on Thursday afternoon

[gardeningaia]

[Filtered from Hope, written]

I heard it takes a week for people to be revived. Is that just "about"? Sometimes it can be longer? [The top quickly scribbled out to leave only a period.] Li She's la

[There's a sudden break into voice when Aerith mutters:] I feel sick. [She still has to check on Hope... she doesn't know what to say with Lightning not returning--yet. Because she is returning. ]

If anyone sees Lightning, tell her she's in trouble... [Not like it'll make her come faster.] ... for worrying people.

[Action (if people want?) open to Zack, Hope, people passing through the first two floors of C4, as she'll be passing through them herself later. Allie, if you want to do a backdated thread instead to play out her breaking the news, that's cool too? Up for anything, even if Aerith isn't quite. She's looking drawn and paler, despite the sun being out more.]

[ooc: Lightning will be back soon! Part of why this is dated to Thursday. I have to work, so responses will come in about six hours.]

Comments

[originaljackass]

[Jack (and Babe) are on their way out when Aerith goes passing by. He does, in fact, notice she seems a bit down and unhealthy.]

You're not looking too good there, kid.

[It's possible they haven't even spoken except in passing since the draft.]

[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

Yikes. I'd be hurt if I were more sensitive about my looks, Jack. [She gets what he means, which is why her response is delivered with humor, but what a blunt way to say it. (Maybe just blunt for someone who wants to keep up appearances.)

And no, they probably haven't spoken much; Aerith's been distracted with Hope and busying herself with the flowers otherwise. These past couple days? Looking for a friend who's yet to return. She stoops by Babe, looking to see if the animal wants to be petted.] I didn't sleep much last night. That's probably why. ... Have you seen Lightning? She really should be back by now.

[originaljackass]

[Babe seems okay with the petting, although clearly his mind is elsewhere. Jack himself is unfettered by her quip. He can see why she's doing it in any case.]

Nope, I haven't. [He isn't convinced about this whole dying and coming back thing. Of course, he knows better than to just go saying that, but...] Maybe it's taking longer on account of it happening to so many.

[consultmybooks]

[...]

Sometimes it can take longer.

I know someone who once took nine days to return.

[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

[Nine days. Light's been gone nearly that long, so hearing that number is a huge, huge relief. She's still coming back.] Thank you. That... I just didn't want to start thinking she was... [Bad enough that Lightning had had to suffer. The thought of her really being dead and gone, forever, hurt to even contemplate.]

[consultmybooks]

I understand.

It's not a pleasant wait, even in the best of circumstances.

But Luceti is reliable, at least in that regard.

[Action] we can do the backdated one ^^

[contempsi.livejournal.com]

[A scarce amount of days had passed since the draft ended. Hope had spent them in silence, barely catching any sleep, not eating unless the gnaw in his stomach forced him.

He'd learnt plenty of survival skills, to be certain, but how does one survive the foreshadowing of a heavy loss? Time and time again, his thoughts would drift back toward the Purge—and the bereavement he suffered therein. He didn't exactly come away from it unscathed, even as his circumstances shaped him; but being swept up in everything else had forced him to move on, or move on in the best way he could, anyway. Surviving was a little more important, even as he lost himself within his facade of hatred.

But things are different now. There's nothing to distract him from the worry and fear as he awaits the safe return of his friends—especially Lightning, and Aerith. All he can do is sit and wait with Baldr, and even with the occasional comfort of a friend it's never enough to calm his nerves.

Slowly, as the hours pass different voices begin to trickle in over the journals, words of relief between other unfortunate draftees and their friends, comrades. Yet the ones he'd want to hear most don't seem to come.

It takes him the greater part of the day to act, fearing what he may get in return—which is nothing at all—but finally the youth gathers up the courage to send a written message to Aerith's journal.]

So... how did it go?

[Ridiculously casual, but he's afraid he might lose his composure if he gets too serious.]

