on Thursday afternoon

[gardenerofgaia]

[Filtered from Hope, written]

I heard it takes a week for people to be revived. Is that just "about"? Sometimes it can be longer? [The top quickly scribbled out to leave only a period.] Li She's la

[There's a sudden break into voice when Aerith mutters:] I feel sick. [She still has to check on Hope... she doesn't know what to say with

Comments

[originaljackass]

[Jack (and Babe) are on their way out when Aerith goes passing by. He does, in fact, notice she seems a bit down and unhealthy.]

You're not looking too good there, kid.

[It's possible they haven't even spoken except in passing since the draft.]

[gardenerofgaia]

Yikes. I'd be hurt if I were more sensitive about my looks, Jack. [She gets what he means, which is why her response is delivered with humor, but what a blunt way to say it. (Maybe just blunt for someone who wants to keep up appearances.)

And no, they probably haven't spoken much; Aerith's been distracted with Hope and busying herself with the flowers otherwise. These past couple days? Looking for a friend who's yet to return. She stoops by Babe, looking to see if the animal wants to be petted.] I didn't sleep much last night. That's probably why. ... Have you seen Lightning? She really should be back by now.

[originaljackass]

[Babe seems okay with the petting, although clearly his mind is elsewhere. Jack himself is unfettered by her quip. He can see why she's doing it in any case.]

Nope, I haven't. [He isn't convinced about this whole dying and coming back thing. Of course, he knows better than to just go saying that, but...] Maybe it's taking longer on account of it happening to so many.

[gardenerofgaia]

I don't know how many there were. I didn't follow the journals very closely after the battle.

[originaljackass]

I meant mostly on the other side.

[The TPs come back too, right?]

[gardenerofgaia]

It's a good thing they were. But yeah... take it all together and it must have been a lot. Lightning took out most of the soldiers we encountered. [She took out some as well. She looks up at Jack.] You think they'll just go right back to fighting?

[originaljackass]

[A shrug at that.]

If they were any kind of smart, they'd take a hint and stop. [But from what he could see of them?] But I don't think they know how to do anything else.

[gardenerofgaia]

How sad. [It comes out heavily, straddling pity and resentment, both genuine. She wants to understand how so many people were driven to think absolute death was the only answer.

She also wants to knock every last one of their heads together for being so thick.]

...One way or another, they'll stop. Hopefully because they chose to.

[originaljackass]

[You're an optimist. But not a naive one, at least.]

So how have you been doing?

[gardenerofgaia]

[She slows in petting Babe, drawing herself up straight.]

... I've had better days, but you already knew that. I'm getting by.

Do I really look that bad? [She laughs a little, a weak laugh, smoothing out her hair self-consciously.]

[originaljackass]

You look great, like always. Maybe a little better with a real smile. [And even better in a two piece, but let's keep this one step at a time.]

[gardenerofgaia]

Now you're flattering me. [She says it with a small bit of amusement, trying for a better smile. Is it working?]

[originaljackass]

Whatever does the trick. [Which it seems to be doing here!]

[gardenerofgaia]

Pft. I just don't want to be a grumpy person.

[originaljackass]

Pretty sure you couldn't do that even if you tried. [It's part of why he likes you so much.]

[gardenerofgaia]

[She shrugs lightly, keeping the small smile.] Might as well skip putting all that effort in, then.