Chapter 20: Strength and the Pursuit of Happiness
Seifer Almasy
He heard footsteps behind him. The muffled sound of wooden heels made contact with the carpeted floor of the intercontinental train. The steps were light. Rinoa. Seifer was looking at the rolling blue waves of the seafloor, visible through the strong glass windows of the train. He didn't turn around.
"What?" he asked, no hint of warmth in his tone. They hadn't been speaking much during the trip. Seifer bought his own tickets separately, hoping there would be a little bit more distance between their cabins than there was in reality. He guessed it was inevitable. They were out to do the same thing, and maybe it's best to do things together. Still, his animosity towards them hasn't dissipated after last night, much like the bruise on his chin.
"Plans." She said as he felt her presence lean on the ledge of the window, a few feet away from him.
"You do your thing, I do mine.
"You know I would love that, Almasy. But you and I know that that plan will only get us arrested."
He was silent after that. The words of the sorceress got him thinking. He still didn't know what to feel about this, though. He let out an irritated sigh before answering. "Talk to Squall about the plans. I'm not really in the mood."
The sorceress didn't move. She just stood there, leaning silently against the wooden railing. Seifer would've hit her already if she was Leonhart. But this was Rinoa. Things are different between them. Even after all these years.
Seifer doesn't talk to Rinoa much since he moved back. Actually, they exchanged no more than five conversations. He's like to think he's man enough not to avoid Rinoa and chalk their distance up to coincidence, but he knew better.
"Look-"
"Save it, Rinoa. Get some rest." He cut her short. Seifer's head did not move. Whatever she had to say will just make him more angry and his self-control was fleeting.
"Seifer. We need to have some sort of plan." Seifer can see her head turn towards him, but his eyes were still locked onto the waves. She was right, though. Galbadia was pretty dangerous for all of them, especially for her. He understood why they should have a plan, and why Rinoa was worried. But Seifer wasn't one to be persuaded. If he didn't want to talk, nobody could force him.
"Squall can make the plans tomorrow." Seifer started walking back towards his cabin door. He felt exhausted even though he only said a few words to her. He reached for the key card in his pocket and managed to let out half a yawn before a strong wind blew inside the train. The key card flew from his hand. Seifer turned to see Rinoa holding it, sporting a small grin.
"What the hell, Rinoa?!" Seifer didn't find it funny, and he figured only Squall would find that little habit cute.
"I don't know what the hell your problem is, Almasy!" Her grin was gone.
"Rinoa give that back. I'm tired."
"What? Tired from staring at the fishes all day? Aren't we all going to save your son now?! Why can't you be satisfied already?! I'm here in a train to Galbadia, risking my life for your son, who's already old enough to take care of himself!"
Seifer's eyes widened and his fist curled up into a ball. He was offended. The air suddenly felt heavy in the train. Almasy was sure Rinoa was doing it, but he didn't care. Satisfaction could only come from getting his son back.
"Why do you act like you're the victim here, Rinoa?! Stop being so whiny and leave if this thing that we're doing makes you uncomfortable. This train makes round trips."
The air felt heavier and it was getting harder to breathe. "Oh you're one to talk about whining, Almasy. What more do you want from us?!"
"Do you really believe that chaperoning me will make it all better?! Thanks for the pity, oh lovely descendant of Hyne! Should I sing to you and give you your flower crown, O great and powerful sorceress?"
"What's your problem, Almasy?! What the hell do you want?!"
"I want both of you to stop feeling sorry for me!"
The air felt a little bit heavier, but lighter at the same time. Seifer was aware that Rinoa was doing this to the room, she wasn't. There was silence then. No eye contact. He leaned against the cabin door, tired and out of breath.
"Seifer." There was compassion in her voice. No it was not compassion, pity. The heaviness was suddenly gone and he could finally breathe again. He hated the pity. He hated what he has become, a weak, defenseless child clinging to a sorceress for pity.
"We didn't come with you because we pitied you. We came because we wanted to. Squall knew D-District prison. I have connections to the Galbadian army. And you are rescuing your son. Look, I know you don't like the feeling. Just like Squall. Both of you. Too much pride. "
He still wasn't looking at her, but he knew she had a point."Maybe it's a good thing. I mean look at where that has gotten the both of you. Still strong, still standing." She continued.
