Squall sat silently on the bench. Patience for him was an easy thing, it bordered unnatural the way he seemed to not care about waiting. He had been sitting there for almost an hour fiddling with Rinoa's stud. It'll go on my left ear, the other side will be her right ear, as soon as I get back to Balamb, Squall promised himself.
A little further away, behind craters and other junk, a girl stood watching. She did not know why she had followed him, but she knew that she had to watch him get on a train and leave before she could settle her thoughts. She loved watching his hands, the way they would play with the small stud, looking at it as if was the most amusing thing in the world. She suddenly saw something else that made her blood run cold. She bought a hand to her mouth, and watched.
My father?! What's he doing here? And with those armed guards…
Squall turned around swiftly towards the direction of the gasp. He saw no one. Again, a rustle… a shuffle of feet. He studied the area with a trained eye, and at last when he was sure there was no body there, he turned again to watch for incoming trains. He stared right into a large gun barrel, aimed right between his eyes. The General! Is he crazy?
Rinoa winced as the butt of the gun rammed into Squall's midsection. He did not make a sound, silently doubling over in pain; not understanding the reason for this uncalled for attack. Rinoa watched wide – eyed and trembling as her father beat mercilessly upon him, unable to wrench her eyes away, horror – stricken by the thought that somehow it was because of her. How could he know… and I did not tell him my last name…
"How dare you lay your hands upon royal property of Galbadia!" The General screamed, lifting Squall up by his hair. "I will make sure you experience some famed Galbadian hospitality. Guards!"
* * *
He lay in a cell, his face and body bruised beyond recognition. Blood matted his hair and he couldn't move. He heard a sound of movement. Feet scurried cautiously toward his tiny barred prison and he recognised the voice even if he could not see her face.
"Squall? It's me… I'm so sorry for all this. I'll get you out of there… and home soon." Rinoa couldn't believe her eyes, it was so gruesome. The bloody smell had made her want to vomit, but she forced herself to remain calm and detached. Her father was a hard man, but she had never thought him as cruel. He actually did such a thing… did he know that it would hurt me too? She had to find a key… anything to get him out. She watched as his head moved slightly and whispered, "I'll come back… I promise."
She turned quickly and gasped. Seeing, standing in front of her the new countess of the house. Looking as evil as she did beautiful, Edea gave a small laugh. It rang like silver bells echoing with deathly tones.
"You did not know your father had such… talent for such sport, did you? You might want to take a closer look; you might be in the same state should you start refusing suitors, or disobeying your father… or me," she said calmly, observing her nails intently. Edea looked Rinoa over, accessing her and smiling all the while. Suddenly she stood up and moved threatingly close to Rinoa, staring daggers into her eyes. "Why don't you run, Rinoa? It's really easy and I'll help you. Just don't come back – ever."
"What are you saying?" Rinoa's voice came out small, "Why are you being so hateful? Will you let him go if I agree?" The laughter began again. "Why, Rinoa! Of course… I would never have wanted this," she gestured at the blood puddles upon the floor, "It was really your fathers doing…"
"My father… he will be searching," Rinoa said. "Even though there is no love lost between us, he will search." As soon as those words left her mouth she felt a bitter feeling brew in her. Squall was hurt, the only friend she had outside fancy curtsy parties and meaningless dinners. He was the only friend she had by choice. "How dare you lay hands upon royal property of Galbadia!" She gave an inward sob, after all she was just property to her own father.
"Rinoa, please. You will not be missed, I can assure you that much. Just tell me one thing – is it so difficult to run like the coward you are?" Edea turned her eyes upon Rinoa once more, "Perhaps you won't even remember any of this," she added with a sly smile. "Run."
Rinoa stood still. "I will come back, if only to make you pay." And with that she turned and slowly walked away. As she walked a strange feeling crept over her, she stumbled her footsteps, dazed. Meanwhile, Edea was chanting, using her power and skill to cast the taxing spell. Sweat poured down her forehead and her slightly covered cleavage as she gritted her teeth. "They will not remember…" she whispered after she had finished. She wiped her brow and looked leeringly inside the cage. "Pathetic child," she took note of him more closely, noting the hardened trained look he had to him and the inner strength and courage. "But I'll make you more than that. Training will start tomorrow." Edea looked to the direction of the door. "What say you, Knight of Galbadia?"
