[Catch-All] Reunions, Memories, & the Colour White

[inemeraldfaith]

🧙 WHO: Aerith Gainsborough, You
⚔️️ WHAT: Catch-All for June / July
🕒 WHEN: June / July
🗺️ WHERE: Aerith's flower shop, Brocéliande, Camelot city proper, the Bay of Avalon
⚠️ WARNINGS: TBD

[01. Come for the Flowers]

[Little by little, Aerith's flower shop is getting put together. The walls are still a little barren, but contain some paintings done by local artists. Finally, it seems a little more put together.

There's no shortage of flowers on display in intricate arrangements. Planters hang from the ceiling. The scent lingering in the air is some combination of cinnamon and sweet floral notes. There's almost always a cup of tea (or something like it) at the front desk.

Aerith tries her best to keep herself busy, wandering from one end to the other, up the steps to the small loft up the stairs, back down again, making sure that everything seems to be perfect. She hums during the day to herself, overjoyed at being surrounded by some of the things that she likes most, even if she can't glean from them what she would back home.

Perhaps you've stopped in by mistake, maybe you're running errands, or you're here with the intention of finding something in particular. Either way, you're here now, and the little bell sound that chimes once you've come in signifies your entry. It's too late for you to leave now. (Aerith won't be chasing you down if you turn tail and flee.)

Whatever Aerith's in the middle of doing, she looks up from her task and eyes the door with a welcoming smile.]

Hi there! If you give me just a moment, I'll be right with you.

[02. How to Business 101]

Hm...

[Aerith holds a notebook protectively against herself as she wanders the streets of Camelot's business district. She stops every so often in the front of a store window, occasionally pokes her head in to get a good look at the wares and the design. She's doing business research to see what she can do to better her flower shop.

It's also a good excuse to get to speak with owners and others along the way and having never been one to shy away from conversation, Aerith is quite happy to exchange words in idle conversation.]

I wonder how they decided on prices. Did they just compare it to something local?

[A frown briefly crosses her features because she knows her own pricing has been pretty negotiable. But maybe flowers just don't work the same as drinks at a cafe or some of the other wares that Camelot provides.

Her feet start carrying her off to another store, her face is fixed on her notebook, where she's writing in small script her observations. She brushes up against a shoulder, or perhaps she walks headfirst into you, or maybe you simply found her in your way whilst you were trying to pass by. Either way, you are precisely one Aerith richer.]

Oops—Am I in your way? Sorry about that.

[03. Gone Fishing (Not Really)]

[She hasn't been here to visit since her original arrival. Aerith has lost track of time easily, and she knows why. She drowns in keeping herself busy and occupied. It gives her less time to think. The Bay of Avalon is a vivid recollection of how confusing it was to arrive in this new world, with the discovery that the world back home was frozen in time. It's still a little hard to wrap her mind around, but she's continued to adopt the idea that there's no sense in causing an uproar over it.

This is a thing she cannot affect, despite the otherworldly abilities that she may play host to.

It's a pleasant day, one that has her lifting an arm as she takes in what feels like a bay of water that stretches beyond what she can see.]

It's beautiful when you're not swimming out of it in the cold. Or being escorted out by turtles.

[There's a basket over one forearm, not even half full. Aerith has come all this way to see if there's any flowers that might be worth adding to the collection. Down in the water, there's occasional splashes of the fish and the welcoming organic ebb and flow of the water. Maybe one of these days she should consider going for a swim.]

Although it looks a little more serene when people aren't arriving, doesn't it?

[...She wonders if the Lady of the Lake sleeps when she's not bringing newly arrived.]

[04. Communing with Nature]

[Her fingertips splay against the rough bark and for several moments, Aerith remains still, listening to everything around her—the rustle of branches, the far off lilt of birds, and other things she cannot readily identify. For once, she's not out scouting for flowers. Rather, her visit to the forest sitting just outside of Camelot's town is for something more profound.