"I'm tired of standing, of staying strong. But I can't not be strong. I'm the commander of Galbadia Garden. I have to redeem myself, my name, my dreams. I can't give up now." He felt weak and vulnerable for saying something like that.
"You can rest. Taking a break is not giving up, Seifer. We're allowed to get tired. We're only human."
It was as if he was asking for her permission to rest. She was right. Seifer realized this as he slowly sat on the floor, leaning against the door he was supposed to enter, gaze locked upon that same spot on the carpet. Rinoa jumped to sit on the ledge in front of the windows. He knew she was looking at him, staring even. But he didn't want to find out if there's still pity in her eyes.
She never talked to him like this. Not even when they dated. Back then, it was all about youth, freedom and sex. They would only talk about ideas and dreams. Now the stakes were higher and they spoke about action, plans, and war. Back then, no one had a son, sorceresses were stuff only of mystery and gossip and involvement in some war was minimal. The pursuit of happiness was different then as it was now, as it will be in the future.
"Why are you talking to me like this, Rinoa?" he asked her, slowly looking up at the lady who was sitting on the ledge across from him. Her legs were swinging back and forth, just like she used to do.
"Does it matter?" she answered with a smile he hadn't seen since that summer.
"Don't you hate me?"
She laughed at his question. "Who are you and what have you done with Seifer?"
"Shut up, I'm feeling very vulnerable right now."
She chuckled again. "Come on, Seifer. It's been years. I don't hate you."
He finally smiled back at her and sighed. She was right. He realized he has been holding his head too high that he forgot about the muscles on his neck. He forgot to rest. But they were only human and his strength was not in how long they can hold their heads up. The goal was to redeem himself, ever since. But now he felt it change. He didn't care anymore because he has a son who was not him. A son who can do what he wasn't able to. A son he was proud of. And damn straight he wasn't going to let the enemy destroy that for him.
"Seifer?" she spoke again.
"Hmm?"
"Is Q..." she started playing with her ring pendant."... mad at me?"
"No. She's not anymore. And you know her, she's probably guilt tripping herself right now because she let you go on this... thing. Knowing Q, she'll probably hug you when you we get back."
"If we get back." The expression on her face changed, and so did the air in the cabin. She was worried. But she came anyway.
"When we get back." he reassured her."We'll be safe, Rinoa. Besides, can you imagine your son being the permanent commander of Balamb Garden?"
He was grinning, but stopped when she seemed to take offense. Her arms were crossed and an eyebrow was arched, but the air in the room was fine. That was when she laughed. He laughed with her. Seifer couldn't believe he was having this light moment right then and there. He had to admit, though. It was a well-deserved break from the war.
"What was your husband thinking when he gave the position to Louie?"
"I don't know. I guess it's Squall's way of making up to him. He was mad at us, remember?"
"That's insane!"
"Tell me about it. Louie was really stressed out before we left. There were bags under his eyes and his hair was a mess. He was extremely worried and anxious about today. It'd actually be funny he wasn't my son. The well-composed loner, leader and commander's son completely out of his character. Quite fun to see."
"Remind me not to ask you to babysit Carlos. And Squall hadn't noticed this... change?"
She laughed out loud."Are you kidding? Haven't you met Squall?! No! Of course not!"
"What a jerk."
"Hey!" Rinoa crossed her arms again, and arched her eyebrow "That's my husb—" She couldn't even finish her thought before she started laughing again, agreeing with the gunbladist in front of her. They laughed for a while, pretty loudly, which they missed.
"You know, your son's pretty cool." Seifer admitted.
"Why so?"
"Anyone who's brave enough to be able to twist my arm like that is cool in my eyes. Tell him to never attempt that again if he values his short life."
"Oh believe me he got a lecture before I left. Probably another reason why he was fidgety today. But you had to admit, Seifer. If I wasn't there to stop him, he might've broken your arm of."
"Really? Is he that powerful?"
"No. You're just that stupid." He smiled as she laughed her angelic little smile. He laughed back.
