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[luciing]

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[luciing]

[ "Come over here," she bids. "I want to show you something."

Within the garden, he wordlessly moves to where she motions, stepping closer to both her and the flowers. His expression is neutral, but not so closed off.

Just what is it that she wishes to show him? ]

[inemeraldfaith]

[She waits patiently until he joins her and once he's closer, she casts him a sidelong glance.]

How much do you know about plants and flowers?

[Some, she suspects. His equally archaic garb has these little accents that make her think so. Unless for him it's all decor. It might be a fool's hope that it's more than that.]

[luciing]

[ His gaze remains upon the flowers before them, although it can be said that he's very much aware of her glance towards him. ]

Little, in tending to them.

[ Somnus is no gardener. His hand twitches at his side, as if he is about to lift it to the same flower she had caressed earlier, but stops himself.

At length, he volunteers: ] I have no neglected the saplings you have gave me.

[inemeraldfaith]

That's not why I was asking, but I'm glad to hear they're doing okay.

[She smiles a little at his response, not at all surprised that he's gone there. She deserved that, didn't she? Aerith can be a little much and that she knows.]

A lot of people seem to think that plants just... are. That they're conveniently around and they never think anything more beyond that. But the truth is—

[With a careful, reverent touch, she settles her right hand beneath the bloom she's showing him. It's a dark, vibrant bloom. In its prime, perhaps. Not necessarily a flower she can identify herself, but Camelot is just that way.]

The truth is that they feel things not unlike the way you and I do. They have life. Back home, everything is connected to the same source in the planet. That's where everything comes from. That's where everything goes. So everything and everyone is connected. And flowers and plants aren't just flowers and plants.

[For just a moment and it doesn't take much, a subtle shower of healing falls over the flower. Undoubtedly, just a fraction of Aerith's ability. It's just enough to revitalise something that's already healthy.]

[luciing]

[ He watches as her fingers bless the bloom with the light of her magic, the petals spreading slightly enough to notice, but nothing more. The iridescent, indigo-mauve flower reminds him of the deepest of hues just after the sun sets. ]

...You treat them like persons. [ So he remarks, his voice carefully reverent. Even he can recognize that she's trying to teach him some sort of philosophy.

Both flowers and people are connected to her planet. In some metaphor, it makes sense: humans, too, are often as fragile as flora. ]

[inemeraldfaith]

I do.

[She doesn't normally say that. People don't... normally get it. And truth be told, it's the first time she's explained it like that.]

Back home, I... can hear things, feel things, see things that others can't from plants and the planet. Once, there were many who could. [Presumably. Her knowledge on the Cetra is a bit limited. She's always wanted to know more, but finding the answers hasn't been easy.] I can't feel that here because I'm not connected to it. At least, I don't think I can.

[She doesn't know. She hasn't yet. Not to her knowledge. There was the instance where she had dreams about Zack, so real she thought she could touch him, but...]

I guess what I mean is they aren't just plants to me. And plants and people have more in common than we ordinarily think.

[luciing]

[ He listens quietly, respectful of what she has to tell him. When she's done speaking, his gaze shifts from the flower to her profile. ]

In your world, of what did the flowers speak?

[inemeraldfaith]

That...

[She looks a little sheepish as she turns to better face him, clasping her hands together.]

That's a good question. Whenever I heard voices back home, it wasn't just one or two, so it's not always easy to tell. When I was younger, I couldn't decipher much of what was being said at all. I still can't say with a full certainty that I know now. Most of the time, it has to do with protecting the planet. I think that's all they wanted, really. To be protected and saved.

[luciing]

[ Somnus continues to watch her for a few beats after she finishes.

To be protected and saved, she says of her planet. ]

Do you rise to their Calling?

[inemeraldfaith]

I've done what I can. And I started to make what I suspect was progress before coming here. Knowing that our worlds are frozen back home makes relieves me a little. I can go back to it when we find our ways home.

[Her head tips as she eyes him.]

Did you have anything like that back where you come from? A greater calling, I mean. Something you knew you had to do?

[luciing]

[ "I've done what I can."

He makes a soft sound of what may be approval-- in the end, the floras' plead to be protected and her answering their plight is a noble one. One can only do only as they can, and nothing more.

