Helianthus Named after its tendency to turn to face the sun. Helianthus comes from Greek helios, "sun" and anthos, "flower" Adoration, loyalty, and longevity
If it's good enough for us, it'll be good enough for a crow. [especially a rude one!!!] Let's head over and then we can try again! Maybe by the time we get back it'll land on its own, too.
anyway as they're walking, rondo just can't help himself - his gaze slides to the ink under her bracelets again, though he's trying not to Stare. what does it say... ]
[oh they are matching that's cute. anyway! they are walking, and aerith's hands are tucked behind her back, but with the bracelets sort of slide while they move it might be a little easier to see the word peeking out from under them.
loss
aerith, really, does not notice. but she is thinking about rondo's words. it's hard not to after you've seen something like that and thinking about the implications.]
You know...maybe with time the birds will recognize us better and it won't be so hard to catch them.
oh... that touches rondo's big soft baby heart, just seeing it - that protective streak of his is a mile wide, and he can't help but think about what she said about companions. being here with people you know... with the circumstances, that's even scarier. he brings his gaze forward immediately so he doesn't look at it any more, respectful, and unconsciously walks a little bit closer to her because of it. ]
Mmm... Death told me that I should befriend their crow and not them. I'm going to do both, but that's a good point! [ death is going to hate you so bad ] Crows are really smart birds, too. I don't know a lot about them, but I bet it's not that hard to get on their good side.
[the way that someone else made this same comment makes me laugh. but yeah! yeah...loss sure is a thing, isn't it? she doesn't seem to realize he's noticed, but she does slow her steps just slightly to walk more in sync with him. togetherness...she likes that.]
Feels like a few of them would rather have us talk to their crows than them. Too bad that won't work. [some of them are too stubborn! fuck yeah, friendship!] Birds are kind of like creatures of habit, aren't they? If you show them the same actions or and over again, it's like...positive reinforcement?
[ cheerfully and immediately. listen if (redacted) could not get rid of rondo, there is absolutely no way a single one of these npcs will succeed in getting rid of him.
he's nodding about the positive reinforcement thing... though... ]
... I think... sometimes people are kinda like that, too? [ thinking about how he has also been trained tm ]
[we're gonna defeat the npcs with the power of friendship (and not any guns we find.) but...hm. well!]
I guess that's also true. Everyone likes to know when they're doing something right, don't you think? [she is getting the sense that yes rondo is similar but it's okay.]
[ oh its so unfortunate his expression goes a little goofy at the phrase "your flameguard" because he is so lame.
and then he laughs, sheepishly. anyway. ]
....haha, well! Kind of, in his own way... sort of... [ (flameguard voice) kys rondo ] The first time I earned his recognition, it changed my life forever. I knew right then and there I wanted to follow him so I could be as strong as he was.
[baby. she sees the expression and she's kind of like "oh that's sweet" without realizing that perhaps the flameguard is actually not that kind. still, this also says a little bit about rondo himself.]
How long ago was that anyway? I don't think you've ever said. He must have said something pretty powerful to change everything for you. Being a knight can't be easy.
[she likens it to being like a SOLDIER, mostly. especially with rondo's words of "leaving her behind."]
He said - "You've got the makings of the Flame in you."
[ word for word, rondo recites it - he lifts his hand and touches his heart, closing his eyes briefly as he does, carrying something like quiet awe even now in the phrase. the smile on his face is softer, nostalgic - maybe a little bit sad. ]
I was only thirteen. [ truly rondo said i will follow you for the rest of my life now and never turned back ] I begged him to let me be his apprentice, and he said no - but, he started sparring with me, then, and taught me some things even though he rejected me. I knew I could get there, so...once he left, I just started training with everything I had in me so I could get him to accept me into the position. And... I was anointed as his successor a few years ago.
[boy is she getting tired of you squeenix fucks going off to alter your entire life path before you've even really settled into puberty. but in all seriousness, she can understand that this is important to him. and that this means the world to him, but it sounds like a lot of hard work.]
Sounds like he wanted to make sure you knew that's what you really wanted. [because if this man really thought rondo didn't have potential she assumes he wouldn't have taught him anything. she is...definitely thinking about a "war hero" and a certain other blonde who joined the army at fourteen. but maybe this won't end as badly actually.] There can only be one successor, right? So he must have seen your dedication.
[...that is still very young though, god.]
...but all of that training must have meant not having a lot of time for anything else, right?
[ the universal law of square enix: teenage boys are so fucking stupid
oogh. his heart aches a little at the thought - expression softening briefly, he curls his fist in the front of his cloak. ] ... I like to think so. I think... earning the right to follow him is, and always will be, one of the greatest accomplishments of my life.