Aside from the occasional dreams she's had of home, of different times, of times that perhaps have not yet occurred, she hasn't felt the same since her arrival. Aerith hasn't had a way of discovering just how in touch she is with her Cetra abilities. It's not an easy thing to test either, considering the details of her 'abilities' have been complex.

Her touch moves over a subtle gash in the wood and after a moment's pause above it, it takes a gentle push of healing, an encouragement for it to heal. Whether it works or not, she hardly would know. Nature is more hardy than many give it credit for.]

There you are. [She says aloud, though she seems to be addressing the tree. After a beat, she turns to press her back against it before she finds her voice again.] I can't seem to hear anything, though. Even being surrounded by it all, it isn't the same. I'm not connected to you in the same way.

[She sighs, shutting her eyes as she thinks about where to go next. What to do. She's not seen anyone else hunting or searching for any of the ingredients that grow in the veil of trees just yet. But it doesn't mean they aren't there.]

So... what do you think we should do now, hmm?

[05. Wild Card]

[For everything else. If you'd like a closed starter, please let me know. You can PM Aerith's journal or PP me at ofthesky.]

Comments

2!

[morganknight]

[One distracted Aerith runs straight into one oblivious Morgan, and this would be a disaster if he didn't reach out to catch her by the shoulders before he could trample her or she could bonk off his chest. After a moment's pause, and her words, he actually looks down, finally registering her presence in that perception-blunted brain of his.]

Oh! Hi! We really must keep meeting like this!

[inemeraldfaith]

[Clunk.

Or whatever sound that may get made when a flower girl collides with a decidedly not flower boy. He steadies her when he takes her by the shoulders and she scrunches up her nose, which she had decidedly crushed into her notebook. (There are harder things to push a nose into, however, so she's thankful it was just a notebook.)

She brightens up considerable when she hears him, however, and can't help laughing a little.]

A little unorthodox, don't you think? Most people just exchange messages over the network, I think. But who am I to judge?

Seeing Things - Closed to Sephiroth

[inemeraldfaith]

[It is a day like any other. There is nothing particularly odd or strange about this one. Aerith makes it a normal habit to travel the town, the outskirts, and into the forest, usually with flowers in mind somewhere. With her flower shop in the business district, it's almost more a necessity at this point, but chances are even if she didn't have that, she'd simply be looking for more to fill her apartment with.

Especially since Tifa seemingly vanished without a trace...

She is only marginally looking for flowers this late afternoon into early evening as she wanders through the forest of Brocéliande, lying just outside of the town. Her steps are careful and light, still puzzling over why she can sense life, but not everything else that ordinarily would come with it. How does the cycle of life and death work in this world?

Aerith thinks of the Lifestream in all of its complexity, realising that she isn't sure she has anyone to ask. Back home, she feels so much certain of herself. Here, it isn't a hopelessness, but there's an unsure sensation that she's not so fond of.

In the midst of a step, she spies only a long tress of silver that scarcely catches the ray of light that breaks in through occasional cracks in the adjusting trees that tower over her. Aerith pauses, breath catching in her throat for but a moment, a soft shift in her composure that is generally so even and level. Surely she is mistaken.

She passes a tree and sees nothing. Aerith casts a look over her shoulder and she finds that there is nothing strange or suspicious. There is only her. Her and the weight of her thoughts. The Cetra pauses and a frown tugs at her mouth mid-step using the tree at her left to steady herself.]

Was it my imagination?

[A sign from her future. A future she has not yet lived, but she knows will inevitably embrace her. Her eyebrows knit together.

No, she's certain she saw it. She would know that silver hair anywhere. Perhaps she simply misses home.]

[sefirot]

[If Sephiroth is going to be stuck anywhere, he is going to learn all that he can about the place. Knowledge is power as they say. Which is why he is out and exploring, though he hadn't quite expected to see her.

To him she's really nothing more than another ghost. A small reminder of a mistake he made that led to his downfall. Then again he can't really say the outcome would be really different had he the opportunity to do things over. She might still have reached the planet.

In any case, there's nothing he can do about that now.]

If it is, then perhaps you should ask yourself why your mind conjures up images of me.

