001: New beginnings

[cetraflowergirl]

[Aerith wakes up in the flowers at the cathedral, a flower basket with clothing neatly bundled in it not far away. She raises a hand to her face and blinks at the light streaming in through the high vaulted windows and the flowers around her. She sits up slowly, confused and disoriented]

...Where am I?

Why can't I hear the Lifestream anymore...?

Comments

[anangelspawn]

[He had been walking by the church, but stopped when he heard her voice. Standing in the doorway, he looks oddly perplexed, and more than a little suspicious.]

...

[cetraflowergirl]

[looks up and sees him, smiles warmly]

Hello Kadaj. How are you doing?

[anangelspawn]

[Frowns, even more confused as he opens his mouth to speak. Pausing, he shakes his head, eyes narrowed and uncertain.]

Who are you? You are not my Mother...

[cetraflowergirl]

[looks a little crestfallen, folds her hands together as she draws closer, trying not to look threatening or startle him]

I'm going to miss you calling me that... [sighs softly] I'm Aerith, Kadaj. Where are your brothers? Have you been doing alright? I was worried when you were gone.

[anangelspawn]

[He's still unsure, but he stares at her calmly, not drawing back.]

Then why did you lie..? What is it that you wanted from us? [Frowns deeply and quickly looks to the side.] ...We've been fine.

[cetraflowergirl]

I wanted you to be safe, and I wanted you to be happy. [reaches out to gently brush his hair from his eyes] Do you want me to be your mother?

[anangelspawn]

What good is that if I can't serve Mother? Did you take me away from her? ...You did, didn't you? [His eyes widen as he takes a step back.] No, I want my Mother and my brothers to be back and I can't afford to betray them!

[cetraflowergirl]

[looks hurt, but still wants to help]

No I didn't, Kadaj. Shhh, everything's going to be all right. Do you want to go look for them?

[holds out her hands to him] I'm sorry, Kadaj. I didn't mean to make you upset, and I didn't mean to lie to you when you called me mother. I just want to help. Please don't be upset. Shhh...

[anangelspawn]

[Glances down now, allowing his hair to obscure his face.] Where's there to look? If they want to be found, they'll make themselves known...

[Blinking at her hands, he stares blankly as if unsure of what she wants him to do.] I'm not upset. I'll be fine...

[cetraflowergirl]

[keeps holding her hands out] If you want to, we can go look for them. It's okay if you want to.

Would you like a hug, Kadaj? You can have one if you'd like one.

[anangelspawn]

I don't want to! [Rather suddenly swipes at the air with his hand, then scowls, looking down and fists clenched.] It's not like they're anywhere nearby...

...A hug? [Clueless look.]

[cetraflowergirl]

That's okay if you don't want to. They'll probably be back soon, it'll be okay.

Mm-hmm, a hug. [lifts her arms a little, holding out her hands to him, keeps her tone gentle and reassuring] It's when people embrace. It's used as a greeting, or a way to comfort someone, or as a sign of affection. You can have one if you'd like one.

[anangelspawn]

Why? Is there something you know that I don't?

[Crosses his arms, frowning because the idea sounds pleasant, but...] What's the point in it? Does it make things any better?

[cetraflowergirl]

[shakes her head] No Kadaj, I just arrived. I don't know anything about this place.

It might. It makes me feel better when people give them to me. I can give you one and you can see if it makes you feel better?

[anangelspawn]

Then how can you say it will be okay?

No.. What I mean is, how am I supposed to feel better if things aren't any better?

[cetraflowergirl]

Because always looking at how bad things are only going to make you feel worse. And things can't be bad forever, otherwise there'd never be things like the Promised Land.

[holds out her hands to him] They will Kadaj, maybe not today or tomorrow, maybe not even next week or next month, but things will get better sooner or later. You just have to believe that they will, and it'll happen.