onepassingnight | 001 || dream a dream of me.

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001 || dream a dream of me.

[Some dreams have some fluidity. They remain constant, with an overlaying theme - much like a storybook of the consciousness. Others can be sporadic, having no meaning, and easily shifting from one thing to the next. They can be serious, or strange. They can be hopeful, or heartbreaking.

Or... they could be Zack's dreams.

As it is, a deep, dark violet night sky floods the area. You might see quite a bit of snow, as if walking up a steep mountain, with the ice wind blowing through your hair. And right at the cliff's edge stands a man wielding a long, sturdy sword, resting safely upon his back. The weight doesn't seem to bother him in the least - if anything, he's accustomed to it by now, both hands on his hips as glowing, bright blue eyes stare off to the distance.

What could be he thinking about?]

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Carry me? I'm not a kid!

[ Not even a teenager anymore; he might get an idea of that from looking at her face. She straightens up looking exasperated, but that melts away into confusion as he continues. It wasn't "the other day". It's been... a lot longer than that, and her smile is sad as she looks at him. She's dreaming... ]

Not exactly the place I'd pick for a date. All I wanted was... but it doesn't really matter now. [ She tries to pick her smile up again. ] What are you doing up here?

You'll fall an' hurt yourself otherwise! The mountain gets pretty steep up here, y'know. [And he wouldn't mind doing it at all. Didn't women like being carried around?]

I'mmm at work. I think I told you that?

...

...actually, I think I just called you an hour ago about it.

[ Aerith might--might--have liked it once. Now she's a little too stubborn about being independent for that.

She shakes her head. ] You need a better phone. I haven't heard from you in forever... But I suppose if you were trying to reach me, I can't blame you.

Now... were you planning to stand out in the cold forever, or did you find yourself a little bit of shelter? [ With there being an obvious implication in there; by the edge of a cliff isn't the best place to chat. ]

It's what the Company gave me! Though the reception has been kinda crappy, lately. Maybe it's just because we're so high up?

[He smiles, wrapping an arm around hers to start to guide them down the slope.] Nah, camp's just over this hill.

We've got a few trucks set up if you wanted to hang out there for a bit? I'll explain to the guys who you are - promise.

[ Her arm is awkward in his at first, held away in what little space she can get without taking it away. Because she doesn't want to do that, but this is just... it's too much and too close to what she lost.

But then she relaxes, leaning into him as they walk downhill. It's okay to be nostalgic right now. If she wakes up alone she'll deal with it then--probably by crying, but at least she'll have a nice dream to remember. ]

Who I am? If you said I was a cute girl you met out here they'd understand perfectly, wouldn't they? [ A small ribbing at the ladies' man. ]

That or they'd think you're that Lady of the Inn they keep mumblin' stories about. I swear, Essai just won't shut up! [He blinks a little when her hold is so... unsure. Maybe she's just never done this before? Should he let go, then?

Ah. No. She's calming down now. That brings the smile back to his face, easy.]

I think you'd worry about me if I started goin' after witches, wouldn't you?

I worry about you already. [ which is truer than he might even think, though it's belied by her next words: ] But it would be a little funny if you got turned into a toad...

Is Essai a friend?

Jeez, don't remind me. Happened to me once as a kid, goin' through the jungle. You gotta wonder how the heck those things move so fast.

[He can see the trucks set up in the distance, which is a relief in itself. Not for him, but he didn't want Aerith to get sick from being out here too long.]

Essai and Sebastian, yep! Just wait 'till you meet 'em. They're great guys, I swear.

I've seen them move. They got me, hmph!

[ She eyes the trucks with curiosity and a faint sense of trepidation--but this is a dream. Even if they are Shinra, they can't hurt her, and she's just a friend of Zack's, not a Cetra.

Zack wouldn't let them hurt her, anyway. ] If they're friends of yours, I'm sure I'll like them.

You were turned into a frog? Where? [He didn't remember ever taking Aerith to Gongaga... had he? Unless she somehow found a way to visit by herself. Even then, why wouldn't she tell Zack?]

Don't worry - the worst they'll do is rip at ya. An' even then, you've got me to back you up!

Gongaga... where else? [ She knows that's not a help to his confusion, but she's not sure how to explain it seriously yet; why not just play around?