"You know, speaking of... offspring, your son and the princess from Dollet kind of had-" A noise from where Rinoa came from startled the two and stopped the conversation from going where it didn't have to go. It was Squall. His hair was a mess and his bloodshot eyes stared down at the two.
"The heck is going on here?" Seifer gulped. It wasn't okay for Squall to see him like this, laughing and talking with his ex, who is Squall's wife. Plus, it was not a good idea to disturb Squall's sleeping, much like Louie.
Rinoa quickly jumped off the ledge and walked calmly to her husband.
"Nothing, hun. Seifer and I were just... talking.."
Squall didn't seem to mind who was talking. He just wanted to get back to bed. Seifer found it weird that he wasn't suspicious, but he guessed it was the connection. He cringed, remembering his experience with it.
"About what?" Seifer heard Squall say. He looked up and saw Leonhart staring at him, head tilted on one side, probably curious about why Seifer was looking pathetic on the floor.
"Go get us a bottle of whiskey and maybe we'll share." It was meant as a joke. Squall seemed to take offense. He was silent, staring at Seifer's blue-green sleep-deprived eyes. Seifer stared back and the air in the room got heavier without Rinoa's help.
"So you two are at peace now?" he asked, glancing towards Rinoa.
"Kind of. Join us, hun. It'a a lot of fun. And you know we all need a break." Rinoa replied. Squall looked at both of them again, curious as to what they were talking about.
"Wait here." He ran to his cabin and eventually came out with a black box and a couple of shot glasses. Rinoa couldn't believe he packed alcohol for the trip. Seifer couldn't believe he brought the good bottle.
"Just a few shots, okay? It seems like there's a technical problem with the train, it's moving slower than usual so we'll probably reach Galbadia in a day or so. It must be the storm." The red in his eyes were gone.
"You actually brought whiskey to the mission? That is so unlike you, Squall." Seifer asked his rival, smirking.
"Well, I was actually planning to give it to you. For last night." Squall awkwardly replied, to which Seifer responded with a chuckle before grabbing the bottle. They saw Rinoa smile and clasp her hands together near her lips. She was delighted.
"Open it, then, Leonhart." Seifer said as he handed the black box back to Squall
"So. Are we cool, Almasy?"
"Yeah." Seifer smiled. "So let's head back to your cabin and open this bad boy, huh?"
"We are not going to finish this bottle, okay? We're going to my father's." argued Rinoa.
"Yeah and this is the perfect pre-game for that. A bottle of liquid courage, am I right, Leonhart?" Seifer responded with a joking smile.
"You sound like her father." Squall was still serious, but a small grin traced his lips as he walked towards the door.
They were all still the same people that they were when they were teenagers. They still talked about dreams and ideas, youth and freedom, sex. Things may be different. One thing stayed the same though. Seifer realized this as he opened the sliding doors toward their cabin, they all just wanted to be happy. And the only way to be happy is to be strong, for the people they love. We draw our strength from knowing that we will be happy in the future. We get tired, we rest, but we never give up on the happiness that we know we will soon experience.
"Are you sure about this, Rinoa?" General Caraway was leaning against his study table, his daughter looking over the city through one of the humongous windows in the study. Seifer never met Caraway. Rinoa failed to introduce him when they were a thing. Not that it mattered to the gunbladist. He glanced over at Squall, who was sitting in one of the plush chairs in the study, not paying attention to his father-in-law's lecture. His forehead was resting on his fist and his eyes were closed. Seifer held back a laugh as he realized the commander must have dozed off.
The general, though still part of the Galbadian army, was secretly on their side. He had helped the SeeDs hide before going to Timber for the mission.
"Yes, daddy. We are sure." Rinoa answered her father. Seifer guessed they decided their relationship civil, for Louie. He found it interesting, though, that she still calls him daddy. He figured she was probably making up for lost time. He glanced back at Rinoa and saw she never lifted her gaze from the city. He gazed outside as well.
The city of lights were devoid of any sign of life. Illumination from street lamps were scarce and the cars were even more so. The city of lights had turned into a tomb of bones, lifeless and lackluster.
