I like the humor in this chapter. This is just another rarity in between all the angst, suspense, and freakiness that's yet to come.
Lyrics are by Duran Duran. A song called "What Happens Tomorrow" off of their awesome new album, Astronaut.
Chapter 17: Friendly Visitors, Depressed Patient
Child, don't you worry…
It's enough you're growing up in such a hurry…
He knew that she wasn't very hungry, but Bahamut didn't need to tell her twice to eat something. So fast too, he's grown fond of this mortal. Quickly looking past what she explained, like Zell, Quistis, Irvine, Selphie, and Squall's GF, Quezacotl, Bahamut had to do it, or else Marianne would act the total opposite, being at constant discomfort. He knows that he can scare others if he loses his temper. But if he remained to act like a sour puss when he first was told to be Marianne's assigned life partner and guardian, there would just be no peace in her state of mind. And one of the SeeDs would have to draw him out.
In synchronization with feeling all of Marianne's thoughts and feelings and head pain, Bahamut knew she was going through a very difficult time. It would take at least a little while until she finally adjusts to staying in Gala until a solution was found in going to Earth. Deep down within the depression, there was a little bit of hope. Squall had begun to encourage her to hang in there. Bahamut was thankful, and grateful for that. Maybe Marianne's line of thinking was true. It was possible that Leonhart could visit her again. Most likely to check on Marianne from time to time, but not make conversation.
But still… He had to try to say something of comfort. Like Squall, he didn't want to give false hope, but there was a big difference. Bahamut was a lot more open hearted than Leonhart was. He didn't treat Marianne any different, like all the other humans that walked upon Gala's earth.
Slowly, Marianne ate. Usually she was such a speedy eater, but with her self esteem lowered with a massive wave of depression and homesickness, she felt there was no hurry over anything. She took a few bites of scrambled egg, discovering that the usual seasoning was missing. Her taste buds practically failed to take her mind off of anything, making the food more tasteless.
"Doctor K.?" she heard her own voice croak in a hoarse voice. Not too much of a surprise. This was probably the result of waking up and from crying for some time. Kowadaki was sitting at her desk, on the computer. She looked to Marianne. "Yes?" "Could I have some salt, please?" she asked, being calm and polite. Dr. Kowadaki shook her head slowly. The young woman from Earth was a little disappointed in hearing her say, "No sodium until you're free to go." Kowadaki heard her patient sigh. "I'm sorry, but it's a rule over here," she apologized. Marianne looked at her dully and almost mumbled the next statement. "I think Earth has that rule too…"
The patient went back to eating. Bahamut felt this was the time to say something, but had to approach gently and keep his voice low so he wouldn't startle her. "Fate can be so cruel sometimes." Yeah, and it must have been my lucky day to go through all this, his life partner snapped back at him in sarcasm. The dragon inside her mind knew better than to take that seriously. It wasn't like she was accusing him of anything. "Just listen to what I have to tell you, my friend," Bahamut suggested. Giving up on eating the eggs, Marianne went to the toast, that had been buttered. Thank God for that, and the orange juice. She loved orange juice. She'd live off of that to wake up back at her home world, over coffee. While she consumed them, Bahamut continued, knowing for sure she was at undivided attention.
Brings you down, the news they sell ya.
To put in your mind that all mankind is a failure…
"We all need you to hold on and let us try to help you… I'm speaking for all my sibling Guardians, Squall, Seifer, Selphie, Irvine, Zell, Quistis, Mother Hyne, and your God. As you know, not all is lost." Like Marianne, Bahamut fought as hard as he could through the pain in her head. He silently hoped that pretty soon she would lie back down with the ice, numbing the aching down. "There's still a chance. Slim, yes, but something." With superstition, Marianne had to put in her thoughts. Please, just don't say 'even if all hope is lost, you could always stay here,' or something like that. It just hurts too much to think about it. "I wasn't going to say that, because I know it's something that you do not want to hear at all. I'm inside your mind for Hyne's sake," her assigned GF countered.
But nobody knows…what's gonna happen tomorrow.
