Once upon a time, there was a Godly valley with mountains that could touch the sky and trees that cast long shadows. The people who live in the small mountain town are hardworking and happy, so long as they never stray into the forest where the wolves lurk in the darkness. Adults brave the trees in groups to hunt the vicious pack as they have for decades, the conflict is deep with no sign of victory for either side. But wolves are not the only threat, nor the village's only secret - and the link connecting them is a simple cloak of Red ...

Every night, from the highest peak of the uninhabited mountains, a single Wolf howls to the good folk of the valley – as a warning, as a message, and as a reminder of what they did:
"Beware, beware, the Path where the Witch once stood. Beware, beware, of the Wolf in the Wood."

Selphie watched her guest out of the corner of her eye as she stepped about her own kitchen to ready it before she left. This new townie girl, Aerith, had been dropped on her doorstep by Rinoa of all people and was currently admiring the hand carved decorations of the doorways with the joy of a child's Christmas. Although Selphie wanted nothing to do with Rinoa for the rest of her life, she knew that the elder woman had good grasps of personality – her downfall was expecting everyone to adapt to hers without any leeway on her side. If Rinoa was fond of Aerith, which it seemed she was as she took her to a place that she wasn't liked, then Selphie knew that Aerith was a nice person – if her total wonder and innocence hadn't tipped her off from the start.

Taking one more private moment to watch the young girl Selphie turned, at last, wiping her hands clean on a dishcloth "Are you comfortable? Can I pour you a drink?"

Aerith blessed her with a sweet smile, one that reminded Selphie of lilies and the blue flowers of the pea plant, and she answered with just as much honey "Thank you very much, but I'm all right."

Selphie nodded, glancing her up and down before putting the bread at the foot of the hearth. Aerith's skin was rosy due to a finer diet than herself, and her dress was prettier than any she had seen, she also spoke with a strange intonation. "Where do you hail from Aerith? Your voice is not from the city, or from any of the surrounding villages."

Blinking, the girl asked "H-how could you tell?"

Laughing and stepping around her to pick up her shoes Selphie answered: "When you've lived in the same village all your life you can easily hear a voice that's from outside." Playfully, she tilted her head at her and took a stab in the dark, "You're not from a border are you?"

Her guest shook her head with a small laugh of her own, "No, I lived further north. My Mother was from a remote part of the country. My Father's success in his scientific theories caused some of his sponsors to switch alliances, we moved to save money. But he chose such a lovely town, and a beautiful valley," she cast a look out of the window at the rolling hills before the mountains and Selphie smiled.

Ah, I knew I liked her, she has your look, Squall. She loves the woods too.

Selphie wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and opened the door "I'd be happy to show you around some more, and maybe what you've already seen but in more detail, if you would prefer."

"Oh both, please." After she stepped outside and after Selphie had shut the door, she watched her guest link her fingers together in unconscious joy "I have so many questions about this place."

Laughing, Selphie guided her towards the well, it was a sensible place to start, "I bet. This old place is shiny and new to you, try not to yawn when you see how dusty we really are."

"I'd never!"

True to her word, Aerith hung on every story and syllable. She relearnt more about the Church building and the Well, and she was let into the Barn to greet the horses and Mr Kinneas.

The Church was the 'official' centre of the village as the religious landmark, and the Well was the social one because the water provided for everyone's needs and everyone had to go to the same place to get it. Selphie said that, in her childhood, she preferred the Church as she always used to believe that someone powerful would look out for her and her family. Nowadays, she preferred the Well for all the faces she got to meet.

Aerith saw her face twist in micro expressions of joy or sadness during her stories, especially when she pointed out the characters wearing bright scarfs in a range of colours. "They're Hunters, they go into the woods and bring back game to sell or keep for themselves," Selphie answered her curious pointing with mixed emotions.

"Why are they wearing bright scarfs?"

Selphie lost her cheer for a split second "That … it's so they won't accidently shoot another human, animals don't pay attention to bright colours, but they'll hear a noise and run. That's what my Brothers used to say." Her smile back she pointed at the mountains "Some people believe that the woods are an evil omen, I'd never go in there on my own, too scary. People have gotten lost before. And hurt. But most are scared of the wolves."