[ it was his dream, after all.
the second question, though! ah! he makes a little noise, nodding. ]
Definitely not. I had to make my choice, and I had to give up a lot of things, because of it. Even things like going out drinking with the other knights... [ a sheepish laugh. ] If I showed up feeling ill after poor decision making to morning training, I might have died.
[ the look on his face suggests this is also So Real the flameguard would have had zero mercy he would have simply run until he died. ]
[she frowns thoughtfully. she's all for people reaching their dreams, but...]
I think that's something to be proud of. You knew what you wanted to accomplish, and you managed it. [and she listens to his explanations, and it makes sense. you put everything you have into the things you want. it reminds her of a boy she once knew, someone she wanted to spend more time with. he would come to the church and see her, and they would go out and spend the day together, but there was more than once that he had to be called away for work. she understood why, of course...but it still changed things a little.]
...do you ever regret that? Having to make the choice and giving up other things.
[ well, his answer comes quickly, at least - he reaches up and presses his hand to his heart, almost absently. rondo's expression is softer, here, visibly affectionate. ]
I have a little sister named Cordelia. [ leaving her behind, the text said. ] She's - you'd probably love her, Miss Aerith. She's kind and sweet and brilliant, and she's got the biggest heart in the whole world. She's seven years younger than me.
Our parents died when she was pretty young, and I made a promise I'd always protect her. Her, our house, and everything in it. But... when I met the Flameguard, I knew that I wanted to follow him. I wasn't originally going to go after him, you know? I wanted to, but... I had a responsibility, to my sister, and to our house.
But Cordelia was the one that convinced me to go. She told me I should be more considerate of my own feelings. [ here, he laughs, a little sheepish - ducking his head. ] And... the Ravus family is pretty wealthy, and pretty powerful, and that can be really dangerous in Orsterra. When I left, I denounced my last name so she could become the head of the family. And I know she's good at it, and I know she's not alone, either, but...
[ there's a beat, and he softens a little further. achingly vulnerable, achingly genuine. ]
...I still can't help but worry about her. I think about that promise, all the time. Even if I'm getting stronger, I'm not there for her, and I don't know what she's been through - I don't think she'd tell me, even in a letter, if something bad happened, either, because she wouldn't want me to worry. It's hard to think that I'm keeping up my promise of protecting her when I have to be so far away.
So.. to answer your question, I regret that. I regret that I can't be by her side to support her and protect her like I promised.
[why do some of you also just have sad sibling lore she's so tired. and by tired i mean she thinks it's sad to be separated from the people you love. so she listens. she doesn't rush him, letting him take time to tell the story and smiling just a little as rondo describes this relationship.
it's always a hard choice to choose between following your heart and staying with people you love. knowing your loved ones support you can help, but it doesn't change knowing you're leaving them behind.]
She's your sister. I think it's normal to be worried about her, even knowing she can take care of herself and knowing she has support. It doesn't change that she's important to you and you want what's best for her. And it's hard when you can't be there in the moments she needs as much support as possible. But you're always thinking about her, aren't you? And you've worked hard to become the successor of the Flameguard to continue protecting people and fighting. I think that has to count as keeping a promise.
[ weh. aerith's words are so soothing - it warms his heart, and he can't help but smile a little on his end, too. ]
... I am. [ always thinking of her. ] We write each other often... things have been busy at home, lately, though, so I haven't had as much chance to write. If... as long as I can get back to her, it's the first thing I'll do when everything is settled.
[ there's a whole lot of (redacted) going on but. ]
Thank you, Miss Aerith. [ it's genuine and warm, and he bows his head as he says it - though one last time, his gaze catches on loss.jpg, and after a long moment of silence... ]
... You must have someone you miss very much, too.
Why wait? [not that she thinks there's much worth writing about here, but just a thought.] Maybe it's something you can start now. Just little things that you're thinking about, or things you want her to know. Even if you can't send them right away, and even if they might not reach her...sometimes it's nice to feel like you're talking to people who're far away.
[sometimes you write 89 letters to someone you love even when they go unanswered.
and speaking of that, rondo asks and she gives a little soft smile, something fleeting and something quiet.]
Yes. And even though they've been gone for so long...I don't think you ever really stop thinking about them or missing them.
[ somewhere the little part of me that plays zack is like :(
anyway - that's such a good idea, actually. rondo smiles a little at the thought, and it warms up his whole face. ] ... I think... maybe I will. I'll just send them all when we get out of here, right? Haha.
