(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

[pinwheels]

[ Incredible, but also scary. She may have told Aerith about her magic before, but not the reaction of the general populace to it, the way she's continually looked at with suspicion back home since inheriting it - the way she herself looked at Edea, once upon a time. Not that this is the time or place for that. And besides, her own telepathic talent is limited and specific, quite different to what it seems like they can do here: hearing even the most random of others' thoughts if they're near enough to one of those strange glowing cracks in the ground.

She grins at the other. ]

I'd love a drink, but... with what money? Did you find a secret stash of gil somewhere, Aerith?!

[anciently]

I usually pay with the promise of a favor. Or a little bit of charm. [ She smiles mischievously, planting her hands on her hips. ] Besides, I'm in with the people that work here!

[ Not Tifa so much these days, with the other woman having moved away from the bartending business, but Ren and Blue, at least. ]

So? What'll it be?

[pinwheels]

[ She grins wider back at Aerith. It's funny how she agreed to meet up with the hope of comforting the other woman, and yet right now she feels comforted. It seems that the other just has that kind of effect on people. She still wants to help her, though, but... she doesn't want to push, either.

So for now, she nods. ]

Okay, okay~ maybe a hot cocoa?