Chapter 40: The Voice Within
Young girl, don't cry
I'll be right here when your world starts to fall
Young girl, it's alright
Your tears will dry, you'll soon be free to fly
When you're safe inside your room you tend to dream
Of a place where nothings harder than it seems
No one ever wants to bother to explain
Of the heartache life can bring and what it means
When there's no one else, look inside yourself
Like your oldest friend, just trust the voice within
Then you'll find the strength that will guide your way
You'll learn to begin to trust the voice within
The Voice Within – Christina Aguilera
Aeris sat with the Turks, Mike and Sephiroth in a small meeting room as Mike rambled on about sales records. Eventually Sephiroth stopped him and said,
"OK, the documentary. I've got some contracts for you to sign. Aeris, in particular they want to film you in your music class. I've spoken to your university and they've given their permission. The producers want to capture the 'Real Aeris'. That OK? Good. I'll get Priscilla to bring those in later. The second thing is about the Rufus Shinra movie. He wants to see you all on Saturday and show you around the set."
After the meeting, Aeris and the Turks went for a drink in the bar. As they sat discussing the documentary, Sephiroth Ancient came into the bar. He ordered a drink and then sat down with them.
"I'm pleased with you guys. You're doing well." He said, showing no emotion. Reno grinned.
"Thanks Mr Ancient. Means a lot coming from you."
"Hmm… Aeris? I've never properly met you." He shook her hand and said, "What do you take at MU?"
"Music and Literature."
"Good choices. So Tseng is going to be your professor?" Aeris laughed at the prospect of that.
"Yeah, I guess he is."
"So, how exactly was it that you met the Turks?" Sephiroth enquired.
"I met them after a concert. My roommate at University is Marlene Wallace's sister."
"Marlene? She'll go far." Sephiroth confirmed. Aeris smiled and looked at her watch.
"Oh, I can't stay too long. I've got a literature paper to finish off and I need to practise for the Open Mic Night."
"OMN? Where's that?" Sephiroth asked.
"Barret's Café. Marlene's dad runs it."
"I know Barret's. You're singing tonight?"
"Yeah. But I haven't practised."
"Don't worry about it. We were gonna go up to one of the studios now to mess around. You can come with us." Reno said dismissively.
"Oh… great!" Aeris said in relief.
They sat in the studio, chatting and suggesting lyrics. Aeris sat with Elena and spoke to her quietly.
"I got this letter a few weeks ago. I kept meaning to bring it up but it slipped my mind." She handed Elena the letter from Chloe Johnson, the little girl with Grandia Disease. Elena read it.
"That's so sweet."
"I know. I wanted to do something, send her something. So, I wrote a song. But I figured that I should ask you first."
"I think that's a great idea! What song?"
Aeris handed her a piece of paper and Elena scanned it. Soon she had called over Tseng, Rude and Reno.
"Guys! We're doing this song, OK? Let's go."
"What?"
"Let's try it out now." The three guys looked at each other and then shrugged, setting out to learn it.
It took the best part of two hours to get it right but eventually Elena went into the recording booth and slotted a blank CD into the machine.
"Technically we're not supposed to do this, so no telling, OK?"
"Not a problem." Aeris called. She looked to the Turks behind her.
"Ready?"
"Let's go."
Reno played a short introduction on the keyboard and Aeris started to speak a short message. They only had one shot at this, so it had to be good. And it turned out very good. When the song had finished Aeris gave Elena the thumbs up.
"That's great. Thanks so much you guys."
"No problem Honey. Come on, you'd better practise that OMN song." Elena said dismissively, slipping the disk into a box and handing it to her.
They got to the café in time to get a table at the back. Yuffie, Reeve, Tifa, Cloud and Vincent had reserved it for them especially.
"I can't believe how many people Barret has managed to cram in here tonight!" Aeris exclaimed, looking at the packed café. Tifa laughed.
"I know, it's crazy! I see you guys came in disguise." She looked at the Turks who were wearing normal clothes but with hoods and hats.
"We don't wanna be recognised." Elena said conspiratorially. Yuffie poked Aeris.
"There are reporters here! They heard you were performing and wanted a picture!"
"Oh… goodie…" Aeris said nervously. She drank some tea, trying to calm herself.
"Why am I so nervous? This is stupid."
"Because it's the first time you've performed in public since the song was released." Vincent told her. Aeris thought about it.
"Yeah, I guess so."
By the time Aeris' name was called, she had drunk three cups of tea and was feeling a lot calmer. She took a deep breath.
