[Worrying her before he tells her the worrying thing, A+. But he doesn't know that she's worried. So.
Let's see. He's not actually that familiar with Aefenglom. Most of the better paying jobs are in Dorschact after all and... no, there's no way in hell he's taking her there.
So. A cursory glance on his pocketwatch later and...
The shopping district? No. A teashop? Uh. Library...? Hell no.
Yeah, this message might take a while to come. Screw it.]
There's a [Teashop.] place in the middle of the city. Let me know if it's too far.
[ How familiar - or not - Cloud is with their new place of living, Tifa has no idea. All she knows is that she's not - she's already managed to lose track of how long she's been here, and most of her time settling in has been trying to fashion the cottage into something usable, something that feels a little more like home.
After all, any new place carries with it a sense of sadness, right? A loneliness. Her friends are here with her, but it's still not home. ]
It's not too far. I'll see you there soon.
[ Honestly, it's good to get out and stretch her legs, get into the heart of the place. Maybe she can convince Cloud to give her a proper tour.
Little does she know...
She's not entirely sure what she's expecting to come across, but it's certainly not a tea shop. Tea shops are soft and sweet, more Aerith's fare than Cloud's. Maybe when he was a kid, but not now. He's changed too much—
—Or has he? She can't help but remember that feeling she had on the first day, the feeling of Cloud being different yet again somehow, less like the cold ex-SOLDIER who came to her bar and more like the boy she knew long before all that. And perhaps, deep down, she has questions, questions about what changed him the first time and what changed him back, questions about what he's been through without ever telling her, questions about the reason he's called her here for in the first place. Questions that settle deep and uncomfortable in her stomach.
But instead, when she spots Cloud approaching, she offers him her trademark warm smile, something playful and amused as she gestures at the tea shop, her worries and concerns staying buried, at least for now. ]
Is this what "something hard" passes for, nowadays?
I'm not all that familiar with this town. Money's better doin' jobs a couple over, so I don't really know this place that well.
[The teashop? terrible idea. Awful idea. That's even more apparent looking at it from the outside. Why did he choose it? Because the alternatives are worse.]
There's a bar close by, but it's a vampire place. ...It's a pretty bad idea. Unless you want a fight.
[He didn't know enough about the town to know about the teashop, but he knows enough about it to know a bar is ran by, and for, vampires. And he, apparently, indicated said vampires might not take so kindly to him. Almost like he'd had fights there before.
Yep. If Tifa found something odd about that, it wouldn't be hard. But he's overexplaining. It was a joke, nothing more. But... well, he's kind of embarrassed about choosing here. Especially with it being Tifa he asked. It's... uncomfortably close to looking like somewhere people went on dates.
...Not like he's averse to that. It's just-
...]
We going in? Or you want to talk out here?
[Accented with a (self-concious) look toward her. Tifa's initial impression of the place was correct. It's a delicate-looking place, with lace curtains, floral wallpaper, frilled tablecloths, and... well, absolutely not an environment Cloud in particular would look like he suited.
But:]
As long as we get to talk, I don't care all that much.
[ As new here as she is, Tifa really doesn't know if the vampire bar being a fight hotspot is because of the vampires and their nature, or because of Cloud. If he was the same Cloud she remembers from the Slums, then she'd definitely lean toward the latter, but as it is... she honestly doesn't know.
Not that it matters either way, right? Whether it's the vampires or Cloud at the center of it, it's still a fight; as it stands, Tifa figures the best thing to do is probably just to go to this place, regardless of how cute and sweet it looks - he's certainly not the only one noticing how much it looks like somewhere people would go on dates, after all.
She takes a breath, looks back at him, noting the self-consciousness in his expression, a look mirrored on her own face no matter how hard she tries to hide it. ]
Let's go inside. We can sit down, have something to drink... no matter what it's like in there, I'm sure it's better than standing out here.
[ She tries for a smile, confident and reassuring. With how worried - nervous? anxious? - he seems to be, she figures she owes it to both of them to try to keep her head on straight, at least for now. ]
[His response is measured, considered- and it comes with a glance upward to her face from where he'd started examining the sidewalk. An exhale follows, and he walks into the place. Not without holding the door open for her. ...Because... well, old habits.