Seifer turned back. He saw Squall stir and he figured he might be woken by Rinoa's rising voice."
"I'm just worried, Rinoa. You'll be wanted people after this." Retorted the General.
"Look at this, dad." The sorceress turned to her father while still gesturing to the window. Look at your city. This used to be called the city of lights. Now it's just a dessert. Everyone is afraid. Don't you want it all back?"
"And we're basically wanted people, anyway." she added.
Caraway laughed."I don't see how breaking a child out of prison will help in the cause, Rinoa."
Seifer squirmed at the remark. He felt the blood run up to his neck and his hands start to shake. Squall rose from his chair in his periphery.
"And you think you helped, huh Caraway?!" Almasy turned from the window. Squall grabbed his arm, but he just shook it off."You think that your little plan of hiding our kids here in your mansion actually helped your "cause"?"
"Stay out of this, Almasy."
"Seifer" Squall was pulling on his elbow, but it wasn't enough to deplete his anger. The blonde gunbladist walked towards the veteran general. The general stared at him angrily. "Look around, Caraway. You did nothing. The 'child' you speak of did more than what you could ever do for the war."
"I don't appreciate you talking back to me, Mr. Almasy."
"I don't appreciate you underestimating my child, General."
"Seifer that is enough." Rinoa interrupted before it got too heated and an incident like the one that happened in the reception room happened.
"This is ridiculous, Rinoa. If it was any other child, you wouldn't go through all this trouble just to rescue him." General Caraway said as he walked away from Seifer.
"You're full of bullcrap, Caraway!"
"Oh this isn't bullcrap, Almasy, and you know it!"
"Enough!" Seifer heard Rinoa shout. She stood in the middle of the two, her face red with fury. The room felt heavier again. Squall reached over to Rinoa's shoulder and decided to speak.
"Carlos Almasy is one of the best SeeDs in his batch, and probably of all time." Said the commander, the forced calm in his voice pretty obvious.
"You're not risking the loss and capture of more of your troops just to rescue a child because he has done something."
"And what have you done?!" Seifer shouted again, Rinoa rushing to stop him from running to her father.
"You're not helping, Almasy." She whispered, then she turned back to her father. "Father, you seem to be forgetting that you rescued me from D-District prison once just for the sake of it."
"I rescued you because you're my daughter!"
"Then you, of all people, should understand what we're doing."
"Sir. This is not a Garden-based mission. This is a thing we're doing on our own. Never mind the fact that he's a SeeD, or that he has information on our plans. We're going because Carlos is one of our own. We've been idle for weeks, sir. And we have to start doing something. Whether we accept it or not, we are in the middle of a war and cowering in our mansion until the war ends is not going to help anybody." His voice was calmer, but his words were filled with anger.
"What do you mean by cowering, Leonhart?"
"I think you know exactly what I mean, General. If you truly are with us, you'll understand why we're doing this, and why we need your help." Leonhart stood his ground, looking straight into the General's eyes.
Rinoa did the same, as she stood beside Squall. "We didn't come here to ask for your permission, daddy. We came here to ask for your help. If you're not gonna give it to us, it's fine." That was when she started walking to the door. Squall soon followed. Surprised by the sudden change, Seifer froze in his place.
"Let's go, Almasy!" Leonhart shouted before opening the door. As if snapping himself back to his senses, he ran towards the two. Rinoa turned to him and whispered. "There's nothing we can do, Almasy. That's my dad."
"Wait, Rinoa." The door had just been opened when Caraway stopped them. Seifer turned around, expecting to see his face tomato red and his eyes throwing daggers at Rinoa. Instead he saw confusion and worry
"Tell Jonas to get you one of the private Galbadian vehicles and three G-army uniforms. The Galbadian army vehicles you'll be having will be tracked down. When it reached to prison, you have 30 minutes to get Carlos out and get back to the car. Also, you'll be assisted by two special agents on your way back. If you don't get to the vehicle in thirty minutes, you're on your own."
They saw General Caraway sigh. "Good luck."
"One more thing. Rinoa?" the general called again before we had a chance to step outside.
"Take care." He smiled.
