on Thursday afternoon

[gardenerofgaia]

[Filtered from Hope, written]

I heard it takes a week for people to be revived. Is that just "about"? Sometimes it can be longer? [The top quickly scribbled out to leave only a period.] Li She's la

[There's a sudden break into voice when Aerith mutters:] I feel sick. [She still has to check on Hope... she doesn't know what to say with

Comments

[originaljackass]

[Jack (and Babe) are on their way out when Aerith goes passing by. He does, in fact, notice she seems a bit down and unhealthy.]

You're not looking too good there, kid.

[It's possible they haven't even spoken except in passing since the draft.]

[gardenerofgaia]

Yikes. I'd be hurt if I were more sensitive about my looks, Jack. [She gets what he means, which is why her response is delivered with humor, but what a blunt way to say it. (Maybe just blunt for someone who wants to keep up appearances.)

And no, they probably haven't spoken much; Aerith's been distracted with Hope and busying herself with the flowers otherwise. These past couple days? Looking for a friend who's yet to return. She stoops by Babe, looking to see if the animal wants to be petted.] I didn't sleep much last night. That's probably why. ... Have you seen Lightning? She really should be back by now.

[originaljackass]

[Babe seems okay with the petting, although clearly his mind is elsewhere. Jack himself is unfettered by her quip. He can see why she's doing it in any case.]

Nope, I haven't. [He isn't convinced about this whole dying and coming back thing. Of course, he knows better than to just go saying that, but...] Maybe it's taking longer on account of it happening to so many.

[gardenerofgaia]

I don't know how many there were. I didn't follow the journals very closely after the battle.

[consultmybooks]

[...]

Sometimes it can take longer.

I know someone who once took nine days to return.

[gardenerofgaia]

[Nine days. Light's been gone nearly that long, so hearing that number is a huge, huge relief. She's still coming back.] Thank you. That... I just didn't want to start thinking she was... [Bad enough that Lightning had had to suffer. The thought of her really being dead and gone, forever, hurt to even contemplate.]

[consultmybooks]

I understand.

It's not a pleasant wait, even in the best of circumstances.

But Luceti is reliable, at least in that regard.

[gardenerofgaia]

The best circumstances would be no wait at all.

You've been here a long time, haven't you? [...Come to think of it, they'd talked a few months ago, hadn't they?] Giles? You're back.

[Action] we can do the backdated one ^^

[contempsi]

[A scarce amount of days had passed since the draft ended. Hope had spent them in silence, barely catching any sleep, not eating unless the gnaw in his stomach forced him

[Action] okay

[gardenerofgaia]

[She has been dreading telling Hope since even before Lightning's death--but then there was the faint hope that she wouldn't have to tell him anything, because Lightning wouldn't die, Lightning would tell Hope herself that she'd made it.

Lightning's dead, and now there is nothing to buffer that anxiety about how Hope will take things.]

I'll come and tell you.

[Action] sorry about the lateness, was out of town for the weekend /)(\

[contempsi]

Where are you now?

[His hands are shaking and clammy now, feeling as if he'd gone cold. "I'll?" He definitely caught that Aerith had only referred to herself, alone, and only intended to speak to him alone.

What could have happened?

Hope sets the journal aside for a moment, attempting to find his bearings. Several thoughts swirl through his head, some of them denial. Lightning wouldn't let anything happen to herself. She's too tough to go down so easily, especially when she didn't want to fight in the first place. Right?

But her brand-

Is this what she meant by Hope needing to stay here?

He exhales slowly, wrapping his arms around himself as he waits for Aerith to either respond or simply go ahead with coming by.]

[Action]

[gardenerofgaia]

Close. Don't worry. Be there soon! [After all... shaky hands make for shaky handwriting. It's not hard to catch onto the distress.

If her own writing has a more jagged edge than usual... it's rather understandable, considering what's happened.

There's a knock on the door, and Aerith's voice:]

Hope?

[Voice/Private]

[goldenglasses]

Are you alright, Aerith? [These are bad topics to be talking of so soon after a draft. He didn't know you had lost a friend.]

[Voice/Private]

[gardenerofgaia]

I'm worried about her. It's not supposed to be this long. [She's been trying to stay calm about it, keep a composed face for Lightning's return, but now that the week is up...]

[Voice/Private]

[goldenglasses]

Sometimes, I've heard, it can take a little longer. I'm sure things will be alright. [At least... he hopes so.]

[Voice/Private]

[gardenerofgaia]

Just a little longer...

Thank you, Vash. It helps. Have you been okay?

[Action]

[wingenvy]

[With Aerith out and about, Zack's kind of worried about her; she hasn't exactly been well and chipper since everyone got back from the draft, as far as he could tell.

...Well. Almost everyone. Dammit...

And that's part of what he's worried about. So after a while he heads out to look for her, checking the building before he checks the rest of the village.]

[Action]

[gardenerofgaia]

[She's been trying to be well and chipper, but that only goes so far... especially once Lightning's revival turns "fashionably" late. There's only so much stress a person can slog through before their body starts protesting, and in that respect, Aerith's only human. And she's tired. After meeting with Hope, she makes her way slowly down the staircase, not really looking ahead of her. Hopefully Zack is.]

[Action]

[wingenvy]

Aerith? Hey...

[Zack jogs up to meet her, reaching out to touch her shoulder.]

You look exhausted, what are you doing, wandering around?

[Action]

[gardenerofgaia]

[She looks up when he touches her shoulder, faint surprise giving way to what could be frustration (at herself) before she smiles.] It's not wandering if I know where I'm going, now is it? I had to check on Hope.