thestormishere | ☈ strike #19 (action)

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☈ strike #19 (action)

[ It's absolutely freezing and the village is covered in snow, but although Lightning would usually be all for avoiding that kind of weather like the beach-town native from Cocoon she is, today she's out anyway... and accompanying Baldr, who has definitely been inside way too much lately.

Hard to believe that a year ago saw her struggling with what to do with the little puppy she suddenly found herself saddled with, but now? That little black fluffball is a full-grown dog: long-haired, well-muscled... and currently bounding about, snuffling through the white covering, and chatting back to his pink-haired human about his various findings. Still a puppy at heart sometimes, that's for sure.

And while he doesn't run up to just anyone and bowl them over or anything - look at who his trainer is, come on - he does pay special attention to anyone else who happens to be out as well, ears perked forward, snow in his ruff, and a hearty Hello! to most who cross their path.

As for Lightning herself, she's... a noticeable contrast, solemn and distracted as she keeps an eye on the dog, making her way slowly into the middle of town. A visit to the flowershop later, and she's carrying something pretty unusual: a small bunch of pale pink crysanthemums. Where she's heading after that, however, remains to be seen. ]

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[ Noooot quite, but although she affects a soft frown for a second, Lightning doesn't object. ]

I'd... like to take a look.

[ Although, yeah. She's not hard to know well when it comes to flowers. If there's pink or red, those will probably be the ones she's after. ]

Hmmm... [ Now she's really wondering what this is about, but for the moment, she just straightens up and turns. ] They're over this way.

[ Once they're over there, she leans over the chrysanthemums, examining them to make sure they're healthy. ] Ahhh, looks like they're doing great! I was worried when we couldn't get to the store.

Have you ever picked out this kind before? The red mums are the prettiest with red roses and lavender daisies. Even if it's a little extravagant that way... [ Okay, the chatter is more to make the question stand out less. ~~Floral arrangements with words!~~ er anyway. ]

[ Except Lightning's got her eye on these funky things- to the point where she pulls off a glove to reach her hand out, running her fingertips under the petals to turn one of the blooms toward her better. ]

Yeah, they look good. [ .... She turns her head toward Aerith. ] Can I cut them?

Of course. [ She goes to fetch the clippers, coming back with the handle held out to Lightning. ] Do you need a vase to keep them fresh?

[ She would have just used a knife or something if given the chance, but whatever. Waiting until the shears are in hand, it's then she bends slightly, separating out the stem of one flower from the rest of the plant.

The vase question gets an odd look out of her though, brow wrinkling as she shakes her head slightly. ]

No, that's alright.

[ Nope

Not letting you have the chance

Hmm, that means this isn't decorating.

...Well, she could just ask... ]

Are you giving them to someone?

[ Ugh. Uuuggghhh. Alright, fine. Frowning, Lightning hooks her arm over Baldr as he wanders over to see what she's doing, only glancing up to make eye contact after a long second or two. ]

Aerith, these aren't really flowers... you give to someone.

[ -- Says the soldier to the woman obsessed with flowers. But. Cultural stuff. ]

Huh? But they're so nice...

[ She trails off as she realizes they obviously mean something else for Light. If it wasn't being kept for decoration and you didn't give them to someone... There was the way she was acting, too. ]

They couldn't be... mourning flowers?

[ but but but THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE HAPPY D: ]

[ Ding ding ding! Is her silence enough confirming answer for that question? That, and her tightening expression- her eyes don't leave her work, but she pauses, feeling confronted and growing slightly defensive in response. ]

Is that alright?

--The flowers are for everyone. [ The dead aren't excluded from this. ] I just hadn't realized...

[ With this coming up just now, she still thinks for the moment that it's a Luceti death. Though she doesn't ask who for the moment, aware of Light's tenseness. ]

[ Lightning's gone all weird now - self-conscious, really - frowning and even leaning away as Baldr tries to touch her face with his nose. This is hard enough for her as it is, and now she's... she has no idea what Aerith's expression looks like since she's not looking at her, but it's definitely not smiling any more, is it? GJ, GJ, all around. ]

[ No, it's not smiling... for those few awkward seconds that the silence stretches.

