sunflare | ffvii open post

[ It's not unusual for Aerith to be humming to herself as she does her daily check in with the people of the Sector 5 slums.

She's been to the church already, but some days she just isn't up for being cooped up in those crumbling walls. The flowers understand - well, she hopes they do.

The sunlight filters through what cracks it can, the plate overhead half jutting out into the sky in broken, sharp edges in some spots. It's enough to encourage some greenery to grow (and yes, maybe she's the one doing the encouraging) but her main pet project has been The Leaf House.

She can never quite stop the smile that spreads when she walks up, hearing the children call out her name, looking over their brand new vegetable gardens they are so proud of. It's with this smile that she taps Biggs on the shoulder to get his attention. ]

Just your friendly neighborhood florist, here to see if you guys need a restock! [She and Biggs aren't close, and she usually deals with the woman who runs the home, but he's right here and she might have plans to encourage him to help her. ]

[He isn't here as much as he would like to be— Sector 5 is a little bit of a haul from Sector 7, and the neighborhood watch keeps him pretty on the days he's not neck-deep in AVALANCHE operations, but he's never forgotten where he came from. Every spare gil he has goes to this place, and he makes the effort to come and help out as often as he can.

The completion of the new vegetable gardens was something worth celebrating, so he'd made it a priority to come and see them— and as long as he's here, he's more than happy to help out, as always. He's on his knees taking care of some freshly transplanted tomato sprouts when he feels the tap on his shoulder, and he sits back on his feet as he looks up, offering Aerith a warm smile in greeting. They don't know each other well, but this place is important to both of them— they've crossed paths more than a few times.]

I don't think they'll ever say no to more flowers. They're great for morale. Might even be part of what's inspired some of the kids to take up gardening for themselves, in fact.

Flowers have a way of inspiring people, that's for sure. [ She glances over the fledgling veggies with a proud look before eyeing him for a moment and straightening up. ]

Well, those flowers aren't going to gather themselves are they? [ She inclines her head, indicating the path beside the home that leads to her house. ] I will need some help, obviously.

[ His help. She isn't so much asking as she is telling him to get ready to be her very own personal errand boy. ]

[He laughs a little, bracing one hand against his knee to push himself to his feet.]

I don't mind lending a couple of helping hands.

[Not that she'd been asking. He'd caught that part, alright.]

Besides, it'd be nice to see what you've done with the place since the last time I helped out.

[ There's a part of her always tickled when someone shows actual interest in her hobby - well, it's not so much a hobby as it is a way of life.

She's sure down the road, as she grows older, she'll become known as the local crazy flower lady (much like the crazy cat lady of yore), but she doesn't mind. It's not too worried about explaining the connection she feels to them, since that would open a can of worms she isn't interested in exploring.

Also ignoring the fact that, deep down, she knows she doesn't have much longer before Shinra forces her hand. Growing old in her home in Sector 5 isn't actually in the cards for her.

All worries for later. For now - the worry is to find the perfect combination of flowers.

With Biggs beside her, she travels the path most familiar to her. ]

Well, it's spring time now, isn't it? [ With a glance above them, she laughs a little. ] Not that it's easy to tell, but that means I've got a whole host of new flowers ready to make their debut! I've got tulips and daffodils, of course, but I've managed to grow a nice batch of purple hyacinths I think would look really nice at the Leaf House!

[He's only traveled down this particular path a couple of times in the past, for the purpose of helping with this same task, but the scene that opens up at the end of it is no less memorable for it— there's nothing like this anywhere else in the slums, not that he's seen, and while Sector 7 has unquestionably become home, he likes the idea of a place like this sitting just a stone's throw away from where he grew up.]

Is it spring?

[His smile quirks to one side as he, too, looks upwards towards what they can see of the sky— more of it peeks through here than in other sectors, though the reason for it is one he doesn't like to dwell on too long.]

It is about that time, isn't it... tends to all look and feel the same around here, but with those flowers in your care, I'm sure it's easier to tell.

[It seems like the kind of thing she would be tuned into, really.]