Aerith's attention peeked again "Vicar Valentine told me about a wolf attack, is that what you mean?"

Selphie shook her head "Partly. But they've been hated for years before the, so called, attack." she led Aerith on briskly. "Father Hojo thinks that God sends the wolves as a curse on this valley to punish us because we're not good enough Christians, I always say grace twice before every meal but it doesn't help."

Mentally scratching her head, Aerith asked what they had done to be bad Christians.

Selphie pondered the question "There's the usual; thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not murder, thou shalt not take the Lords name in vain." She waved a hand and Aerith got the impression that there was a very long list. "There're so many rules, it's very easy to be just an average worshipper."

Huffing, Aerith spoke her mind "He's a very stingy deity then, very petty too if he wants everyone to memorise the rules … could you write them down?"

Selphie blew out her cheeks in an attempt to hide an amused splutter "I don't know how to read or write, Miss Aerith! I'm just a village born and wed woman." She pointed behind them "Father Hojo can read because he's a man of the Church, and he tells us what our Lord's book says." She sighed with a hint of irritation "He knows all the rules and loves to tell us off when we break them."

Aerith gave her a sympathetic smile, she recalled how Elmyra liked to scold her for rules she hadn't been aware of too. She wasn't a Catholic or a Christian, so whenever she began to eat after thanking the chef, she was quickly scolded though Aerith had no idea why. Likewise, she was often told off for speaking of her 'wedding' night without marriage. Aerith had no idea how she was expected to know what she was never told, and felt empathetic to Selphie and her neighbours who were just told to 'do better' with no direction to help them.

As they headed to the Barn, which Rinoa had said used to be the old storage shed, Selphie's mood improved. With a bright smile she suddenly brought up a new topic; "My husband works here with the horses, I'd love to introduce you, I think he'll like you."

"Oh, really?" Aerith stuttered, flattered and a bit confused. The sudden idea that she would be introduced to another stranger was a little uneasy with her. Selphie looked so enthusiastic that she didn't dare say no, but it was odd behaviour nonetheless. She let the married woman drag her along with a happy spring in her step, she felt a bit like a shiny new toy that a child wanted to show to everyone … but a look at the gentle friendship in her tour guide's eyes made her ashamed of such thoughts, there had to be another reason.

Selphie swung on the door to the stables, the bottom door squeaked loudly and as she had the few degrees of swing she put a hand to her mouth and called out "Oh where, oh where, is my tavern boy~" her voice edging on a song in the warm barn.

The barn was full of gentle-eyed animals, Aerith wondered if the horses that had pulled her cart were here too, enjoying the mountain hay and the care of experienced stable hands.

Mr Kinneas appeared, Aerith leaned around Selphie to see him properly and her unease of this stranger vanished at once with just a look at him. There was an aura of calming around him that he wielded with confidence, he seemed suited to taking care of the animals here with one or two perking their ears in his direction. He looked very relaxed in his environment.

He was tall, had long hair tied back in a messy braid and a carelessly handsome and ageless smile. He tipped his hat at the pair, a hat that looked beaten and worn but most of all loved. "My, my, which saint blessed me today? Valentine?"

Aerith smiled slightly, assuming this to be a joke, and noted that his voice was slightly roughened rather than the smooth one she had expected.

His wife laughed and stepped up to peck his cheek, she was so small compared to him that he had to stoop slightly with no complaint and affection written all over his pinking cheeks. Aerith smiled to herself as she watched the happy couple. Selphie scolded him, "Don't be so naughty! This is Miss Aerith, she's neighbour in the town and she wants to know more about where she's living. I'm showing her around."

Mr Kinneas smiled at Aerith as his wife waved a hand of grandeur in her direction, keeping on hand on his wife's small waist as he extended a gloved hand "It's a pleasure, Miss."

"And you, sir," Aerith returned.

"Have you been able to keep up with Selphie? Sometimes she speaks so fast she talks in birdsongs," his eyes were fixed on Aerith in polite conversation but his other hand was grasping Selphie's to avoid the reprimanding pinch coming his way.

