AUTHORS NOTE: *is half dead* I'm shocked and dissappointed in all of you! *pokes her tongue out* ^.^ ONLY 2 REVIEWS FROM THE LAST CHAPTER!! *sobs*
Well.. I'd better start getting some more soon - cos I really slaved over dis one (tremendous writers-block peoples!!). I really hope this one is good in all your opinions (if you REVIEW i'd know these things! *pouts*), I stayed up most all night with my brain all shrivled and.. lol.. ok, well maybe not THAT extreme.. but my writers block has been known to bring down whole small cities. Oh whatever.. I'm tired and rambling *mumbles*.
Okies.. before I go any further.. PLUG FOR MY OTHER FICCY! That's right folks - there's another! It's an Auron & Rikku fiction (love those 2 together! *glomps*)in the final fantasy 10 section that can be found under the name of 'The Power Of Change'! Woot!! check it out! (plz!)
Thankies go to:
Kaye: Glad you're keeping up - hope you like this chappy and thanks for the review!
Bakuras one-and-only girl: I thought EXACTLY the same way when I found out Aerith was voiced by Mandy Moore - I mean, I'v never really liked her (M.M. I mean), but I did think her voice suited Aerith pretty well (and Clouds!! PHROAWR! *falls over and is attacked by lovey-hearties* ^.^).. maybe it could have been abit more sweet - but that's just my opinion! I love your ficcy too girl, can't wait to read more! Aerith and Cloud forever remember! Woooooot! ^_______^
Peril: Awww! Thank you so much for posting another lil review.. hehe, I'm glad that you did actually - your comments really made a differnce (especially considering the REVIEW DROUGHT I'v been having recently! *glares at the non-reviewing readers* ^.^) and I DON'T think you're evil!! I think you just have an opinion that you wanted to express (and maybe I just happened to take it wrongly! Don't I suck! ^___^). Oh yeh, and it prolly will end up being (quite alot) longer than 75 chapters.. daunting as some people may find it.. but meh, I like really expressing the LOVE peoples!! Hmm, maybe I'll explain my reasons for writing such a long story next chappy - but meanwhile this 'note' has turned out to be more of a 'novel'!
Enjoy this chapter already! ^.^
AND DON'T FORGET: 'THE POWER OF CHANGE'.. in the final fantasy 10 section now!!! read read read! (ok.. so it's only one chapter so far.. so there isn't that MUCH to read atm! lol) THANKS!
REMEMBER:
" " = speech
' ' = thoughts
AND NOW IT'S SPACED OUT SO IT'S EASIER TO READ! YAY! *hugs herself* ^.^
Angel Reborn
************************
CHAPTER TEN
AERITH and CLOUD
in
"Tasty Apology"
Straight on this long, continuing road there is surely something to believe in;
Like a traveler in the midst of the wind, I have my eyes on the northern sky;
The passionate feelings that were beginning to vanish once again sway with radiance in my chest..
I don't want the tears to spill so as not to lose to my weaker self.
~'Pure Heart' (Aeriths' theme)~ *lubblubblubb* ^_______^
~Town Square - Kalm~
•°•
As it was, Aerith ended up getting so lost in the maze of street-stalls that had been set up in the mere hour she'd been up in the room with Yuffie and Tifa, that she didn't end up finding Cloud at all.
Exhausted, she flopped down onto a nearby bench and watched the sun slowly set in the distance. The sky turned a lovely hue of yellow into orange into red, slowly fading to black as the bright orb slid it's burning face from view for yet another day. All around the busy town-square torches were being lit, and the tantalising aroma of succulent dishes wafted on the mild night breeze.
Aerith scanned the crowd slowly - hoping for a sign of a certain blonde man amongst them, but her efforts once again proved fruitless. 'Where is he?'
The only response to her silent question was a loud gurgle from her stomache. Giggling quietly, Aerith rose from her resting place and set out towards the lavish buffet - hoping to perhaps find Cloud gorging himself, as Tifa had mentioned was a habit of his.
