Time and Tides Archives

Tifa had a different worry. She'd done this before: going into the city to meet Aerith, and her friend hadn't turned up. She didn't voice her concerns, however, but simply walked to the chapel with Cloud at her side.

Aerith. Her best friend. She could tell that Cloud was excited, and she felt hopeful too. If there was one good thing about being snatched away to another world, it was this chance to see old friends again.

Stepping inside the chapel, Tifa looked around. She'd visited this place before actually; it was a lovely little place, and Kupo the moogle had been friendly to her. Her hold on Cloud's hand tightened. Was she really here...?

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Aerith had turned the viewer off taking the privacy granted to come to terms with some of the information she'd received while speaking with those on the network. She wasn't going to show that sort of reaction in front of anyone, knowing there were more important things to focus on for the time being and from what Red had said, she definitely didn't want Cloud or Tifa seeing her upset.

When Cloud and Tifa entered the chapel, her face held nothing but her usual smile as she moved to greet the two of them. The fact they were holding hands didn't escape her and if anything caused her to smile more.

"It's good to see you both again. I'm aware it's been longer than I realized, according to what Red told me but I am happy that you two are here as well."

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Cloud smiled at the sight of Aerith. Really, he knew he could've stood there with his mouth agape and stare at her like he'd seen a ghost, but what good would that do? It'd just make things awkward between them.

"Aerith... I'm glad you're okay." He never really was very enthusiastic unless it came to battles or fighting or something he truly believed it but these days he was generally calm.

Still, there she was. Aerith. With Tifa at his side. Zack was safe back with Lulu and Red was safe wherever he was. They were okay. The only thing he had to really worry about now was where his kids were. Denzel, Marlene and Shelke. It was upsetting to wonder where they were and whether or not they were safe but as long as they had each other he knew Denzel would take charge and look after the girls. Besides, Shelke was actually nineteen, so she'd probably take charge over Denzel, too!

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Actually seeing Aerith in the flesh overwhelmed Tifa more than she had expected.

"Aerith..."

She couldn't quite tell what she was feeling. Joy and relief, yes, and that strange feeling of seeing a ghost which she'd had with Zack - only intensified, because while in life Zack had been a single memory for Tifa, Aerith had once been her closest friend.

Dropping Cloud's hand, she rushed towards Aerith, but stopped just short of hugging her. Tifa hesitated for a moment, unsure how Aerith would react. She wanted to reassure herself that her friend was real and solid and there. Not a ghost from the Lifestream.

"You look just the same," said Tifa, and then immediately felt stupid for stating the obvious.

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Aerith smiled watching them both and moved forward when Tifa stopped, her arms sliding around the other woman to hug her lightly "When did you cut your hair? And your clothes are different too."

She let her arms drop from around Tifa before moving to hug Cloud as well. "I..was told it's been quite a while since either of you have seen me in person." She turned to look at Tifa again.

"How long have you both been here?"

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When he was hugged, Cloud's eyes widened slightly, a soft sound of almost discomfort escaping him. He still didn't like being hugged. He could stand hugging Tifa, because of how they'd progressed in their years together, but when other people hugged him it always made him feel awkward.

Still, he lifted his arms to hug Aerith back because it had been too damn long since he'd last seen her. "It has been a long time... years..."

When Aerith turned to Tifa again, the man rummaged around in his pocket, drawing out his Sky Phone, checking any messages he had, almost trying not to pay attention to the conversations.

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Tifa stayed close to Aerith, allowing Cloud to do his own little thing. It must be very strange for him, she knew; he'd been so devastated when Aerith had died. And so had Tifa. She found herself holding back tears as she looked at Aerith, at how alive she was.

"Yes, a long time," Tifa agreed. "It's been... nearly two years since I cut my hair. But if you asked Cloud, he'd say three. As for here, I've been here a few months now. Cloud arrived a little more recently."

She shook her head, smiling. All this time stuff was confusing.

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Aerith noticed his discomfort and stepped back almost immediately giving him a faintly apologetic smile before turning back to Tifa, this time noticing the ribbons she'd missed before. It fit with what Red had mentioned since the color almost matched the ribbon she wore.