Once they're inside, they're directed to a table which is nothing short of extravagant, set with a frilled tablecloth, and well... tiny teacups. Definitely not his comfort zone. And as he sits on one of intricately carved chairs, he kind of... gets a lot of looks from the other patrons.
And sheepishly:]
I'll get this. It's not like you've had time to make any money.
[Some seconds of silence later and-]
So, there's a bunch of people here. A lot from our planet, too. So, there's the Turks. Reno and Rude, anyway. ...Some guy from the future. ...Zack, too. Like we talked about. And, uh, [Slight pause. And he's going to raise his eyes to her face, his eyebrows furrowed.]
[ The worry doesn't abate, not even when Cloud holds the door open for her before they're ushered to a table. It's quite the quaint little place, and admittedly not entirely Tifa's style either - it's more Aerith than her, more Aerith than either of them. But she's not blind to those looks he gets, either, a small frown crossing her features. She's not about to start a fight, but if someone tries something on Cloud, she's got his back, that much is certain.
—Money, right. It's a question she wants to ask him, along with many, many others about how this place works. But he's called her here for a reason, and so instead she's silent, listening, nodding when he says something she recalls. She hasn't seen Reno, but Rude's here. Zack. And...
Tifa blinks. Once. Twice. A third when Cloud confesses to sharing a Bond with Sephiroth—
—Right. Bonds. It was another question she had, something about Aefenglom that she wanted to understand—
—Somehow, perhaps thanks to the years of practice, she manages to school her expression into one of polite surprise, where otherwise it might be one more out outright shock. There's a lot in what he just said, a lot of parts to process, and...
She reaches out, her fingers closing over Cloud's wrist. A show of solidarity, in part, a promise that no matter how much she might be internally questioning his choices, she'll at least hear him out, try to understand where he's coming from on this.
Deep breaths. A small smile, one she hopes is reassuring. ]
Let's start with when I'm from then, okay? Maybe that will help you figure out how to explain this.
[ Tifa closes her eyes, thinking back on the last few moments they shared, back on Gaia, before she fell into her own reflection. ]
We just left Midgar.
[ Based on what Cloud said - "He's not dead" - she can only guess that he's from the future, at least compared to her. (Maybe that's what changed him, she thinks, made him more willing to admit the truth about who he is... something like that.) But it does mean that he won't need an explanation beyond that; he should remember it just like she does (or so she thinks): fighting against their own fate, and then facing Sephiroth on their way out of the city. It was enough that there was a frightened moment that she and Aerith shared, when they first arrived, wondering if it was those actions that caused them to end up here. If Cloud's from a different point in time, though, then that can't be true, right?
Her thoughts are starting to twist themselves up in knots. Another deep breath, and she taps her fingers against the gauntlet he wears. ]
[It runs though his mind to explain why he'd called her over to say that. He even considers telling her that the last time she was here, she'd attacked Sephiroth on sight, which was... well, the reason he was straightening things out now.
But he doesn't. Mainly because she says a single thing that extinguishes that train of thought entirely- She'd just left Midgar.
He wasn't exactly expecting Tifa to be from the same point she'd come from last time- especially since, well, she didn't remember being here last. But just leaving Midgar... That's a long time ago for him. A really long time ago. So much had happened on their journey, he really had to cast his mind back to properly remember.]
...So, for you, we were going to Kalm, right? And I was going to explain why I was after him there. Then...
[There, what he told her hadn't made sense. That she thought it was a lie- and it was a lie she went along with, because deceit or not, she wouldn't call him out on it. He lowers his eyes to the tablecloth, to see her hand fidget with his gauntlet.]
...Never mind. We were travelling, and staying over at Kalm.
[Artifically bright eyes raise, to focus on her face.]
You remember Nibelheim, right? [The fire. The massacre.] He's... from a couple days before it started. Before the first visit to the mako reactor.
[ Cloud's words make her frown. It's true that Kalm would make sense; after all, it's probably the closest place to Midgar that she can think of. What doesn't make sense though are the words that go along with it: Cloud, going to explain why he was after Sephiroth.
It's true that all of them are after Sephiroth for some reason or another. With what happened in Nibelheim, she and Cloud have more than enough reasons between them, even before anything else.
But it was Aerith who was encouraging everyone to go against him, wasn't it? It's why she first voiced that concern when Tifa first saw her here. They were actions the group took together, but at their new friend's behest.
