001 ♡ [action]

[lighthoused]

[ Making their way from the Garden Lobby to the Fisherman's Horizon inn are a boy and a girl, each with a course catalog tucked under their arms and matching confused faces. Their bodies are turned into each other slightly, enough to let onlookers know that they're friends. The girl's eyes keep darting about, whether in amazement or sheer surprise

Comments

[adewdropbright]

...Kairi? [ Kairi was younger, with a different hairstyle when they last met--and it's been a year since then at home, with another year and some months added on for Aerith. But there's just a certain something about the girl that makes Aerith think it must be her, and she changes her path down the street to meet them.

Still, she feels a little unsure--it seems strange to meet another person she knows after running into "Sora" at the carnival. She's curious about Riku too, trying to catch his eyes for a few seconds as she walks up. He keeps looking at the ground--or is it...?]

[lighthoused]

[ Kairi looks up at her name being called, and grins in recognition. ]

Aerith! Hey!

[ Kairi breaks away from Riku to meet Aerith partway, and doesn't hesitate to open her arms for a hug. This is the woman who helped keep her safe in Traverse Town, after all. ]

[adewdropbright]

[ The cheerful greeting dissolves Aerith's uncertainty, and she walks more quickly, smiling as she takes Kairi's hug. ] It is you! When did you get here?

[lighthoused]

We just got here about an hour ago. It's been a wild ride...

[ She holds up the course catalog, grinning sheepishly. ]

What are you doing here?

[adewdropbright]

Ah--as a matter of fact, I'm an instructor. [ Aerith taps the catalog. ] Magic and Sociology 101. Don't break any rules, I'd hate to have to write you up. [ She giggles a little because it's Kairi and really, she doubts Kairi is a troublemaker at school. ]

You both got here... [ She looks at Kairi's friend again, her face friendly but curious, then brightening as she realizes. ] You wouldn't be Riku, would you?

[betweenpaths]

[Riku walks slowly behind Kairi only halfway, content to watch her greet her other friend from a distance. It's good to know that she's made other friends since Sora and him had been unable to in the past year.

Although at Aerith's question, he bridges the gap between them, nodding as he came closer.] I am. Has Kairi told you about me?

[lighthoused]

[ A laugh. ]

I'll do my best, but I can't make any promises. Magic, huh?

[ Riku walks up at that moment, and Kairi grins up at him. ] Are you kidding me? Between me and Sora, Aerith knows all about you! [ Don't worry, Riku, they didn't bust out the baby pictures. ]

[adewdropbright]

Oh, she's told me this and that. [ She says it with a lightly teasing tone, smiling at Kairi when she gives her own answer, and adds on: ] It's true, Kairi wasn't the only one talking about you. You're just that popular. Nice to meet you, Riku. [ She offers her hand to shake--he looks like the more serious sort. ]

And yes, magic. That class is required, by the way.

[betweenpaths]

[He bows his head and looks almost a little bashful.] Probably my whole life story, huh? Guess I might just have to return the favour for you and Sora.

[He smiles and reaches over to give Aerith a firm handshake.] Nice to meet you too Aerith. I doubt I'm that popular. These two just can't keep quiet most of the time.

[lighthoused]

Just don't mention the thing about the shark, and I won't tell the paopu jam story. Okay, Riku?

[ Trust her on this one, Aerith: you don't want to know. Kairi turns her focus back to Aerith. ]

They let you teach here...? You didn't need any special qualifications or anything?

[adewdropbright]

[ Aerith looks amused at the exchange, then tilts her head thoughtfully at Kairi's question. ]

I graduated. That's a qualification. [ With everyone coming and going in Traverse Town, "qualifications" were kind of "take what you can get"--so she's glad Garden doesn't make a huge fuss over special qualifications. ] Because of how Time Compression works, I've been here for a while already--well over a year.

[betweenpaths]

[He's trying not to outwardly groan at that.] I won't, I won't.

Sounds like they don't ask for very much or anything specific. [At least not like how the teachers on the islands were.]

[lighthoused]

Over a year?

[ Kairi's expression droops. ] If we could only use our Keyblades, I'm sure we could find a way out.

[adewdropbright]

Ah--people don't just stay here. They've left, too. Leon was here, but now he's back in Radiant Garden. [ Which makes her sad because she missed him completely when he returned to instruct here, but right now it's more important to reassure Kairi. ] I happen to have stayed longer, that's all.

[ She shakes her head at Riku. ] They really don't. Headmaster Cid is a very kind and understanding man. They just want people to be willing to learn, or help out where they can.

[betweenpaths]

They leave? They didn't exactly tell us that. [He looks to Kairi for a confirmation. Not that he didn't believe Aerith, but he's never been fond of others retaining important information.] Is there any known reason for that?

[lighthoused]

No, they definitely didn't tell us that.

[ Her gaze, when she turns it back to Aerith, is determined. Help people? Kairi is all about helping. If she can make a positive impact in people's lives, count her in. ]

We'll help. Right, Riku?

[ Not exactly expecting him to argue with her on this one. ]