Aerith giggled at their playfulness and was quick to avoid a fight, "I'm so excited I talk in birdsong! She's been very helpful."

"See, Irvine? I'm helpful," Selphie teased "I had just finished telling her about the woods and was just about to say something about Matron, but-"

Irvine gave Selphie a strange look, Aerith sometimes got them when the 'adults' were talking about something unsuitable for children but one had brought it up anyway. It was not exactly that, there was a lot of surprise in his eyes too as if he never heard her speak of these topics and here they were out of the blue.

Selphie nodded insistently and her husband obeyed the hidden message after a moment of awkward silence. With a high amount of stiffness, he asked: "You like the stories about the forest, Miss Aerith?"

Aerith forgot about the awkwardness in an instant, "It's so beautiful to look at, I can't imagine how old it is or how many plants and creatures live in it, it's like a jewel right out of the ground without craftsmen shaping it- it's already so captivating." Looking out the door at the green ocean that clung to the mountains she continued, "I hear the stories and I just want to know more about it; about the wolves, how the Hunters found ways to not get lost, what it's hiding, the plants- oh!" She covered her mouth at last "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to speak so much."

However, despite her apologies, she soon saw they were unnecessary. Both of the Kinneas were smiling at her so warmly she blushed.

Irvine tipped his hat in what looked like a habit and smiled at Selphie, Aerith felt like a very young child who had just said something wise without realising it, "Well … that's a lot of curiosity, it's so refreshing to see that instead of the superstitions and fears around here."

"How could anyone hate it?" bewildered, Aerith felt the need to defend it, "It's such a natural beauty, and it provides for everyone in the town as well as the creatures in it. Why can't people see it as wonderful?"

Selphie's smile widened again "A lot of old thinking, Miss." Turning to her husband, she said, "Do you think you'll be needed here today? I want to see Matron."

Irvine kissed Selphie's cheek "Sorry, love, I'm the only hand here today and I can't leave the horses unattended." At her sigh he gave her his hat and positioned it so her eyes were covered "You keep this safe for me, and I'll come get it the moment I can- I love that hat."

Selphie looked satisfied and pulled it back so she could see again "Okay, Irvine. Come on, Aerith, if you love the woods there's someone you have to meet," she linked arms with the girl before Aerith could call a proper goodbye to Mr Kinneas.

"Hope to see you again, sir!"

"Ha! Forget 'sir', it's Irvine, little lady, and don't you forget it," he waved them off and Selphie sent Aerith a happy smile when he disappeared back into the homely building.

"See, I knew he'd like you."

Curious, and finally catching on, Aerith asked "But how could you tell? Why was it important that he saw me?"

"Oh, you are sharp! I thought I was being manipulative," the married woman laughed at herself and guided the arm linked pair through the streets towards some shacks and fields. "It must be that lucky education of yours that lets you see through these things … Irvine and I have not seen someone so positive to the woods in ten years," with a nostalgic, but not altogether sad smile she said her most confusing thing yet: "Thank you for that."

"Pardon?"

Selphie put a hand to Aerith's cheek "Thank you."

"F-for what?"

"It's like … it's like I'm seeing him again …" It was then that the housewife drew the line, with a shake of her head she quietly said that talking about it was too painful, but that she would tell her one day, as a promise.

"I swear on my only good dress that if I haven't told you by the coming Spring, then I'll burn it myself- that was my wedding present from my family, so it's guaranteed, Miss." Aerith could only nod, feeling more curious and yet more intimidated than ever by the strength of the vow.

"I'm honoured you would trust me so." For her to face such a painful memory for me is a brave thing. As much as I want to know what is burdening her, I don't think I could force her to say, or force her if she cried.

Very soon they passed the small shacks that dotted the fields on the way to the woods. Aerith saw people entering and leaving them and felt a touch of astonishment. "Um, are these houses too?"

Selphie nodded "Some of them. We all start off small, our Matron said, it was true in the size of our houses." She patted the wall of one as they walked by, an old man sitting in the chair snoozing away in the sun, surrounded by sleeping dogs, and obviously the owner of this particular shack.

