[ She tilts her head. It’s a bit surprising that he’s offering something, but she’s happy for it. As broody as he is, Dainsleif really is a nice guy underneath that. ]
Sure. I’ll even be nice and let you pick where we end up. How’s that?
[ Dainsleif looks thoughtful at this, and then nods, thinking of the exact place, beginning to lead them towards the Greenhouse, because at least it's been awhile since anything terrible has happened there. ]
[ Now, Dainsleif is going to give Aerith a little Look, hearing this. He knows she's just teasing him, arching a small brow at this, even for a small time, just to quip: ]
...Very funny.
[ But, seems he's taking it decently enough, as the road to the greenhouse grows ever shorter. ]
I tended to spend a lot of time first in the rose garden, but then decided to at times linger in the greenhouse. There's always something warm about that place, in a pleasant way.
And not many people end up going there all the time.
[ For a guy drawn to the shadows, she’s surprised he enjoys the outdoors, but perhaps that’s precisely why he does. Though he keeps to himself, maybe the pull of greenery and sun is strong. ]
I like lilies the most. There’s something special about them.
[ Their look, their gentle smell, the lack of thorns. ]
There’s this church in the slums that’s been abandoned for a long time, and outside of my mom’s house, it’s the only place flowers grow. There’s some yellow and white lilies that grow there, taking advantage of the little bit of sunlight they’ve managed to get.
[ It calls, even when it seems he might even recoil from the bright rays of the sun - if anything, there's a reason why he still enjoys traveling... ]
...Is that why they're special to you as well?
[ He will think to himself on this, but he's talking again, right away. ]
There is something symbolic about flowers still persisting in adversity. Or, perhaps that is how I imagined it. Slums aren't where flowers usually grow in general...though, given how hard it is for them to grow, I assume you would do your best to take care of them.
Yup, it is. The fact that they've grown under the little patch of light where the roof caved in... there's something really poetic about it.
[ Persisting through adversity, as Dainsleif said. ]
But you're right. I've always made a point to take care of 'em. Would you believe that two guys have fallen through the roof and right on top of them at different times?
[ If she had a nickel for every time a guy fell through the church roof she'd have two, etc. ]
[ It makes him think about it a little more. He wonders...what about the flowers that barely get any light, but are still fighting to reach it, and survive? But, even those probably don't escape attention. It's an interesting thought.
He then pauses in this, and looks at her curiously. ]
Why were there men falling through the roof? In each separate instance, I mean.
The second guy was Cloud, who fell from a reactor up above and right into the church. We talked for a little bit before some guys from the government burst in and interrupted us.
[ The rumors that the government is after her are true, after all. But her smile shifts, turning wistful. ]
And the first guy was Zack, who also fell from the reactor and into the church. I ended up showing him around the area, after I made sure he was okay, of course.
I'm curious about them, but I am also curious as to why the government would be after you in the first place.
[ Because rumors are hearsay as far as he's concerned, even with truth sprinkled in, until the person involved speaks on them further. Nevermind yes there is confirmation now. There's a pause from him as he's considering this. ]
What are those two like? We can start there, first.
[ The wistful expression makes him want to proceed on this a bit further, and he is approaching this in a decisive manner. ]
[ She smiles a little, titling her head. Wow, he's really going for it. Bold.
But she doesn't mind. ]
Cloud is... kinda like you, actually. Really serious, kind of uptight, pretends to not be amused. He's a little awkward though, which you aren't.
[ Or maybe he is, but Aerith hasn't seen it yet? Only time will tell. ]
Zack is charming and all about being a hero. He was in this elite military unit called SOLDIER. [ A pause. ] Before I really got to know Cloud, he reminded me a lot of Zack. I saw it in the way he moved and talked, but I don't see it at all anymore. They're way too different.
[ She shrugs weakly. She has a feeling that Dainsleif is immediately going to ask more about them, so she goes ahead and adds: ]
Zack was my boyfriend for a while, but I haven't heard from him in a few years. Probably moved on to a different girl or something.
Though, maybe Dainsleif can manage to keep up that side of him a little longer, butt he doubts it. He's still a fairly awkward person in general. ]
I see. That already sounds like a sound assessment in terms of differences. I'll have to assume SOLDIER is also a protective force in your world.
[ He says, feeling like a normal conversationalist. Technically there is both simultaneously little time and time enough to ruin that, though.
But, also, he's not expecting the rest to fall out like that. Boyfriend? Was he kidnapped by the government? ...Maybe he shouldn't propose that as a potential scenario. ]
And it's unfortunate Zack's circumstances are what they are. If he really did do something like that, I hope he's been already taught a lesson.
