expiationnet | [Video]

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Aerith does like to give him a push here and there. Some people need it. But she's always careful not to push too hard. There is something incredibly heartening that someone else finds him to be fine just the way he is. If Cloud was any different, he wouldn't be Cloud anymore.]

If I can get away with teasing him a little, then so can you. If I didn't care, after all, I wouldn't tease him to begin with. I feel like that's something you and I have in common.

[Call it a hunch.]

I do love teasing the people I care about... Not too much, but just enough to make them flustered. I think it helps them relax a bit more after a good bit of teasing.

[Oh her hunch was absolutely right.]

I wonder if Cloud will be able to handle us two women, hehe. He might explode with two of us, but oh well!

[She isn't sure she would describe Cloud ever as relaxed. If anything, her teasing him seems to just put him more on edge, which is part of the reason she doesn't do it in excess. But maybe he'll be different with different people. Better to just let Rin test it out for herself.]

He can probably handle it. There's a friend of ours back home who teases him, too. I thought he'd have a hard time with us both, but he handled it in stride.

[Rin isn't very much like Tifa, Aerith thinks, but maybe a little bit. Cloud will probably be just fine.]

That guy gets more interesting the more I learn about him. I guess he's not as prickly as I initially thought he might be. Honestly, with the conversation we had, he isn't a bad guy at all. Like you said, a bit bad with feelings, but he cares in his own little way! It's really sweet to see.

[True. He is Cloud Strife.]

Anyway, I'll be sure to keep your bodyguard in one piece after our duel. I don't think we'll actually be hitting each other, so a healer might not be needed afterward.

[There's not really anything here that Aerith isn't inclined to agree with. Cloud isn't as prickly. He can certainly try to be, but there's so much more to him than just that. And he's a wonderful guy, not great with feelings, but extremely caring. Rin's got him nailed down.

Cloud would hate to hear that.

Of course there are other complexities to him, but she'll come to find them in her own time.]

Can I come watch? I won't interfere. I just wanna watch.

Of course you can come and watch! I think... We might be trying to investigate some things after our little duel. So the more the merrier! Plus, I think Cloud might like it, if you were to go.

Oh, you think so?

[She's rather under the impression that Cloud likes it when she's safe and out of harm's way. She's personally inclined to agree with Rin. The more the merrier, but she also understands why Cloud would be apprehensive to let something happen to her.]

Let's check with him first. If he doesn't mind me spectating, I'll come on by and bring you guys something to eat for after. If he doesn't want me to go with you afterwards, I can also just stay here in town. It's not a big deal to me.

[Or so she says.]

I would like that! My stomach is always itching
for something to eat after a nice little spar, to be honest with you. So, yeah, let's ask him first, and see what he says, then we can plan for a picnic or something!

Sounds like a plan to me. I guess it's easier if I ask since we're rooming together. But it might sound better coming from you? After all, he doesn't know that I know you're both going to have this little fight. I don't want him to think I'm just inviting myself along.

Don't worry! I'll let Cloud now, and we'll do this song and dance, hehe.

Sounds good! I can't wait to watch! I'll be cheering for you both.

[Video]

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