We try not to show…how frightened we are…
I'll try all I can. I know all I can do is pray. The two felt her eyes start to water again as she finished the rest of her breakfast, but the eggs, and laid back down on the bed. I'll try all I can to stay sane. Marianne felt Bahamut's concern as she heard his voice be a gentle and soothing one. "That is basically all I ask. I'm glad we have great understanding between us. I'm also glad in getting to know you. You're a very good hearted person, Marianne. Smart, humorous… And I know you have a bit of an ego too…" This caused her to smile a bit, and almost start snickering. So I'm not alone with that, huh. Bahamut softly chuckled in reaction. "No, you are not." The smile didn't last long, because of the pain they both felt in her head. He could also hear her mind call for a brand of aspirin that worked for her on Earth.
Aleve…Aleve… Man, I could sure use a couple pills of that right now. She had to ask him. Is there any aspirin or pain killer of any kind around here on Gala? "Yes, and I think Dr. Kowadaki will get you some pretty soon." Thank GOD… He couldn't resist smiling. Marianne couldn't see it, but could feel his emotions of amusement.
Sure enough, the good doctor brought over a glass of water and two small pills. "Take these." Kowadaki suggested. "It'll help numb the pain a little." "Thank you," Marianne whispered in relief and took them without any complaints or hesitation. Then she laid back down on the bed, resting her burned out and dried red eyes, but didn't go to sleep. Until she would receive anymore visitors, she laid back down on the bed, holding her dog plush close to her. It would only be a matter of time before she gets anymore visitors…
If you let me, I'll protect you, however I can…
You've got to believe… It'll be alright in the end…
You've got to believe… It'll be alright again…
The loud buzzer of Almasy's alarm clock had been going off for a while now. He finally was awake and not passed out in bed. Hitting the snooze button, Seifer almost wanted to go back to sleep, but he knew he was late enough. He knew from the other four times that if he didn't make it as a SeeD, he'd have to remain in those boring classrooms and be re-taught all over again.
Why not just make today a skip day? He could always start classes tomorrow. Besides, he could use a break after all he's been through. That late afternoon through all night at Deling, the long drive back to Balamb, the two fights against the nasty NORG and those nastier Oilboyles…
Almasy lifted the light blue sheets off of him and sat up on the mattress to see his room mate, Rajin, occasionally snoring. He shook his head smiling and called to him, "Raj, RAJ! Get up."
As far as Seifer was concerned, the two did a lot of things together since they were both thirteen years of age. Pick on lower life forms, fish, catch people running in the halls, snacking and chilling out during break, and throw little paper projectiles and food wrappers across the classrooms they attended while supposed to be learning something. Often they got in trouble together for doing little, repetitive stuff like projectile tossing in class, and bullying others. People like them would be considered as "dorks" in Marianne's labeling of immature people. She's known a small handful of boys like that throughout most of her life in school back on Earth.
The darker tone skinned Rajin woke up and saw who was speaking to him. He seemed surprised. "Oh, hey Seif. What's up?" Quirking a light colored eyebrow, Almasy replied, "Oh, I could say the same thing. Where were you last night? Where was Fujin?" "I thought you had detention, man… After one of those robot faculty dudes was asking about you, I'd figure the Headmaster would make you sit through detention again, for sure." What was he, fucking drunk?! Had he not heard the announcements Kramer had made?!
Fighting, because we're so close
There are times we punish those who we need the most…
"Rajin… Where… the hell… were you?" Almasy demanded of his friend, who seemed to have a head as thick as a melon. And at times like this, he'd figure to talk slowly, so that the moron would get what he was asking of him. Rajin seemed aware of how serious he was acting and held up both hands, showing his palms to Seifer. "Whoa, don't panic, ya know?! Fujin and I went to Balamb Town to do some fishin', alright?" Oh, well that explains a lot of things, he thought, while settling down indeed and went up to his dresser drawer by the wall to change.
"And…we weren't over there for long, unfortunately," Rajin continued while Almasy was pulling pieces of clothing out of the drawers and tossing them on the bed carelessly behind him. The blonde halted and faced his darker skinned friend. "What do you mean?" He stood there, in just his red boxers from which Selphie had given to him the other night. "Heh heh, are those new?" chuckled Rajin, noticing. In a heartbeat, Seifer jumped over his bed and gripped his friend's neck with both hands. "And just WHAT do you mean by THAT?" he fumed, ready to break Rajin's vocal chords any second. "Are you a fuckin' queer or something?!" "N-No, it's n-nothing S-Seifer! It's j-just that you look g-good in red boxers! Honest!" the other stuttered, and with that Seifer had let him go.
