Subject: Hey! It's been a while!

[kunsel]

To: My Mun
From: Kunsel

Contents:

Again, huh?
You've really got yourself worked up this time, too. I mean,
it's flattering and all, but you're a grown woman...remember?
Shouldn't you have more control of your emotions than this?
I know that you miss me, but I'm doing alright. It's not that bad
up here in your head space. Okay, sure, there are a few guys
that I'd rather not be around, but for the most part it's less
crowded than the SOLDIER floor back at headquarters.
Alright, alright! It helps that Zack is here, too! Happy?
I know you're grinning. I can see you, you know.
Anyway, you should let him out for some fresh air! Puppies
need to run, or so Angeal would say! Wait...that doesn't mean
you get to target him. That's out of the question!

Comments

[earlylight]

I'm not sure. I think I'm alright! [Which is great considering she was dead.] That must be another me! I hope she's keeping him busy. [A thoughtful hum.] He doesn't mind doing projects.

[Even if they don't meet her approval. Hey, she's a discerning flower girl.]

[kunsel]

You only think? Well, maybe I can fix that.

[Kunsel taps his chin and makes a show of appearing thoughtful. But for his visor, it would appear as though he were gazing up at the sky.]

Yeah, must be another you...but if that's the case, this you is pretty free right now. I'd say we could tackle a couple projects ourselves, but that remains a thing between you and Zack. So, what else can we do?

Hmm...

[His hand drops and both come to rest firmly upon his hips as he tilts his head in her direction.]

Do you like games, Aerith?

[earlylight]

[She opens her mouth to assure him she's alright when he mentions...games. Her expression brightens and she tilts her head, her thick braid falling over her shoulder.]

I haven't played a game in ages! What games do you know?

[kunsel]

Oh, you know, all kinds. I'm partial to games of skill and games of chance, to be honest. Can you juggle? Or do you prefer the guessing sort of games?

[earlylight]

Guessing games, definitely! I never learned how to juggle. Do you know how?

[kunsel]

Heh, of course! Sometimes those of us heading out for assignment on the helicopters will toss around materia, so I've gotten pretty good at it. It really helps to pass the time when your inbox is empty, too.

[Why, Zack, why?]

But we can play some guessing games if you like! Let's see...there was a kid in the slums who used to play a people guessing game, did you ever run into him? We could do something like that.

[earlylight]

I'll have to ask Zack to show me. [Except...] Could you show me right now? [She looks around and finds some Materia balls.] How many can you juggle at once?

I remember him! [Don't trust this smile, Kunsel.] We played that game every day.

[kunsel]

Yeah, I can show you. Then, when you see Zack next, you can show him! The look of surprise...man, I'll be sorry to miss it!

[He holds out his hands for the materia.]

Let's see...the most I've juggled at one time is six. And that was difficult, but I kind of blame that on not being stationary when attempting the trick!

[What? Her smile? Why not?]

[Look at it, just the prettiest, most innocent thing he's ever see--yeah, no. That's a knowing smile. He knows that because he wears them a lot himself! But because he likes challenges and Aerith's a lot of fun, he's not going to call her on it.]

You must be pretty good then, right? I only got to play it a few times, myself...but I bet you I could still beat you.

[earlylight]

Who knows, you might be there? [She puts three Materia in his hands to start. Even if he's wearing a helmet, being hit in the face by one of the balls wouldn't be pleasant.] Soldiers can do so much that I thought was impossible.

[A knowing smile indeed! The worst she can do to him is embarrass him. Ask Cloud. Or Zack. She's pretty good at being silly.]

I think I can hold my own. Do you want me to start?

[kunsel]

I think I'd know if I was gonna be there...and if that's an invitation, consider it accepted.

[He glances down at the materia, then back up at her.]

You'll be able to do this in no time, it's not hard. It's all about practice! I'll even give you incentive. Say...if you can juggle these three materia by the end of the day, for twenty seconds without dropping a single ball, I'll buy you whatever you want!

[He begins tossing them then: green, green, yellow...]

Yeah, you can start! I can do this and still be observant.

[earlylight]

You can't know everything. [Unfortunately.] You're always welcome! A friend of Zack's is a friend of mine too.

[Oh hello incentive. Without thinking, she reaches up and touches the pink ribbon in her hair.]

Deal! [How could she say no?] I'll watch you while you guess...

[After a quick glance around, she smiles and murmurs...] I'm thinking of a number between one and six.

[kunsel]

Who says? Didn't Zack ever tell you? I'm the guy he got all his insider info from. [Look, he knows he can't know everything, but let him pretend, okay? He's got a reputation to uphold.] So, friends, huh? Sounds good to me.

[Around and around the materia go, rotating through passes between gloved hands and then up and into the air.]

[...He watches her touch the ribbon and can't help but grin a little. It's likely that she's thinking of Zack.]

One and six, huh? Alright, I'll go with...three!

[ooc: because that's the number of new mail the mun has glaring at her from her inbox! :D]

[earlylight]

There are things even insiders can't know. [Another knowing smile. She might even tap his nose like he's a child.] Everyone should strive to be friends.

[Her green eyes follow the progression. She may not be coordinated enough for this, Kunsel, but she'll try.

...only a little. >.>' ]

Right in the middle! [Where she likes to be. Being on the edge gets lonely.] You win this round.