Getting inside the Desert Prison was easy. The vehicle and the uniforms acted like a free pass inside. From then, the team walked to where they think Carlos might be. Guards were stationed everywhere and it took them a lot of time before reaching the top floor. By then, they only had 20 minutes left. The torture room was their first hunch, which Squall thought was a bad idea since it was all the way up to top floor.
They opened the door to the room and found out that they were right. Seifer cringed as he saw his son hanging on the wall rack. The place was horrible. Seifer couldn't imagine how much strength Carlos had to muster to be able to remain alive, but there he was, with his eyes open but eyelids heavy, sweat dripping from his forehead and blonde hair hanging, covering one of his blue eyes.
Seifer looked around as memories start to flood his mind. He pushed them away when he sat the guard who was in charge of the electrocution. He wanted to punch the guard, to kill him on the spot. Seifer started walking over to him when he felt Rinoa's hand on his shoulder. She spoke as Seifer came back to his senses, realizing they were still in disguise.
"We'll take it from here, cadet." Seifer heard her say. Carlos looked up, recognizing the voice.
"He's a tough one, sir. Maybe you can crack him." The fool replied, saluting the trio before hurrying out of the room. It took all of Seifer's self-control not to punch his gut.
As soon as they were sure that the guard was out of earshot, Rinoa closed the door and locked it. The trio then removed their helmets.
"Took you guys long enough." Muttered Carlos. Seifer glanced up at the SeeD upon the wall. His son was smirking. His eyes were red, though and his hands were shaking. Rinoa walked over to the control pad and brought out a piece of paper from her pockets. It was a map of the control pad, sent over by Zell.
"Hang in there, Carlos." Seifer was able to say.
"What else am I going to do?"
Seifer glanced at Squall. The face of the brown-haired commander was blank. Memories were almost visible in his empty eyes. Seifer walked over to him and was about to touch his shoulder when he jerked back, turned to him and stared.
"Sorry just..." Squall couldn't find the words. He stared at the floor again.
A puff of air blew from the wall and in an instant, the metal chains that were binding Carlos unclasped. He fell on his knees in front of Seifer. His father held out his hand and Carlos took it. Seifer looked straight at his face as he stood. Except for the bloodshot eyes and the messy hair, he was the same child.
"Water." Seifer heard Rinoa say. A water bubble formed in front of the two and the young Almasy went straight to where it was and drank all of it. After his last gulp and turned to his father and smiled.
"They took my weapons. Hyperion and mom's Chain Whip. They must've—"
"Given them to me?" Seifer said as he brought them out from behind him. Carlos smiled as he grabbed them.
"Curaga." Rinoa was able to cast another spell. Para-magic wasn't effective inside the walls so she used her powers. Carlos suddenly felt relief as white light enveloped his frame.
"I think we have to get out of here." Carlos finally said as he strapped the Chain Whip back on his belt.
"Leonhart!" Seifer saw Squall snap out of his daze and turn back to him.
"Oh shit. Sorry I.. got a little distracted."
"We have to get out of here, Squall." Rinoa said as she pulled her husband's elbow to the exit. The four of them walked successfully out of the room, only to see four soldiers right in front of them. The alarm sounded and they were all bathe in red light.
The soldiers in front of them all carried guns. Seifer guessed the army had a weapon upgrade. The four were frozen. Rinoa was about to cast a strong spell when a pointed pinwheel came hurdling towards the soldiers, hitting them hard enough for them to collapse. Seifer shifted his gaze and saw a familiar white-haired lady with an equally familiar dark-skinned muscular man behind her.
"Told ya we oughta help 'em out." the man said.
"Seifer!" the lady replied while motioning for them to run towards the exit. Before Seifer could say anything, the four of them followed the two towards the stairs.
Getting out was a lot harder than getting in. Rinoa and Fujin positioned themselves at the back of the team, while Raijin, Seifer and Squall were in front, protecting Carlos who was in the middle. The guards kept on coming. Some had guns, while others had those same blunt swords they carried twenty years back.
"What the hell, you two? You never told me you worked for Caraway." Seifer was still shocked by the sudden turn of events.
