1st POV: Aerith:
''Would you like a flower? It's only 1 Gil,'' I pitched enthusiastically to passerby.
I sighed when, yet again, the passerby passed me by while completely ignoring me.
''Would you like-'' I stopped myself. This passerby scowled at me and gave me a small shove with their shoulder.
Rude.
Today is not one of those days, huh?
Hmm?
''...''
I was trying to listen, the planet trying to convey something to me, but I am still not good enough for that. Not all the time. Not like my biological mother. Probably never will be.
No! I shook my head a little. I mustn't think like that. I'm sure I will get there somewhere.
I tried listening again.
But before I could give it another attempt, someone crashed into me.
''I'm sorry about that,'' the man apologized and then continued on his way.
...Well, at least he apologized. That is more decency than many other top platers were bothered to show.
''...!''
The voices...were urgent. I still couldn't make out all the words that the planet wanted to share with me, but... Follow him? Why?
''...''
Ugh, not again! Fine, then I will try the good old fashioned method.
''H-hey! Where do you think you are going? You didn't even hear me out regarding my offer,'' I called out to the white haired man. Either he ignored me or didn't hear me, considering he kept building distance between us.
I quickly ran after him, before I would lose him in the crowd and managed to catch up to him, being a little out of breath. Running with a basket of flowers in my hand made for a poor form and I was admittedly not the most sporty person.
''Hey, no. Wait. You are rude. Would you like a flower? It's only 1 Gil, I promise,'' I pitched to him cheerfully, a little out of breath.
He finally turned around and... Oh, my. Maybe mom was right and I do have a type...
He had red eyes, white hair a sharp chin. He seemed to like black. Black boots, black pants, black hoodie that was zipped open and revealed a white T-Shirt under it. And the muscles... He was athletic. Not too much muscle, not too lean...
No!
I mustn't think like that.
I have to consider Zack.
But it has been a little over three years and he hasn't replied to any of my letters at all. And he was popular with the ladies as well...
But he helped me build the flower wagon... which got destroyed.
Great, now I'm sad again.
No! I mustn't be sad. People don't like buying stuff from crying merchants. It scares away the customers.
''Where did you import those flowers from?,'' the red eyed guy asked me.
''I grew them myself,'' I declared proudly.
''So the rumors about Sector 5 having flowers are true then. How are you growing them? Everyone knows the soil around Midgar is foul and barren,'' he asked again.
''Well, they have always grown there. I just tend to them. I guess you could say I have a bit of a green thumb,'' I playfully moved my thumbs, evading the question. He just gave me a flat stare, like I was an idiot. Ah, so he was one of those types. The kind that was taking themselves too seriously.
''Are you the only one that tends to them?,'' he asked next.
''Mister, you are asking quite a lot of questions from a lady without having the decency to buy her products or at the very least ask her name. I'm Aerith by the way,'' I smiled at him and presented him the basket again to see if he would buy a flower.
''You said they cost only 1 Gil?,'' he asked me, completely ignoring proper social etiquette by not giving me his name.
''Yup. Would you like to pick one?,'' I gestured to the basket again,'' Maybe you could give it to someone, like say, a girlfriend. Maybe.''
I giggled at him, making him sigh in exasperation.
''I'm not gonna buy any flower. It seems like a waste, they will all wilt in a few days. You are trying to sell temporary passing beauty to an uncaring society. At least if you used them as ingredients for potions or put them in pots to make them last longer I would minds less since you are not wasting their life.
Hell, you could even invite people to your flower garden and charge them a fee to see the flowers, of course so long as they don't trample them. Or don't charge them at all.
Honestly, anything is better then,'' his hand gestures up and down at me, finally looking at the basket with disdain,''this.
Also, how are you even generating profit if you only sell them for 1 Gil. Whatever you are doing must cost more then that, unless...
You know what. I don't care.
Point is, I will not be supporting this business model. Good luck and have fund with this...delusion you are engaging in.''
I starred a little open mouthed at him. Not because what he said was any ground breaking stuff to me. But for another reason. Normally people ignored me and my flowers and whenever there were some who brought my flowers, they never seemed to appreciate them like I wished them to do.
This is the first time I met someone who voiced out loud some of my darker thoughts. At least a part of them.
I quickly ran up to the guy and fell in step with him, when he just departed without a single goodbye.
Rude.
''Silly. You don't think I know that. I'm selling flowers, because I hope that I interest people in them. Enough that they want to pick up the craft off rearing and tending to them. There is actually a lot involved to ensuring a flower grows. You need the right soil, the right flowers, because different flowers demand different resources and can take from others which will make them wither, you need sunlight, and, and, and. By interesting them in flowers and making them pick up the craft of rearing flowers, I hope that Midgar entirely will bloom and bask in flowers from top to bottom,'' I passionately explained to him.
