're weak and you can't remember a thing.we could make up a believable story so Cid wouldn't suspect anything"
"yes.but where's Squall and Zell?"
"I.I don't know. Zell was at the same place you were, and Squall stayed to get him out too.and that's all.Just hope nothing bad happened to any of them."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~xXXx~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Edea straightened her classy dark blue skirt before opening the door of the room she shared with her husband. As always, her presence in the hallways was greeted with a flock of salutations from the students and Instructors. Edea smiled warmly at every of them, as she knew every name in the book, and cared for most of them. Carelessly pushing a raven-with-salt lock behind her hear, Edea walked down the main hallway to the Infirmary, where doctor Kadowaki was busy holding a junior student down while Rinoa, her helper since she decided to settle down in Garden, slid a cloth wet with a disinfectant over a bleeding gash that went from the boy's shoulder down to his navel. The poor child screamed his lungs out and nearly passed out when Kadowaki, with the skill she was known for, methodically used a pair of tiny pliers to remove pieces of wood, sand, and other dirt from the wound. Once it was clean t her liking, the boy's face was slowly turning from gray to green, but then she motioned to Rinoa, who put one of her slender hands on the student's chest and activated a cure spell. Amplified by the sorceress' magical abilities, the spell washed through his body like a thunderbolt, and the wound immediately closed without leaving even the smallest trace. Blood seemed to flow back in the child's body, giving his cheeks a healthy rosy color, as a sleep spell hit him and sent him into deep slumber.
"Here.done. Thanks again, Mr. Heartilly."
"My pleasure, as always. Will he be alright?"
"Well the shock will remain, for sure. He'll probably have nightmares full of T-Rexaurs for a couple weeks, but nothing a strong young body can't handle. I'll put him to bed." With that said, the Doctor easily lifted the junior's small frame in her arms, and headed for one of the rooms.
Rinoa smiled at Edea and walked to the small sink to wash her bloodstained hands. Edea simply sat down waiting.
Dr. Kadowaki emerged from the room, followed by the heavy scent of camphor balm. She grabbed her purse and announced her intention of heading to the cafeteria for a quick lunch. Both Rinoa and Edea saluted her and watched her leave.
"How Cid's doing?" Rinoa finally asked, drying her hands with a towel.
"Fine."
"Oh."
"But he seems more nervous than before. That's why I came to see Dr' Kadowaki. I know he hates doctors but I'd like her to check him up."
"Nervous. Maybe he works too much."
"I doubt it. He worked all of his life, since he was 12. But he seems to be slowly loosing his mind. He's growing paranoid, he's convinced there's a plot going on in Garden against him. But who would want him dead? He's always been an example for students. He's a father figure for most of them. I don't understand him."
"He's growing old. How how is he? 58?"
"60 in three months."
"So you want me to tell Dr. Kadowaki when she gets back?"
"Well if you don't mind I will wait for her here."
"No, I certainly don't."
Rinoa pulled a chair from under the round steel table and sat beside Edea, taking one of the older woman's hand in hers."
"He's growing old, Edea. And you know that he soon won't be able to lead Garden like he did in his younger years. Why keep him in place? When you could easily get rid of him and take his place."
Edea blinked several times "What? What are you saying Rinoa? Cid is."
"Cid is nothing but an annoyance now."
"No! Cid is my."
"Your burden." The growing glassy look in the ex-sorceress' eyes pleased Rinoa. Edea was starting to fall under her influence.
"My burden?"
"And I know a way you can get rid of him." With that said, Rinoa stood up and headed for the small medicine cabinet. She opened it and searched inside until she pulled out a small blue bottle, and handed it over to Edea.
"What's this?" The ex-sorceress asked with unsure tone.
"Seems like Cid is developing a resistance to the drug we used first. This is a stronger stuff. Once per day will be enough. Understood?"
"I.yes."
"Give him maybe one more week, Edea. Your time is coming"
Edea smiled weakly. She stood up, nearly stumbling on her feet, and left. Once alone, Rinoa allowed a true, full-width smile to spread across her lovely, innocent face. Edea had been possessed once, that only made her even weaker to another possession spell. Rinoa didn't even have to concentrate hard-Edea's mind opened like a flower to the sun at the slightliest mental caress.
It had been pretty easy to access her deepest secret, and Rinoa had been very surprised to find out that ruling the Garden was amongst them. Maybe Ultimecia used that too when she first possessed her? The desire was pretty strong, amplified by years of playing the perfect housewife while Cid took all the responsibilities- and the glory who came with his position. But dangling the tasteful prize in front of Edea was just another hoax. Rinoa had no intention to leave the control to Edea once Cid's brain was irremediably destroyed by the debilitating poison. The place was already reserved for her lover.
When she had learned that Cid was about to take Squall as his apprentice for the Headmaster position, Rinoa's heart soared with joy and pride. Squall was the perfect warrior, he deserved it. She knew Cid had called him back when they were both in Deling City's hospital. Then she learned that Squall had declined the post, and said he wasn't interested in a leadership position. Even worst, Cid understood his motives. Cid actually talked about taking Xu as the new apprentice. How could he? Xu was a pale reflection of a aler reflexion of Squall. The bitch barely deserved the commander rank. Rinoa had thought about simply killing Xu, but then Cid would have chosen Nida, then maybe Quistis.
