tabularasa_rp | (open) and i had a dream about my old school

[Lucky for Aerith, the first person she sees is the woman living right next door! After some discussions and facing the harsh reality they've found themselves in, Tifa is carrying her cleaning supplies from Cloud's room back to hers. Her solemn expression quickly lights up when she hears Aerith's voice down the hall where her silhouette peeks out from the door.]

Oh...! Aerith?

[Boy, is Tifa glad to see her. First thing she had done after she discovered the apartments was tell Cloud and Aerith about them, so it's nice that they're both here. Both safe.

Tifa lifts the large bucket filled with an assortment of supplies and jogs over to her. When she stops and dim light through the windows washes over her face, her eyes are red and puffy, but Tifa does what she does best and hides behind a sunny disposition.]

You made it! Got plenty here... We just finished cleaning ours!

Hey, Tifa! [ Aerith brightens at the sight of the other woman, always cheered to be in her company (and to remember that she isn't alone in this place). ] Perfect timing, huh? [ She peers toward Cloud's door, hands clasped behind her back. ] Helping him out? I hope that bum was doing some cleaning of his own!

[ She's teasing, naturally, and it's clear in her big grin. As Tifa approaches, though, she can't help but notice the other's eyes...and her grin falls just slightly.

Hmm. ]

Mind if I borrow them for a bit? [ There's a pause, and then: ] You're probably pretty tired, but if you want to relax in my room, I'd never say no to the company. [ Aerith glances down to the animal by her feet; Mireille cheeps, head tilted curiously. ] What's that, Mireille? You really want Tifa to visit, too?

He decorated his whole room on his own!

[As if hanging up a whiteboard and sorting books is any feat, but she's proud of him all the same. This is Cloud. Would he have been fine with just a bed to sleep on?

Tifa takes half a step back surprised by the appearance of the bird at Aerith's ankles, but she relaxes soon enough, reaching out to greet Mirielle with a scratch on the head. Thanks to the magic of handwaving, the two of them had met earlier, after Aerith returned from the mountains. Tifa was wary at first, her own experience with the birds leaving much to be desired, but she's warmed up to this one quickly.

Guess they take after their owners.]

I guess I could spare some time for company if Mireille insists. I've still got some kick left in me to help, too! [No way is she letting Aerith do this on her own, tired or not! Honestly, it would help take her mind off of everything, too.] May I?

Wow, really? I don't think of Cloud as he "decorating" type...

[ She'll be the judge of that! Eventually!!

Aerith perks up when Tifa agrees to join her, silently hoping it'll help with whatever might be bothering the other woman. ]

Of course! Come in. [ And she moves aside to let Tifa pass - Mireille, too - before stepping in herself. It isn't much of a sight to see yet; Aerith had noticed the growth in the sink and got side-tracked pretty quickly. ]

So, was it hard to get that stuff out, or is it just tougher than it looks?

[Tifa takes a look around once she's passed through the threshold, noting with a creased brow how similar the room is to hers and Clouds. Are all of them like this? The first walkthrough of his was confusing, but this just makes things weirder. The fact that all three of their sinks were filled with the strange green substance is off-putting—whoever is the original owner should be getting a talking-to about their cleanliness and hygiene.

She sets the bucket of supplies down and peers into the sink.]

Draining it was the easy part. Real smelly, though. It was scrubbing all that mold off the edges underneath that requires all the elbow grease.

[She slaps her elbow for no other reason than added emphasis.]

Wouldn't recommend touching it... No idea what that'll do to your bare hands if you do.

[She hasn't been courageous enough to find out, and wouldn't let Cloud do it, either.]

Gross... [ She sighs, meandering over to Tifa's supply bucket and sourly pulling on the rubber gloves. ] Not a very nice place, huh?

[ What kind of apartment complex leaves all this junk in the rooms? Aerith huffs, extracting a sponge before moving over to the sink and wrinkling her nose at the sight. ]

All right, gunk. You're about to get tackled.

[ Definitely not going to let any of her skin come into contact with the sink goop, at Tifa's advisement. Instead, Aerith starts working, brow furrowed as she goes.