Satisfying her hunger with a plate heaped with all sorts of exotic concoctions, Aerith did eventually set her eyes on a familiar face across the busy square - it was Tifa. The younger woman noticed her too, and began to push her way through the crowds.
"There you are!" Tifa smiled, when she reached her friend. She was wearing a lovely blue dress that reached just past her mid-thighs in length, it softly accented her curves without being too tight or revealing, and on her feet she wore a matching pair of dainty blue heels. Overall she looked very pretty indeed, and Aerith told her so - causing Tifa to blush. Thanking her, she glanced at her friends long locks with a shocked expression. "You look a mess.. Let me fix your hair!"
So Aerith stood still while her hair was straightened somewhat - the wild tresses that had come loose from the main braid being tucked neatly back in with the rest.
"There! Much better!" Tifa announced, her eyes widening as she noticed the pile of food Aerith had heaped atop her paper plate. "Are you eating ALL of that?"
The delicate Cetra colored slightly at this remark, staring down at the sizable amount she held. "Y-yes.. I haven't eaten all day, do you think it's too much?"
Tifa chuckled. "Well, if you're hungry.. ." Than she was gone, leaving Aerith to consider what to do with it all. Shrugging to herself, she carried on regaurdless - clutching the plate close to her as she once again began to search for Cloud.
Finally spotting that unmistakable mass of blonde spikes towering above afew shorter people, Aerith pushed towards him, relieved that she could finally relax a little.
She squeezed past afew people and finally stepped out infront of Cloud, very close to him.
It was pretty hard to miss her standing infront of him, and he looked down at her with a mixture of suprise and guilt on his face.
"Aerith.. I'v been looking for you! I wan't to say that--" he began, but was cut short when someone behind him shoved past, causing him to stumble and fall straight against Aerith.
SPLAT!
The young Cetra was left standing with the plate full of food she'd carried mushed all over the front of her long pink dress.
For a moment they both stood motionless, staring wide-eyed down at the mound of eateries that slowly began to run down the the material of Aeriths front, they looked at one another.. than burst into gales of laughter.
"..That I'm sorry!!" Cloud finished as they caught their breath, both grinning widly.
"I'm sorry too!" She added, lifting a finger covered with wild-bean sauce and drawing a mostache on his face. "Colonel Cloud!" she giggled, blushing a little and saluting. Cloud laughed loudly and strutted around a little in the small space he was standing in, getting some pretty strange looks from people nearby - not that he cared.
"Hmm.. I should probably go and get this cleaned up." Aerith concluded after some time, indicating the mess stuck to her dress with a chuckle.
After she had dissappeared from view in the direction of the Inn, Cloud decided that buying Aerith something was definately in order. 'But what to get..?' he thought with a sigh.
"Cloud! Hey Cloud!" came a voice from some way away - it was Tifa. She ran up to him as fast as she could (not too fast considering the heels she was wearing) and broke into a shy smile, "..Dance with me?"
Although dancing with Tifa was the last thing on his mind at that time, Cloud obliged anyway - guiding her to a resonably sized space infront of the band that was playing a song about saving the earth and planting trees.. or something. Cloud sighed and put a hand on Tifas waist.. just before they stopped the song and started on a romantic one.
'Oh great..' Cloud thought with an inward groan, 'now Tifa will get upset if I don't cuddle up to her or something.'
But Tifa seemed happy enough just burying her face into Clouds warm chest, even though it made him want to run for cover until the stupid song was over.
As they danced, Cloud scanned the stalls closest to where they were - his eyes landing on something he was sure Aerith would like, despite how little he knew about buying presents for women.
The flower seemed to glow with it's own special light, bathing the blossoms around it with a soft pink radiance. It was perfect for Aerith - MADE for her even!
"..Comes from the deepest valleys in Cosmo Canyon," the shop owner was telling Cloud after the song finished and he had wandered over there, "It only blooms once a year and lasts a mere two days if you keep it in a vase and out of any direct heat or harsh sunlight.. ."