As for her question... His eyes return to the flower, falling silent once more. A substantial amount of time passes like this. Does she wait for him to speak? ]

[inemeraldfaith]

[He does not evade her question. She has learned enough about him that if he were to evade, he would do so by asking her something else. By saying something else to distract her. To attempt distracting her. That he says nothing means he has something to say.

So she is patient. She takes some steps away, though, not many. Just enough to sit on whatever closest thing she can. In this case, it's a stone divide between flowers and walking path.

Her gaze is imploring. Not expectant, but curious. And as ever, understanding. Nurturing, perhaps, given that Aerith seems to wield that effortlessly.]

Take your time.

[She reassures him gently.]

[luciing]

[ Her patience is what allows him to speak. After what seems like another long moment, his lips part. ]

Preserving the future of our Star... [ He says, his voice low and respectful, monotonous as if reciting both an edict and mantra. ] ...To usher in its Dawn.

That is our Calling.

[inemeraldfaith]

[The future of their Star. Emet used that term too. 'Star.' And Somnus has used it in the past. She assumes 'star' must be something very similar to 'planet,' if not the same thing.

Hands atop her lap, she thinks about the way he puts it. So he's saving his world, too. Or trying to.]

Preserving the future. [She repeats quietly before she continues.] Is it hard for you to be away from home? I'm sure you'd rather be back there to do exactly that. Future preservation.

[luciing]

[ The end is nigh. So close to the Dawn, he is, only to be brought here.

The shadows upon Somnus' expression shift as his lips turn slightly down. ]

Do you not feel the same, a need to return to your own Star?

[inemeraldfaith]

I do.

[Of course she does. Aerith does, in fact, miss her home. She handles things here with a stunning amount of composition, but it doesn't mean that she's not bothered by being what's essentially a 'free' prisoner in this world.]

No amount of my own hurrying, however, is going to get us returned to our homes any quicker. I'm trying to make the best of the situation while I'm here. Not just for me, but for others around me, too.

[luciing]

[ He watches at the flowers rustle by the calm breeze of the night air.

"I'm trying to make the best of the situation... for others around me, too." ]

Your efforts supplant trying.

[inemeraldfaith]

I... I don't know that I'd say that.

[She can't help but feel a little sheepish at what seems to be praise. In truth, she's powerless, so helping at least make others smile seems important.]</small Hopefully I'll be able to make things here better for you, too. Not sure how to do that yet, but I'll keep trying.

[luciing]

[ His attention shifts from the flower to her, noting her sheepish expression. ]

Healer...

[ There seems to be some sort of puzzlement flitting across his expression, as if he questions why she would bother. Perhaps it is in her nature simply to be kind. Still, it makes little sense why she would happen to focus any efforts on him. ]

[inemeraldfaith]

[She prevents herself from correcting him this time, though it isn't easy. She'll get him next time because there will likely be a next time.]

Hm...?

[As she studies his expression, she's quiet before she smiles a little wider.]

You're not used to that, are you? Someone caring about you, what you want. What you feel. I must seem really weird to you.

[luciing]

[ He remains silent for a moment longer, lips pressed together as if slowly picking out what to say, what words to use, and how to attenuate his tone.

Finally, he speaks. ]

You are gracious.

[inemeraldfaith]

[She wouldn't call herself that either, but... He's being very complimentary. Aerith wonders if they have grown any closer since first meeting.

Maybe she just wants to believe that.]

I'm- [She laughs quietly before she manages to continue.] I'm just trying to help. Are you trying to make me blush?

[luciing]

[ He exhales through his nose.

There would be, perhaps, merit in commenting that her efforts are wasted on one such as him, for what has he done to deserve any of this graciousness? ]

Take it, as you will.

[inemeraldfaith]

I'm going to take that as a yes. Believe me, you already have my attention. You don't need to make me blush to accomplish that.

[She rises from where she's sitting and casts a look around.]

But seriously...? Everyone here not native is going through the same thing. Not knowing when we'll get to go home. Some people are here on their own. It could be very lonely. I've been lonely before. I don't want others to feel that way if I can help it.

[luciing]

[ His head lifts as she stands. ]

...Are you lonely, now?