[She felt him stiffen, but she wasn't sure what it was from. And...she heard what happened to her home city. It wasn't just a hole in the ground, but...it was just a shell. Something...like a carcass, where people picked over the bones.
Somehow that was worse then having the place completely destroyed. ]
I...don't think I know who's behind Cait Sith. Not by name.
[She knew he had to be someone in Shinra, especially in working with the Turks and everything. Likely really high up. But while she didn't say anything, she was still, listening. Tifa has a bar, and everyone is...everyone is scattered to the wind. Vincent cares, because he knows what everyone is doing, and is keeping track of them.
But it hurt, because everyone was...
She hated that she felt so jealous that everyone was living her own lives. This was what she wanted for everyone. But...what life could she have had if she had lived?]
Good. It's good that everyone is helping themselves and the world too. I'm sure...they're making wonderful lives for themselves.
[ Yes, that. That was the reason he tensed a moment. For a moment, he'll pretend he didn't. ]
Reeve Tuesti. You might know of him. He was the executive of urban planning in Midgar. Afterward he organized the World Regenesis Organization. Volunteers who worked at restoring and protecting the planet. Well... one thing lead to another. After a few years it became a more formalized force.
[ Vincent's tone suggests it's all okay. Reeve... Cait Sith, turned out to have a good soul. One of the few so high up, though no one could call anyone who made it so high completely clean of the Company's sins. Good enough. ]
Rufus survived. The Turks did. [ Is that 'fair'? No. No it's just what life is. ] They keep quiet. Probably busy. But... so far, there's signs that Rufus intends to make reparations.
[ Hardly publicly. No one trusts Shinra now. Such financing and good will as they do... well, it's best to be kept on the sly. At the very least, debts are being paid off.
There's silence between them, Vincent and Aerith. But then he sighs. ]
Brooding.... is my thing, you know.
[ Yet it's not chiding or really a jest as it might seem to an outsider. He speaks the words gently. ]
[ He may surprise her yet again. Vincent had been sitting down at the dividing counter and of course Aerith had been hugging him from behind because of that. Maybe he was still a little 'taller' in height than she was. But slowly he starts to tilt his upper body back; gently so she can adjust, but effectively until he can look 'up' at her. Maybe braced against her, maybe not. But now, his eyes are able to look directly at her and most of his features are revealed.
There's something gentle and perhaps concerned. Though his tone is wry. ]
Brooding is a type of thinking.
[ Then, more somberly and still more gentle. ]
It's okay not to be okay. Hearing about Midgar... can't be easy.
[ Though he doesn't know all the thoughts and feelings Aerith is experience, he at least understands, remembers, and believes he knows her horror at the outcome and cost of saving the world was a part of it. She'd said as when they first met on the Barge and he told her. ]
Would you like me to stop? [ Speaking about the future. His past. Whatever you want to call it. ] Or... I can be a good listener.
[ He never had, other than what empathy was implied toward the experience of the horror in knowing the aftermath of one's actions.
Or lack thereof. ]
Hm. I refuse. [ Not to worry. Cold bastard. ]
Aerith... [ It's really against his nature to insist. Or push. But the last time he didn't... ] It doesn't have to be me. But... everyone needs someone to listen. And I'm worried. You give too much of yourself to others. Are you taking any for yourself?
[She'll see it herself one day. One day, she'll see the damage she did herself.
And there he was...he was refusing to listen to what she was saying. It wasn't like him. Usually, he didn't push for more. Not like this. Not for her to talk.
Slowly, her hand comes up. But only to brush her hand over his cheek, and offer him a small smile.
It looks much like her usual smile. Maybe her eyes look a little more tired. A little sadder.]
Sorry to have worried you Vincent. I'll try to take better care of myself.
[ With the brush of the hand, Vincent blinks. It's probably surprise; maybe at himself for invoking that type of gesture. And that smile and maybe some of the tired sadness. With a sigh he begins to straighten himself upright once again, truly looking to turn around and face Aerith.
This time, the contact of hugs and such will probably be broken a bit. ]
I don't show it well. But I do worry about my friends. Though you're probably aware.
[ He won't deny that, there's no need to insist on what's true. Still Vincent sighs. ]
...Are you sure there's nothing I can do?
[ 'Try to take better care of myself'. How that seems to echo like something that would come out of his own mouth. Particularly once upon a time when he got flustered at being caught unawares. Just another warm spring day in the mountains... He shakes his head out to dismiss such memories and focus on the present. ]
[ He respects the politely closed door. Vincent would be selfish to insist that she talk about it now, that he was the one who could be the one there. They are friends. Family. It's enough that he cares.
And this wasn't the same as how he failed to truly reach out to Lucrecia when all the clues of her pain were right before him. Aerith is not Lucrecia, no matter how worried he is about what he perceives. Of course no more in the romantic sense than she had of him when Aerith touched his face. Just... that hidden sadness. The pain.
He nods. ]
Always.
[ And then, Vincent reaches out and seeks to envelope Aerith in a moment's hug, cloak and arms. It will not be lasting long; but he knows it's all he can do. He can only hope someone else will be there for her. ]
[She made a soft noise, surprised at the hug. She was reminded a little of how he had wrapped her in his cloak before. He did it when she first came here and was overwhelmed by the sky; he gave it so she could sleep when she overdid it when the Otherworld fogged the Barge.
