animus_network | 2 Petals

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2 Petals | [ voice ]

[ Video? With her hair as dishevled as it was? Not likely! Aerith was quite happy sending out just her voice, which sounded just fine! ]

Do monsters attack this place very often? I wasn't expecting that at all! But then I bet nobody knows what I was expecting.

So, I've found what looks like a food hall and there are things here I actually recognise! All I need is Tifa to mix some cocktails then I'll forget that I've been brought to strange place that's being attacked by huge, flying whales.

Does anyone want to come with me?

[ There's a pause in which you can almost hear her smiling ]

It'd be just awful if I had to go on my own.

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[ And what does Aerith take away from that conversation? The advice? The offer to make her a weapon? No, she takes away one thing only ]

Zack, are you tired? You keep yawning at me.

[Oh, Aer. He loves you so. Your concern is touching, too.]

Huh? Oh, sorry. Didn't sleep so good last night. [his tone changes; he's obviously smiling now.] I'm okay, though. Don't worry.

[ Remember what Aerith had said about not wanting to sound like a mother?... ]

Oh Zack! You have to look after yourself! I knew you'd be tired from carrying me! Why haven't you found a proper bed and eaten something!? Or have you?

[Oh, yes. He also remembers saying that she'd make a great mother and this is just more proof. He also kind of feels the need to calm her down so don't mind him; he'll just be jibber-jabbering at 90 miles an hour now.]

I already ate, and drank some water, and I napped on a bench. But the only beds around here are in the infirmary upstairs, and those...well, other people need 'em more. [a pause while he takes a breath, then he continues.] And you don't have to feel bad or anything; carrying you was easy. It's the fighting I've done since that's the hard part.

[ Well, he succeeds in calming her down... slightly. ]

Hmm, okay then. Well, you should find somewhere to sleep properly when you can!

[oh good. Slightly calmer is good.]

I will. I promise. [and now for a random change in topic!] How 'bout you? You holding up okay?

Oh I'm just fine! I'm looking at all the food that's been put out for us and trying to decide what to have!

You should probably start with a little of the oatmeal if you haven't had any yet. It tastes bad, but..[a short pause, and this is where he'd scrunch his nose up if she could see him.] It's better than puking up whatever else you eat instead.

[yes, Aerith. He's speaking from experience. No, you really can't leave him alone for a minute.]

Zack!! Don't be so disgusting! There's loads of interesting food here, food from our home! Why would I want some soggy oatmeal?

[nervous laugh] Because your stomach can't take anything else? Nothing I ate stayed down until I had that stupid stuff, Aer, and I have ration packs every time we leave Midgar. If they didn't give me indigestion, nothing else should have.

Honestly?! I have to eat it?!

I hate to say it, but yeah. [siiiigh.] Good news is, it doesn't take much. One bowl does the trick, and I haven't had any problems since then. Going on four months now, too.

A whole bowl!?

I was hoping one spoonful would be enough!

Heh, I know what you mean. Just...think of it like medicine, okay? Sometimes you gotta take it even if you really don't want to.

Hm... Okay then, I hope it works!

It will. And it'll make the other stuff taste better, too. Once you've had something that terrible, everything else tastes awesome.

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