thestormishere | ☈ strike #04 (voice / action)

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☈ strike #04 (voice / action)

[ It takes a while before Lightning finally attempts getting in touch with those she interacted with the most (and who she assumes probably figured out who she actually was) while aged down and in Zack's body. When she does, it's filtered to those mentioned, but not particularly secured against hacking or anything, clearly having been 'posted' quickly and with a tone of voice that's very short and to the point. ]

Zack, Aerith, Cloud- we need to talk.

[ And after that's all been taken care of, well... all that's left is to gather up her dignity and try to move on from the whole damn mess, right? Get some fresh air and cool her head, pick up something from the grocery that isn't in a can and won't choke her with flavor....

Problem is... the experiments' effects are far from done with her.

One of these is what Lightning is this evening, instead of the pink-haired ex-soldier she should be. And as if suddenly finding herself as a chocobo isn't bad enough, that's when that oh-so-nice random teleportation kicks in too, sending her... oh, who knows. The middle of town? Your front porch? Who wouldn't want a massive eight foot tall yellow bird in their bathroom? Look at those long curly eyelashes ~~and huge killer claws~~! ♥ ]

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... Yes.

[ Ah yeah, she definitely knew. Probably the entire time too, which is just... where do you even start? ]

Where are you?

The flower shop. Do you remember the way here? Unless you'd like to meet somewhere else.

No, stay there.

[ NO MORE TALKING NOW. She closes the journal immediately and heads that way, wearing her own clothing and definitely her weapon, thank you very much. Of course, she doesn't even remember the whole rose thing with male!Aerith until she's closer, but by then it's too late and she... refuses to back down now anyway, regardless of any awkwardness. Safe to say being a little girl again for over five days is... a little higher-tier on the problem scale than that, too.

Unsurprisingly, her mood's clearly pretty weird when she shows up, though. Embarrassed, mostly. A little confused. Also, extremely angry at whoever thought it would be amusing to do that to her. ]

[...Oookay. Lightning's terse and Aerith is not exactly sure what this is about. Hopefully she's not mad about how she and Zack handled things...? Admittedly, there probably had been some better way to handle telling the younger her about the situation, but--it's not like they got time to prepare.

So when she sees Lightning's expression, she sighs.]

These stupid experiments really need to stop soon.

No kidding.

[ Lightning crosses her arms, putting her weight on one foot. Her memories of the last week are... odd - in a way, like a long, really vivid dream. Although... ah right, those. She frowns, making her observation here rather blandly: ]

You've still got the thought things going on.

I know, I know. Not sure if it's better or worse than thinking I'm a guy! [She brushes her head like that could sweep them away, but--nope, still there.] Ugh... Well, never mind that. What did you want to tell me?

[ Really, Aerith? Lightning just stands there, unmoving and staring at the other woman neutrally. ~~"Hey Aerith, thanks for being my mother for a few days there."~~ ]

[l-lol Yes, really. Lightning called the meeting! But when she sees that look, she tilts her head, thinking.]

We could just say it didn't happen? [She's...pretty sure the crying incident alone might be embarrassing enough for someone like Lightning.]

... I'd appreciate it.

[ A pause while she thinks, eyes averted. She'd like it to be that simple, but really it's not... and her embarrassment's not the entire reason she feels the need to hunt Aerith and the others down right now. ]

It's best if you just forget what I said- about fal'Cie and... all that.

You didn't say anything bad.

[Which Claire really didn't. You know...just that they were the ones taking care of Cocoon and all ~~like pets!~~]

[ Maybe not in Aerith's opinion, which is pretty lucky for her from Lightning's point of view- it's still hard to imagine there are people out there not used to the not-so-benevolent fal'Cie overlords. Her voice turns just a little harder- ]

I mean it. It was different, back then.

...It's all right. I believe you. No point talking about sore subjects.

Hm.

[ Lightning glances up and notes the thoughts there, but knows that, even if it does bother her to have it out there at all, it's probably natural that Aerith would wonder. She's just definitely not going to elaborate, right now.

But...

...also...

..... ]

Thanks. For taking care of me.

Ah! So you aren't mad. I'm glad.

But don't mention it. I'd hope most people would take care of someone in the same situation.

[ .... She didn't think to be mad about that. It's not like it's Aerith's fault, after all, and she'd be in trouble if someone didn't do something with her. ]

Yeah, I guess.

[ She has to wonder whether she'd do the same though. Probably yes, but after all she's done questioning her own personality isn't too hard to do. ]

You guess? I guess I know who not to call as back-up babysitter if I ever need one.

...Say, Lightning...

[ That gets a small frown, but. Yeah, she's no mother-y person in her opinion. However... ]

Call me Light.

All right. And don't take me seriously, Light! I like to tease.

But...um...you didn't...see me think anything funny, did you?

[ ? She puts a hand on her hip, with a slight tilt to her head at that. ]

Such as?

[There's just a flash of images--a giant glass tube large enough to hold people, a flash of sword and red on pink--before she realizes the obvious problem and throws her hands up over her head, the imagery changing to flowers.]

Oh, don't that! Just--ah-- [She sighs.] No, if you have to ask what's strange, you wouldn't have. Don't worry about it.

[ ...... Hm, so it seems Lightning's not the only one with stuff to hide, then. ]

If I saw anything, I don't remember it, Aerith. Just... lots of flowers.

[ Right now it's a lot like a dream to her than real life, anyway. ]

Not so many to make you sick of them, I hope.

[ Well there's the whole rose thing before that too, Aerith. And oh yeah, the part where you were making 'Claire' help out here too how about that.

... Though seriously, if she was using that to cover for other things... ]

No.

[Hey, hey, she asked if Claire would like to help! But her smile turns softer.]

Normally even I don't think about them that much, but I had to do something with the Malnosso being so rude.

Are you feeling okay? After that experiment... I should ask Zack, too. You both had to adjust to very different bodies. [Aaaaand in Claire's case, new settings, mindsets...]

Hmph.

[ She looks down and... was that the hint of a smile for a moment? If so, it's gone and replaced by something vaguely irritated and troubled by the time Aerith finishes her question. ]

I'm fine. I'm sure he's fine too.

[ Unless the whole cheerful thing was totally an act, that is. In any case, she definitely intends to talk to him too. ]

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