[Action] okay

[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

[She has been dreading telling Hope since even before Lightning's death--but then there was the faint hope that she wouldn't have to tell him anything, because Lightning wouldn't die, Lightning would tell Hope herself that she'd made it.

Lightning's dead, and now there is nothing to buffer that anxiety about how Hope will take things.]

I'll come and tell you.

[Action] sorry about the lateness, was out of town for the weekend /)(\

[contempsi.livejournal.com]

Where are you now?

[His hands are shaking and clammy now, feeling as if he'd gone cold. "I'll?" He definitely caught that Aerith had only referred to herself, alone, and only intended to speak to him alone.

What could have happened?

Hope sets the journal aside for a moment, attempting to find his bearings. Several thoughts swirl through his head, some of them denial. Lightning wouldn't let anything happen to herself. She's too tough to go down so easily, especially when she didn't want to fight in the first place. Right?

But her brand—

Is this what she meant by Hope needing to stay here?

He exhales slowly, wrapping his arms around himself as he waits for Aerith to either respond or simply go ahead with coming by.]

[Voice/Private]

[goldenglasses]

Are you alright, Aerith? [These are bad topics to be talking of so soon after a draft. He didn't know you had lost a friend.]

[Voice/Private]

[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

I'm worried about her. It's not supposed to be this long. [She's been trying to stay calm about it, keep a composed face for Lightning's return, but now that the week is up...]

[Voice/Private]

[goldenglasses]

Sometimes, I've heard, it can take a little longer. I'm sure things will be alright. [At least... he hopes so.]

[Action]

[wingenvy]

[With Aerith out and about, Zack's kind of worried about her; she hasn't exactly been well and chipper since everyone got back from the draft, as far as he could tell.

...Well. Almost everyone. Dammit...

And that's part of what he's worried about. So after a while he heads out to look for her, checking the building before he checks the rest of the village.]

[Action]

[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

[She's been trying to be well and chipper, but that only goes so far... especially once Lightning's revival turns "fashionably" late. There's only so much stress a person can slog through before their body starts protesting, and in that respect, Aerith's only human. And she's tired. After meeting with Hope, she makes her way slowly down the staircase, not really looking ahead of her. Hopefully Zack is.]

[Action]

[wingenvy]

Aerith? Hey...

[Zack jogs up to meet her, reaching out to touch her shoulder.]

You look exhausted, what are you doing, wandering around?

[baka-jyanai.livejournal.com]

... It took me a week.

[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

[... what. What.]

Cirno, you died?

[herotypical]

It can be longer.

[ a bit of a murmur. ]

[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

So it's not just her. [Considering why Lightning had died, Aerith had started wondering if the Brand might have affected something...]

[chaotic-dirge.livejournal.com]

...A week or perhaps longer.

[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

[A sigh, and then a (shaky) laugh.] I should have asked you earlier! You know how this place works. How silly of me ...

[kissdiet.livejournal.com]

[...So Cameron is actually out to meet hir new neighbors. Flatmates, rather. Or well, the thought did come to hir mind, but sie doesn't have any proper gifts to give out yet and isn't quite sure what to say to them all just yet - people just move in willy-nilly, after all, is there companionship like that here?!

But. The point is Cam, just outside the door of hir new apartment (just across from Aerith's, actually) is considering how best to meet, well, Aerith. (Well and Jack and Zack, but details). So might run into the girl walking through there or something. Failing that, sie might ask the woman if they live here or not and go that route. A few things might happen, really]

[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

[There's a look at Cameron as Aerith passes the--girl? guy?--outside hir apartment. The question of which Cameron might be isn't what Aerith's actually thinking of, though, but the agitation on display.]

...Everything all right?

[Voice || Locked]

[wise_maiden]

It can be longer, as I don't believe everyone has been recovered yet. [The number of deaths on their side was far more than Raine was comfortable with.]

Is there anything I can help you with in the meantime?

[Voice || Locked]

[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

In the meantime? [It's echoed in confusion--nothing's important until Lightning gets back. Checking on Hope, and waiting, and ...

Hope...]