(Untitled)

[wearspinksocks]

WHO: Aerith wearspinksocks, Leon madeforleather and eventually Zack Fair soldierpup
WHAT: Aerith wants to find Zack and Leon offered to go with, and thus the quest is joined. So they're off to find one lost Zack.
WHERE: Docks, then to the forest.
WHEN: Afternoon

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[madeforleather]

Leon made his way down to the docks, and he recalled the last time he was here. The other time was when he met up with Cloud, and they were reunited after so long. And the second time he was here to pick up Aerith--their Aerith--who had just arrived.

Alot of things had changed since then. Cloud was off in some jungle, doing god-knows what. And it didn't seem he was doing that well from what he gathered in the journals. He swore if he got his ass killed, he wouldn't forgive him. And if he came back, and tried to cover up any injuries he did receive--well, Leon knew that it wouldn't end well. They were both reaching their limits.

Leon made it to the docks and was able to spot Aerith easily, even if she was dressed in different attire than what he was used to. She still had the same features that he had memorized when he was younger. He always looked out for Aerith, seeing as she was always looking out for Cloud and Yuffie. Aerith already knew that Leon could take care of himself, but she would always worry about him, just like she did with the others.

He approached her, "Aerith," he called.

[ooc; sorry it took so long XD; I got distracted immensely]

[wearspinksocks]

Hearing her name, Aerith turned to see the fellow approaching her. She'd definitely never met him before, though she'd wondered if that was possible rather than there being two of her, but this seemed to confirm it. He looked about as serious as he had sounded, as though he was perhaps far out of practice when it came to smiling. That seemed like a shame, in her opinion.

Leon seemed like a nice enough fellow but to look so somber... She wondered if it had something to do with his past or was simply disposition, but it was nothing she could ask about, not then, at least.

"Leon?" She asked, just in case she was mistaken. Of course the chances of that were slim to nil since only one person had agreed to meet her there and that was of course Leon. Though a little shy with all the new people here she smiled regardless, glad that she had help in locating Zack and knowing a little too well that she wouldn't have had an easy go of it by herself.

[ooc: Gosh same here. I didn't realize you'd replied until I was in the middle of catching up on some things.]

[madeforleather]

Leon gave a nod of acknowledgement when she spoke his name. Looking at this second Aerith really had an affect on him. Although his mask hid it very well. He had been with his Aerith ever since they were kids, and stuck together when the heartless attacked. He never realized how abnormal it felt without her around. He wondered how Cloud was going to be able to handle this.

"Ready?" he questioned as he faced in the direction that the jungle was in. It was best to be as quick as possible with this. After all, he had such a warm empty house to return to.

[wearspinksocks]

Although she sort of wanted to ask Leon about the other Aerith or even Cloud - especially some things he'd said - she decided not to, at least not now. Perhaps this place would be full of questions she couldn't get answers to or inquire about but now wasn't the time. Zack was waiting and she didn't want to impose further on Leon either.

Thus resolved she nodded, following his line of sight to take in the view of the forest again. How dangerous was it, in such a place, where people seemed to be a danger to each other? "Yes, I'm as ready as I can be, I think."

[madeforleather]

Usually when Leon was walking with his Aerith--he was growing tired of having to remind himself this was a different Aerith--he would walk behind her. As if he was keeping a watchful eye on her. But this time, he led the way for the both of them. It seemed he was unconsciously changing his mannerisms just because this wasn't the Aerith that he knew for most of his life. But if that was completely true, why did he volunteer to be her escort? He wondered if Cloud would have done the same thing.

"We're looking for your boyfriend?" he asked. That was the best he could manage at small talk, blunt questions.

[wearspinksocks]

Accustomed to following, Aerith fell into stride just a little behind Leon, trying not to crowd him but not wanting to stray too far. Just as when she'd walked around Midgar with Zack she thought it best not to be in the way, especially if something hostile made a point of popping up. In such a case she wouldn't be of much help.

Perhaps in a place like this it'd be a good idea to learn something, but she hated the idea of fighting.

"It looks like he's calling me that, but I'd just met him." Aerith replied, a faint blush staining her cheeks. Really, it was hard reminding herself that Zack wasn't from the exact same time as her, just as Leon and Cloud weren't from the same world.