'So it's special!' Cloud thought, grinning, 'just like Aerith!'
"But it's not cheap Mister, five thousand gil.. plus an additional one thousand for the special container you need to carry it in.. ."
Cloud tossed the money to the lady without hesitation.
Heading back towards the hotel with the special present, Cloud stumbled apon another worthy gift - A pink satin ribbon. After Aerith had used hers on his bleeding lip earlier, he really wanted to replace it. Besides, it matched the flower he'd bought rather well.. and he could really imagine how cute Aerith would look with it tied in her hair!
Reaching the entrance to his room, Cloud jolted to a stop infront of the open door.
Aerith was standing by the window, dressed in a delicate white babydoll nighty and brushing her long brown hair with leisurely strokes as she watched fireworks exploding in the clear evening sky.
Cloud felt the heat rising to his cheeks at the sight, even though she wasn't displaying that much more skin than her usual long pink dress did, Aerith looked the vision of purity and innocence.. and beauty.
Cloud, unsure of how to make his presence known, finally opted for a knock on the door.
Aerith turned with a suprised look, but it quickly broke into a blushing smile as she realised who it was. "How long have you been standing there?" she asked shyly, giggling into her palm.
"Not long.." Cloud croaked, trying to level his voice and successfully pull-off bending the truth. "I.. here!" He held the present he'd bought her out and averted his eyes, feeling the blush creeping up to color his ears scarlet.
Aerith gasped quietly when she opened the container, eyes widening and glowing with the flowers radiated light. "It's.. beautiful! Just beautiful! I'v never seen anything like it before!!" Setting the flower down gently and facing Cloud, she couldn't resist the temptation - throwing her arms around him in a delighted embrace. "Thank you so much!!"
Naturally his arms closed around her back, but in the most gentle way - so as not to arouse any suspicion in her. One hand retreaved the ribbon from his pocket and pressing it into her hands. "No, thank YOU."
It was at that precise moment that Tifa decided to walk into the room.
•°•
©Erica Runge - 18th of February, 2003. All main characters, etc ©Squaresoft and FFVII.
Well.. I'd better start getting some more soon - cos I really slaved over dis one (tremendous writers-block peoples!!). I really hope this one is good in all your opinions (if you REVIEW i'd know these things! *pouts*), I stayed up most all night with my brain all shrivled and.. lol.. ok, well maybe not THAT extreme.. but my writers block has been known to bring down whole small cities. Oh whatever.. I'm tired and rambling *mumbles*.
Okies.. before I go any further.. PLUG FOR MY OTHER FICCY! That's right folks - there's another! It's an Auron & Rikku fiction (love those 2 together! *glomps*)in the final fantasy 10 section that can be found under the name of 'The Power Of Change'! Woot!! check it out! (plz!)
Thankies go to:
Kaye: Glad you're keeping up - hope you like this chappy and thanks for the review!
Bakuras one-and-only girl: I thought EXACTLY the same way when I found out Aerith was voiced by Mandy Moore - I mean, I'v never really liked her (M.M. I mean), but I did think her voice suited Aerith pretty well (and Clouds!! PHROAWR! *falls over and is attacked by lovey-hearties* ^.^).. maybe it could have been abit more sweet - but that's just my opinion! I love your ficcy too girl, can't wait to read more! Aerith and Cloud forever remember! Woooooot! ^_______^
Peril: Awww! Thank you so much for posting another lil review.. hehe, I'm glad that you did actually - your comments really made a differnce (especially considering the REVIEW DROUGHT I'v been having recently! *glares at the non-reviewing readers* ^.^) and I DON'T think you're evil!! I think you just have an opinion that you wanted to express (and maybe I just happened to take it wrongly! Don't I suck! ^___^). Oh yeh, and it prolly will end up being (quite alot) longer than 75 chapters.. daunting as some people may find it.. but meh, I like really expressing the LOVE peoples!! Hmm, maybe I'll explain my reasons for writing such a long story next chappy - but meanwhile this 'note' has turned out to be more of a 'novel'!
