[Action]

[gardenerofgaia]

[It's rather late in the evening to be out in the snow, but so Aerith is. Behind ch. 4, out in the forest, she's cleared the fresh-fallen snow from a small patch of earth and is now kneeling down in it, talking to Faeren.]Wasn't it strange back then? Everyone changed so suddenly! ...Were you...a little nervous? Hm... But...people seem to be

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[slaying]

[Your friendly neighbourhood (but troubled) Slayer is out and about and...ah, Aerith. She looks up with a hesitant expression. She doesn't want to interrupt the girl. So she waits.]

[gardenerofgaia]

[Aerith's focused on talking to the spirits, but not oblivious to her surroundings. Once she spots Buffy, she starts winding down, and pats the dead grass and dirt with her hand before standing up and heading over to Buffy.]

Everything all right? You look like you're feeling, hmm, a little out of place. [She rubs her hands lightly together as she speaks. It's not especially cold, but still. No sense letting herself get chilly.]

[slaying]

That's probably because the snow is definitely not my element.

[She gives a small attempt at a smile.] Are you talking with the plants, Aerith? [Because she vaguely remembers being told about such a habit before she left, last time.]

[gardenerofgaia]

More of a summer girl, then. [Not that she buys that as the reason, but she'll roll with it for now.] And maaaaybe I am~ That doesn't seem too crazy, does it? [Gives Buffy a little side glance because. Granted, most people who catch her actually doing it think it's a little odd.]

[slaying]

Don't worry. I kinda managed to deal with the is it or isn't it crazy the last time. And while certainly eccentric? I fell firmly into the no harm no foul camp.

[gardenerofgaia]

[Eccentric, possibly crazy... well, it would be like that to people who don't know the reason behind it. Aerith just nods once, folding her arms over her coat.]

Actually, this time I was talking to the spirits. I'd like to get in touch with Faeren.

[slaying]

Oh! [The spirits -- well, Buffy has little inclination for magic herself but she is interested in others.] Any luck?

[gardenerofgaia]

Mm. It's a lot easier now than it was during the experiment. I'm not sure who was more distracted, Faeren or me! But now, I feel like I'm becoming more aware of the life around me.

[slaying]

Can I just apologize for the experiment? When I wasn't totally freaking boy-you out, I was being self-centered and nearly seventeen. So...sorry.

[gardenerofgaia]

I'm pretty sure boy-me must have weirded you out too. [She knows it weirded out Lightning.] So, how about we call it even?

[slaying]

[She holds a hand out to shake.] Even Stevens.

[gardenerofgaia]

[Shakes!] And may I never be a "Steven" again. Cloud hated it.

[slaying]

Yes. Because being so wooed by a super cute he-you was totally...a little on the odd side. Not that you're not mucho cute now, too...just--ah. [Linguistic corner. Focus on something else.]

So Cloud must be over the moon, now. In his own special way.

[gardenerofgaia]

...Well. At least I know I'm cute no matter what. [Hello awkwardness, now say goodbye.]

Over the moon, huh? He was pretty happy... but there was just one thing. He was a she.

[slaying]

You both got switched around? Well...I guess there's a silver lining there.

[gardenerofgaia]

He can't tease me for my switch.