[Video]

[inemeraldfaith]

[At first, there's just audio as Aerith is figuring out how this little trinket works. A phone would be easier, wouldn't it? As video comes on, she lifts a hand and wiggles her fingers in greeting.]

Hellllooooo!

[If it seems like she's too cheery, that very likely might be the case. Despite the situation and bizarre circumstances, she's chosen to approach all of this with a great deal of optimism. Smile, and the world smiles with you, goes the saying.]

I understand a lot of us are kind of going through the same thing and it's probably very easy to focus on what we don't know, but I thought it might be kind of nice to have the reminder that we have a common goal. So whether you arrived here with friends or without them, you're not alone! You have the rest of us, too.

[Gesturing to herself, she continues.]

My name's Aerith and I didn't arrive with very much, but if there's something I can help you out with, make sure you let me know and I'll do my best! Also, if you're having trouble finding a place to stay, I'm sharing a room here with my bodyguard, but I'm sure he won't mind too much if we make a little more room for you.

[You're welcome, Cloud.]

Comments

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[theleadingman]

[Of all the people he’s met since finding himself here, Balthier has to admit, Aerith does seem the most likely to make a sweeping overture like this.]

I’m curious as to why someone as ferocious as you might need a bodyguard. I was under the impression you were guarding me the other day.

[inemeraldfaith]

[Oh, it's you.]

Welllll...
It was kind of like an agreement from home? He's not just my bodyguard. He's my friend, too.

[Thumbing at her chin with a grin, she doesn't seem the slightest bit ferocious. Maybe ferociously happy and that just isn't the same thing.]

Besides, even guardians sometimes need a little guarding, too. I'm sure you guarded people wherever you came from. And I'm sure they protected you too. That's what friends do, you know.

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[finisaeternam]

[Vholran rests his chin in his hand, his brows furrowing in apparent confusion at the little hologram-like projection coming from his charm. While he's seen holograms before, they've never come from jewelry.

He stares for a few seconds then...]

Bodyguard? You?

[With a grimace, he reaches up to adjust the torn cloak feathered cloak around his shoulders. It occurs to him that in all of his time talking with this woman he hadn't bothered to learn much about her. If she has a bodyguard then maybe she's important?]

Why?

[inemeraldfaith]

[She isn't sure if it's a good thing that he remembers her, but she's still trying to figure the guy out. She doesn't want to call him 'problematic,' but he could be someone to keep an eye on and she's not naive enough to let that pass. At his question, she can only look surprised.]

...Hm? Why not? Does your world not have things like that?

[wishupona]

Oharo~

[There's going to be plenty of people who think that her cheerfulness is out of place. Rinoa is not one of those people. Instead, she returns the wave with a smile. Because wow, it's nice to not be the only one who's not so doom and gloom around here.]

You're right! We might all be stuck in an unfamiliar situation and who knows what's going to happen, but... [Oops, that's getting a bit too doom and gloom, bring it back.] Since we can't control any of that? I say we face it later. For now, all we can do is try to make the best of things.

[Not quite the full toxic positivity route. Because if there was reason to be negative, she might be. But so far aside from the creepy scroll and being here at all? Nothing bad has actually happened...yet.]

My name's Rinoa. I don't really have much either. Mostly just me and my magic, but none of us have a lot. So it makes sense to work together.

[Her smile mellows, turning slightly wistful.]

Is... your bodyguard someone you knew?

[Because having someone familiar around? Gosh that sounds super nice.]

[inemeraldfaith]

[Aerith has never heard anyone say 'oharo' or anything like it before, but it sounds so incredibly endearing that she can't help but be immediately charmed by it. The rest that Rinoa follows up with helps, too. There haven't been very many optimistic sorts, so it's nice to hear someone who doesn't think she's taking things too lightly.]

It's nice to meet you, Rinoa. You'd be surprised at how many people I've met here who maybe got too caught up in thinking they had to find a way out on their own. I know not everyone works well with others, but a reminder never hurts. Some people just need to hear they've got support.

[Mental fortitude, that is. A spirit may be more willing to fight when it knows that not all of the odds are against them. Before she has a chance to continue, Aerith pauses after a moment and then continues.]

Yeah! He came from the same world that I did. We're friends.

[Which sounds a lot better than saying he fell through the roof of the church she's often in.]

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[counterattack]

A common goal...? I guess you're right.

[ At this point he's pretty sure everybody that Isn't From Around Here got one of those papers, so... he tilts his head thoughtfully, then has a second, less intelligent thought, and latches onto that instead. ]

Wait, you got a bodyguard? Do they hire those out around here?

[inemeraldfaith]

No, no. I didn't get him when I arrived. Sorry for the confusion.

