Chapter Seven: New arrival
I actually revised. Yeah, I was pretty shocked myself. This Garden sometimes make me feel unbelievably trapped. Well, class is out for a week in aid of revision. Study leave is great.
Maybe I should take a trip out to Balamb?
Yeah, I deserve it!
I shoved clothes into a sports bag, threw it over my shoulder, Gil in my pocket and left.
Sayonara for a few days, revision suckers!
I decided to walk it 'cause it isn't far and fresh air is always good, right?
The only problem with Balamb is the nothingness that occurs.
I stomped to the hotel and paid out. I dumped my bag and headed to the dock area. Since Fisherman's Horizon, I've become quite partial to fishing, sad I know.
I saw a man sitting with a rod and strolled up to him.
"Hey, man," I began in my politest voice, "do you have a fishing rod I can borrow?"
The man turned his head to me and gave a toothless grin.
"Sure you can," and gave a rather poorer quality rod, but hey, it's better than nothing. I moved far down the docks as I could. I sat for an hour and caught a couple of Balamb fish until...
Some sort of branch was floating toward the dock. I put the rod down and stared. It was a person draped over the branch, which I could now make out as a lump of ex-boat. They were dead or unconscious, I couldn't tell.
"Hyne..." I muttered under my breath.
I made a decision and dived in.
"What are you doing, laddie – Oh Hyne!" the old man exclaimed and threw his rod down, hurrying to the water edge.
I powered my way out to sea and grabbed the body before stroking backwards to the dock.
It was a girl. I didn't pay much attention until I pulled the both of us ashore. She flopped onto the sun warmed stone while I panted from the effort. The old man rushed over.
"We need to move her to the hotel to get medical care! You know a doctor?" he asked urgently.
"No – wait." A synapse fired, "Dr. Kadowaki at Garden!"
I picked the girl up and did what the old man said. Laying her out on the bed, the old man and the hotel owner covered her up to keep her warm.
"Go and get a doctor!" the hotel owner commanded.
I was briefly taken aback that someone ordered me around, but I actually responded to orders for once and rushed out and down to the car hire.
"Please," I gasped for air, "Could I rent one?"
The guy looked incredulous. "I guess."
I swiftly slapped the money on the desk and grabbed one, putting my foot down.
I arrived and sprinted to the Infirmary. I didn't even know why I was rushing for someone I don't know.
"Dr. Kadowaki!" I shouted as I ran into her office.
"Yes?" she replied, frowning.
"Doctor – Balamb – someone washed ashore and she doesn't look good." I hurriedly explained. Kadowaki got up.
"Right," and with that she gathered all her equipment she could – giving me the brunt of it – and we headed to the hire car.
A short drive later and we'd arrived.
Dr. Kadowaki kicked us all out saying, "She needs space! If I need help, I'll let you know."
And that was that. You don't mess with Kadowaki if you know what's good for you. I did glimpse the girl for a moment... she had jaw length dark blond hair with dark red streaks here and there. That was all I saw. I realised I was soaking wet and quickly changed. I wasn't going for another swim anytime soon, that's for sure.
I left the hotel and packed up the fishing gear, leaving the old man with his rod and my fish, and then I had no idea what to do. I sure didn't feel like fishing after that incident and I didn't know if I should return to the hotel.
I wandered around aimlessly instead and ended up back at the hotel. The old man came out with his gear and fish.
"Come on, laddie – let's go eat these fish – you did catch some of them yourself," he said.
Well, who can resist a good meal?
He led me over to his small house and we sat around the fire and the old man lazily fed the cat with titbits as the fish gently cooked.
"It's Finley by the way," the old man gave his toothless grin again.
"Uh, Seifer. Thanks for feeding me."
"Don't worry about it – that girl is keeping everyone busy at the hotel. You probably couldn't get a meal if you wanted to there."
I tucked into that fish and, man, no room service could compare.
"So how is that girl?" I asked. She intrigued me.
The old man sat up and stroked the cat lovingly.
"I helped the doctor with some of her tools and the girl was still unconscious. Apparently she had no ID or nothing. She must have come from Galbadia, but how she survived, well..." Finley trailed.
I thanked Finley for the food and headed back to the hotel – it was getting late and I wanted to find out more about that girl. So I wandered upstairs and knocked on the door into Kadowaki territory.
"Come in."
I stepped in. The girl was less pale than I first remembered. Dr. Kadowaki turned to me.
"Seifer, you can help me move her to this bed. The one she's in is freezing," she ordered.
I gently lifted her limp body and briefly looked into her face, before carefully moving her. She was pretty but... troubled. I noted the black wings tattooed on her shoulders. Strange. I laid her down and looked to the doctor.
"How is she?"
Kadowaki pulled blankets over the prone girl.
"She's had a history and a half. The Balamb sailors agree she must have come from the Galbadia Continent. She was pretty close to getting hypothermia if you hadn't of pulled her out. But, the interesting thing was when I checked her over and came to her back. She has three huge scars along it," she shook her head in disbelief, "I'm amazed she survived with no permanent damage they're so deep. They must be a year old or so."