We continued to walk in silence for a while. I half expected him to call be naive.
''Isn't this the part where you tell me I'm too optimistic and naive?,'' I teased him a little. Though... I was not looking forward to those words. It was like feeding timber to a small fire, ensuring that the fire grows. I already had these thoughts in my head, only far to the back of my mind.
''I see you have me all figured out,'' the man smiled mockingly at me,'' But no actually.
...
There is a legend. Pandoras Box. You know of it?''
''No,'' I immediately replied mighty curious.
The two of us stopped at the train station and began waiting for the train.
''There are many variations of it apparently. But I only know of the one.
The legend goes that Pandora was the first woman to have ever existed. So beloved was she, that on her wedding day, the gods gave her an expensive box housing something. The gift was the gods trust, you see. For they expected her to guard it and never open it,'' he began.
''But wouldn't the gods protect it better then her, if it was imprisoning something and It wasn't allowed to get out,'' I asked him, captivated by the story.
''It's a story. A little suspension of disbelief is required, but that doesn't mean the story is devoid of symbolism or meaning.
Anyway.
Pandora could not resist her curiosity. Curiosity killed the cat and all that. And so she opened the box and with it released all the worlds evil. Diseases, crimes, misery and death and so on.
And at the bottom lied hope. And it was the last thing that crawled out. Pitiful and yet so very impactful.
There are many ways you can interpret Hope crawling out of a box of evil. I will leave that to you.
The point is, Aerith, that I'm not going to make fun of your dream. I merely want you to not set yourself up for disappointment. Instead be ... cautiously optimistic. After all, Hope WAS imprisoned in a box meant to hold monster.
I merely reserve the right to call you out, if I think you are going about it the wrong way, in achieving your dreams. I'm sure there are more efficient ways to convince or remind people of natures beauty,'' he shrugged after such a a story bomb. It is..a sad story, I decided.
''Then how do you think I should go about achieving my dream, if not by selling flowers to the people?,'' I asked him a little upbeat. Going by his mannerism and cold hearted attitude, the little I have seen at least, I would have expected him to mock me or something, but... his words were a balm on my soul.
''Dunno,'' he shrugged, no longer seeming interested in the conversation,'' It is your dream. You come up with a better way to achieve it.''
We stood in silence for a while.
''Are you also from the slums? You already guessed correctly, but I'm from Sector 5. And you?,'' I asked him, trying once again to establish some contact and closeness. Otherwise I would never understand why the planet wanted me to interact with him for some reason.
''Hmmm. Want me to escort you home?,'' he offered.
''Why? Want to keep your home a secret?,'' I challenged.
''Yes,'' he immediately replied.
I made a hurt face.
''You really hate me that much? We were growing closer together, talking about our dreams, sharing each others names. And after all this, you won't even invite me into your home?,'' I sniffed.
He gave me an unimpressed look.
''Man, you are such a bore. Your pretty face is totally wasted on your personality. How will you ever find a girlfriend if you are constantly so rude?,'' I teased.
''Sounds like a 'Me'-problem, but thank you for worrying anyway,'' by his tone, I knew these words were just empty platitudes.
Man, what happened? Moments ago he was so nice, telling me Pandora's Story of her Box, telling me not to lose hope and cautioning me not to get myself blinded with my dreams and now... this.
''Mmmm. If you escort me home, will you also be my body guard?,'' I asked him.
''Sure, I guess,'' he shrugged seemingly bored.
Finally the train arrived and we entered.
''But what about payment?,'' I asked him.
''With the way you are running your business, you are probably totally broke. Don't bother,'' he told me flatly.
''I know!,'' I snapped my fingers as if a light bulb went of in my head,'' How about a date?'
Sorry, Zack. I'm not meaning anything by it, but the planet wants me to get closer to him. And you always did say I was pretty and I'm not against using that to my advantage.
''Hm. Do you often offer your body as payment for services rendered? Have some dignity,'' the man scoffed.
I gaped. He actually said that? He called me a whore?! Do I actually LOOK like a whore?!
Wait not. Did I spy with my eye at the corner of his mouth a smile. Was he teasing me? Oh no, judging by what happened it will be hard to tease him, huh?
Fine, let's see how much we are both willing to double down. Who will win the battle of the blushing contest.
Battle commence.
''You think I'm not pretty enough for that?,'' I challenged him.
''It's not that. I just don't want to catch any STDs, who knows where you've... been,'' he shook his head, now seeming a little annoyed and confused.
I'll have you know, I'm a virgin.
''I could say the same thing about you. I'm sure you have broken many womens hearts,'' I chastised him.
He looked down for a moment.
