Strelitzia;

— Of course, I can't let anything happen happen to my favorite person in the world. — Lauriam replied. Of course, he wasn't always protecting her from danger, he wanted her to learn how powerful she was on her own but he didn't mind lending a hand every now and then.

He took a moment to acess the situation. Well, they were alive and the heartless was no more, it called for a celebration if you asked him.

— Are you alright? Anything broken? I still have enough mana for a curaga if you are feeling pain.

❝ Oh, you're just buttering me up. ❞ She giggled, giving him the slightest hint of a playful push. Since they were both fairly injured now, she wanted to be extra careful to not hurt him, so her touch was light and gentle.

She couldn't imagine being his most favorite person in the world. that was pure insanity! And a very large mantel to hold, too. Even if he were her favorite person. After all, there was Elrena, and she was well aware of how close her brother was to her.

Mentioning her wounds, however, she glanced down at the state of herself and then checked her own curaga spell slots. All out. That battle with that especially stubborn heartless had left her wiped clean of any magic.

She flushed and looked back at her brother sheepishly.

❝ Uhm, if you don't mind? ❞

  Gemiya scoots over a few inches, to allow the other some more room and demonstrate that she had no ill intentions. If there's something she's learned from her time here so far, it's that some folks could be... weird. Definitely not as friendly as other places tended to be, but perhaps that was more due to luck, or the lack of it. If this girl was on edge as a result, Gemiya couldn't blame her for exercising caution.

  " Gemiya! It's a pleasure to meet you. " She brightens up at the introduction. " That's such a pretty name. It kind of just rolls off your tongue! Strelitzia... " She tries the name on her tongue for good measure.

  Clasping her hands together, Gemiya turns in her direction and exclaims " Before I lose the chance to say so, your outfit is so pretty! I couldn't help but notice a moment ago before I took a seat. You have a great sense of style. Your hair too. It's so shiny. I especially love the barrettes. Not too many people use them these days. They're such a simple accessory, but they do so much if worn and styled properly. "

  Crossed into an X too... Hmm. Gemiya couldn't quite put her finger on why, but something about those barrettes stood out to her. Maybe that's where the familiarity stemmed from? But... oh right!

  " Ah- as you can tell, I uh-- appreciate a good hairstyle. " She states, looking away bashfully out towards the cloudy rainfall before making it too obvious she was spacing out. Perhaps she's also a bit embarrassed for having chatted so much without so much as giving the other a chance to say something.

❝ Thank you. ❞ Strelitzia blushes, feeling rather sheepish to be getting such a sweet compliment. Others have complimented her in the past, but for some reason, Gemiya's kindness made it feel far more genuine. She can't help but smile.

The woman even went out of her way to compliment her outfit, which Strelitzia's eyes drift down towards her skirts. Wearing all white was a bold move in such a dense city filled with all sorts of hazards, and with her green thumb, it was a miracle she has yet to ruin her favorite dress.

But, oh goodness!! Gemiya knew how to make a girl feel pretty! She expected a few compliments, but the other just kept going!

❝ W-Wait, wait, wait! I-- Uh, I appreciate all the compliments, but I--I don't think it's all that great! ❞ She stammers, arms waving hastily to try and keep the onslaught of compliments at a minimum. It was very sweet, it really was, but Strelitzia wasn't used to it!! Especially from another girl who was so much prettier than her.

Her face glows red from her ears down to her neck, her gaze shifting from right to left, hoping to evade each sweet attack.

At least Gemiya seems to have noticed as well, though her sudden bashfulness and change in demeanor makes it clear that she must have understood how strongly she approached her.

Strelitizia also notices the way Gemiya suddenly gains a far away expression as she turns to look out towards the rain, and a wave of guilt washes over the former dandelion. Maybe she shouldn't have been so quick to diminish the other's opinion.

She lowers her hands back into her lap, and prays she could fix this. If she considers it, maybe she could... make a new friend? Here was her chance!

She clutches her hands together and turns to face the other girl, giving her her full attention.

❝ Your hair is really pretty, too. ❞ She smiles kindly. ❝ It looks so soft and looks just as shiny. I wish I had the volume you have. ❞ She adds, and then notices Gemiya's outfit as well.

❝ Your outfit is nice, too. Where did you get it? Maybe we got it from the same boutique? ❞

@strelitziareginaee inquired: “It’s okay. It’s okay. I’m right here, okay? I’m not gonna leave you. I’m never gonna leave you.” HURT / COMFORT : STARTERS

— 'litzia, you are smothering me a little bit. — Lauriam said, with a tired chuckle. He was completely beat up, having arived just in time to help out his little sister against a particularly tricky foe. — Shouldn't I be saying that to you?

❝ Me? ❞ She looked down at her hands and then her arms to finally notice how beaten she was as well. She frowned, feeling less than a keyblade wielder than ever before.

❝ Ah, well, I certainly would have been in a pickle had you not come in time. ❞ She smiled sheepishly at her brother, her hands falling into her lap. ❝ Thank you. You always seem to be in the right place at the right time when I need you the most. ❞

Despite the somber symbolism of the flowers, Sasaki and Shadow were encouraged by their shared dedication to nurturing life. Their rough and calloused hands sparked hope that they could contribute positively, showing that if given the opportunity, they could give back rather than just take.

