[Thread; Closed] Escort Service

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Characters: Delita, Aerith
Progress: Ongoing
Summary: Escorting Aerith to her friends
Location: Conde Petie to Lindblum
Date: January 1803
Warnings: TBD

It took Delita a while to find the item shop.  Added to the fact that he was unfamiliar with the village, he had tried to find them a ride out of the city. Unfortunately, it seemed that no airships were available in Conde Petie.  Having no desire to meet his companion without availability of a way out, he spent the afternoon asking the dwarves of any alternate routes. He would have arrived sooner if they had not shouted Rally Ho to every passerby.

Arriving in the item shop, it occurred to him that he had no idea what this Aerith even looked like. He was relieved to find the shop was filled mostly with dwarves, still he was hesitant to incorrectly identify the lady. Approaching a young lady, he quietly asked, "Aerith?"

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[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

After trekking out from the Iifa Tree with a little bit of help, this humble flower girl was now rummaging through the item shop in search for supplies. While she could easily heal wounds using her magic, Aerith learned that is always good to carry a potion or two. The dwarves here in this quiet mountain village were more than kind to Aerith, even if she could barely understand what they say because of their thick accents. Between all the 'Rally-hos' and silly lingo, the flower girl was literally hoping she could have a normal conversation or two with the knight she spoke with earlier.

"Hm?" Glancing over towards the shop entrance once she spotted someone taller than the average troll, a happy smile settled upon Aerith's face. "Yes, that is me. I am guessing you are Delita, right?" It must have been rather easy for Delita to tell that Aerith was of common class, especially since she lacked the same flair with words as some of the other people Delita has met so far.

She’s a commoner, a mere girl from the slums with a bright smile.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Fortunately for Aerith, despite his affluent speech he was no less common than herself. Seeing the simple clothing she wore, he relaxed in spite of himself. He hoped this would mean not having to work through the self righteous whining of a pompous princess.

Striding across the floor in an effort to close the distance between the two, he raised his hand to the lady. "Please to make your acquaintance Aerith. I hope my delay has not inconvenienced you."

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

One thing that Aerith's noticed about this world is that nearly everyone in Gaia is overly polite. "Whoa, whoa!" She laughed softly as the young knight approached. "First off, no need for all the stuffy big words. I am glad you got here when you did, its good not to be the only tall person here." In all due truth, Aerith isn't very tall at all. She was the average height of any human girl but here within the village, she was a giant compared to these dwarves.

"Second..." She took his hand and gave it a firm enough handshake. "I should be thanking you already for even arriving. I've have no idea how I am going to reach Lindblum but I am sure you'll be a great help along the way." Feeling like an oddball in this insane little fantasy world, Aerith just wondered if Gaia was anything like the world she knew.

“So, should we be off? I got us a few potions that might be helpful along the way.” She offered the knight one phial of soft and a phial of eye drops.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita took the items offered and looked at them. Sticking them in his pocket, he wondered if he would ever have a use for them. After he was versed in the techniques of a Holy Knight Paladdin. In fact he had never been one to study the chemist alchemist techniques.

"Lest I be remiss, I must inform you that I have been unable to procure expedient transportation to Lindblum. It shall endeavor to become a more difficult journey than I had anticipated. While it is nothing, we cannot manage, I will understand if you wish to delay your journey for more preferable arrangement."

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

A little frown settled upon her face once she heard his explanation. It seems that their bid for an airship didn't go through and that the two of them weren't going to have an easy time making it to Lindblum. Despite that said, Aerith knew she didn't have time to linger. "That's fine." She replied with a rather worried gaze.

"The faster we leave, the better the chances I can reach there before tomorrow. I-I made a promise to someone." The promise she made was a life or death pact she made with Tifa to heal her son. While she still had her issues about the whole triangle between herself and the other two, Aerith wasn't going to let a little boy die because of it.

"How we reach there? There doesn't seem to be many chocobos around."

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita remembered the last time he had offered to travel through the night he had been completely shot down, but if they were to have any hope of the speed at which she wished to return they could not spare a moment.

Grabbing her hand, he beings to walk out the door. "If you are serious as to the hastiness of our journey, then we cannot spare a moment."