''Like I'm keeping count. You really are insistent on paying me?,'' the man asked me, looking back up.
Oh, there was a story here. Clearly. He did someone's heart or something along those lines.
''Yup. It is only right. Soooo? I'm willing to do anything,'' I winked at him and blew him a kiss.
''Anything, huh?,'' He threw his head back and let it hang there for a bit,''I'm not the best cook. I'm just happy with roasting some meat and calling it a day, but sometimes it gets annoying and paying for a meal is not always an option. How about a meal, then?,'' he made his demand.
That was actually rather tame. I guess we both knew that we were joking around and not being serious. I was a little nervous he would be getting too into it.
And for me that was even better. Since it would give me more opportunities to socialize with him. Even if I never find out why the planet wanted me to interact with him, I could maybe finally make a friend.
Oh! I know.
''One meal only? I don't know, that seems rather cheap. How about... 7 meals. Actually make that two a day for seven days. One in the morning and one in the evening. What do you say?,'' I smiled at him, praising myself mentally for my quick thinking.
The man closed his eyes and thought my offer over for a while. Finally he sighed and opened his red eyes.
''Sure. It feels like I'm overcharging you know, but since you are offering...,'' he shrugged and gave a small smile.
---
There were a few monsters on the road. He dispatched them with ridiculous ease before I could even get out my staff.
''Are you a mercenary?,'' I asked him. With the way he fought.
''No. Just traveled a lot and picked up a few things,'' he replied. And I still didn't know his name.
''I never left Midgar, all I've ever known is the steel sky,'' I told him a bit of a white lie, more like I couldn't really remember the days before my mother died in Midgar. Not with clarity at least.
''I hope to one day see the outside world and the blue sky, but...,'' I told him trailing off.
''Humans are creatures of habits. You are afraid of the vast unknown, the world outside Midgar,'' he guessed, jumping over a support beam and helping me too.
''Yes. Exactly,'' I latched onto that conclusion of his.
...I didn't want to think about the real reason.
''How did you deal with your fear? And don't give me some silly story about not fearing anything. Everyone has a fear of something,'' I challenged him and moved in his face a little.
He stopped and looked up to the top plates. The sunlight bulbs, that simulated sunlight for the slums, getting dimmer now that night was approaching.
I stopped to and looked at him. We stood like this for a while. Finally he sighed.
''I didn't. The fear paralyzed me. So I ran,'' he explained, revealing much and nothing. Also those were to opposing forces, but..who cares. I understood what he meant metaphorically.
''I'm surprised you were being honest,'' I remarked.
''What makes you think that?,'' he asked me and we resumed our walk.
''People don't like leaving themselves emotionally vulnerable, so raw, to outsiders. They also don't reveal something that they may find shameful,'' I explained.
''Have you maybe considered that this is precisely why I'm saying that then? So that you believe the lie more easily?,'' he countered.
''Maybe. But I would like to think myself at least wise enough to be able to spot such a lie. And if that answer doesn't satisfy you, then you can write it off as womans intuition,'' I told him.
He released a sharp breath through his nose in amusement.
''I'll take your word then,'' he replied.
...
''Well, here we are then. So? What do you think?,'' I asked after we rounded the final corner to my house. It was dark, but the sunlight bulbs still provided enough light to allow one to see the small flower fields.
''...You are a dedicated person,'' he praised making me blush a little.
Well, he wasn't wrong. I did spend a lot of time toiling to take care of the flowers. That did demand a certain amount of dedication. And judging by that tone, he knew that too. It was a little embarrassing for someone to realize that even if that would have been part of my dream. He was just the first, even Zack didn't quite get it. And mom only got it after a few months of me explaining things to her.
It was... a pleasant feeling.
''I asked about the flowerbed, silly. Not about my work ethic,'' I deflected.
For a moment he looked as if his thoughts trailed off into the distance. Then he held out his hand and closed his eyes.
''However ruined this world has become, however mired in torment and despair, life endures. Births continue,'' he opened his eyes and let his arm drop.
''This place is very beautiful, considering it's surroundings. But for an entirely different reasons, then the flower being pretty. This place doesn't compare to the flower fields outside of Kalm and not with some of the other landscapes I have seen,'' He finished.
''Do you often wax lyrical sentences and poetics. Geez, you could have just told me what you were thinking in simple terms,'' I teased him. I didn't mind his antics, they were endearing.
''Be that as it may. I brought you here and so my task is over,'' he began just walking away from me, saying nothing else.
''Hey, wait! I'm not done with you!,'' I quickly grabbed him by the wrist.
''What is your name?,'' I demanded. He could not seriously expect me to let him go after our talks and adventures without him letting me know his name.
''That really so important?,'' he grumbled annoyed. He really must value his privacy, huh?
