Flower Time! [OTA]

[ancientflower]

♥ Who: Aerith, flowers and you!
♥ Where: Everywhere!
♥ When: Any time before Event day!
♥ What: Aerith wants to enjoy the flowers and a good time!
♥ Rating: PG.


✿ I: Botanical Garden:
[This place was magical to her. It was so full of life. It invigorated her! There is a place she likes in particular, a patch of flowers that look so similar to ones back home, though they're blue and purple rather than yellow...

You'll find her wandering around, occasionally talking to the flowers (not that they actually talk back!), touching them or sitting on a bench basking in the warmth she feels from the flowers around her and the sweet, rich scent they emit.]

✿ II: Zoo:
Now would you look at you! [Aerith had never been to a zoo before and she had been uncertain about coming here, but now she has no regrets in it! The animals here are all so very strange.

Take this one for example. Such a long neck! And stripes? She'd never seen anything like it in her life. Though most of the animals here will be unlike anything she had ever seen. The only animals she has ever met in person are cats and dogs and the occasional bird.]

✿ III: Festival of Flowers:
[A festival made for this flower girl! Aerith will be found sat in the sun a great deal, usually surrounded by flowers and looking very much at peace just weaving chains of pretty, colourful flowers for any who pass by.]

(a): [Aerith can be found on a bench with flowers in her lap, and several woven into the braid hanging over her shoulder. Why don't you let her show you how it's done?]

(b): [A soft, sweet voice can be heard singing what sounds like a lullaby. It's evening and Aerith is still out, loath to leave and return to the quiet of her home. So she sits, legs crossed in a patch of grass, humming and singing to herself. Or the flowers. Does it seem like they turn to listen? Surely that's your imagination!]

(c): [Closed to Cloud]

Come on, Cloud! [Aerith had a good grip of her bodyguards hand and was tugging him along with her, as was her way, since he was being reluctant again. Things would be so much better if he'd just admit he loved fun things and skipped along with her!

She paused for a moment, that mental image causing a sudden laugh and then a shudder. No, that would not work for Cloud at all!

There was a patch of flowers ahead, in front of a bench. Lots of tiny, colourful and sweet smelling flowers that she intended to pick a few of.]

You'll love this!

Comments

IIIa

[silversoldier]

[ Sephiroth managed to avoid most of the festivities but he couldn't stay in his house forever. After waiting what he thought was a sufficient amount of time for things to die down, he emerged to what he hoped was a far less crowded space. To his relief most people had, indeed, dispersed and he was able to investigate matters without being harangued by anyone.

That's what Sephiroth was doing when he spotted Aerith sitting down on a nearby bench covered in flowers. It was not a sight to which he was accustomed, but it somehow suited her. Sephiroth wandered over without any real purpose in mind. ]

I see you haven't had your fill of the plants here quite yet.

[ancientflower]

[In the process of weaving yet another crown of flowers, Aerith smiled when she heard the voice. Her head lifted and the smile widened and her head shook, sending her braid flowing from her shoulder to down the centre of her back.]

Not in a hundred million years would I ever get my fill. There's so much life here... And I'm enjoying myself.

[The smile had a knowing edge to it now.]

You avoided it, hm? Don't you like flowers, Sephiroth?

[silversoldier]

[ That was the answer Sephiroth expected. He hadn't had much occasion to go down into the slums but he did recall the barren landscape there--not that there was much above plate either. He surmised Aerith's interest had much to do with this and while plants did nothing for him either way, he could appreciate the appeal. ]

Not particularly.

[ Sephiroth didn't comment on Aerith's other observation, astute as it was. He only stared. ]

They suit you though.

[ He meant it as a purely clinical observation, unaware of how it could be interpreted. Unlike him, she seemed to be in her element. ]

[ancientflower]

[Aerith blinked. Was that a... compliment? Her cheeks sure felt it was as they'd warmed up quite nicely. She looked away and down at the flowers in her lap, idly rolling a stem between her thumb and index finger.

