Family secret
She looked up at the magnificent Garden as it stood idly in front of her. Her long wild hair, blue black in color, blew about her in the gentle wind. Her ice blue eyes glittered as she raised her hand to the gate. She paused, then muttered to herself 'here goes' She pushed gently on the gate, and it flew open. She bent down and picked up her small case. It had the SeeD logo printed on the silver clasp, the metal catching the sun as she took her first steps into Balamb Garden.
*****
Cid sat at his desk on the third floor of Balamb Garden, his wrinkled face burrowed into a deep frown. Squall Leonhart sat opposite him. It had been a whole year since Squall and his friends had defeated the evil sorceress Ultimecia. He leant back in his chair and glanced towards the window. Edea was stood there. Although he could only see the back of her head, he knew that something was wrong. She gripped the window tightly, her knuckles turning white. He sighed lightly as he thought of Rinoa, waiting for him in the cafeteria with the rest of his friends. He gave a quiet sigh, then turned his attention back to Cid.
Cid was glaring at him, and Squall coughed uncomfortably. "When you are ready" Cid grunted at him. "Go ahead headmaster Cid" Squall replied, but before they could say another word, there came a knock at the door.
*****
Irvine Kinneas walked through the Garden, towards the directory. His head was bowed, and his hat sat low on his head. His long hair tied back into a loose ponytail. It had been 3 months since he and Selphie had split up. It hadn't come as a surprise to him. They were just so. different. Anyway he preferred the single life. He looked up as he heard some giggling, and waved at the 3 girls staring at him. They blushed and started talking excitedly amongst themselves. He smiled and carried on walking. 'Well' he thought to himself 'At least we are still good friends'
Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice her till it was too late. He walked straight into her and she fell backwards. He took a step back, shocked, and held out a hand, as he tried to apologise.
She lay on the ground, glaring up at him, as she took in his appearance. He was tall, but the first thing she noticed was his dark eyes, how completely opposite to her own pale ones they were. She took his hand and allowed him to pull her up. She listened, trying not to laugh at his attempts at saying sorry. "I.I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there" he stammered, wondering why she was smiling. "Well I guess that makes it ok then" She snickered as she ran a hand through her dark wild hair. It was so long, Irvine had never seen anything like it. He glanced at her face, then gasped almost without realising. She was staring straight back at him!
"Well seeing as you have lost your tongue, I will introduce myself" She said as she continued to watch him, unnerved. "My name is Alendra." She paused, about to say something more, then shook her head. "What's your name?" She asked him. "Irvine. Irvine Kinneas" He answered. "Nice to meet you Irvine" She smiled then added "Ummm could you take me to. Cid's office please" Irvine looked at her, wondering what she had to do with the headmaster of Balamb Garden. "I don't think that is a good idea" He said "He is in the middle of an important meeting" She frowned slightly and said "He will have time for me.If you won't take me, I am sure I will find it myself." With that, she turned and began to walk away, swaying her hips slightly as she went. "Wait." He called out. "You are going the wrong way. It's this way" She walked back to him and followed him towards the elevator.
They stepped into the elevator, and Irvine pressed the button for the third floor. They stood in silence as the doors slid closed in front of them. Irvine sneaked a sly look towards Alendra. She was staring intently at an invisible mark on the wall. He ran his eyes over her slim body and a small smile played on his lips. He had never seen such a beautiful girl before, it made him feel kind of nervous. He watched as she rested a hand against the railing on the side of the lift as it began to move slowly upward. "Damn elevators" He heard her mutter, and a laugh escaped his lips before he could stop it. She turned to him and frowned "What's so funny?" she snapped at him, but before he could answer, the elevator stopped, and the doors opened. Alendra stepped briskly out of the elevator, and waited for Irvine, still frowning. Changing the subject, wanting her to forget that he laughed at her, he pointed down the long dark corridor, and said "it's just down here"
As she followed him down the corridor, she looked around, taking in her surroundings. There were large stained glass windows on either side of the corridor, depicting various battle scenes and landscapes, in rich colours of greens and reds, the sun shining through, making the tiled floor shine a rainbow medley of color. Her shoes squeaked on the shiny tiles. She looked up at the ceiling. It was high above the floor, giving a big impression of space, the ceiling was pale blue in color, and fluffy white clouds were painted on it, making it look like there was no ceiling on this floor, just adding to the feeling of a great open space. She sighed, suddenly feeling unsure of herself, never having been in such a magnificent place as Balamb garden, and she noticed that Irvine had stopped outside a large oak door. He was looking at her, a weird look on his face. She chose to ignore it. She stared at him, waiting. "Well. I have to be somewhere" Irvine said, feeling slightly unnerved at the way her ice blue eyes were undressing him. " I guess I'll see you around" "Yeah" She nodded, then added "Thank you for helping me" "No problem" With that, he turned and headed back towards the elevator. She waited till he had entered the elevator, before she knocked on the oak door. The sound echoed through the corridor as she waited for someone to answer.
