expiationnet | [Video]

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[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.]

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All things heal in time. I don't have much to offer myself, but if I can provide some comfort for anyone, you should only ask.

[It's definitely been a long time since he's served anyone. Nobility or gods, and Seimei is out of practice. But he likes her attitude and initiative, the latter he's lacking in himself, so why not help if he can? She seems like she has a good idea of what she wants to do. He's happier assisting others than dreaming for himself.]

It sounds complicated, but I think I understand. It's like living on a mountain. The higher ground is separated from the foot, and each area conducts itself in a different way. Life in an inner city is different from the edge of the wilderness or out in the forest. Every district has its own businesses. May I ask what work you do?

Kind... of? Maybe? I don't know what it's like to live on a mountain. But those who live on the upper plate don't usually have a reason to interact with anyone below. People who are well off get to live up above. Everyone else is on the bottom.

[Including herself, though she's never considered herself to be particularly unfortunate. She could probably talk more about it, but she's not feeling inclined to do so. It'd be nicer to talk about it when she can make things better, but how is one girl supposed to change something that's likely been in existence since before she was even born.

Fortunately, he has a better question for her.]

I sold flowers back home! Although I don't know that I'd call it work. I used to help run errands for people, too.

It sounds... sad.

[That's the only conclusion he can really come to with her description.]

People living so far apart from each other seems like an unfortunate existence.

[He doesn't allow himself to dwell too long on the similarities between living physically apart and having entire communities separated from each other. If he considers that too much, the truth might actually catch up with him. Seimei smiles, as happy as Aerith is to move away from that topic.]

Aren't errands work? You put effort into it, so it must be work. It took energy to grow and sell the flowers, after all. Is that what you intend to do here as well?

[It is sad. If Aerith could change the minds of the people of her home world, she has to wonder if she even would. Differences are what make people so special, after all. And there’s something about free will that she wouldn’t really want to change or influence, even when she doesn’t agree with what someone’s doing. Or maybe it’s that it’s so much more satisfying to gently guide when it seems needed and wanted and watching how people change over time of their own accord.

Maybe one day things won’t be so sad.]

Mmmm. I don’t think of errands as work? Not if you enjoy them, I guess. It’s not really work if you like what you do?

[But maybe she’s just being needlessly optimistic about that, which would make sense. Seems like optimism runs every other part of her life. Wouldn’t be a big surprise for discussions about work to be much the same.]

I haven’t decided what kind of work to do here besides help out the townspeople where they need it, honestly. Might be nice selling flowers, though… I also kind of want to do lots of things I couldn’t do back home?

If you like what you do?

[He blinks, then has to cover his mouth to hide a big smile.]

Ah, that's- you're far too good. You'll make me embarrassed about my own work. I can't live up to that kind of standard.

[Do people like Aerith really exist anymore? Her optimism definitely outweighs anyone else's. Not that that is a bad thing either.]

What sorts of other things? Perhaps I can help in some way.

[Aerith laughs quietly, her smile taking her entire expression and reaching her eyes. It must sound somewhat silly for her to say such things. Maybe hopelessly optimistic to the point of delusion, though she seems to genuinely believe in such a thing.]

No, no. I was lucky to enjoy what I did back home and I like helping people. I have it easy. I probably wouldn't feel that way if I didn't enjoy how I was spending my time.

[That is to say, she wonders how much the Turks enjoy their job. Or other Shinra employees, for that matter. Some of them probably do, but surely not all of them...]

To answer you, though, I think I just want to have adventures. Actually, being here is kind of adventure, so I guess that's been satisfied, too.

[The general feeling of any standard Japanese worker these days definitely carries the resignation of doing something out of necessity. It's not always that they hate their job, but the difficult lifestyle and middling passion just can't be helped, right? Responsibilities need to be met. Even in Seimei's early career, obligation was the priority over everything. Hearing Aerith talk about doing things because she likes helping people and just enjoys it is a mysterious thing. And from the little he's picked up in their conversation, it definitely doesn't sound like the world she comes from is extraordinarily generous. She just stands out.]

I think that is a noble goal. If your companion allows it, I think you should experience as much of this world as you can. Maybe even beyond this town? I do wonder how far this land reaches.

I’d like to do that.

[It doesn’t take more than a moment for Aerith to nod, as if she’s just confirming something she’s known and felt all along. Despite the way her roots have planted her in Midgar, there’s a part of her that’s always known that isn’t where she’s going to be staying. When one wants to be free, they have to be permitted some kind of freedom. Living isn’t living, when it’s restrained.]

I’ve had the chance to look at a map of the place. They have one in the tavern and I think there’s probably a few of them all over the town. I couldn’t really tell by scaling, but it looked pretty big to me. I don’t know where I want to begin, but I’m planning to get to know as much as they’re willing to share with us.

That sounds lovely. Like a real adventure!

Ah, I assume your bodyguard will want to accompany you too. But imagine what you might find out at the edges of this world. I like your plan. If there's any way I can help, would you let me know? I'm curious as well.

I’m pretty sure you’re right. He doesn’t seem to like it much when I put myself in harm’s way.

[Which, honestly, makes sense. If he’s meant to protect her, then he’ll want to do that. And probably prefer that she not put herself in danger intentionally.]

I’d welcome other help, too. I don’t think I’m the only one who wants to get to know the area, and you know what they say! [Or does he?] Safety in numbers. Easier to overcome something if we’re working together. We should pick out a place to explore and go together! My bodyguard will worry less if someone’s with me.

[And it’ll let Cloud focus on his work, too.]

I imagine it would be very difficult for him if you were hurt. It must be hard, wanting to help you reach your goals and worrying about you along the way.

But I agree with you! It's easier to get things done if we all go together. As long as you don't mind, I'd like to join you on an exploration. The world is vast, and I'm sure we can find many magical things.

[Literally or figuratively is left a bit open.]

We're like that with any of our friends, aren't we? We want to support them without restraining them, but we also want them to be safe and we worry when they might not be. It's a difficult balance. I'm sure I put Cloud through plenty of stuff and yet he's still willing to put up with me.

You're welcome to join me anytime you'd like to. I'm not suspecting I'm ready to venture out too far just yet, but we should definitely get out of Aldrip and see what the surrounding lay of the land is like.

Is that how it is?

[He wonders if that's what his life has been. Has he been too restraining? Have people who cared for him actually been stopping themselves from restraining him in the past? Seimei probably messed that up, if this is what good support should be. After all, he did in a way restrict the entire world without asking.

Maybe he's just a bad friend.]

Ah, but that means he likes it, right? Or he wouldn't go along with it?

[Doubts shrugged aside, he smiles brightly, happy to get the invitation.]

In that case, I will join you. I want to see this world for what it is, and I suppose we can't do that by living in one place forever. If I help protect you, your bodyguard should be satisfied, right?

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[Video]

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If too old, please feel free to drop. Sorry for the wait!

Sorry, I have been busy too!

No worries at all!!

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