Chapter Eight: Fell Angel

The journey was uneventful, but once we got back... Kadowaki hurried off and got a wheelchair and got me to help her with the equipment again. I shifted it all back and helped Wyvern into the wheelchair.

"Let me give you a tour of Garden," I volunteered.

"Okay," she looked expectantly around. I wheeled her out of the car park.

"Alright, here we go," I said and made a left turn. I strolled along happily.

"Now this coming up is the library. The committee there is a little touchy since their budget got cut, so borrow a book at your own risk." I joked.

Wyvern turned her head to me.

"Are you on a committee?"

"I used to be on the Disciplinary committee, but I'm not anymore. And let's leave it at that," I said finally. I wasn't going into that. Especially with a stranger, no matter how much I like them.

Wyvern looked at me for a moment, knowingly nodded and watched a girl leave the library, giving a shiver as if Wyvern was suddenly cold. Gaia. She was in her own little world.

"Hey, Gaia!" I gave a wave.

She snapped out of it.

"Hey," she said coolly, as usual and looked at Wyvern. A slight puzzled looked crossed her face, but disappeared so quickly, I wasn't even sure I saw it.

"This is Wyvern. Wyvern, this is Gaia." I introduced them, knowing Gaia was unlikely to voice herself.

"Hi Gaia," Wyvern said a little uncertainly and Gaia nodded, her eyes never leaving Wyvern.

"Hello, Wyvern. I have to get back to revision. Goodbye." and she left for the dorms.

We continued along to the lifts and stopped so I could show her the map.

"Who was she?" Wyvern asked me curiously.

"Oh, Gaia? She's this girl who only talks to me," I tried to make Wyvern understand; "she's not really into... talking to people." I phrased badly.

Wyvern looked perplexed. "Yeah... she reminds me of me, sorta," she conceded.

I was surprised. She hasn't been anything like that so far. "Really?"

She shrugged. "I wasn't very popular at Galbadia... Anyway, tell me about this place," she quickly dropped herself as a topic and fixed her gaze on the Garden map. I showed her all she needed on the map and then wheeled her to the lift.

"We have to go up and talk to Cid, the head." I leaned to her ear, "He doesn't like me much, so he may send me away." Her head snapped to my face, her eyes wide.

They were beautiful, her eyes. I lingered on them and realised she knew I was staring. I straightened and took her into the life, casually hitting the button up. It was a quick journey – up and out followed by knocking on Cid's door.

"Come in," his deep voice called.

"Here we go," I whispered to Wyvern and entered. The light airy office took Wyvern's breath away.

"Wow," she inhaled, taking it all in.

"Ah, Dr. Kadowaki informed me about this. Wyvern Kohl, yes?" Cid stood up as I wheeled Wyvern up to his desk.

"Yes, sir," she replied. Cid smiled warmly, then it dropped dramatically when he looked at me.

"Seifer, you may leave," he told me firmly.

Wyvern's expression became worried. "Please, sir... he rescued me. I him to push me around the Garden. I don't mind discussing what happened to me in front of him, sir," she pleaded.

Cid seemed undecided, but then sagged, "Very well Ms. Kohl."

Her face broke out into a smile. I pulled up a chair.

"Wyvern, you ran away from Galbadia Garden. Why?" Cid asked with a tone of demand. Her head drooped.

"... Mr. Cid, I was not popular at my old Garden," she looked up to Cid's concerned face and her eyes shone with tears, "I was called the Fell Angel at school because they believed I was evil, dangerous. They made me a Fell Angel. I've not had an easy life there, as such. I've been bullied in Galbadia for being Estharian for most of my life," she stopped and calmed herself down.

Estharian? How did she leave Esthar? And why? Cid looked shocked.

"... The Instructors did nothing to remedy it?"

She shook her head. "Nothing. Sir, I know I took extreme measures, but... please, I never want to go back there," she said soulfully.

Cid's face softened to Wyvern. "...You can stay here, Wyvern. Seifer will show you to your dorm. It's 195. Also, what were you doing before you left Galbadia Garden?" Cid stood.

"I was training to be a SeeD. Two weeks from the written exam, sir," she replied.

"Good. You're only a little bit behind our Garden, your new home." Cid smiled and shook her hand.

I wheeled her out and to her dorm. "I'm just three doors down from you, so I'm always there if you need me," I told her.

"Thank you," she smiled as I took her into her room. "It's so bright and... just wonderful," Wyvern's face was alight with happiness.

"Hey, it's only a room." I couldn't believe her joy over a measly room. Wyvern rubbed her eyes and stifled a yawn, "Can you help me to my bed – I'm tired."

I couldn't help thinking 'An invitation' though it clearly wasn't. I gently picked her up and sat her on her new bed.

"Thank you, again. Could you come back later? I wanna... talk to you if that's alright," she brushed at her black wings on her shoulder joints.

"Sure. Is seven okay 'cause I gotta do a bit of revision." She nodded, "That's great!... See you later."

I left with a smile.

I liked this girl.