[She can't help laughing, though, because she can understand how someone got to that conclusion. How many other people are in a situation where they can say they arrived with someone who protects them?]

We're from the same world. He's my friend and bodyguard back home.

[How many rules is she breaking by telling people about all of this...? Cloud's probably not going to be too happy.]

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[makemeasong]

Hi, Aerith.

[ Clara smiles, giving a little wave into the camera. ]

Sounds like you're starting to settle in alright?

[inemeraldfaith]

Hi!

[Is she settling in alright? Aerith realises that she probably sounds very accepting of all of whatever might be going on, though she prefers to think of it in a more realistic lens of taking the time to think. Nothing good is going to come out of her getting bent out of shape. And to be fair, she's not really the type to do that.]

It certainly could have been worse. Someone from my home world is here, so he's made it pretty easy. He's actually the one who got us rooms and he made sure that we were well-fed, too. I would've been fine without him, but I can't deny that it's nice to have him here.

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[suicideprototype]

[Anyone who can manage to look so cheerful, even in a situation like this, is probably either very formidable or just very stupid. Experience tells him that nine times out of ten, it's the latter, but...]

You must be very confident in that bodyguard of yours if you're inviting strangers to sleep in the same room as you.

[inemeraldfaith]

[Honestly, she deserves this. Aerith certainly does wear an exterior that allows others to underestimate her. Usually intentionally. Much safer when people don't suspect what she may be truly capable of.]

I do trust him. But it's more than that. Not everyone arrived here with others. I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to lend a helping hand to others who might need it. Why make it more hard for people to try integrating?

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[starguy]

Hey Aerith! I'm Peter. And I totally agree -- if we're all in the same mess, why not make the best of it, right? There's no problem teamwork can't fix.

[ He is so glad there are other people who are looking at the bright side of things! But now it's time to chime in on the fun part. ]

Just one question... Are you secretly a princess? Is that why you have a bodyguard? Promise I can keep a secret.

[inemeraldfaith]

[She has every intention to say something about teamwork because it's the kind of thing that's right up her alley, but his question makes her pause and then provokes laughter.]

Is that what it seems like? [If she's a princess, she's the plainest princess she's ever seen. Not... that she's really ever seen a princess. Probably. Aerith shakes her head with a bright grin.] It's not anything like that. I'm just a flower girl. That's all!

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[baldrshand]

Hello again, Aerith!

It's nice to see you so energetic about all this. It makes it difficult to fret over all of it.

I didn't realize you had a bodyguard. Do you get along well? [well, if they're sharing a room, they must do....]

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[inemeraldfaith]

That's the goal. I'm not saying that people shouldn't be worried or concerned. I know it doesn't work like that. I just didn't think it was right to make people feel like they couldn't ask for help if they needed it.

[After some thought, Aerith smiles. She wonders how Cloud would answer such a question. Denial, maybe? He probably wouldn't say anything, actually. He's not really inclined to answer questions that are too telling about his person. She can respect that.]

We're good friends. At least, that's what I'd call it. He's reliable and dependable. Not very talkative, but he means well and he makes me laugh.

[Usually not on purpose.]

[twelfthsong]

How big is this room exactly?

[ Not that he's out here raring to jump at her invitation or anything. Quite the opposite in fact but he's just curious because he may or may not miss the TARDIS. ]

[inemeraldfaith]

That.

[The fact that Aerith has to actually look at her inn room says a lot, honestly. It's not like she's taken measurements or anything. There's enough for two bedrooms. And some... stuff. Personal effects.]

That's a good question. We could probably have three or four people sleeping on the floor? Maybe more. I don't know how comfortable it would be, though. [And then she has to ask, because how can she not?] Do you need somewhere to stay?

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[enactors]

We have a common goal? ( do they? he's not trying to be antagonistic or argumentative with the question, he's just — not really sure that they are all on the same page. )

[inemeraldfaith]

...We don't? [Her eyebrows raise and she is so painfully earnest in how she asks it. As if she's hardly considered an alternative.] Don't... we want to go back home? Eventually? Figure out why we're here and how we get back?

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[mercedis]

( this is really not what he wants to see while he's out scouting the area for work--and it means that his first response is reactive, embarrassed, and gets picked up nicely by the voice-to-text feature: )

Aerith, what are you

( awkward. using this charm isn't as easy as using a phone, but at least the video that gets sent back to her is settled squarely on his face. )

...I'm going to increase my fee if there's more than just you when I get back. Think you can afford it?

( he doesn't mean it, of course--there's a note of wry acceptance in his voice, a soft sigh of it as he shakes his head. he told her to be careful, and this isn't really being careful, but: he's not going to refuse anyone that needs a place to stay. )

[inemeraldfaith]

[She's not surprised at all by his reaction, though he's taking it just a bit better than she's expected and she can't help but feel incredibly pleased at the realisation. She understands very well that she's tried to keep information she's given out about either of them to a minimum. Surely offering a helping hand to those in need won't put them in any additional hardship.