[ or like. maybe not because this place is terrible but it fine
as for the rest - he looks at the little smile and feels just - empathy, soft and familiar, his expression going gentle and curious. ] I agree. [ ... ] What were they like? What was their name? If - if you don't mind sharing.
Right. You can always decide which ones, or even rewrite them later, too. [on account of this place being terrible.
but ah...she thinks of which answer to go for and decides she doesn't want to depress the conversation right away with dead mom lore.]
His name was Zack. He was a SOLDIER, first class, which is the highest rank you can be with the Shinra army. The first time I met him he came crashing right through the roof of the church and into my flowerbed. [she seems thoughtful, trying to decide how to describe him.] He was my first love. He was kind and always ready to do the right thing, but understanding, too. He made me think a little more about what I wanted in my life and it was actually his idea to start selling my flowers around Midgar. [a pause.] ...I was happy with him. But being a SOLDIER meant he would always have to leave when something came up. I never heard back from all of the letters I sent, but I hope he got them anyway.
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this logic makes sense for rondo ]
Yes, that's a good idea! [ is it ] Well - the food in the refectory's not exactly good but it's got to be better than nothing! [ that's the spirit ]
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[ these two matching icons.
anyway as they're walking, rondo just can't help himself - his gaze slides to the ink under her bracelets again, though he's trying not to Stare. what does it say... ]
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loss
aerith, really, does not notice. but she is thinking about rondo's words. it's hard not to after you've seen something like that and thinking about the implications.]
You know...maybe with time the birds will recognize us better and it won't be so hard to catch them.
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oh... that touches rondo's big soft baby heart, just seeing it - that protective streak of his is a mile wide, and he can't help but think about what she said about companions. being here with people you know... with the circumstances, that's even scarier. he brings his gaze forward immediately so he doesn't look at it any more, respectful, and unconsciously walks a little bit closer to her because of it. ]
Mmm... Death told me that I should befriend their crow and not them. I'm going to do both, but that's a good point! [ death is going to hate you so bad ] Crows are really smart birds, too. I don't know a lot about them, but I bet it's not that hard to get on their good side.
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Feels like a few of them would rather have us talk to their crows than them. Too bad that won't work. [some of them are too stubborn! fuck yeah, friendship!] Birds are kind of like creatures of habit, aren't they? If you show them the same actions or and over again, it's like...positive reinforcement?
[maybe this is just how she trains cloud.]
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[ cheerfully and immediately. listen if (redacted) could not get rid of rondo, there is absolutely no way a single one of these npcs will succeed in getting rid of him.
he's nodding about the positive reinforcement thing... though... ]
... I think... sometimes people are kinda like that, too? [ thinking about how he has also been trained tm ]
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I guess that's also true. Everyone likes to know when they're doing something right, don't you think? [she is getting the sense that yes rondo is similar but it's okay.]
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[ this is the kind of person he is. ]
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Does your Flameguard not very often? [she is reading between the lines...wondering...]
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and then he laughs, sheepishly. anyway. ]
....haha, well! Kind of, in his own way... sort of... [ (flameguard voice) kys rondo ] The first time I earned his recognition, it changed my life forever. I knew right then and there I wanted to follow him so I could be as strong as he was.
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How long ago was that anyway? I don't think you've ever said. He must have said something pretty powerful to change everything for you. Being a knight can't be easy.
[she likens it to being like a SOLDIER, mostly. especially with rondo's words of "leaving her behind."]
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[ word for word, rondo recites it - he lifts his hand and touches his heart, closing his eyes briefly as he does, carrying something like quiet awe even now in the phrase. the smile on his face is softer, nostalgic - maybe a little bit sad. ]
I was only thirteen. [ truly rondo said i will follow you for the rest of my life now and never turned back ] I begged him to let me be his apprentice, and he said no - but, he started sparring with me, then, and taught me some things even though he rejected me. I knew I could get there, so...once he left, I just started training with everything I had in me so I could get him to accept me into the position. And... I was anointed as his successor a few years ago.
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Sounds like he wanted to make sure you knew that's what you really wanted. [because if this man really thought rondo didn't have potential she assumes he wouldn't have taught him anything. she is...definitely thinking about a "war hero" and a certain other blonde who joined the army at fourteen. but maybe this won't end as badly actually.] There can only be one successor, right? So he must have seen your dedication.
[...that is still very young though, god.]
...but all of that training must have meant not having a lot of time for anything else, right?
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oogh. his heart aches a little at the thought - expression softening briefly, he curls his fist in the front of his cloak. ] ... I like to think so. I think... earning the right to follow him is, and always will be, one of the greatest accomplishments of my life.