[The voice comes from behind. As soon as he saw her the first time, he circled around like some sort of predator preparing to ambush some prey. Fortunately he has no intention of striking -- at least not physically. He's still unsure of all the magic used here and in all honesty her death would mean very little.

He can't say it isn't tempting, if only because he can imagine the pain it'd cause Cloud. But even his own personal vendetta isn't enough to cause him to take action. It isn't worth the effort.

So his stance is rather relaxed or at least none-aggressive. He's more like an overly tall imposing statue. He'll just poke at her a bit with words. See if he can push any buttons.]

04

[markedfordeath]

[Elza had been seeking solace from the population inhabiting Camelot. The peace the forest brought was a comfort to the gunner. So she often found herself taking refuge here among the trees to give herself some peace and quiet.

So when she felt someone enter into her space, the gunner instantly slowed her heartbeat, calmed her breath, and essentially went invisible to anyone's notice.

She watched as the other woman approached the tree. The way she was running her fingertips down the bark of the tree reminded the gunner of her similar feelings towards her guns. Sturm was silent against her back but she had a feeling the rifle was humming in agreement.

So she watched with detached curiosity while the other woman pulsed with magic. The woman was clearly speaking to someone, but unless they were as adept at cloaking their presence as she was, Elza knew there wasn't anyone else.

How odd. Perhaps this woman was senile? Although the gunner supposed she could have been talking about her familiar.

When the question was asked, Elza kept herself hidden and watched.]

[inemeraldfaith]

[Aerith had not truly anticipated a response. As she had surmised, whatever connection she had to the planet back home was not the same as what she had here in this world. Perhaps she had only a fraction of the unique skills she was accustomed to having, and Aerith had not even truly known what she was fully capable of.

Rather, she had an idea. The same kind of idea that fell in with knowing things she shouldn't have known (couldn't otherwise have known), and aware of a future that hadn't yet come to pass, wondering if she could find a way to change what wasn't so malleable or touchable by hands.]

No. I didn't expect an answer.

[She finally continued. From the coil of the pink ribbon that held her hair back, up popped the small cerulean drake, comfortably nestled until she disturbed him with her discussion. As he crawled from her mane of brown down to her shoulder, he aired what seemed to be a hiss, or some kind of sound resembling it, to which he was met with a laugh.]

Oh, now you weigh in? You so rarely do that I was under the impression you didn't like me much to begin with.

[But he served a good distraction and evidently a much-needed one. In addition to Aerith's ever quiet and observant companion.]

1

[feralhumanity]

[Nanaki has heard of Aerith's flower shop opening, so naturally he wants to help his friend how he can. While he's not exactly a cat of business like Cait Sith was, he doesn't mind helping out running errands while Aerith tends to the store. And with his new Kinetic magic, he can actually carry things and open doors as well as the five-fingered folk here!]

[His ear flicks at the chime of the bell as he pads into the shop, his nose twitching at the scent of flowers. It's nice in here. Peaceful. And very Aerith. He's careful that his tail doesn't accidentally singe any leaves as he approaches the counter, lifting himself up and resting against it with his front paws.]

Things are really coming along in here.

[inemeraldfaith]

[She's all bright smiles at Nanaki's entrance and wastes little time in putting down the pot she was intensely focusing on. Setting it down, she closes the distance between them and sweeps out an arm in a flourishing motion.

Aerith looks... proud of herself. And why shouldn't she be? The flower shop is a labour of love and she practically lives here now.]

You think so? I'm not completely satisfied with it, but I think I just want to keep adding to it.

[She moves to a little space off to the side which has been cleared out. There's some simple masonry in a square shape with what appear to be specific plots. It seems she's take Allura's idea to heart. Or at least is trying to.]

So you see this? I'm thinking of each person who makes a purchase here can plant something of their own. I could label it with their name and when they're big enough, I transplant them to a larger pot and give them to their planter. Kind of as a thank you for supporting the shop. What do you think?

01!

