⚘ Fifteen Irises ⚘

[radiant_flowers]

[Today, Aerith is in the Forbidden Forest. She has a basket draped over one arm and it is filled nearly to the brim with various plants and herbs. After a moment of walking, she pauses and looks up at the sky, shielding her eyes from the sun.]

Hm.

[Such a simple sound is rather warm and inquisitive.]

I wonder if he still remembers me?

[The

Comments

[hasthebesttaste]

Boy troubles?

[radiant_flowers]

Oh! [She is hiding her face, kthnx.] Um...yes. I haven't seen him in years, though.

[hasthebesttaste]

Oh, one of those. I know how that goes. [a thoughtful hum] It's Aerith, right? Need a friendly ear?

[radiant_flowers]

[She gives a weak smile.]

Yes, that's me. [A pause.] I wouldn't want to burden you.

video;

[tearsthesky]

[the video feed shows Fang near the Cottage of Gay, repairing a weapon of some sort. She sets it down and puts a hand on her hip. Somebody disapproves, Aerith.] What are you doing out there, all by your lonesome? It's dangerous.

video;

[radiant_flowers]

[Aerith flinches a bit. Someone else heard her. Drudging up a smile, she glances at the recorder.]

I needed some time alone. There is so much life in the castle. It's hard to... [Think. Be. Feel the Earth beneath her feet.] Are you well?

video;

[tearsthesky]

[Fang looks a little quizzical. She has experience with Vanille and knows when someone isn't as cheerful as they're trying to be. But she's letting it slide for now.]

Sounds like Vanille. [a chuckle.] I got it. I feel the same sometimes. [a beat; her brow furrows.] You just be careful, alright?

I'm doing fine. [and, because Fang doesn't beat around the bush:] What's eatin' you?

video;

[radiant_flowers]

[Aerith has a hard time hiding any of her emotions, so it's only a matter of time before someone notices how...off...she is.]

I will. [Even her voice is softer, sadder.]

Good. [She manages another smile before the expression flees entirely.] I'm...missing someone. He and I...used to be very close. Then he just...disappeared. I don't even know if he's alive.

[not_quite_vegas]

You okay?

[radiant_flowers]

I'll...be fine. [Yes, that pause made her words believable.] Just remembering someone.

[not_quite_vegas]

[Right. This is Reno not believing you]

If you say so. I'd get outta the Forest though. The trolls in there don't like us messin' around, apparently.

[radiant_flowers]

I'm not messing around. [Sharper tone.] Besides, I'm keeping to the edge. They won't know I'm here. [As she speaks, she kneels down and plucks another herb from the soil.]

[truststhesky]

You okay?

[radiant_flowers]

I will be.