Chapter 2 – Difficult Decision
Author's Notes: Oh my god… I finally got to touch the computer!! Yippee!! What a relief!! I'm suffering from Zell withdrawal!!
Anyway… I know it took an unforgivably long time for me to put this up… the reasons include shifted house, hence no Internet connections…sh*tty feelings because I failed my exam, a moronic scum-of-the-earth type for a manager… but it probably sounds like lies to you… But still I beg for your pardon… I promise to be more regular from now on!! Okay… on with the story… Please read and review!!!
P/S: The answers to "A temporary replacement for the next chapter" shall be revealed in Chapter 3's author's notes. Look out for it. (Can't show it here as there was no space or opening for it.)
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"How's Seifer?' A silvery voice sounded in his ear the moment he made his way into the room. He knew beyond doubt from the assertive (and at times, aggressive) tone just who it was. Not forgetting the quickness with which it responded to his presence in the room, even though he had masked his appearance then.
"Not good. He's suffering, but he tries hard not to show it…even though it was clearly evident to anyone who cared to look. All the signs are there… and yet he struggles with a brave front. He could barely catch two winks each night, and even as he sleeps, he moans her name in his restless dreams. I can't bear to watch him in such torment…"
"Yeah… I could have guessed. Make sure that you divert him away from the minefield of self-loathing and self-reproach." She reminded him as a nagging grandmother would to a young boy prone to errant and forgetful ways.
"I know… it would be disastrous if he were to fall into that trap…."
Like I did not so long ago…
He did not speak out that last thought, for he knew it would most certainly distress her if those words were to leave his lips. The last thing he wanted in his hands right now was the look of her sad eyes etched in his mind.
She nodded, a few cobalt-tinged strands escaping from behind her ears where the rest of her locks were tucked away, and slid down her rosy cheek with a careless grace.
He restrained himself with much difficulty as the urge to touch that cheek seized him. He could not do the same with the dull ache that resided constantly in his chest.
I wonder when the time will come… for me to stop hurting whenever I look at her.
He was far too engrossed in his thoughts… so much that he nearly missed her next words.
"I'll go and find her. ALONE." She spoke in a grim tone, emphasising heavily on the last part. Her mouth was set firmly at the ends, as if to show her fellow angel that whatever he might do to convince her otherwise, she would not budge from her decision.
"WHAT? Are you serious?" Snapping out of his private little world, Damien's eyes bulged out at her as if he had just watched a scene from "Ripley's Believe it or Not." But then again, even that could not fully describe the jolt he received after hearing that. "Would Zell approve of it?"
"Of course he will! She's one of his best buddies in the world!" She declared with a false note of confidence… for she wasn't so sure of it herself.
In fact, she was downright certain that he would be objecting to it, just as her friend was doing now.
"I'll come with you!"
She took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly, carefully, trying not to let her voice be tainted by the weariness and frustration that had been leaning on her.
"No… Damien. Your most crucial duty is to stay here and guard Seifer… for there is no telling what foolishness a desperate guy might resort to. And he's so vulnerable now… an open door for darkness to re-enter his mind. If it were to succeed… I do not know if he has the luck or ability to survive from such an assault." She paused and looked at him long and hard, wanting to make sure that he really understood what she was trying to convey.
"You're… right. But do you really have to go alone? It's too dangerous, even for an angel! At least, get Zell to accompany you!"
He was overprotective of her as usual.
"No. Zell has a mission coming up. And…"
"And? There's something else you know that you aren't telling, isn't there? Tell me now! You shouldn't keep it from me, especially if it is concerning my Lady!"
"Alright… I'll tell you. But you must promise me not to say a thing about this to Seifer!"
"Why not?"
"Surely you can venture a guess? If he were to know of it, no one will be able to stop him from coming along! And that is the last thing I want!"
"What's so bad about Seifer coming along?"
I nearly forgot… Damien can be pretty dense at times… She muttered angrily to herself.
"My dear S.A… have you not read the note that Quis left behind? It indicates in crystal-like clarity the unwillingness she harbours to see Seifer, or let Seifer see her." Patiently, she tried explaining her worries to him, praying to Hyne that he would be able to grasp them.
"Yes, of course I know that. But what has that got to do with you searching for her alone?'
"ARGH!!!!" She threw her arms up in the air, unable to stand his stupidity any longer.
"LISTEN! Okay… let me finish my words first!" She glared at him with a killer gaze that would have made a lesser male cringe and shrivel up in uneasiness. Fortunately, Damien was made of stouter stuff than normal, but still a thin line of cold sweat trickled its way down the side of his face in response to her ferocity.
"I suspect… this is only a hunch, mind you… that Quis might have contracted some sort of disease that made her stay away from people. Probably this disease had disfigured her appearance. There is no other reason I can think of that would force her to run away from the Garden, since this was the only home she had."
"Hmm… you have a good point there. What a pity I was hauled back to Angel Land for a meeting with the Great Lord, or I might have stopped her, or at least found out what happened!"
"Now don't blame yourself. This isn't anybody's fault. Not Quis, not Seifer, and certainly not yours! We're all victims of circumstances…. And there is nothing we can do except stand brave in the face of adversity." She shook her finger at him in disapproval.
"You've been acting as if you're my elder sister nowadays… disrespect for your higher-ranked angel, is that what you're trying to show?" He was stern in his gaze and tone.
"What higher ranked angel? Don't forget, I wouldn't have to act in such a way if you had been more reliable, would I?" She raised an eyebrow sardonically, knowing very well that he had only been jesting.
"You little brat! I swear I'll give you a right spanking or my last name isn't Slivergaze!" He raised his arm and acted as if he was really going to.
"Oh, have mercy, my good brother! I promise to be obedient!" She floated away with ease, laughing loudly at the same time.
Laughing along with her, he lowered his hand and clamped it around her shoulder.
"And my last name isn't Slivergaze either… it's Silvergrace hahahahah!"
"That was one of the worst jokes I've ever heard… you shouldn't attempt something you have no talent in."
"Alright! Now off you go… before I change my mind and chain you to the belt of Zell's SeeD uniform! Or worse still… I'll tell Seifer…" He left the threat unspoken, grinning evilly.
"Don't you dare!"
"… that he looks like a mess. HAHAHAHHA! Got you there, didn't I?" He sniggered with an expression that used to be Seifer's trademark. "Quite an impersonator… was I not?"
"I think… that Seifer should run for Presidency… since he has the potential and ability to influence people's habits. Even his Angel doesn't escape…."
"Hmm…yeah…" He nodded in mock seriousness.
"On second thought… that would be disastrous… A nation full of smirking citizens… Spare me the thought!"
Damien gave her a sceptical look, trying hard to rein in an impending outburst.
"HA HA HA HA HA!" It wasn't too successful an attempt though.
"What's so funny about that? Weird Angel… oops… I've gotta run and inform Zell. I'll fill you in on the details of my journey later…"
"Sure… provided you can convince him…"
"That's my worry, not yours. Ta." She waved, and was out of the room before he could blink.
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Author's notes: Too short for your liking? Don't worry… the next one's there just as you start looking!