With a smile Selphie continued her lesson, "Once we learn how to build, or sell to buy, we make more room for ourselves. Irvine built our house for us, I helped make the roof – it's home to us, even though your townie houses must be so much more impressive, I couldn't bear to part with our little house."

"I wouldn't if I had a house half as meaningful," Aerith admitted.

Giggling, the older woman briskly walked onwards "I hope you don't mind, but I'd like you to meet someone else today."

Aerith blinked "Um, is it my 'mysterious something' that will cheer them up?"

Humming innocently, Selphie nodded "I won't if you do not wish it, but I worry about her so much. She's very lonely, and she's never stopped mourning or hoping." Her eyes were distant and her walking slowed to a halt.

"Who is she?" Aerith asked.

"She raised us, the village calls her Edea, but she's always been our Matron. Some of us she's cared for from births where our widowed Mothers died, their husbands and lovers had died in a far off war for our ruling Prince. Some of us came to live with her in early childhood, she loved us all and never turned a child away even if it was in her best interests." Her face grew worried "Losing two brothers changed all of us that were left, but Matron lost two sons," a hand rose to her mouth and trembled there "I can't imagine what she felt when she had to tell us … I can't imagine what this time of year does to her."

Aerith held her hands in hers "Please, don't say anymore if it makes you this sad."

Selphie let a lone tear fall before she regained her composure "I'm sorry, you must be so confused."

Aerith smiled "I'll stay ignorant for your smiles, Mrs Kinneas." Selphie looked very grateful and held the younger girl's hands in a squeeze until her breathing was even. Aerith saw her distress and wondered what pain this Mother figure must feel if this poor woman missed her brothers so much.

She made a decision and asked, firmly, "Please can you introduce me to Matron, I want to help."

"Well aren't you a sweet little flower!"

And with that exclamation and a spontaneous hug they left the land toiled by Man behind and stepped onto a well-trodden trail.

Trees arched over it like in the Churches of the village, and the way the sun made many shades of green through the leaves, Aerith likened them to the stained glass of Grimoire's church. But unlike the Church, the air wasn't heavy or cold and the covering of leaves didn't weigh down on her consciousness, it was warm and open. She breathed deep and smelt the life in the forest that made her spirits lift, decomposing leaves, the crispness of the mountain air, the moist earth under her feet all made her feel at home.

She opened her eyes and smiled at Selphie, she had felt her eyes the moment they stepped under the trees "Do I still have that look?"

Selphie shook her head slightly "Not quite, but it's close."

"Why does your Mother live in the woods?" Aerith asked, the trail curved slightly and there was the hint of light at the end, a clearing.

"Her husband built the house there, he was a romantic and I heard he even proposed to her on the very spot that her house sits on. He had died before we met him, sometimes I think that she took us in because she was lonely," she sighed slightly "It's a lovely house, I miss it often, even if it is too small for anyone but a widow."

When they reached the clearing, Aerith's eyes widened. It was beautiful. A simple house much like the little shacks that lined the fields, but there was so much love and care into each carved side that she instantly fell in love with it. The lumber planks still had their knots and stumps from the trees they were cut from, the roof was green with moss and cheeky shoots of grass that had taken root. Around the house, there were rows and rows of plants enjoying a final Autumn burst before the winter, and a vine climbing the wall under the window. The windows were small, one pane had a tiny crack and each window had shutters inside and out. There was a generously large pile of firewood stacked up beside the stone chimney that poked through the wall, a trail of light smoke hinting at a happily burning fire inside. Around the house were a few barrels of what she expected was grain stores and a sack or two of other provisions resting atop.

There was a door with many scratches and dents in it, it stood at the end of a corridor of late Autumn flowers in glorious oranges and purples, but when Aerith made to walk up the path to the door, Selphie tapped her shoulder to stop her.

"This way."

Selphie didn't lead them to the door, she walked around the house and found a bench at the back. The back of the house faced the mountains, the bench looked relatively new compared to the house foundations, and it had a neater finish. However, the bench itself wasn't what they were here to see. In quiet thought, facing the mountains, a grey-haired woman was sat.

