Department of Administrative Research

Then comes the shift in conversation. One of her own making. Her knuckles whiten at the mention of Hojo — she had a feeling in her gut that he ignored the things that didn't pertain to his research. She almost speaks further.

Though Veld's offer had Ifalna reaching to pat his knee. "Don't even try." Don't even think it. She wasn't book smart like Gast. Not even close. But she had a feeling about him leaving Shinra. She took his word, his reassurances, he was the genius and he was blinded by love.

She thinks Veld is similar. He's an intelligent man too. She won't even pretend to understand his mastery over the shadows, he seems to be able to step between worlds in his line of work. The same man who stood across from her inside Shinra's top secret facility now sits on her steps next to Shinra's most wanted asset. Is it guilt? She doesn't know, but she can't allow him to act blindly. Even she knows that touching those records brings a threat that stretches back to his home, to his family.

Ifalna looks to him again. "I didn't escape just because I thought I was dying... they were already using her, as you know. They had her draw. She had visions and they thought she would draw them a map. Lead them to everything they wanted."

what if were his own daughter sequestered to a sterile dorm within the science department - hidden away and kept within the windowless walls, the artificial light of the lab's strip-lighting the only sunshine she knew? watching her mother hauled in and out by men in white coats, seeing her grow weaker every time those men brought her back?

what would he have done if someone had attacked his daughter the way ifalna now spoke about aerith?

that was a simple question to answer though. veld knew he would have killed everyone on that floor, the only true question was how - a single sweep of the department during operations, or targeted hits while they returned to their lodgings? there would be repercussions, of course ... but those could be handled too. it was the danger of the path he now walked; command of the turks, intimate knowledge of the company's deepest, darkest secrets - and this. a hand in aiding their two most-sought after assets in absconding.

blinking away those thoughts, veld pushed out a breath to clear his mind. glancing down at where ifalna's hand lay on his knee, veld placed his own hand over it,

Day 18 - Deal

There is a curious tilt to Ifalna's head. So, they're not being nudged to pack their bags? That comes as the bigger surprise — they may have found a temporary home, but it's in a village that's close to Junon. Hiding in plain sight though it's not her first choice.

Truth is, she had been far too sick for the original plan.

Being smuggled out to Corel via a fisherman's boat would be a fantastic next step and one that suited Aerith's idea of their grand adventure. There was a small and naïve part of her that wanted to return home. If not there, then to the place Gast loved so much. Out of the question. She knows, she knows.

Her mouth opens on a silent 'ah'. "Ish." She answers with a self-deprecating breath of laughter. She can't claim she is all the way there, but she is confident she has survived. Lately that spark of life has been returning. A good sign.

"I hope she's a handful." She half-teased with a glance Aerith's way. She can't imagine what a little older will look like on her own girl. She has only just stepped out into the world. She looks back to Veld with an easy smile. "I am. We're free."

Her arms gathered around her legs to hug them closer to herself. She worries over her lip as if she shouldn't say it out loud. Her attention shifts to Aerith again — she's the happiest she has ever been. Ifalna can feel a sting in her eyes.

it was still an improvement on the state hojo's research had reduced her to. this place was remote, still a little close for veld's liking, but it was off the beaten track that shinra and its boots tended to trod. but that came with its own dangers too; creatures, beasts, varmints, groups of raiders or scavengers looking for an easy place to turn over.

' she is. ' veld answered over a soft breath, ' bold, loud, endlessly curious, and growing up far too fast. ' as a rule, he didn't talk about his personal life when he was at work. his family was private and not for anyone else to know about, given his position and the dangers his work entailed ... but this wasn't work anymore. and there was a part of him that felt he owed ifalna the details he kept obscured from others. after all, he had been there and played a role in turning her life upside down - turning a blind eye and discrediting intel of sightings was the least he could do at this stage.

eyes lifting to watch aerith dart between the flowers, veld considered ifalna's question for a few quiet moments. he could lie ... it would be a white lie. one that would give ifalna the comfort that her daughter was stripped from the databases and could lead somewhat of a normal life now - but they were past white lies.

' it has. hojo is nothing of not thorough with his note-taking. ' blowing out a sigh, veld moved away from the porch's rail, taking a few steps forward to sit on the wooden steps next to ifalna. he watched the way her gaze went back to aerith, the way her teeth bit at the inside of her lips, how her hands tightened around her knees.

what if he were in her place, if his own daughter were in aerith's shoes? he worked for shinra, yes. but he wasn't blind to the amorality that existed within its ranks. he was one of those cogs too. and yet, watching ifalna's worry coil around her to the backdrop of aerith's laughter, one question echoed over and over again in his head;

what if it were felicia?