(Untitled)

[magister_felis]

Who: Reeve, Aerith
Status: Open
When: 3:10 PM
Where: Seventh Heaven
What: Add two more to the list of those making the pilgrimage to Seventh Heaven to see Aerith.

Comments

[revenio]

Aerith had taken to cleaning in order to pass the time. Reading had lost its appeal, and sleep just wasn't going to happen anytime soon. So Aerith had decided to sweep--it was the least she could do to show her gratitude to Tifa and Cloud.

She was just in the middle of gathering things into the dust pan when the door opened, and a voice called out. Aerith didn't immediately recognize it, and when her curious green eyes fell on the man in the doorway, she didn't immediately recognize him, either. However, he knew Cloud and Tifa, so she greeted him. "Hi there," she said, straightening and wiping her hands off on a nearby towel.

"I'm... not sure where they are, but I'm an anyone," she smiled, but felt off. Something was familiar about this man, and she hoped her lack of alarm wasn't something that was going to get her in trouble. Bells and whistles were going off. "Excuse me, but--do I know you?"

[magister_felis]

"Ah... no, not exactly." She looked different, seeing her with his own eyes instead of through Cait's. Tired and weak, weary instead of vibrant and energetic- someone very, very human at the core. It was the undeniable tiredness that made Reeve pause. Here was the girl who'd known she was going to die, yet willingly put herself in danger to save the Planet. The girl who's future the first Cait Sith had read in the shadow of the Temple of the Ancients, before dying. Suddenly he felt as though he were intruding on holy ground. The president ducked his head down, glancing to the side. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have

[revenio]

The man's reaction further caused Aerith's brows to knit together in an open show of confusion. Yet the moment the other voice caught her attention, her expression changed to one to pleasantly surprised.

"Cait!" She gasped, not expecting to see the tiny robotic cat there alongside the man. "No, of course I didn't forget you! But then, that means..." Her eyes fell back onto the man, brain piecing things together. "You're Reeve, right?"

She had never gotten the chance to meet Reeve while on their journey all those years ago, but she still considered him an ally and a friend. He was a part of the team. Aerith approached him and offered her hand along with a smile. "It's nice to finally meet you in person."

[magister_felis]

Cait beamed happily at the acknowledgment, rocking back and forth on his heels. "Sharp as always, lass! That's us! heard y' were back an' couldn' stay 'way!"

His creator's reaction was a bit different. Of all the things Aerith could have done, this was not what he'd expected. Reeve stared at her blankly for a second, her welcoming smile easing a bit of the tension, before taking her delicate hand in his large, calloused ones. He'd been expecting resentment or anger, and certainly not any show of trust. A hesitant, relieved smile crept across his face. "I- likewise. Cait knows you, of course, but I...." The image of dossiers and files- the obsession ShinRa had with the Promised Land- flashed through his mind for a moment. The Forgotten City. Holy and Meteor, battling in the skies, slivers seen through barred windows. Life, because of the courage of one young woman.

Reeve suddenly bowed his head over their clasped hands. His voice dropped to a rough whisper. "I'm sorry, Aerith. I am so, so sorry."