No we can't wait for a savior
We have ourselves to blame for this behavior…
"Uh huh… Since when did you start caring about that?" Almasy said dryly, hardly believing his friends words. "Anyway… Continue." Clearing his throat and regaining his senses, Seifer's best friend besides Fujin did as he was told. "There were some G-Army soldiers walking into town yesterday afternoon, so Fuj and I ran, ya know?" "Shit," Almasy softly cursed under his breath. "Is something wrong, man?" Rajin wondered, partially concerned. The easily angered blonde pulled over a black T-Shirt which had white stenciled capital words on the front that read: "YOU GET THE GEAR. I'LL DO EVERYTHING ELSE." One of his favorite shirts, because it represented a major part of himself. He liked being the authority, not falling under it and following anybody. This time, he just wasn't himself, and Rajin has noticed it ever since yesterday morning in the Deling hotel's lounge area. When Marianne had gotten sick from being under stress so much.
And during the entire time, Seifer could feel Leviathan's presence. He could feel his water dragon Guardian Force's emotions of disgust. "Your behavior is rather indecent. …I could say the same thing for your friend, Rajin," Leviathan commented. Oh yeah? Well, Marianne gave YOU to ME, so you'll just have to live with it, Seifer told him in response. This was indeed true. This was just how Almasy's lifestyle was. It wasn't at all like Marianne's mind and behavior was, which was much more toned down than this, but Leviathan had to bite back on it and fulfill her wishes. He was doing this for her, of being in debt to her kindness and for rescuing him.
While Seifer continued getting dressed, he talked. "Yeah man. Shit, Marianne was so right all along! The G-Army assholes have been suspicious since the other night as to where their precious, but fuckin' cowardly leader went." "Uh oh, not good, ya know?" Rajin responded, almost as displeased as Almasy was to know about this. "So, you and Fujin made it out okay?" he wondered, after quickly getting into some clean briefs and a pair of tan baggy pants. "Yeah, made it outta there without a scratch, ya know?" answered Rajin, also starting to get dressed himself. His shirt was a dark blue, with a light blue outline of a dragonfly on the front. The rest of his outer casual wear were white shorts and neon green flip-flops.
There was a short period of awkward silence between the two. Rajin glanced to his buddy. Seifer shrugged his shoulders and seated himself down on the mattress of his bed. Marianne must feel miserable over there in that sick bed. Hey, maybe I'll get her a doughnut or something… "Seifer?" He looked to his friend, who looked like he was really worried about him acting so differently lately. "Yeah, I'm okay. I was just thinkin' of getting Marianne a doughnut and paying a visit." "Yeah, that sounds like a cool idea, ya know?" With a smile, Seifer offered, "Want to come with me?" Rajin smiled back. "Sure."
And since Seifer was in a good mood this morning, he let Rajin have the shower first. Besides, Rajin had been told by him to not ever take a long time. Just get the shower, brush your teeth, shave. Whatever else can be taken care of while outside of the bathroom.
On the way to the cafeteria to fetch a doughnut or whatever Almasy saw fit to give to the supposedly depressed girl in the Infirmary, they didn't wonder about Fujin's whereabouts. Most likely she was in class, waiting for them. Sure, she was loyal to the posse, but she cared about her education. Surely, she didn't want to be dumb like that moronic Rajin.
Seifer was in luck, because as he suspected, there were still doughnuts leftover in the lunch area. The junior classroom of the Garden milled around, picking what they wanted for breakfast. He grabbed and wrapped up a white sugared doughnut and two other kinds for him and Rajin.
Towards the infirmary, they scarfed down their breakfast. "Hey, it's a real nice idea of givin' her somethin', ya know?" "Yeah…" Almasy answered, dismal and empathetic. The horrors of that night in Deling City have never really left his, or anyone else's minds present. And it had to suck so bad in being in such a situation like Marianne's. It's been a long time since he ever felt sorry for someone in general.
The two couldn't help but notice Squall Leonhart, making his way to the main lobby elevator. Hey look, it's Puberty Boy, Almasy sneered to himself and did a mock salute in his direction. "Hey Squall!" Rajin called to him. "Or should we call you Commander from now on?" Seifer said, with a grin. The only response they received was the trademark response. A scowl. Seifer found it funny every time. Rajin, the moron he was at times, wouldn't have a clue why his best friend did, but laughed along with him to just play along.
