Aerith Gainsborough (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
inemeraldfaith) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
isleofavalon2021-06-15 08:19 pm
inemeraldfaith) wrote in isleofavalon2021-06-15 08:19 pm
[Catch-All] Reunions, Memories, & the Colour White
🧙 WHO: Aerith Gainsborough, You
⚔️️ WHAT: Catch-All for June / July
đź•’ WHEN: June / July
🗺️ WHERE: Aerith's flower shop, Brocéliande, Camelot city proper, the Bay of Avalon
⚠️ WARNINGS: TBD
⚔️️ WHAT: Catch-All for June / July
đź•’ 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 atofthesky.]
no subject
[It's very important that she correct him on that. She'd like to have answers for everything, but a lot of the times that her answers could be the most useful are the same times that she... Well. That she doesn't. Unfortunately.
She grins knowingly. Not everyone picks up on her cunning. In fact, it seems like most don't. Or maybe she just doesn't show that to others. She has to be careful about what she shows and to whom. With whom. Someone like Balthier will appreciate it.]
Well... good. It better stay that way. He's my friend, you know. If you hurt him, I'll hurt you.
[If he'll even believe that.]
no subject
[He certainly believes her to be capable of taking care of herself, but such a thing seems beyond the bounds of what she might be capable of on a personal level.
His smile pulls to one side, his expression knowing as he adopts that teasing tone of his again.]
I'd almost like to see you try, but here I was, thinking you and I were becoming such good friends. Suppose nothing can last forever, can it?
no subject
[She mirrors his expression, sharpening her stare on him, as if she's just daring him to push her. She won't do anything. Not here. Not right now. But it's something she can file away for later. It might be sort of fun to spar with him. Maybe. Not necessarily her preferred way of spending time, but...]
So I expect both of you to be on your best behaviour.
no subject
I would never dream of putting you in such a position, my dear. You needn't worry; you'll not have to break up any such spats anytime soon.
[Besides, as if he would stoop to such uncouth behavior.
... well, he might, depending, but certainly not with Zidane. They have an understanding.]
no subject
[She suspects that he is for surely, no one wants to risk the wrath of one Aerith Gainsborough. Just in case she needs to solidify it, she eyes Balthier with all of the sharpness of... a rather dull butter knife that's outlived its usefulness. That is to say, it is painfully evident that beneath her threatening words, it is all jest.]
You wouldn't like me angry.
no subject
[He even manages to say so with a mostly straight face. It's quite an accomplishment, really.]
Such a sight would be fearsome, indeed— I can scarce imagine!
no subject
[Aerith pretends to be hurt just for a moment. Again, she's awful at this acting thing. Well, she's being deliberately bad at it. An Aerith in truth is likely better at acting than she gives herself credit for.]
Just you wait. You're gonna do something that upsets me. I'm gonna get mad and you'll go into hiding. It'll happen. Now it has to just so you don't think I'm all bark and no bite.
[Playfully, she snaps her teeth up at him.]
no subject
[No, no he is not, but it's clear there's no true offense meant. The straight face falters now; he can't help the grin that escapes him in turn, his gaze alight with amusement.
In the interest of continuing to humor her, he jerks backwards as she snaps her teeth, feigning looking alarmed. It's mostly successful.]
Well, when that day comes, I'm sure I'll be thoroughly humbled. I've no doubt you're capable of striking true terror into the hearts of your foes— I pray I don't have to witness it firsthand, but as you say, it may well be inevitable.
no subject
Well.
So does she. Aerith isn't all bark and no bite, and in many ways, it's more beneficial if others think that she is. Even, if it's people like Balthier. Especially if it's people like Balthier.]
I don't doubt for a moment that eventually you'll see it whether you want to or not. You like pushing peoples' buttons after all. I get the impression that I'm not an exception.
[Says the girl who likes pushing his buttons in return. She deserves everything she gets in return.]
no subject
[Not only because he's done his share of pushing her buttons, but because she's as near as one can be to an expert at such things herself. The whole exchange is reminiscent of the warmth and comradery he's found himself missing in the long months since Bahamut, and not for the first time, he finds himself quite grateful to have met someone who isn't afraid to play him at his own game.]
Only time will tell. In the meantime, however, I've no interest in inciting your rage— but I do find myself very interested in finding something to fill my stomach. My treat?
[Never let it be said he doesn't know how to show a lady a good time.]
no subject
[Aerith proclaims this with no small amount of pride, though she suspects in hindsight, he could have meant the opposite as well. Well-versed in the arts of having her own buttons pushed. That one's not quite as likely. Aerith has a stunning amount of patience where others would likely have little to none.
At his offer of something to eat, she perks up easily. Who is she to turn down a free meal? Honestly, eating in Camelot is probably among the best she's had. But despite the luxury, there's no replacement for Mom's cooking. Not for the first time, she thinks about those back home.
And she nods anyway.]
Sounds good to me. I hope you know I eat a whole lot.
[...No. She doesn't. But hopefully Balthier's coin purse will panic a little.]
no subject
Always good to see a young lady with a healthy appetite. Duly noted.
[His coin purse isn't terribly worried— and besides, even if it's his treat, it's entirely possible that there's to be no actual payment involved.
... well. Perhaps.]