tabularasa_rp | (open) and i heard your voice as clear as day

No promises! [ There's a mischievous gleam in her eyes, but she admits a laugh, hand raised to her mouth. ] Kidding. It'll be fine, okay?

[ Definitely not the creepy tunnels. She's had more than enough of them in the time they'd all been forced to spend there.

As they walk, she keeps pace at his side, arms linked behind her back. ]

So...how's it been? Being here, I mean. You...got out of that weird underground area OK?

[Zack gives her a grin because he knows better than anyone that even if she says no promises and takes it back it could still mean that this date could be dangerous- or would it be adventurous?

None the less he falls into step with her and stretches his arms over his head for a moment.]

Yeah, I did. I don't know a lot about what happened, though. This place is as confusing as ever.

[Zack's never really been that smart-smart, after all.]

I'm still getting used to just having everyone around. But it's been... decent. [Sephiroth things aside-]

Yeah... [ Well, almost everyone. She should probably tell him about Sephiroth - about his actions here, and everything else she knows - but...not today. Not during their date.

So, instead, she keeps her voice mild as they walk. ]

How have things been with Cloud and Tifa? I'm sure it's been tough...

[ Considering Cloud's situation, especially. Tifa, at least, has all the memories she should. ]

[He's more than happy to stay off the topic of Sephiroth today. He wants to enjoy his day with her. But talking about their other favourite people is more than okay.]

Things are great with Tifa, I helped her clean up the church yard just the other week. Plus, it's been real nice just to catch up with her. I thought she'd hate seeing me again but it's nice to actually get to talk to her.

[And Zack is trying his best to do what he can for Tifa. As for Cloud...]

And Cloud? Well, I'm still trying to keep my distance. I don't want to confuse him, you know? But- [Zack laughs as he shakes his head.] It's hard to ignore him. You know how it is.

[Like a big brother all Zack wants to do is ... be an annoying big brother.]

That's good... [ She thinks at first that it'd be hard to imagine Tifa hating anyone, but...then she thinks of what happened to Sector 7. What happened to her hometown, too, and the people there she loved.

Maybe it isn't so difficult to imagine after all. Aerith sets her jaw and falls into line beside Zack, bumping briefly, affirmingly, against his shoulder. ]

I know. [ Aerith's unhappy expression twists into a conflicted smile at the mention of Cloud. ] It's hard to just let the guy do his thing, isn't it? You want to help him out... That's what friends do.

[ Particularly friends who know more than they should and are trying to mitigate the damage of that truth. ]

He'll be okay, though. [ The flower girl says, with soft confidence in her voice. ] It won't be easy, but...he will be.

[It's that soft confidence that brings a smile back to Zack's face again. He casually slides an arm around her shoulders to walk closer with her and to just be closer.]

Yeah, I know he will be. He's a tough nut.

[He's seen Cloud do some pretty wild things. Handling a few jumbled up memories should be a piece of cake for him. Eventually. Even if Zack still thinks he needs to take things slowly and carefully. He just doesn't want to get in the way of what Cloud's already built up.]

So, what about you? What have you been up to lately aside from planning mysterious dates?

Who, me? Oh, you know...taking care of the flowers, and working on our little business. [ beat ] Have you met Merlin? He has a garden of his own, and we've been doing a kind of swap to try out different varieties!

[ Other than that...? ]

I also keep hearing about how I could make a pretty good Pokémon trainer. Have you met any of them? Lance, or Raihan, or... [ Hang on - ] Blue said he knew you, Tifa, and Cloud, actually! I just met him in the tunnels...

[Zack nods with a grin.]

Haven't heard of a Merlin. But, I've run into Lance, Raihan and Blue. All those guys.

[Seems Zack is on his way to becoming a pokemon master or something it seems.]

Blue's the guy who runs the bar for Tifa now, I think? He's quite the character. Pretty forward kinda dude.

Is he? Maybe he's working with Ren, then. [ Or maybe she's just remembering it wrong. Either way! ] He was pretty nice to me in the tunnels. Though I think his Arcanine was feeling pretty protective...

[ By now, they're approaching The Surprise. Aerith moves in front of Zack, arms again behind her back as she stops short. ]

Ready? You have to close your eyes and I'll lead you there, okay? And no peeking!

[Or Zack has things wrong, sometimes he still feels like the new guy in town. Blue was serving drinks at the bar that's all he knows!!

But now Aerith is moving in front of him and Zack snorts with some laughter. He stops and smiles at her.]

Close my eyes? Are we walking into a trap? [He teases but off he goes with closing his eyes.] Alright, lead the way and don't let me trip.