''Yes! Imagine how the conversation would go with my mother. 'Hi, mom. So I invited a friend over for dinner. Hm? What's that, his name? No clue!' Wouldn't that be funny?,'' I playfully joked.
He sighed as if in pain.
''You are not gonna let go till I tell you my name, are you?,'' he asked me.
''Nope. And if you try to leave. I'll... I'll scream. Really loudly,'' I threatened him sternly.
''That sounds like you are just going to embarrass yourself. So how exactly was that supposed to threaten me? Ugh, whatever. My name is Raven,'' Raven told me.
''Raven?,'' I asked, almost laughing at the irony and looking at his hair.
''Yeah, yeah. I know. Very ironic name. I get that often. Alas, my parents chose that name without my input,'' Raven shrugged.
''Ugh. I know. I mean, what kind of name is Aerith anyway. Our parents should have been really more considerate in picking a name for their children,'' I theatrically despaired.
His mouth twtiched.
''So? Will I see you tomorrow. I need to pay you back with food after all,'' I reminded him.
''Hm. Probably not tomorrow. I have some things that need taking care off. Afterwards,'' he shrugged and nodded,'' I know where you live and I have a good sense for directions, so don't worry about me not finding my way back.''
''Alright. Then see you in a few days, Raven. Stay safe,'' I finally let go satisfied. I knew I would eventually get through to him.
''Sure. Try to think about other ways to achieve your dream, more efficient ones. I will criticize them as needed. See Ya,'' Raven waved lazily as he walked a few meters and then began running without turning back.
Fulfilled the Planets request and maybe even finally made a friend. It was good to be me and here I was thinking the day would turn out bad.
---
''What is with you? You normally don't help me with cooking?,'' Mom asked me the next day.
''What? I can't help my Mom with cooking? After all the times you helped me with the garden?,'' I replied back, playing insulted.
''You do help me with cooking every now and again, I admit. But usually a long time passes between the times you DO help me. The last time you helped me was a month ago. Usually it is 4-5 months,'' Mom noted with a raised eyebrow.
She was keeping track? Darn it.
''Fine,'' I admitted in defeat,'' I made a new friend and invited them over for dinner. They said they will come tomorrow so I want to practice a little.''
''A boy,'' my Mom asked.
''Yup,'' I nodded.
''A handsome boy?,'' she also asked, something in her tone that I recognized.
''I suppose, but it is not like that. We really are just friends. Besides I have Zack,'' I reminded her, making her groan.
''You always disapproved of me and Zack,'' I pouted, though I wanted to yell at her.
''Well, where is he?'' she challenged me.
''He is on a mission. I told you already,'' I answered.
''For three years? Give me a break. Even Clay always made sure to reply to my letters when I wrote him. I don't care where Zack is or what he is going through, not replying to a single one and leaving you in the dark. And this is Shinra we are talking about. For all we know, he is already dead and Shinra just won't have the decency to send a letter to inform you.
Remember Tamma? She also lost her husband in the war with Wutai and Shinra never sent a letter. She only learned because one of his friends wanted to fulfill his last wish of informing her.
You've only know each other for a few months. How long will you cling to that hope he will come back? When will you realize that that hope will only disappoint you? In 5 years. In 10? 15? Your 20, Aerith, and you are not getting younger and I want you to have your own family.
I'm not saying you have to get together with this boy. You can be only friends, if that is what you want. I'm just saying that I want you to move on and to be happy,'' Mom passionately spoke.
Have and raise my own family? That won't be happening with Shinra hunting me because of my Cetra heritage and their belief I can lead them to the Promised Land. I would just set up my husband, whoever he would be, for disappointment and heartache and give Shinra more Cetra subjects. It will be a big tragedy. I suppose that was one of the things about Zack I liked. He was strong and so that fear was not as present.
We both knew that Shinra would be a problem sooner or later. It was just... our silly attempt for a bit of normalcy.
''Haven't you forgotten something?,'' I sighed exasperated.
''If you want me to beat a dead horse with a stick then sure.
Zack was Shinra and made no inclination that he wanted to stop serving them, you said. Even Clay promised to quit Shinra after the war is over.
Most first loves don't last. Both Clay and I had a brief relationship with others before we got together.
And I still think that you two would have not clicked sooner or later. You need a man that is calm, good but not naive and kind, I think that type of man would suit you best. Not a hyperactive... puppy,'' Mom shrugged and stirred the pot a little after shoving the cut vegetables into the pot from the cutting board.
''I'm an adult now. I'm old enough to make my own choices,'' I deflected and returned to making the bread. Most people made their own bread if they could, otherwise it would taste stale and was hard as a rock. Though the latter wasn't always the case.
Mom sighed with a shake of her head.
''I was young once too you know. I said just the same thing...