Enjoy this chapter already! ^.^
AND DON'T FORGET: 'THE POWER OF CHANGE'.. in the final fantasy 10 section now!!! read read read! (ok.. so it's only one chapter so far.. so there isn't that MUCH to read atm! lol) THANKS!
REMEMBER:
" " = speech
' ' = thoughts
AND NOW IT'S SPACED OUT SO IT'S EASIER TO READ! YAY! *hugs herself* ^.^
Angel Reborn
************************
CHAPTER TEN
AERITH and CLOUD
in
"Tasty Apology"
Straight on this long, continuing road there is surely something to believe in;
Like a traveler in the midst of the wind, I have my eyes on the northern sky;
The passionate feelings that were beginning to vanish once again sway with radiance in my chest..
I don't want the tears to spill so as not to lose to my weaker self.
~'Pure Heart' (Aeriths' theme)~ *lubblubblubb* ^_______^
~Town Square - Kalm~
•°•
As it was, Aerith ended up getting so lost in the maze of street-stalls that had been set up in the mere hour she'd been up in the room with Yuffie and Tifa, that she didn't end up finding Cloud at all.
Exhausted, she flopped down onto a nearby bench and watched the sun slowly set in the distance. The sky turned a lovely hue of yellow into orange into red, slowly fading to black as the bright orb slid it's burning face from view for yet another day. All around the busy town-square torches were being lit, and the tantalising aroma of succulent dishes wafted on the mild night breeze.
Aerith scanned the crowd slowly - hoping for a sign of a certain blonde man amongst them, but her efforts once again proved fruitless. 'Where is he?'
The only response to her silent question was a loud gurgle from her stomache. Giggling quietly, Aerith rose from her resting place and set out towards the lavish buffet - hoping to perhaps find Cloud gorging himself, as Tifa had mentioned was a habit of his.
Satisfying her hunger with a plate heaped with all sorts of exotic concoctions, Aerith did eventually set her eyes on a familiar face across the busy square - it was Tifa. The younger woman noticed her too, and began to push her way through the crowds.
"There you are!" Tifa smiled, when she reached her friend. She was wearing a lovely blue dress that reached just past her mid-thighs in length, it softly accented her curves without being too tight or revealing, and on her feet she wore a matching pair of dainty blue heels. Overall she looked very pretty indeed, and Aerith told her so - causing Tifa to blush. Thanking her, she glanced at her friends long locks with a shocked expression. "You look a mess.. Let me fix your hair!"
So Aerith stood still while her hair was straightened somewhat - the wild tresses that had come loose from the main braid being tucked neatly back in with the rest.
"There! Much better!" Tifa announced, her eyes widening as she noticed the pile of food Aerith had heaped atop her paper plate. "Are you eating ALL of that?"
The delicate Cetra colored slightly at this remark, staring down at the sizable amount she held. "Y-yes.. I haven't eaten all day, do you think it's too much?"
Tifa chuckled. "Well, if you're hungry.. ." Than she was gone, leaving Aerith to consider what to do with it all. Shrugging to herself, she carried on regaurdless - clutching the plate close to her as she once again began to search for Cloud.
Finally spotting that unmistakable mass of blonde spikes towering above afew shorter people, Aerith pushed towards him, relieved that she could finally relax a little.
She squeezed past afew people and finally stepped out infront of Cloud, very close to him.
It was pretty hard to miss her standing infront of him, and he looked down at her with a mixture of suprise and guilt on his face.
"Aerith.. I'v been looking for you! I wan't to say that--" he began, but was cut short when someone behind him shoved past, causing him to stumble and fall straight against Aerith.
SPLAT!
The young Cetra was left standing with the plate full of food she'd carried mushed all over the front of her long pink dress.
For a moment they both stood motionless, staring wide-eyed down at the mound of eateries that slowly began to run down the the material of Aeriths front, they looked at one another.. than burst into gales of laughter.
