gardeningaia | Voice & Action

[ 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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[ Daisy gives Zack a look to acknowledge hearing him, but there's no sign of him moving from Aerith's side. Baldr's a spastic puppy, but a spastic puppy with Lightning for a trainer, so he actually moves back--with a mournful "But, but, Aer!" that prompts Aerith to pat her thigh and gesture it's okay, he can come over. Cue flailing dog trying to fit in her arms despite having outgrown that stage...

At least it's easy to make him happy.

She looks up at Zack's question, her lips pinched. She's not entirely sure what'll help, but... ] Did everyone else come back okay?

Yeah... we're all fine, don't worry. [Not like they've worried about her, for certain. He watches Baldr with Aerith, smiling faintly. He can't - or won't - be bothered to conceal his relief to have her back.] We missed you.

[ It really registers with Zack saying it. Because she's been in that position with him--knowing he died and missing him--

Sometimes it's hard for her to understand right away how other people are feeling, even though she cares about them. This she understands perfectly well, and it hurts, and Baldr is just going to have to sit on the side for a moment because she's moving up to hug Zack around the chest. Which means her next words come out very muffled with where her face is. ]

I should've been more careful, I didn't think--

[He's surprised, initially, but it fades after only a moment, lifting his arms to hold her back, one hand resting lightly on her hair. It's somewhat intimate for a hug between friends, but his slight, brief trembling probably conflicts with that. He still loves her, after all, even just as friends, and she'd... she'd died. She'd been gone.

You can't just shake that off.]

It's not your fault. It could never be your fault.

[ People crying on others tends to ruin intimacy anyway. Guess who's doing that? She doesn't do it very long, blinking it back as fast as she can, but a few get out before she realizes. ] No, it's not. But I didn't want that.

[Zack can't see the tears with her pressed against him like that, but he might feel them if they reach his shirt. Until then he's going to focus on doing what he can for her, still holding her as closely as she'll allow.]

Who would? [He closes his eyes, mentally cursing himself. Gently, gently. She really has been through something awful here.] It's okay, though. No matter what happened or how, you're back now. You're safe. That's all that counts in the end.

Safe... [ The word is just left to dangle in the air. Her hands tighten on the back of his shirt before she lets go, backing away from him. Her eyes are still watery, but there's a firm look in them when she looks up. ] You're right. I'm back now.

[ But not safe. This place isn't safe. ]

[Well. That's progress, at least, and he offers up a smile, lifting a hand to gently tuck back a bit of her hair. He's still worried about her state of mind, and what she could have lost, but... she's back. He can't be too unhappy in light of that.]

You should go see Light, she's been really worried. [And upset, and guilty, and- yeah, Aerith's is a face she really, really needs to see.] If you need me to do anything in the meantime, I'm all yours, okay? All you've gotta do is ask.

Okay. [ After seeing how Zack reacted--if he's calling Light really worried, it makes her anxious. Light was always on edge about the draft, and she tried to protect everyone... ] I'm okay. Let's do something fun later. I'll go find Light now.

Oh yeah, for sure. You know where to find me, okay? Come on, Baldr, let's leave the girls for a while.

[He shifts back a little, aiming for the door, followed by the somewhat reluctant pup. He doesn't bother calling Daisy, though- he knows how protective the wolf is of Aerith (he counts on it, actually) so it's best not to bother them now. And this'll give him a chance to try and regain some semblance of normalcy without the "aaaahhh protect Aerith spazz spazz" mentality he's been trying to work through since he saw her outside.

Man, though... what a huge weight off his shoulders to have everyone back in the house, alive and well. He'll breathe much easier tonight, that's for sure.]

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