they're only a gil.

🖤 = Despair - Muse is in deep despair and believes that their life simply doesn’t matter… What’s the point of living? // @highgear

( aerith's sadness and despair is mostly going to come from her reflection and sadness of the cetra / what this means to her / who she is . in their relationship aerith and roche haven't been this serious and she's yet to really open up about herself and about this part of herself . that being said , it's likely to happen in this scenario . which is probably a step they need to have for their relationship to grow further . )

the twist and turns of the streets in the slums thread beneath the plates of midgar like paths of a maze . the people akin to the rats that rush and turn at every dead end , trying to find the reward of their success . there is suppose to be a lesson in this , wasn't there ? that you'll not succeed in every path you take , but that you must 𝓪𝓵𝔀𝓪𝔂𝓼 𝓽𝓻𝔂 𝓪𝓰𝓪𝓲𝓷 . . .

yet , she is still here . . . now questioning if her mother's death was in vain . and it breaks her heart to think about the woman she loved having sacrificed her life for aerith to still remain in a place where she still wasn't safe . shinra's ever watchful eye , swarming like vultures until it was time . she was scared . . .

the maiden's whole body curls forward , mien buried into her knees . . . whilst pink fabric soon soaks up the spill of her tears . not even comforted by the church she hides in , her distress stifles the idea of going home .

💫 = dizzy - Muse is dizzy and unable to focus properly to a point where they are clumsy and knocking into everything. // @riseifrit

( aerith's dizziness is a status ailment , acquired on the road when she was alone . she doesn't know she's been afflicted , so it will last for as long as it takes for clive and aerith to figure it out . can be cured by a spell or item that removes confusion / dizzy . )

having an off - day has never been so on the nose as it currently presents now . typically good with direction , the maiden simply amazes herself by getting lost 𝓽𝔀𝓲𝓬𝓮 . it was so unusual for her head to be so . . . fuzzy . perhaps lacking in a good night rest . leaving her a little concerned for when she finally meets with clive-- hoping he won't be too disappointed or concerned in her tardiness .

it is only when she reaches town ( stumbling into the heart of it ) she resigns with a sigh of success . cupping the side of her head with a gentle hand , aerith closes her eyes-- intermittently giving them a tight squeeze . after recalling where to meet , a wobbly step takes her sideways ( causing her to jolt upright in reaction ) she fixes herself and sets upon the correct course .

for a few minutes she fairs well , though brushing a shoulder into another person only intensifies a sense of dizziness that almost knocks her down . however , clumsy footing manages to save her whilst her back thuds into a taller person behind her . the maiden would love to apologize to both for her gracelessness , yet the person she shouldered is gone ( and certain the one behind her mentioned her by name )

𝓼𝓱𝓮 𝓻𝓾𝓼𝓱𝓮𝓭 in her reaction ( poor choice on her part ) and shakes her head to clear it . ❜ oh clive-- ! ❜ she's not confused by his mien when she turns-- happy to see him . would he even begin to believe the morning she's had ? ❜ i'm so sorry . ❜ curious if he left where they were intended to meet because she was late . . . but also for bumping into him so suddenly . her touch is both affectionate and stabilizing as it hold upon his forearm , continuing to make amends .

❜ please let me make it up to you if i've inconvenienced you . ❜

' the key word is yet . . . ' he can't know when it's going to happen , but if the thought lingered in his mind-- perhaps she finally was able to keep him on his toes . let the anxiety sink in and stew a little longer . . . she'll redeem her card when ready ; but not a moment before .

she is deliberately slow but coy and mischievous when a small smile faintly curls on her lips ; her verdant gaze peeking over her shoulder in his direction . // @re-no

lithe fingers ball up a little loose fabric from her dress ; she picks up a knee , just enough to graze over the saddle of his bike and sit upon his lap . soft lips produce a saccharine whisper ' you're not just saying that because i'm your girlfriend , hm ? ' it was perhaps the first time aerith referred to herself in that way aloud . warmth spreads over her cheeks , a rosy hue that only appeared natural 'pon her skin .

arms stretch upward , delicately lacing around his neck whilst her figure leans closer . lashes flutter whilst lidded gaze pursue his mako eyes , searching for truth

' and if there were ? ' she quietly inhales amidst the murmur of her words , feeling the race of her heart climb near her throat whilst so close to him . ( and what if there were more people like her . . . )

' 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝔀𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓬𝓱𝓸𝓸𝓼𝓮 𝓶𝓮 ? ' // @highgear

' well . . . ' the maiden simply muses to herself . she believes they both share similar characteristics . . . which her allows her to understand how shadowheart is , but also realize the struggle they will have to truly be better companions than this .

' no . . . i expect that you will continue to trust no one . ' she bluntly states how the other woman will not get anywhere with anyone , let alone her . aerith could say the most obvious ridiculous thing or the most truthful and feel as though shadowheart will 𝓷𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 believe a word .

there was no harm in caution . . . but the excessiveness to constantly shut someone out because the worst is assumed , or an iota of trust is not given . . . the cleric would be alone .

' frankly , your skepticism leaves me to have no desire talking with you . it is tiresome to be disbelieved constantly , is it not ? ' the words linger a moment . coldness in the air about them leaves her with no wish to stay ; leaving without so much as a goodnight , aerith relieves herself back to her tent . // @sharfell

she had to quell the hungry assault in her stomach , the campfire crackling in its peaceful song ; cooking the stew that was 𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓷𝓮𝓻 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓷𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 . the maiden had made enough to share , her lingering gaze to the pot shifts to the man she assumed wandered over by aroma . she ladles the stew into a bowl , arm extended to the wizard whilst he meets her with a few words .

