"Reports indicate that the coup was completed when over sixty percent of the Galbadian army simply put down their weapons and refused to support the power structure which the Sorceress had put into play. Within six hours of the first dissent, Seifer Almasy had disappeared and a new leader had emerged from within the Army. This man, Julian Sietz, has promised reparitive negotiations to the leaders of other nations, including Dollet, Esthar, and--what is most astonishing--Timber."

The audio spilling out of the terminal fuzzed, and a hand reached out to switch it off. The hand hesitated, then withdrew as the reporter continued.

"Sietz, not a prominent figure in the military, has gained support with a rapidity that many in other nations find alarming. Unofficially promoted to General by consensus of the army, Sietz has already ordered the arrests of generals Caraway, Hadov, and Seper on allegations of supporting the Sorceress's coup. Placing himself in the President's power seat, he may well be on the road to becoming yet another military dictator."

"That's bad, ya--" a voice began, but was quickly silenced.

"In what may be a bid to show Galbadia's good intent to the rest of the world, Sietz has also issued an arrest warrant for Almasy, and seeks the assistance of all other world nations in bringing the Knight to justice. Timber and Dollet have already promised their cooperation, and a response is anticipated from Esthar and Balamb within twenty-four hours. In other news...."

"That's bad, ya know!"

Seifer leaned back pensively, fingers tapping on the hilt of the Hyperion. The audio feed continued to spill out over the HD cable, but he wasn't listening any more.

"So what're we gonna do?" Raijin asked, gesturing worriedly. "We gonna go back to Garden? I bet Cid--"

"No." Seifer shook his head, repeating himself more emphatically. "No. I'm not going back there." Casting a sidelong glance at Raijin, he repressed a growl. "You honestly think they're gonna take us back? Anyway, going to Garden is sure to provoke an attack, and then I know they'll hand us over."

Raijin crossed his arms. "So--"

"SHOCK."

Both Seifer and Raijin turned to look at the third occupant of the room, who was still engrossed in the news report. "What is it, Fuj'?" Raijin asked, only to be silenced by an imperative wave of Fujin's hand.

"...occured at night, in the caravan town of Oasis Kalm. The victim ws killed in extraordinary fashion: every bone in his upper torso was crushed, driving sharp fragments of bone into the heart and lungs. The ultimate cause of death was internal hemmorhage. Authorities are confounded as to who could be respon--"

Fujin deftly switched off the audio feed, her one eye unfocused and distant. She looked genuinely troubled.

"What's wrong?" Raijin asked, uneasy. Fujin's look suddenly turned angry, and she burst from her seat and dealt him a stinging blow to the face that sent him staggering backward.

"RAGE!" she bellowed, both hands fisting and her entire form quivering. Raijin scrambled back out of attack range, cowering.

"Fujin, what the hell?" Seifer demanded. Fujin turned to face him, red eye burning. Seifer took an involuntary step back. Fujin really could be scary at times.

She blinked, anger evaporating from her face. Swaying slightly, she raised a hand to her eyepatch and pressed softly, as if trying to relieve an ache. "...rage," she whispered, voice just on the bounds of the audible. As if it was possible, she seemed to have gone even paler.

Seifer risked stepping forward, placing both hands on Fujin's shoulders to steady her. "...what's up?" he asked, uncomfortable.

"...tired," Fujin murmured. "Fatigue."

Eye drooping, Fujin collapsed. Seifer stepped forward quickly to catch her, casting a worried glance at Raijin. "What's going on?" he asked, hoping that Raijin, who had known her for longer, might have some insight that he lacked.

Raijin shook his head dumbly. "I dunno, ya know," he stammered. "M-maybe she just needs to sleep, ya know?"

Setting Fujin down in one of the armchairs that fringed the room, Seifer glanced at the HD terminal and switched it back on. The announcer was nattering on about the stocks of some Galbadian corporation, so he shut it off again.

While Seifer wasn't looking, Raijin quietly wiped away the single tear that had spilled from Fujin's eye.