Chapter Nineteen: Explanation
"So... Ryden Fords, currently in the Infirmary, is actually a psycho with the intention of harming Wyvern Kohl and Gaia – oh, I'm sorry apparently Kaira Firedrake, actually an ex-Galbadia Garden member who just 'forgot' to tell me about that – who is also unconscious in the Infirmary," Cid surveyed us with narrowed eyes. Wyvern looked complete broken and took my hand as her eyes filled with tears and filled me with a rush of emotion to help.
"Yes," I said firmly, gripping Wyvern's hand reassuringly and holding Cid's gaze without blinking – partly to intimidate him and partly to make him believe me.
"You came back at an awfully convenient time, Seifer. Care to explain?" he interrogated and I sighed, running a hand through my golden hair.
"... I just knew I had to come back, pass my exams and..." I stared meaningfully at Wyvern, "take care of some people."
She gave me a small smile and turned to Cid.
"You have to believe me – Ryden Fords had an unhealthy infatuation that got out of control and led to the events we told you about! Please, you have to believe us!" Wyvern said desperately, tears slipping past her nose. Cid allowed his eyes to focus intently on Wyvern's and she returned the look with an open face, allowing him to scrutinise her.
After what felt like an hour, Cid sat back and arched his hands together with a thoughtful look.
"Alright, I believe you, though it being a pretty unbelievable story..." he trailed and sighed, giving a slight frown before regarding the two of us questioningly.
"Thank you, sir," Wyvern smiled and touched her hair nervously. I grinned and stood up and Wyvern followed me.
"Yeah, thanks C- sir," I echoed Wyvern and Cid motioned for us to leave.
"Enquiries, of course, will be made. I will see you two soon to sort the rest of this mess out. For now, you are free to take exams and Ryden Fords will be under security until this whole mess is sorted out. Dismissed," Cid finished and we left without a backward glance.
Once the door had shut, Wyvern turned to me and gave a muffled squeak as she covered her mouth, then hugged me tight.
"He believed us! He is so nice to trust in us!" she squealed in a way reminiscent of the Messenger girl. It didn't bother me though – I was getting used to the way Wyvern behaved and her little quirks along with Gaia's attitude. Well, I suppose I should start calling her Kaira now, even though she responds to both.
"Cid's an old softie really," I told her and she peeled herself from me and began to head to the lift.
"Where're we going?" I asked as I followed her and she twirled around to face me.
"I thought we could go and see Kaira," she said and I nodded.
"Question is does she want us there?" I replied and Wyvern shrugged.
"Too bad – she's my new friend and I visit friends," she said stoutly, jutting her jaw out and I laughed as I punched the button to go down.
Wyvern idly watched the people milling below us through the glass windows while I gripped and unclenched my hand which was usually accustomed to holding Hyperion before turning as the door slid open with a hiss.
"Come on, Kaira will be waiting!" Wyvern called as she bounded out of the lift and dashed down the ring of main corridor and slowed down to wait for me to catch up.
I leisurely walked over to her, much to her annoyance. She gave me another tug to hurry me up and I took long strides so she had to trot to keep up.
"Seifer!" she rolled her eyes and I gave a grin before walking normally.
"I couldn't help myself," I smiled and she calmed down.
"Come on then, I want to see her," she told me and headed swiftly through the Infirmary doors. Inside Doctor Kadowaki sat at her desk with a pile of papers in front of her. She swivelled her neck around to see us come in and stood.
"Ah, I thought you'd be coming in. She's in there," she pointed to a cubicle and returned to her work. We exchanged a glance before entering the room she'd directed us to.
Inside laid Gaia with her eyes shut, but Wyvern bumped into the corner of her bed, gave a cry of pain and the passive girl's face became animated with surprise.
"Oh, hey guys," she said softly as she settled down after Wyvern's ruckus.
"Sorry," Wyvern apologised helplessly and Gaia smiled.
"You always have to make an entrance, don't you?" she teased and Wyvern pulled up a seat.
"Can't help myself. How are you?" she asked with concern and Gaia pulled a face and waved a hand as if she didn't give a damn.
"The good Doctor tells me I'm going to be in here for a week, but I don't give a damn – I'm leaving here tomorrow if it kills me," she scowled temporarily then looked at the two of us seriously.
"I'm glad you came by, because I've been thinking about this whole... event, or ordeal – whatever you want to call it. I want to tell you about what I've been doing all this time. I want to tell you, Wyvern, why I attacked that night," her eyes looked sad and Wyvern became edgy.
"Well, if you feel up for it, Kaira," Wyvern said nervously and I leant against the wall in preparation for a big speech.
I definitely have the feeling this is gonna be long-haul.
"I know you didn't think I had changed when you realised who I was. But I had – I remember the exact day it all changed. It was the day in Galbadia when you acted as the Fell Angel and no longer as the demure kicking bag I'd been accustomed to," she paused and her eyes misted over as if she was drifting back into the memory. I glanced at Wyvern, who looked uncomfortable before returning my gaze to Gaia, who'd opened her mouth to speak once more.
