-Aerith-
A strange thing happened this morning.
When sunlight seeped through the blue curtains of the room we were staying inn, I fluttered my eyes and alarmingly sat up straight. I didn't realize that I had dozed off as I watched the blonde SOLDIER sleeping last night. He had a terrible fever. I didn't know the cause, but I suspect it started when he fell asleep on the porch that other night. I wanted to wake him up but he looked so peaceful that I left him all alone. And so, I took responsibility of his fever.
Last night, I was a bit sad because he thought I was trying to kill him. That only means he doesn't trust me…
I felt weird. I know I shouldn't mull over such a trivial thing for we only knew each other for only a few days. I shouldn't expect him to trust me, because I didn't trust him either. His only objective was to capture and return me, not to make friends. But still, I felt odd… and saddened.
When I sat up, I expected him to be motionless on his bed for it was still 6 in the morning. However, I found no Cloud in the bed. It was empty, creased and Cloudless. For the first time since I left the inn, I panicked. Judging by the severity of his illness it would take him 2 days to fully recover. He shouldn't be up because that will only make matters worse.
Another thing: it's not so important, but what I didn't perceive was the absence of the blanket that Cloud used to wrap his feverish body in. When I did notice, I also realized that it was draped around my shoulders. I could still feel his body's warmth, which means he only left a few moments ago. Then, unconsciously, I brought that piece of cloth closer to me and bury myself in its warmth. It had the smell of earth and virility. It reminded me of him.
After a few minutes, of which I was already embarrassed of what I was doing, I changed into new clothes and went down the stairs of the two-storey building. It was a blessing that we found this town before Cloud's body gave up. The people here are nice enough to help me bring Cloud into our room. If I were alone I couldn't have handled his limp body alone. When I came out of the entrance of the building, I saw him standing at the stalls, carefully caressing Boco who appeared to be alert and apprehensive.
"Good morning," I greeted him. He nodded in return, his back still faced to me. When I stood beside him, my heart started to flutter. For some reason, his presence made me feel giddy.
"Are you cold?"
I blushed! I didn't realize I was shaking in excitement for being near him. I turned away, hiding my face that was turning crimson; but I stopped halfway when I heard him cough his lungs out.
"Cloud! Are you ok?"
He looked at me with light blue eyes and nodded. "It's nothing. We'll be going now, Aerith. We wasted too much time here."
-Cloud-
"What do you mean we can't leave yet?"
I began to get irritated. I woke up early to compensate for the time we stayed in the inn but she was nagging about my condition. I wasn't complaining at all! I knew I could move on.
"What do you feel Cloud? Are you sure you are good to go?"
How stupid. Of course I can! But what my lips said wasn't what I had in mind.
"I still feel light-headed." Realizing what I just stated, I began to saddle up the black chocobo without looking at her. I know that if I did, there would be that feeling at the back of my head again that will agree to whatever she might suggest and I'm preventing that to happen, thus my evasion. "I-I mean, of course. Time is of the essence. Pack up your things and the earlier we set off the more land we could cover."
When I was about to strap up the King Chocobo, he nipped violently at me, nuzzled with Aerith before opening his wings and hovering effortlessly above us. As I watch him rise into the sky, my eyes widened.
"What the…!" I turned towards the beaming girl beside me, my mind still in shock. "H-He could fly?" I croaked.
"Black chocobos are special, yet rare ones. They're the only ones that could fly amongst all the chocobos," she explained, grinning at my ignorance.
I stared dumbly at Boco and was about to haul him down when he squawked loudly and flew towards the way we came from. He was escaping! Aerith must've noticed my anxiety for she placed a hand on my shoulder.
"He needs to go home because he knows the other chocobos need him. After all, he is their leader," she giggled and continued. "From here on out we need to find our own rides. Its either we hitch-hike or rent a vehicle."
"But before that…" We both looked back to the sound of a voice. "Why don't you stay for the autumn festival?"
Standing behind us was a man in his late fifties. By the looks of him, he must be the innkeeper.
"We are in a hurry, sir. We shall depart this very minute," I muttered politely, trying to emphasize the urgency of our departure.
The man frowned dejectedly, but then smiled freely. "Then the price for your overnight stay is 150 gil."
I froze and looked at Aerith. She was also staring at me with a blank, money-less expression.
Oh shit.
-Aerith-
Cloud and I spent the entire day working at the inn as recompense for our lodging. I was in charge of the cashier while Cloud was stuck with Mr. Henrick—the innkeeper—in putting up decorations and repairing broken furniture. The work was tiresome but it was fun watching Cloud listening intently to Mr. Henrick, like a little child obeying his own father. I found out a little later that Mr. Henrick's wife had already passed away because of an unknown illness, and his only son left for the capital for reasons he didn't tell his parents about. When I first saw Mr. Henrick, his grey eyes exuded sadness and loss but now that he was working with Cloud…
"I see my own son in him," he explained to me earlier with a gentle smile. "They're so much alike."
I was about to inquire for more information but a swarm of people began to trickle in and I began to work again. The hours had passed without me knowing it. Voices and faces of different kinds filled the wide lobby and people from all walks of life chattered away with strangers that they had only met for the first time. I looked at the clock and gasped after I realized it was already 5:30 pm. I was also assigned to help in the kitchen! I hurried at the back with the regular cook and helped with the food that will be served. After one hour, we—Mr. Henrick, Cloud, and I—sat at the small kitchen table and talked about tonight's events.
"Why don't you two go outside and enjoy yourselves? You'd be leaving early in the morning right?" Mr. Henrick said, winking at me.
Cloud finished the last of his wine and shook his head, "Yes, and we must rest. We have a long journey ahead of us."
"You're such a killjoy, Cloud!" I muttered before standing up and placing my hands on my hips. "I don't know about you but I'll be having some fun… see ya!"
I left Cloud gaping at me. Then I heard Mr. Henrick chuckling and saying, "Thar she blows!"