gardeningaia | on Thursday afternoon

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

So long as you're off your feet and not falling down any stairs, you can stay up all night if you want. [She's a big girl, after all. He just worries. Obviously. He does sit himself down beside her, though, close but with enough room to be comfortable. He really will have to ask Bil for some kind of entertainment though, the best he's got is some music on his phone.]

[Huff. She relaxes back into the sofa... but some of that "comfort" room vanishes when she turns to him with a pout, leaning toward him.] I wasn't going to fall down the stairs. I even had my hand on the railing. [So. Completely safe.]

Haha! I can still tease you, you know. [Even if people are dying, even if there's room to grieve, even if a war is going on somewhere and he couldn't be there.

...Ahh, he's still a little mad about that, actually. But rather than letting it show, he grins and lightly pokes her forehead, his expression playful.] Are you sure you weren't going to let go...?

[If it helps, she wished he had been there too. ...But for now, she goes comically cross-eyed when he pokes her forehead before lightly swatting his hand away.]

Oh! And I thought you were worried about me. I see how it is. You're terrible. [So terrible, she's smiling.]

I guess I am! [Neither of them seem to mind that much.] But even if I'm terrible, I'm not going anywhere, okay? I promise.

Well, you're terribly honest, too, so I believe you. ... But I don't want to lose anyone else again. [It's said quietly as she closes her eyes, leaning toward him and not trying to hide the worry he's picked up on.] I'm not going anywhere either. Too sleepy.

[Zack blinks, then shifts to curve his arm around her shoulders, giving her his own shoulder for a pillow if she needs it.] Sleepy people belong in bed, you know. [He's not complaining, though. Or moving. She gets to be wherever she wants to be, end of story.]

[That little incongruity is easily picked up on by Aerith, a brief, meaningless hum passing over her lips as she lingers there. Just taking comfort in his easy companionship.

...Though he is right. Sleepy people belong in bed. Nooot falling asleep on friends.]

It does have a softer mattress. [She pokes his side, starting to straighten up.]

[Zack shifts to let her move if she's going to get up, balancing on the edge of the bed. He ponders a moment, then offers up a faint smile.]

The special for this week is free piggybacks for sleepyheads.

Stop it, you'll spoil me. And then what'll I do when the week's over?

Maybe there's a new special that'll run next week! You never know.

[She giggles at that, even as she feels slightly amazed and--a little scared. He keeps making her feel special, in a way she actually likes. Happy and--cared for--and ...

one day you might be gone again but she doesn't want to be scared.]

I can't climb on if we're both on the couch. [She's taking him up on that offer.]

I'll take care of that, then. [He nudges the coffee table aside and crouches down in front of her, glancing back.] Better?

Oh, yes. I can reach from here. [And he now has two slender arms winding around his neck.]

[With a gentle tug, he lifts her effortlessly off the couch, turning them around and heading for Aerith's bedroom. It's kind of absurd how light she is to a SOLDIER. ...Though commenting if she had been heavy would be just plain rude.] Think you'll sleep long? I can try to toss something together for dinner when you wake up.

[She can reach the top of his head from here. She'd rap him one if he said that. But it's a little funny for her too, feeling the ease of his movement; it doesn't take much from him to carry her. He could probably toss her high up in the air if he wanted.

...Noooot that she's planning to encourage that. She shakes her head against his back.] I think it'll just be a nap. [She isn't particularly hungry, but she knows she should eat dinner anyway.] I'd like that, if it's not too hard.

No worries. It shouldn't be that hard, I'm only cooking for two! [He grins, lightly letting her down on her bed, waiting till she's completely off before stepping back to face her again.] Sleep well, okay? I'll see you later.

[She nods, lifting up the covers and slipping her legs underneath, looking up at him as she curls up.]

No tossing and turning for me, I'll sleep. Thanks, Zack. [She closes her eyes, trying to relax as much as possible.]

on Thursday afternoon

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]

[Action]