[Video]

[de_faulty_hero]

[The picture focuses on a garden of thriving flowers and the hot breezes makes the leaves rustle. There are several hand tools settled nearby, untouched but obviously cared for. There is a shadow cast over some of the plants as the wielder of the camera shifts to view the other carefully tended flower beds]

Aerith has gone back. [A male voice

Comments

[ video ]

[wutaisrose]

H-Hey! Wait, that's not fair! [Yuffie shakes the communicator, but that only makes her blurry for a moment before it can focus on her again.]

It-... It'll be fine. Aerith is... She's smart. It'll be fine, Cloud.

[Video]

[de_faulty_hero]

No, no... she's going to die again. She came from praying...

Yuffie... I can't save her... ever.

[ video ]

[wutaisrose]

[She frowns a little, then lowers her head.]

But it was what she wanted to do, right..? You shouldn't feel like that, and... And she would say, "you don't have to save me, I'm not a damsel in distress"! Or... [She's trying, at least.] Or something like that.

[Video]

[de_faulty_hero]

...we could have found another way. She didn't have to die. I didn't... have to almost attack her...

[ video ]

[wutaisrose]

But it wasn't your fault! Ah, Cloud... [Bites her lip and shakes her head quickly.]

[Video]

[de_faulty_hero]

I just stood there... and watched her die. Here I was out on patrol. I should have... [He trails off into silence]

[ video ]

[wutaisrose]

Don't think that way! [Aw, if Tifa were here this would be so much easier. Woe...] If you're to blame then we all are, because none of us were with her. So is it my fault, too? Or Vincent's? [It's definitely Sephiroth's... B|]

Cloud, we really, really need you.

[Video]

[de_faulty_hero]

[There's a long silence] She trusted me with her safety. It was the agreement we came to. Neither you or Vincent agreed to the same thing.

For what? The city is relatively at peace. There are more fitting heroes here now too.

[ video ]

[wutaisrose]

When you don't have control over the situation... it can't be your fault. [A sigh.] Do you think she would even blame you?

[She pauses for a moment, giving the screen a slightly embarrassed look then turning her gaze away.] I didn't say they need you. AVALANCHE isn't AVALANCHE without Cloud.

[Video]

[de_faulty_hero]

If I had been stronger to resist his influence, I would have had control. [He goes quiet again] Even if she knew it had to happen, it should have been some other way.

You and Vincent are here. You two can take over for awhile.

[ video ]

[wutaisrose]

[If she could hit your big fat spiky head, she would! But she settles with a finger flick at the screen.] Maybe, but... she saved us all.

W-Wait! You can't just pass off that kind of responsibility, it's yours!

[Video]

[de_faulty_hero]

[Silence and then...] Maybe that's why she smiled then. She always seemed to like helping everyone else.

[He grunts dismissively] Fine, I'm delegating it to you and Vincent.

[ video ]

[wutaisrose]

Yeah... she did. [Ahem!] Uh, you know, if you're into that sort of thing. Seemed like a lot of hard work!

[A hand on her hip.] I refuse! And I'm refusing for Vincent, too! Looks like you're stuck.

[Video]

[de_faulty_hero]

[His voice goes soft] She deserved a better life. It was cut too early.

I might not be available for... some time.

[ video ]

[wutaisrose]

[Aw, and for a second she thought she might have made progress...] But she's still with us, Cloud. She was always with us! Trust me, I would know. Remember, from the future and all that.

Oh... Well then, if we have to, we'll try... [She trails off then sighs.] Um, do what you have to do, but don't forget that you can call me whenever you want to! And if you don't call me, I'm going to call you!

[Video]

[de_faulty_hero]

The Lifestream isn't a life. Besides... most people lose their consciousness in there after a time. [He stops and stares in shock] S-she comes back? The Lifestream sends her back in the future? [He almost sounds excited]

Call...? I will call, I guess.