Has it been so long for Cloud that he's misremembering? Or...
She shakes the thought off, takes another deep breath, red eyes lifting to meet his. Even believing that he lied to her about being a SOLDIER, she doesn't want to think he'd lie to her about this.
She nods. ]
I remember. [ How could she not? But that still... ] It doesn't matter when he's from, Cloud. Isn't he still the same person?
[ Of course, like there always is when it comes to him, there's a strange twist of jealousy in her gut, an uncomfortable thought that he shares something so close with someone who isn't her. But it's more than that, too. Sephiroth is dangerous. They saw him slaughter their village without a second thought. In the Shinra building, he killed Barret, and only the Whispers saved him. How can she trust that Cloud is - that any of them are - safe with him? ]
[On the day of the holiday, a plate of homemade cookies and a sample of herbal tea mysteriously appears on her doorstep. The wrapping is decorated with a fresh lily flower (actually a Fae magic product, designed to fade away from existence in a few hours) and a ribbon. The attached handwritten note reads as follows:]
Happy Modranicht! Let’s have another great year here in Aefenglom!
M⚜️
action; this basically turned into take two of the last prompt, whoops xD
[Dusk came far sooner than Natsuru had expected. She'd just gone for a little shopping after work, and even messaged Monika to let her know she'd be home a little later. But with the rumors of people disappearing lately, the dark made her more than a little nervous.
All bundled up in winter clothes that keep her wings and antennae hidden from view, the small fae clutches her bags tightly as she makes the walk back towards the residential districts. It doesn't seem like a lot of people are out tonight, but that doesn't stop her from nervously glancing around for anyone suspicious.
Ironically, while watching a particular shadowy corner very intently, she completely misses someone else walking by. A sudden shift in direction and she stumbles straight into them, gasping in surprise.]
Ah-! S-Sorry!
[She freezes up as her eyes make contact with... well, at her height, it's the woman's chest that she sees first. She's blushing so hard her skin faintly glows, as she quickly angles her view up to the stranger's face.
... And she's super pretty. Help. That just makes this even more embarrassing!!!]
I, uh... guess I wasn't... paying attention...
[She clutches her bags tighter, at least relieved that she hasn't tripped over herself or dropped everything. And that she hasn't run into a psycho kidnapper! ... Probably? The panic is still all over her face, though...]
that works perfectly, given how hard I failed before! ♥
[ As with Natsuru, Tifa is lost enough in her own thoughts that she doesn't see the fae before the two are forced into a collision. Being naturally larger, the new witch's balance is hardly affected, a brief stagger all anyone will witness before her gloved hands fly up to the other's arms, finding a gentle grip on her in order to try and steady her. And only once she's sure that the other won't collapse under the weight of her carried bags and her embarrassment does she release said grip, offering her a warm, reassuring smile. ]
It's okay. I wasn't really paying attention to my surroundings either. Are you alright?
[ The panic on the fae's face is clear, although admittedly Tifa can't be sure of its cause. Being out alone at dusk supposedly isn't particularly safe right now, for one thing, but she might also just be the kind of person who panics over every new interaction, no matter how small. So for now, she says nothing about the panic, just holds a hand out to the other. ]
I'm Tifa. Will you let me carry some of those for you? It's a lot, right?
[ Especially for someone of the fae's size. Besides, if there is anyone about who might be otherwise dangerous, the other is definitely safer with her, as far as she's concerned. ]
[Feeling those strong but gentle hands catch her before she can even almost lose her balance is just making Natsuru blush even more. At least it's distracting her from her startled panic somewhat?]
Y-Yeah... [She takes a breath, calming her nerves.] Thank you.
[It helps that this woman... Tifa... is a genuinely comforting presence, somehow. She feels safer out here with her nearby, even though she's still clearly a little awkward and uncertain how to act now that they're talking.]
I-It's okay. I, um... I'm stronger than I look.
[People seem to see her as such a fragile little thing since she became a fae! Despite her words, though, she looks to Tifa's outstretched hand and moves to let her take some of the bags. Heavy or not, it is awkward to be carrying so many by herself.
Belatedly, she seems to realize she hasn't introduced herself and rushes to correct that.]
