[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

[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?

[suicideprototype]

That's very kind of you, but I doubt everyone here is just as kind. Will you be vetting those who show an interest?

[inemeraldfaith]

Do you think I should? I wonder how I'd go about doing that. I guess I could ask Cloud, but I feel like he's just going to automatically turn everyone away.

[Because honestly, if Cloud's there to keep an eye on her, it's very possible that Aerith might just let anyone in regardless of the results of a so-called 'vetting process.']

[suicideprototype]

Is that the name of your bodyguard?

[It's understandable that someone like that would want to turn everyone away. Aerith is so friendly that she might as well be holding up a giant red sign for conmen and other unscrupulous types to latch onto.

He has a hard time imagining that any bodyguard would be able to get a good night's sleep under such circumstances.]

[inemeraldfaith]

That's right. He's hard to miss. Kind of tall. Blond hair that sort of goes all over the place. And his eyes are really pretty. Kind of like a blue-green? It's difficult to describe. I think he looks unique enough, though, that he really stands out.

[But that's also coming from Aerith who seems to think that she looks incredibly plain. Because she kind of does. What isn't plain is that very kind demeanour of hers.]

[suicideprototype]

[Blond hair that sort of goes all over the place...? That description sort of makes it sound like Cloud's never heard of a comb.]

You sound quite fond of him.

[Or just... very open about how pretty she thinks someone's eyes are. Maybe she's the type that just nonchalantly gives out compliments like that, who knows.]

Why do you think he'll automatically turn everyone away?

[inemeraldfaith]

We're good friends!

[That is, Aerith considers him a good friend. Cloud may not reciprocate that closeness, and she hasn't asked. She also doesn't have the intention to. Prying questions of the sort tend to be unpleasant for him.]

I'm not actually sure if he will or not, but this room is Cloud's too. Since I didn't exactly ask him before making the offer, he might not be as onboard with it. I can probably convince him, but since he's protecting me, if he thinks someone's too much of a threat, I can't see him letting them stay here.

[suicideprototype]

[He's not entirely surprised to hear that she didn't ask Cloud before making this offer. Poor guy.]

That might be for the best. There might be someone dangerous mixed in here, you know?

[They are all criminals here, sort of. Criminals according to whatever entity brought them here, anyway.]

[inemeraldfaith]

I'm not sure there's anyone truly dangerous here. Not that I would know. Everyone I've met so far has seemed pretty nice. Maybe a little questionable, but that doesn't really mean 'good' or 'bad.'

I think some of us just might be a little distressed about the situation. I'll be careful about anyone we decide to let in!

[But if something slips through the cracks, it's likely Cloud will catch it.]