*****
As he heard the knock, Cid turned in his chair and glared at the door in such a way that Squall felt sure that the door would fall off it's hinges any minute. Cid was in a grumpy mood, Squall could tell. He hadn't seen Cid like this in a long time, not since. well he didn't dare think about it. He knew that something must be bothering Cid for him to be acting this way.
Edea turned from the window, Her dark hair hanging straight down around her. She was wearing a plain long black dress, and Squall thought she looked kind of like a witch. He knew, however, that the great evil sorceress Ultimecia no longer resided inside her body, that the sorceress had moved on and now occupied the body of his girlfriend, Rinoa Heartilly. Well, that wasn't quite true... Squall and his friends, they had defeated Ultimecia. Rinoa had inherited her powers and become a sorceress. Edea's face was pale, and creased in worry. Squall wondered what could be happening.
"ENTER" Cid barked at the door, wondering who had the audacity to interrupt him while he was in a meeting with the Commander of Balamb Garden. He waited for them to enter, a murderous look on his face.
The door was pushed open slowly, and a girl of around 15 walked in. The first thing Squall noticed was her eyes, they were so cold, but full of feeling. It was a weird contrast. Cid gasped as recognition entered his head, but the frown remained on his face. Edea however broke out into a smile. "Alendra!!!!" She called out and Alendra smiled at her, shocked, not expecting to see her there, but happy to see her. She dropped her small case, and ran to Cid, who had stood up and pushed his chair back. She threw her arms around him, laughing with happiness. Cid finally smiled and placed a hand on the girl called Alendra's back. Squall watched, confused, not knowing what on earth was going on, he looked at Edea for an explanation, but Edea ignored him, and walked towards Cid and the girl. She placed a hand on Cid, then wrapped her other arm around the girl's back. As the three people hugged each other, Squall had no choice but to look on, hoping for an explanation. "Mother! Father!" Exclaimed the girl, "It's so good to see you both again" Edea smiled and began to cry tears of Joy. Squall stared at them, shocked at Alendra's revelation. He stayed silent, not knowing what to say. Cid stepped away from his daughter and looked at her, a slightly concerned look on his face. "What are you doing here Alendra? I thought you were in Mysteforte, on Cetra" When Cid mentioned Mysteforte, Alendra looked down "Do you know how lonely it is there father? Everyone.... everyone looks at me as if I am some kind of. monster.. That's if I ever leave the castle. Which I don't. didn't all that often. I had to get away. I Had to leave, father you understand don't you? Father I think I am ready to face the open world now, a world where I am not treated as an outcast" Alendra felt tears welling up in her eyes, and she squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting them to escape, but she couldn't stop them and big salty tears began to fall down her smooth cheeks. Edea hugged her daughter tightly, comforting her. They both looked at Cid, Alendra's eyes, watery with tears, and Edea's own soft ones, taking in her husband. "It can't hurt for Alendra to be here with us, can it. Not if she is in Balamb Garden where we can watch her. She is older now, and she will be 16 in a few months. I am sure she will be safe here" "Don't make me go back to Mysteforte" whimpered Alendra, memories of her lonely past flooding her mind. The times when she only got to see her parents 3 or 4 times a year, the only other contact with the outside world an old woman named Mindy, who looked after her and cleaned the castle, and cooked for her, and brought her up. Cid sighed "What about Mindy" Alendra looked down, biting her lip. "She got into a fight with a Marlboro, I tried to save her! I did! But it killed her. It wasn't my fault. But. but they blamed me, called me a murderer. I can't go back! Please father." Before Cid could answer, Edea said to her daughter "it's ok sweetie, we won't make you return, you can stay here in Balamb Garden for now, but if anything happens, you must, I repeat MUST return to Mysteforte. You are too precious to be lost in an unimportant battle, you understand?" Alendra nodded, then looked at her father for approval. He raised his hands in recognition and sighed, "First sign of trouble and you return, ok Alendra?" "Yes father"