[ If there's ever a sentence that's going to endear the fae to Tifa, it's exactly that one: I'm stronger than I look. It's a statement that in her own mind the bartender practically lives by. Cloud and Barret, they worry about her a lot - and here, she's even had Aerith worrying over her, trying to protect her from her own new powers.
It's not that it's bad, when other people worry. It's just...
A feeling best dealt with later. As some of the bags are shifted into her hold, Tifa smiles at the smaller woman, adjusting her grip around them until they're comfortable. ]
It's nice to meet you, Natsuru. And, you know, letting yourself lean on other people sometimes doesn't make you weak. It takes someone who's truly strong to accept help when she needs it.
[ If her friends could hear her now, they'd laugh at her hypocrisy. ]
[The fae's doe-like eyes gaze up at Tifa's, blinking as she takes in what she's saying. It's the first time anyone's ever told her something like that so directly. She'd never had a problem relying on others in the past, exactly... but there have been times she's felt weak or useless because of it. She'd even almost felt like that just now. But Tifa's gentle encouragement makes her feel a little better, her lips curling into a small smile of her own.]
Thank you.
[She'd just meant for the bags, really. Once it's said, though, she realizes she already appreciates so much more.]
Um, I'm headed that way. [She points, in the direction she'd been walking.] You know, the Haven? My apartment's there.
[Suddenly, a slight hint of worry traces across her face.]
Oh, that's not too out of the way for you, is it? I don't want to keep you...
[But from the way she glances to the side at the dark streets and shifts almost imperceptibly closer to Tifa, it's clear she does want to stick with her...]
[ When Natsuru expresses concern that her destination might be out of Tifa's way, the witch is quick to shake her head. While she was initially headed in the opposite direction herself, her outing wasn't much more than a walk to try and clear her head; returning home means going back to the Haven for her too. Cutting her walk short is worth it when she can help someone else out in the meantime. Especially when there's that tiny, almost-noticeable shift back toward her even as the fae says otherwise. ]
It's not out of my way at all. I actually live in the Haven too, in one of the cottages. So we'll get you back to your place safely, okay?
[ Another reassuring smile; Tifa hopes it's enough to help the other woman feel more at ease as they make their way through the darkened streets. ]
How long have you been here, Natsuru?
[ Small talk comes naturally for her, being a bartender back at home, but in their current situation, she can't help but think it will serve to help their situation even more. ]
[The reassurance helps a lot, and Natsuru smiles back, relieved she doesn't seem to be getting in the way too much.]
Okay. Thanks.
[She already feels so much safer walking close by someone like Tifa than she ever could by herself. Even though they'd just met, she reminds her of people she'd known here like Towa. Someone who could take care of herself and also cares about others... that's her impression so far, at least. She didn't have to help, or be so kind...]
Me? Well... maybe a year and a half? I know I've been completely fae for almost a year now.
[It's so weird remembering that she wasn't always a fae in this place. The changes took time for her. Yet she can barely remember ever being anything else, except back home.]
You're a witch, right? Or... have you not started changing yet?
[ Of course, the truth of the matter is that it doesn't really matter how far away Natsuru's place is. Even if it were on the other side of the city, Tifa would see her back. Mostly because as far as she's concerned, it's just the right thing to do... but also because it lets her stay out in the evening air a little longer, enjoying the brisk cold against her face.
A year and a half. It still feels crazy to her that there are some people who've been here for long enough that they could safely call the place 'home'. It's a thought that doesn't show itself on her face, though; instead, she simply nods in response to the question, glancing down at her hands as if they're going to betray her again.
(They don't. They're not tingling with the limitless potential of the empty skies.) ]
I'm a witch. But... even if I weren't, I haven't been here long enough to have shown too many major changes yet, I think. [ A smile. ] I'm still pretty new.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
text;
no subject
Is everything okay?
no subject
Look, there's a lot I didn't tell you when we met up that day. I need to talk to you, but
[It's weird. Normally, text messages are more comfortable than face-to-face. But it's different. It's Tifa. She makes a lot different.]
Can we meet up somewhere? I don't care where.
no subject
Okay, yeah. She's worried. ]
Of course. I'm at mine and Aerith's place right now, if you know where that is.
Or you can take me some place I haven't been to yet!
no subject
But he doesn't know that she's worried. So.
Let's see.
He's not actually that familiar with Aefenglom. Most of the better paying jobs are in Dorschact after all and... no, there's no way in hell he's taking her there.
