aterat | { Video }

[ Aerith's sitting in a very lovely looking garden. The video only lingers on her for a moment before she turns it to pan around to show the blossoming flowers and several large wheelbarrows. She keeps the video on those things rather than moving it back to herself. ]

There's been a lot of rain the last few months, hasn't there? The flowers definitely have liked it, just look at them. They've had a lot to say! [ Too bad she doesn't actually know what that is, it'd probably be helpful. ] As you can see though I have a tiny little problem. [ She turns the camera to her and squeezes her fingers together to signify tiny ]

I need to get these wheelbarrows to my show in the market district. So, I'm generously taking volunteers to help me move them! I'm offering a reward of your choosing [ her voice takes on an extra dramatic flare for that. ] for any assistance. I could offer some free flowers or even a date with a meal of your choosing, paid for by me of course.

Pretty good deal, huh? Impossible to pass up!

[ She grins at the camera. ] Thank you in advance to all my volunteers.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He's not pouting and doing the sad puppy dog thing. Not at all.]

You mean the offer of the date for me, right? I mean I don't need bribed. You just need to ask.

[ Oh no her one weakness. ]

Of course! Got anywhere specific in mind for us to go then? [ She smiles. ] I know I could just ask for help, but maybe I like being able to offer some sort of payment too, you know?

Let met take you to that Lodge place. The guy that cooks there is a genius. His pies are almost as good as your mom's too.

I'd like that a lot. [ She looks super excited now. ] I've had his food before at gatherings, it's amazing! So, we'll definitely have to try the pie so I can taste for myself.

Awesome. We'll go then. And I'll move some wheelbarrows.

You're the absolute best! Just promise you'll be careful. I think my flowers have had people stomp or fall on them enough for two whole lifetimes!

[He laughs, because he's heard about how Cloud fell from her, so yeah, two lifetimes there.]

At least they are charming swordsman lifetimes?

That's true. Not just a charming swordsman though, a handsome one at that. Soooo maybe it was a slightly good thing that happened. Just don't tell the flowers I said that. I bet they'd disagree.

[He laughs and shakes his head.]

I don't know, they did save my life. I'm appreciative.

Maybe they planned it all along. [ She laughs, though sometimes... ] Do you ever wonder if that's kind of true? That maybe the Planet planned for us to meet the way we did and the flowers were there to help.

[Well that has him pausing to think. There was so much to wonder about that. Was he even a good influence on her in the Planet's eyes? Or maybe she was there to make him better. To keep him from being like Angeal and Genesis and Sephiroth.]

I think if that is true, I was really lucky to be looked out for like that. And to get the chance to know you.

You always know the right things to say. I think that too though, that I was lucky you fell down like that. I think, maybe it was the Planet. It had plans you know, an entire direction things were supposed to flow in. So, it's not too far-fetched to think about. That the Planet knew we'd need each other.

Wow. I guess I really did. Without you and Cloud I think I would have just given in back in Nibelheim. Or after I lost Angeal.

I'm glad you didn't just give up. I know there were a lot of times I wanted to myself. I wish...[ she pauses and shakes her head. ] well, wishing is kind of silly but I wish I could have actually been there for you more. Helped. Done something other than wait and send letters.

Knowing you were there gave me strength. And hope for helping Cloud. You were always good with people and he needed the best.

I'm trying. To help him and guide him. It's just...Sephiroth left him so confused that sometimes it's hard, like walking on a fine line. [ She forces a tiny laugh. ] Or on a rickety roof! I wish the three of us could have been together back home. Maybe it's selfish of me, but sometimes I hate thinking about having to go back home eventually.

I wish I could have been there to support you both. I mean, Cloud has proven he can fight which is sorta shocking and super cool. But I feel like I let you both down.

[But now he's got all these visions of having out with Aerith AND Cloud and it's so awesome. Picking some of her flowers together, going to hunt monsters bugging the slums, having ice cream. Okay, so he's got these soft thoughts because that's who he is.]

We should do that here. While we can.

Did he not know how to when yo knew him? [ She shakes her head at that. ] You have never let me down, ever.

I'd like that. To do it here while we can.

He was a trooper, Aerith. He got motion sick like you wouldn't believe. Sweet kid, heart in the right place. Had friends who looked out for him too. But he wasn't quite what he is now.

[The change is pretty extreme in his eyes.]

Oh man, when you say 'while we can' it just sounds sad. Let's think positive!

Is this another IOU?

[He's smirking, though. She does still sort of owe him a date.]

It could be. Maybe I'll have little IOU official cards made up.

That's not how IOUs should work.

No? How do they work?

I don't...I know you shouldn't just hand them out.

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