Author's Comment:
Dr. Kadowaki... In her, I saw the opportunity to create a motherly figure for Squall that was not really present in the game... Except for maybe Edia... But that's different. I think.
Anyway, what you are about to read is how I pictured Dr. Kadowaki to be when I first played the game. To my suprise, when I read the script, I discovered that she was a much less colorful character than I had remembered. Thus, I hope you will forgive me for changing her so, but rest assured I do know what I'm doing (or so I keep telling myself). Expect her to play a larger (if only slightly) role in the novel, than she did in the game
Friday, June 1, 2007
"Well, well, look who's coming around!"
Squall tried to open his eyes, only to feel a bright light force them shut and a sharp pain grip its hand over his forehead. "Where am I?" He asked, his voice coming out hoarse and dry.
"Well, the bad news is you're in the infirmary. Good news is you aren't in the morgue. Nasty place to wake up, I reckon. Is if you wake up at all." Squall recognized the voice as that of Dr. Kadowaki. "So how you feelin' then, sugar?" she asked in a motherly voice that annoyed Squall.
Why can't she just do her job?
"Okay, I guess," he lied.
"Well, even still... take it easy next time, ya' hear? You won't always be so lucky, ya' know."
"Tell that to Seifer," Squall said, growing irritated.
She let out a hearty laugh then sighed, "That Seifer... Won't listen to a soul, will he? Tell you what; you just ignore him from now on, got that?"
"I won't just run away."
She laughed again. "So it's that card you're playin' is it? Alright then, but don't come whinin' to me next time, when it's your eye instead, that clear?"
"Clear as day."
"Glad to hear it." She failed to grasp his sarcasm. "And now to business," she said as she pulled a small light out of her breast pocket, and shone it in Squall's eyes. "Hmmm," she chimed thoughtfully. "Well, your eyes seem to be focusing fine. How many fingers you see?"
"Three."
"Well, no visual impairment... And you can count, that's always good. I'd say you're about ready to saddle up, cowboy. SeeD exam's today, you know. You feel up to it still?"
"Definitely."
"Whoa, listen to you. You'd think everything was fine and dandy, sound of your voice." Please, just shut up, Squall thought exasperatedly, his head aching. "All right then. Just let me buzz your instructor. What's her name again?"
"It's Quistis," he responded, losing interest in the conversation.
"Hey now! That's instructor Trepe to you, young'un. I'll just be a minute now, so don't you move, ya' hear?"
Where the hell am I going to move? Squall closed his eyes again, trying to remember what he'd dreamt about. It was all a blur... Something to do with (feathers) a soldier in blue.
"Injury's not very serious. It'll probably leave a scar."
Just as the dream started to surface, he felt someone's eyes on him. He looked over to the tinted window beside his bed, seeing only his reflection. He leaned forward, straining his back, to examine the bandage. 'It'll probably leave a scar.' He touched the bandage to remove it, but a sharp pain sent his hand away and his eyes out of focus.
Then he saw her. Standing in the hall just outside his window was a young woman, smiling warmly at him. Who is she? Clad in embroidered blue robes, she leaned slowly toward the glass, looking into Squall's eyes. "Squall," she said softly, "so we meet again." She looks so familiar, but I can't place it. He lay there, looking at her quizzically, when a voice broke his trance.
"Huh?" Squall muttered, turning his head back to Dr. Kadowaki.
"Said she'll be here in a minute, honey."
"Who?" Squall asked, feeling more dazed.
"What do ya' mean, who? Your instructor, of course! You sure you're feeling okay?"
Sorry, it's just that girl outside the window," Squall turned to point, only to realize she was gone. Real smooth.
"Okay, now I know something's wrong."
"No, I'm fine, really. Just haven't quite woken up yet," Squall said quickly. This wasn't totally dishonest either. He was feeling very tired.
"Whatever you say, hon'."
It was then, Quistis walked into the room, letting out a sigh as she looked at Squall. He couldn't tell if it was one of relief, or agitation. "Squall Leonhart," she said in an amused tone. "I knew it'd be either you or Seifer." A knowing smile crossed her lips. "Come on, let's go. Today's the field exam."