Surely.

She meets his expression with a somewhat sheepish smile. He's offering her a gentle deference and she can't help but be appreciative over it. Maybe she's worn him down over time. She's certainly starting to get that impression. It makes her all the more thankful for him.

To think she wasn't sure she would see him again.]

Uhm... I know it might not be the right time for this, but if we're trying to fit in, I'll take you on a couple of dates. We can find out what the locals like to do.

[Pragmatic and cute!]

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[maiestas]

Aerith, honey, my sweetie -- if Cloud is really like how we described him, is he really going to be okay with you inviting every lonely soul into your bedroom?

[inemeraldfaith]

I didn't say they all had to come in at the same time. He might not be real happy about it to begin with, but I think he'll loosen up in time.

I can usually wear him down. Eventually.

[Kind of. Might not always work. Aerith knows better than to constantly press her luck.]

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[crybabyhero]

[Is there a bit of a pinkish tinge to his cheeks as he jumps in to reply? There sure is. If you don't mention it, he won't either!]

Any guys who need a room can hang with me until they find a place instead! I think that'd be better! Your bodyguard probably thinks so too!

[inemeraldfaith]

[Aerith, being of sound and observant mind, may take note of it, but... Who's to say he just hasn't gotten a little bit of sun?]

I don't get it. That's just the same invitation I made, right? Or are you saying you're going to open up your room to people, too?

[And evidently this one goes right over her head.]

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[emyoji]

Hello! Those are very kind words. Especially for us who did arrive alone, this has been a bit intimidating.

[He's always alone, but never mind that.]

Ah, you have a bodyguard? Well, that's a little intimidating. Are you a celebrity?

[inemeraldfaith]

['Intimidating' is a very apt description of the situation. She's not sure she could put it any better than he has, and everyone handles that same intimidation in a different way. Some weather adversity with optimism. Some weather it with apathy. And some choose to not address it at all.]

Nope. Definitely not a celebrity. I just live in a dangerous place and sometimes I need a little help getting around. There are probably many people here who are kind of like that, too. It sure seems like a lot of people are making that assumption, though. I thought it was just normal to have someone looking out for you when you needed it, no matter who you were.

[But apparently in this world, people think she's either a princess, some other kind of ruler or important individual, or a celebrity.]

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[grappler]

[. . .

all the people here are so weird. her eyebrow goes up.]

Well, aren't you a ray of sunshine?

[inemeraldfaith]

You think so? I just thought it might be nice to greet people with something positive instead of the alternative. Lots of us are pretty unhappy about all of this, right? It doesn't seem like a bad thing to try and lighten the mood a little.

[Although it sure seems like this is absolutely the wrong crowd to be doing that with.]

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[sincleavers]

[Alphen can't help starting the video with a bit of a smile -- he doesn't know Aerith too well yet, but this just...really seems like her.]

I can't say I disagree. We're bound to get better information and results if we work together than if we don't.

I didn't realize you had a bodyguard, Aerith. Did they arrive here with you? That's pretty lucky. [pot, kettle]

[inemeraldfaith]

[Once again, it's nice to have a like-mind in Alphen. She knew meeting him at the festival that she liked him right away and there's nothing since then that's changed it. If anything, hearing even just the short-lived affirmation of his words leaves her feeling a strengthened resolve.

At least not everyone thinks she's absolutely mad.]

He did. [She answers easily enough.] I found him just a little after I arrived, though I don't know how long he'd been here before we ran into one another. It's nice to have him here. It occurs to me when we were carrying things that I didn't ask if you had anyone you knew here. You know if you don't, you can come to me, right?

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[invinciblemikey]

... why? you don't know us. that's just irresponsible.

[inemeraldfaith]

I don't think it's such a big deal. If someone is having trouble finding a place to sleep or be safe, why shouldn't they have such a thing offered to them?

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[koutsuanzen]

...You came with your own bodyguard??

[All he came with was a jacket and a gross rusty pipe.

But damn, if this lady was just letting anyone with trouble in their rearview in the door and onto her floor, seemed like a bodyguard was exactly what she needed.]

[inemeraldfaith]

[This has been a very, very popular question. She's starting to think that maybe bodyguards aren't exactly as commonplace as she thought. She certainly didn't bat an eye when she asked Cloud to be hers back in Midgar. It just goes to show how different places could be...!]

Yup! He showed up at the right time and I needed his help getting out of a difficult situation, so he agreed to protect me and we've been like that ever since.

[And to be fair, Aerith has caused about as many issues back home for him as she's caused here. And they've barely been here for very long. This is like a record for her.]