In the Air
Yuffie stood in her flower clad kimono, her back facing Ping. Ping shuffled her feet, finding a pebble that would occupy her until a word was spoken.
"It was supposed to be here already." the voice rang part youthfully, part annoyed. Ping managed to trap the pebble under her foot, not exactly knowing the reason she did. She heard the sound of cloth flapping in the still wind. Yuffie was now facing her. Her face was a little longer than when Ping looked up to a more youthful, brash teenager. The elder female was drawn to the happy face in the past. Something about what it hid from her. Even now, she wasn't sure how Ping handled a sword so deftly, or how she would soon become the best fighter in Wutai.
Yuffie was more amazed than boggled. She finished her episodic memory, realizing her gaze had been locked onto her protégé for a few minutes now. Ping gave an uncertain smile, wondering what Yuffie was thinking about. The air stood still between them.A few lonely stares mirrored themselves before Yuffie's glance evaded Ping's, and her eyes rested over her shoulder.
"A hummingbird." Yuffie stated. Ping turned and the cloud seemed to float miserably, reminding itself of its fleeting existence, of how Mother Nature could make it bloated and bleed clear liquids, some frozen hard, some freely falling, assured of their home. Ping watched it float, covering the sky within a carousel of decorations, none leaving a permanent mark.
Yuffie began to pace, trying to think of a conversation to occupy time until the airship arrived. It seemed to her they spoke of everything, though all of the actual conversations shared lately could be counted on one hand.
Ping laughed as Yuffie asked if she had a boyfriend, someone she was at least looking at. The younger replied that she really never thought of it. Yuffie gave a muted glance, crossing her arms, faintly moving around, in, out, forward as Ping looked down, the pebble offering its services again.
The elder's ears twitched as the sun lifted itself in the sky, accompanied by a clatter. She sneered and groaned inwardly. They sent an inferior airship. The engines sounded worn and if anything, the pilot would be another wet-behind-the-ears-close-to-wetting-his-pants-if-a-move-was-questioned aviator.
"Give them a chance." Ping smiled, recognizing the expression Yuffie wore. The elder managed a grin as the airship touched down.
In some instances, the airship had an assistant of sorts, the kind that was so kind, so helpful, so waiting on the slightest glance in their direction, that they'd be by your side if they possessed ESP. Ping felt awkward, not really knowing how to order someone around. She remembered on previous trips, nearly dehydrating because she was afraid to ask for water. Everytime she thought of it, she involuntarily coughed. Yuffie nearly turned, but was aware of Ping and her tendency to exhume her embarrassing memories.
The doors opened, and a brunette walked out. She had wide brown eyes, almost in the same fashion as Ping's. Her small mouth stretched into a wide smile as she stood by the opening. Ping felt a twinge of apprehension as Yuffie moved toward the ship. She followed closely behind, careful of how to look at the stewardess. She gave a quick glance followed by a smile before looking for a place to sit.
Airships were a popular form of travel for high-rollers and the business elite. It gave them an abundance of space to move around, conduct meetings, look important, all that baloney. For Yuffie, it was more of a hastle. Too much room if she ever commented on it. Yuffie was used to moderation. A cup of rice, a little meat. Portions. An order, not a buffet. She nearly had to hold her breath in these spacious things. There was too much.
Ping sat down, doing everything short of clinging to the armrests. She shook her head as the stewardess walked by. In a few minutes, Ping trusted that Sleep would carry her to Midgar. It was not the airship; Sleep only allowed the airship to carry Ping. Ping gave away to Sleep earlier than expected, knowing that when she awoke, she would have a few more moments with it before eventually allowing him to go away until the time came for him to care for her again.
Oh the irony, Ping thought. Of all the fighting I've done, I've never fought Sleep…