#* vii.

        ❛❛   I can hear you,   you know.   ❜❜        The scientist calls,   averting his attention from the screen to fix his gaze towards the open door,   there's nothing out there to see,   but he knows the constant shuffling belonged to none other than a very bored girl in the mood to pester him.

@sacredflorist // one liner !

     An easy smile graces his lips whenever she's near,   Aerith had quickly became someone he regards as a friend,   her story was still an oddity he's yet to solve,   seeing no reason why they would leave her to grow up in the labs of all places.   But of course,   any questions are turned down immediately,   always telling him to stick to his work and not to worry about it.   Even so,   that never stopped him from coming to see her or involve her in whatever task he was doing at the time.   As expected,   he finds her by herself with little attention   [   besides the soldiers guarding all entrances   ],   his offer is met with that same energy he had grown used to                 one which he's quick to match,   swinging his lab ID for her to see.        ❛❛   Mhm,   high access means little questions,   I'm sure I can sneak you out   ...   in the name of science.   ❜❜        he jokes and gestures for her to follow.        ❛❛   Now come on,   it's nice out today.   ❜❜

@sacredflorist // cont.

      Amusement meets subtle irritation,   expectancy shifts into a look of true exasperation,   easy to stretch his patience thin with the nature of his work   &.   the added stresses imposed upon himself so willingly.   For an instance,   he believed a real conversation would ensue,   something beyond her tendency for sarcasm,   he was a fool to think otherwise,   as he seems to be the main topic of entertainment at the moment.        ❛❛   Don't you have something better to do ?   ❜❜        The scientist questions,   tone intentionally dry,        ❛❛   Your job,   perhaps ?   ❜❜

@highwindo // cont.

  Remorse is but a vain emotion he knows better than to dwell on,   using his time and knowledge to ease the torment of the lost,   never able to heal,   only slow down another tragedy.   Before him lay the haggered figure of a soldier,   delirious,   pained,   haunted by visions of a realm unknown,   the glow of Mako still alive in an absent gaze,   an indication of heavy poisoning that went untreated.   His remedies merely sooth the poor soul into a much needed rest,   a time of peace before a final departure,   a kindness he could not extend to a weeping mother,   her tremulous assurances to her son overshadowed by the grim pallor of death.   Yet within that gloom he can note the outline of a figure,   the signature black suit she wore blended her perfectly with the darkness.        ❛❛   I didn't know the Turks had the time for private visits.   ❜❜        the former scientist speaks once they're left alone,   dark hues flicking sharply towards his unlikely companion.   It hasn't been the first time they'd pay him a visit,   an intimidation tactic to keep him on his toes merely,   for he knows the uselessness of his own research when it could only produce more monsters to inconvenience them,   an evil he had willingly become to shield others from.        ❛❛   To what do I owe the pleasure ?   ❜❜

@celestrahl // starter !

      ❛❛   You can take a look,   if you'd like.   ❜❜        the scientist offers,   having found her lingering about once more.   She caught his eye ever since he started working in the labs,   he doesn't favour the idea of keeping someone locked down here but no one would disclose the purpose behind her confinement no matter how much he had inquired,   any research linked to Hojo was always laced with secrets,   non that he would like to know despite his curiosity.   It would seem she was given permission to wander every now and then at the very least,   it must be awfully lonely down here.   He ushers her to step closer for a better view of what he was tinkering with for the past few days,   it might serve as a distraction   &.   perhaps ease that mute melancholy that hung over her like a dark cloud.        ❛❛   This is a navigational drone,   it's meant to scout difficult areas and detect any threats soldiers don't see coming,   by that significantly cutting down on any future losses.   I've just finished programming it,   it should work right about   ...   now.   ❜❜        the drone in question floats up on cue,   doing a spin in the air in demonstration.

        ❛❛   I haven't seen a case this bad in a long time   ...   ❜❜        Adam remarks,   a touch of something akin to concern sweeping briefly upon features.   It's a statement not made lightly.   He had witnessed several cases of Mako poisoning during his time working in the labs                 although his line of work wasn't linked to SOLDIERs,   Mako exposure had remained an issue none could solve entirely.   The only difference is however that he had no interest in the workings of war,   his primary focus was human advancement,   to bring forth a better future where sickness   &.   meaningless deaths were behind them.   But what good did years of research produce except for monsters ?   How many must suffer until Shinra's atrocities would come to an end ?   A sigh,   he left that life behind him and yet   ...   The past haunts him so unbearably.        ❛❛   Between Mako withdrawals and degradation,   it's a wonder your friend is even walking.   But not to worry,   he's not beyond saving.   ❜❜        he assures,   part in truth and to ease her evident concern for a tad,   she seems to care deeply about Cloud.        ❛❛   Although it's not a permanent solution,   I've created a formula to help ease each episode,   why don't you give it a try and let me know how it goes ?   ❜❜