is this real? [bbs/action---backdated to just after dream event]

[earthlychild]

Hey everyone,

I know this topic's a little depressing, but I think it's something important.

If you knew your time on this planet was running out very soon, what would you do?

[Aerith sent her message and immediately heads to the garden in the Quad, picking around Pinkie's lollipops with her head hung in thought. It was only a dream, she thoght, but she knew in her heart that it was not. The voices of her Planet had told her with undeniable clarity that she had seen her fate. Maybe not with so many monsters in the Planet's core, but she was running out of time.

And running out of a future that had once seemed endless. Any moment now, she could return, and she wanted to. She longed to help her home and her friends, but until now she'd thought there would be an afterward. Of growing old, of raising children...

She mustn't cry. Instead, her hand tightened in the soil, almost yanking a root out. A lifeline.]

I'll see you soon, Mother, won't I?

Comments

[bunnypassingby]

Are... are you alright?

[Mikuru, watering can in hand (she was watering the bamboo), didn't catch Aerith's actual words, but that posture, the hung head... She's pretty sure the answer is 'no'.]

[earthlychild]

[Aerith pulled her hand from the flower and folded her hands in her lap, looking up.]

...yes, I'm all right. I'm just thinking.

[She hides a yawn behind her hand.]

It's been an exhausting week, hasn't it?

[bunnypassingby]

[Mikuru nods to "just thinking", but looks a little apologetic at the question.] Um, I did notice that some people around Garden have been really tired lately, but I've been okay.

[Careful not to step on any plant life, she sits nearby, tucking her feet under her and placing the watering can on her lap. She's noticed it's been the off-worlders exhausted lately, just around the quad and cafeteria, rather than the natives in her instructor's licence classes, so she hasn't really asked anyone this:] How come everyone's so tired?

[earthlychild]

[Aerith rubs at her eyes and sighs.]

Have bad dreams ever kept you up at night? Monsters in the dark, feeling like you can't escape?

It's like that. And I know others felt it too.

[bunnypassingby]

[Mikuru pauses to think about it, then nods. Not since she was a little girl, but she remembers the traces of fear that remained when she woke up.]

That's horrible... I'm sorry.

[earthlychild]

Thank you. It's just...

[Aerith clenched a fist in her lap.]

I thought I was past that sort of thing. But it's as if I know there's something horrible ahead. There always is, isn't there? But it feels more real than ever before...and when I woke up, it was like I hadn't slept at all.

[She rubs at the bags under her eyes.]

[sublimelymagnificentblitz]

Ain't the time that matters. It's how you spend it.

[Very much not signed.]

[earthlychild]

I'll make the moments count.

Have you lost someone that way?

[sublimelymagnificentblitz]

Naw.

Coming here was pretty much a second life though.

[earthlychild]

Life is wonderful. I don't know how much is left, but no one does. I'd hoped to have a chance with my friends from home, but...

It's strange, knowing how you'll die.

[sublimelymagnificentblitz]

You sure it's gonna happen that way? I mean, you're here now... Time Compression might change stuff.

pm

[hispeedchase]

Something happen?

pm

[earthlychild]

A weird dream, and I don't think I'm the only one. Did you feel it?

pm

[hispeedchase]

I can't say I've had any weirder dreams than usual.

Feel what?

pm

[earthlychild]

Really exhausted when you wake up, like you've been awake for days on end?

pm

[hispeedchase]

That's... nothing real new to me but go on.

[Text to Action]

[fireinthebed]

[Shit. He knew that Aerith would find out sooner or later about that whole death thing and he'd tried his best to keep it on the down-low, but it seemed it hadn't worked.]

You make the best of the time you got. [It's left unsigned, but by now she probably can guess who it is.

Once he's done with that he moves to where he's sure he'll find her, the Quad was the best place. Flowers and all that nonsense, Reno was more than familiar with it.

What he hadn't expected was for her to be in such a state, he wasn't the best at comfort but he was the only one who knew about this in the place. A frown pulled at the edges of his lips, slowly making his way towards her with a relaxed stance. Healing had been pretty good, even if he was still in bandages and refusing to wear a shirt. No point to it.]

... Guess you found out, huh?

[earthlychild]

To help the Planet...and just when I see my friends again, it ends. It's true, right?

[Aerith knew the answer. She felt it so strongly that it was undeniable, and she touched the point below her ribcage where she'd felt it.]

[fireinthebed]

[Her touching that spot causes him to frown more than he already had been, moving just close enough to try and put a hand on her shoulder. It probably didn't mean much in the long run, but it was some attempt at comforting her.]

Didn't want to tell ya as I know I wouldn't want to know if I was in your spot. Though if it helps any, it did mean a lot in the end.

[earthlychild]

It didn't feel that way.

[Aerith might've torn at her dress just a little.]

That's the worst part. I promised them I'd come back, then I died, and then it didn't work. Meteor was already coming, Jenova was smothering my prayer...

[She pauses, then lets out a tiny breath. She forces a smile.]

...but if you're alive they had to have done something to save all of you, right?

BBS

[perfectingjin]

You live each day to the best of your ability so that when your time comes, you have no regrets.

BBS

[earthlychild]

I will. There's no point in sitting around and waiting for it to happen.

BBS

[perfectingjin]

There isn't. I have learned that a long time ago.

[earthlychild]

Right. I'll remember that now.

Thank you! I hope you're well?

[perfectingjin]

I am fine. This world might be strange but some pieces are very much like home.