Then I grew up and wanted to kick my younger self.
...Tell me of this man, this friend of yours,'' she asked after a while.
'Or will this be another one of 'these' friends? The type that say they are your friend and then leave because you are eccentric?' was left unsaid. Eccentric meaning weird, because I hear voices and sometimes know too much. That scares people off.
''Raven is a really cool guy. Did you know he traveled a lot before he settled in Midgar. Just the other day, he told me about this story I never heard about. He heard of it in his travels, and apparently there are many versions of that story...,'' I began recounting the story of Pandora's Box he told me about.
''Fitting I suppose. That Hope was imprisoned in a box of monsters,'' Mom snorted unladylike.
''Hm?,'' I asked not curious.
''You know how I returned to the the train station every day. Clay said he got some time off, before needing to return back to the Wutaian war. I continued to return there long after the letters stopped, until I found you and Ifalna,'' Mom recounted.
I had deep feeling of sadness overcome me, but I quickly got better when I 'felt' arms embrace me from behind. It was not the same as physical touch, but I appreciated the gesture from my first mom all the same.
''You probably don't know that or you've forgotten, but I continued to return there even after that, though not as frequently since I had a daughter to look after now. Until that day I received the letter,'' the fact I told her first about her husband joining the Lifestream was mercifully left unsaid.
''...I pray, you NEVER have to experience it. Hope stringing you along and then abandoning you... The Final Evil, so to speak. NOTHING compares to that feeling,'' she shook her head and sighed deeply, a brief haunting look on her features. Then she shook her head to get it out of that head space.
...But I already have mom. Experienced that feeling.
I just like the other interpretation more. That the gods knew sooner or later someone and somehow the box would be opened and gifted humanity Hope as a source of comfort and resilience. To give them a fighting chance, least the evils would break down their spirit with nothing keeping it up. They would have needed that, compared to before, when all the evils were sealed.
''Don't worry, mom. I have a good feeling about Raven. You just wait and see,'' I tried to cheer her up.
She sighed again.
''Ok. I will trust your judgement then,'' she replied after a while and smiled at me. I smiled back and nodded.
...
Later I sat in my bed, after eating and showering and was hugging my pillow with conflicted emotions.
It just...didn't feel right. I asked the planet but it didn't provide answers or at least I wasn't hearing them. What if Zack was trying to get back to me...and then I disappoint him by having moved on...?
But...despite what I was telling my mother, her words did get to me.
How many letters did I ask Tseng to deliver by now? 78. How many times did I ask him for any news regarding Zack and he didn't say anything? Absolutely nothing, not a peep from him. Even when I asked him, if Zack was still alive, he wouldn't say anything. A moot question anyway, since I would probably feel his spirit enter the Lifestream.
...
Being an adult sucked. Everything was so complicated and complex, the benefits I though as a child that adults would enjoy are not worth the hassle.
I frowned a little.
Well...It was not like I could wish to return to the simpler younger days of my life. Shinra ruined that too, even when I lived with Elmyra, my second mom, here, the Turks always kept an eye on me after they found me.
I sighed again after a while.
Well, there was not reason to be so downtrodden.
Now was there?
I finally made my first real friend, I should be more cheerful and happy.
That's it, I have decided. No more sad thoughts for now.
With that thought I went to sleep, thinking about what kind of mischief Raven and I could cause or what other stories he would tell me.
With that I went to sleep.
---
''Aerith... It is way past morning,'' Mom gently remarked.
I sat on the chair looking at the doors in anticipation.
''It's fine. The church isn't too far and the flowers there don't need as much tending. And my flower fields are right outside,'' I told her with a shake of my head.
Left unsaid was that these flowers also didn't need tending right now and I have been waiting for a while.
''You said that the past 6 days,'' mom gently reminded me.
''Maybe something happened to him. He promised me he would come,'' I argued a little desperate. I didn't want to go through this yet again.
''...Then he will come. But you can watch the door from the flower fields too. You have been copped in the house since 6 days ago and barely left it. What do you say about that?,'' Mom compromised.
''Ok, sounds reasonable,'' I relented. It will mean I will be dirty, maybe, if he does decide to come, but that's his problem. He can deal with it!
...
And if he still won't come after 2 weeks, I will hunt him down and give him a piece of my mind. White hair and red eyes are not exactly uncommon and I'm sure asking around will reveal something.
Mom chuckled.
''Well, I guess you are finally back in spirits, so I guess I did something right. Be careful, I'm going to the market to stock up on some supplied. Alright?,'' I nodded at her.
We both left the house this time and after a hug, she left in one direction, while I was making my way in the other direction, towards the flower fields and began tending to them a little. Mostly by ripping out weed that was growing in the earth and stealing nutrients from the flowers.