Bet the kids would love those— anything that brings more color into the place is always good. Everything outside is so bleak, it's good for them to have a reminder that it doesn't have to be.

At least in this part of the slums, we have a little bit of more nature growing around here. Makes it easier to at least pretend we have seasons.

[Her trips up to Sector 8 to sell flowers show her that seasons don't really seem to exist in Midgar regardless. Probably due to the reactors. They turn the corner, her house in sight and she wonders if she should hand him a basket or pull out that handy cart she's used for years.

It would make a picture, him pushing along a rickety old thing, so that's what makes her decision. Fighting a smile, she beckons him down the steps, toward the area she keeps many of our outside tools. ]

If color is what we're looking for, we're gonna need a lot of it. [ She nods her head at the wagon, which isn't in bad shape (maybe a little worn, but she's taken care of it). ]

[He rests a hand against his hip, letting out a low whistle when he catches a glimpse of the wagon in question.]

Think it'll make the trip in one piece?

[Not that they're going far, but in all honestly, it looks like it'll hold. He grabs hold of it, carefully turning to wheel it towards the garden proper.]

At your service, ma'am. Where do we start?

It will. [ She's giving the wagon a strangely affectionate look before moving on, leading him down the path toward a patch of brightness where her newest children have grown. ]

Right here is good. I want to definitely get some of the hyacinth in here and lots of it.

[ Kneeling down, she starts pulling a few of the pink, turning to give him a grin before indicating with her head he should feel comfortable doing the same. ]

I think some of those purple would be nice, too, don't you?

[He does hesitate before following suit, if only because being here feels like treading on sacred ground— there's nothing else like it in the slums, and one step the wrong way could damage the flowers she's worked so hard to care for, but when she indicates that he should join her, he gives an easy smile and gets to his knees. He's no stranger to gardening, though he doesn't have her green thumb. She'd probably laugh if she saw the bean sprouts growing on his windowsill back in Sector 7.]

I think so. Pink, purple— maybe some white for balance?

[He doesn't know much about color theory, but he's sure some of those will make the others pop. He very carefully pulls one of the purple hyacinth, careful not to disturb the neighboring flowers until its their turn.]

This place really is stunning... you really have a gift.

[ She gives a small hum of approval as she gets up, taking a few steps to the left to grab some white daphne spirea. She loves it with others get involved, give her their opinions on this kind of thing.

It makes her feel like she knows them a little better, even based on a few simple choices such as what flowers should go together. ]

You're right, it will make the colors pop! These white flowers are supposed to attract butterflies. [ She says this, feeling a little sad that it can't actually happen for any of them to see. Sector 5 may be more green than the other Sectors she's been to, but butterflies are not going to be showing up anytime soon. ]

Thank you. [ She beams at him, proud of her accomplishment. She does try hard - every flower and plant seem different. Give one too much water, and it drowns, give another what she thinks is the right amount and it withers. She's cultivated her skills, through practice and some sheer intuition. She'll never get tired of people acknowledging it. ] It takes work, but they're worth it.

[ Turning to the other side of the path, she runs her hand over the top of some bluebells, looking thoughtful before shaking her head to herself. Not right....

Looking at Biggs, she raises her eyebrows, bringing her hand up to gesture at everything he sees. ]

If you could pick one flower out here, which one do you like the best?

You care a lot about them— it shows.

[Gardening on this scale would be difficult anywhere, he thinks, and especially so in Midgar. For as cheerful and effortless as Aerith makes her work appear to be, he knows there has to be a great deal that goes into it.

He adopts a thoughtful expression as he follows her broad gesture, his gaze moving across what feels like a veritable sea of color compared to the scenery they're used to seeing in the slums. He doesn't know the names of most of them, but he looks back to the hyacinth they've already gathered and then towards a nearby plot of bright yellow flowers.]

What about those? Daffodils, right? Like bringing sunshine indoors.

[ Biggs, you have Pleased the Florist.]

I love the way you describe that - exactly like sunshine! [ She's just gonna carefully make her way over, trying not to step on other stems before she can get to a spot to kneel down, ready to gather a clutch. ] Flowers have special meanings, you know. I don't know who decided it, but they all seem to fit.

