saturday morning to monday afternoon - surprise weekend visit

[witchsuccession.livejournal.com]

[There's a special guest in for the weekend, someone whom a few particular SeeD haven't seen in what's been decades. Cid was sneaky about it and made sure to keep her visit under wraps in hopes of giving them a wonderful surprise; he's certain they'll enjoy their time with her.

And while the secrecy of her visit is in part due to the fact that Cid wants to surprise those who are close to her, it is also in part that he doesn't want to alarm those who might have read about the infamous Sorceress Edea within their history textbooks, the once sorceress who had been possessed by Ultimecia herself. While she no longer possess the powers of sorcery and no longer dons the fearful attire that automatically springs to mind when the ex-sorceress' name is mentioned, he doesn't want to risk the possibility of cadets who still possessed some mild degree of xenophobia.

Of course, Cid hopes more than anything that they will accept her as she is now; a kind-hearted woman who wants nothing more than to repent for the horrors that she participated in against her will. She has even cleaned up the old orphanage immediately after the events of the Second Sorceress War, and is now caring after orphaned children as she once did so many years ago.

Although this particular visitor has aged twenty years like the Headmaster and the President of Esthar, Edea Kramer's smile hasn't lost an ounce of its warmth nor have her clear brown eyes lost their bright, mischievous glimmer.

She's up early in spite of how late she and Cid had stayed up, the Headmaster bringing his wife up to speed on the more recent events with Galbadia, the newsletter, the predicament he now finds himself in over a troubling decision that could very well cost them all.

Edea's currently making her way towards the courtyard having just finished her morning tea and breakfast with her husband. She honestly doesn't expect anyone to be up and is not surprised to find the 1F of Garden relatively empty.]

Comments

[rebellingheart]

[Now Rinoa's not a morning person normally, but after waking up from yet another nightmare there was no way she can go back to sleep. It's been happening more often lately, enough so she's almost starting to get used to being up before the wake-up call. The time that she normally spends sleeping has done wonders for her assignments at least. Rinoa hasn't had to worry about having time to do everything she wants to do lately.

There's no assignments to work on this morning; however, so she decides to go for a walk. Get some time to herself so that she can just think about things, maybe it will help.

She isn't expecting to see anyone really, so it's quite a surprise when she notices that there's someone else heading towards the courtyard. It's even more surprising when she gets a closer look and realizes who it is.]

Matron?

[She's not one of the orphanage kids, but she's been around them long enough to pick up some of their habits. Not to mention she's already figured that maybe calling Edea's name from across the way isn't such a good idea considering. Picking up her pace, she heads over to the older woman's side. This is certainly a great start for what has otherwise been a lousy morning.]

It is you! When did you get here? [Rinoa smiles.] Do the others know yet? I'm sure they'll be really happy to see you.

[witchsuccession.livejournal.com]

[The voice causes Edea to pause in her walk, looking over. She lets her eyes roam the girl's face and then returns the smile. She remembers her from the celebration twenty or so years back, the young woman whom Squall had kept with him at his side for most of the night.

...Until they had disappeared out onto the balcony for a few moments, for which Edea had assumed was for a bit of fresh air.

Yet how could she forget this young cadet who had not been a cadet then, but something more?]

Rinoa... [Edea bows her head in a greeting, always a polite woman. She's smiling still as she straightens.] I had arrived yesterday evening shortly after dinner. Cid and I wished it to be a surprise.

How are you this morning? You're up rather early.

[rebellingheart]

[Rinoa continues to return the smile, glad to see that while time has certainly passed for the older woman she's still much the same as she remembers from their brief meeting.

That's largely the plot of Rinoa life that, she'll forever be -insert title here- but something more too. Not that she really minds anymore. It's just something she's getting used to. She's still rather pleased that Edea remembers her name though regardless.]

I'm sure it will be. I doubt anyone could have even guessed you'd show up for a visit. I wish I could see his face when he finds out you're here!

[Squall's needed some sort of pick me up, what better way to achieve that than to have Matron show up? It's perfect.]

Oh, I woke up and then just couldn't go back to sleep. That's all. [It was the truth after all, strictly speaking. Maybe not the full truth, but then again the full truth wasn't always necessary.] It's worth it, for a surprise like this I think.

[witchsuccession.livejournal.com]

[Edea gestures to the Quad.] Walk with me? I was going to step outside for some air, it's too beautiful of a morning to waste inside.

[rebellingheart]

I'd like that. [Rinoa nods, glancing over towards the Quad.] You're right. It's a real shame to waste time inside when the weather's nice.

[witchsuccession.livejournal.com]

How have you been? It does feel as though we haven't had the chance to properly talk in forever, no?

[She begins to lead the way to the Quad, her attention focused on the younger woman.]

[renzokukens.livejournal.com]

[Squall was just stepping off of the elevator and moving down the steps when he spots the willowy figure. He dismisses the woman for just another member of staff or even a cadet, approaching her as he's on his way towards the Cafeteria to grab himself a quick bite of breakfast.

That's when he notices who it is, and Squall slows in his steps until he's standing in front of her, surprise registering in his gaze.]

... Matron?

[witchsuccession.livejournal.com]

[Seeing the surprise in his blue eyes leaves Edea feeling pleased. It's good to know that their surprise had remained one!

Edea smiles and clasps her hands together in front of her. Those motherly instincts want to kick in, as her eyes look him over in his uniform. Has he been eating right? Has he been sleeping properly? Is Cid being too hard on him? What about the others?

There's all sorts of questions she wants to ask him!]

Squall... It's good to see you.

[She's resisting the urge to hug him, itching to brush unruly strands out of his eyes.]

