avalononline | [video] - un: pinkmemory

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[video] - un: pinkmemory

[This ought to come as no surprise, really. Aerith spends a decent amount of her free time in the flower shop and usually if she appears on Avalon's network, it's there. That's precisely where she is on today's little impromptu Camelot interruption.

Resting on her forearm against front desk counter, she wears a smile, though it's a bit lighter than she normally gives.]

It's been a while since I said anything on here and I realised I should probably fix that. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Aerith. I run a little flower shop here in the business district of the town. I was in the middle of putting a nice little patio setup outside for people who come by, but it's getting a bit colder, so I think that's going to have to be put on hold until it warms up again.

[Taking a pause to sip from the cup of tea at her side, she sets it down before she continues.]

I know I've said this before, but if any of you have flowers or seeds from your home, for whatever reason that you would, if you bring them to me, I'll try to grow you something. I'm also really interested in trying to crossbreed some flowers, especially from anything that might be capable of surviving the colder weather. If you've already purchased flowers from me and you're having trouble with them, you can pay me a visit any time and I'll fix them up for you.

[After a moment's consideration, she sinks down a bit, shifting to settle her chin in the palm of her hand.]

And you know, with the weather getting colder, it's easy to get sick. Make sure you're taking care of yourselves. I don't normally offer this, but I have some healing magic, so if you find yourself not feeling well, I might be able to help you out there. I'm not a doctor or anything, but I like to think I know marginally what I'm doing. At worst, I can make you a nice pot of tea.

[That seems to be all she has to say because not long after, she turns off her video and audio feed.]

[Private to Tifa - Text]
Hey, can I ask you to do a favour for me?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Aerith..! Hey, long time no talk!

Listen...I've been meaning to stop by. I want to do a bulk order of flowers.

I know! I bet there's all kinds of people here who might have thought I got to go home or fell in a cave or something. I'm definitely still here.

[She perks right up at the mention of him ordering flowers and she settles chin in the palm of her hand.]

Is this business-related or for the You Know Who?

[She can't help the way her gaze sparkles with amusement.]

N-Ngh!!

[Darin's face goes scarlet.]

I-It's...business related...!

...But she'd probably happy if I brought her some flowers too...hm...

B...Both! It's both now!

[It's good that he says both because she'd probably call him out otherwise. A woman knows.]

Oh, good. It's about time you went after her. [There's a pause before she pries further.] It is the girl you were talking to me about before, right?

U-Uh yeah...actually...we...

[He bashfully rubs the back of his head.]

We kinda started dating...? ...Actually a lot's happened...

So I'll need a bouquet for her on top of my other order.

Really? That's super good, then. I'm glad to hear it!

[Her expression brightens considerably, though she seems to be vicariously living through him.]

What kind of flowers do you want for her? Something special in particular? And what kind of flowers do you want for this business venture of yours? You should probably just give me all of the details.

Um...something that really brightens up a room. Maybe something that...well, you know how flowers have meanings? Something...maybe something that says that I'm happy our paths crossed...

I...I dunno...maybe something like that...?

B-But about the business flowers!

[He might be trying to avoid talking about his real feelings here.]

Um, I was hoping I could get a bulk order of flowers appropriate for the memorial markers at the ruins of Celliwig...

Happy that your paths crossed... I can definitely find some flowers that fit this.

[She's already got her gears turning. Picking out flowers with meanings is one of her favourite ways to spend time. Every flower that leaves her shop should be with significance in mind.

When he makes mention of Celliwig, she finds herself pausing. For just the hint of a moment, her expression falls. She wasn't there herself, but... Between what Balthier told her at the time and what she knows must have happened...

A memorial is the least they can do.]

Yeah— [Aerith takes just a breath to pull herself back together and she nods slowly.] I can definitely do that. I was hoping I'd get to do that anyway, honestly. It should be a community effort on behalf of Camelot.

That would be nice.

...I set up markers outside of the ruins so people can come pay their respects. Made one for each person lost. Kinda my way of apologizing but...I don't want the place to be a dreary reminder, you know?

I want to make it bloom a bit. A celebration of life rather than a grim reminder of death.

