Pulling herself up and dusting off her dress, Aeris somehow managed to keep her emotions in check. She hurried towards her destination, trying to put as much room as possible between herself and that man. Her destination being Fennyman's Drug and Grocery on the corner of Prairie and 44th, for the last three years she'd sold her flowers there. She had become great friends with the owner, Mr. Fennyman himself. He allowed her a small display space in front of his store. People liked her flowers, they were so rarely found in a place of iron and steel. The pretty little girl who sold such lovely flowers had attracted more customers, good for him, good for her. Besides the fact that he thought she was just plain sweet, a quality that many city dwellers lacked. Aeris arrived just as Mr. Fennyman was unlocking his store to start his day. She was still visibly shaken, though she somehow managed not to cry. Mr. Fennyman took notice, it was unlike cheerful Aeris to look as upset as she did now.

"Morning Aeris, are you alright?" he asked, unlocking and pushing back the cage that ran across the store's entrance.

"Yeah......" she answered, putting on her best smile, "Just ran into a really scary guy back there. I'm alright now though."

"Oh my.....Well, glad you're okay. You know I worry about you.....Midgar is no place for a pretty girl like you. Ought to move outta this place, go somewhere better..... Like Costa del Sol....or Nibelheim. Yes, a nice little mountain town would do you good."

Aeris giggled, "Sure sounds nice....but I think Midgar needs my flowers more than anyplace else."

"Yes, I suppose it does need some color, eh?....Well, you take care. Break my old heart if anything happened to ya." Mr. Fennyman sighed, turning back to his gate, "Enough chit chat. Gotta get to work. Have a great day, Aeris."

"You too Mr. Fennyman."

Aeris smiled turning her back as he went inside. Moments later she was setting up for the day, her lithe body moving in quick rhythm as she set up. She sat down on her stool, her basket placed next to her for easy access. A small tiered table was in front of her, ready for today's newest displays. Picking out individual blooms, Aeris set about arranging them with nimble little fingers.

The streets began to fill as the day began. Business was slow in the morning, always was, picking up near the mid-afternoon. She liked it when it was busy. Exchanging Gils for flowers, smiling, saying thank you. Each step repeated time and time again, from sunrise to sunset. For some there was terrible monotony in the kind of work she did, but Aeris loved it. The interaction with strangers, making their day with the simple purchase of a bouquet. It was yet another positive reminder that there was still good in this world and it was worth saving.

With each sale her day brightened and not just because she was making money. She was doing good, giving the world hope. It lifted her previously dark mood and helped her to forget the morning's bad start. She forgot the dream, and the encounter with a man who terrified her beyond measure. Working swiftly as a multi-armed goddess, her smiling brightening with each sale. As she worked in graceful splendor, a pair of glowing jade eyes observed her silently from the shadows.

The sun set behind the clouds, casting amber shadows across the sparkling buildings of the upper plate. Workers filed out in droves, all heading for home. Days end was always her busiest time. Nothing better to give your girl at the end of a day than flowers. She'd never had real concrete hours of operation, usually quitting when her sales started to dwindle or she ran out of flowers. If neither those things happened, she'd work until five thirty, when Mr. Fennyman closed up shop. 

He poked his head out to see if she was there, smiling when he found she was, "Hey, I'm closing in a minute. Why don't you pack up, I'll help you when I'm finished."

She looked back, grinning back at him, " 'Kay!"

Happily she began to clean up, grabbing one of the leftover arrangements to put it in her basket. There were two left, a nice Jasmine and Rose bouquet that she thought Mrs. Fennyman would like. She placed it in her basket, turning back to the other remaining arrangement. The noise of an approaching customer bothered her not one bit.  It was common to have stragglers at the end of the day. She felt bad that she'd have to turn him down, but that's how it went sometimes. Aeris continued her clean up, counting the day's profits without even looking up.

"Excuse me Miss?" the stranger asked, his voice quiet yet demanding attention, "I'd like to buy some flowers."

Still working, Aeris payed no mind, "I'm sorry sir, but I'm all out. All I have left is this really wilted Gardenia bouquet and I don't think...." She glanced up, and her heart stopped.

It was him again, the platinum locked stranger. Her mouth moved wordlessly, and she felt like she just might pass out. He just looked down at her quizzically, as if he was sizing her up. Those eyes boring holes into her very soul. Those eyes, they pulled her in and repelled her at the same time. Her fleeting glance at him in the morning hadn't given her enough time to measure his features. He was more than just handsome, he was gorgeous.

If she was a normal girl, perhaps she'd be enchanted by that face. If she hadn't dreamt of what he was capable of, then perhaps she could fall for that face. One look into his eyes, those eyes.....they were empty, nearly without humanity. Nearly. Aeris looked closer, yes, unlike the man of her dreams.....this one still had a soul, his humanity was neatly tucked away but there all the same. She shook herself, feeling silly and stupid for thinking such thoughts. This man would kill her, even now, if he felt like it.