[ Daffodils gathered, she turns back to him, shifting the flowers in her arms. She's gathered quite a bunch, here. She's just going to carefully make her way back, trying not to destroy anything or fall on her face. ]

These especially...they symbolize new beginnings. Rebirth. [ She makes it back beside him, blowing strands of her out of her eyes before placing them in the cart. ] Perfect for spring. You've got good taste!

[He stands up to meet her on her return, holding a hand out to steady her shoulder while the other prepares to lighten her burden a little, just so she doesn't end up tripping or dropping anything in the process. He has no doubt she knows her way through this garden with her eyes closed, but mis-steps can happen to anyone, and that's a whole lot of flowers.]

Here, let me help—

[That's what he's here for, after all.]

Rebirth, huh. [He smiles a little as he gets a better look at the daffodils close up. They'd definitely been the right pick.] Thanks. That means a lot, considering I'm an amateur. Do you know the meanings of all the flowers here?

[Of course she does.]

Stick with me and you won't be an amatuer much longer. [ She gives him a wink before turning to mull over the wagon full of flower. She thinks it's a good stock of them but maybe just a few more...one can never have too many.

Biggs' job has only just begun. Who else is going to help her set them all up inside? ]

Just about. There are some I'm not exactly sure about, but I can...[ She pauses, stopping herself before blurting out something weird like I can sense what they mean. Shaking her head a little, she tries to just move past that. ] I usually just guess. Maybe I pick up on a vibe or something.

If anyone could, suppose it would be you.

[Considering she spends so much time with them day in and day out. He stoops to catch a couple of flowers that threaten to slip overboard, setting them safely back in the wagon, then gives the nearest plots of flowers another once-over, thoughtful.]

What about those?

[He points to a plot of red and white tulips, curious even as he flashes her a smile.]

Tulips. What do they symbolize?

[ For a moment, she looks at him, her expression thoughtful. It's not rare for people to ask about flowers, they so rarely grow around here, but he seems genuinely interested for the sake of interest. Most seem interested so they can drop knowledge to whoever they're giving the flower to.

Asking about tulips, though, has her perking up immediately and she smiles brightly, taking the few steps that bring her closer to them. ]

Tulips are amazing, actually. [ She crouches down, resting her forearms on her knees so she can find balance. ] Nobody knows where they originated, either, so they're a little mysterious, too.

[ She looks over her shoulder at him and inclines her head, indicating he should join her. ]

Depending on the color, they can mean different things. What's your guess?

Huh. Mysterious flowers...

[It's impossible to miss just how pleased she is to have an opportunity to talk about them, and he moves to crouch down beside her, leaving the rickety wagon full of flowers behind them and resting his arm against his knees for balance.]

Maybe red for love? That might only be for roses.

[It's what the color brings to mind, all the same— or maybe ambition, a different kind of passion.]

White... purity? [He squints one eye, smile pulling to one side.] How close am I?

[ The red seems obvious, but she's still pleased when he gives it a guess. Aerith nods, letting him know his thought is spot on, but she's really curious to see what he thinks of the white...

Well, that one is more difficult. ] You know, purity is one of them, you're really good at this. [ Aerith approves - it's not often she can get someone to humor her in this area. ] White tulips are a little deceiving, believe it or not. They have multiple meanings.

[ She plucks one of the white tulips, turning it in her fingers so it spins around as she's talking. Her expression is somewhat far off, as if she's having a fit of nostalgia. Really, it's more like she's seeking guidance, knowing that white tulips, despite their appearance, are much more complex than they appear.

Aerith could never fully describe how she knows these things. It's her connection to the Planet, obviously, but putting it into words is something she has simply failed to do. After a while, she stopped trying and now she just avoids the topic altogether if it comes up.

For now, her words are spoken with a dreamy air, head tilted as she looks off over the plot of tulips they're in front of. ]

They can mean forgiveness or even respect. Different things, but they all invoke a similar feeling, don't they? A strange ache.

[ She blinks before shaking her head and laughing. There she goes, getting carried away. She holds it out to him, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. ]

They also represent worthiness, so I think that's appropriate for you, actually.

