UN: Aerith » Video

[inemeraldfaith]

[Aerith could text and maybe she ordinarily would, but given that this is her very first time making use of Etraya's network, she decides she would rather own all of her words and let them be attached to a face.

So on she pops making a peace sign with her right hand just outside the Louvre in the Jardin des Tuileries.]

Helllooooo!

I've been here for a little bit, but this is the first time I'm giving a real hello. I'm Aerith, but I might have told you my name was 'Ree' or 'Ri' or some other variation of it. I sold flowers back home and maybe I might want to do that here, too? I'm not sure yet. It's nice to meet you!

A bit ago I was one of the people who came from Pollux and had been living with the fae for a few months, if you can believe it. I haven't exactly reunited with everyone who I had met while I was there, but I'd like to if you decided to come back with everyone else.

I also wanted to say thank you to everyone who was worried about me not making my way back. As you can see, I'm in one piece and one hundred percent here!

[She opts for not making any commentary on any of the dreams she had and the various people she might have reached out to in said dreams even before they found her on Pollux. That may just have to remain another one of those unspoken secrets that Aerith seems to carry.

She moves her video to show the gardens off.]

If you like flowers, you should come visit the Louvre. They aren't mine, but the very nice man who curates the museum is letting me help take care of them! Please come by and say 'hello;' they'd like that very much!

[When the camera moves back onto her, she lifts a finger.]

With that out of the way—I'm actually looking for someone. Back on Pollux there was a very nice man named Jean-Napoleon who said he was going to show me some more gardens here. I'm officially stating that I'm hunting you down and I would like to collect on this invitation!

And of course, I'd be very thankful for anyone who can point me in his direction!

[But also, you know, please come to the gardens—and her church—and say 'hi' to the flowers.]

Comments

[inemeraldfaith]

[Aerith nearly withers, which lasts for only some moments before she can only respond with a very earnest innocence.]

It wasn't really a plan. Was I not supposed to say anything? I just thought it would be nice if people gave your art and flowers some attention. I didn't mean to upset you.

[Disappoint? She's not sure. It never occurred to her that he didn't want to be known.]

[betenoir]

You did nothing wrong, mademoiselle. Were I upset I would not respond.

[The sentence is short while his words are delivered with a mindful tone. Her opinion he is upset is avoided. Because while he is happy enough to engage, he is reticent about personal affairs.]

Besides, that art? Not a single piece is mine. I curate what is visible to the public and maintain the work. I would not consider displaying mine alongside the masters.

[inemeraldfaith]

[She... doesn't know what to make of that. There are words, of course, and there is tone. Aerith is a fairly good judge of people and incredibly observant. For more, she won't push.

A different approach, perhaps.]

Do you have any pieces you've done here?

[Although she makes a note to ask him at a future point in time if he might be willing to share more of his knowledge on those masterful pieces. There are probably many she hasn't seen. And if not, then he seems like a veritable font of knowledge.]

[betenoir]

[Sneaky Aerith.]

A couple. [Plus several more.] Sadly, we are often brought here without our families. Even those people or places who afford us a sense of peace.

[Which creates the kind of pain one cannot easily avoid. He contemplates in silence for a moment before continuing.]

So I paint to remember them. It passes the time if nothing else.

[Months upon months of passing time...]

[inemeraldfaith]

[Aerith has been very lucky to have people here from home. In spite of it, she had just a taste of Zack being here before he was no longer. In a way, it's like losing him all over again, except she can't even feel him in this world. They are, in fact, separated by the rules of different worlds and different planes.

There is no Lifestream to connect her to him. To her mother. To anyone else they've lost along the way. And when she leaves this place, an inevitability, she won't be able to tether herself to anyone here either.]

Would it be okay if I watched you paint sometime? It's okay if not. But maybe... I think I'd like that.

[And maybe Renoir might enjoy her company. A little. Somewhere inside of him.]

[betenoir]

[Renoir is silent for a long moment as he studies his feelings on the matter. Painting is a solitary activity in some regards, because it leans into his connections with his emotions, but those emotions are what connect him to others. Those he loves. Those he hates. Those for whom he has little feeling.]

I dare not say no will be a disappointment. I fear I do not want to cause such sorrow, so you are entirely welcome.

[Sure, she can watch.]