But the noise was her only form of being surprised. She leaned in, hugging him back. It wouldn't be a long hug. It didn't have to be.
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no subject
Somehow that was worse then having the place completely destroyed. ]
I...don't think I know who's behind Cait Sith. Not by name.
[She knew he had to be someone in Shinra, especially in working with the Turks and everything. Likely really high up. But while she didn't say anything, she was still, listening. Tifa has a bar, and everyone is...everyone is scattered to the wind. Vincent cares, because he knows what everyone is doing, and is keeping track of them.
But it hurt, because everyone was...
She hated that she felt so jealous that everyone was living her own lives. This was what she wanted for everyone. But...what life could she have had if she had lived?]
Good. It's good that everyone is helping themselves and the world too. I'm sure...they're making wonderful lives for themselves.
[They're apart but...they're together.
Right...?]
no subject
Reeve Tuesti. You might know of him. He was the executive of urban planning in Midgar. Afterward he organized the World Regenesis Organization. Volunteers who worked at restoring and protecting the planet. Well... one thing lead to another. After a few years it became a more formalized force.
[ Vincent's tone suggests it's all okay. Reeve... Cait Sith, turned out to have a good soul. One of the few so high up, though no one could call anyone who made it so high completely clean of the Company's sins. Good enough. ]
Rufus survived. The Turks did. [ Is that 'fair'? No. No it's just what life is. ] They keep quiet. Probably busy. But... so far, there's signs that Rufus intends to make reparations.
[ Hardly publicly. No one trusts Shinra now. Such financing and good will as they do... well, it's best to be kept on the sly. At the very least, debts are being paid off.
There's silence between them, Vincent and Aerith. But then he sighs. ]
Brooding.... is my thing, you know.
[ Yet it's not chiding or really a jest as it might seem to an outsider. He speaks the words gently. ]
no subject
[Vaguely here and there, mostly in passing. Doing one project or another.
But she knew he was good. Cait Sith still gave his body to ensure they got the Black Matiera.
Rufus being alive, the Turks is- it's good to know they're okay and can make amends.
But the brooding comment- she made a face, and offered a little sigh.]
I'm not brooding. Just...thinking.
I'm okay.
no subject
There's something gentle and perhaps concerned. Though his tone is wry. ]
Brooding is a type of thinking.
[ Then, more somberly and still more gentle. ]
It's okay not to be okay. Hearing about Midgar... can't be easy.
[ Though he doesn't know all the thoughts and feelings Aerith is experience, he at least understands, remembers, and believes he knows her horror at the outcome and cost of saving the world was a part of it. She'd said as when they first met on the Barge and he told her. ]
Would you like me to stop? [ Speaking about the future. His past. Whatever you want to call it. ] Or... I can be a good listener.
no subject
But...well.
She shook her head. He was trying to be kind, and she understood that. But...]
I need to know. If I don't, it'll be a shock when I see it.
Don't worry. I'm not brooding. And I don't need a listener.
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Then I won't hold back.
[ He never had, other than what empathy was implied toward the experience of the horror in knowing the aftermath of one's actions.
Or lack thereof. ]
Hm. I refuse. [ Not to worry. Cold bastard. ]
Aerith... [ It's really against his nature to insist. Or push. But the last time he didn't... ] It doesn't have to be me. But... everyone needs someone to listen. And I'm worried. You give too much of yourself to others. Are you taking any for yourself?
no subject
[She'll see it herself one day. One day, she'll see the damage she did herself.
And there he was...he was refusing to listen to what she was saying. It wasn't like him. Usually, he didn't push for more. Not like this. Not for her to talk.
Slowly, her hand comes up. But only to brush her hand over his cheek, and offer him a small smile.
It looks much like her usual smile. Maybe her eyes look a little more tired. A little sadder.]
Sorry to have worried you Vincent. I'll try to take better care of myself.
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This time, the contact of hugs and such will probably be broken a bit. ]
I don't show it well. But I do worry about my friends. Though you're probably aware.
[ He won't deny that, there's no need to insist on what's true. Still Vincent sighs. ]
...Are you sure there's nothing I can do?
[ 'Try to take better care of myself'. How that seems to echo like something that would come out of his own mouth. Particularly once upon a time when he got flustered at being caught unawares. Just another warm spring day in the mountains... He shakes his head out to dismiss such memories and focus on the present. ]
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Her arms dropped, and watched him as he turned around. The cold would come again, but that was fine.
She sighed but offered a small smile.]
Right now, you are fine as who you are. The fact that you care...it's enough. More than enough.
Thank you for that.
[It was polite but a closing of the door nonetheless. She wasn't ready to talk about it.
Maybe she never would.]
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And this wasn't the same as how he failed to truly reach out to Lucrecia when all the clues of her pain were right before him. Aerith is not Lucrecia, no matter how worried he is about what he perceives. Of course no more in the romantic sense than she had of him when Aerith touched his face. Just... that hidden sadness. The pain.
He nods. ]
Always.
[ And then, Vincent reaches out and seeks to envelope Aerith in a moment's hug, cloak and arms. It will not be lasting long; but he knows it's all he can do. He can only hope someone else will be there for her. ]
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But the noise was her only form of being surprised. She leaned in, hugging him back. It wouldn't be a long hug. It didn't have to be.
It was a sign, showing her how much he cared.
Always.]