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At
an Arm's Length
A Final Fantasy VIII Story
by
Aligator
Chapter 23 - A Long and Winding Road
She asked why I was going to Centra, and I had no answer, Instructor. I mean, I couldn’t very well tell Fujin, “Hey, I’m going back to my childhood home where Sorceress Edea raised me and unknowingly planted seeds that eventually helped me lead myself to my own downfall.”
She’d freak.
And I wouldn’t blame her. Even *I* think it sounds a little crazy.
So I didn’t tell her. I’ve headed in the *direction* of Centra, so I’m not being entirely dishonest. To her.
Myself? Well … that’s a different matter.
In the end, lying to myself turned out to be my greatest talent. I told myself that I was strong, but I wasn’t strong enough in the most important way. You would be proud of me in that sense: I finally got the message. Now, I need to figure out what to do with this knowledge.
Some of the people of Fisherman’s Horizon – Raijin and Fujin’s neighbors – were actually sorry to see me go. This is something I truly can’t comprehend, but then again, most of them have reasons they ended up there, themselves. They are more forgiving than most.
Others won’t be. The worst part is that I deserve their scorn and hatred. I’d hate me if I were them. I hate myself for all I’ve done.
I may be free and clear in a technical, legal sense, but I know – in my heart – that I’m guilty. I want to take responsibility. It’s going to be a difficult path, a long road …
But before I turn myself in to Galbadia Garden – so many of my crimes took place in their jurisdiction – I *need* to understand why you and I have this weird connection.
I’ve seen too much in my lifetime to believe in coincidence. So I figured I’d go back to where it all began: Edea’s house.
Where I met you. Where we played “post office.” Where, now, I’m not so sure that our “imaginary friends” were just figments of our young, overactive minds.
When I find those answers – then and only then – do I dare approach you and finish what I started to tell you during Time Compression.
Quistis, I’m sorry.
-- Journal
of Seifer Almasy
February 8, XXXX
To be continued. . .
Next week: Chapter 24 — Forward March
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AT AN ARM'S LENGTH © 2002-2004 A.L.
Roberts.
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