[starshower]

[Tifa hadn't been searching for anything in particular when she comes across the quaint flower shop. Wandering around the streets would be the best way to learn the lay of the land, see what's out there for shopping and making some money to get her on her own two feet, and to meet both the locals and others who were plucked from their home worlds to be here.

She doesn't know much about flowers, but she still finds herself wandering over to peer in through the windows first, a sense of familiarity putting her at ease. She's immediately reminded of Aerith's garden, and there's a small pang of sadness that hits her square in the chest when she remembers how much she misses her and the others.

Or perhaps it's hope that what she finds inside is...

The bell that rings to announce her arrival startles Tifa a bit. She'd hoped to stay inconspicuous until she'd had some time to check it out, but none of that matters the moment she recognizes the voice. So friendly, so welcoming. She doesn't give her a moment, because Tifa's jogging further inside until she finds her.]

Aerith!? [It's all she can manage through the violent wave of relief that crashes through her. Under a breath,] I'm... so glad...

[She corrects herself quickly, realizing she might have interrupted something important.]

Sorry, you need a minute?

[inemeraldfaith]

[Aerith can't remember when Tifa left. One day, she was in Aerith's apartment. Another she was gone and the flower girl could only speculate as to what happened. Tifa had never left her a goodbye message, had never even indicated that she would be leaving. And Aerith wonders if her excessive time at the flower shop contributed to it.

In the days that have followed, she has thought heavily on this, contemplated how she would do things differently. Maybe... be more helpful in the future, though anyone who knows Aerith knows that she might be a little too helpful.

She takes a break in the nonsensical hum that escapes her to loose a wistful sigh. Tifa's voice hits her ears following the approaching footsteps and the chime of the door. Aerith almost drops the vase she's holding, but in the breaths that follow, sets it down, and practically charges to the entryway where she has to restrain herself from throwing her arms around Tifa.]

You're back! You didn't say anything. How long have you been back?

[She has so many questions. So many things she wants to say. Perhaps an apology for not being there enough. Maybe for not being there at all. But she just doesn't know where to begin.]

3

[garyoutensei]

[ She hadn't exactly invited a conversation, but something gave her the impression this girl wasn't really the sort to ask.

And it wasn't as if Baiken was projecting "leave me alone" aura, either, so she supposed she was just as culpable in now having a social interaction she hadn't signed up for. It could be worse.

She had been there mostly to just listen to the waves, something she... rarely got to do back home. She usually had to keep herself inland to avoid any annoying constables that would attempt to hassle her for being out of the colonies. Here, she could simply just smoke her pipe and... listen...

... And Aerith's voice was not an unpleasant spice upon that flavor. ]

Water's serenity is circumstantial. It changes for what it needs to be.

[inemeraldfaith]

It changes for what it needs to be.

[Aerith repeated her thoughtfully, thinking it a particularly poetic way to say something. Aside from the river that ran by her home, she hadn't spent a particularly large amount of time around water, but there was, without a doubt, something relaxing about the sound. The presence of moving water. She couldn't quite explain it herself, but it was relaxing.

Maybe because water was as much life as the actual Lifestream itself.]

I'm not sure that I'd consider it sentient. Maybe it's different things to different people.

[That was probably the more accurate way to look at it. In many ways, water was life people as well. Ever moving. Never quite stagnant. Always changing. Like humanity without the labyrinthine complexities.]

1

[luciing]

[ The chimes of the flowershop signal his entrance, all heavy footfalls and the sweep of his cloak behind him. In his hand is a single flower pot... with a wilting flower-- a flower that she might recognize, for it comes from one of the various seeds they had purchased months ago.

It seems that he has been trying to attend to the plants she had tasked him with, but unfortunately, this little one has seen better days... ]

Hail, Healer.

[ He offers grimly, in greeting. ]

[inemeraldfaith]

[There is only one person in all of Camelot who calls her that. Aerith is watering some of the flowers she has on display when Somnus makes his entrance with—

With the plant she gave him. The seeds he accompanied her to the market for. And the same day he bought the lavish hair piece she continues to wear in her hair on a daily basis. Somnus remains an... interesting and puzzling part of her daily life. She pauses for but a moment, unable to stop the smile from coming to her face, despite the status of said plant he carries.]