[ooc: works for me! ♥ also, why am I listening to this? ;-; ]

[kunsel]

[The tap makes him blink, and while the surprise registered in his eyes can't be seen, it's apparent in the way one, two, and three materia hit the ground one after the other.]

Hey...

[As he crouches down to pick them up, she tells him he guessed right, though. That's enough to bring back his bight-as-bolt smile.]

See? I told you I could guess right. But it's not over yet, right? Let's play again. This time, though, you try and juggle and I'll play the lead in the guessing game.

[He stands up straight and tosses her the materia carefully.]

I'm thinking of a number between one and ten. Can you guess what it is?

[ooc: because erutan has a gorgeous voice and all her covers are breathtaking ;~; i'm an especial fan of her ffix covers. also, i'd wager it's because you, like all muns, self-torture with ~feels~ XD]

[earlylight]

[She tries to hide a giggle. To her credit, she does kneel down and help him pick up the Materia.]

It's nice to know I can break your concentration. [Only because it might come in handy if he's ever in a foul mood.]

Not even close! [Straightening, she entwines her arms behind her back and lifts her chin, ready.] One and ten, hm? I wonder if you're the type that likes being in the middle too? That's how you get your information, isn't it?

I guess five.

[ooc: yes, yes and yes to ALL OF THE ABOVE. ;-; ]

[kunsel]

Nice? Oh, I see how it is. Two can play at that, though.

[He's rarely in a foul mood, but she's the type that could jostle his concentration either way. It's the disarming way she has about her, that whole "nobody suspects the butterfly" thing.]

Heh, you know...you're close. Really close, but still wrong.

[It was two.]

[Because it is in the middle, just not in the middle of the numbers he provided. As a SOLDIER 2nd Class, Kunsel has the opportunity to fly just below the radar and still have all the best connections, providing him with the best vantage point for information gathering within the company. Well, the best if he never wants to be suspected of anything.]

[earlylight]

I'm pretty hard to surprise. [Only...not. No, not at all. She is quite animate when she's shocked.] I won't make it easy for you.

[Who said the butterfly can't be a bit mischievous?]

Hm. [She gazes at him for a long moment before asking:] You're not a First Class SOLDIER like Zack, are you?

[kunsel]

Are you? [He cocks his head to the side as if to study her.] Well, that's good. I like challenges.

[They wouldn't be playing around if he didn't! Or is that just because he likes having fun and being around friendly people? Maybe it's a bit of both.]

[...That, and mischievous butterflies. Who can say no to them, right?]

Ah? [That question. After a moment he gives his head a shake.] No, Zack made it to First before I could. Might have something to do with his mentor being such a good influence, or maybe it had something to do with...you?

[earlylight]

[She nods and meets his gaze, looking caught between curiosity and perplexity.]

I don't know if I've been called challenging before.

[No one. They look after flowers and make sure more grow, play games with strangers who fall through their roof... Who can resist?]

...me? [That earlier look of perplexity is nothing compared to this look of perplexity.] How could I have helped him become a First Class SOLDIER?

[kunsel]

[That puts everything on hold.]

Aerith, people are at their best when they've got someone to fight for.

[Is it possible that she really doesn't know, that she has no idea? Man, would Zack really want him talking about this? Well, it sure couldn't hurt anything...]

Zack...well, you know. You've seen it just as surely as I have. He'd do anything for you. You give him a reason like no other to be strong. That kind of motivation can't be competed with.

[earlylight]

You're right. [That's one of the things she believes in the most.] I prefer protecting my friends than waiting for them to come home.

[Especially when they don't come home.]

I don't expect him to - [Her cheeks turn pink. They almost match her dress.] He was destined to be a hero before he met me.

[kunsel]

That's funny.

[Kunsel reaches for one of the materia and plucks it out of her hands. Rolling it along his forearm, he bumps it up and into the air before catching it.]

You ask me, Zack was destined to be a hero because he was destined to meet people along the way who would help him. It's like I always tell him...the media chooses. Or, in this case, the countless people he befriends. Which includes you, Aerith.

[Up goes the materia again, light glinting off its polished surface.]

I don't know any heroes that can flourish without a little sunshine, if you know what I mean.

[earlylight]

Huh? [Her gaze follows the Materia, but her attention is fully focused on him.] When you put it like that, I don't mind being his sunshine.

[When it comes to being protected by Zack or being supportive of Zack, Aerith will always choose the latter.]

I think you are some of his sunshine too. [Truth be told, Aerith would have followed Zack on his missions if she had had the training.] You can do more for him than I can.

[kunsel]

[Kunsel catches the materia, but rather than toss it around some more, he holds it steady in his hand and lets his gaze roam over it.]

I'm glad you don't mind, because he needs you.

[...]

And as for the rest, I do what I can. It's not any more or less than what you can do, it's just different. But...I like thinking he needs me, too. We're friends, after all. Can't say there's anything I wouldn't do for Zack. Told him as much before.

[And with friends like the pair of them, it's no wonder the guy became a sort of legend.]

[earlylight]

I need him too. [In other circumstances, she might not admit that. Aerith has been independent for some time - other than seeing her step-mother on a regular basis when she was alive (and then Cloud and Tifa, of course).]

Do you believe in destiny? [Or is she being too girly about it all?]

He does need you. I bet he would move mountains for you. [All of that is said confidently.] He's not like the SOLDIERs I imagined. He cherishes life and...all of us.