For the first time, Alendra became aware of the fourth person in the room, who had been sitting quietly since she entered. She looked at him, and opened her mouth, but no words came out. Cid, seeing where she was looking, and seeing Squall's confused, shocked face said "This young man is Squall Leonhart, commander of Balamb Garden. He is the young man, who, with help of his friends, rid this world of Ultimecia." Alendra nodded, and stepped towards Squall, offering him her hand "Hi squall, My name is Alendra Kramer, I am Cid and Edea's daughter. It's a pleasure to meet you" Squall nodded and took her hand. He shook it gently, and looked at her, no smile or emotion on his face. She was beautiful. "Squall, please could you show her around the garden, we will continue this meeting after dinner, let's say 16.00 hours. Alendra, return to this floor when you are ready and if you follow this corridor to the end, you will come to the place where me and your mother live, You will be staying here with us. Other than that you will have a free run of the garden, but I don't want you leaving the premises unless you are with someone and I know who, and where you are going and why. Is that clear?" "Yes father." Alendra walked to her dad and kissed him on the cheek. "Squall, you are excused now" Squall nodded and stood, then turned to Alendra. "You coming?" "Uh huh" She turned to her parents and with a smile, waved to them "I'll see you in a while" With that, they left the office and walked down towards the elevator, to take them to the ground floor.
She looked up at the magnificent Garden as it stood idly in front of her. Her long wild hair, blue black in color, blew about her in the gentle wind. Her ice blue eyes glittered as she raised her hand to the gate. She paused, then muttered to herself 'here goes' She pushed gently on the gate, and it flew open. She bent down and picked up her small case. It had the SeeD logo printed on the silver clasp, the metal catching the sun as she took her first steps into Balamb Garden.
*****
Cid sat at his desk on the third floor of Balamb Garden, his wrinkled face burrowed into a deep frown. Squall Leonhart sat opposite him. It had been a whole year since Squall and his friends had defeated the evil sorceress Ultimecia. He leant back in his chair and glanced towards the window. Edea was stood there. Although he could only see the back of her head, he knew that something was wrong. She gripped the window tightly, her knuckles turning white. He sighed lightly as he thought of Rinoa, waiting for him in the cafeteria with the rest of his friends. He gave a quiet sigh, then turned his attention back to Cid.
Cid was glaring at him, and Squall coughed uncomfortably. "When you are ready" Cid grunted at him. "Go ahead headmaster Cid" Squall replied, but before they could say another word, there came a knock at the door.
*****
Irvine Kinneas walked through the Garden, towards the directory. His head was bowed, and his hat sat low on his head. His long hair tied back into a loose ponytail. It had been 3 months since he and Selphie had split up. It hadn't come as a surprise to him. They were just so. different. Anyway he preferred the single life. He looked up as he heard some giggling, and waved at the 3 girls staring at him. They blushed and started talking excitedly amongst themselves. He smiled and carried on walking. 'Well' he thought to himself 'At least we are still good friends'
Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice her till it was too late. He walked straight into her and she fell backwards. He took a step back, shocked, and held out a hand, as he tried to apologise.
She lay on the ground, glaring up at him, as she took in his appearance. He was tall, but the first thing she noticed was his dark eyes, how completely opposite to her own pale ones they were. She took his hand and allowed him to pull her up. She listened, trying not to laugh at his attempts at saying sorry. "I.I'm so sorry, I didn't see you there" he stammered, wondering why she was smiling. "Well I guess that makes it ok then" She snickered as she ran a hand through her dark wild hair. It was so long, Irvine had never seen anything like it. He glanced at her face, then gasped almost without realising. She was staring straight back at him!
