Dad came to my room in the morning to see how I was doing. Being the protective father that he was, he wouldn t let me get out of bed in case I wasn t totally recovered.
You should have some breakfast. he said.
I shook my head. No, thanks. I m still feeling a little I waved my splayed fingers in the air next to my head.
Dad smiled a little. They have pancakes. He said pancakes in a sing-song voice that I couldn t help but laugh at.
Okay, Dad. Pancakes sound great."
At that moment the door in the wallacross from my bed opened and Vincent walked through the door.
Ah, good morning, Vincent Valentine. Dad stood and held out a hand for Vincent to shake. Vincent stared at the hand for a moment without shaking it. I realized why and nearly slapped myself in the forehead. I hadn't warned Dad that he couldn t be left handed when he greeted Vincent. Bad idea. Dad let his hand drop to his side, but his grin remained intact. Do you want anything to eat, Vinnie? I was just going to get some pancakes for Rosalie.
No, thank you. Vincent sat in a chair against the wall and stared at a point above my head. I resisted the urge to look at what had captured his attention.
If you re sure. Dad shrugged and left the room.
He s your father? Vincent asked.
I nodded. Yup.
And you're sure about that?"
I gave Vincent a confused look and shook my head slightly. "Of course I am."
"You don't think he could be working with Sephiroth? He could have-"
"No, Vincent. He's my father. Leave it alone."
Vincent made no reply, but turned his head to stare at the porthole in the wall. I folded my arms and stared at the door. A long silence ensued, unbroken until Dad came through the door with a heaping tray of food.
For you, he said, putting a plate of pancakes on my lap. I took a fork from him and started to eat, savoring each bite. Dad sat down in his chair with his plate, but he didn t pick up his fork. He tapped his fingers against the sides of his dish and stared at his food. Finally he spoke.
So are you two, he said. There was an awkward silence for a moment. ...Dating? He said the word slowly, as if it were foreign to him.
I would have answered, but I was too busy choking on my pancake. Vincent answered for me. "No."
We re just, cough, traveling together. I hoped they thought my face was red because I couldn't breathe.
Dad gave a sigh of relief. Oh, good. I thought I might have to give ol Vinnie here the stay away from my daughter speech. He laughed, then his face became serious as he turned to Vincent. But, seriously, stay away from my daughter.
Vincent s gaze remained plain as stone. Like always But he rolled his eyes, then stood and went to his room, closing the door behind him.
Dad stared after him. It was a joke, Vincent, I swear! He looked back at me with a small smile as if in hopes I would laugh at him, but I stared at my plate, not in a joking mood.
I screwed up big time, didn t I? he said.
I shook my head. No, Dad, you re fine. Just sit down. Vincent needs his space sometimes. All the time. He s a little more antisocial than you are. I managed a small smile at him, then picked at my food. Things are just hectic right now, so it s best not to say anything weird.
Dad nodded. Got it. He was quiet for a while. What have you been doing up till now?
You re not asking me for my life s story, are you?
He smiled. I haven t seen you in ten years, so that would be nice, but I was actually asking you about what s been happening to you since you came here.
I swallowed, wondering if I could remember it all. It s a long story.
We've got at least a week.
I set my food tray aside and sat up, leaning against my pillows. I got my thoughts in order, and then I began my story.
Dad interrupted me in the middle of my telling of my first encounter with Sephiroth. Wait a second. You said the Lifestream came and healed Cloud?
Uh, yeah. At least, that s what it looked like. I guess I couldn t know for sure. I mean, I ve never actually seen the Lifestream before, so it could have been something else.
And you said Sephiroth came after you?
Yeah. In fact, that s why Vincent and I are here right now. He told me we had to leave, and Sephiroth s been chasing us ever since.
Dad looked distressed. Oh no. Rosie, I m so sorry. This is all my fault.
I scoffed. Not really. So Sephiroth has bad taste in women. Since when is that your fault?
Rosalie, this is not funny. He s after you because you have the power of the Lifestream.
Hede-wah?
You have great power, Rosalie, and Sephiroth wants that power.
What do you mean, Dad? I don t have any powers at all.
Dad was beginning to look frustrated. Rosalie, you are the one who summoned the Lifestream. That s why you felt so tired when Cloud was healed. The power saps some of our strength in order to work.
What do you mean by our? I asked. What was going on?
I have the power to control the Lifestream as well. It takes a while to control, but it is possible."
I frowned. "Are we the only ones?"
He nodded. "I believe so."
"But why? Why us?"
He shrugged. "Because whoever brought us here gave us these powers."
"Someone...brought us here? Dad, this is just a game."
"I had to learn to harness the power pretty much on my own, but I can teach you what I know. If you can harness this power, not only will you be able to save lives, but you will be able to resist Sephiroth."