So. A cursory glance on his pocketwatch later and...
The shopping district? No.
A teashop? Uh.
Library...? Hell no.
Yeah, this message might take a while to come. Screw it.]
There's a [Teashop.] place in the middle of the city. Let me know if it's too far.
[An address goes here!]
no subject
After all, any new place carries with it a sense of sadness, right? A loneliness. Her friends are here with her, but it's still not home. ]
It's not too far. I'll see you there soon.
[ Honestly, it's good to get out and stretch her legs, get into the heart of the place. Maybe she can convince Cloud to give her a proper tour.
Little does she know...
She's not entirely sure what she's expecting to come across, but it's certainly not a tea shop. Tea shops are soft and sweet, more Aerith's fare than Cloud's. Maybe when he was a kid, but not now. He's changed too much—
—Or has he? She can't help but remember that feeling she had on the first day, the feeling of Cloud being different yet again somehow, less like the cold ex-SOLDIER who came to her bar and more like the boy she knew long before all that. And perhaps, deep down, she has questions, questions about what changed him the first time and what changed him back, questions about what he's been through without ever telling her, questions about the reason he's called her here for in the first place. Questions that settle deep and uncomfortable in her stomach.
But instead, when she spots Cloud approaching, she offers him her trademark warm smile, something playful and amused as she gestures at the tea shop, her worries and concerns staying buried, at least for now. ]
Is this what "something hard" passes for, nowadays?
no subject
[The teashop? terrible idea. Awful idea. That's even more apparent looking at it from the outside. Why did he choose it? Because the alternatives are worse.]
There's a bar close by, but it's a vampire place. ...It's a pretty bad idea. Unless you want a fight.
[He didn't know enough about the town to know about the teashop, but he knows enough about it to know a bar is ran by, and for, vampires. And he, apparently, indicated said vampires might not take so kindly to him. Almost like he'd had fights there before.
Yep. If Tifa found something odd about that, it wouldn't be hard.
But he's overexplaining. It was a joke, nothing more. But... well, he's kind of embarrassed about choosing here. Especially with it being Tifa he asked. It's... uncomfortably close to looking like somewhere people went on dates.
...Not like he's averse to that.
It's just-
...]
We going in? Or you want to talk out here?
[Accented with a (self-concious) look toward her. Tifa's initial impression of the place was correct. It's a delicate-looking place, with lace curtains, floral wallpaper, frilled tablecloths, and... well, absolutely not an environment Cloud in particular would look like he suited.
But:]
As long as we get to talk, I don't care all that much.
no subject
Not that it matters either way, right? Whether it's the vampires or Cloud at the center of it, it's still a fight; as it stands, Tifa figures the best thing to do is probably just to go to this place, regardless of how cute and sweet it looks - he's certainly not the only one noticing how much it looks like somewhere people would go on dates, after all.
She takes a breath, looks back at him, noting the self-consciousness in his expression, a look mirrored on her own face no matter how hard she tries to hide it. ]
Let's go inside. We can sit down, have something to drink... no matter what it's like in there, I'm sure it's better than standing out here.
[ She tries for a smile, confident and reassuring. With how worried - nervous? anxious? - he seems to be, she figures she owes it to both of them to try to keep her head on straight, at least for now. ]
no subject
[His response is measured, considered- and it comes with a glance upward to her face from where he'd started examining the sidewalk. An exhale follows, and he walks into the place. Not without holding the door open for her. ...Because... well, old habits.
Once they're inside, they're directed to a table which is nothing short of extravagant, set with a frilled tablecloth, and well... tiny teacups. Definitely not his comfort zone. And as he sits on one of intricately carved chairs, he kind of... gets a lot of looks from the other patrons.
And sheepishly:]
I'll get this. It's not like you've had time to make any money.
[Some seconds of silence later and-]
So, there's a bunch of people here. A lot from our planet, too. So, there's the Turks. Reno and Rude, anyway. ...Some guy from the future. ...Zack, too. Like we talked about. And, uh, [Slight pause. And he's going to raise his eyes to her face, his eyebrows furrowed.]
...Sephiroth's here, too. Except he's sane. And...
[He's alive.]