"Well seeing as you have lost your tongue, I will introduce myself" She said as she continued to watch him, unnerved. "My name is Alendra." She paused, about to say something more, then shook her head. "What's your name?" She asked him. "Irvine. Irvine Kinneas" He answered. "Nice to meet you Irvine" She smiled then added "Ummm could you take me to. Cid's office please" Irvine looked at her, wondering what she had to do with the headmaster of Balamb Garden. "I don't think that is a good idea" He said "He is in the middle of an important meeting" She frowned slightly and said "He will have time for me.If you won't take me, I am sure I will find it myself." With that, she turned and began to walk away, swaying her hips slightly as she went. "Wait." He called out. "You are going the wrong way. It's this way" She walked back to him and followed him towards the elevator.
They stepped into the elevator, and Irvine pressed the button for the third floor. They stood in silence as the doors slid closed in front of them. Irvine sneaked a sly look towards Alendra. She was staring intently at an invisible mark on the wall. He ran his eyes over her slim body and a small smile played on his lips. He had never seen such a beautiful girl before, it made him feel kind of nervous. He watched as she rested a hand against the railing on the side of the lift as it began to move slowly upward. "Damn elevators" He heard her mutter, and a laugh escaped his lips before he could stop it. She turned to him and frowned "What's so funny?" she snapped at him, but before he could answer, the elevator stopped, and the doors opened. Alendra stepped briskly out of the elevator, and waited for Irvine, still frowning. Changing the subject, wanting her to forget that he laughed at her, he pointed down the long dark corridor, and said "it's just down here"
As she followed him down the corridor, she looked around, taking in her surroundings. There were large stained glass windows on either side of the corridor, depicting various battle scenes and landscapes, in rich colours of greens and reds, the sun shining through, making the tiled floor shine a rainbow medley of color. Her shoes squeaked on the shiny tiles. She looked up at the ceiling. It was high above the floor, giving a big impression of space, the ceiling was pale blue in color, and fluffy white clouds were painted on it, making it look like there was no ceiling on this floor, just adding to the feeling of a great open space. She sighed, suddenly feeling unsure of herself, never having been in such a magnificent place as Balamb garden, and she noticed that Irvine had stopped outside a large oak door. He was looking at her, a weird look on his face. She chose to ignore it. She stared at him, waiting. "Well. I have to be somewhere" Irvine said, feeling slightly unnerved at the way her ice blue eyes were undressing him. " I guess I'll see you around" "Yeah" She nodded, then added "Thank you for helping me" "No problem" With that, he turned and headed back towards the elevator. She waited till he had entered the elevator, before she knocked on the oak door. The sound echoed through the corridor as she waited for someone to answer.
*****
As he heard the knock, Cid turned in his chair and glared at the door in such a way that Squall felt sure that the door would fall off it's hinges any minute. Cid was in a grumpy mood, Squall could tell. He hadn't seen Cid like this in a long time, not since. well he didn't dare think about it. He knew that something must be bothering Cid for him to be acting this way.
Edea turned from the window, Her dark hair hanging straight down around her. She was wearing a plain long black dress, and Squall thought she looked kind of like a witch. He knew, however, that the great evil sorceress Ultimecia no longer resided inside her body, that the sorceress had moved on and now occupied the body of his girlfriend, Rinoa Heartilly. Well, that wasn't quite true... Squall and his friends, they had defeated Ultimecia. Rinoa had inherited her powers and become a sorceress. Edea's face was pale, and creased in worry. Squall wondered what could be happening.
"ENTER" Cid barked at the door, wondering who had the audacity to interrupt him while he was in a meeting with the Commander of Balamb Garden. He waited for them to enter, a murderous look on his face.