Outside the door stood two chocobos. "We will be able to take these as far as Fum."

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

Reaching for her pouch filled with items, Aerith hurried out of the shop with her knight for the journey leading the way. Everything about this new adventure had the makings to be a whimsical fairytale and the flower girl was the heroine of this story. "W-wait, you mean we are going to ride chocobos?" She asked with a slightly curious gaze as she eyed the yellow birds. Remembering the time when Cloud raced a chocobo during their fun-filled stay at the Golden Saucer, a gleeful smirk appeared upon her face as she walked over towards one of the birds.

"This is surreal..." She muttered to herself as she tried to climb on to the saddle. Failing the first time to climb on to the bird, Aerith let out a little ‘huff’ as she tried for a second time. The chocobo let out a small ‘Kweh’ every time she came near, inching a little away from her as she tried to get on it.

“Stop moving, will you!?” She nearly hissed in annoyance. Maybe there was a reason why Cloud and the others never volunteered Aerith for this kind of gig.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

What had he gotten himself into. Surely he needn't have offered this lady an escort home, but if the nobility were not going to take care of her then it was to fall to him.

Rubbing the chocobo to calmless, he coaxed it into a kneeling position. "'Tis a sure hand and confidence, this one is looking for. As long as he believes you are in control, he will do your bidding."

He offered Aerith his knee for a step and his arm for support. "Shall we place you aboard your mount now?"

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

Letting out a little sigh as she glared hotly at the chocobo, Aerith's glare soon cooled as she watched Delita handle the bird. She smiled faintly as she watched the two, slightly awed that he managed to get the chocobo to kneel so easily. "A sure hand and confidence?" She questioned with a mildly confused glance. "Oh, good. I was worried I would need to offer it a gyshal green for it to listen to me." After wasting most of her gil upon supplies, the young flower girl barely had any money left.

Using the knight's knee for that much needed boost, Aerith hopped upon the saddle with a little grunt. "Ah, there we go." She commented idly as she reached to claim the bird's reins.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita lifted his expression a tad. "He has been fed already."

As much as he had enjoyed his visit to Garden and his trips on the airship, Delita felt the most comfortable traveling by chocobo. Unfortunately, he knew that this trip would require traveling by some creature referred to as a gargant. Rather than unnecessarily raise his charge's apprehension he stayed quiet on the subject for the moment.

He swung his leg over the chocobo. "Do you require anything else before we depart for Fum?"

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

Grabbing the brown leather reins within her hands, Aerith couldn't help but feel somewhat empowered now. Here she was sitting on this large yellow feathered bird that possessed a beak strong enough to snap through wood and talons sharp enough to leave more than just a few scars. Reaching her hand out to pet the chocobo's head carefully, Aerith almost let out a childish giggle when it cooed, maybe chocobos like her after all.

"No, no. I'm fine now!" Aerith replied gleefully before she snapped the chocobo's reins. It lurched forward, starting up with a slow and even pace as to not startle it's rider.

"Come on, Delita!" She yelled. "Let's get going."

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita nodded as they exited the village. His curiosity was aroused by the actions of his companion, yet his tongue remained guarded. There would be time enough to understand the young lady either during or after their travels.

He kept his eye on the road, watching for fiends and any ruffians that might be along the way.

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

Trotting along the road by chocobo through these uncharted lands was definitely an experience to be had. The terrain was a rocky one filled with hills and perfect view of the mountain range nearby. This part of the continent was nearly devoid of any trees or grass but the further they traveled away from Condo Petie, the more the landscape evolved.

"Wow, look at that." Aerith said as she pointed towards a few birds that flew by. They were falcons of some kind, brown-feathered falcons flying within a small flock of five. Smiling briefly as she gazed into the blue-hued sky, Aerith soon allowed her vision to return upon the road ahead.

"How far is Fum?"

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita looked up into the sky at Aerith's observation. He checked their patterns to see if they showed anything out of the ordinary. It would not do well to lead his companion into any danger they were fleeing from. Seeing nothing that alarmed him, he resumed his study of the land before them.

"We should arrive in Fum within an hour."

Looking briefly towards Aerith's welfare, he asks politely, "Unless you require a respite from travel before then."