He's not dead. I... got no idea when you're from. But he's from before Nibelheim. [Another pause.] ...And I'm bonded to him.
no subject
—Money, right. It's a question she wants to ask him, along with many, many others about how this place works. But he's called her here for a reason, and so instead she's silent, listening, nodding when he says something she recalls. She hasn't seen Reno, but Rude's here. Zack. And...
Tifa blinks. Once. Twice. A third when Cloud confesses to sharing a Bond with Sephiroth—
—Right. Bonds. It was another question she had, something about Aefenglom that she wanted to understand—
—Somehow, perhaps thanks to the years of practice, she manages to school her expression into one of polite surprise, where otherwise it might be one more out outright shock. There's a lot in what he just said, a lot of parts to process, and...
She reaches out, her fingers closing over Cloud's wrist. A show of solidarity, in part, a promise that no matter how much she might be internally questioning his choices, she'll at least hear him out, try to understand where he's coming from on this.
Deep breaths. A small smile, one she hopes is reassuring. ]
Let's start with when I'm from then, okay? Maybe that will help you figure out how to explain this.
[ Tifa closes her eyes, thinking back on the last few moments they shared, back on Gaia, before she fell into her own reflection. ]
We just left Midgar.
[ Based on what Cloud said - "He's not dead" - she can only guess that he's from the future, at least compared to her. (Maybe that's what changed him, she thinks, made him more willing to admit the truth about who he is... something like that.) But it does mean that he won't need an explanation beyond that; he should remember it just like she does (or so she thinks): fighting against their own fate, and then facing Sephiroth on their way out of the city. It was enough that there was a frightened moment that she and Aerith shared, when they first arrived, wondering if it was those actions that caused them to end up here. If Cloud's from a different point in time, though, then that can't be true, right?
Her thoughts are starting to twist themselves up in knots. Another deep breath, and she taps her fingers against the gauntlet he wears. ]
Tell me whatever you can.
no subject
But he doesn't. Mainly because she says a single thing that extinguishes that train of thought entirely- She'd just left Midgar.
He wasn't exactly expecting Tifa to be from the same point she'd come from last time- especially since, well, she didn't remember being here last. But just leaving Midgar... That's a long time ago for him. A really long time ago. So much had happened on their journey, he really had to cast his mind back to properly remember.]
...So, for you, we were going to Kalm, right? And I was going to explain why I was after him there. Then...
[There, what he told her hadn't made sense. That she thought it was a lie- and it was a lie she went along with, because deceit or not, she wouldn't call him out on it. He lowers his eyes to the tablecloth, to see her hand fidget with his gauntlet.]
...Never mind. We were travelling, and staying over at Kalm.
[Artifically bright eyes raise, to focus on her face.]
You remember Nibelheim, right? [The fire. The massacre.] He's... from a couple days before it started. Before the first visit to the mako reactor.
no subject
It's true that all of them are after Sephiroth for some reason or another. With what happened in Nibelheim, she and Cloud have more than enough reasons between them, even before anything else.
But it was Aerith who was encouraging everyone to go against him, wasn't it? It's why she first voiced that concern when Tifa first saw her here. They were actions the group took together, but at their new friend's behest.
Has it been so long for Cloud that he's misremembering? Or...
She shakes the thought off, takes another deep breath, red eyes lifting to meet his. Even believing that he lied to her about being a SOLDIER, she doesn't want to think he'd lie to her about this.
She nods. ]
I remember. [ How could she not? But that still... ] It doesn't matter when he's from, Cloud. Isn't he still the same person?
[ Of course, like there always is when it comes to him, there's a strange twist of jealousy in her gut, an uncomfortable thought that he shares something so close with someone who isn't her. But it's more than that, too. Sephiroth is dangerous. They saw him slaughter their village without a second thought. In the Shinra building, he killed Barret, and only the Whispers saved him. How can she trust that Cloud is - that any of them are - safe with him? ]
Modranicht gift
Happy Modranicht! Let’s have another great year here in Aefenglom!
M⚜️
action; this basically turned into take two of the last prompt, whoops xD
All bundled up in winter clothes that keep her wings and antennae hidden from view, the small fae clutches her bags tightly as she makes the walk back towards the residential districts. It doesn't seem like a lot of people are out tonight, but that doesn't stop her from nervously glancing around for anyone suspicious.
Ironically, while watching a particular shadowy corner very intently, she completely misses someone else walking by. A sudden shift in direction and she stumbles straight into them, gasping in surprise.]