When she looked back again she was smiling, warm and gentle she moved a hand to pat the bench beside her.]

If you've time, why don't you keep me company? [He didn't have to be out of his element. Nature and life was all encompassing. It welcomed all sorts of people.]

[silversoldier]

[ Aerith seemed prone to blushing though Sephiroth didn't know the reason this time. There didn't seem to be much to see here though so he didn't mind sitting down beside her and asking some of the questions that were on his mind. ]

Have you been able to find out the purpose behind this event?

[ A warm breeze ruffled his miles long hair and gently fluttered the petals of the flowers in Aerith's braid. ]

IIIc

[dontcallmebro]

[Meanwhile, Mr. "I Am Too Tough And Badass To Pick Flowers" has indeed protested that picking flowers and making bouquets and the like are not his style. And yet......he finds himself going along with it anyway. Which doesn't exactly surprise him. When Aerith is dead set on something it's extremely difficult to talk her out of it or at least he hasn't figured out how yet.

So he just stands in front of the flowers, staring at them with a sour look on his face. There are.....a few he recognises after looking at a few books totally not because Aerith got him a little curious.]

Okay. So we just pick a few and leave. Done.

[ancientflower]

[Aerith pulled a face. She puffed out her cheeks and put her hands on her hips.]

Cloud Strife! You will cheer up in front of the flowers! No making them sad. We're here to have fun and you will have fun even if it kills you!

[She was trying hard not to laugh here. She wasn't entirely serious... Yes, Aerith was desperate to have some nice, relaxing fun with her friend, but she also didn't want to force him if he didn't really want to. Maybe she'd dragged him there but she'd hoped...

For a brief moment doubt flicked through her expression, but was quickly chased away by a smile as she turned to crouch down beside the flowers.]

We can pick some and be done, sure. I think I'll stay though.

[dontcallmebro]

[Part of Aerith's tone makes Cloud suggest she found what he said funny, making him blush a little.

Have fun? Well, maybe, but...wait a heck. No it won't be! What if people see him? And wonder what ex-SOLDIER First Class Cloud Strife is doing? He was lucky enough when Sasuke caught him reading a book about flowers and he passed it off as 'research for a job' and the guy didn't say a word. And maybe he did it because he thought of Aerith back then but.....like hell he was going to admit that.

He was about to make some sort of retort but then.....he sees the brief doubt on her face and then her smile before she says that she'll stay behind. And a part of him feels a little guilty.

Maybe he should.....ugh. He's not sure. A pout.]

.......I dunno how to make that sort of stuff anyway.

[ancientflower]

I can teach you.

[Aerith answered and reached out to delicately start to pick some of the flowers with longer stems.

After a few she looked up with a gentle smile.]

Is there a colour you like, Cloud?

IIIb

[hedgehogsdilemma]

[Oho? What's this Shinji hears, on his way back home for the evening?

There's something about this sight that's vaguely nostalgic for him, especially with the flowers springing up around town once again. Someone communing with the greenery, in such a way that it almost looks like nature is listening as intently as he is. It's not the same sort of otherworldly scene as one he may have seen out of a particular offworlder last year, but seeing this girl sing to the flowers is honestly just as entrancing.

Shinji slows to a stop a short distance away, caught up in listening to the song Aerith's singing, but not quite daring to interrupt it. Totally unintrusive! Don't mind him!]

[ancientflower]

[And for a little while Aerith doesn't mind him at all, doesn't even notice that she's being watched. She's happy to sit where she is, softly singing. When one song ends she moves on to another, though the second is without words, just sounds rising and falling to simulate words. A song from when she was too small to understand. A song, perhaps, sang to her by her mother. She wasn't terribly sure.

It was halfway through this that she looked up and stopped, catching sight of the boy watching her. For a moment embarrassment floods her at being caught, but then she smiles and lifts a hand in a wave.

