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.]

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[Hope does look up at her this time, surprised, before lowering his eyes again.]

I... I'm sorry. I didn't know.

[There's a little surge in his heart—if what she's saying is true, then there's a chance he'll see Lightning again. Yet there's still that bit of skepticism, not necessarily directed at the validity of Aerith's own recollection but more about this place in general. He hasn't personally seen anyone return, so he has doubts about the consistency of such a concept.

But he tries to hold onto whatever optimism he can muster anyway. He needs something to fight for, after all, even if merely existing is that fight.]

Hm. It's not something I really go around announcing. [She tries to go for a lighter tone, raising a hand to lightly pat his hair, but the somberness is hard to keep out when she goes on:] I'm sorry, having to tell you all this... is there anything I can do? Anything you want?

[Small fingers reach for her wrist, curling around it.] Thanks. I'm... I don't need anything right now. Maybe I should sleep.

[And never wake up until this is all over, he silently adds to himself. He hadn't really slept at all during the battle, and he probably wouldn't be able to hold anything down if the churning in his gut is any indication.]

I'm glad you're okay... for what it's worth. I'm really glad.

[Her hand stills once his fingers make contact, Aerith taking the hint and quietly taking her hand back.

It's... really good to hear though, that he's not angry with her.]

Thanks. ... I'll let you rest up, then. If you do need anything, Zack and I are just downstairs. [And they will be checking on him, of course.]

[It's actually meant as a reciprocal (if not slightly clinging) sort of gesture rather than a cease-and-desist, but regardless, when Hope feels her withdraw he gives that wrist a light squeeze before letting his grip fall away again.]

All right. Um... I guess I'll see you later, then.

on Thursday afternoon

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