[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.]
[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.
[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.
[ 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". ]
[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.]
[ 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. ]
[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.
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.
[ 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. ]
[Probably, yes. Aerith doesn't quite know how it works. She has an idea, though and she's... seen how she imagines it'll be used. It's in that collection of various ominous future prophecies. She wouldn't call them that, but it's likely that's what they are.]
This one belonged to my mother. That probably makes it more different than others you might see. I know one of the people from my home world here had some when she arrived, but I think she said it vanished after she used it once. Not sure if anyone else from there has some. I could probably ask.
[She lets him get a full look at it as she moves her hand carefully.]
[She smiles, as if she appreciates the sentiment. He might not understand the full situation, but he doesn't have to. The subtle little input he has is good enough.]
It's another thing I was lucky to have in coming here. Most don't get to come with things from home. Since I have it with me all the time, it was already on me when I arrived.
[It doesn't take her too long to tuck it away before she reclaims his arm. And his hand. Well, at least attempts to.
Her head tips thoughtfully.]
Perhaps! Although I'm not sure what else I'd really want. I didn't have very much back home. At least, nothing really material. Mostly just memories, which isn't something that can be taken. I hope not, anyway. If you could have anything from home, what would it be? If you have anything, I mean. I bet you've got stuff you liked or were close to.
[She shakes her head at him.] Wants and needs are different. So is there anything you want from home? Anything that might be nice to have or anything that would make you feel more comfortable here?
[She laughs and after a moment's consideration, she dips her head to rest it to his shoulder. Something in his stoic demeanour remains a constant, a concept of stability.]
I'm going to find something you like sometime. It will happen. I'm determined.
[Aerith decides if he doesn't stop her, then he must not absolutely dislike it. Or knowing him, the truth is probably closer to Somnus doesn't have much of an opinion on it. Too focused on the fate of his star, perhaps.
This does not stop her from enjoying the moment. The quiet of the night. The idea that she's never really been to a masquerade before. The voice in the back of her head that says she values his company. To what extent that might be, she's not sure. But she's comfortable with him. And she feels safe without the need of asking if he'd play bodyguard or something else she doesn't actually need.]
Thanks for letting me spend the night with you. I think it's about that turn-in time, though.
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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.]
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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. ]
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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.
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"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?
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[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.
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[ A pause. She never mentioned gods as being a part of her Star, so he corrects: ] Blessed by the Planet.
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[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.
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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.]
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They continue to walk. ]
Now you walk among those who may wield magics freely. [ Some of whom can speak with animals. ]
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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.
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Materia.... Yet it is not magic?
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[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.
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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. ]
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[Probably, yes. Aerith doesn't quite know how it works. She has an idea, though and she's... seen how she imagines it'll be used. It's in that collection of various ominous future prophecies. She wouldn't call them that, but it's likely that's what they are.]
This one belonged to my mother. That probably makes it more different than others you might see. I know one of the people from my home world here had some when she arrived, but I think she said it vanished after she used it once. Not sure if anyone else from there has some. I could probably ask.
[She lets him get a full look at it as she moves her hand carefully.]
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It is important to cherish such things.
[ So, she shouldn't use it, if it'll vanish. ]
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[She smiles, as if she appreciates the sentiment. He might not understand the full situation, but he doesn't have to. The subtle little input he has is good enough.]
It's another thing I was lucky to have in coming here. Most don't get to come with things from home. Since I have it with me all the time, it was already on me when I arrived.
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Perhaps in the future, there will be more ways to receive more from your home.
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Her head tips thoughtfully.]
Perhaps! Although I'm not sure what else I'd really want. I didn't have very much back home. At least, nothing really material. Mostly just memories, which isn't something that can be taken. I hope not, anyway. If you could have anything from home, what would it be? If you have anything, I mean. I bet you've got stuff you liked or were close to.
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There is nothing that I need.
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[She shakes her head at him.] Wants and needs are different. So is there anything you want from home? Anything that might be nice to have or anything that would make you feel more comfortable here?
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There is no greater want or need than that of returning to our Star.
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[She laughs and after a moment's consideration, she dips her head to rest it to his shoulder. Something in his stoic demeanour remains a constant, a concept of stability.]
I'm going to find something you like sometime. It will happen. I'm determined.
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As you will.
[ ...He feels her head is against his shoulder as they walk. Truly, an odd woman. ]
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This does not stop her from enjoying the moment. The quiet of the night. The idea that she's never really been to a masquerade before. The voice in the back of her head that says she values his company. To what extent that might be, she's not sure. But she's comfortable with him. And she feels safe without the need of asking if he'd play bodyguard or something else she doesn't actually need.]
Thanks for letting me spend the night with you. I think it's about that turn-in time, though.
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