Lunch was completed in no time and Selphie was soon running to the front door to go outside and play in the flower field. Seifer chased after the cheerful girl shortly after. However, Squall wasn't in the same cheery mood as the other two were. He took his time, as he scraped up some food on his fork and slowly edged it to his mouth. Cid followed Selphie and Seifer outside, while Edea began clearing the table, watching Squall's movements in the process. "Squall, is there anything wrong?" She asked, as she placed Cid's plate on the top of the pile in her arms.
"…No." Squall answered, as he scraped his empty plate. "…Everything's fine."
"Squall," Edea said. "You would tell me if there was anything wrong, wouldn't you?"
"…Sure." Squall said, as he slid off of his chair.
Edea watched him exit the kitchen, and then picked up the remaining empty plate. She walked the plates over to the sink and placed them inside. She turned on the hot water and poured some dish detergent into the sink, all the while thinking about Squall's mood. She thought about it, until the sink was half full, and then she began to wash the dishes.
After the dishes were set aside to dry, Edea dried her own hands, and then exited the kitchen to watch the children play in the flower field. Once outside, she joined Cid on the side of the porch and looked out across the field to where Selphie and Seifer were chasing each other. Just as Seifer tackled Selphie into the ground, Edea noticed that Squall wasn't in the field with them. "Cid," she asked. "Didn't Squall come out here?"
Cid looked out into the field, as if looking for the small boy. "No, I don't think so." He said.
Edea turned around and walked back into the orphanage. She began looking into each and every room, looking for Squall.
* * * * * * * * * * *
At the back of the orphanage where the stairs descend down to the beach, Squall stood near the clothesline, staring down at the ground. Memories began flowing through his head… memories about all of the fun that he had when all of the other children were around. He began feeling quite upset, which reminded him once again, how Ellone would always comfort him. "Sis, where'd yoo go?" he cried. "Yoo don't like me anymore?"
Soon, Squall felt tears stream from his eyes. It felt like everyone was leaving him alone. Then, a thought flashed through his mind. "Maybe Sis will come back if I show I can take care of myself?" He cried.
Quickly, Squall wiped his arm across his eyes, picking up all lose tears. He tried his hardest to stand up straight. He sniffed in a few last tears, and then he was standing straight up. Even though there was pain in his heart, he did his best to hide it. At that moment, Edea stepped outside and said, "Squall, there you are. I was wondering where you got to."
"I'm all right, Matwyn." Squall said, trying to sound casual.
The small boy made his way past Edea and walked to the playroom, closely watched by Edea. Squall stood by the playroom window and stared out across the fields.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Edea walked back into the orphanage and headed for the door to the hallway, observing Squall in the process. "Squall, why don't you come outside with the rest of us? It's a beautiful day." She suggested.
Squall closed his eyes and sighed. "No, I wanna stay here." He said, and then looked back out of the window.
"All right." Edea said. "If you need me, I will be in the flower field."
Then, Edea left the playroom and walked down the hallway to the front door. She opened the front door, casually, and then stepped outside. She walked over into the flower field where Cid was located. Cid had taken a seat within the flowers. Edea sat down beside him and looked across the field to where Selphie was running from Seifer. She watched for a while, until Seifer tripped on something that was hiding in the tall flowers. After seeing that the boy was all right, Edea turned to Cid and said, "Cid, I believe that Squall may be suffering from depression."
Cid turned to look at her and asked, "Why? Did something happen?"
"I think he misses his closest friends… when they were adopted."
Cid leaned back and braced himself up with his hands. "I think he may come around. This is just a side effect of growing up in an orphanage. I'm sure he'll come around." He said, confidently.
Edea thought back to when she met the adult Squall. His face seemed so blank. Then, she solemnly said, "I hope you're right."
With that said, she continued watching Selphie and Seifer, even though she was full of worry for Squall. She began thinking about what the adult Squall had said to her… about SeeD and Garden. Before she could start a discussion about it, Edea noticed that the sun was setting. "We should start dinner soon." She mentioned.
Cid stood up off of the ground and said, "You go on in. I'll get Selphie and Seifer."
Edea nodded her head and walked toward the front door. She entered the orphanage once again and walked to the playroom. Once there, she saw that Squall hadn't moved an inch. "Squall, we are going to start dinner soon. Why don't you come to the kitchen?" She asked.
Squall nodded his head and joined Edea in her short journey to the kitchen. When they got there, the sound of the front door slammed shut, indicating that the others had just entered the orphanage. Edea made her way to the freezer, while Squall took a seat at the end of the table. After grabbing a pack of steaks from the freezer, Edea walked over to the stove and began heating it up. At that moment, Selphie skipped into the kitchen and, happily, sat down in the center of table. Seifer took a seat across from Squall, while Cid walked over to the stove to help Edea.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Dinner went on like it always does. Afterwards, the three children were bathed and dressed for bed, even though Squall insisted that he could do it all by himself. When the children were safely tucked away, Cid and Edea prepared themselves for bed. Cid was already on his way to dreamland by the time Edea emerged from the bathroom. She climbed into bed and tried to sleep, but her mind was not clear. She kept thinking about SeeD and Garden. "Cid," she said. "Are you still awake?"
Cid stirred awake and rolled onto his side to look at Edea. "Is something wrong?" He asked.
"Oh, no. Nothing's wrong." Edea reassured. "I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"I have this idea. If we put it to use, it may provide protection for all civilians"
"What's your idea?"
"Why don't we train people using Guardian Forces? GFs are powerful creatures that bestow their powers upon a person. These people will be an elite mercenary force, accepting missions from around the world." Edea explained.
"A mercenary force?"
"Yes. The missions that they get from around the world will only be training for the final battle. That final battle against the sorceress."
"Against the sorceress!" Cid explained. "But Edea… what about you? What'll happen to you?"
Edea laughed, quietly, and said, "Don't worry, Cid. Nobody will ever harm me."
"I hope not." Cid said. "But how are we going to pay for all of this?"
Edea closed her eyes and sadly said, "I don't know."
Cid thought for a moment. He rolled over onto his back and continued thinking. "Ok. How about this?" Cid said. "I'll go around the world and look for a decent job. Then, we'll have the money in no time."
"Are you sure about that?"
"What else can we do?"
SquallJechtLeonhart: Well, I just thought that I should talk to you guys like most others do. So, this is my 11th chapter. What do you guys think of it? Send me some reviews and thanks to all those who reviewed already!