The old lady's hair was like a raven's feather covered in dust, it shimmered silver here and there and hung limply around her face and shoulders. She was dressed warmly but she looked thin, her arms and wrists were very pale, and on her lap was a piece of folded red fabric that her fingers caressed again and again in time with her breathing.

Selphie cleared her throat "Matron …"

The woman looked away from the mountains and turned to her guests. Aerith saw her wet cheeks and felt the strong urge to leave, she felt like an intruder in this shared moment of grief between Mother and Daughter.

Edea spoke, "Selphie, darling," she dried her eyes "Welcome back."

Selphie took a seat beside her Mother figure, stepping with purpose and yet touching her hesitantly "Matron, are you alright?"

The older woman held the red fabric tighter in her arms "It is always hard on this day, I will be fine." She looked past her to Aerith as she gave her assurance. Aerith hovered uncertainly at the corner of the building. "Don't be shy, child, come meet me."

Jumping like she had been scolded, Aerith stepped out and bowed with a blush on her cheeks "Forgive the intrusion."

"This is Aerith," Selphie introduced, her eyes glittering again with the same look she shared with her husband, his hat still on her head, "She moved into the town not but a few days ago, I showed her the village when she came to me. You'll like her Matron."

The older woman smiled fondly "Your enthusiasm never changes." Aerith got the sudden image of a young girl showing her Mother what she had found, jumping in place very excitedly and wanting to share her joy. Matron turned her smile to Aerith and Aerith was suddenly, powerfully reminded of her Mother. "Welcome, Aerith, how have you found Winhill?"

Thinking she misheard, Aerith asked, "I thought this town was called Nibelheim?"

Matron's face darkened slightly "Ah, that's right. Yes, that's the new name. Have you been greeted well by the town?"

Aerith nodded "I love the location, even if Father had to move because work went sour I'm pleased he picked here. I've met some nice people and seen all through the town and village today. Selphie's been very helpful," she gave her new friend a grin.

Beaming back, Selphie laughed "She's a good talker, right Matron?"

Edea indulged her statement with an agreeing nod before speaking to Aerith further "I'm glad. I see you have met Irvine as well, how is my son?"

Selphie tipped the hat mockingly "Just fine MI 'lady." Aerith hid a laugh behind her hand and Edea shook her head fondly.

Aerith's eyes got drawn again and again to the colourful flowers all around them. She sighed, "You have a beautiful garden, my townhouse doesn't have one and I miss growing plants," unable to keep that thought in her head, Aerith gestured to the plants, "You're very good to them, they're all so healthy. But I can see many flowers and leaves with healthy properties, but you grow them to brighten your home too, that's smart."

Edea's face was pleasantly surprised "Indeed!" she cast a look at her garden and said, "I used to have the trade of healer in the village, some still seek my aid, but I've trained others and now keep to myself save for my children." She wore a calculating expression on her face as she pointed to one plant "Can you tell me what that plant is used for?" she looked curious and interested and Aerith felt the slight warning touch of a test approaching.

She glanced the plant over, knowing it in an instant "Lemon Balm," she rubbed the tip of her finger and thumb on either side of a leaf and they held a distinctly citrus scent when she smelled them. She held her tongue, unsure if she should continue, but Edea was watching expectantly and so Aerith offered what she knew, "It's an excellent herb to have because it can be applied to so many ailments; anxiety, insomnia, small wounds, and an upset stomach, it's also used to disguise the smell of less pleasant medicines."

Edea was delighted "Exactly."

Selphie hummed with an intonation of surprise, leaning on her hand and holding her husband's hat on her knees, "I had no idea you were a healer too, Miss Aerith."

Aerith shifted in her little spotlight and played with a twist of hair that had escaped her braid "I'm not. My Mother had a herb garden and it was a tradition for her folk to know about the world and the earth, I learnt from her, and I read books published about their properties too, but my Mother taught me most."

Nodding in approval Edea said, "I would very much like to meet your Mother."

Aerith grew sombre "I'm afraid that's impossible, she died."

Edea looked alarmed, and the sorrowful, she reached out to her and held Aerith's hands "I'm so sorry."

Aerith smiled a little "I miss her lots, but I'm not sad when I think of her, I still have lots of wonderful people in my life."

