035: Freedom isn't free

[cetraflowergirl]

[Aerith startles awake, her heart pounding as she tries not to scream.

She can't feel it. The Planet, the people nearby, nothing. Gone. Completely and utterly stripped, she can't even feel the pulse of Holy, and she's trying not to hyperventilate.]

Vergil? Vergil? No, this...this isn't the house. Where am I? [She looks around, the hand on the

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[fairly_og]

Aerith! You're back!?

[Looks worried, cuz hey, he was]

What happened?

[cetraflowergirl]

[She flinches, sudden noises are not okay! Alright, she's more than just a little jumpy, that fight was more than just a little confusing.]

Z-Zack? [No, she's not panicking, she's not panicking...alright so she is. A little. Trying to get that under control.]

I don't know. I was in my room, getting ready to check in on how Haseo was doing, then something attacked me, I couldn't see anything, and I just-- [She swallows hard, shaking her head.]

I don't know, I remember trying to get my staff, but I couldn't see what was hitting me, or where to block, and I must have blacked out...

[fairly_og]

I see...at least you're back though, right?

[Smiles some]

[cetraflowergirl]

[She nods, exhaling slowly, trying to calm the shakes.]

Zack...I can't feel it anymore. I can't feel anything. I'm scared.

[fairly_og]

It'll be fine, you'll see.

[He nods; he's confident of what he's saying, yes indeed!]

[cetraflowergirl]

[Aerith is so close to crying, she clings to the back of the pew, her shakes getting worse.]

When I got here I couldn't hear the Lifestream anymore, and now I can't even hear the plants, or the spirits of the people in the city. I hope this doesn't last long, I don't want it to be permanent, I don't.

Zack, I've never been this cut off from it before, what should I do?

[fairly_og]

Well, telling you to just 'take it easy' or something along that line isn't fair to you at all. All I have for you is...[Opens his arms for a hug]

[cetraflowergirl]

[She looks up, rubbing at the dried blood around her mouth, almost like she's unsure of what the gesture means.

...And then she's hugging him so hard it hurts, trying not to cry. At least him being there makes it easier. It doesn't hurt so much with him around.]

[fairly_og]

[Holds her tightly, but not too much! He sees that she got hurt some, and doesn't wish to hurt her further. For now he just holds Aerith...they can clean her face up some later, after she calms down a bit.]

[cetraflowergirl]

[She sniffles a little, finally getting the desperate edge of panic out of her system. After a moment she pulls back to rub her upper lip more, it itched something fierce now.]

I get into one fight and look at where it gets me, how embarrassing... [She tries to laugh a little, but winces as it makes her chest ache.] I think I hurt my ribs, but I can't tell for sure and I don't exactly have any healing materia on me.

[fairly_og]

Hmmm...I don't have any Materia on me. How bout we get you home, and get you cleaned up?

[cetraflowergirl]

That sounds like the best thing I've heard so far. [She tries to stifle a cough, but it hits her anyway. Ow~]

A hot bath, something to eat, and hopefully some sleep. What do you think?

[fairly_og]

Sounds good~!

[Smiles] You inviting me to do all of those with you~?

[Winks]

[cetraflowergirl]

I think my housemates might disapprove. Half of them can get a little testy, I wouldn't want one of them to try and run you through because of the wrong first impression. Maybe next time. [A small smile, trying not to laugh because it will only make her ribs hurt more.]

But you're more than welcome to eat with me. I don't know what condition my room's in, though.

[fairly_og]

Shucks~ I'd offer my place instead, but I guess I can wait instead, heh.

Hmmm, that works for me~

[cetraflowergirl]

I promise I won't kill you with my cooking.