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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Nothing. It's not right, Vincent agrees, although some part of him was almost... in need of a little oblivion. Perhaps because he knows there will be no natural end for him, even were he home.]

Nothing is natural about this world and our existence in it... Perhaps even the afterlife itself. Unless... their revival process makes us forget.

...I wonder...if that could be it. Though it's not really much better to think we're forgetting things, is it?

[ It makes her feel better though. If there is actually something afterward, even if they forget it because everything's messed up here. ]

...Vincent? You haven't... died, have you?

What's forgotten is not lost.

[Though he worries all the time about forgetting things, especially home in general.]

...Why would that be relevant?

Ah! It was just the way you said... oh, forget I said that, Vincent. Really! I'm sorry. [ She just needs to stop asking about sensitive things, even if the idea that Vincent died here DOES worry her. ]

[Well, he may as well discuss this, since the topic is in mind.]

No... it's fine. It happened once before. I don't remember... being anywhere else, either.

...What about...the penalty? You haven't said anything.

...It was something among my... capabilities.

[You know, those lovely Hojo-granted things.]

...Ohh--better that it's not something really big, right? [ Bright side BRIGHT SIDE apparently. ] Mine was just a little thing too, it'll be all right.

[Vincent is glad she didn't press for details, but... now he wonders.]

Do you mind if I ask... what they took?

Oh, just a little hot-and-cold-feeling. Guess I'll have to be extra mindful around the stove.

[Yes, he could see the problems in that.]

...and in any extreme weather. You should take caution in the winter.

...Good point. Okay, I'll make sure I'm ready when the cold comes.

Good...

...I suppose it could have been worse.

Yeah. Let's not go into the how it could have been, okay? [ She. uh. Kind of freaked herself out with that earlier. ]

...We should talk more. When there's happier things to talk about.

[Vincent knows he's always been bad about that. He has a habit of drifting away... but...]

I would be willing to try.

We'll make it happen. [ After all, she's the one who likes talking to people. ]

Very well.

[He'll do his best, for his part, as well.]

Voice & Action

[Voice] same here! mid-week I sometimes get all slowwww.

[Voice] ahaha I'm still stuck on public wi-fi for the time being.

[Voice] ah, that must be such a pain! D:

[Voice] IT IS we're getting home internet again next month, tho.

[Voice/...Now Filtered] aw! well good then you have that to look forward to!

[Voice/Filtered] yeah, I'm really glad. and...Buffy-talk got Aerith thinking.

[Voice/Filtered] ooh XD

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