[renzokukens.livejournal.com]

When did you get in?

[This is the first time he's seen her since... actually probably the celebration for Ultimecia's defeat. Twenty or so years ago in this time? And yet it feels like almost yesterday to him.

How unnerving.]

[witchsuccession.livejournal.com]

[Always straight to the point! She shouldn't have expected anything different. Matron offers him one more smile.

She really wishes he wouldn't act so serious all the time, that he would at least take a minute or two to just relax.]

After dinner, yesterday evening. We wanted to surprise you.

[renzokukens.livejournal.com]

And the others? [Squall goes silent, taking the moment to study her and how she's changed over the past few decades.]

[witchsuccession.livejournal.com]

I have yet to run into them this morning. So far it has only been Rinoa.

[Matron tilts her head while regarding him curiously. She's well aware that he took on the title of being Rinoa's 'knight', Edea only wonders if there are any issues between the young sorceress and her knight.]

Squall, will you accompany me out into the courtyard? I wish to speak with you.

[sweetapple-seed.livejournal.com]

[]

Howdy, ma'am! Need a hand?

[witchsuccession.livejournal.com]

Oh! [Edea smiles, shaking her head.] I'm quite alright, I assure you, but thank you for your concern. I was simply taking a walk about Garden.

Is there... anything I might be able to assist you with?

[sweetapple-seed.livejournal.com]

Oh no, not at all! Just saw an unfamiliar face - 'course, I just transferred so there's a whole bushel of unfamiliar faces - and figured I'd see what was up!

[witchsuccession.livejournal.com]

I apologize, I should have introduced myself sooner. [She bows her head in a polite greeting.] My name is Edea Kramer.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

scream why did i do this

[lostmyhyperion.livejournal.com]

[For whatever reason, Seifer was up early that morning. Lack of sleep, he'd argue, something. He didn't want to go into details, but he put up with it.

He shouldn't have been thinking about his past here at the Garden, especially as someone looking to the future nonstop, but he caught himself stopping at the sight of Edea, convinced briefly it was his memories coming back to haunt him. There was an air of difference around her, the absence of the power she wielded when he served, the absence of the glory. Seifer didn't want to be around her at this moment, not confronting the past memories he had shut away, but with her making her way right towards him, he didn't have a choice.]

[witchsuccession.livejournal.com]

[Cid had updated her on the news of Seifer's stay within Garden. She didn't think her husband had it in him to send the boy away, agreeing with the choice of having the troubled young man remain here, thinking that perhaps it was really for the best.

Edea notices that he's stopped in his tracks. There's a small pang of sympathy that goes out to him; after how she'd treated him... possessed or not...

She stops in front of him, making sure to keep some distance between them. The last thing Matron wants is to make him uncomfortable ... although it's probably a little late for that judging by the way he's looking at her.]

Hello, Seifer.

[lostmyhyperion.livejournal.com]

[So much for making a quick getaway. She was there, there, there, and there, and Seifer didn't know how to respond. Or rather-- what doe she refer to her as now? Sorceress, lady, matron, what.

Way to lose your cool Seifer.]

Been a while.

[witchsuccession.livejournal.com]

[Matron watches him, or more so the flicker of emotion in his eyes. She offers him a small but warm smile in an attempt to ease his mind.]

It has, has it not?

[Of course she had loved each of the children equally, Seifer and Squall in particular had been her favorites. They were two opposites, a fascination to watch grow.]

How... have you been?

[lostmyhyperion.livejournal.com]

[Suffice to say, it hardly does much to ease his concerns. This is the woman he served, the one he swore his loyalty to, and despite all of this, he found himself completely ill at ease.]

Long enough that you're no longer mindlessly using people. [Good job Seifer. It could have been an awkward but safer reunion, but no, instead he fucks things up as always.] I've been doing better. Not as foolish as I was then, as I'm sure you're not either.

[whiplashings.livejournal.com]

[Quistis has always been a morning person; she's neverliked wasting her day away by sleeping in later than she needed to. Like every other morning, she heads to the cafeteria to get her usual cup of coffee and muffin before heading towards the courtyard of the quad to do some light reading while eating breakfast.

Today is a day different from all the others, though-- the moment she enters the quad, she can tell something is a little different about it, though she can't quite pinpoint what it is. But her wonder is soon resolved the instant her blue eyes catch sight of that tall, willowy figure standing near the large tree off to the side of the outdoor area. Matron...?

Without much thought, Quistis makes her way to the older woman, a hesitant smile on her lips. She represses the urge to give the woman a hug-- she isn't quite sure if it's appropriate, especially with all the years which have supposedly passed. So instead, she tentatively calls out in greeting.]

Matron...?

[witchsuccession.livejournal.com]

[Matron turns at the call and immediately breaks out into a warm, happy smile at the sight of the blond. Another favorite out of all her children.

Edea waits until Quistis comes closer, lifting her arms and holding them out for that hug.]

Quistis...

[whiplashings.livejournal.com]

[A wide smile breaks out from the blond before she quickly moves closer towards the older woman, her hands cautiously holding both the lidded cup of coffee and muffin as Quistis wraps her arms around Matron. She takes a moment to silently bask in the motherly aura the raven-haired woman exudes; no longer the once feared Sorceress, Quistis can appreciate the motherly qualities that her mind as long forgotten since her days in the orphanage.]

What are you doing here, Matron?

[witchsuccession.livejournal.com]

[It's nice to be able to hug one of her 'children'. Squall and Seifer had kept their distance, as was to be expected.

Matron's careful not to bump her arms and disturb her drink, giving the young woman an extra squeeze before pulling back herself.]

Paying you all a surprise visit, my dear.