sunflare | ffvii open post

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. ]

[He nods, taking hold of the wagon as he prepares to wheel it in the right direction. He'd promised to help, and while this isn't exactly heavy lifting, it's the least he can do.]

Any trick wheels or anything on this I should worry about?

[Less a comment about the state of the wagon, since it looks well-cared for, and more that he doesn't want to accidentally ruin it, given that he doesn't have her experience.]

I bet we can get everything set up in no time at all. You'll have to give me some tips on flower arranging, though.

[He can't help grinning as he begins to head back down the path, towards the place that will always be home no matter how old he gets.]

They're gonna love this. It's the little things, you know? They make their whole day— week, sometimes.

Well, the right one seems a little loose. I've tried to fix it, but I don't think it's in danger of coming off anytime soon. [ There's a fondness in her small pat she gives the wagon. ] I might have to retire it soon.

[ There's a little bounce to her step as she walks beside him, pleased as punch he's asking for flower arranging advice. There's a part of her that enjoys being a little bossy about it, and who is she to complain about a handsome man offering his help? ]

No worries, I'll give you plenty of arrangement tips. You'll do great. [ She gives him a wink as they stop up the path leading to the Leaf House. ] There's something to be said for little pieces of happiness that can brighten someone's day. The kids deserve it, they work and play so hard!

That would be a shame. Seems like you've been together a long while.

[All things wear out eventually, but the little wagon is clearly well-loved. Maybe he can take a look at that wheel later, see if there's something he can do to help extend its lifespan— like so many other people who live in the slums, he's had a lot of experience learning to be resourceful and fixing things rather than replacing them, something he knows Aerith herself is well-acquainted with.

His smile softens into something a little more sentimental as they walk. Little pieces of happiness. It's an apt descriptor. He remembers exactly how much little displays like that used to mean to him when he'd been growing up there himself.]

Kids always remember kindness. Better than anyone else. I remember growing up in that place— anything out of the ordinary, no matter how small? It always felt special, even if it was just the cafe down the street giving us something they had left over. Those kids...

[He shakes his head, a twinge of regret making itself known in his chest.]

They really do have it rough. I should get here more. Look in on them more often.

[ She keeps quiet as he talks, glancing over at him to gauge what might be going through his mind. Aerith will admit they don't know each other very well, just in passing, and this task of theirs has given her a little insight into him.

Conclusion: she can feel a kinship with him, when it comes to the Leaf House. She enjoys seeing the kids happy, loves spending time with them, and bringing a smile to their faces. There's also something about a man who is able to care about that sort of thing that draws her in. ]

For what it's worth, I don't think they hold it against you at all. [ They turn a corner, the Leaf House coming up in the distance. ] They're always excited when they know you're coming around, and they know you're involved in others things.

[ She gives him a slightly knowing look here. He's never really confirmed it (for obvious reasons), but she's heard plenty of rumors that he's involved with AVALANCHE. She's not going to judge or push on that one. ]

[That knowing look almost takes him by surprise, but in some ways, he knows that AVALANCHE is one of the worst-kept secrets in the slums. Nobody knows for sure who might be a member or belong to certain cells, but rumors spread, and given how passionate many of its members are about their cause and looking out for others in the slums, it's not too hard to guess.

He only smiles a little in return, however, and opts to neither confirm nor deny what he thinks that look might be implying, but nods in agreement.]

Nice to hear that you think so, at least. I worry about them, and I loved teaching— but I was needed elsewhere.

[For undisclosed reasons, although he publicly works Sector 7 neighborhood watch— that's something, at least.]

Try to make sure anything I can spare gets back to them, anyway. I remember just how far a few spare gil can go.

We will have to rope them into one of these decorating chores sometime.

[ She says this cheerfully, and yes it sure sounds like Biggs has now been assigned to Beautification Duty, regardless of him wanting the job. It's been much more enjoyable having him along, talking with him a bit more. They finally reach their destination, and her hands go to her hips - Aerith is now in Business Mode. ]

I think we should start on the outside. [ She nods toward the empty frame that decorates the side - it's been bare for too long. ] Go on, grab some of these flowers and we'll do a little design.

Looking to make florists out of them?

[Honestly, he's sure they'd love that. All of the kids here are big fans of Aerith on the whole— while the two of them may only know each other in passing, he certainly knows her by reputation.

He manages to stifle a laugh as she proceeds to take the lead. Naturally, he's inclined to follow, given that she's the expert.]

Yes ma'am, whatever you say.

[They'll want something that looks nice against the frame, he thinks, and he hesitates as he looks over the wagon's contents before he pulls out a couple of white hyacinth to start, something to set off the color.]

You know— [He glances back at her over his shoulder as he tucks one of the stems into the frame—] The kids talk about you all the time. Hear something almost every visit.

[ The world could use more florists in her opinion - in response she just brings a finger to her lips, as if it's now a shared secret between them. Maybe she'll give them a little more appreciation for plants than is typical for the slums, and that's a win in her book.

After gathering her own bunch of flowers, these also white, she shoots him a grin. ]

Oh really? I hope it's nice. [ It's teasing, knowing that if the kids had anything negative to say they have no problem just saying it to her. It's one of the things she enjoys about them - they are very blunt. She can appreciate it.

Aerith sidles up next to him as they work. Maybe a little closer than would be typical, for two people just getting to know each other, but she wants to see how he reacts to it.
She's so close her arm brushes against his, and she glances at him, her expression a little too innocent. ]

You should hear the things they say about you. [ She makes it sound much bigger than it is - the kids think he's great, bottom line. ]

'Course it is. Any reason it shouldn't be?