Her mind is elsewhere, though, and she peeks a little over her shoulder. ]

So, how's your day been? Make any new discoveries about this place?

[Tifa is already busy brushing away some of the dust on the desk, shifting and moving the blank pieces of paper to make room for her to work, and then putting it all back into place before, as if it had a place to begin with.

She peers up at Aerith just as she slides the chair back.]

Besides the green gunk in every room? Not really.

[New discoveries about this place, not quite. About herself? Well... It does make her curious.]

How about you? That church... how d'you feel about it showing up all of a sudden?

[She knows now that it's an important place to Aerith, just as Seventh Heaven meant a lot to Tifa and she can only pray that her friend is holding up better than she is.]

Well... [ Aerith keeps her tone light, taking care not to stare at Tifa as they both busy themselves and start to creep toward more sensitive territory. ] It was a big relief, to be honest. I know it's not the real thing, but it...makes me feel a little better to have something so familiar nearby.

[ Especially in the midst of so many unknowns. ]

It's a little strange to have all the differences - [ Not just the cakes, but the lack of her connection to the Planet, too. ] but it's still nice. Maybe it can be a place for you to feel at home, too.

[ The flowers certainly don't mind, and as the self-declared arbiter of the church, Aerith would encourage it. ]

[She pauses in her shuffling, allowing her smile some time and room to blossom onto her face. Hearing that... it fills her with the kind of joy that she can't quite put into words.]

Maybe. [It's uttered quietly, but then she turns to Aerith, her usual optimistic self slowly returning to her.] Wouldn't mind helping out where I can. I am an expert in running a business, after all!

[Not to toot her own horn or anything, and if her expression doesn't make it clear that she's kidding, hopefully her laugh does. That doesn't diminish her offer, of course, and it still stands. But then, her posture shifts, and the laughter fades.]

... Actually. I wanted to talk to you about that.

Yeah! And I...don't know anything about running a business, but I've got wares! So...perfect partnership, am I right?

[ She absolutely believes in Tifa and her business abilities, and so Aerith looks sufficiently Pumped about this idea!

...Until the other woman's expression changes, and so her own softens a bit to match. ]

About running a business? [ Aerith tilts her head slightly. ]

Sort of...?

[In a way, it is related to Aerith's new idea to run the church as a flower-cake shop. Tangentially. She's had a lot on her mind, even more so now that she's had the chance to air those grievances out.

Tifa stops the shuffling around of the books and turns to face her friend, hopping up to take a seat on the desk.]

I'm planning on leaving Heavenly Blanc for a while. [Not right away, but soon. She couldn't do that to Ren, or the other people who enjoy going there. It'll still be a "few weeks" if time meant anything here.] I wanna get out there, see what else I'm good at... what else is fun! That, and...

[She kicks her feet, sheepish, as they dangle just above the floor.]

I'd really like to spend more time with you and Cloud. I've been taking my time here with you guys for granted.

[ Aerith turns to give Tifa her full attention, the weird mold forgotten. She can guess why this is happening; it hasn't been long since the plate fell onto Sector 7. Aerith herself remembers too easily what that scene had looked like, as she hurried through it to find Marlene.

Tifa doesn't mention the destruction of the bar - of her home sector entirely - and so neither does Aerith. ]

Well, I support you getting out there and exploring this wide, weird world a bit. And I'm happy to have you spend all the time you want in the church, with me! [ Her smile is slight, but not lacking in earnestness, or warmth. ] ...I know we haven't known each other for too long, but we've been through a lot, right? [ More than Tifa even knows. ] I'm always here to help with...whatever you need. Anytime! Okay? And Cloud, too, of course. Plus all the people you've met since you got here. I'm sure any one of them would be happy to help however they can.

[They might not have known each other for too long, it's true, but Aerith is the kind of person who makes her feel like they've known one another for much longer. Tifa would trust her with her life, and she feels... comfortable around her; like she isn't being judged, and she can speak openly about anything she needs to. It's nice... to have someone like Aerith in her life.]