[ it was his dream, after all.
the second question, though! ah! he makes a little noise, nodding. ]
Definitely not. I had to make my choice, and I had to give up a lot of things, because of it. Even things like going out drinking with the other knights... [ a sheepish laugh. ] If I showed up feeling ill after poor decision making to morning training, I might have died.
[ the look on his face suggests this is also So Real the flameguard would have had zero mercy he would have simply run until he died. ]
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I think that's something to be proud of. You knew what you wanted to accomplish, and you managed it. [and she listens to his explanations, and it makes sense. you put everything you have into the things you want. it reminds her of a boy she once knew, someone she wanted to spend more time with. he would come to the church and see her, and they would go out and spend the day together, but there was more than once that he had to be called away for work. she understood why, of course...but it still changed things a little.]
...do you ever regret that? Having to make the choice and giving up other things.
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[ well, his answer comes quickly, at least - he reaches up and presses his hand to his heart, almost absently. rondo's expression is softer, here, visibly affectionate. ]
I have a little sister named Cordelia. [ leaving her behind, the text said. ] She's - you'd probably love her, Miss Aerith. She's kind and sweet and brilliant, and she's got the biggest heart in the whole world. She's seven years younger than me.
Our parents died when she was pretty young, and I made a promise I'd always protect her. Her, our house, and everything in it. But... when I met the Flameguard, I knew that I wanted to follow him. I wasn't originally going to go after him, you know? I wanted to, but... I had a responsibility, to my sister, and to our house.
But Cordelia was the one that convinced me to go. She told me I should be more considerate of my own feelings. [ here, he laughs, a little sheepish - ducking his head. ] And... the Ravus family is pretty wealthy, and pretty powerful, and that can be really dangerous in Orsterra. When I left, I denounced my last name so she could become the head of the family. And I know she's good at it, and I know she's not alone, either, but...
[ there's a beat, and he softens a little further. achingly vulnerable, achingly genuine. ]
...I still can't help but worry about her. I think about that promise, all the time. Even if I'm getting stronger, I'm not there for her, and I don't know what she's been through - I don't think she'd tell me, even in a letter, if something bad happened, either, because she wouldn't want me to worry. It's hard to think that I'm keeping up my promise of protecting her when I have to be so far away.
So.. to answer your question, I regret that. I regret that I can't be by her side to support her and protect her like I promised.
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it's always a hard choice to choose between following your heart and staying with people you love. knowing your loved ones support you can help, but it doesn't change knowing you're leaving them behind.]
She's your sister. I think it's normal to be worried about her, even knowing she can take care of herself and knowing she has support. It doesn't change that she's important to you and you want what's best for her. And it's hard when you can't be there in the moments she needs as much support as possible. But you're always thinking about her, aren't you? And you've worked hard to become the successor of the Flameguard to continue protecting people and fighting. I think that has to count as keeping a promise.
[but she also knows words don't always help.]
When was the last time you've heard from her?
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... I am. [ always thinking of her. ] We write each other often... things have been busy at home, lately, though, so I haven't had as much chance to write. If... as long as I can get back to her, it's the first thing I'll do when everything is settled.
[ there's a whole lot of (redacted) going on but. ]
Thank you, Miss Aerith. [ it's genuine and warm, and he bows his head as he says it - though one last time, his gaze catches on loss.jpg, and after a long moment of silence... ]
... You must have someone you miss very much, too.
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[sometimes you write 89 letters to someone you love even when they go unanswered.
and speaking of that, rondo asks and she gives a little soft smile, something fleeting and something quiet.]
Yes. And even though they've been gone for so long...I don't think you ever really stop thinking about them or missing them.
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anyway - that's such a good idea, actually. rondo smiles a little at the thought, and it warms up his whole face. ] ... I think... maybe I will. I'll just send them all when we get out of here, right? Haha.
[ or like. maybe not because this place is terrible but it fine
as for the rest - he looks at the little smile and feels just - empathy, soft and familiar, his expression going gentle and curious. ] I agree. [ ... ] What were they like? What was their name? If - if you don't mind sharing.
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but ah...she thinks of which answer to go for and decides she doesn't want to depress the conversation right away with dead mom lore.]
His name was Zack. He was a SOLDIER, first class, which is the highest rank you can be with the Shinra army. The first time I met him he came crashing right through the roof of the church and into my flowerbed. [she seems thoughtful, trying to decide how to describe him.] He was my first love. He was kind and always ready to do the right thing, but understanding, too. He made me think a little more about what I wanted in my life and it was actually his idea to start selling my flowers around Midgar. [a pause.] ...I was happy with him. But being a SOLDIER meant he would always have to leave when something came up. I never heard back from all of the letters I sent, but I hope he got them anyway.