[He's teasing, of course, but the kids are all huge fans of her. It probably helps that much like the people who had grown up at the Leaf House themselves, she doesn't talk down to them like they're to be pitied or coddled. For all intents and purposes, as far as the kids are concerned, she's one of them.

If she's watching for a reaction, she'll get one— his face colors slightly, cheeks a bit red as she brushes against his arm while they hang flowers, and he gives her a quick, sidelong glance as his smile turns just a touch nervous, boyish and less self-assured than it had been.

Innocent. Right.]

Oh yeah? You can't just say something like that and not tell, you know.

[ She just gives a little shrug at his first question, trying to keep a little bit of mystery. Lucky for Biggs, she is watching for a reaction and likes the one she gets.

He certainly is interesting - usually, she can pick up on what makes a person tick pretty quickly. It's a bit of a defense mechanism, not knowing if they worked for Shinra or if they were just one of the several types of criminal that did make the slums their home. She's run into her share of a few.

Biggs, though, she can't quite pinpoint. She doesn't feel like he's got some big dark past to hide, but he has secrets. There's a self confidence he has that is there in the way he moves, comfortable in his own skin. And yet, he seems a little nervous by her closeness.

She likes unsettling others, it actually shows more about themselves than they know. ]

That's true, that wouldn't be fair, would it? [ She gives him a bright smile before turning back to gather more flowers, acting like she hadn't just tried to make him a little unnerved. ] No worries, they think you're great. The best, actually, even if you're old.

[Then again the kids call Aerith old sometimes. ]

"Old," huh...

[He can't help grinning, shaking his head in response as he takes a few more flowers from the wagon to hang beside the others.]

Sounds like something they'd say. I'm glad, though. Not that I do anything here for the recognition, or thanks, but I want them to know there are people out there who care about them and want to look after them.

[Because he remembers what it was like, and he's sure he will all his life. There were some teachers who left the Leaf House and never came back, but the ones who did? The ones who stopped by every now and then to help out, or just to visit— they helped him to feel like they were almost a family, even if they didn't have homes of their own.]

Glad to know my reputation is well-intact. [And, before he can really give it much thought, he gently bumps her arm back in response. It's small and subtle, as flirtations go, but the color hasn't quite left his face.] I'm glad they have people like you around, though. The teachers here are great, but I know Miss Folia appreciates all the outside help, too.

[She feels herself melting, just a little, at his words. She's always had a soft spot for the orphans, and though Biggs is a grown man, the orphan he still is tugs at her just a little. He's sweet, she decides, and when he bumps her arm she smiles at him, her own cheeks turning red.

It's been a long time since she's had that happen. How about that. ]

The teachers are dedicated, aren't they? It's the least I can do. I have my mom, but she adopted me. [Elmyra has been a wonderful parent, and Aerith counts herself lucky. Things could have gone so much worse for her. ] Anyway, I figured helping decorating and maybe giving a few tips on how to get the vegetables to grow in planters is a good way to help - teach the kids to be able to do the same once they're grown and on their own.

Yeah?

[His smile softens a little as he looks down at her midway through hanging another flower, and he notices the color that's crept into her own cheeks. Oh— well, he's not used to that, and he wonders if it's too egocentric to assume that he himself might have been the cause.]

I didn't realize you were one of us. [Not a Leaf House kid, necessarily, but still an orphan. Even those who grow up to find or start families of their own, they never really stop being orphans. That kind of childhood does a lot to shape the way you look at the world.] No wonder they love you so much. Plus, I've seen the way you talk to them. Always to them and never at. Some adults never figure that out.

[His smile hitches wider again, pleased.]

You're passing on some pretty important life lessons. I hope they'll remember it and do the same. They're so proud of the garden, I'm sure you'll be one of the first people they run to when something edible grows.

[One of us, like part of some little misfit family. There's something in that sentence that makes Aerith feel a happy warmth spread through her. ]

I do remember what it was like, having adults talk down to me. [ She shakes her head, taking a step back to admire her little section of work. They've blowing through this project so quickly and their time is running out - she doesn't really want it to end, if she's being honest. She likes to listen to him talk, see him open up. There's a side to him, that softer one that shows when he talks about the orphans so affectionately, that she wants to see more of. ] My mom didn't do that to me too much when I was little, but I think I worried her sometimes.

[She says it absently, not even realizing how strange that might sound. So, she's just gonna...try to gloss over that slip. ]

Anyway, I better be first on that list of theirs. I've already talked to Ms. Folia about what kinds of dishes they can make, but I was thinking I should practice some at home so I can help her out.

[And who wants to practice cooking alone? An idea forms and she wonders how smoothly she can pull this off. ]

So, how good are you at cooking, anyway?

[He doesn't quite catch the slip— something about what she says seems just a little off, but not enough for it to click or fully register, and he just nods his understanding as he, too, takes a step back to admire their work. They've been moving along pretty quickly— he hadn't realized how close they already were to finished.

Seems a shame, really. He's been enjoying this, almost a surprising amount. Aerith is good company, and knowing how much she cares for this place has already earned her a pretty lofty spot on his list.]

Cooking?

[He considers that for a moment, then laughs as he lets a hand come to settle against his hip.]

Pretty decent. Not as good as my friend Tifa, but I'm used to having to do things for myself, and I've never heard myself complain. [Terrible, terrible dad-joke energy potential peeking through there. Please don't think any less of him.] I've had a good amount of practice. Mostly simple stuff, but I like that.

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

it is done!!

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