(ley line)

[anciently]

[ Perhaps the light, female voice is familiar to those who hear it, recognizable as belonging to Aerith, or perhaps it's a stranger that you suddenly have chatting in your mind. Either way: ]

Hi there, everyone! I won't take too much of your time.

How many people have gone home from here and come back, and...how many have just...gone?

Just wondering. Thanks.

[ Those even a little familiar with the flower girl might note the uncharacteristic curtness to the message, clipped in tone and lower in energy than her usual... ]

Comments

[starshower]

[Tifa takes the offer, placing the palm of her gloved hand in Aerith's and squeezing it in return while a smile pushes the concern from her features.]

Here I was trying to comfort you and you turn it around on me like that...

[Not that she has an issue with it. The two of them have been nothing short of encouraging to one another back in Midgar and here. Hell would freeze over before that changes, but she'd be remiss if she said she didn't feel bad about it. Aerith did just lose someone after all...

Although there isn't much she can say to give any more reassurance about that. So instead, she needs to focus on the positive if either of them are going to get through any of this.]

Until then, guess we just gotta make the best of what we can, right? [ ... ] You know... Sometimes I wonder if this place brought us here because it needs our help...

[anciently]

You know me! No point in moping. [ Sure, she can say that - and she can manage a smile - but Tifa probably knows well enough that Aerith hasn't shaken the experience. Zack disappearing is a big hit, and it's going to take more than a few hours to bounce back.

Fortunately, she has two great friends here to help. ]

Our help? [ Huh. Aerith releases Tifa's hand, tilting her head as she peers upward, considering. ] Never thought about it like that before... But, maybe you're right. It needs something: that's for sure. Since it keeps bringing in more of us, and more of our memories...

[ But what is it that the world itself needs from one (or all?) of them? ]

Any ideas?

[starshower]

[Tifa can sense that Aerith's masking her grief behind her usual cheerful smile and demeanor, and she would surely do the same thing if it were her in those shoes instead, which is why she offers Aerith's hand another light squeeze before going in to break open one of the wrapped coconut buns she'd picked up from the underground convenience store. Delicate fingers peel it apart to extend one half to Aerith, careful not to spill the creamy filling that's oozing from the center all over the table.]

Maybe... Feels kinda like it has no idea what it wants to be.

[Bringing in different things from their worlds instead and blending them together into strange abominations. (Looking at you, cactuar bears...)]

Sounds weird, but sometimes I wonder if it wants help finding its own... I dunno, identity?

[It would certainly help her with finding some kind of objective or goal to work towards here, and maybe it will help in taking their minds off the missing persons, too...]

[anciently]

[ Aerith brightens at the sight of the coconut bun - if not because of the sweet itself, then because of the gesture - and she smiles as she takes a bite of her half, considering what the other woman is saying. ]

That's for sure... It's like the world itself is still a kid, with no idea of what it really wants... [ Is it "growing up," in a sense? Or do they have this totally wrong? ]

Could be. [ Aerith agrees, bobbing her head in a nod as she mulls it over. ] Trying to find itself with a little help... Kinda scary, though, how powerful it is, even if it's still young...

[ Will that power only grow, bringing in more and more people and memories over time? It wouldn't be so surprising... ]

[starshower]

Being able to take things and put them back at will...

[It really is terrifying, if only because it's happened so close to home for her already. Several times, at that. Not just with Heavenly Blanc, but with the people. A world like this shouldn't have the power to make those kinds of decisions... assuming that's what it is.

Tifa laughs through a bite of her bun.]

Geez. Sorry. Getting kind of deep over a snack.

[anciently]

That's okay. [ Aerith laughs in return, some of her usual warmth returning. ] It's a really good snack, so it makes sense that it'd get you kinda contemplative...

[ Or something. Either way, Aerith is (not for the first time) feeling deeply grateful for the other woman: for Tifa's presence, and for the words that she has to offer. ]

Gonna have to get some more help around this place until Zack comes back. [ She says, matter-of-fact. ] Flower carts don't just build themselves, ya know!