"Wish me luck guys." They did so and Aeris worked her way through the crowds who all applauded and whistled. Aeris felt herself blushing. She sat on a stool on the platform, holding her guitar and said into it,
"Hey. I'm gonna be playing an original tonight called 'Closest Thing to Crazy.' I hope you like it."
As the applause died down, she started to play on her guitar and began to sing.
"This is the closest thing to crazy
I have ever been
Feeling twenty two, acting seventeen
This is the nearest thing to crazy
I have ever known
I was never crazy on my own
And now I know that there's a link between the two
Being close to craziness and being close to you."
Whilst she sang she saw several people standing close to the platform clutching cameras. They must be reporters. Aeris ignored them and stared towards the back of the room. Vincent had taken to standing at the back of the room while she sang, since she had told him it was easier to sing when she was concentrating on one person. He smiled and nodded to her. There was a flash of cameras but she kept watching him.
As the song ended she said,
"Thank you." The tumultuous applause drowned out anything else she would have said. As she stepped off the platform a reporter stepped forward and said,
"Can we get a quote for the morning news?"
"I guess…" Aeris said nervously. The reporter smiled encouragingly and asked,
"Why do you write music? What is it that drives you?"
"I write music because it's all I ever want to do. When someone wants to be a musician as badly as I do, you just can't stop thinking about it. It's everything." Aeris said, realising as she said it exactly how mushy it sounded. The reporter grinned.
"That's great."
Aeris pushed her way to the back of the café and sat back down at the table. Reno grinned at her.
"Cool song."
"Thanks." Aeris smiled. Vincent kissed her.
"You're incredible."
"I know, I know… come on, let's go for a walk. It's too hot in here."
Aeris got up early the next day. Vincent was already cooking eggs when she came in.
"You're up early."
"I've got an errand to run. It might take a while to get there."
"The song for the little girl? Tseng told me."
"Yeah. She lives outside the city, so I've got to get an early train. I'll be back by 4, for literature."
"OK. Breakfast?" He piled eggs onto a plate and pushed it towards her.
As Aeris sat on the train she felt a jolt of nerves in her stomach. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. She looked out of the window, chewing on her lip. The CD was in her bag on her lap. She turned to look out of the window at the grey sky. Looked like rain was on its way.
"Excuse me?" She jumped and turned to see a pair of nervous looking girls of about 14.
"Yes?"
"Are… are you Aeris Gainsborough?" Aeris smiled and nodded. One of the girls shrieked.
"I knew it! Oh my god, I loved your song!"
"Thanks so much!" Aeris grinned. She gestured to the two seats opposite and they sat down in delight.
"I'm Claire and that's Dana. We just got on the train and I was so sure it was you." Claire said excitedly. Aeris smiled and said,
"This is so weird! I'm actually getting recognised!"
"Are you going to be writing anymore songs with the Turks?" Dana asked.
"I think so. But I'd like to branch out a bit, see if I can get some other artists interested." Aeris said. Claire giggled and said,
"Where are you going now?"
"I'm… visiting a friend." Aeris settled for saying after considering for a second. Dana dug around in her bag and pulled out a CD and a camera.
"Can I have your autograph? Oh and a picture!"
"Sure, why not?" Aeris said, grinning inanely. After she had signed the CD box, she and Claire posed for photos and then she and Dana. Then she was asked to sign the photographs.
Eventually the train slowed and Aeris stood up.
"This is my stop. It was so great to meet you guys."
"I can't believe I met Aeris Gainsborough!" Claire squealed. Aeris waved at them through the window, once she was on the platform as the train pulled away. Then she pulled out the address for Chloe Johnson and started to walk.
She stopped outside a small, pretty house with a tidy garden. She opened the gate and went through, closing it again behind her. Nervously she knocked on the door. After a moment a woman in her thirties opened it.
"Can I help you?" She asked hesitantly. Aeris smiled awkwardly.
"Is… um, does Chloe Johnson live here?"
"Yes, she's my daughter." The woman said, a little defensively. Aeris pulled the CD from her bag.
"I was wondering if you could give this to her."
"What is it? Who are you?" The woman asked, not taking the CD. Aeris scratched her chin nervously.
"I'm… My name is Aeris."
"Aeris… Gainsborough?"
"Yeah. Chloe wrote me a letter about how much she liked my song and how she'd had Grandia Disease. So I've brought her something."
The woman shifted uncomfortably and asked in an incredulous tone,
"And do you always personally deliver gifts to fans?"
"No. Just this one. Chloe's letter… I don't know, I just wanted to know who it was who could stay so happy through a disease like Grandia." Mrs Johnson looked a bit hesitant but said,
"Well… I suppose you should come in."
"I don't want to intrude."