I agree. We should do what we can. It'll take time for things to heal and there's no way we'll be able to lessen that, but we can respect what was there. What remains there. We shouldn't be doing anything less.

[She draws in a deep sigh and rests back on her arms thoughtfully.]

I'll think about what to put together for both of those and I'll let you know when I have some ideas. You can tell me what to think. How many flowers do you think we'll need for Celliwig? I wasn't there myself, at least not long enough to start counting. Someone I knew was, however, and I went to go bring him back.

At least a hundred...almost definitely more. I'll pay for everything, even the cost of transport.

Maybe we can give the refugees some seeds to plant themselves too. Ruins like that tend to be pretty fertile.

I can help cover some of the costs. That's not a problem. And I think giving them seeds is a great idea. I'm sure I've got some of those left, too. Depending on whatever kinds of flowers we decide to give them. It'd be real nice if we could construct a real memorial, but I think the markers and flowers for the time being will get the point across.

It's the thought that counts, right?

Yeah.

I know tensions are probably really high and it's really easy to start tossing blame around. Right now, anything we can do to start the healing process is a step in the right direction.

Is there anything I can do to help get this all underway? Logistically?

I know I'm asking a lot so don't be afraid to heap some work on me.

Hm...

We'll need to have a way to transport everything, so maybe you can set that up for us? Again, I don't mind chipping in for costs, but I don't know much about transportation outside of Camelot. When I went to Celliwig, I went by carriage, so we could probably use those.

I can arrange for a carriage, no problem! You can leave that to me for sure!

This is going to go a long way to helping everyone in the wake of the Celliwig disaster, Aerith. I really can't thank you enough!

It's no trouble at all. I like keeping myself busy anyway.

All of that stuff aside, how have you been doing?

Eh...last month was a rough month for me. I had some demons to really deal with after what happened in Celliwig.

But...I'm doing better now. I'm trying to look forward, not back. Trying not to let my problems with survivor's guilt cloud my every judgement.

Plus...well...there's the person the flowers are for so...

A-Anyway, how about you? Been keeping out of trouble?

I imagine you're not the only one who had some difficulties with it. I'd be surprised if most of us weren't impacted on a deep level in some way.

[Survivor's guilt is a great way to put it. In hindsight, she realises she never asked Balthier if he experienced that. She wouldn't be surprised if he did, honestly. Based on what she knows of him. She should have been more sensitive.]

I've been in about as much trouble as everyone else here. Although my time has been largely spent with the refugees that have been coming in. Trying to make them feel welcome. Get them anything I can to make their lives here more comfortable. I wish I could regale you with some grand tales, but I don't have any.

[A pause.]

I mean, I guess at some point I went with some friends to a club that was doing some shady practises and we taught them a lesson.

[All in a day's work.]

A club ding shady practices?

Okay, you can't just bury the lead like that, Aerith. I'm gonna need some details~

I don't really remember the whole thing. Like knights... I think? Were being made to work against their will? It was at one of those... risque clubs. You know, dancers and what not. So Tifa, Jade, and I all dressed up and pretended we were members of the staff and that we worked at the club to save the people who got caught in there.

[Good times. The costumes were the best part.]

It sounds more exciting than it was.

Oh man, you guys got to wear costumes?

That sounds like a lot more fun than I've been having.

I wouldn't say 'got' to wear. More like it was necessary. Otherwise, they would have known we weren't there to work. Besides, I think I'm really the only one who actually liked the outfits. Tifa's a little more reserved, I think. And Jade seemed very professional about the whole thing.

If it helps, they were equally risque costumes. Didn't leave a whole lot to the imagination.

That still sounds pretty fun. Then again, I'm not really one to shy away from risqué business. Apparently, I can be a little shameless...

What did you like about your costume? Was it glamorous?

Really? Shameless, but you have trouble talking about your girlfriend.

[Aerith is not buying what he's selling.]

S-Shameless when it comes to me and my body! Not my feelings about...others...!

...Okay, maybe...guh! Okay, so I can gush really easily! But at least when it comes to my body I'm way more confident about that! Hell, I've spent most of my life training it!

[He is so flustered right now, how could you, Aerith!]

[VIDEO] | UN: HAMMERTIME

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