Using possession on Cid was a hard task for a Sorceress who still barely knew how to control her powers. She succeeded a few times, enough to implant in Cid's mind the persistent idea that Squall HAD to be headmaster. Knowing Squall, Rinoa was absolutely certain he would surrender. The idea of loosing his only home would probably force him to accept.
From then, everything went wrong. Squall seemed to surrender, then Seifer disappeared, then him, followed by Zell. Rinoa thought her plan was ruined.
But Cid was under her influence with his poison-weakened brain. He was conducting intensive searches for them. Sooner or later, they would run out of money, and head back to the only place they knew. That day, she would be in the first line to greet her lover. Hopefully her possession skills would allow her to take advantage of his weakened state.
Then they'd take care of old Cid.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~xXXx~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Squall had sheated back his weapon, not at all willing to draw attention while he led the young boy and Zell out of the train station. Zell seemed more awake than the day before-he had slept and eaten a lot-but he was still posing awe-wide eyes at the world surrounding him. Squall remembered fondly the childish guy he met in his second year at Garden. How he hated the blonde, and always found a way to escape his company. Such an immature boy Zell was.
He could only glare at the other boy's back, knowing he couldn't really hate him, but still couldn't help wanting to hurt him. He had scanned the boy several times, and had proven him to be nothing but innocence and guilt. His memories only showed a loving but overprotective mother, whom he missed greatly but loathed at the same time. His latest memories before Squall captured him where nothing but a blurry mess of blood and weird sounds that sounded like yelling mixed with the sound of someone drowning.
But it was that boy's fault if all this mess happened. How could he possibly forgive him? Especially if Zell never got back to his old self.
"Where are we going?" Zell asked, sounding very annoyed.
"We're going to meet an old friend of ours. Seifer." Squall briefly hoped that Zell would recognize the sound of his former hate interest, but the innocent face didn't falter.
Squall silently led them through the crowded streets, his arm wrapped around Zell's shoulder and Allen on the other side. They passed several hotels before Squall finally walked up to a good-looking one, with raw stone walls and large windows framed by white curtains. They walked in and Squall asked if Sylvan Neiko still rented room 8. Being answered positive and feeling a lot lighter, Squall pushed Allen and pulled Zell through the dimly lit hallway.
A knock and a half later, they were confronted with a ill-looking, hirsute Seifer, whose bright green eyes seemed to flare as soon as they met Squall's. Without even having the time to utter a word, Squall was trapped in a bear hug, his friends laughing hysterically while roughly petting his already messy hair.
"Hyne Squall, I thought you were dead!" Seifer whispered, deep emotion making his voice break.
"I was-"
"Seifer? Who is it?" The unmistakable instructor tone brought a half-smile to Squall's lips.
"She's awake"
"Yeah, she is. But she.kinda forgot everything that happened."
"what do you mean by 'everything'?"
"Her last memory is Time Compression."
"Oh fuck." At this point Squall knew that Hyne had abandoned them all. Meanwhile Seifer had turned his attention to Zell, who was standing behind Squall and held Allen by the arm.
"Good to see you back, chickie. But you do looks like crap, boy!"
Zell's eyes only widened and Seifer was blown over to see tears swelling the boy's cerulean orbs. There was absolutely no recognition in those huge weeping eyes, only hurt, and lot of it.
"What the.Squall?"
"He doesn't remember more than Quistis."
Seifer hung down his head.
"You know, it doesn't even surprise me. Come in, I was about to order something to eat." And at that very second, he noticed the familiar shaven and scarred skull he had been pursuing in the train station. He instantly moved to a fighting stance.
"What the fuck is he doing here?"
"He's the cause of our problems. And the solution too, hopefully. So let's not kill him. Yet"
"Then just not leave him alone with me."
Seifer still motioned for the other to come in, but made sure to stay behind Allen.
The place was nice and cozy, with a small living room next to a large double-bed. Quistis was sitting in the middle of it, pale and beautiful in the too large grey shirt that matched the silver cloth on her head. She looked like a Goddess, ready to shows her vengeance on the strangers who dared enter her lair. Until she recognized two of them as her dearest friends.
"Squall!!" She squeaked. Squall smiled and leaned over the bed for a hug. She smelled clean and healthy. Squall extended the hug, feeling content for the first time in several week.
"And Zell!" Quistis released Squall and extended her arms in the stunned blonde's direction. Zell didn't move at first, then, maybe out of habit, leaned and let Quistis hug him, although not responding.
"Have a seat, all." Seifer entered the room with the chairs from the living room, and settled them in circle around the bed. Zell and Squall quickly sat, but Allen, shied out by this camaraderie, stood still focusing on his shoes.
"Who is the child?" Quistis asked.
"A.friend." Squall replied before Seifer could make up a bitter reply.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~xXXx~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am sorry I had to cut off the chapter right there, because it was growing way too lengthy! Chapter 13 is already half-written so expect update very soon. Damn this fic for being so easy to write when I bug the life out of me for the two others : (
Sorry Miss D for not updating quicker ;) I am no longer a university student now *hooray for sessions-0ff!* so I will have more time for this *dances around*