Chapter 3: Honest praise
She and Cid were in the dojo sparring. He was going through a series of attacks, and she was blocking.
"Just the same as always," she muttered. "You've got all the basics down perfect, but there's nothing else past that."
"Thanks."
"That's not a compliment," Alexia switched over to the offensive and it was his turn to defend. "I still don't like it Poochie."
"Would you quit calling me that stupid nickname?"
She grinned. It was so adorable when he got upset. "Awww, but it suits you so well, Pooch. My family never let me keep a dog before."
It had been a month since the two of them had begun their 'relationship.' They'd fallen into a basic routine. They'd attend class together as sparring partners, she'd sit down and have lunch with him, scarecrow, and fatty once a week, every now and again she'd make him escort her across campus arm in arm, and whenever he started to gripe about something she'd throw some gold coins at him, and he'd revert back into an obedient little puppy.
All in all, her plan was working well.
Her associates (she didn't consider them to be friends) had stopped pestering her about why she was dating Cid and had just sort of accepted she had weird tastes and was going through a phase. Even Iris had asked about him and had accepted her explanation that he was, 'fun and different.' All the nobles attending Midgar Academy knew they would be forced into an arranged marriage. It was fine for the peasants to marry for love, but aristocrats weren't given that privilege. As such, it was very common for students, both male and female, to have romantic relationships while they could. Alexia knew everyone saw her and Cid in this light, with the basic assumption it was nothing but a temporary distraction for her.
That was fine as it was exactly what Alexia wanted.
She'd even succeeded with her main goal. Sort of. Zenon had stopped pressuring her about an engagement. The only time he talked to her was when it involved actual sword techniques. He was pretending to be nothing more than a well-meaning instructor trying to help. It was a good act, but there was no way it would fool her. She was an expert at spotting fake behavior and everything Mr. Perfect did reeked of pretension and deceit. It was so blatant she couldn't understand how everyone else was taken in.
She was relating all this to Cid as they were walking back to the dorms. Alexia liked to take the long route through the campus park. It helped her to destress after having to deal with the creeper eying her for a whole class period. She also enjoyed being able to vent to Cid. Since she effectively owned his ass, he was the one person she could open up to and really be honest with. Even with Iris she had to censor herself most of the time.
"Did you see the way Zenon kept sneaking peeks at me all through class? Wasn't it just disgusting?"
"Yes, absolutely."
"Isn't he just the worst?"
"Yes, absolutely."
"Don't you think it's pathetic the way he won't accept reality and move on?"
"Yes, absolutely."
"I mean would you ever be that way with a girl who wants nothing to do with you?"
"Yes, absolutely."
Alexia's head snapped back to glare at the oblivious boy trailing after her.
"Hey, next class I think you should attend wearing nothing but a pink bra and panties. You're okay with that, right?"
"Yes, absolutely."
Alexia came to an immediate halt and rounded on him. Cid had to stop as well.
"What?"
"You're not listening to me!"
"Yes, I am. Zenon's terrible. Zenon's the worst. I hate Zenon. Blah, blah, blah, blah."
Alexia was quite certain that if looks could kill Cid would have burst into flame at that very moment.
"Hey, can I ask you a serious question?" Cid said.
"What?" Alexia snapped.
"What's so bad about the guy?"
Alexia's jaw dropped. "How can you even ask that after all this time?!"
"Look, I get you can't stand the guy," he rolled his eyes. "Believe me, I know, I know. But what exactly has he done to make you hate him? I mean from what I can tell he seems pretty decent. He could have made my life Hell, but he's been really fair and even tried to help me. And it's not like I'm the only one who thinks so. Far as I can tell you're the only person who wants him thrown off a cliff. So, why?"
"All that proves is that you're easily fooled!"
"Then enlighten me, oh wise one."
She sighed. "Fine. The problem is he's perfect. So far as I can tell he doesn't have a single flaw."
"And that's an issue?"
"There are no perfect people. Anyone can pretend to be something they're not. Take me for example."
"Well hopefully he's not that bad."
Alexia couldn't help but smile. Cid was awful in a lot of ways, but damn if she didn't love his careless honesty. He was probably the only person in the world who didn't give a damn about her status as a princess.