The older woman had her sit beside her "Even so, no child should be without a Mother."

Aerith twisted her fingers together "I'm eighteen, Mam. I'm not a child."

The patient smile quickly told her otherwise "Aerith, every man and woman is a child to someone, age doesn't matter. You are still so young, yes, but even people my age feel lost without a Mother sometimes." Her hands smoothed over the red material on her lap again "It seems we are all missing someone today."

Aerith relaxed against the side of the house and admired the mountains against the blue sky "It's such a beautiful day out. I could stare at this view forever."

"The woods do not scare you, Miss?"

Aerith shook her head and looked at Edea to make sure she understood "They've not given me a reason to. I've already bought meat from a butcher that was found in this forest so this place has provided for me. I think of the forest a lot, and find everything about it fascinating, but whenever I look at it, I feel very peaceful, and protected, out here sitting in it is like a dream," she closed her eyes and let her senses confirm her thoughts. The life she heard in birdsong, the wind in the trees and the near silent rustle of leaves that made her want to listen forever.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and opened her suddenly heavy lids to find Edea giving her a Motherly smile. To her surprise, she felt Edea place a kiss on the crown of her head. "I'm so glad I met you," she said, at last, looking at her lap to the red bundle as she pondered aloud, "Maybe it was fate that you were introduced to me on this day."

The two younger women watched as a torn expression worried its way over her features, she looked up into the trees and her fingers tightened on her crimson bundle before she lowered her eyes to her precious hold and finally gained a small smile.

"Here."

Aerith's eyes widened when Edea held the red cloth out to her. The woman smiled "I'd like you to have this."

Selphie's jaw went slack "Matron! That's-"

"I couldn't," Aerith said, holding her hands up "It means a lot to you, I couldn't take it."

Edea insisted "All I ask in return is that you come to see me often, Miss Aerith. If you'd like, you can help me tend to my garden, but I believe that this is for you. The Lord works in mysterious ways, and I know that your love of the forest is a sign, and I'd like you to have this with you when His plan unfolds."

Aerith was still reluctant, but Edea pressed her hands to it and she was left holding the red cloth. It was not as soft as she's imagined it to be, but sturdy and warm, and the colour was so bright it caught her eye regardless.

Glancing back at the two women for confirmation she opened the cloth, expecting a blanket, but her eyes widened when it flowed into an item of clothing instead. "Oh! It's a cloak," she held it by the shoulders and saw the shape, the covering at the shoulders followed by the actual cloak that flowed to the ground, it even had a hood and several buttons for securing it at the neckline.

Aerith looked at her host "It looks like it belongs to someone …"

"Try it on, let's see if it fits you," Edea suggested, ignoring the protests.

Aerith stood and pulled the cloth around her shoulders, the weight of it was more than she was expecting and it was comforting, and she was warm the second it touched her. She tied it at the front and pulled up the hood to ensure that it was not tangled into a knot behind her head. She smoothed it all back down and turned to her audience.

Now even Selphie was looking pleased with the direction of the conversation, "It's your colour, Miss."

Edea had a fond smile, her eyes nostalgic but not sad "Indeed it is. I hope you will keep it, Miss Aerith."

Touching the worn edges and the careful signs of repair, Aerith wondered how on earth she had ended up with such a gift "I … it doesn't feel right accepting this, I feel that it means more to you than it ever could to me."

Edea looked thoughtful "I see. How about you borrow it, then? A compromise." Her lips turned up at the edges and made several laugh lines stand out, "You may return it to me every time you see me, but you must always leave with it." Her voice became serious "Hunting game is a big part of the lives of Win- I mean, Nibelheim, and it can be dangerous for those who do no wear bright colours, please have this to keep you safe on your journey."

Aerith considered the compromise for several minutes before reluctantly nodding "Very well, I promise to treasure it while it's in my care," she vowed.

Edea smiled "And you must come to see my garden as often as you'd like, I would enjoy the company, and the help if you so desire." This Aerith promised without a second thought, she looked around the garden and privately couldn't wait to be surrounded by toiled earth and fresh leaves.