Thank you, [she says, appreciation swelling in the smile she returns.] We haven't known each other for long, but I think it'll be a good opportunity to get to know each other better, right? We were so caught up in everything going on that we didn't get the chance to do that back home.

[The sad truth. It was one thing after another when they met. If they'd met under better circumstances, then things might have been a little different.]

Things are... a little calmer around here.

[ "A little calmer" is an almost-laughable understatement. After all, they'd just come from escaping Shinra, defying fate by defeating the Whispers, and battling Sephiroth. There's so much from home that it's all Aerith can do to not think about, to try and embrace the calm and the fun of this world.

At least, for now. ]

They are for sure. It's like a vacation! [ Unfortunately, all vacations have to end sometime, but, for now - ] We can get to know each other, and get to know everyone else, too. Maybe Barret and Red XIII will even join us, if we're lucky!

[ There are a lot of people that she misses, including her mom, but...that doesn't mean they'd be happy here. Besides, she'll see...some of them again, when they return to Midgar.

Some. Not all. ]

So...what do you want to do first? Not right now, I mean, but when we get started? What's calling to you?

Edited 2020-08-26 20:22 (UTC)

[Ah, Barret. She misses that big tree of a man and his loud, booming voice and even louder passion. She's always wondered how he would take being stuck in a world like this so suddenly... but her guess is that it wouldn't be as well as the three who have landed here.

Besides her big decision to leave the bar, Tifa hasn't thought much about what would come after that. There aren't a lot of possibilities at the moment, but enough that it should keep her busy for some time to come... until something bigger shows up.]

Well, after we get this place cleaned up, I dunno! Haven't really thought about it.

[Back to work she goes, now that she was able to get that off her chest. She comes over to the kitchen next to Aerith and sprays the counter with cleaner, and her bird trudges up behind them to see what they're up to.]

Never had much time to do much else back in Midgar, what with the bar and all. What kinds of things did you do for fun?

It's okay. You don't have to get it all figured out right away. [ That'd be unreasonable! Besides, they have a big task on their hands right now. Aerith goes back to work when Tifa does, starting to tackle the sink problem with a freshly-wrinkled nose. ]

Fun? Hmm... [ There wasn't much time for it, honestly. That admission won't help in this situation, though, so she thinks it through for a bit more as she works, frowning thoughtfully down at the gross mess. ] Well, working with the flowers was kinda fun for me...but, other than that, I mostly just wandered around, saw what was going on... Talked to people, you know? Everyone has a lot to say if you just listen. But, I'm sure you know that.

[ Tifa owned a bar, after all. There aren't a lot of better places to hear people spill their guts than that! ]

I guess I mostly just kept myself busy. For me, helping other people around town made me feel good, so...maybe that's what I did for fun? [ Aerith admits a laugh, shrugging. ] That probably sounds kinda lame, but...there you go.

Not lame at all.

[It's... heart-warming, and reassuring.

It's right along the lines of what Tifa did, too. Sure, she ran a bar, and had little time to do much else outside of that, but she was still helping people—listening to them, talking to them, and she likes to think that being an ear for those who needed one, even if it was their bartender, was helping them. Giving them a place where they felt they belonged...]

That's as good as any place to start, I think? Helping the people around here, especially you. I've got faith you can run a flower shop and cake shop on your own, but why should you? Better to do it with friends, I think.

[Which is why she's already vowed to help with that!]

Then, oh! There's a barbecue stand in Wall Market that might be kind of fun... We're all going to have to eat eventually, right?

I'd really like that. [ Aerith isn't a person who particularly relishes solitude, so having Tifa and Cloud to help out - along with Ren - seems to brighten her expression. ] Besides, just because I can grow flowers doesn't mean I'm business-y. I'll need some help there!

[ From a woman who definitely knows how to run a business! ]

Ooh, that sounds good... [ Her stomach's already growling a bit at the idea, honestly. ] Want to head over there tonight? To celebrate...well, anything! Your new perspective, and...us being here, and safe.