"If someone seems to be perfect it doesn't mean they are. It just means they're really good at hiding what's underneath. That's why I don't judge people by their looks."
"Then what do you judge them on?"
"Their flaws."
"That's kind of harsh. It suits you."
She chuckled and offered him a slight bow. "Why, thank you. And just so you know that's why I don't mind you, even though you're nothing but flaws."
"Gee, thanks. I've never gotten a compliment that made me feel worse before."
"You're scum through and through and I like it that way. I know exactly who you are!"
He gave her the barest hint of a smile for some reason.
"And that's why I can't stand Zenon. I don't know what's wrong with him, but there's definitely something. And if he works so hard to keep it hidden it's probably major."
"How unbiased and fair."
She laughed and decided to give him a reward. "Glad you think so my flawed pooch," she took out a gold coin from her purse and flicked it into the air. "Now fetch!"
He chased after the coin and snagged it almost as soon as it hit the ground.
"Good doggy!" She patted the top of his head.
He gave her a look that always made her smile.
"Ooh, you're mad. You hate this so much."
"Of course, I do, it's demeaning."
"But you still pick up every coin I toss."
"Well, what else would I do with them?"
"See? That's why I like you! You're honest scum."
He sighed and made the gold coin disappear. "Since we're being so forthright about things can I ask you another question?"
She was feeling generous, so she nodded.
"Why do you dislike my swordplay so much?"
"Huh? Why are you asking that all of a sudden?"
"It's always bothered me, and now seems as good a time as any."
Alexia frowned; this wasn't a subject she particularly liked talking about. But Pooch was honestly asking so she figured she could give him an honest answer.
"It's because it's just like mine."
"What?"
"I don't have any talent," she admitted. "I was born with considerable magical reserves, and I've trained hard with the sword. I think I've done pretty well for myself, but I know I'm no match for any true genius."
Cid said nothing and just stood there listening.
"I've always been compared to my older sister, Iris. Everyone expected great things from me. More important, I respected her and wanted to be at her level. But I realized I'll never be as good as my sister. It's not a matter of training or effort, we just weren't born on the same playing field. I've tried to get stronger, but I'm sure you've heard how people describe my fighting style."
"It's mediocre sword play."
She knew Cid wasn't saying it to be mean or in a condescending fashion. But the words still stung. No one would ever say it to her face, but she'd heard the whispers and knew what people really thought.
"That's right, and guess what? So is yours." Alexis smirked at him. "How unfortunate."
"I don't think it's unfortunate. I like your swordplay."
"Don't bother with stupid lies," she snapped. "I've heard it before. Iris, when she beat me on stage at the Bushin Festival, told me, 'I like your swordplay.' Can you imagine how humiliating that was? I felt pathetic, and she had no idea. Ever since I've hated the way I fight."
Cid gave her no reaction at all. He just stood there looking listless and bored. When he finally spoke, the words were slow and steady.
"You know, I'm as apathetic as they come. If there were a catastrophe that wiped out a million people on the other side of the world I wouldn't care. If you went crazy and became a serial killer I wouldn't be bothered."
"If that ever happens, you'll be the first one I kill."
"But there are still certain things that I do care about. They might be insignificant to others, but to me, they're more precious than anything. I live this life protecting these few things. Which is why I really mean what I'm about to say."
He had her full and undivided attention.
"Alexia Midgar, I like your swordplay."
She sucked in a breath. "What do you mean by that?"
He gave an indifferent shrug. "Nothing. I guess I just don't like it when anyone tells me what I can or can't like. That's all."
"I see," she turned on her heel. "I'm heading home alone today. I'll see you tomorrow."
With that she walked away from him as quick as she could.
Why did that damn Pooch have to say something so annoying?! She thought. She'd heard those words or similar many, many times before. Alexia always accepted them as the empty flattery she knew them to be. What bothered her about what Cid had just said was that she understood he meant it. She really had no idea what to make of his genuine praise for something she despised about herself.
Alexia was still trying to sort out her feelings when she noticed someone in a cloak approach her on the path. She didn't pay them any special mind as they came up to her. Without warning something jabbed into her arm.
Before she could cry out or act in any way everything went black.