I don't know what Marianne would see in those two. They're still morons to me, Leonhart mulled to himself in getting onto the elevator. "People change, Squall," Quezacotl replied gently. He dismissed his Guardian, having enough of him for the morning, as he pressed the button for the top floor and rode the elevator slowly upward…
And nobody knows…what's gonna happen tomorrow
We try not to show…how frightened we are…
The infirmary doors swung open as Marianne turned her head to see Seifer and Rajin enter. "Hey," she softly called to them, her tone of voice breathy and not really happy sounding. "Seifer brought you a doughnut, ya know?" Rajin blurted, to Almasy's dismay, but it didn't bother him much. "Yeah," he said, relaxed grin. "Thanks. I'll have it later… I just had some breakfast," said the one in bed. Bahamut sighed in her head. "You most certainly didn't have enough of it, I'm afraid." Marianne didn't feel like replying, and focused on the visitors instead.
"How are ya feelin'?" Seifer asked, pulling the chair from the far wall and moving it to sit close to the sick bed. The very same one Squall sat in. "Miserable," she sighed, honestly feeling that way. "You'll be outta here in a few days or so, ya know? And it's not that bad on the injuries is it?" Rajin blabbed, trying to cheer her up. Marianne smiled upon the darker skinned young man. She wished it was only that, but he couldn't know all she knew.
"I popped an artery once in the Training Center, but Thank-" "Rajin. Shut up." Almasy slowly told his main companion. "He's only trying to help," Marianne said to the blonde, not minding at all if Rajin talked to his heart's desire. Feeling she could use something to focus off the pain she's been having. "Yeah man. I want to get to know her too, ya know?" This brought Seifer's attention. Both sets of eyes were focused on Rajin, but he wasn't the slightest bit nervous. "I admit, I was a bit jealous by all the attention you were givin' to her, Seif. I'm alright with it now." He looked upon the newcomer and gently patted her hand. Marianne held onto his hand, welcoming him with all the sincerity she could give. "So, treating her all nice, like you do… I figure she's gotta be cool like you, ya know?"
It has to suck, being so far from home, came a thought through Rajin's usually thick head, but he has never been totally stupid over anything.
Marianne didn't want to focus on about missing National Theatre Festival anymore. Rajin provided at least a temporary escape from that. She knew Seifer was deeply concerned for her, and it was just best off for the two not to know about it, for now.
Almasy noticed the dog plush she had. "Hey, did someone come in here before us?" he wondered. "Yeah, Squall, but he didn't stay long at all." Marianne said, making the sound of her voice let him know that it wasn't a big deal. She respected Leonhart and understood him, so she wasn't going to rat out on the oath she promised him at anytime soon. "The sorceress dropped off a few more of my things." Seifer's kind expression slowly turned into a look of contempt.
The chance to escape from this unending and heart wrenching nightmare had been blown. This was the second time now that Sorceress Edea had transported her things from Earth to Gala. Seifer's blood boiled in receiving the new information. "Oh, NOT cool! Not cool at all," Rajin said in Marianne's defense. "Why'd she have to do this to you anyway, ya know?"
Leviathan cautioned, "Self control, if you don't want to blow your cover around Rajin." Being reminded of this, Seifer fought down his anger to a minimum, pretending not to know the reason behind Edea's intentions. "And, how is she managing to bring your stuff over here?" Rajin continued, oblivious to the look on Almasy's face. "Does it take a lot of magic power or somethin'?" "I guess…" Marianne replied softly, never taking her eyes off Seifer as she saw that angry look. Then she looked away.
Seifer looked to Marianne, gripping onto her hand closest to him. Dr. Kowadaki, sitting at her desk, stood up and walked over to everyone else. She didn't want to intrude, since it was best for Marianne to chat with some friendly faces. There was only a job for her to do, in cleaning off the table, and moving it back to its original place. Seifer and Rajin got out of the way, chair included.
Almasy sighed and bit back on his anger, as Rajin kept on with the talking. "It's got to be scary, being brought over here without knowing what's goin' on, ya know? I'd shit my own pants if I was teleported from here to some totally different place." He stepped back to standing right beside the bed, once the table had been removed from being up against the wall. Marianne looked to both Seifer and Rajin, who both had moved back to their original spots nearby.
