[ Given the circumstances, double-fisting flutes of champagne isn't an incorrect reaction to the situation, but Aerith doesn't consider it, passing one of the glasses to Rufus after letting him eye it for a while, testing to see how long it takes him to reach for the glass she poured him. ]
I'd walk– [ Then, adopting a more posh tone to her voice - potentially one that mimics his, ] or take one of the company helicopters, of course. [ Lifting her glass, her eyes narrow in amusement as she peers over the rim of it at Rufus, ignoring the minute twinge of gratitude she feels to have this suite and him to be sure of while otherwise entrenched in the unknown. Nobody should be thankful for Rufus Shinra, and she knows that. At least the champagne does what it can to tamp down the rougher edges of this internal conflict - that and - something else?
It's a feeling that's more outside her than within, which isn't unfamiliar precisely, though this little inkling is fainter than the pull and hum of the Lifestream ever could be to her, a sense that she isn't alone in finding stability in this mad situation. ]
Breathing? Something tells me you're not that easy to impress Rufus. [ Has she called him by his name before? The sound sits funny against her tongue like it's something she shouldn't be allowed to say this casually, but the gentle warmth from the alcohol she's consumed tempers that pang of guilt, leaving her looking thoughtful when he asks what she'd do. ]
If I wasn't a company asset? Turn around and not see anybody! [ There's never been a time she wasn't considered a company asset, though she's loathe to think of her life in those terms. Aerith doesn't think her life would be that different. She would still grow her flowers, maybe even devote some time to learning how to listen to them without risk of discovery. Leaving Midgar with her friends had been the only real way she's ever managed to shake Shinra off, picturing just being let go is hard. ]
What would you do? [ Or does he find it as hard to imagine as she does? ]
will i ever hit post without yelling softly?
I'd walk– [ Then, adopting a more posh tone to her voice - potentially one that mimics his, ] or take one of the company helicopters, of course. [ Lifting her glass, her eyes narrow in amusement as she peers over the rim of it at Rufus, ignoring the minute twinge of gratitude she feels to have this suite and him to be sure of while otherwise entrenched in the unknown. Nobody should be thankful for Rufus Shinra, and she knows that. At least the champagne does what it can to tamp down the rougher edges of this internal conflict - that and - something else?
It's a feeling that's more outside her than within, which isn't unfamiliar precisely, though this little inkling is fainter than the pull and hum of the Lifestream ever could be to her, a sense that she isn't alone in finding stability in this mad situation. ]
Breathing? Something tells me you're not that easy to impress Rufus. [ Has she called him by his name before? The sound sits funny against her tongue like it's something she shouldn't be allowed to say this casually, but the gentle warmth from the alcohol she's consumed tempers that pang of guilt, leaving her looking thoughtful when he asks what she'd do. ]
If I wasn't a company asset? Turn around and not see anybody! [ There's never been a time she wasn't considered a company asset, though she's loathe to think of her life in those terms. Aerith doesn't think her life would be that different. She would still grow her flowers, maybe even devote some time to learning how to listen to them without risk of discovery. Leaving Midgar with her friends had been the only real way she's ever managed to shake Shinra off, picturing just being let go is hard. ]
What would you do? [ Or does he find it as hard to imagine as she does? ]