The door was pushed open slowly, and a girl of around 15 walked in. The first thing Squall noticed was her eyes, they were so cold, but full of feeling. It was a weird contrast. Cid gasped as recognition entered his head, but the frown remained on his face. Edea however broke out into a smile. "Alendra!!!!" She called out and Alendra smiled at her, shocked, not expecting to see her there, but happy to see her. She dropped her small case, and ran to Cid, who had stood up and pushed his chair back. She threw her arms around him, laughing with happiness. Cid finally smiled and placed a hand on the girl called Alendra's back. Squall watched, confused, not knowing what on earth was going on, he looked at Edea for an explanation, but Edea ignored him, and walked towards Cid and the girl. She placed a hand on Cid, then wrapped her other arm around the girl's back. As the three people hugged each other, Squall had no choice but to look on, hoping for an explanation. "Mother! Father!" Exclaimed the girl, "It's so good to see you both again" Edea smiled and began to cry tears of Joy. Squall stared at them, shocked at Alendra's revelation. He stayed silent, not knowing what to say. Cid stepped away from his daughter and looked at her, a slightly concerned look on his face. "What are you doing here Alendra? I thought you were in Mysteforte, on Cetra" When Cid mentioned Mysteforte, Alendra looked down "Do you know how lonely it is there father? Everyone.... everyone looks at me as if I am some kind of. monster.. That's if I ever leave the castle. Which I don't. didn't all that often. I had to get away. I Had to leave, father you understand don't you? Father I think I am ready to face the open world now, a world where I am not treated as an outcast" Alendra felt tears welling up in her eyes, and she squeezed her eyes shut, not wanting them to escape, but she couldn't stop them and big salty tears began to fall down her smooth cheeks. Edea hugged her daughter tightly, comforting her. They both looked at Cid, Alendra's eyes, watery with tears, and Edea's own soft ones, taking in her husband. "It can't hurt for Alendra to be here with us, can it. Not if she is in Balamb Garden where we can watch her. She is older now, and she will be 16 in a few months. I am sure she will be safe here" "Don't make me go back to Mysteforte" whimpered Alendra, memories of her lonely past flooding her mind. The times when she only got to see her parents 3 or 4 times a year, the only other contact with the outside world an old woman named Mindy, who looked after her and cleaned the castle, and cooked for her, and brought her up. Cid sighed "What about Mindy" Alendra looked down, biting her lip. "She got into a fight with a Marlboro, I tried to save her! I did! But it killed her. It wasn't my fault. But. but they blamed me, called me a murderer. I can't go back! Please father." Before Cid could answer, Edea said to her daughter "it's ok sweetie, we won't make you return, you can stay here in Balamb Garden for now, but if anything happens, you must, I repeat MUST return to Mysteforte. You are too precious to be lost in an unimportant battle, you understand?" Alendra nodded, then looked at her father for approval. He raised his hands in recognition and sighed, "First sign of trouble and you return, ok Alendra?" "Yes father"
For the first time, Alendra became aware of the fourth person in the room, who had been sitting quietly since she entered. She looked at him, and opened her mouth, but no words came out. Cid, seeing where she was looking, and seeing Squall's confused, shocked face said "This young man is Squall Leonhart, commander of Balamb Garden. He is the young man, who, with help of his friends, rid this world of Ultimecia." Alendra nodded, and stepped towards Squall, offering him her hand "Hi squall, My name is Alendra Kramer, I am Cid and Edea's daughter. It's a pleasure to meet you" Squall nodded and took her hand. He shook it gently, and looked at her, no smile or emotion on his face. She was beautiful. "Squall, please could you show her around the garden, we will continue this meeting after dinner, let's say 16.00 hours. Alendra, return to this floor when you are ready and if you follow this corridor to the end, you will come to the place where me and your mother live, You will be staying here with us. Other than that you will have a free run of the garden, but I don't want you leaving the premises unless you are with someone and I know who, and where you are going and why. Is that clear?" "Yes father." Alendra walked to her dad and kissed him on the cheek. "Squall, you are excused now" Squall nodded and stood, then turned to Alendra. "You coming?" "Uh huh" She turned to her parents and with a smile, waved to them "I'll see you in a while" With that, they left the office and walked down towards the elevator, to take them to the ground floor.