"..That I'm sorry!!" Cloud finished as they caught their breath, both grinning widly.
"I'm sorry too!" She added, lifting a finger covered with wild-bean sauce and drawing a mostache on his face. "Colonel Cloud!" she giggled, blushing a little and saluting. Cloud laughed loudly and strutted around a little in the small space he was standing in, getting some pretty strange looks from people nearby - not that he cared.
"Hmm.. I should probably go and get this cleaned up." Aerith concluded after some time, indicating the mess stuck to her dress with a chuckle.
After she had dissappeared from view in the direction of the Inn, Cloud decided that buying Aerith something was definately in order. 'But what to get..?' he thought with a sigh.
"Cloud! Hey Cloud!" came a voice from some way away - it was Tifa. She ran up to him as fast as she could (not too fast considering the heels she was wearing) and broke into a shy smile, "..Dance with me?"
Although dancing with Tifa was the last thing on his mind at that time, Cloud obliged anyway - guiding her to a resonably sized space infront of the band that was playing a song about saving the earth and planting trees.. or something. Cloud sighed and put a hand on Tifas waist.. just before they stopped the song and started on a romantic one.
'Oh great..' Cloud thought with an inward groan, 'now Tifa will get upset if I don't cuddle up to her or something.'
But Tifa seemed happy enough just burying her face into Clouds warm chest, even though it made him want to run for cover until the stupid song was over.
As they danced, Cloud scanned the stalls closest to where they were - his eyes landing on something he was sure Aerith would like, despite how little he knew about buying presents for women.
The flower seemed to glow with it's own special light, bathing the blossoms around it with a soft pink radiance. It was perfect for Aerith - MADE for her even!
"..Comes from the deepest valleys in Cosmo Canyon," the shop owner was telling Cloud after the song finished and he had wandered over there, "It only blooms once a year and lasts a mere two days if you keep it in a vase and out of any direct heat or harsh sunlight.. ."
'So it's special!' Cloud thought, grinning, 'just like Aerith!'
"But it's not cheap Mister, five thousand gil.. plus an additional one thousand for the special container you need to carry it in.. ."
Cloud tossed the money to the lady without hesitation.
Heading back towards the hotel with the special present, Cloud stumbled apon another worthy gift - A pink satin ribbon. After Aerith had used hers on his bleeding lip earlier, he really wanted to replace it. Besides, it matched the flower he'd bought rather well.. and he could really imagine how cute Aerith would look with it tied in her hair!
Reaching the entrance to his room, Cloud jolted to a stop infront of the open door.
Aerith was standing by the window, dressed in a delicate white babydoll nighty and brushing her long brown hair with leisurely strokes as she watched fireworks exploding in the clear evening sky.
Cloud felt the heat rising to his cheeks at the sight, even though she wasn't displaying that much more skin than her usual long pink dress did, Aerith looked the vision of purity and innocence.. and beauty.
Cloud, unsure of how to make his presence known, finally opted for a knock on the door.
Aerith turned with a suprised look, but it quickly broke into a blushing smile as she realised who it was. "How long have you been standing there?" she asked shyly, giggling into her palm.
"Not long.." Cloud croaked, trying to level his voice and successfully pull-off bending the truth. "I.. here!" He held the present he'd bought her out and averted his eyes, feeling the blush creeping up to color his ears scarlet.
Aerith gasped quietly when she opened the container, eyes widening and glowing with the flowers radiated light. "It's.. beautiful! Just beautiful! I'v never seen anything like it before!!" Setting the flower down gently and facing Cloud, she couldn't resist the temptation - throwing her arms around him in a delighted embrace. "Thank you so much!!"
Naturally his arms closed around her back, but in the most gentle way - so as not to arouse any suspicion in her. One hand retreaved the ribbon from his pocket and pressing it into her hands. "No, thank YOU."
It was at that precise moment that Tifa decided to walk into the room.
•°•
©Erica Runge - 18th of February, 2003. All main characters, etc ©Squaresoft and FFVII.