* * *
Rinoa pulled herself up. Where am I? She hesitantly stepped forward, a step at a time. Trying to get hold of herself and waiting for the throbbing in her head to subside. She felt the cool night wind upon her skin and she saw a kindly lady walking toward her. The lady was beautiful, the stuff of tales with ivory skin, dark hair… and the strangest yellow eyes. She came up right to Rinoa and handed her an envelope.
"Here's your train ticket to Balamb, Rush. Good thing I didn't miss you." Rush? That's not my name… my name is… What is my name? Rinoa took the envelope in her hands. I am bound for Balamb? Why is my memory so awry, how could I forget if I was doing that? The lady looked concerned. "What are you waiting for? The train is leaving around now, you don't want to miss it. I hope you've enjoyed your holiday here. Tell your folks Aunt Elena has had a wonderful time having you here." She didn't want to appear confused in front of this woman as she seemed genuinely worried about her. Auntie? Just take a guess, make excuses later.
"Well… thank you Auntie. I've had a nice time. Surely my parents are anxious for my return by now. Thank you." Rinoa said with a confused smile, the lady patted her hand and gave her a gentle push while pointing to the direction of the train station. "Be well, Rush!" Rinoa walked slowly, unsure of everything around her. Behind her back, the retreating figure doubled over with sarcastic laughter.
Just go along with it. I'll be better in no time, maybe I hit my head or something… "Rush… my name is Rush. I'm from Balamb… I have an Aunt named Elena in Deling City." She muttered to herself in the train. She was aware of her surroundings, the place… time. But she felt she knew absolutely nothing about herself. "I'm going home to Balamb. My family will be there waiting… surely I'll remember them, and they'll bring me around all right." For the first time since discovering herself in the alley, she felt hope.
* * *
"Miss! Excuse me, Miss. The train has arrived in Balamb. Passengers are getting off now." The staff looked apologetically at her, he had not wanted to awaken the sleeping girl. "Your luggage will be unloaded. Please, this way."
The newly named Rush looked around her. Luggage? She couldn't even remember packing. She made her way to the unloading area, they were winding around slowly, empty. She was waiting for family, she remembered that lady My auntie… saying that much, so she sat on one of the many benches that littered the street and waited. She watched as families met their loved ones, sweethearts kissed and children getting tossed in the air. It felt good to be home. Home?
Later. The street was empty and the air was chilling. There was no sign whatsoever of a family – gathering – to – come. Rush stared at her hands, they were cold. She couldn't understand for the life of her what she was doing here and why no one had come. She took stock of herself not comprehending anything that was happening. She had no money, no luggage. It could have been stolen of course, that was what she had planned to tell her folks. She felt around her neck – a necklace, and a ring thread through it. She gripped it hard feeling lost all of a sudden, she couldn't remember her past… her last name… It was if her memories had only started the moment she took the ticket from the lady that was supposedly her aunt.
She ran her other hand through her hair, enjoying the feel of it. Her fingertips brushed her right stud and she suddenly sat up straight. For a moment she thought she had gone crazy as an image of an adorable boy smiled at her, later kissing her. She saw a bloody pulp on the floor… "It was just my imagination… tricks of the mind…" Rush whispered to herself, hugging herself tightly. She shivered in the night wind. My family will come, they'll make this right. I'm just a little bugged She started as someone speaking to her.
"Hello. Umm… I'm Zell Dintch. I live over there," he stretched his arm and pointed to a house up the road. "My mother says she's seen you here since late evening. It's almost early morning… and," the boy laughed nervously, he seemed unable to stand still. "She wants you to come over, have some hot food and shut eye for the night…"
Rush was startled at first by the offer, but then the thought of food and a soft place to sleep stole her over. She nodded to the spiky haired boy and followed him to his house. The smell of food made her mouth water and the round smiling woman made her feel right at home. She promptly found herself steered to the dinner table and made to sit down and devour the delicious pieces of food while answering to the questions Zell's mother was asking.
"What's your name?"