[ Safer than they'd been, probably. Things aren't perfect, but they're unexpectedly...okay. ]

We can invite whoever wants to come. I'm sure there's more than enough to go around. [ She's hoping, anyway. ]

[If there were any doubts in Tifa's mind about leaving Heavenly Blanc to pursue other endeavors, they've long since vanished now. With Cloud and Aerith's support behind her, she's sure that this will turn her around, and it will be something more positive in the end—less about the fact that Seventh Heaven is here, and more about what she enjoys, and spending time with them!

Aerith's enthusiasm has helped a ton with that.

Tifa sways on her feet, almost shy about what she has to say next.]

Uh, I was thinking maybe just the two of us...? Consider this an official celebration and beginning to project number one: getting to know each other better!

[ Aerith, on the other hand, looks thrilled at the prospect of their Girl's Night! ]

Just the two of us it is! I think that's a great idea. [ She smiles brightly in response, arms behind her back as she rises to the tips of her boots and back again. ] It's a date!

[ Too bad there's so much gross sink work between now and then... Sigh. ]

Why don't we kick things off in the meantime? Start working on getting to know each other, and all that. [ Aerith considers it for a moment, going back to her scrubbing. ] Hmm... What's your favorite food?

[Tifa's eyes round out with surprise when Aerith poses her with the question, putting her in the hot seat. They're starting that now, huh? Well, in that case...]

Favourite food... hmm.

[She has to think about it, buying herself some time to give Mireille another scritch on the head, but by then, she thinks she already has an answer, and boy is it a little embarrassing.]

I'm gonna have to go with a really good homemade burger.

[It's definitely nothing fancy, but if she were to have one right now, it would bring back a lot of fond memories of home.]

We used to make them sometimes, during our downtime at Seventh Heaven, or after everyone got back from a successful mission. Jessie would help me with the meat, and Biggs'd fire up the grill, while Wedge waited and asked us how long it'd be until they were ready.

[ She smiles at the answer, but it deepens into something warmer when Tifa begins to explain, to talk about the people who made the memory of the food so much better. Aerith nods, understanding, and quietly grateful that the other had felt comfortable sharing a bit more personal like that. ]

That sounds really tasty. With a homemade burger, a drink from the bar, and good company? You can't go wrong!

[ Man. She wishes they could do all that right now... ]

Do you want any sides with that? [ Aerith asks, still grinning even as she tackles some of the last of the grime. ] Fries? Salad?

Honestly? Can't go wrong with a good side salad, either!

[As much as she loves fries, a crisp salad next to a giant burger is one of the finer and simpler things in life. Especially on the days when Midgar would get hot and muggy, it was refreshing, and made her feel like she was making at least one good choice that day.]

A burger, a salad, and a cold beer to wash it all down.

[She's feeling nostalgic now... There's even a slight pull in her chest when she remembers the sounds of their bottles clinking together, toasting to another successful mission.]

What about you?

I agree! It's a nice complement to the burger for sure.

[ Cool and crisp meets warm and heavy! She still likes a good fry, but sometimes the combo can be a bit much... ]

Me? Hmm... [ She stops her cleaning to consider, having to remind herself not to put her hands anywhere near her face while she's wearing the gloves. ] I'm not sure. I really love a good breakfast, though, you know? Like when Mom used to make eggs and bacon, and pancakes...with a mug of coffee, and maybe some orange juice? [ ...Now she's getting nostalgic! ] It was just such a nice way to start the day. Plus, it was really, really delicious.

[It seems like both of them share something else in common—the memories that come with the food are just as important as the food itself.]

Elmyra was a pretty great cook, I can imagine how the house must've smelled in the mornings!

[She only had the opportunity to try her cooking once, when they'd stayed the night before heading off to rescue Aerith from the clutches of Shinra, but she would go back in a heartbeat.]

I'd love to try a breakfast like that sometime. [Well, one that isn't cooked by Tifa!] How about when we go back? Breakfast at your place?

[It's... only a dream at this point. They can't go back to Midgar when they leave this place—she knows that—but it's still fun to talk about, and who knows, maybe in the future, when they're through with all of this, it can be something for them to look forward to.]

(open) and i had a dream about my old school

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this seems like a cute place to wrap it up!

definitely! /o