avalononline | [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

[She likes to think that she's good with faces. Names. Voices. Although she doesn't recognise any part of Fran, Aerith also knows that word gets around the network and the town itself. It wouldn't be the first time someone she didn't personally know came to her directly, especially when it involves plants.

Fran's words are puzzling, though. With lifted eyebrows, Aerith draws up a forefinger as she smiles.]

Possibly? I shouldn't really take all of the credit because even though I seem to be known for the flower thing, I happen to know that there are others here who work with flowers. Buuuuuuuut it sounds like this is probably not one of those cases of mistaken identity.

[And she goes right into business owner.]

You got flowers from my shop—Did you like them? They're doing all right?

It is not.

[Again, her words are softer than might be expected; an agreement, rather than a rebuke. There's even a brief inclination of her head at the questions that follow.]

They are. And are being cared for.

[Which is to say, yes, she did like them.]

Oh, good. I'd like to think most of my flowers aren't too complicated. Usually if there's one that's high maintenance, I'll let someone know ahead of time, but I'm guessing that wasn't you, because I'm pretty good with faces.

[And she would remember Fran without a doubt.]

So it must have been a gift someone else gave to you. If you have any problems with it, just let me know. You can come visit my shop any time and I'm not against making house calls either.

I am not unfamiliar with the keeping of flowers. But should you wish to visit in person, I would not stop you.

I don't know... It sounds like you know everything you need to already. I don't like stepping on toes. The offer is always there, though. If something comes up where the assistance is needed, I'm very happy to provide.

[That being said...]

Do you work with flowers back home?

Not as you do.

[A brief pause, as if she's considering how much to actually say.]

Viera live as one with the Wood. Though there are those who choose to seek other paths.

[Viera. She knows that word. Where does she know it? Who's said it? Where did she hear it?

Aerith's thoughts scatter almost immediately, cycle through a good deal of her conversations since she's been in Camelot and when she realises the source, she pauses abruptly.

Balthier. He's the one who said it. Because he was talking about—

Oh.

Aerith settles back a little, resting her weight on a hand as she gives Fran a closer assessment. Video itself is hardly a good way of getting an initial impression, but given that she's been uncertain about meeting the woman face-to-face, it's not the most horrible replacement.

She can see and hear why Balthier describes her so divinely. There's definitely something about her.]

You're from a forest, then.

[She phrases that carefully, tiptoeing as gently as she can around her own discovery. Given all she's heard about Fran, which admittedly isn't a lot, she can put some pieces together here and there. Being from a forest, she obviously hasn't stayed.]

I don't know. I'd believe it without much hesitance if you were as familiar with plants as I am. The plant I gave you symbolises freedom and magnificent things, perspective, joy, integrity, and faith. All plants have context to them. I'm glad to see that I picked something I feel suits you so well. He had a lot of glowing things to say about you.

Yes.

[Agreement though it is, there's something almost like terseness to the word. Not enough to suggest that she's angry, or unhappy, but enough to make it clear that she has no desire to offer any further information.]

And it is one thing to be familiar with plants. But to know the meanings they hold is another.

[True, she knows what plants are for healing and which can harm. But she has never truly spent a great deal of time learning what meanings humes might assign to them.]

[Fran is, to put it succinctly, very to the point. It throws Aerith off for just a breath or two.]

I guess that's true. I'm sure different worlds have different meanings too, so I actually hesitate to say that people should take me at my word. They'll probably just go back home and find out that the flowers there mean something different. I don't know what the flowers I had sent to you will mean back where you're from, but I do know what they mean where I'm from.

[After a moment's pause, she continues.]

But you don't really strike me as the sort who needs a flower to tell you what you're like.

I have not asked of the humes I have known.

[Some may certainly have known. But there had never been time - or much need, either. The skies are theirs; less so, the trappings and fittings of artfully created displays of flowers.]

And not all of that which you sent grow in the woods I have known.

[Still, it's not a condemnation. Just a fact, offered as straightforwardly as any of the rest. But Aerith is right even so: she is not the sort of person to need a flower to tell her who she is and what she's like.]

But they are... appreciated.

I'm still learning about the flowers here, too. Sometimes it's just the thought that counts.

[There's a pause as she's still considering the closeness that Fran and Balthier share.]

If you end up needing any for the future, you should let me know. I'm very happy to hook you up.

I will.

[There's a brief nod with the words; the only real indication that she doesn't mean it unkindly - that she has taken the offer as it has been given, and will keep it in mind.]

[video] - un: pinkmemory

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