"Rush…" she replied, looking puzzled. What's my last name? Just make one up… The stately woman looked on expectantly, "Rush… err, Olsen. I've just come from Deling."
"But you're from here?"
"I…I am." I think… Zell gave her a sharp glance. He had never seen her before in his life, he was sure she was hiding something, but she didn't seem the bad kind to occasionally drop in to Ma Dintch's hospitality. Rush gave a deliberate long gulping of the soup, opening her eyes widely she said, "This soup tastes so good, Mrs Dintch; I could eat the whole pot. What is it?"
Ma Dintch beamed at her. She was terribly proud of her cooking and to Rush's relief she began to talk of recipes and different types of ingredients used when cooking the same dish. She could never bore of this topic, oblivious to others peoples disinterest. Rush was beginning to regret asking when Ma Dintch gave an enormous yawn. "Oh my, I am sleepy. Zell will show you the guest bedroom after you're finished. I really must get some shut – eye." Rush and Zell both echoed 'goodnights' after her and not long after some terrible snoring began from the floor above. Rush and Zell both giggled loudly.
"Rush… who are you, really? I know you're not really from Balamb, I've lived here for years now… never seen you before. You were lucky Ma was tired…" He looked apologetic for asking, "And… the last name, there are no Olsen's here. It's a small place."
So I told him, what there was to tell anyway. About the lady being my aunt and the ending of the holiday in Deling City – and her calling me Rush, thus naming me. It wasn't a very long story after all, just strange. "Where will you go tomorrow? I'll be going back to Garden."
Rush sighed. "It's just weird… suddenly realising I have no identity… no luggage even," she gave a wry laugh. "But sometimes I see weird things…"
Zell's brows quirked up at that. "Hey, you might be having flashbacks or something…"
"I do admit I can't remember my last name, I made it up when your mother asked…" Rush confessed. "Didn't want her to think I was a runaway trouble child or something… Where did you say you were going?"
"Garden. Balamb Garden. It's quite close, that's how I can come home so often."
"What's a 'Garden'?" She asked automatically.
Zell sighed, "You really don't know? It's a type of military school… we're trained to fight, but we also function as an academic school." Zell's eye's suddenly lit up and he stood up loudly, making the chair fall backwards as he started punching the air. "Since you can't remember who you are… your family or anything, why not come to Garden with me?"
"Go with you to Garden? I – …"
"Wait! I know… but listen, there are lots of orphans there. Most of them don't have families… so, I thought… it's a good idea, right?" He looked absolutely convinced it was the way to go.
"Listen, if you stay here… everyone will think you're a trouble kid with things to hide, and you don't have a home. You'll be homeless with no money. At Garden you'll be fed and you get allowances."
Rush nodded. It did sound good, considering her current situation.
"Yeah, sure. There are entrance tests and all, nothing so bad. Fitness is the main criteria, if you lean toward academics, then they'll train you for intelligence. How 'bout you just come and see?"
Rush wasn't so sure about staying there, but she felt like she could trust this Zell, chatterbox and all. And what choice had she? She was in some ways, very lucky. She could have ended up in worse places had she followed someone else. She nodded. This time in a sure way. "I'll go with you tomorrow, Zell."
"Aw – right!" Zell punched the air. "You won't regret it! And… I'll help you out, if you don't know anything."
Rush yawned. Suddenly everything seemed so nice, yet far from simple. She held out her hand to him. "Friends?"
"Friends."
* * *
A month later.
Rush looked at herself in the full length mirror. She had changed since she had come here, to Balamb. She was a SeeD cadet. There was within her daily actions that suggested she was more. She barely forgot anything she was taught; she was, in a word a valued student. A promising one certainly. Her withdrawn manner had drawn a close knit of friends, mainly Zell and an older cadet named Quistis.
Her hand passed over her uniform. "I've accomplished so much in so little time. When I find myself…" Her fingers fondled her stud and the ring upon her necklace. Passing images of a boy and a lovely dark haired woman flashed. "Find you… and you. Maybe I'll be me, the real me."
A/N: Tell me what you think, guys! This is just actually an introduction of sorts. The next chapter starts off anew, when they're all older.