And then she reaches forward, taking the shears and even Light's hand if need be in her own to finish cutting the chrysanthemums, which she gathers up. ] I'll get them wrapped up nice! They should look their best.

[ LA LA LA /SKIPPING OVER AWKWARD which hopefully won't make more. She doesn't need to ask. She really doesn't. ]

Hm.

[ She straightens, thoughts still bitter on one side, and-- absolutely conflicted on the other, feeling completely awkward in a way she normally doesn't get into at all.

She's not even sure what she might say if she allows herself to speak, so she just remains silent instead, lips pressed together and fingertips idly running over the top of Baldr's head as she watches Aerith bustle obliquely. ]

[ When Light isn't looking any more relaxed when she turns around, Aerith figures she nees to say something more. ]

It's really fine, Light. You do what you need to. If giving flowers helps, that's good.

[ Eh... chin down and turned away slightly, eyes on the floor, she puts the back of her hand on her hip; she's still agitated, but- ]

Thanks, Aerith.

Does this look okay?

[ She holds the flowers out for inspection (and the taking, if they pass). Eyes up, Light. ]

[ She stares a moment, before slowly turning her hands over and lifting them, taking in a deep breath. Eyes are up! Though, just far enough to accommodate the flowers; they really are nice... ]

Yeah.

[ And... a swallow- she's not sure if this is the part where Aerith finally asks what's up or not. Deflecting in her usual manner would be impossible right now. ]

[ No. This is the part where Aerith sees her swallow and bites her own smile for a moment before reaching to hug Light--one-armed but still close, the other hand making sure Light's flowers don't get crushed by attempts at comforting. She lets go soon enough, but still doesn't ask anything. The thing is, she thinks she knows enough: someone has died, and Light cared about them. What more does she need to know? ]

I'm sorry about your friend.

[ ...Even if it's obvious she's got the wrong idea about who the deceased might be, it's also obvious that she's sincere. ]

-- Ah.

[ Oh, they're... hugging now, apparently.

Okay.

And well, yeah, Aerith's reasonably off the mark in her condolences, considering who Lightning has in mind is her parents rather than a friend... but her tongue ties before she has the chance to indicate anything awry or outright voice an objection.

It's close enough, at least, and obviously Lightning doesn't really want to talk about it too much or make things any more awkward than they already are. She just pulls away, dipping her head in what passes for a nod. ]

I'll... be back by tonight.

[ Yes. They are hugging now. Or, well, they were.

Just take your hugs Light :I

Though Aerith cocks her head at last comment. ]

Mm? You're not going really far are you?

[ Light mother hens her on being outside in this weather, she can mother hen back. ]

[ That's harder than it sounds, alright? Being all tenseness and elbows if she happens to be hugged without her being the one to initiate it... it's not really something she takes pride in, and it's not really something she can help. Especially right now. ]

No.

[ She even shakes her head slightly, a touch surprised at the question. She's not planning to, anyway, and the fact that she's taking the dog will probably manage to leash her a little...? ]

All right, I was just wondering! I'll see you then.

Right.

[ Her expression twists awkwardly, oddly relieved in a way that wars with her otherwise downtrodden path of emotion. She'll probably talk eventually... but not right now. Once more she dips her head briefly, movements at once smooth and uneven as she steps back. ]

Thanks again. Baldr--

[ And then she waits just long enough to make sure the dog's following close enough to get through the door with her before she's gone. ]

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☈ strike #19 (action)

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does this work

cuuuute :>

LIGHT IS SMILING

LIGHTNING NEVER SMILES SHUT UP

UH HUH PUT HER AND ZACK IN A ROOM. WHO'S SMILING.

.....ZACK? why is that a question 8|

because it's hardly a question at all with Zack. |D

why did lightning make friends with these people again ...

because platonic topping and LIFE DECISIONS.

le siiigh

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