Ah-! S-Sorry!
[She freezes up as her eyes make contact with... well, at her height, it's the woman's chest that she sees first. She's blushing so hard her skin faintly glows, as she quickly angles her view up to the stranger's face.
... And she's super pretty. Help. That just makes this even more embarrassing!!!]
I, uh... guess I wasn't... paying attention...
[She clutches her bags tighter, at least relieved that she hasn't tripped over herself or dropped everything. And that she hasn't run into a psycho kidnapper! ... Probably? The panic is still all over her face, though...]
that works perfectly, given how hard I failed before! ♥
It's okay. I wasn't really paying attention to my surroundings either. Are you alright?
[ The panic on the fae's face is clear, although admittedly Tifa can't be sure of its cause. Being out alone at dusk supposedly isn't particularly safe right now, for one thing, but she might also just be the kind of person who panics over every new interaction, no matter how small. So for now, she says nothing about the panic, just holds a hand out to the other. ]
I'm Tifa. Will you let me carry some of those for you? It's a lot, right?
[ Especially for someone of the fae's size. Besides, if there is anyone about who might be otherwise dangerous, the other is definitely safer with her, as far as she's concerned. ]
♥
Y-Yeah... [She takes a breath, calming her nerves.] Thank you.
[It helps that this woman... Tifa... is a genuinely comforting presence, somehow. She feels safer out here with her nearby, even though she's still clearly a little awkward and uncertain how to act now that they're talking.]
I-It's okay. I, um... I'm stronger than I look.
[People seem to see her as such a fragile little thing since she became a fae! Despite her words, though, she looks to Tifa's outstretched hand and moves to let her take some of the bags. Heavy or not, it is awkward to be carrying so many by herself.
Belatedly, she seems to realize she hasn't introduced herself and rushes to correct that.]
Oh, I'm Natsuru... it's nice to meet you.
[And she's blushing again...]
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It's not that it's bad, when other people worry. It's just...
A feeling best dealt with later. As some of the bags are shifted into her hold, Tifa smiles at the smaller woman, adjusting her grip around them until they're comfortable. ]
It's nice to meet you, Natsuru. And, you know, letting yourself lean on other people sometimes doesn't make you weak. It takes someone who's truly strong to accept help when she needs it.
[ If her friends could hear her now, they'd laugh at her hypocrisy. ]
Where are we headed with these?
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Thank you.
[She'd just meant for the bags, really. Once it's said, though, she realizes she already appreciates so much more.]
Um, I'm headed that way. [She points, in the direction she'd been walking.] You know, the Haven? My apartment's there.
[Suddenly, a slight hint of worry traces across her face.]
Oh, that's not too out of the way for you, is it? I don't want to keep you...
[But from the way she glances to the side at the dark streets and shifts almost imperceptibly closer to Tifa, it's clear she does want to stick with her...]
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It's not out of my way at all. I actually live in the Haven too, in one of the cottages. So we'll get you back to your place safely, okay?
[ Another reassuring smile; Tifa hopes it's enough to help the other woman feel more at ease as they make their way through the darkened streets. ]
How long have you been here, Natsuru?
[ Small talk comes naturally for her, being a bartender back at home, but in their current situation, she can't help but think it will serve to help their situation even more. ]
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Okay. Thanks.
[She already feels so much safer walking close by someone like Tifa than she ever could by herself. Even though they'd just met, she reminds her of people she'd known here like Towa. Someone who could take care of herself and also cares about others... that's her impression so far, at least. She didn't have to help, or be so kind...]
Me? Well... maybe a year and a half? I know I've been completely fae for almost a year now.
[It's so weird remembering that she wasn't always a fae in this place. The changes took time for her. Yet she can barely remember ever being anything else, except back home.]
You're a witch, right? Or... have you not started changing yet?
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A year and a half. It still feels crazy to her that there are some people who've been here for long enough that they could safely call the place 'home'. It's a thought that doesn't show itself on her face, though; instead, she simply nods in response to the question, glancing down at her hands as if they're going to betray her again.
(They don't. They're not tingling with the limitless potential of the empty skies.) ]
I'm a witch. But... even if I weren't, I haven't been here long enough to have shown too many major changes yet, I think. [ A smile. ] I'm still pretty new.