Voice & Action

[gardeningaia]

[ There's a fib of a Feather under the shade of the barracks after noon; she's got the sundress on, but Aerith is undoubtedly not new. She knows where she is, and after she gets past the jolt of terror that strikes when that last painful blow is remembered, she knows why she is there. She's plenty upset, and she's also angry and tense as she returns to house #41, keeping near the side of the street and under the cover of buildings for the brisk walk. She'll stop if a friend calls to her, but otherwise make a quick excuse and keep going; she really, really wants to go back to what's become her home here.

After stopping in at the house and checking in with her housemates--and letting herself have a good cry to help get it out--she goes and makes a journal post from her bedroom.

She takes a big, deep breath, first. ]

I'm back... this is Aerith. I hope no one [ else ] was worried, but it's... better now. I'm back. I'm not hurt.

...Is it...normal to see nothing when you die? Like you just stop... I'm sorry, ignore that. What a stupid thing to talk about!

[ ...It doesn't help to keep thinking about it right now. As she handles any responses that come, Aerith goes and does something extremely mundane and calming for her. She checks on all the flowers, at home, at the flower shop, and at the memorial garden, with the wolf Daisy close by her side. He's being more protective than usual right now. ]

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[samurinjathief.livejournal.com]

[The wanness of her smile does not escape his notice as he approaches her - but he doesn't remark upon it, thinking it best not to pry. He remains a respectful distance from her, aware that they are only acquaintances still.]

Autumn will soon arrive... [He states almost arbitrarily after a long silence, while gazing at the flowers in bloom.] ...And these flowers will wither and die; it is the way it must be. But, with the coming of spring, there will be new life once more.

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[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

[ Autumn. Is it cooler already? Aerith can't tell with her death penalty, and she knows it. She wasn't expecting him to talk about death, but she also knows...he wasn't on the draft, there's no reason he'd know...

Thinking about that makes her own silence long as she looks at him in confusion. Finally she responds: ] ...It will be new, won't it? And beautiful. Change is always going to happen.

You really like the flowers, don't you?

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[samurinjathief.livejournal.com]

[He offers a deep murmur in agreement, very much familiar with the mutability of life.]

They remind me of my late sensei's teachings.

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[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

[ Oh thank goodness, new topic. ] What did you learn from him?

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[samurinjathief.livejournal.com]

[One of those strange half-smiles plays his lips briefly, not touching his eyes.]

...Many things. [Too many. Even after they parted ways and Goemon had attended another school, he still had yet understand the lessons Futaro Jinen had left him with, for some time. He considers the lesson most relevant to their conversation.]

That even when someone's life reaches its end, they are never truly gone, for they will always return in one's memory and live in one's heart. [He pauses a moment and shuts his eyes, as if to let the words sink in.] ...Sensei explained this through the metaphor of a fruit-bearing plant blossoming every Spring.

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[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

[ That--no. That is not a new topic. She shakes her head. She was hoping for 'gardening' or something as an answer even though really, she shouldn't have. ]

When someone dies here, they aren't gone. They come back. It's not like flowers at all. ... Sorry, Goemon. I don't think I can talk about that kind of thing right now.

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[samurinjathief.livejournal.com]

[Quickly, he becomes aware that he has accidentally tread on very sensitive territory, and feels an unexpected pang of regret.]

...I understand. [He offers quietly after a moment, respectful of her wishes to avoid the subject. After all, he himself would not have wanted someone to relentlessly press at him and probe his feelings if he were suffering in some way. Pausing with a thoughtful air - seeming neither offended nor hurt - he gently inclines his head in solemn acknowledgment and then turns slowly, hakama billowing, loose dirt crunching beneath his sandals.]

I will leave to your thoughts. [It is best this way.]

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[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

[ She stands up and walks over to him, plucking at the back of his sleeve gently. ] Oh, they're not such great company.

...The garden's for everyone, Goemon. I don't want to chase you off. Maybe we could talk about something else?

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[samurinjathief.livejournal.com]

[Not expecting to feel her pull gently at his sleeve in a way that reminds him of a child shyly demanding his attention, he falters.]

...I do not want to trouble you. [The samurai eventually replies. But while he neither faces her, he does not pull his sleeve free, either. His expression is as phlegmatic as always to the casual observer - nearly statue-like - but his gaze (were it seen) briefly reveals a sincerity and a mild concern underlying his words. He would not want to push her deeper into her own private worries with a careless word.

If she still wanted to speak with him of something else, or needed the company, he decided he could oblige her that; there was nothing else he had to do. After a few beats, he feels his shoulders relax very slightly, not realizing his body was holding some tension. And he turns slightly towards her.] What do you wish to talk about? [The question is posed evenly, almost gravely, his air the one of a knowing master inviting his student to confide in him.]

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[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

Ah... Do you have a favorite kind? Of flower, I mean. [ She's not looking to talk about anything serious, so she goes for what comes first--the flowers. It's the second time they've met in this garden. ]

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[samurinjathief.livejournal.com]

[He considers this for a brief moment.] If I am made to choose... it is the cherry blossom.

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[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

Cherry blossom... those are so very, very pretty. There's a tree just north of the village. I got to see it blossom in spring. They were kind of like a cloud--a pink cloud.

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[samurinjathief.livejournal.com]

I believe that you would like Japan, if you have not visited already. There are many festivals in spring devoted to admiring and celebrating the ephemeral beauty of these blossoms.

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[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

They have festivals for that sort of thing? If everyone loves nature that much... ah, it must be a really pretty place. I wish I could see it.

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[samurinjathief.livejournal.com]

[The look of bittersweet homesickness in his expression fades.] Where are you from?

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[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

Midgar. It's a city. Mm, not really a "green" place... but I grew flowers there.

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[samurinjathief.livejournal.com]

[His knowledge of world geography is not the most extensive - so he wonders, for a moment, where Midgar might be, or if it even is some city on Earth.] I see. [Shutting his eyes, he considered for a moment what this place which was "not green" might have looked like - and envisioned Aerith amid an urban wasteland, crouching to tend to the first tender flowers sprouting from a patch of dirt. It seemed like something she would do.]

[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

Do you? It was in an old church. No one used it anymore... but it was still a beautiful place.

[samurinjathief.livejournal.com]

[It seemed like the sort of quiet place where once could sit and forget their troubles, finding a moment's inner peace.] You must have cared for it well.

[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

[ She nods. ] I hope it's still standing... my friends told me the city was ruined. It happened past the time that I came here. [ Daisy looks up at her, seeming attentive, and Aerith gives a small pat and soft smile to him before looking up at Goemon. ]


Still, it's a sturdy old building! If anything could make it, it'd be the church.

[samurinjathief.livejournal.com]

I... [He was about to say, 'will hope', but reconsiders.] I believe that it will be there, when you return.

[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Goemon.

[samurinjathief.livejournal.com]

[The samurai bows his head slightly in a gesture that somehow manages to be both acknowledging and gently dismissive. He needs no thanks - but he does not state this aloud.] ...

[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

[ Aaaaaand Aerith fills silence with talk. ] Of course, now I mostly grow flowers in the flower shop. Have you been by there?

[samurinjathief.livejournal.com]

I have seen it only in passing - but I have always thought that it appeared well cared for. [Have a mild smile.]

I have been meaning to buy a few potted plants; it will bring more life to my home, especially in the coming winter months. [He glances her way.] ...Are you the owner of the shop?