'pon rising , the maiden brings the bowl intended to serve back to her own self . walking around the fire she spoons a bite into her mouth , passing him with a wink whilst pulling the silver from her lips ' have none of it then . '

it's left a mystery if she means her gratitude or dinner . could be both for all one knew ; as she wanders her way back to her tent . // @netherweave

𝓽𝓮𝓮𝓽𝓱 𝓰𝓻𝓪𝔃𝓮 𝓪 𝓵𝓸𝔀𝓮𝓻 𝓵𝓲𝓹 , a chaste bite whilst a cheeky grin begins to appear . she bumps a hip into his , gently brushing past whilst she turns 'pon heel to face him . a creepy crawl of her fingers gesture toward him as if a monster was about to grab him ' of course , i can't do that . . . ' she playfully teases , now reaching for her staff and twirling it to her front . ' monsters instinctively target weaker prey , yunno . ' the slight jeer comes with a tongue poked out in his direction ( using his own words against him ) ' better stand back . '

she chuckles just prior to twirling ahead , a couple of enemies just down the way . . . they won't even know what's about to hit 'em ! // @falstrife

it would be foolish for the maiden to ponder on what purpose she had to lie . . . knowing full well she certainly would if need ( or has done so before in the past ) . attempts at dishonesty was never in malintent , simply 𝓼𝓮𝓵𝓯 𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓿𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 .

she had no expectation of him , nor what he would choose to believe . a lone shoulder inches in a light shrug ' i only expect you to believe what you wish . ' she states plainly , not bothered if he chose not to . what weight should that bear on her ?

' i have no reason to lie , if you think that is what i have done . ' yet . . . though that time may never come , who was to say . she continues ' i'm sure a man such as yourself would have a bit of a knack at knowing how to read if someone lies or not . ' so then-- why would she be so foolish to test those waters unless fully certain she could do so undetected ?

her eyes never leave his , a confident verdant gaze merely studies his mien whilst she speaks ' surely , you have better questions to ask than this . . . if you truly wanted to discover more than you think i've spoken on . ' // @ashwarden

𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝔀𝓪𝓼 𝓷𝓸 𝔀𝓪𝔂 . . . nay , she couldn't believe it . a small mouth dropping slightly ajar-- she is trying hard not to smile but failing . ' clive rosfield . . . ' she breathes aghast , yes his full legal name ( that she's aware of )

compared to his stature , her tiny self peeks out from the side , walking about from behind him . ' did i just startle . . . no-- ' her head shakes-- she is teasing him now , a bright playful smile lighting up her mien . verdant gaze now narrowing at him ' did i just sneak up on . . . ? ' she is audibly inhaling , trying not to laugh .

did he . . . ' clive rosfield had his guard down ? ' her cadence over performs-- mmhmm , nope . . . she couldn't believe that . either she truly did ambush him accidentally ! or . . .

' you fibber ! i did not just successfully sneak up on 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓸𝓷𝓮 and the only mister rosfield-- ' a pause , her finger came up as if to stop both of them . they needed the press , the papers , it needed to be documented if true .

arms fold across her frame , her features wear the faintest of smugness as if she won at something . // @riseifrit

immeasurable power was an uncomfortable thing . . . seeing what it has done / what it continues to do . there is nothing but puzzlement , as if people disregard the nature of it ; the consequences it can mercilessly bestow .

( what was the point of it ? ) none wielding it with responsibility . she has witnessed thousands of civilians die because of it . and that alone . . . it fills her with rage and upset ; a combination that allows power to run 𝓾𝓷𝓻𝓾𝓵𝔂 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓭𝓮𝓿𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 . it comes with her nearly hating those who think there is a way to control it , as if doing so still absolves the aftermaths before . it simply beckons violence .

she had to be certain , without questionable doubt . . . that she could handle it safely . that when the time come , it would be without harm to innocent lives . ' it's not . . . normal-- '

knuckles turn white 'pon the grip of staff , a weapon she knows how to wield well , but leery to use . the maiden's grip so tight it felt as though the bar could split in half .

' nothing good comes of it , nothing . . . ' it's softly spoken , her naïve self trying to wrap her mind around the purpose of it . ' i want to 𝓼𝓪𝓿𝓮 the planet . . . not destroy it . . . ' but that is exactly what power will do , too much or not enough ; it destroys . its balance is an unstable force with people who know nothing about it trying to control it . she's terrified to unleash what power she might have , in fear of causing irreparable harm . // @cidlfus

she isn't purposely disregarding the profundity in his words . . . it just so happens the intrusive thought came to the forefront of her mind and it just slipped out . ' pretty sure they're dead-- ' a hand readily clasp over her lips ; ooh , she tried 𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓬𝓱𝓾𝓬𝓴𝓵𝓮 .

her hand wafts in front of her mien , cheeks reddening as the dark sense of humor almost has her in tears as she finished her thought . . . ' that's not much help for t-today . ' this certainly wasn't polite , her lips part to take in a deep breath whilst lithe digits swipe below teary eyes .

it was mean . . . but it was funny ( to her certainly ) . the thought wouldn't have exited had the situation not warrant that enemy's demise . // @vamparion