[He's glad for the nod of confirmation— it had been a guess, but a fairly easy one. He's surprised to have gotten both, in fact, though somewhat less surprising is that there are multiple meanings. Flowers were clearly not as simple as those who weren't so intimately familiar with them assumed them to be. He nods in turn, expressing his interest, listening as she goes on to explain.

Seeing how happy she is just to have an opportunity to do so says a great deal about her, he thinks— how much she loves her work, how it's so much more for her than just a way to put food on the table. It was how he'd felt about teaching, and how he felt about watch duty and his work with AVALANCHE now.]

An ache...

[He doesn't quite know how to describe the feeling himself, but he nods once more. Each of those meanings feels connected to the others, and he can see how they might inspire similar emotions. Her laugh draws another smile out of him, and he laughs in turn at her assessment.]

Worthiness? That's a pretty big compliment, I think. Flattering, but I think you're being too kind.

And I think you're being too modest. The children think the world of you, and if they all agree on something...

[ Her eyebrows raise, challenging him to argue against her logic. Kids can be innocent, can be manipulated, but these kids aren't strangers to the darkness that can lurk in the slums. If they trust and admire someone, and they all agree on it, then Aerith has no trouble trusting their opinion on such matters. ]

You know, it isn't very polite to turn away a flower when a pretty girl is offering it to you. [ Her eyes twinkle, her mouth twitching with humor as she stretches her arm closer to him, still holding the white tulip. ] I don't give them for free to just anyone, you know. I guess that makes you special, hmm?

[Well, he hadn't meant to be rude. His face does color just a little as he clears his throat and accepts the flower as well as the compliment, giving her a nod of thanks as he cracks another easy smile.]

Didn't mean to offend. Thanks— it really is beautiful.

[He takes it carefully between his thumb and index finger, turning it to examine the bloom from another angle. It really is amazing, that something like this can grow in a city like Midgar, where nature has all but been stamped out.]

I don't know that I'm all that special, but I'll treasure it all the same. Who am I to argue with a pretty girl?

[See, Aerith, he can flirt, too. Questionably, perhaps, but still.]

[ Is that a little bit of a blush she sees? She returns his smile, feeling a pleasant sort of surprise. He's never struck her as the unemotional type, but she never pegged him to blush, even the slightest bit.

Aerith finds it cute, but she'll keep that opinion to herself for the time being. ]

Look at that, you're learning all kinds of stuff today, hmm? [ She pushes herself up to stand, brushing out the wrinkles in her skirt. She wags a finger at him, as if bestowing sage advice, albeit with a teasing air. ] Now you know some flower meanings and who's boss. This will help you next time you're buying a bouquet for someone.

[Given the kinds of girls he usually spends his time with? He's used to brazen, over-the-top flirtation or none at all, and Aerith somehow manages to have landed somewhere in the middle in a way that had taken him completely by surprise, however incidental it may have been.]

I do feel enlightened. I've always been of the opinion that you never really stop learning, honestly.

[Being a teacher had suited him well while it lasted, on top of it being a way for him to give back to the place where he had grown up. He, too, gets to his feet, and carefully tucks the flower she'd given him beneath the buckle of his harness to keep it in place.]

If I ever do need to buy flowers, of course I would come straight here to the expert. I know you'd never steer me wrong.

Nope, I'm always happy to help those in need! [ Aerith's always willing to lend her services to anyone who asks, if this rickety wagon full of flowers is anything to go by. She leans over the wagon, studying their choices before nodding to herself, happy with what they've put together. ]

I think we're good here! Let's move it on over to Leaf House. Maybe we can get some of this up and looking nice before the kids are in for lunch.

[ And they can rope in some help in the form of whoever is stuck inside that day. The kids are all great, but that doesn't mean someone isn't in some kind of trouble. It's always mild things, thankfully, and no matter who it is they always get a kick out of helping. ]

bigggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggs

YAYAYA

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oohhh biggs with ur manly hands~

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tulips are a MYSTERY in this universe I have just decided lmao

it is done!!

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