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[luciing]

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[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?

[inemeraldfaith]

[There's a long pause. Consideration. She has Tifa here, the others. She shouldn't be lonely. She supposes she isn't, though...

Maybe she is in her own way.]

Not really. You're here, after all. And I have other friends here, too.

[luciing]

[ Once more, puzzlement crosses his features. Once more, it settles. She has others here. Still, somehow, perhaps as an act of charity for him, because she feels sorry for him, or because she gracious, she chooses to walk with him in this garden.

What more can he say to that. ]

Then you have my company, so long as you wish.

[inemeraldfaith]

["Then you have my company, so long as you wish."

What a thing to say. Her immediate reaction is that he must not know her at all to make that offer because he'd know she'll never leave him alone. That never actually comes out.

Maybe it's the environment or the flowers, which are impressive in size. Or maybe it's the emotional turbulence of the night accompanying their conversation. Whatever it might be, Aerith does actually colour a little. Well, a little by her standards.]

That's generous of you. [A stupid reply, but better than nothing while she fights being speechless.] Uhmmm. It's the same with me, too. If you ever feel lonely or just want the company, I'll be here for you.

[luciing]

[ If he notice the soft, new color to her cheeks or not, he doesn't comment.

But he does turn slightly, and-- after a short pause-- he offers his arm to her. ]

[inemeraldfaith]

[As she puts herself together, her gaze swaps between his face, ever hard to read, and the arm he offers for her benefit. It might not be an occurrence that happens all the time back home, but similar things have happened enough that she it's not like she doesn't know to take it.

A bit thoughtful as she approaches, Aerith loosely weaves her arm about his and after a momentary dusting of her touch over his forearm, she attempts to take his hand.]

How's this?

[luciing]

[ He had offered his arm, and she goes the extra length of both taking that and his hand. Somnus stills, but after another moment, he takes a step forward. They can continue on a walk like this. ]

Very well.

[inemeraldfaith]

[She's giddy. For a breath at least before she tones it down.]

You feel like talking about your home a little? I know you've said some things here and there. [More than he usually does and that's quite an accomplishment for someone like Somnus who isn't really much of a conversationalist.] I've been curious what it's like. If it's something like Camelot or different. Not that you have to.

[Patiently, she falls in step at his side, content to match whatever he might set.]

[luciing]

[ And so they continue to walk. ]

I would prefer to hear of yours.

[ He had spoken briefly of his world just in this very same conversation... And that? That had been enough.

Rather, too much, even. He won't speak more. ]

[inemeraldfaith]

[She eyes him respectfully. He's already shared more than she's expected. That's good enough for now. One day, perhaps he won't be disinclined to share more.

So he turns it around on her. She looks thoughtful.]

I can try to do that. What did you want to know? I'm afraid I don't have much in the way of stories.

[luciing]

[ He appears to think back earlier on their conversation.

"I... can hear things, feel things, see things that others can't from plants and the planet. Once, there were many who could." ]

...The people... like you, who could see and hear things others cannot.

Are they your family?

[inemeraldfaith]

I...

[It's not even intentional, the way her hand tightens upon his for a moment or two. Her expression softens. She never talks about this. Especially not with the people from home. Mostly because it doesn't matter.]

My mother was. I didn't know of any others. I only heard they existed once upon a time. It isn't really something people talk about. Probably because they don't know. And the people who did know were... you know. They were scared. Things people don't understand scare them. Makes them nervous. I get why they wouldn't want to ask.

[luciing]

The others did not see them as being blessed by the gods?

[ A pause. She never mentioned gods as being a part of her Star, so he corrects: ] Blessed by the Planet.

[inemeraldfaith]

Not to my knowledge. I've found that if people find out you can see things, they generally don't want to know about it.

[Again, fear. Aerith can hardly blame them.]

I guess there were some who thought people like that should be... [She thinks about how to put it. Shinra would say they were protecting her, but...]

Kept.

[luciing]

[ He turns partway to look at her, her lips turning down. It's clear that, although curious, it doesn't seem as if he approves of the connotations of one of her kind being... "kept". ]

[inemeraldfaith]

[She knows that look. Doesn't take much to get what he thinks of her explanation either.]

I'm fine though, right. See, I'm here in the flesh and everything.

[She pats herself with her free hand as though to reassure him. Of course, in coming here, Camelot's so-called need of her took her out of a voluntary captivity.]

[luciing]

[ He looks at her as she pats herself... and decides, perhaps, that he's overstepping a boundary. It's not really in his business to pry deeper on how she feels.

They continue to walk. ]

Now you walk among those who may wield magics freely. [ Some of whom can speak with animals. ]

[inemeraldfaith]

[Somnus isn't the sort the press. Even so, she can't help feeling a little relieved when he doesn't.

As a silent short of gratitude her arm tightens about his, though to some that just might mean the opposite.]

I don't think magic was ever an issue. All kinds of people can use magic back home. It's so commonplace that you can buy it just about anywhere.

You can get materia- [She indicates the size using her free hand.] -put in your armour or your accessories. Different materia lets you use different kinds of magic.

[luciing]

[ That's a new term of which he's never heard. ]

Materia.... Yet it is not magic?

[inemeraldfaith]

It is magic. The source just comes from materia. Here-

[Aerith frees his arm and his hand as she continues.] -I'll show you. [Lifting her hands into the way she has her hair pulled back, she nips into her lower lip as she carefully releases the smaller materia that she hides beneath the pink ribbon she seems to constantly wear. Then she holds it up for him to see.]

See? This is materia. And magic can be used by using these.

[luciing]

[ Had he encountered such a sphere upon the street, he would think it to be a child's toy. Peering at it more closely, however, reveals that its marble-like surface is actually dynamic. There is some sort of power housed within, although perhaps dormant and inaccessible, after being brought to this realm from her own.

His eyes lift to watch her as she turns the materia over in her hands, showing it to him. Had she not taken it down from her hair, he wouldn't have known it was kept there. ]

Is this materia different from the rest?

[ She keeps it hidden, after all. ]