(frozen)

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

Figuring that the knight didn't bear a fondness for conversation, Aerith didn't mind taking the control of the topic now. "No, no! I am just peachy." She replied with a happy smirk and little playful wink. "I'm not made out of glass, you know. I am much tougher than I look." This was definitely true since she was able to keep up with Cloud and the gang during their adventures across the world.

"I just hope you won't tire out on me, Delita. I doubt I can toss you over my shoulder." Aerith teased with a chuckle. Glancing back at the road ahead, the flower girl spotted something. "Oh, look! Wild chocobos!" She pointed in glee once she saw a herd of multicolored birds. They came in various colors, from the average yellow to the more exotic greens and reds.

"Wow, they are pretty..."

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

It wasn't that he wouldn't converse, he had just spent far too long with minimal company. "You need not worry about your shoulder, I do not tire easily Miss Aerith."

It still surprised him to see a young lady so lively and full of life as Tietra was. He began to dive deep back inside himself, when he heard his companion squee like a lass at the wild chocobos. As she veered towards the herd, he called out to her, "'Tis with much haste that I must warn you to remain afar from those noble creatures."

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

With a slightly impish smile spreading across her face as she veered off the road, Aerith flippantly waved off Delita's concerned words. "I'll be okay!" She said in an enthusiastic shout before speeding off to go pester the chocobo herd. Watching them with a gleeful gaze, Aerith rode her chocobo closer to the wild birds. The birds didn't seem to mind her approach at all but once she came near a smaller chocobo, the entire herd became a tad agitated with her.

"Aw, he is so cute." She squealed as she wandered close to the little yellow bird. It was a baby chocobo, probably less than seven months old. It stared up at her with it's glassy black eyes with a look of curiosity and mild intrigue. "Hi there, little guy." Aerith said with a friendly wave as if the chocobo truly could understand what she says.

"Aren't you a cutie? Yeah, you are really cute." With all this sickeningly sweet baby talk, the flower girl failed to realize that the other birds within the herd were now poised to attack.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita stared as Aerith ignored his heeding and cast right through the middle of the herd. He was surprised with the ease at which she gained acceptance into their ranks.

As he watched her delve deeper into the heart of the herd, he was speechless when she attempted to approach the baby. It appeared he was not the only one to notice her intrusion as she was being closed in. No amount of gysahl greens would suffice to ease the ire of the birds.

He could coral the birds easily with one blast from his sword, but his morals impeded his will to harm the creatures. With a sigh, he heeled his mount into a gallop as he tore through the herd. Remaining oblivious to the pecks and claws he strode straight to the heart of the altercation.

Without a warning, he scooped up Aerith with his arm, flinging her over the neck of his chocobo. He lay his shield over her head as protection as he bolted out of the fray.

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

If she wasn't so intent of petting the baby chocobo, then maybe Aerith wouldn't have found herself within a predicament now. Humming softly as she continued to toy with the bird's soft yellow-hue feathers, the girl soon let out a startle scream once a certain someone grabbed her. Shouting at the top of her lungs, Aerith's surprised cries came to a screeching halt once she realized that it was the knight who snatched her.

"D-Delita!?" She said in a panicked shriek. The chocbos were now chasing them, an entire herd of livid fiery fowls trying to peck and claw at any exposed flesh they could see. Aerith clung to the neck of Delita's bird for dear life, letting out a gasp once she heard a few potions jingle against the ground.

"Not the potions! C-crap!" She fumed in mild rage. Those wild chocobos were lucky that she didn't possess a working fire materia stone on her person because if so, the outcome of this skirmish would have changed dramatically. Luckily for the unlikely pair, the herd of wild birds soon gave up pursuit once the pair managed to reach the grassier lands of Fum.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

He was happy to have safely reached Fum. If truth be told, he was weary from the unexpected turmoil with the chocobos. His face stung from the scratches, yet he would suffer in silence as he did not require charity. Instead, his attention lay to his companion, "I trust that you are uninjured? We shall rest and take our meal before departing again for Lindblum."

He looked up as they passed fields of cows. He had heard of the cow racing, but had never dared to lay eyes upon the spectacle. He was surprised at her response to his rough grab of her. The last time he has ridden with a companion, he had knocked her out before carrying her away against her will.

