[open] wide open spaces

[greenmateria.livejournal.com]

Hydroponics was simply amazing.

It was relaxing. That was the best way Aerith could describe it. She was sure there had been plenty before her to make this observation, though. Still, it was comforted her in a way she'd needed. Even if it wasn't the planet, her planet, it still gave her a sense of peace. Despite it being an artificial environment, it was realistic and that in itself was astonishing to her.

Nanaki had mentioned the area before, but seeing it for herself was a different story. It made her forget, just for a moment, about being on a strange ship in the middle of space.

That was a nice feeling. She could see why people would spend a lot of time here.

So she wandered around, absorbing what she could, taking in all that was around her. Aerith didn't have a specific purpose - other than exploring. It certainly was a big place.

Comments

[greenmateria.livejournal.com]

"Sure!" Aerith immediately sat beside her, getting comfortable with her back against the tree. Realizing she hadn't even introduced herself, she turned to offer a hand to Miyako.

"I'm Aerith. It's nice to meet you."

[pure-love-bingo.livejournal.com]

"Miyako. The same to you, too!" she replied, taking Aerith's hand and shaking it. "...I would say 'you must be new here', but ah,... so am I."

[greenmateria.livejournal.com]

This was nice to hear - being the new kid certainly had its rough spots, but it was nice to be new with others rather than by herself. Strength in numbers!

"Actually I am new here. I've spent a lot of my time just exploring. I did go down to one of the planets we visited, the one with the festivals and other things. That wasn't too bad. Have you been down?"

[pure-love-bingo.livejournal.com]

"A little shaken up, if anything." Miyako admitted. "Soon after I got here, I was sent on a mission and well... seeing how strong almost everyone there was, especially one of my friends, kinda got to me.

[greenmateria.livejournal.com]

Aerith nodded - shaken up was a good way to put it. Her experiences on board the ship were a little intimidating at times, and that was mostly due to her lack of knowledge about the place.

"I can see why it would get to you," Aerith stretched her legs out in front of her, crossing her ankles. "At least you have someone here that you know. I get the feeling some come here without ever having that."

[pure-love-bingo.livejournal.com]

Miyako tilted her head slightly to look at Aerith as she spoke. It made her wonder...

"...do you have someone here you know?" she asked, curious.

[greenmateria.livejournal.com]

"I do! Two of my friends are here. I found them right after I woke up from that pod." Aerith wrinkled her nose at the memory of waking up - it had been disturbing, as it probably was for everyone. Nothing like waking up naked covered in goo to make one feel exposed.

"It's nice, though. A little strange to hear about things that have apparently happened in the future." She left out in my future because she didn't really....have one on the planet anymore. Her death had become the topic nobody brought up, but it was that pink elephant in the room when she spoke to Cloud or Nanaki.

She smiled at Miyako. "Do you just have one person here? Or were you able to find anyone else?"

[pure-love-bingo.livejournal.com]

"I found a few others beyond that one - one of them waking up about the same time I did." Miyako admitted. "It feels good, though, knowing we're about the same time, so I kinda don't have to worry about missing anything."

Granted, she kinda did wish there was someone from the future here. That would be so cool! At least to her.

[greenmateria.livejournal.com]

"That's good, I'm glad you have people here you know. It makes it all so much easier. It's a little overwhelming at first." Aerith laughed, thinking that was probably an understatement. "I think I'm starting to get the hang of this place now. I really can't get over how many people are on this ship."

[pure-love-bingo.livejournal.com]

"It is overwhelming, isn't it?" Miyako admitted. "This big ship, all these new and strange people. It's all too much, especially for a kid like me." A small pause. "Okay, so I'm 13, but still...!"

She chuckled as she continued. "But, you're right. It does make it easier once you get to know other people, though." The laziness and peacefulness of the hydroponics was starting to get to Miyako, though and she moved use Aerith's arm as a pillow. "Ah... y-you don't mind this, do you?"

[greenmateria.livejournal.com]

Aerith smiled at Miyako, thinking back to when she was thirteen. At that age she didn't know how she would have handled showing up on the ship. Maybe she would have been relieved.

"Oh no, I don't mind," Aerith said, shaking her head. She could understand the feeling this place gave someone - Aerith herself wasn't tired, exactly, but she was very relaxed and warm.