[ Dainsleif's instincts can be good sometimes. He just doesn't even know it... ]
Considering how you are, I'm not surprised that's your perspective.
Though, I'm not saying it's bad to still care in that scenario.
[ It might just not be expected for most people to do so. After someone is hurt by someone else, there could be feelings that obscure the desire to care about them. To have the space to do so can be a strength.
Or it could be used against the person, but he has seen the results of both. ]
Maybe it's a testament to how great of a guy he is.
[ She gives him a half shrug. He really was a great guy, to his credit. ]
I mostly think that I don't wanna think about the worst case scenario. I wanna keep my hope alive, even if it's... probably pretty unreasonable. I mean, he hasn't even talked to his parents.
[ Dainsleif didn't even consider that this person could be 'great', but that is no fault of anyone else's but his own, with his distinct low trust in most individuals as a starting point.
So, he says nothing on that. But, when she talks about the rest, he thinks of a certain someone, who no longer is with the realm of the living. At this, he shakes his head. ]
...No. There is immense value in keeping hope alive, even if all signs point to the worst having occurred. Even if it looks like all is lost.
Never forget to keep it burning bright, until you have been assured that things are what they seem to be. Even if you feel it's unreasonable.
[ Dainsleif allows a little smile to crack on his face. Now it is his turn to provide something like a pleasant surprise!
He is a bit proud of himself, actually. ]
Perhaps I am reclaiming my younger years. But regardless, it's no trouble.
[ ... ]
It can be awfully difficult to hope for much with everything; I know that sounds particularly ironic, coming from me. But, maybe I find that even the optimistic people need reminders too. Or something like that.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
hjadningavig) wrote2025-08-24 07:44 pm
uwu
Especially if the person he has been looking for is here, and kind of...sulking, at that. ]
Trying to find something uplifting to read?
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Got it in one. Thought I might find something to distract me, but it's a lot harder than I thought.
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[ Dainsleif trails off, considering tone, though he had intended to give it a bit more before voicing an opinion.
Petting zoo? No, case involved an animal. What about art? No, he's still terrible at it. Ah, well. ]
Let's take a walk and talk. That can work just as well, correct?
[ ...That will suit him just fine, perhaps. Even if he isn't the best talker, she cheered him up before, so that sounds doable. ]
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[ She tilts her head. It’s a bit surprising that he’s offering something, but she’s happy for it. As broody as he is, Dainsleif really is a nice guy underneath that. ]
Sure. I’ll even be nice and let you pick where we end up. How’s that?
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[ Dainsleif looks thoughtful at this, and then nods, thinking of the exact place, beginning to lead them towards the Greenhouse, because at least it's been awhile since anything terrible has happened there. ]
...Want to take a guess as to the where?
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[ She makes a show of thinking about it, halfhearted as it is, bringing a hand up to her chin. ]
The Greenhouse? Feels like the perfect place for some brooding.
[ Kidding! So she adds: ]
The roses there smell nice... and the memories there aren't so bad.
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...Very funny.
[ But, seems he's taking it decently enough, as the road to the greenhouse grows ever shorter. ]
I tended to spend a lot of time first in the rose garden, but then decided to at times linger in the greenhouse. There's always something warm about that place, in a pleasant way.
And not many people end up going there all the time.
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Are you a fan of plants? Or the outdoors?
[ That's what it sounds like to her. A retreat into what's as close to nature as this tower allows. ]
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[ Dainsleif supposes that may be why he was assigned the "subject" he was, as some kind of "teacher". ]
...Normally, I would not exactly call myself all too fond of many plants. Though, I have seen a multitude of them on my travels.
What about you? It says on your profile you like flowers. Is there any particular one that draws your attention, or is to your liking?
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I like lilies the most. There’s something special about them.
[ Their look, their gentle smell, the lack of thorns. ]
There’s this church in the slums that’s been abandoned for a long time, and outside of my mom’s house, it’s the only place flowers grow. There’s some yellow and white lilies that grow there, taking advantage of the little bit of sunlight they’ve managed to get.
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...Is that why they're special to you as well?
[ He will think to himself on this, but he's talking again, right away. ]
There is something symbolic about flowers still persisting in adversity. Or, perhaps that is how I imagined it. Slums aren't where flowers usually grow in general...though, given how hard it is for them to grow, I assume you would do your best to take care of them.
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[ Persisting through adversity, as Dainsleif said. ]
But you're right. I've always made a point to take care of 'em. Would you believe that two guys have fallen through the roof and right on top of them at different times?