I won't! [ She hums, pleased, and leads him along with both hands. ]

Okay...ready? Open!

[ When he takes stock of his surroundings, Zack will see that they're on the edge of Mortis Lake. The bright purple foliage surrounds a scene just at the lakeside, where a large blanket has been laid out, bearing a single basket...and, of course, a few flowers, neatly piled into a bouquet atop the wicker.

There isn't anyone, or anything, in sight. Far above, the cliffs of Mt. Silver create a stark, gray backdrop, but the immediate effect is a mix of soft hues of purple, blue, and green.

Aerith takes a few steps away, back to the lake, gaze expectantly on Zack's expression. ]

So...ta-da! I thought...a little picnic for the two of us might be nice. What do you think?

[Zack isn't quite sure what to expect when he opens his eyes. More trash-laden beaches? Ruins ontop of a mountain? A white void sky? But when he opens his eyes to see the lake, the flowers and the picnic basket he can't help but be pleasantly surprised. Almost like he could keel over right now at how damn adorable this is.]

Aerith...

[His big dumb heart is squeezing, it's true.]

This is the best idea, I'd never come up with something as awesome as this.

[He's going to grab her hands with a squeeze before scooping her up in a tight bear hug and a twirl.]

Whoa...! [ She laughs, surprised and delighted, when he lifts her up and spins her around. Aerith is pink in the face, eyes bright, when he finally sets her back on the ground, and she beams up into his face, looking a touch sheepish. ]

I'm sure you could've done something like this! It's not a big deal...I've just had more time to explore, that's all.

[ But, she really is thrilled he seems to like it. There's a sort of a breathless pause, and she tucks a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. ]

I got some stuff from Heavenly Blanc, and from the cafe, so...should be pretty good! Shall we?

[He might just linger there a moment longer, looking at her flushed face and her smile. It warms him up right to the core.]

Yeah, let's lunch. I'm starving, I could eat a whole chocobo.

[Zack's had a lot of food and drink from Heavenly Blank so far already so he's looking forward to it! He moves to take his seat on the blanket, easing down with a happy sigh.]

Well, I'm sorry to say there isn't a whole chocobo in there. [ Aerith giggles, nodding toward the basket as they settle down. ] But, hopefully this'll be enough...

[ She unloads what looks like a mason jar filled with an amber liquid, as well as containers of rice, curry, and greens. ]

Do you know Ren? The guy I mentioned before. He's one of the first people I met when I got here... He helped me out with getting this together. [ He's the barista-slash-curry connoisseur, after all. ] So, if you don't like it, you have to blame him and not me, okay?

[ clearly joking ]

Hah-! Hey, it looks good! I'm always down to try some new foods!

[Zack's always liked spicy and savoury foods so he doesn't mind it at all to try some new curry. He makes himself comfortable and takes one of the serving jars with a curious grin. He's opening it up and giving it a sniff. Curry!]

Yeah, Ren- the coffee guy, right? I've seen him around a few times. You'd think with a few people there are around here I'd have an easier time remembering names and face. But I'm getting there!

That's the one! [ She beams at him as she distributes the food and drink, passing over a dish and a napkin (the curry powder tends to stain her fingers gold). ] He's a great guy. ...Oh! He's also helping out at the church, if you've seen him there...?

[ Who else? Aerith makes a small, thoughtful noise as she reviews all the people she's met here in her head. ]

Do you know Legion? They're...not really a robot, but...ah! Geth. That's what their species is. Nothing like I've ever seen, but they're really interesting, and pretty gentle, too. I think they're even a neighbor of mine at the apartments.

[Don't mind as Zack tucks right into the meal with a spoonful going right into his mouth as he listens to her list off names and species.]

Legion- Nope. [Munch munch.] What's a Geth? I'll have to try and meet him next-

[...Wait a minute, this curry stuff is really good??]

Aerith- This is delicious?!

Edited 2021-01-06 00:10 (UTC)

That's their race, I think. They're...from space?

[ She isn't fully caught up on her Geth lore.

His reaction makes her light up, and she nods enthusiastically. ]

I told you! Is it great? [ Don't mind her as she chows down, too! ] I think one of the best parts of being here is getting to experience little things from all these different worlds. There's the food, but also...seeing some of their creatures, and hearing stories, or even just how they talk. It's really incredible.

[ They have diversity throughout Gaia, of course, but not like this. These are people - beings - from across the multiverse. It's a little overwhelming, even. ]

(open) and i heard your voice as clear as day

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