"Big bucks." The white-haired girl replied.
"And not to mention the adventure." The muscular man added.
"Who are these two, dad?" Carlos asked as he sat on one of the rocks on the sand, exhausted from walking on the desert. The other five of them, deciding they wanted some rest as well, did the same.
"Fujin and Raijin. Your dad's posse back in the day." said Squall. "Where are you two taking us?"
"And what is the meaning of all of this?" Rinoa added.
"Relax, Caraway's daughter. This is not a hostage." Raijin, the dark-skinned muscular man, answered.
"I'd like to see you try." Rinoa chuckled a little.
"We were called late last night by General Caraway, saying he had another task for us. He was pretty vague on the phone call. He just said there's some sort of prison break or something and we needed to help. He offered us big money. We didn't know it was to rescue your son, or that you had a son, Seifer." Fujiin talked, each word was heavy and meaningful.
"We tried to invite you to our wedding, ya know?" Raijin added. The two has been married for fifteen years. By then, Seifer was already a SeeD and has lost all contact with them.
"I'm sorry I just—"
"It's too late for that, isn't it, Seifer?"
"Enough of this. You can all discuss this later, when we're safe. Right now, they might still be looking for us. Where's this car, Raijin?" Squall spoke up, irritated by the recent exchange. Rinoa nudged her knight.
They reached the car after walking for what seemed like hours. It was a pretty big car, the six of them sitting comfortably where they were. They took the time in the car to heal some wounds and rest up. Seifer looked out the window. He felt like a child for the fight he kept on picking with Rinoa and Squall. He remembered the invitation to Fujin and Raijin's wedding. Quistis was forcing him to go and the Headmaster was ready to sign his leave form but he couldn't do it. He decided not to go because he didn't know what to say to them and, though he didn't like to admit it, was afraid it wasn't the same anymore. His son was sitting in front of him, sleeping. He realized how strong Carlos was and how much his son resembled him. They were both dreamers.
He then glanced towards Fujiin, who was at the backseat while Raijin drove. Seifer realized if his son could survive the torture, he could survive talking to her.
"Fujin, about the wedding, I'm—"
"It's fine, Seifer. I can see how happy you are now. And I'm happy for you." Fujin ansered with a rare smile. "Besides, we can't be a posse forever."
"Still would've been nice to be there." Seifer added. A small moment of silence passed before Seifer decided to talk once more. "Fujin."
She turned towards him, ever so silent.
"Come back with us to Garden. We need people like you and Raijin. This is a war and we're fighting the good fight this time. And I really have to make it up to you."
Silence. "Esthar. Took our child Seifer."
Seifer's mouth gaped open and his eyes widened. He didn't know what to say.
"I got pregnant sixteen years ago, before we were married. The child was born and Esthar deemed us unfit to raise a child because of our involvement in the Sorceress War. We couldn't do anything. They had strict policies about that. We had to give him up. "
"I... I'm sorry, Fujin. This is my fault.. I"
"Don't worry about it, Seifer. I'm sure some rich Estharian family adopted him already and he's fine now. I just hope he's happy. Since then we moved to Galbadia, thinking people would treat us better there. They didn't. We lived in Trabia since then. Until Caraway called and said he needed people, for the war. I thought he was recruiting for the G-army so I said no at first. It turns out he was recruiting for some sort of rebellion. Which is why we're here. Esthar never treated us fairly so I find it hard to believe that Esthar is doing this to 'protect the world'. I just hate that I'm leaving my son at their hands." she said as she looked over to Carlos, who was asleep beside Seifer. She smiled at the sight of her friend's son and Seifer being so protective of him.
Silence again.
Fujin smiled. "Oh and about what you said. It's a nice offer, Seifer. But I'll have to think about it."
"No rush, Fujin. I know you're doing this for your child."
"And so are you, Seifer." she smiled another rare smile before speaking once more. "I guess the posse's back, huh?"
"Depends on your husband." Seifer replied with a grin.
And with that, there was silence once more. The car headed out back to Deling City and it seemed like the soldiers weren't able to follow them. The ride was quiet and calm, a nice break from the chaos outside.