Hmph. He better have a damn good explanation WHY he didn't come the day he promised he would come.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st POV: Nox:
Aerith is the Cetra? The last of her kind? ...Ugh. Hojo cut up the 'previous more pure specimen' for 'preservation'. Honestly if she held so much value to them, then why the fuck where they so aggressive in trying to get her and her daughter back? Morons.
Ugh. I nearly groaned out loud. I was in the science labs currently. Getting into Shinra was... surprisingly far easier then anticipated. Like... worryingly easy. For the longest time, I thought I was walking into a trap, but no...
It was that easy to sneak around without raising the alarms.
How the hell Shinra owned the entire world I could not question in disbelief.
Probably overwhelming power. Had to be. Mistakes could be allowed when one had all the power in the world.
Oh, well, it will be eventually their fault for not going overkill in holding control.
Arrogance was the downfall of many a man, and I would know. Considering it danced with temptation at the edges of my consciousness. Sometimes it DID get me killed.
I prepared the make up and then set the checkpoint. Then I snuck in, falsified documents to give the impression I was hired recently. Then I snuck back out. Came in to have them hand over my pass and my security clearance. Unfortunately, for the higher security clearance I needed to work for a while here and receive a promotion from the head of the respective department head personally.
(The pharmacy I abandoned just like my home. I didn't people raising drama and asking questions, so I accepted the offer to move into the Shinra apartments for lower workers. I was surprised that they didn't actually spied on us in our homes, but oh well. Any suffering from my lack of presence in the slums I could simply undo so it was not like I was doing anything wrong anyway.)
That was fine, since I will sneak in restricted area anyway. I was working as a cleaner and handyman, so I had the excuse to go in many unusual places without raising too many eyebrows... if I didn't spend too much time in one place and was seen working.
Man, adopting a character like this brings back memories.
Anyway.
As for the listening device? Even better. There was a toilet who had a ventilation shaft that could be opened and lead directly over the Meeting/Boarding Room. A security fault, but their mistake is my gain. I installed the device in the shaft instead of under the table as I originally planned. Judging by the cobwebs, they are rarely if ever cleaned.
Hmm. While that was useful I would need to sneak back in after ending this 'round' to have the listening device installed again. And this time sneaking in will be much harder, since I won't have my security clearance or my job and excuse to go around. But knowing the layout of the Shinra HQ building and where all the cameras are will only benefit me. And I infiltrated much harder places then this. My disguise would help too, in case I DO get caught on camera. They will look after the completely wrong person.
Anyway, THE POINT was that the past month I have been snooping around and right now, I was in the science labs, where I found out that Aerith is the Cetra.
If I remember correctly, then I set the checkpoint around a little over a week after I met her. Of course, I never had any intention of meeting her again, but now... Man sometimes I wished I could make more then one checkpoint. Crawling back to her and apologizing was not gonna be easy and I probably did not make the best first impression.
Hell, I implied she was a whore, granted I did so more with the intent of trying to send her away, than any real belief that she actually was one, but still.
And I gave her a false name too.
''Who are you?,'' Hojo asked, stepping out of the elevator and looking up from his clipboard.
So deep in my thought was I that lost track of my surroundings. Goddamn it. My powers were sometimes getting to my head.
I didn't answer him and before he could even say anything else, he promptly lost his head. I decapitated him with a Mako Strand and he crumbled like a stringless puppet on the ground.
Shinra did not write everything they were doing down. Even within Shinra there were lots of secrets and misinformation. In spite of all my efforts I did not find out as much as I hoped too. Oh, I did found out a lot. But more like... many puzzle pieces that I needed to fit together.
I was sure there must be something. A place where information is stored more properly and concisely. A sort of Deep state, as the conspiracy theorists would say. One does not rule the world without keeping track of what is what and which is which.
Hm. Hojo's body writhed and shuddered and the same feeling I once experienced in Nibelheim washed over me.
I immediately cast Time on him to slow him down and returned to reading just a few more sentences. But honestly I was left wanting again.
Well, no matter. I got the most important thing. Information on the Cetra. Time to end this one month 'round' and prepare the next steps.
I ended my life with my Mako Strands, just in time for Hojo to break out of the Time Debuff and transform into something grotesque.
At the end he looked like he lunged for me with a desperate scream.
---
I checked the date.
Hmm.
9 days after meeting Aerith... I think?
Let's put on my disguise again and install the listening device. I better come up with a good lie in the meantime as well.
...
I looked in the mirror, not recognizing myself. Dark hair, this time a wig instead of a dye. Brown eyes. A rounder face. Some baggy clothes, so they would hide my lean athletic build...
I was satisfied with my disguise.
