[ Is it an invitation? Perhaps, before she woke up here, Aerith would have said no. Despite some of their interests being aligned of late, she still has a number of reasons not to trust Rufus Shinra, especially on a personal level.

But since waking up here? Well, right now she's thinking she needs to re-evaluate her priorities.

Her smile this time—well, it isn't as friendly as one she'd offer to Cloud or Tifa, or even as friendly as one she'd offer to Tseng—but at least it's something a little fuller, a little realer than before. ]

Sure~. Let's call it an invitation—our circumstances are different here, right? Maybe this is a good chance for us to get to know each other beyond... you know. Everything.

[ Which, she supposes, is similar to what he's offering her, with his "no strings attached" reparations. To which, in the end, she shakes her head a little, places a hand on his forearm. ]

Thank you for your offer. It's kind of you, but.. I can't possibly accept it. We're all in the same situation here, and... [ she waves her hand with a little smile, indicating her wrist. ] Even the starting funds they gave us are more than what I'd have to spend normally, you know? It's nothing you need to worry about.

[ She reaches for one of the mini quiches on the table, holding it up as if o display it, a question in her eyes. ]

Is this safe?