"What did you do back home, Miyako? Attend school?" She didn't ask about family, since that could be a touchy topic for people sometimes. However, she was curious about her young friend.

[pure-love-bingo.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, that... and saving two worlds, but, hey doesn't everyone here?" Miyako admitted. Granted, doing so felt weird, but at the same time calming. She could admit to something without feeling like the odd girl out.

[greenmateria.livejournal.com]

"That's true, I think most people here have their own experiences with saving worlds," Aerith mused, thinking back to her own travels. "It's still so strange to have an enemy that I haven't seen before. I just have what others tell me to go on."

Shaking her head, she laughed at herself. "Not that I'm a strong fighter, I mostly heal wounds. I've seen some pretty nasty ones."

[pure-love-bingo.livejournal.com]

Miyako couldn't help but laugh herself.

"Hey, don't sell yourself short! Just because we have all these big buff guys who think they can smash stuff doesn't mean we need the people who need to fix 'em!" she pointed out.

[greenmateria.livejournal.com]

Aerith gave Miyako a smile, knowing she was right. "I know, it seems easier to be the one in front doing all the fighting rather than the one behind worrying and healing."

That was one thing she could be thankful for - she hadn't been directly in any fighting since arriving on ship. She knew it was only a matter of time, but taking a breather from it was nice.

[pure-love-bingo.livejournal.com]

"I kinda wish I could do that, though." Miyako admitted. "I mean, I can fight, just... I have something else that does it for me, so I'm hanging back." That fight on that planet earlier was proof of that.

[greenmateria.livejournal.com]

Her phrasing piqued Aerith's curiosity, and she slanted a look at Miyako. "You have something that does fighting for you? Like a weapon?"

[pure-love-bingo.livejournal.com]

"Well... he's not a weapon, he's a creature. His name is Hawkmon - he's what's called a Digimon, short for 'Digital Monster'." Miyako said. From her pocket, she fished out the D3 Digivice. "My friends have one, too. Just, well, not Hawkmon. They all have a different Digimon." Holding out the device, she continued. "I use this to help make my partner stronger. Mostly by making him evolve... well, rather 'change'... into a stronger beast."

This was probably gonna be a lot for Aerith to take in, but if she hasn't been broken by where they are now, talking about Digimon wouldn't.

[greenmateria.livejournal.com]

It was some strange information to take in - she didn't think there was anything like that back home but then again she'd run across a lot here that she hadn't imagined before. Digital monsters weren't such a far stretch.

Still....she leaned forward a bit, peering at the device. "It makes them stronger? Where is Hawkmon now?"

[pure-love-bingo.livejournal.com]

"I... let him wander around the City at the moment." Miyako admitted, grinning sheepishly. "I hope he knows to come back here, though..."

Clearing her throat, she continued. "And, yes, it makes them stronger. Basically by using our emotions to do so."

[greenmateria.livejournal.com]

In a way, Aerith was reminded of summons from back home. Not exactly, since those were brief and she didn't think they could be considered partners exactly, but the more they battled the stronger the summons would become.

"I think I understand. So your emotions make them stronger? What about if you're in a lot of battles?" Aerith couldn't help asking questions - hearing about the differences between other worlds and Gaia just kept them coming.

[pure-love-bingo.livejournal.com]

"That's a problem. They and we can't keep going forever. If there's a lot of battles, then we'd probably be forced to run. It wouldn't be worth it to keep going if it might mean... well..."

Miyako trailed off. Aerith probably would understand what she was getting at.

[greenmateria.livejournal.com]

Aerith did understand, and she gave Miyako a sad look. "I see what you mean. It must be hard, to fight all the time. I know it took its toll on us back home sometimes."

It was rough, to always be fighting. Even if the cause for it was a worthy one.

[pure-love-bingo.livejournal.com]

"It is. Especially when it seems that the stakes keeps getting higher and higher." Miyako said. Putting away the D3, she noticed Aerith's sad look and gave her a smile. "Don't feel bad for me, Aerith. Yes, it is rough, but I have people looking out for me."

[greenmateria.livejournal.com]

"That's good to hear. It helps to know people have your back."

Aerith leaned her head back against the trunk, looking up at the leaves. "That kind of support keeps you going, even when you want to stop." It was definitely a feeling she could relate to - she tried her best to support her friends, and knew they supported her.