I gave myself a once over and checked my device, to assure myself it was on my person and then put my hoodie up, before exiting my condo.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st POV: Aerith:
Almost two weeks now. I sighed. It seems I WILL have to look for him and give him a piece of my mind.
''I'm guessing you will hunt him down, knowing you,'' Mom joked while we were eating breakfast.
''You now me too well. He promised. One just does not break their promise and he will learn there are consequences to that,'' I hmmphed raising my nose a little.
''Well, if you do decide to do that, then please make sure to stay safe. Alright? And mind what type of man he could be, for all we know he could be working for Don Corneo,'' Mom warned worriedly.
''Mom, don't worry. I stayed out of trouble this long. Haven't I?,'' I smiled at her.
She sighed exasperated with a mix of fondness and looked like she wanted to say something, but was interrupted.
Knock x3.
With both tensed. People liked us... from afar, though mom did have a few friends who came over once or twice.Point is, that rarely does someone actually come to visit us. The Turks came the most often to ask me to come with them. It was always a tense time.
''You stay here,'' Mom stood up.
''But-,'' I began.
''Stay there,'' she repeated sharply making me shut up and then sighed composing herself.
I watched her go and leaned a bit in my chair to spy the entrance from the kitchen.
My face brightened and I stood up quickly moving to the entrance.
''...young man, you have some explaining to do,'' I could her Mom chastise him.
''I'm gonna stop you right there, since I'm not interested in getting lectured. I fought, landed in the medical wing and spent the past days bedridden,'' Raven shot down Moms lecture with an unimpressed flat look.
''What did you fight? I saw you fight and you are pretty good,'' I butted into their conversation.
''A King Behemoth. One wouldn't have been a problem, but a second one, their mate probably, jumped me. I had to drag myself out of the sewers after I killed them,'' he shrugged.
So he was powerful...
No. I shoved the thought out of my head.
''Are you fine?!,'' I asked him worried.
He looked unimpressed with my outburst.
''You need to go buy some glasses or go back to school to learn deductive reasoning. I'm not gonna dignify that question with an answer.
Anyway. I'm here and I wanted to ask if the offer was still there? I'm a lousy cook,'' Raven asked me.
''Of course it is. Better late then never after all. I'm glad you are safe,'' I told him and invited him in.
...
''Do you often fight monsters? Are you part of the Watch? Or do you work for Shinra as SOLDIER,'' Mom asked him while we watched him eat. He ate carefully, trying not to make a mess. He had manners. Which was not the impression I got from all his rudeness.
I guess he just talked rude. But I could tell he was a good soul.
...More like the Planet was telling me that, but I wanted to believe I could see that in him myself.
''No and no I do not work for Shinra. But I do dip my finger in that profession and help the Watch out every now and then,'' he told her.
''What do you do then?,'' she asked him then. My mother has been questioning him something fierce. Almost like a ... interview, I compared jokingly. If not exasperated. I told her I would wait for Zack so I don't know what she was trying to do her. Hey! If anything she might scare my friend away.
But I knew that there was no stopping her when she got like this.
''I own a pharmacy in Sector 7. Plants are easily imported, I took care of that. Monster parts not so much and are more expensive,'' he shrugged not offering anything more.
I KNEW he was a good person.
''...''
Hush you. Don't ruin my moment of being right in my suspicions.
''Are you a powerful fighter? Most people, even in teams, shy away from fighting Behemoths. They are counted among the more powerful monsters. Even if at the lower end of powerful monsters,'' mom muttered the last part.
''Strength is subjective. I could answer yes. But as far as I am concerned so long as someone can not fight all the world combatants at once and come out on top, one is not powerful. I would simply say I'm capable,'' he humbly replied and took a bite and then a sip from his drink.
Also, what a weird standard to have.
It seemed that the interview would have to continue another time, since he was done.
''Come on. I want to show you the church, the other place where flowers bloom.,'' I stood up with my hands on the table.
''I'll have to pass this time. I missed a few days. I need to restock my inventory by brewing new potions. I also need to see if my students haven't done anything stupid. I can't hang out with you today,'' he shook his head and stood up as well.
Oh.
''But you will come tonight for dinner? We can hang out tomorrow then,'' I asked him and then concluded.
''No. Saturdays are always reserved for Stella. She will have my head otherwise and I will never hear the end of it,'' he smiled fondly and shook his head.
Oh. I was ... strangely disappointed. I promptly kicked that part down.
''Have you and Stella been together for a long time?,'' mom asked him kindly, less invasive and confrontational now. Guess she no longer considers him a prospect for me then. I nearly rolled my eyes.
''Hmm. Yes. I found her when I was, I think, 12. Choco Bill examined her and guessed that she hit her final growth spurt recently, that she would no longer grow much from there on out. If you didn't know that, that happens around the time Chocobos get 5 years old.