"I like it." She reached to touch the ends of Tifa's hair "It's different but it suits you." She was stll a little surprised at the differences since it hadn't been more than a day since she'd seen both of them.

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Cloud, shaking his head slightly, frowned and looked towards the door. "We should go. The city is starting to clear out now, so we'll probably get a room in one of the inns." He slipped his phone away and ruffled at his spiked hair, just trying to distract himself from taking Tifa's hand again.

Really, after everything that had happened at the ball, he didn't like not having her hand. He'd lost everyone at some point or another. Losing Tifa would just break him.

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Tifa twisted a strand of hair between her fingers. "Thank you." She felt oddly elated to have gained Aerith's approval.

She looked at Cloud. He seemed eager to get moving. "Okay," she replied. "We can show you around Alexandria, Aerith. I think you'll like it."

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"Of course." Aerith gave them both another smile before moving towards the door of the chapel and turning to wait for them.

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Cloud gave a nod and turned, walking past Aerith. Shoving the doors open, he frowned slightly, raising a hand to shield his eyes from the sun. It was mid-summer and the brightness and heat was a lot worse than it seemed to get in Edge or Midgar. Or anywhere he was used to, really. Slipping his sunglasses on, Cloud looked back to Tifa.

"You two can carry on. I'll head back and pack up the tent and our supplies." Then Cloud paused. He'd had thought about saying something about their children... but then realised they weren't here and fell silent. "I'll meet you at the inn you stayed at before."

Saying nothing else, Cloud turned, heading back towards the outskirts of the city.

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"See you," Tifa called, joining Aerith at the door of the chapel. She was surprised that Cloud didn't want to stay with them, but they'd have plenty of time together later.

She wondered how Aerith was handling this. "Are you sure you're okay?" Tifa asked gently.

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Aerith nodded after a second. It was still strange but at least she had familiar faces around. She'd decided to put Zack out of her mind for the time being and focus on things right in front of her.

"..I'm fine, Tifa." She spoke quietly turning to face the other woman before moving out the door of the chapel.

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Tifa decided not to press the issue.

"You missed the big party here," she said, taking on the role of tour guide as she led Aerith along the street. "The whole city was packed, but it's quietened down a lot now."

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Aerith simply nodded following her as she took in her surroundings quietly."What have you been doing since you arrived here?"

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"Me... Well..." Tifa sighed as she thought about it. "Mostly helping other Sky People when they first arrived and looking for my friends. When I found Cloud, we came here for the Queen's birthday festival."

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"Sky people?" Aerith blinked at her and paused

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They had arrived at the entrance to an alley, which was a short-cut to the main square. Tifa glanced back as Aerith paused.

"That's what the native people call us. People who fell from the sky."

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"That makes sense." Aerith caught up to her and glanced down the alleyway.

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"The inn's this way," Tifa explained, guiding her on. "It's okay, this place isn't like Midgar. Even the darker alleys are usually safe."

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Having gathered all their stuff and got it into the pack, he tossed the thing over his back and made his way quickly back to where he expected the girls to be. Once he spotted them, he would admit a slight grin appeared on his pale face but a moment later it vanished to allow for his usual calm face and he curled an arm around Tifa's waist.

"Hey, you girls been catching up?" He smiled lightly at them both, resting his other arm around Aerith's shoulders. He really was happy to have them both near.

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"Sort of." Aerith gave him a faint smile before she looked around again. "It's a nice city."

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Tifa leaned her head against Cloud's shoulder for a moment, glad to be with him again. She was concerned about Aerith, and especially about how Zack had forgotten her, but she'd tell him that later.

"Yeah." She nodded. "Are we all ready to go back to the inn?"

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Cloud frowned slightly, wondering just a little why Aerith seemed so... distant, but he wouldn't bug her about it. He wasn't the kind of person to nose into the business of other people. Not even friends.

"Yeah, come on..." He kissed Tifa's temple and let go of both women, heading back towards the inn.

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Aerith followed them but stayed a few steps behind. It was good they'd sorted everything out and she was happy for them. "

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The one thing Tifa didn't want to do was exclude Aerith. She knew what it was like being the third wheel. She dropped behind Cloud, keeping pace with Aerith.

"I'm glad you're here."

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