"There you were with your blades primed to tear someone apart and your eyes... they were burning with the fires of hate," Gaia recalled and Wyvern lowered her head, scuffing her boot slightly on the floor.
"Those weren't the best of days, I'll admit," she admitted quietly and I watched the two with interest. So, it all comes out now.
Gaia pulled herself up in her bed, her back resting against a crushed pillow and frowned.
"It was my fault, Wyvern. I know it is. When I was an evil bitch... well, still may be at times... I never thought I mattered a damn to the world, that I affected nothing and no-one. But when I saw how my actions against you led you to stand there like that... I was scared. Scared of what I'd done, what I had made you. And it stopped right then and there. I ran off around the same time as you. Cut my hair, got rid of the false blonde hair and bought new clothes before setting off for Balamb in the hope I'd be able to shirk Kaira Firedrake for good," Gaia paused to draw breath, her blue-grey eyes briefly closed in pain. She looked up to the ceiling and opened her eyes, smiling as she did so.
"Hmm, that plan hardly worked, did it?" she raised an eyebrow and gave a shrug of indifference.
"It was fate that led you to the exact same destination; I swore it when I first laid eyes on you here. I may have acted passive, but inside... I thought I might explode with guilt. It was selfish at first – I was convinced you'd mess up my 'change' and lead me to become a bully once more and it ended up with the fight that put me in here. I don't blame you for that – I was in complete denial, wanted you to disappear so I could remain Gaia Ferndrake." Gaia made her hands into fists.
"I was stupid. Deep down I knew that the truth was going to have to be admitted some time. Of course then I was in no position to apologise for what I'd done, being in the Infirmary. And here I am now after... redeeming myself I suppose for my earlier mistake. But not for what I did at Galbadia. Atonement for there can only be done through what I do the rest of my life it was so bad," she finished, falling silent and looking at the two of us to see our reactions.
Wyvern stood in shock and gave a start.
"That is the most I've ever heard you speak... Gaia," she began with a small smile, but it fell away to a more sombre expression, "Gaia, listen. Don't be sorry for what you did – not anymore. You toughened me up, Gaia, made me who I am today, which is more complete than the shy girl I had been at Galbadia. I think you've talked enough today, so rest now and we can all have a proper talk when you're out of here. Okay?" Wyvern raised her eyebrows to move Gaia into an answer and the girl gave a chuckle.
"You're the boss. I guess I'll see you guys later," Gaia gave in and sunk back into her bed and closed her eyes. She looked peaceful as Wyvern tugged my arm to get me to leave with her.
We left the Infirmary and strolled together to the main entrance in silence, Wyvern with a thoughtful expression twisting her ruby lips sideways while her turquoise eyes narrowed in thought.
"I'm glad we've all came together like this. I think we've all affected one another," Wyvern considered and I gave a shrug.
"I know, I'm not sure if I was for better or worse," I offered and Wyvern gave me a sidelong look.
"You're definitely for good - otherwise I don't think you'd be allowed on the premises... but, look. The three of us have been affected by one another so much... K- Gaia changed me, I changed her. And you..." she trailed and looked to me for an answer as the two of us made our way along the path connecting Garden to Balamb.
"I guess I was changed by both of you. Gaia made me feel more part of Garden and you," I sighed dramatically, "you turned me to mush," I finished flatly.
Wyvern snorted, "Mush? I didn't see a mushy guy who was readying himself to kill Ryden," she pointed out and I shrugged, glancing at the sun slowly setting out into the sea.
We shared a look before continuing on in a comfortable silence. The path wound along to Balamb and showed off the stretching sandy beaches and the ocean sparkling with the dazzling setting sun.
This is like the dream.
I shivered as a breeze cut through and Wyvern gave me a funny look and took my hand.
"Are you alright?" she asked and I snapped out of my stupor.
"Sure. Let's go," I replied and together we made it into Balamb.
Wyvern stopped next to the car hire and turned to me, eyes imploring.
"Where to?"
"Where do you think?" I teased and Wyvern smiled, those eyes dancing playfully.
"The dock then," she decided and we wandered over hand in hand. I gave a nod to Finley, who grinned back and gave a wave as we crossed the parking area and sat on the cobbles at the end, watching the sun descend.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she said gently as she gazed out to sea, her eyes reflecting the fiery reds and oranges of the sun as they danced before disappearing, leaving a cool breeze and the now visible moon.
I looked about to see no-one about in the dusk and sat down, soon joined by Wyvern. She sat with her knees drawn up to her chin, arms wrapped around her legs and stared off across the ocean, taking in the now darker, night time waves which were serene as the moon hung overhead lighting the landscape.
"So..." Wyvern said before turning to me...