Hmm. I'm glad now. They live up to 50 years and it will mean she will be my companion for a long time. Unfortunately I had to leave her on the Chocobo farm because Midgar is not a city accommodating for Chocobos,'' he smiled fondly and at ease.
Oh.
Moms eyes glinted again and this time I did roll my eyes.
Moooooooom!, I despaired in my head. Give it up.
''You must care for her a lot,'' she gently commented.
''She is the best,'' he declared firmly, like he would not suffer any slight on her part. He shook his head then calming himself down a little.
''Anyway. Point is, we can hang out on any other day unless I have to take care of the pharmacy. I will drop by tonight for dinner, but don't expect me to come tomorrow. I will drop by on Sunday if you want and you can show me your church then. That sound alright with you?,'' he asked us.
''Sure. Greet Stella for me then and we can see each other later and on Sunday then,'' I waved at him assuming that this was our goodbye for now.
He nodded at us and turned around halfway, before stopping and turning back again with an apologetic expression.
''I must admit I have not been entirely honest with you two. I apologize, but my name is not Raven. It is Nox,'' Nox looked down and held his hand on his chest.
''...And why, did you give my daughter a false name?,'' Mom asked him defensively, seeing my hurt expression.
''Because I had every intention of not returning here,'' he truthfully admitted.
''So what was that about previously? That you won't suffer my lectures?,'' Mom crossed her arms and demanded to know.
''Because it was the truth. I had no intention of coming here, but after I was hospitalized I had time to think and I realized... I made some mistakes... and regretted a few of my past actions. So while you can lecture me about my INTENT, you can not lecture me about my actions, because my injuries turned my intent into a necessity.
Still, having come here... I can tell you did a wonderful job raising her. She is nice to be around, unlike 95% of the slum dwellers down here.
If that was too high a breach of trust and I will not be forgiven, then I apologize and will simply leave you be,'' Nox apologized again after giving his reasons.
''Hmmmmm. Ok. But don't do that again. Ok? I don't like liars,'' I jumped in before my mother could say anything. I was a little hurt that he lied to me about his name and even more hurt about the fact he never had any intent on fulfilling our agreement.
I don't know if I would so easily forgive him, if the Planet wouldn't demand that I interact with him. Certainly I would make him work for my forgiveness if it would be let up to me.
Oh, well. I'm glad we solved this in any case. At least now he seems committed to actually being my friend.
''Ok. I will see you on Sunday then,'' he nodded and left with a wave.
''Byeeeeee,'' I called after him, making him stop his wave and give a two finger salute.
I starred silently after him till he rounded the corner.
''What?,'' I asked seeing my mother observing me.
''Hm. He seems like a complicated man. At least he can admit when he is wrong. Frankly, I think you should have chewed him out a bit for lying to you like that,'' she told me.
''Shilly Shally, Shilly Dally. What does it matter what he intended. He came back to fulfill his promise and apologized for the intent he held in the first place. He was also honest, instead of continuing the lie. He had a good reason to not come and then the first thing he did do, when he could, was to come back and meet up with me. As far as I am concerned he made some mistakes and tried to grow a better person from them,'' I nodded as if that was the end of the matter and things were resolved.
''Hm. I admit he did come back, even if he didn't want that, I'll give him credit for that. Unlike someone,'' she added at the end.
''Mom,'' I warned her with an edge.
''I'm just saying. Hmm. I suppose if nothing else he would make for a loyal friend, with the way he talked about Stella. And don't think I didn't catch that disappointed look when he talked about her initially-''
''Mom!,'' I warned more sharply.
''-But suit yourself. I just want what is best for you,'' Mom finished.
''Maybe I know what is better for me then you do. Have you ever thought about that?,'' I challenged.
Instead of replying she just gave a shake of her head. A disappointed knowing frown on her face, before her expression shifted.
''Well, you heard the man. Go to your church or something. But make sure to come a little earlier then usual for dinner. And remember that he won't come tomorrow in case you've forgotten in your excitement,'' Mom departed to the kitchen to clean it up.
Not that there was much to clean. Nox stubbornly insisted on putting the plate, cup and cutlery in the sink himself. At least we talked him out of washing it as well. Doesn't he know that as the host we were supposed to serve the visitors, aka him.
...
Hmph.
I pumped my fist in victory.
It didn't go as expected and we had to overcome some hurdles, but...
Friend acquired (that looked to stick around this time, unlike all the others) and the Planets request fulfilled.
Oh, yeah. It was good to be Aerith Gainsborough right now.
''You know I can see you, right?,'' called mom from the kitchen.
''Don't ruin this for me, mom,'' I shot back.
(A.N.: 8211 words. Hope you enjoyed reading this. Cheers and stay safe out there.)