I was going to ask if you were shopping or just coming to see me, but I believe I have the answer.

[She gestures him over to a table off to the side with a couple of chairs for him to set the plant down.]

Let's take a look at her, shall we?

[The plant, she means. Aerith has evidently decided the plant is a 'her.']

1!

[theleadingman]

[He had promised that he would come by to pay her shop a visit and see how her new business was coming along, and pirate though he may be, Balthier was good to his word— if fashionably late. The bell above the door is charming in that it reminds him of businesses he had visited off the beaten path back in Ivalice, places decidedly not in Archades that had been highlights of his jaunt across nations in their own right, each of them somehow unique.

He smiles at her warm welcome and drops his chin in deference, laying a hand over his heart.]

By all means, take your time. I will learn to be patient.

[Given he really could have come by sooner, it's the least he can do.]

[inemeraldfaith]

[She isn't in the middle of anything terribly dire when he arrives. It's true that he said he'd pay her visit, but there's a part of her touched that he's upheld his word. Aerith is still very much trying to figure out what kind of person he is. Balthier is enigmatic and while she very much enjoys teasing him (something he doesn't hesitate to do much back), it's about all she knows.

He is one of the few that she traipses around carefully with. Until she knows him better anyway. She can't even figure him out. He's good at hiding himself.

Wearing a smile, she finishes hanging one of the planters she's had installed into the ceiling. Carefully making her way down, she sweeps back some of the chestnut brown framing her face.]

Learn? [She asks with amusement, the curl in her mouth growing.] Are you telling me you aren't normally? Could have surprised me. Every time I talk to you, seems like nothing surprises you.

4

[cameprepared]

[Claire is not really sure what to make of the scene that's unfolding in front of her. She'd come out into the forest, as she often did, to practice with her Green magic. She'd been working, trying something out, but it wasn't exactly something she felt many people would like so it made sense to do it away from the training grounds. It'd been the sound of Aerith's voice and the sight of her friend that had drawn her away from her goal.

She stood, head tilted a little to the side, leaning against a nearby tree just out of Aerith's line of sight.

The question draws her in though, and she steps into sight with a nod.]

I don't know. I suppose we could talk? Maybe share some of this thermos of tea I happen to have on me.

[inemeraldfaith]

[Claire is a pleasant surprise, though successful at catching Aerith unaware. It doesn't take her much time to know that she's probably heard much of what she had to say when she was... communing with nature. At some point, Aerith may need to explain herself. In fact, she's almost sure that it will come up.

Eventually.

She manages a laugh and can't fight the smile that comes to her.]

Do you often make it a habit of venturing through the forest with tea? Are you inviting all of the tiny woodland creatures?

1

[whirlwindthrust]

[ Zidane had made mention of this flower shop before. Xiao hadn't paid it too much mind because that would mean coming down and being among people. Crowds. To this day, Xiao is not entirely comfortable being surrounded by them or being too close.

Yet his curiosity is going to get the better of him. Yes, he knows that it's not likely possible to find the flower that he is fond of. It only grows on remote mountaintops in Liyue. However that doesn't mean he still won't look, right? Plants are, at times, preferable to humans he's found.

He's looking at a white colored flower when he hears her voice. Xiao's hand drops from nearly touching the petals. ]

That... Won't be necessary.

[inemeraldfaith]

[Might not be necessary, but Aerith's going to come by anyway because evidently to her that's what an attentive shop owner should do. She does, however, keep a distance because there's a certain stilted awkwardness in his response that makes her think a little of Somnus. Given that he isn't the sort to want Aerith in his personal space, she's learned to recognise that potential trait in others.]

Are you looking for something specific, maybe?

[A hand poised at her chin, she casts a look around her various display cases and shelves.]

I think most of the plants in here, if not all of them, are local to Camelot, but I've told others in the past if they come into plants from their home world, I'm happy to attempt growing them.

