[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

[mercedis]

Nothing to worry about. ( there's the jut of his chin as he turns away, like he's embarrassed to have to say it; a shake of his head, until his gaze lifts again. )

I'll be back soon. Try to keep the house parties to a minimum until then, okay? I'll bring you something to eat.

[inemeraldfaith]

[It doesn't work like that. Words are easy. Everything beyond that isn't and they both know it.

She smiles and offers a nod.]

No house parties: check! [She will probably not go overboard.] If you find ice cream, can you bring some ice cream?

[mercedis]

Yeah, I can bring you back some ice cream. Anything else you want?

( there is a faint smile on his face, though he's trying to sound like his usual impatient self. )

You're paying me for my time, I can wait.

[inemeraldfaith]

[Is he teasing her? She's pretty sure he's teasing her. Why, Cloud...!]

Uhm. Ice cream and... you? I don't know. I'm pretty happy with something simple. But if I think of anything else that I want, I won't hesitate to let you know!

[Now that he's left that open, there's a very strong chance she'll just take advantage of it. But how did he put it? She's paying for his time? Somehow she suspects he'll be just fine with it.]

[mercedis]

( a faint scoff, shaking his head slightly--she's always managed to one-up him, and rather than give in to embarrassment, he tries to fight it. )

Pretty sure I'm not something simple. You sure you don't want me to rope in some other guy to go with your ice cream?

( definitely teasing. )

[inemeraldfaith]

[She grins, almost from ear-to-ear. How is he so good at that? He doesn't even have to try very hard. The more he grows comfortable with teasing, the more it warms her heart.]

You are you. Isn't that all that matters? [Aerith asks it so earnestly, that there's no way one could mistake it for anything other than pure, unadulterated truth.] So ice cream and you. To me, that's perfect.

[The situation itself isn't, but she is willing to celebrate every small win as a large one.]