[ If she had a nickel for every time a guy fell through the church roof she'd have two, etc. ]
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[ It makes him think about it a little more. He wonders...what about the flowers that barely get any light, but are still fighting to reach it, and survive? But, even those probably don't escape attention. It's an interesting thought.
He then pauses in this, and looks at her curiously. ]
Why were there men falling through the roof? In each separate instance, I mean.
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[ She grins. ]
The second guy was Cloud, who fell from a reactor up above and right into the church. We talked for a little bit before some guys from the government burst in and interrupted us.
[ The rumors that the government is after her are true, after all. But her smile shifts, turning wistful. ]
And the first guy was Zack, who also fell from the reactor and into the church. I ended up showing him around the area, after I made sure he was okay, of course.
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I'm curious about them, but I am also curious as to why the government would be after you in the first place.
[ Because rumors are hearsay as far as he's concerned, even with truth sprinkled in, until the person involved speaks on them further. Nevermind yes there is confirmation now. There's a pause from him as he's considering this. ]
What are those two like? We can start there, first.
[ The wistful expression makes him want to proceed on this a bit further, and he is approaching this in a decisive manner. ]
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But she doesn't mind. ]
Cloud is... kinda like you, actually. Really serious, kind of uptight, pretends to not be amused. He's a little awkward though, which you aren't.
[ Or maybe he is, but Aerith hasn't seen it yet? Only time will tell. ]
Zack is charming and all about being a hero. He was in this elite military unit called SOLDIER. [ A pause. ] Before I really got to know Cloud, he reminded me a lot of Zack. I saw it in the way he moved and talked, but I don't see it at all anymore. They're way too different.
[ She shrugs weakly. She has a feeling that Dainsleif is immediately going to ask more about them, so she goes ahead and adds: ]
Zack was my boyfriend for a while, but I haven't heard from him in a few years. Probably moved on to a different girl or something.
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Though, maybe Dainsleif can manage to keep up that side of him a little longer, butt he doubts it. He's still a fairly awkward person in general. ]
I see. That already sounds like a sound assessment in terms of differences. I'll have to assume SOLDIER is also a protective force in your world.
[ He says, feeling like a normal conversationalist. Technically there is both simultaneously little time and time enough to ruin that, though.
But, also, he's not expecting the rest to fall out like that. Boyfriend? Was he kidnapped by the government? ...Maybe he shouldn't propose that as a potential scenario. ]
And it's unfortunate Zack's circumstances are what they are. If he really did do something like that, I hope he's been already taught a lesson.
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She laughs. ]
Maybe he has. But you know what... if he did, I think I'd just be glad that he's okay.
[ Which she knows is weird, but she can't help it. At least she'd have some peace in her heart knowing that he's okay. ]
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Considering how you are, I'm not surprised that's your perspective.
Though, I'm not saying it's bad to still care in that scenario.
[ It might just not be expected for most people to do so. After someone is hurt by someone else, there could be feelings that obscure the desire to care about them. To have the space to do so can be a strength.
Or it could be used against the person, but he has seen the results of both. ]
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[ She gives him a half shrug. He really was a great guy, to his credit. ]
I mostly think that I don't wanna think about the worst case scenario. I wanna keep my hope alive, even if it's... probably pretty unreasonable. I mean, he hasn't even talked to his parents.
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So, he says nothing on that. But, when she talks about the rest, he thinks of a certain someone, who no longer is with the realm of the living. At this, he shakes his head. ]
...No. There is immense value in keeping hope alive, even if all signs point to the worst having occurred. Even if it looks like all is lost.
Never forget to keep it burning bright, until you have been assured that things are what they seem to be. Even if you feel it's unreasonable.
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Kinda surprising to hear you talk like that. But... thanks.
[ It means a lot to her, honestly. Keeping her hope burning bright... she'll do that. ]
The most I can do right now is try to hope for good things in general, even if it's hard with everything going on around us.
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He is a bit proud of himself, actually. ]
Perhaps I am reclaiming my younger years. But regardless, it's no trouble.
[ ... ]
It can be awfully difficult to hope for much with everything; I know that sounds particularly ironic, coming from me. But, maybe I find that even the optimistic people need reminders too. Or something like that.
So...keep it up.
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Your reminder is appreciated, probably more than you know.
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Jokes aside, his expression does ease back into his usual. Even while riding the feeling of subtle satisfaction. ]
Knowing how I am, perhaps. [ ... ] Though, even for those who are used to receiving such sentiments, it may feel difficult to register.
Particularly for those who are used to working so hard, for other people's sakes. Not that I can claim to necessarily usually be one of those.
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