"I can't believe that she gave you that Cloak," Selphie said as they walked out of the trail and back to the old part of the town. "She's never let us borrow it, but I think I understand why you should have it."

Aerith touched the fabric again, it flowed smoothly behind her as she walked, and the weight of it made her feel like a queen dragging a train of jewels instead of sturdy material. Her forehead creasing with conflicting thoughts. Maybe I should give it back … I can't possibly take it, she decided.

She turned to Selphie and touched her arm, the hatted woman turned around and Aerith admitted: "I think I should return it, it doesn't feel right."

Selphie pursed her lips. "Matron wouldn't have offered if she wasn't sure …" Aerith felt her examine her expression and eventually the older woman gave her the advice she had already been thinking. "If you feel so strongly it must be best to give it back, I'm sure Matron will understand if you explain how you feel. She'll insist, but she won't force you if you're honest."

Aerith smiled at her "I hope so," she turned slightly "I'll go do that."

Selphie tilted her head "Do you know the way?"

Aerith smiled "I remember, thank you for everything Selphie."

The woman smiled radiantly "Not at all, flower. If you ever need company, please don't hesitate to come on by and see me, I'm not often away from the house or the well."

Promising to stop by soon, Aerith turned and made her way back up the trail to Edea's house. While she walked she wondered how to phrase her thoughts and feelings to Edea, how to explain that accepting a gift Edea and her family treasured was just impossible to her. She felt like she was wrongly crowned, or accused, or … a mixture.

She was so lost in thought she jumped when she came to the small bend in the trail that would turn her out to the clearing, standing, peering through the trees into the old part of town was a man. Aerith's heart jumped into her mouth as she spotted him at last. She swallowed slightly and hesitantly kept walking, she glanced through the trees to see what he was looking at, but she could only see the men in bright scarfs from this angle.

She cleared her throat slightly when she drew closer, "Um, hello, sir … are you from around here?"

The man turned his head slightly to look at her and Aerith was mesmerised by his blue eyes. The man had black hair that spiked back from his face, one lock breaking the trend and falling upon his forehead. He had narrow eyebrows that were drawn down into a scowl, almost touching over his nose and giving Aerith the impression of a silent snarl. He was tall and broad-shouldered and when he turned to face her, his expression becoming wary, Aerith saw a small scar on his face in the shape of an X just above his clean-shaven jaw.

His eyes examined her from where he stood. Eventually, he said "Kind of …" he took a step towards her, his face lost its angry expression and he actually was very handsome, Aerith thought.

He opened his mouth, likely to start a conversation or maybe to say good day and leave. However, he sucked in a quick breath, his eyes widened in shock and moved down slightly to look at where the red cloak tied at her neckline. His entire body stiffened. He reached out suddenly "Where-"

Dodging the grasping hand, Aerith backed up several paces, her eyes wide and her heart beating fast. "Stay back!"

The Man's expression turned sorrowful and he raised both hands slowly "Easy, Red."

Aerith nodded shakily, just the once, before turning and running back the way she came. Her heart was in her mouth the entire time her back was to him, but she couldn't bring herself to check that she wasn't being followed.

She only looked back once she had exited the forest entirely, her lungs panting and her heart pounding, but Aerith relaxed when she realised he hadn't followed her.

Aerith briskly walked back towards her home, her hands grasping the cloak for comfort, who on earth was that? Why was he trying to grab me? Her teeth worried her lower lip, scared from the encounter and shaking internally at the idea of what might have happened if she hadn't of run. She had been all alone with him after all …

She jumped when a dog barked in the distance and breathed a sigh of relief to herself. I'm okay, I'm all right. She looked at the crimson fabric that hung from her shoulders and sighed. How am I going to return this now?

After some thought, she decided to go back tomorrow when she was sure that man would be gone. That strange man with the very blue eyes. Aerith went absent minded as she remembered them, she looked up and realised that they were the colour of the sky.

"Easy, Red."

Aerith shivered again, but this time with a different feeling, thinking back without her overwhelming fear, she noted that he had a pleasant voice …

I'll try tomorrow, that's all there it to it. It's not like I'll see him again. Two strangers in the woods, that's all we were …

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