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At
an Arm's Length
A Final Fantasy VIII Story
by
Aligator
Chapter 14 - Dazed and Confused
“Quistis? QUISTIS!” Irvine yelled, as he caught sight of her and ran to where she stood. By the time he did, he was panting. She just looked at him in confusion.
“Where’d ” – pant – “you” – “go? I mean, we all woke up, and we couldn’t find you, and –”
“Slow down and breathe,” she smirked at him. “You’ve been spending so much time with Selphie that you’re starting to sound just like her.”
Dammit. She thinks this is funny! He proceeded calmly, “OK. Just where did you go, anyway?”
“For a walk.”
“Without telling any of us? Come on, Quistis. One, that’s not safe, and two –”
“What?” she snapped back, irritably. “I’m a freakin’ SeeD. I can take care of myself.” Her eyes widened, as if she were surprised.
Irvine was speechless. I’ve *never* seen her lose her temper like this.
She started again, calmly, like the Quistis with whom he was accustomed. “Listen, Irvine, I shouldn’t have torn into you like that,” she half-sighed and pulled her blanket more tightly around her. “I’m not a morning person, I went out for a walk, and I didn’t expect to confront someone screaming my name at the top of his lungs quite this early.” She gave him a weak smile. I hope he buys this.
“It’s not even 7 a.m., and we were worried,” he said defensively as they started their trek back to the orphanage. “I mean you’re not a morning person. So what are you doing up?”
“I couldn’t sleep.”
They continued walking in silence for a good five minutes. Quistis kept her eyes trained straight forward, bobbing her head from side to side, occasionally.
She’s obviously trying to avoid conversation. You’re not gettin’ off that easily, kid. “Hey. What’s with your neck? Did ya’ sleep funny or something?” My money’s on the “or something.”
Still keeping a steady pace, she responded, “I must have.”
Gently, Irvine grabbed her arm, halted her and moved behind her.
“What are you doing?”
“Your neck’s obviously bothering you, and I don’t have any spells on me, so I’m going to work the kink out by applying pressure to the designated point. . .”
She felt his hand brush the edge of the blanket away from her neck – the necklace! – “STOP IT!”
Quistis flinched at his touch and shied away from him suddenly, her face flushed.
Now I KNOW something’s up. “Quistis, I’m med certified. . .”
“Sorry, I just think it’s better to let it work itself out. I’m cranky. I’m sorry,” she shrugged and continued toward the beachfront property where Matron, Elle and Selphie were waiting.
Irvine stared after her in disbelief. She’s hiding something, and she’s not that good of a liar. At least not with me. Determination shone clearly in his eyes, as he followed her. We’re getting to the bottom of this.
*****
He figured they had about twenty minutes while Quistis showered and changed aboard the Ragnarok. It was going to be a very busy twenty minutes.
Luckily, Matron is also aboard, checking in with Cid.
“Irvine? Earth to Irvy?” Selphie interrupted his thoughts.
“Yes,” said Ellone, as she joined them. “What is so urgent that you need to talk to us this minute?”
“It’s Quistis,” he began tersely.
“Where did you find her, anyway?” Selphie asked.
“That’s just it: I found her nearly a mile and a half down the shore near what appeared to be caves –”
Ellone perked up. “Caves?”
“Caves. And she seemed disoriented.” He turned to Selphie, “I know she’s not a morning person like you, but something was really off. She also kind of. . . freaked out on me.”
Irvine related what had happened on their walk back, and during the course of the story, Ellone looked more and more concerned. “Sis, what do you make of this?”
Her eyes darkened as she faced her younger siblings. “Selphie?”
“Yes!”
“You keep Quistis busy until we get back. Irvine, do you think you could show me where you found her?”
*****
Normally, Quistis Trepe was an in-and-out-of-the-shower kind of girl, but today, she had a feeling that this was probably the only place she would have any privacy.
The steam that filled the compartment was already relaxing the sore muscles of her neck. I should have let Irvine try to fix it, she thought as she reclined in the tub. “But then he would have discovered you, and I don’t know what you mean yet,” she spoke to herself in a hushed voice while examining the cross and chain.
Her slender fingers traced the pendant’s familiar outline. “Someone wanted me to have you and keep you safe.” She leaned her head back and laid the jewelry on the counter next to her. “Someone thought that much of me. . . once.” Damn it, why can’t I remember?
Quistis soaked and dozed for quite some time, enjoying the warmth of the water against her skin. I can’t stay here forever, I’ll end up looking like a prune. She tilted her head along the side of the tub and lazily opened her eyes. . .
Just in time to catch a flash of blue and dark hair reflected in the mirror. She shot up and out of the tub, water dripping around her and soaking the floor mat.
Looking cautiously, but quickly, side to side, she moved closer to the mirror. There’s no one here but me.
“I’m not crazy. I’m not crazy. I’m not crazy,” Quistis repeated to herself as she hurriedly gathered her bath supplies and threw on her robe. The idea of solitude was, all of a sudden. . . not so appealing. “Great. This is what a crazy person would say.” What is happening to me?
To
be continued. . .
Next week: Chapter 15 – Not Quite Spelunking
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