Join her, stranger! She doesn't bite!]

[hedgehogsdilemma]

[Ah! He's been caught! It was probably only a matter of time, given how he didn't quite have it in himself to simply walk away from the performance, but it's still a bit embarrassing on his end.

But, as she beckons, he steps in a little closer, offering a soft,] Sorry, [as he does.] I didn't want to interrupt you.

[ancientflower]

[Aerith's smile softens at the apology and she shakes her head, her hand dropping back into her lap.]

No interruption. I'm sitting out in public, after all.

I'm Aerith. Who're you?

III.a

[justcawse]

[Akechi had just been wandering and ended up here for some reason. The flowers really didn't make him stop to look at them and he paid no mind to them himself. Seeing her weaving flowers together was something he hadn't really seen prior to this, so it caught his attention for probably longer than it should have. Long enough for him to notice he was there.]

[OOC: Does this work?]

[ancientflower]

[It took Aerith a moment or two to notice, so focused on her work, but when she did she looked up with a warm, kind smile and lifted a hand to wave.]

Hello there!

[She'd call, friendly and welcoming. Aerith was always happy to meet new people.]

Ugh noticing typos after the fact

[justcawse]

[Oh, whoops. Took too long.]

Oh uh.. hello there.

[How do you socialize?]

Thats the worst! If it helps, I never noticed!

[ancientflower]

Hello.

[She smiled wider, her hand dropping back into her lap and head tilting curiously.]

Is everything alright?

IIIb

[nyakama]

[If there is music, Hummy will find it. She was on her way home for the day when the sound of singing perked up her ears and immediately drew her attention. It didn't sound like any of the robotic performers she was familiar with, which meant... someone new?! She must find the source! She just must!!

Luckily for the easily distracted little cat, Aerith isn't too far away so it isn't a particularly difficult hunt. On spotting her, she lets out a little pleased 'Nyapu!' and romps over joyfully, barely managing to contain her enthusiasm until the young lady has finished singing. Her eyes are bright and sparkling with appreciation and excitement.]

What a beautiful song, nya! So peaceful~!

[ancientflower]

[To say it was a shock when a small, pink and white cat came up to her would be an understatement. More so when that cat spoke to her! It was far from the first talking animal she'd ever met but it was a rare enough event that she was still surprised.

Surprised and quite captivated.]

Why thank you! [Aerith's smile, so warm and kind, widened into happiness.] Do you like music?

[nyakama]

I looove music! [Said with a beaming smile and a wave of the arms for emphasis.] Singing is my favorite thing to do, nya! You must love it too, right?

[ancientflower]

I enjoy it sometimes, yes.

[She laughed lightly, smiling at this adorably energetic kitty.]

The flowers seem to enjoy it too.

III (a)

[pinkxeno]

[ Mina didn't want to miss the Flower Festival, but she also wants to patrol - so she ends up patrolling the festival because why not. Excitedly, she waves at everyone she sees, but when she spots a familiar face, Mina quickly walks up to Aerith ]

Hello!! Those look SO cute, Aerith-chan!

[ancientflower]

[Aerith was halfway through making a delicate crown of flowers when Mina approached.

Looking up there's a moment of unguarded surprise at having someone address her, that melts away into a wide and bright smile and a slight, happy flush to her cheeks.]

You think so? Would you like one? [She gestured to the half-made crown in her hands.] Or I could show you how...?

[pinkxeno]

Ah- my hair is short. [ mina touches her bangs, pulling at them ] Would it still work?

Or- do you know how to do flower crowns? [ ohh she'd love one ] I don't mind learning how to do them, they are so cute!

[ancientflower]

I'm sure it would! Smaller braids to hold the flowers in place, or I could weave a brown into your shorter hair!

But showing you is also fun as well! [She gestured for Mina to come over and sit with her and lifted the crown she was working on.] See? I can show you. I have more than enough flowers for the both of us.