[ 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}
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...]
no subject
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. ]
no subject
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?
no subject
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.