She pouts a bit at that second part, leaning toward him. ] You'd better! I'm your guest. But I can take care of a few fresh guys.

I didn't think you'd ever left the city before! Let alone go all the way out there. It's not just a little walk, y'know. [Especially since Gongaga was lacking in vehicles and he had to travel there himself.] Damn, you've got some stamina on you.

[He holds her close, smiling widely.] Ahh, don't even worry. If they try anything, I've got a few plans in store. Nobody gets away from me!

[ There's a bit of that awkwardness still lingering about being so close, but she tries not to show it too much. ] My hero~ Of course I've got stamina. I got up here, didn't I? ...But, Zack, I did tell you. It's... been a while.

Exactly... how long of 'awhile', Aerith?

[Because something doesn't feel quite right. Something was different about his friend - just... what?]

... A couple of years. Five. [ It comes out very slowly. ] We sold flowers together, and then you had another mission. Do you remember the flower wagon?

[Sorry Aerith, he's just. Going to jump back at that.]

W-what? Aerith, what're you talking about? I just saw you the other day!

[He remembered they planned on selling the flowers, going around and brightening Midgar up - he just didn't remember them actually going through with it yet.]

Zack, do I really look like "the other day" to you?

[ She puts her hands on her hips, tipping her head as she looks at him, troubled. True, she still looks plenty youthful--but she's twenty-two. ]

[Well, now that he's really paying attention, she doesn't. Blue eyes search the young woman in front of him carefully, slowly widening in disbelief.]

I... I don't...

Aerith. How?

...We're dreaming. That is... [ She leans forward. ] This is your dream, since its your friends here. Mine would have been a little different. ]

[He shakes his head once. Twice.]

So you're...

You're not really here? All of this's fake? [He's trying not to let his disappointment show, but it's hard. It means the Aerith in front of him is just a hallucination, and she's still back in Midgar, far away. Sure, he knows he has his duty, but...]

And Cloud... and everyone. They're not... real?

Hey... now you're overthinking it. Really, Zack, I'd expect that from Cloud, not you! Why would you think of us if we weren't real? We just... might be in different places. [ She takes a few steps away from him, her dress swishing over the fallen snow. ] Or times. I guess times can be places, too... But I can tell you I'm real.

[His expression then softens, moving to place her petite hands in his own gently.]

You're from a different time, too... aren't you, Aerith?

[He moves her closer, wrapping an arm around her waist.]

...can you just answer me one thing?

[ This time she moves with him, leaning her head back against his shoulder to look up at him. ]

...About my time? Do you really want to ruin the surprise?

[ Trying to deflect him from asking because she doesn't actually have any surprises, and that's one in itself. A terrible one. She should know where he is, how he's doing some kind of job that seems completely different from his work with Shinra until you realize it's hard work that makes people happy, how he's flirting up all the girls still or maybe that he's settled down with one--she should know. She should know that because he's alive to do all those things and perfectly capable of returning letters.

She's looking at him, but if he looks too closely her gaze will move just past him. ]

Are we happy?

[The question comes suddenly, almost interrupting her as if he was trying to get it out before she could protest. It's honest, and true, laced with quiet emotion that's difficult to pinpoint at first, but there.

Because if she's from the future... he needs to know. He wants to make sure hers is bright - filled with happy memories of friends, and pleasant times with him.]

We're okay. [ It's said quietly but positively for his sake. She can believe that. Whatever happened, he's not hurting anymore.

There's only so long she can keep her composure, though, and she lowers her face, naturally looking away with him behind her. She rests her arm on his wrapped around her. ]

That's your one question.

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jhsgjfvhj i keep forgetting she's post-CC. ;_;

Yup. OGC for this one! Zack's dead, baaaw. 8(

bvzmvvjm yeah this is going to get... weird, once he gets to that canon point.

I'm still trying to figure out if I want Aerith to go AU or die, lol

Hmmmm. Up to you! Either way is baww-worthy. ;3;

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and now Cloud and Aerith are both breaking his brain.

hghgvh just don't tell him he's dead. ; )3( ;a

oh god no that is on Aerith's THINGS TO NEVER TALK ABOUT list

GOOD it would be upsetting for both of them sooob.

yes 8( dangit, canon.

at least they die happy together? ;;

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