She wondered if she'd ever get used to it.

[madeforleather]

Out of the corner of his eye he noticed the blush on her cheeks. From that reaction he would say that Zack wasn't lying. Possibly jumping the gun. But Leon couldn't talk either. He wasn't one to waste time by tip-toeing around matters. Being blunt and honest was his forte. "I see."

They reached the jungle and he led them in, making sure that his gunblade was ready if anything decided to jump up at them.

[wearspinksocks]

Aerith wasn't sure what else to she could add, so she remained quiet as they made their way along, at least for a while. As they stepped into the forest she looked around, half expecting some huge monster to pop out of nowhere to menace them, and relieved when that didn't happen.

"The other Aerith...was she your girlfriend then?" The question slipped out before she could think twice about it, wondering if that was part of why her presence seemed troubling. Once she'd voiced it she was a little surprised at herself. How invasive, on top of maybe hitting a sore spot if that was the way things were. "...Nevermind, sorry."

[madeforleather]

Leon paused, before he answered, "She was just a friend," he answered. Dating Aerith had never been something he thought of. As far as he was concerned, Aerith could find someone better than himself. To him, Aerith should find someone who was...socially stable to say the least.

He continued walking, still keeping an eye out for anything that would be dangerous.

[ooc; orz, failure post. I might be going to bed soon btw XD;]

[wearspinksocks]

"I see..." Aerith felt bad that she'd let that question slip, but wondering about what some alternate self was like, she hadn't been able to help it. Leon probably had someone nice back home, wherever home was, which was good since...well, he certainly had to have someone that made him smile.

Of course, she planned on trying to get him to cheer up a little herself in the meantime, while they were stuck in this odd place. Wouldn't do to be out of practice.

She watched for anything dangerous herself, wondering what sorts of things really were out there, and just how far into the forest Zack had ended up.

[ooc: I may retire soon too. Get some good rest ♥]

[madeforleather]

Quite the opposite to what Aerith was thinking, Leon didn't have someone nice back home. Unless you counted Cid, which he didn't. Maybe his Yuffie. But Yuffie was probably bored not having someone else to bother. But, neither were considered in a romantic sense.

Leon paused as he heard a noise--sounded like twigs snapping. "Stay behind," he instructed. And not a moment after the words left his mouth, a wolf leaped out. Leon pulled out his gunblade and with one swipe he killed it.

[ooc; sorry it took so long]

[wearspinksocks]

It was startling how suddenly the creature had attacked and been felled, Aerith's hands clapped over her mouth to stifle a cry. She hadn't thought that would happen, but then she didn't know what to expect in this place. Thankfully it seemed that Leon had a better idea, and she started to see why it would have been a bad idea if she'd gone into the forest herself.

Sure she could always run as she'd said before, but if she was surprised like that...

"That must be why everyone said the forest is dangerous..." She murmured, dropping her hands slowly as she looked down at the dead wolf.

[ooc: No problem^^ ]

[madeforleather]

Leon relaxed after the wolf fell to the ground, twitching. The blood was dripping out fast, and forming a small puddle around the carcass. He then put his gunblade back in his holster and turned to look at Aerith. "Are you alright?" he asked.

Yes, the jungle was very dangerous and that is why he couldn't allow Aerith to come here by herself. He wouldn't be able to live with himself. Even if this wasn't his Aerith.

[wearspinksocks]

Aerith tore her gaze away from the dead animal after a few moments, trying to clear the image from her mind. She'd seen monsters defeated before. Still, she didn't like fighting or the aftermath. "Yes, I'm fine." She replied, quiet lest she attract the attention of anything else in the forest.

Leon was kind to help her, but she didn't want to make it more difficult or dangerous.

[madeforleather]

"Let's keep moving," he stated as he lead the way once again. He walked just a foot ahead of her. He wanted to be able to shield her from any harm that could occur. After all, her boyfriend wouldn't be too happy if his girlfriend had a couple scrapes on her.

[wearspinksocks]

Aerith nodded before Leon was leading the way again and she followed quietly, half wishing she didn't feel so much like a burden. Zack hadn't seemed to mind protecting her at all but she still thought that she was rather useless, especially since this place may well be more dangerous than the slums.

For now she couldn't do anything about that, so she just tried to pay attention to their surroundings.