I took it all in. I wanted to learn everything I could about her. I tried to appear unconcerned.
"When do you reckon she'll wake up, 'cause she's messing up room service."
Kadowaki rolled her eyes, "Same Seifer," she bit before answering me, "Maybe tomorrow. Depends on whether she's a fighter or not. By the looks of her though, she's been fighting all her life," she assessed. I nodded and looked at the girl. Yeah, she was pretty, but she also had a look that told me she had been fighting most of her life, or something. Before Dr. K had covered her up, I'd noticed a belt around her waist had two sheathed blades with just the ebony black handles poking out with a chain from each of them dangling a black wing charm each – that pretty much told me she was a fighter.
"We'll check on her in the morning. Seifer, I'll need you up at eight in the morning sharp to move her to Garden."
No 'please'. I sighed, "Sure Dr. K," and left for my bed.
... I had that dream again. I'm not sure if I like it or not. I have to find out who that person is!
I woke up early because of the dream and couldn't sleep. So I got ready, packed up and everything.
Well, I decided to have a look at the patient. I could pretend I was early for once in my life.
I carefully opened the door.
No-one was in because she's because she's been pronounced stable. She laid there, not deathly pale anymore, but looked normal. Her lips, which used to be pale pink, were dark ruby red. I pulled a chair next to her. I wonder why she had those black wings tattooed on her shoulders? I wonder what colour her eyes are?
As if she could hear my questions, she began to stir.
"Uh, you awake?" I probed, staring at her. Her eyes were an amazing blue-green, aqua, turquoise... I can't describe it properly.
"Who are you?" she asked perfectly fine. Her vice was soft, but deadly. She could kill with that voice. There was another element to her tone at the moment though – uncertainty and fear.
"I'm Seifer Almasy. I pulled you out of the water. Do you know your name?"
Her eyes flicked around the room before settling on me.
"Wyvern. Wyvern Kohl. Where am I?"
Wyvern... what a pretty name. Oh, right, question.
"Well, Wyvern, you're in Balamb," I told her.
Her face lit up and she smiled. "Really?" she breathed in happily. I nodded.
"Where did you come from? What happened to you?" I pressed her. Her smile fell away.
"... I came from Galbadia. I was at the Garden there, but... I hate it there. I went to sail a small boat across to Balamb, but a storm hit and wrecked my boat... I grabbed a bit of driftwood and paddled in the direction I hoped Balamb was... then the cold set in and I kept using restorative spells to keep myself alive, but then, then I... don't remember so good," she drifted through her tale in a melancholic fashion before falling silent.
"You wielded para-magic when you were in that condition? It's a wonder you worked it at all!" thundered Dr. Kadowaki's voice.
I jumped and Wyvern's eyes widened. Kadowaki softened and came over.
"Sorry I'm a little late. How's...?" she waited for a name supply. "Wyvern Kohl," Wyvern supplied.
"Wyvern," Kadowaki concluded and checked her over.
"You're fine. Now, what are you doing here?" Kadowaki demanded.
Wyvern's face hardened a little, "I transferred. Without permission – I couldn't stand Galbadia Garden anymore."
Kadowaki shook her head and sighed.
"Well, we'll take you to Balamb Garden, but I don't know what will happen from then on – the Headmaster will sort it out. Now, Wyvern, you should get ready," and with that Kadowaki left.
Wyvern looked to me, "I guess I get up. Where's the bathroom?"
I turned my head to the nearest door, "There. Once you're ready and eaten something you'll come with me and the doctor to Garden, okay?"
She smiled and nodded.
"Sounds good," she beamed. She sat up and painfully slowly got out of bed. When she stood, her legs began to give out and I dashed out and grabbed her. Here eyes were wide in surprise.
"Not as strong as I thought. Could you help me to the bathroom door?" she requested.
I nodded and did so, feeling odd that I was now capable of taking orders form other people.
She was delicate in frame and strength, but her voice... that was what she used to be; strong fierce and deadly, but kept giving way to a more gentle voice. I couldn't tell if she was just weak, or trying to somehow cover the voice up. Her clothes looked designed for battle – close fitted thick-looking scarlet material, but different shade in different parts. She was sleeveless and had lighter red straps over her shoulders that held the rest of her top and trousers together. Sleek battle gear to go with those dinky little daggers, so maybe she's just weak right now. Who am I to judge, right?
I went to the hotel lobby after picking my things up. Kadowaki's equipment was stacked against the wall, ready with the hire car parked outside.
To keep myself busy, I packed the whole lot and was pretty proud of myself until I could hear Wyvern call for me.
"Seifer? Hey, can someone help me down the stairs?" she called.
I rushed to her. Her legs were thin and she could stand okay on them if she used something to support her. I helped her down and led her to the car.
Kadowaki turned up from the item shop and came aboard.
"Well, Mr. Almasy – take us home," she said and sat back with a Doctors Daily magazine.
I gave a huffy sigh and did what I was told. I glanced into the rear-view mirror and saw Wyvern smiling at my reaction. I grinned back and headed for home.
Yeah... Garden is home.