Aeris quickly composed herself, tearing away her gaze, "I-I'm sorry. It's just, I have nothing left....Come back tomorrow...."

Idiot....why'd you say that.....she cursed herself.

The stranger continued to watch her quietly as she tried to appear too busy to talk. What a strange girl she was. He'd gotten used to the stares and the mooning of fan-girls by now. At first he thought her just another star struck fan, but something about the girl had seemed different. It had piqued his curiosity. So he'd sat and watched her all day, observing people had been something he enjoyed. It was the only way he ever felt like he belonged, when he acted as if he wasn't part of the world at all.

At first glance she'd seemed quite ordinary, but in his observance he noticed that she was anything but. There was an ease in her manner, a gentle grace that seemed to beacon outwards and envelope any who touched it with warm light. He'd never felt such warmth, and though he wished to seize it, something held him back.

He had to feel her out first, find out more about this girl. Why did she stare at him this morning, dropping her little basket in surprise? Why did her face hold fear and not awe? Had she met him before and did he just not remember? And if they had met, what had he done to put such fear in her eyes?

".....Have we met?"

"N-no......."

His eyes narrowed at her answer, he could see how her whole body shook underneath her coat, "Why are you afraid of me if we haven't met before?"

"I'm na-n-not afraid......only cold."  she answered him, her hands shaking as she broke down her display for the night.

Her face twitched, his keen eyes sensing deceit, "You're lying."

Her green eyes flashed, stealing a glance at him before she set to "working" again. She was about to answer when Mr. Fennyman came to her rescue.

"Ready to go Aeris?" He paused, looking at the young man who stood before her, "Evening sir......Ready Aeris?"

"Yes I am." She looked from her friend back to the stranger, "I'm sorry I ran out......"

"Then I'll come back tomorrow......Aeris."

Her eyes widened and it took every ounce of energy in her not to cry. Now he knew her name dammit. The stranger turned and left, walking out into the oncoming night, back to the shadows from whence he came. Shakily Aeris helped pull in her display stand and stool, letting Mr. Fennyman lock it behind the gate.

"Oh, Aeris....the Missus insisted I give this to you..." He said, handing her a small bundle.

She opened it carefully, inside were a scarf and a freshly baked loaf of bread. Aeris smiled, "Oh, I don't deserve this!! Thank you so much!!"

He grinned back sheepishly, "Nonsense. You do deserve it. I went home on my lunch break and told her how sad you looked this morning. Made her feel so bad. She'd been making that scarf for you anyway, but today's as good a day as any to give it to you.....Anyway, just a small thank you from us to you."

"Thank you....OH! Give this to the Misses...." Aeris pulled out the Jasmine and Rose bouquet, "It's a lovely arrangement and when you're done with it you can dry it and grind it up for tea!"

"Thank you Aeris. See you tomorrow?"

"Course...Good night....."

They both smiled before going their separate ways. She could barely hold on to her smile, and once he was gone it faded instantly. How silly of her to think her troubles had been wiped away. They never were. That man, that damn man haunted her. Wasn't it bad enough that he'd eventually take her life. Did he have to haunt her like that? What had she done in her previous life to deserve such punishment, she didn't know.

She was no longer able to hold the crescendo of emotions. Hot tears flowed down her face and she ran, ran faster than she ever had in her whole life. The world becoming a tear streaked blur as her feet pumped beneath her. She had to get away. He was probably still here. If he followed her to her work, why not follow her further? Why not? Because haunting her was his damn job now. She ran blindly, knocking right into someone as she rounded a corner. God, it's him....she thought as she fell to the ground.

"Watch where the hell you're goin' you crazy bitch......Oh....Hi Aeris...."

She looked up, the voice was familiar somehow. A red haired man stood above her, his sunglasses and dark blue suit were a dead giveaway to his identity. A Turk. Moreover, her dreaded non-nemesis.

"Hello Reno....." She said, her voice thick with irritation.

"Hey, what kind of greeting is that?"

"Like yours was appropriate! So what are you here for anyway? I so don't need your crap today!" She scowled at him as he lit a cigarette.

"Whoa!" He grinned innocently, "Someone's had a bad day! Don't worry, ain't here on business, only pleasure...."

Aeris rolled her eyes as she pushed herself up off the pavement, she hated it when he tried to smooth talk her. "Dear god.....What's that supposed to mean?"

"Means I have a day off and I'm gonna visit my favorite broad." She gave out an indignant gasp, her eyebrows knotting in disapproval. He ignored her, taking another drag off his cigarette, "What?! You know I only live to bug you.....It's either that or try to get Rude to talk. I'd rather run in front of a bus naked than that."

"Nice visual......could you help me or something.... I think I twisted an ankle." She said, rubbing the area in question for emphasis.

"Sure....anything for my baby...." He said, giving her a hand up, "So what's up with the bad mood?"

"Long day.....Encounter with a creepy guy. Don't want to talk."

"Creepy guy? So that means you'll be needing an escort....." He paused and when she didn't object he continued, "I'm you man.....Lead on, Señorita!"