Sasaki towered over his roommate with a gentle demeanor reminiscent of a loyal canine companion. His charming grin spread from ear to ear, and his eyes sparkled with shy pride. As he raised a finger to delicately rub the bottom of his nose, a soft, bashful chuckle escaped his lips, coloring his sun-kissed cheeks a warm shade of red.

"Well, I had a great teacher." With a playful grin, Sasaki gently congratulated himself as he patted his back, his fingers brushing against the soft fabric of his shirt. He then carefully took the vibrant flower pot from Strelitzia's hands, pausing momentarily to deeply admire the striking Hyacinth that stood proudly in full bloom, its petals unfurling in a symphony of purple. A wave of wish-washing took him, fantasizing about how much Kairi would love this vibrant flower shop. He could picture her laughter mingling with the sweet scent of the blossoms, a perfect companion to Strelitzia's gentle demeanor.

As his mind wandered deeper into daydreams, Sasaki envisioned a future filled with cherished moments, sharing a cozy home by the sea with Kairi. He imagined their sun-drenched living room with various plants, each carefully chosen and lovingly tended to. Would they fill their space with the vibrant greens of ferns, the delicate edges of succulents, and perhaps, the same Hyacinths that bloomed before him? The thought of this idyllic life together brought a warm smile to his face, a dream that felt tantalizingly close yet still just out of reach. It indeed would be a dream come true.

After all, Ava saw something in her long ago. Enough to have entrusted her with knowledge that the others knew nothing of, and considered her a future leader. One to help those who would need it someday. Everything that Strelitzia needed to know had been in that book. Though it was strange. She couldn't quite remember everything it said before... only that it had a missing page.

She tried not to think too deeply about that now, and turned her attention back to the task at hand. Though when she was about to instruct Sasaki on the next step in ensuring that the flower remained blooming and beautiful, she caught him in another juncture of deep concentration.

He did that a lot, she noticed. Moments when it seemed like he wasn't really present in the moment. Like he was lost in his own mind and couldn't get out.

She looked at him, unsure if she should snap him out of it. For once, he looked happy. Blissful. Like whatever he was thinking about was something that could make him fly if he concentrated on it long enough. She felt guilty for wanting to call out his name.

But then in an instant, he reeled himself back in in a way that made her startle when he suddenly spoke up, breaking the silence between them. It was an attempt to distract himself. A question that would turn his attention elsewhere.

She supposed she could encourage it. He always had been a mystery, and her too cowardly, to press further.

❝ I wouldn't say it's a talent, I suppose. ❞ She replied as she fetched a canteen of water to begin watering across the greenhouse. ❝ More like... I grew up knowing that plants needed my help, and through trial and error, I just learned. ❞ She shrugged. She read books, studied, and asked around when traveling other worlds about what they did to make their plants beautiful. Although she definitely learned to ignore some advice. Like repainting a flower if you didn't like the color.

❝ Anyone can learn! ❞ She grinned over her shoulder. ❝ Just like you did! ❞

Before Strelitzia was given an official voice (see; KH4 trailer), I've always imagined her speaking with a southern belle accent. It's something that has never gone away when I write her dialogue in replies. It makes her feel soft and warm, in my opinion. Like when a waitress calls you 'sugar' or 'honey' when they serve you coffee.

( 💎 ) " You know I can't quite put my finger on it, but you... remind me of someone. " Gemiya's not quite sure as to who, but there's a strange familiarity about her that doesn't seem to wane. No matter how much she tries to dismiss the thought, it keeps coming back, but with no real way to confirm one way or another it is probably best to drop the idea. 'Lest she risk scaring away the poor girl.

  " Sorry. I know it sounds weird. Maybe it's one of those 'past lives' or 'another timeline' deals I've been hearing about. " She laughs, trying to lighten the conversation before looking back out at the storm clouds overhead and the rain that kept everything in a dreary veil of grey.

❝ Hm? ❞

Someone speaking breaks her out of her mind and she turns, seeing another person. A girl. Strelitzia could have sworn she had been by herself this entire time.

It doesn't matter. She smiles cordially.

In Quadratum, everyone had a familiar face one way or another, but not quite the memories to remember where. Only those with the lightest hearts seemed to hold every piece of their memory the closest.

❝ Another timeline... ❞ She muses. It was possible. Although...

She shakes her head, not wanting to dive too deep into once was. There was no point. She'd already lost so much that looking back hurt too much for the current world that brought so much pain as it was.

❝ Hahaha, perhaps we have met a long time ago. It is possible. ❞ She concludes that agreeing was for the best as she turns to look out towards the rain once more. They were going to be here for a while, indeed.

She looks at the girls once more, hesitates, and finally takes a seat beside her, though admittedly, rather shyly and she sets her hands in her lap and tries not to twiddle them. Maybe the bus will come soon. Permitted the storm doesn't get worse.

❝ Uhm... My name is Strelitzia. ❞ She smiles at the other. Light conversation beginning, she feels it is best to introduce herself now.