It would seem lonely, if you were the only star in the night…
"Rajin," Marianne called to the darker skinned guy. "Yeah?" he automatically responded. She took hold of his hand again, and softly pleaded, "Don't tell everyone else about my situation, okay? Just cover it up that I'm just another orphan like you guys…" Hating every minute of this, a part of her heart ached to shed some more tears upon this matter.
"I'll do it," Rajin said, confident on keeping this a secret. He strongly felt he could, and so did Marianne. Unlike Seifer, she had faith in Rajin to do this. Almasy watched his friend kneel down to her eye level. "Your secret's safe with me, ya know?" Through his dark brown eyes, Marianne could just feel the sympathy. There was just a gut feeling of pity coming from Rajin. It couldn't be helped.
Seifer sort of felt that Rajin was being honest and truthful, but had to get this promise clear into his head. "Raj, say anything at all about this, and you're a dead man," he warned, deadly serious. Rajin silently gulped, knowing what Seifer could do, and silently nodded. "You have my word, guys," he said, looking towards the both of them.
Changing the subject, Almasy asked Marianne if she needed anything. "No, it's alright," she assured him. "The aspirin's helping me out a little." Everyone within the resting area heard the doors slide open again. Quistis walked inside, holding a small white mug in her hands.
"Shouldn't you two be in class? You just missed homeroom," Trepe told Seifer and Rajin. "Yeah, we should go, ya know? Fujin's waitin' on us, Seif." Almasy calmly got up, having no choice. A skip day it wasn't going to be after all. He quickly hid away his concerned feelings with a smug attitude. "Aw, but can't we have just one break?" Quistis smiled and shook her head, not believing Seifer's actions. I know how much he cares about Marianne. He can't hide that from me.
"Go on. Get to class," Trepe told them, gesturing towards the Infirmary's exit. "Heh, busted…" Marianne said mischievously, with a smile. With one hand, Quistis covered her mouth to suppress some giggles. Seifer looked over his shoulder towards Marianne, smirking, then followed Rajin out the way they came in.
Walking over to take Almasy's seat, Trepe said, "You seem to be feeling a little better." "Yeah, aspirin's starting to kick in," Marianne informed her as she felt the pain dimming down some. She and Bahamut altogether felt relieved.
You've got to believe…it'll be alright in the end…
You've got to believe…it'll be alright again…
The new visitor took a sip of her coffee and relaxed as well. Trepe's eyes looked upon Marianne's face. Her eyes were bloodshot red, possibly due to crying or lack of sleep. The rest of her form seemed relax, and not tense for once. And Quistis couldn't feel anything but sympathetic. A part of her heart winced in remembering all that was said a while back, but knew she shouldn't be pointing any fingers. It's not a crime not to know if someone, or a completely different world created by Marianne's, for instance, could exist.
Trepe didn't see Marianne cross the middle and index finger of her left hand together. It was a secret and silent hope, on Rajin keeping his word, because she was in a pretty vulnerable state of mind, and physical health condition. And it sucked…so bad…
Marianne was brought to attention from her miserable line of thinking by seeing Quistis touch her Beanie Buddy husky. She saw her smile softly, and heard her say, "Heh. That's cute. …I don't think that's what Selphie bought for you last night though. It was a teddy bear." The sound of her voice made Marianne figure that she was curious about that.
She was right. "Did somebody else give you that?" The response was a slow one. "…No," she replied to Quistis, and just told her the truth without a problem. "Squall came by, finding some more of my things. Then he left." She saw Trepe's eyes open a little wider. That was no surprise to her. "The sorceress dropped off more of your things then, huh?" A little sigh escaped from the beautiful woman's lips. "I can't imagine how else you feel about this. Other than scared and upset." With a dry laugh, Marianne commented, "That's basically it." Other than depressed, she added, privately to herself. Bahamut, of course, heard that, but didn't feel the need to say anything. He just wanted Quistis to help ease her mind on all that was going on.
Marianne decided that for a time, she wasn't going to be the center of attention. She hated feeling miserable like this, so changing the subject to more friendly terms was the best choice. "How have you been? Other than, you know, the stuff about me," she said, passing the ball of attention to Trepe's court. Quistis wasn't expecting that, but smiled just the same and answered the best she could. "I'm alright I guess." It was a start of a normal conversation.
Marianne hoped in her mind that all her worries would just dim for a while. Being depressed all day would just not be of any help of cope. She needed to just focus on getting better, for starters. And comfort was definitely needed.