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.]

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I guess that's true. It seems like something the locals would appreciate, too.

[...wait, what--]

Me? But I don't... [...know anything about flowers, but that seems like something she's already thought of. Hm. He wonders, momentarily, if she realizes she's a hard person to say "no" to...but she must. He's just been caught up in the trap.]

I don't know what I could help with, exactly, but I'd be happy to try it out. Just let me know what you need, alright? And when.

[Aerith doesn't even say anything immediately. She can hear him trying to get out of this, which would also be perfectly fine. She wouldn't force him into it, after all. So instead, she she listens to him stumble over his words, she simply smiles and it's as if everything about her does.]

That sounds just fine with me. I won't make you do anything too difficult. We'll just treat it like a learning experience. And we'll take one step at a time. Anything is easy to digest if you take your time with it.

[Well, maybe not anything, but he'll get the point.]

[To be fair, he doesn't exactly want to say no -- it feels novel, getting to learn new things...and besides, it sounds like a good way to keep himself busy. As much as he's hoping not to be here long enough for any of that to matter, the truth is, if he is, it'll be good to have something to do with himself.]

Alright, alright. I'll give it a try. I know you won't steer me wrong on advice and instructions.

It’s a deal, then! I have a great memory, so don’t try to get out of it, now.

[If it came from anyone else who wasn’t Aerith, it might sound frightening, but so much of what she says comes out with a touch of amusement. It could be hard for someone less familiar with her to take her seriously. Or to realise that much of her humour is merely a defence mechanism.]

[Video]

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We can probably wrap this one up!