1

[faithfulson]

[ Luke was trying to force himself to interact with others more. Displaced from his galaxy or not, he really had no excuse to keep to himself as much as he was. That was why he was wandering the down that morning, trying to get an idea of what was around. There were more shops than he remembered when he first got to this place, and he had to wonder just how many of them were because of their weird collection of displaced people from the multiverse. ]

[ He stopped in front of one particular shop, glancing up at the sign, a broad smile coming to his face. Look, he of all people could appreciate a good pun, and that shop name? That was good. ]

[ He only debated for a moment before going in, curious as to what kind of flowers were around, glancing up as the bell rang on his entrance. At first he didn't look as someone spoke, too preoccupied with all the colors and smells that hit him in the face as soon as he stepped in. ]

That's all right, I'm just lo--

[ Luke cut himself off when he finally turned to Aerith, his eyes lighting up slightly in recognition. ]

Oh... it's good to see you again.

[inemeraldfaith]

[His voice is familiar. At least familiar enough that it does make Aerith pause a little in the middle of the tidying up she's been caught in the middle of. She looks over her shoulder and it takes one look for recognition to be solidifed.

She breaks into a smile, dusting off her hands on the hand towel resting on the counter of the front desk. How long has it been since she's seen him? The bridge when she walked with him over it. Pure of heart, she can recall. That feels like it was ages ago and chances are, it hasn't been as long truly as it feels it has.]

Hi there!

[She greets him with a smile, tipping her head.] Luke, right? I didn't know you liked flowers.

01

[itsmypower]

[Upon first entry, one could easily be convinced they've passed through a painting itself. There's a number of things to focus on: a surprising amount of flora in almost storybook settings. His eyes can't help but wander, and eventually, he too is moving and looking, exploring in cautious steps inwards. Fingers curiously examining things.

He's obviously intrigued—lifting himself to peer in baskets, at spiraling leaves, and fresh paintings.

He's never seen so many flowers.]

It's Shoto.

[Distractedly calling backwards. He's still busy himself!]

[inemeraldfaith]

[She's occupied for just a moment or two when he arrives, evidently finally putting up something else on one of the walls. They're still too barren for her tastes, but she's gradually getting there. She keeps having to keep in mind the opinions given to her by no shortage of people, and Emet's advice in not always listening. Hearing and listening and using the ideas are all different concepts.

Less is more, is what she wants to say. But maybe that doesn't quite ring true for a shop of her kind.

Her attention turns onto him once she's done and she smiles brightly.]

Hi there! This is your first time looking around, right? You look a little overwhelmed.

July Event - Tourney Time - Closed to Balthier

[inemeraldfaith]

[Vicious Vocals has gone about the way that Aerith expected it to, really. That is to say, she's not particularly impressed with her own entry. At least, this might be what she'd be thinking if she'd gone in expecting to get anywhere in it. Given that it was purely for fun, she's gotten a good laugh out of it and is just ready to look at the rest of what's out and about for the tournament.

The last time she came to one, she looked at everything. She has it in mind to do much the same and this time, she means to grab an unlucky companion. Aerith has chosen one very specifically refined pirate to claim as said companion. Or at least will once she manages to locate him.

She scours tournament grounds, weaves her way through crowds, stops by various street shops that might possibly carry something Balthier wouldn't mind subtly claiming for his own, and eventually her hard work and effort pays off. She has become one step closer to becoming one pirate richer.

Popping up right at his side, she gives him a playful bump from her hip.]

Hello! What're you doing?

[theleadingman]

[Never let it be said that Aerith doesn't have a sharp eye— though Balthier's manner of dress can hardly be called subtle; even when he tries to adapt to Camelot's fashion standards, he has a way of making himself stand out. He looks far less startled than the last time she'd managed to sneak up on him; in fact, he greets her with a smile, and though he doesn't return that playful hip-bump, he does drop a hand to his own hip and drop his head to one side, amused.]

Simply taking in the sights. I'm rather enjoying being an observer, in fact— I saw your offering at the singing contest.

[It was entertaining, to say the least.]