"No, if Chloe knew that I had turned you away she'd scream blue murder!" Mrs Johnson said, holding the door wide open. Aeris stepped inside and followed her into a well lit living room. Sitting in a large armchair sat an adorable little girl. She had dark brown hair tied into bunches and huge brown eyes, contrasting with oddly pale skin. She was sucking her thumb and concentrating on a television programme.
"Chloe, there's someone to see you." Mrs Johnson said. Chloe peered around and saw Aeris. Her mouth fell open.
"Miss Aeris!" She cried. Aeris smiled.
"Hi Chloe."
Before she could move the child had thrown herself at her, hugging her tightly.
"Miss Aeris! You came to see me?"
"Yes, I did. I've brought you a present because I liked your letter so much."
"A present!" Chloe gasped. Aeris smiled and handed her a CD.
"I wrote a song, especially for you."
Chloe screamed in delight and hugged even more tightly. Mrs Johnson laughed.
"Chloe, why don't we play Aeris' song?"
"Yay!" Mrs Johnson went to a CD player and slipped the disc in. Pressing play, they sat down to listen to it.
"Hi Chloe Johnson. This is Aeris Gainsborough. I really loved your letter. I know it's hard to get through an illness like Grandia Disease but you still manage to stay happy. So here's a song that I hope will keep you smiling."
Chloe giggled at hearing her name on a CD and cocked her head to listen to the song.
"Young girl, don't cry
I'll be right here when your world starts to fall
Young girl, it's alright
Your tears will dry, you'll soon be free to fly
When you're safe inside your room you tend to dream
Of a place where nothings harder than it seems
No one ever wants to bother to explain
Of the heartache life can bring and what it means."
Chloe sighed in satisfaction. Aeris smiled but didn't say anything, letting the song carry on.
When there's no one else, look inside yourself
Like your oldest friend, just trust the voice within
Then you'll find the strength that will guide your way
You'll learn to begin to trust the voice within."
When the song had finished Chloe pressed her face into Aeris.
"Thank you, Miss Aeris. It's the best present in the world."
"It's nothing, Chloe. Just keep on smiling, OK?"
"'K. I'll smile everyday." Chloe promised, crossing her heart. At that moment there was the sound of the front door opening.
"Where's my favourite girl?" A voice called. Chloe leapt up.
"Daddy!"
A man came into the living room. Chloe ran to him and he swung her around.
"There's my girl! What'cha been up to?"
"Miss Aeris came to see me!"
"Did she really?" He said, obviously humouring. Mrs Johnson smiled at her husband.
"Yes, she's still here." His eyes landed on Aeris and promptly widened.
"Oh my… what do we owe this honour to?"
"I brought Chloe a present to thank her for the letter she sent me."
"Miss Aeris made me a song! Listen." She ran to the CD and pressed play. After the message had finished Mr Johnson listened in awe to the song.
"Unbelievable. I can't believe it." He said.
"You'll stay for lunch?"
"I'm afraid I can't. I've got a class this afternoon." Aeris said, regretfully. Mrs Johnson took Chloe to wash up for lunch and Mr Johnson said,
"Thank you so much for doing this. I think you've just made being ill worth it."
"It's really nothing. I got a lot of letters but Chloe's… I can't believe how brave she is. So I recorded that song yesterday. It's the only copy there is, this isn't a money-making ploy. I just wanted to make a little girl happy. This is a song for Chloe, not for to make money from."
"You have. And both my wife and I are so grateful. To you and your parents. Chloe nearly died but their cure saved her life."
Aeris smiled and nodded.
"They'll be glad to hear it." Mr Johnson smiled and said,
"I can't believe you came all this way."
"It was just one of those things you had to do in person."
"I guess so. If there's anyway that I can repay you…"
"No. I don't want to be repaid. But maybe if I could write to Chloe sometimes?"
"Would you? She's going back into hospital next month for tests. A letter from you would make her so happy."
"Not a problem. I really have to get going now. But I promise I'll write."
Chloe ran in, hands damp.
"I've got to go now, Chloe." Her tiny face crumpled but Aeris said quickly,
"I'll write you a letter though, OK?"
"Promise?"
"Promise."
As Aeris waited for her train she couldn't help grinning to herself. It had been worth the journey. A little voice inside her head told her that she was going to be late if she didn't get a move on, but she ignored it. Sometimes you just had to ignore the voice within.
(A/N: I planned to do this chapter much earlier but it didn't work out that way. I just needed a chapter away from the main plot to get some focus. So welcome to a special 40th chapter! Sorry for all those who were expexcting something relevant to the plot! Plus I was listening to this song and had to use it! LOL, please review and tell me what you think.)