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

With a light frown upon her face, the flower girl noticed the slight weariness in the knight's voice. "Sorry about that..." She replied with an apologetic whisper. "I am okay, just a little surprised that the chocobos got that angry with me." While this entire ordeal has made Aerith rethink her love for chocobos, the girl couldn't fault the herd for being protective over the baby bird.

"Aw, your hurt!" Leaning her hand up so she could caress the side of Delita's face, Aerith began to hum softly. A bright cyan hued light engulfed the pair briefly once she began to cast her spell. Healing the scratches and minor wounds Delita suffered within mere seconds, a little sheepish smirk appeared upon Aerith's face as she gazed up at him.

"All better?"

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

He was shocked when Aerith touched his cheek. Not many people were ever concerned about his welfare. He had always been the expendable knight, expected to die on the battlefield.

As the warmth in his cheek faded, so did dull ache that had been present. It was instinct that brought his hand up to check his face and brush against Aerith's fingers, yet it was a stunned reaction that left him speechless for a few moments until he caught his voice with a low "Thank you."

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

A soft chuckle would be his reply once Aerith slipped off the chocobo and landed upon her feet. With a deep sigh, the girl glanced back down the road from whence they came. "I guess my chocobo isn't coming back." She commented idly without any real worry within her voice. "That's alright.” Glancing up at Delita with a little grin, Aerith made her way towards the grassy green fields.

"Hey! We could have a picnic here." She stated aloud. "It's a really pretty here amongst the flowers."

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

"You need not worry about the loss of the chocobo. We were to have left them with the herder here." Pondering the dark tunnels and gargant, he looked over his shoulder towards where Fossil Roo would be located. "I would be remiss if I did not remind you of the distance left to travel." Contrary to his words, his stomach acknowledged his impending hunger.

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

Opting to relax under the shade of a nearby tree, Aerith smiled at the knight's words. "I know, I know. We still have a long way to go." While she was certain they would reach Lindblum soon enough, a part of her didn't want this journey to end. Gaia is a beautiful world, one filled with so much color unlike the drab world she hails from; a pleasant realm in her opinion. Aerith didn't want this journey to end but all good things always come to an end.

Thinking idly about the task ahead, Aerith's thoughts began to stray. Tifa made it quite clear that her and Cloud were and item now. Heck, the pair deemed themselves as 'parents' of two young orphans now. The shock of that news didn't dim and the same could be said about the news of 'Zack' being here. The last time she seen Zack was when she was a young girl of sixteen. So many years have passed by since she last laid eyes on him and Aerith wasn't quite sure what she would say once she sees him.

“I wonder what I’ll do…” She muttered. “What will I say to him?”

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

As usual, he kept an eye on his surroundings and little passed by him unnoticed. As he saw his companion's thoughts go internal, he rummaged through their sacks finding grabbing two rather bland rations. He was about to hand over the food when he heard her muttering. He stopped his actions, lest he bring disturbance to her thoughts.

He would not pry into her inner struggles without invitation, yet he would be available as required. Instead, he serenely picked up a blade of grass as he lay back and blew upon the child's toy.

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

The sound of the whistling snapped her free from her morose thoughts and back into the reality she nearly forsook. Glancing for the source of that little tune, a smile graced Aerith's gentle features once more. "How did you do that?" She asked with a curious blink.

"It's a blade of grass!"

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Offering his blade of grass to the inquisitive lady, he picks another blade of grass. He is careful to show the process as he proceeds to make another whistle. "'Tis a remnant left of my childhood." He dwells back upon his lost innocence as he places the blade back to his lips, offering his companion another show of his gentleness.

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

Plucking the grass leaf from the knight, Aerith pursed her lips together as she tried to mimic the same whistling tune he'd done earlier. "Pfft!" It seems she couldn't get the hang of it just yet. "A remnant of your childhood?" The healer asked once she pried the leaf away from her lips. Wondering more about Delita's words, Aerith decided to pry just a little.

"Where are you from again? A kingdom, right?"

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita lifts the corners of his mouth into a hint of a smile. "'Tis not as difficult as you make it to be. If you would but lightly blow here amongst the reed, you should find yourself a musician."

Looking upon the ground, he recognized that the little lady before him was not going to let her question go unanswered. "Ivalice. 'Tis with honor that I have served my lands."

His curiosity wished to know more about the lady in question before him. "Might I also inquire as to your home?"

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

"Really?" She asked with a slightly skeptical tone as she opted to try again. Blowing gently against the leaf as she held it to her lips, a melodious whistle fluttered forth a second later. "Hey, it does work!" She said with a happy grin, one that would eventually grow dim at Delita's question. Unlike his Ivalice, her world wasn't as fanciful but it had the same problems as any other world. There were no kingdoms or great cities to mention but rather slums and small clusters of towns that existed under the haunting shadows of mako-hungry ShinRa.

"My home, well..." Toying with the blade of grass that sat in-between her elegant fingers, Aerith tried to figure out a way to answer that question. "It doesn't really have a name but it really doesn't need one. It’s a place where names really aren't that important." She smiled sadly.

"It’s a beautiful world but it’s not as beautiful as it once was." Truly, the words of an Ancient considering only her kind would know of such beauty.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita's emotions shifted across the spectrum. He had been content as he and Aerith had blown upon the reeds, but he had heard the rest of her story all to often. It seemed those pompous nobles had endeavored to injure yet another innocent soul. Would they never stop their incessant bickering and allow their lands the peace it so desperately needs?

"'Tis truthful, that many lands are not as they ought. While it seems my land has fared better than yours, I am unhappy with these travesties."

While he does not wish the lass to remain in poor spirits, he is at a loss for how to remedy the situation. "I am pleased that you were offered a respite from this pain. It need not follow you here into this world."

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

Allowing a smile to spread across her lips, Aerith gazed at Delita with such fondness. He was a little different from most people, different because of his way of speech and mannerisms but deep down those subtle differences didn't matter much to her. He reminded her slightly of Cloud, a little more reserved and knightly but the resemblance was kind of there. He was also a little like Zack but again, Delita is much more reserved than either mercenary. The knight spoke with a certain flair that almost made Aerith a tad envious that she couldn't match his fanciful prose with some of her own. However, that envy she felt was more or less mild admiration for those who claim to hail from Ivalice.

"I was unhappy too, that's why my friends and I strive to make things better for our home." She replied with a little grin. While Aerith wasn't going to give Delita the full story, the abridged version was sure to come.

"A respite from the pain, I guess you could say that." Her thoughts strayed for a minute once that grin of her became a tad impish in nature.

"To seek a reprieve beyond the chaotic tides, to seek freedom beyond the tyrannical actions of less than noble men. Tis the respite I need." Aerith let out a boisterous laugh once she finished her little monologue. "S-sorry!" For someone who played a damn convincing 'Princess Rosa' within that goofy play at the Golden Saucer, Aerith didn't do half bad mimicking Ivalice speech.

"Ah, Delita. Have you ever been to Lindblum?"

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

Delita had not been surrounded by laughter since before the untimely demise of his sister. Rather than retreat into being recluse, he absorbed the fresh aura. He oft began to wonder how this companion of his was able to retain such lightness about her.

"You have acted in nothing that requires an apology.

I have resided temporarily in Lindblum. To see flying airships and Garden was a treat unlike those seen in my native Ivalice."

[pinkgospel.livejournal.com]

"A garden?" Arching her brow ever so slightly, Aerith pondered what exactly the knight meant by 'garden'. "Do you mean you've seen the gardens in Lindblum or do you mean something else?" Just hearing about the airships in the grand city almost made Aerith kick on her boots again and hit the road. She was always fond of Cid's planes and airships, especially that big ship that the ex-captain been working on for years prior to her arrival at Rocket Town.

"Mhm, the more I hear about Lindblum the more I wish I was already there." Knowing she wouldn't have any time for sight-seeing once she reached the capital, Aerith decided that after Denzel was all healed up that she would drag Zack along for an airship ride.

[lionwarhero.livejournal.com]

"An acquaintance of mine has a 'Garden' that has been flown between the lands. Less I be remiss in my explanation, it appears more a flying city to myself."

He had seldom stayed in one place any length of time since that event. It made it easier, if he was able to remain unattached. "We shall arrive in Lindblum soon and you will be free to explore the airships that await."