SEPTEMBER TDM

[monstertruckers]

code

This month, new arrivals will find plenty of sand and rocks strewn over the garage, as well as an oppressive heat. Day or night alike offers little reprieve, and the air is dry and dusty. It will be a task to keep cool, as well as keep control. There’s plenty of threats beyond just the oppressive temperature, and a chaotic, dangerous, landscape to match.

01: SUMMONING CIRCLE

New Drifters arrive with a feeling of stifling heat. The garage has been baking in the sun for most of the day on an exposed mesa, and as the sun goes down it’s only now beginning to cool. Heat stroke and dehydration are both real concerns. There’s water available in the gas station nearby… But it involves crossing a precarious rock arch, exposed to open air. Otherwise, there’s more water in a river further down, but the climb is equally risky and involves scurrying down sheer rock walls. (And dealing with territorial cactaurs at the bottom.)

There is also an oasis off in the distance, but it would be impossible to arrive there on foot. At least for a normal person.

Either way, it’s advised to find some form of hydration, both for the sake of newcomers and for the sake of the Convoy rolling up. With how the heat seems to be beating down on the vehicles, it’s questionable if they have much water to spare.

02: START UP

There are various cars surrounding the garage. (And for a few unfortunates, parked across the rock bridge! Though the rocks should be able to take the weight of the cars. Just don’t look down.) Many of them parked in the shelter of rocks and caves to try and hide from the worst of the heat.

Some of the cars may still need to cool down from the heat, but regardless, there’s a certain connection between different newcomers and cars. Something that suggests a particular vehicle is theirs, backed up by possessing the key to that vehicle. The key to the vehicle may already be in the ignition, on the dashboard… It may have even been on their person, ever since they woke up in that garage. Either way, Drifters have the keys to the vehicle now.

…But there’s a few rough edges on these vehicles. Flat tires, cracked windows and mirrors, maybe some stuck doors and locks; all of them the sort of thing that requires two pairs of hands and supplies. The garage can take care of the supplies… Now it’s just a matter of finding some extra hands.

03: MOON WARP

To complicate things, the moon overhead pulses strangely. Shards of moonstone rain down as night falls over the garage and gas station. And something about these stones warps the surroundings.

A storm begins to brew overhead, with a growl of thunder. The red wasteland rocks surrounding the area begin to reflect sound of the storm, make it sound almost like song… And everyone close to the moon shard stones can feel their bodies begin to warp in turn.

New arrivals affected by the moon shower will find themselves with access to an additional monster form with two variations:

03: MONSTER SHIFT, SPHINX

This month's monster is the Sphinx, a human-lion hybrid that may also have bird-like wings. It’s up to the player on just how leonine their facial features and bodies are. Alongside all sphinx species traits, the following also happens:
+Fluctuating Voice: voice can easily shift into a growl or a roar if emotions grow heated. This roar can also cause damage if loud enough.
+Clawing Pains: Can grow retractable claws, which may provide intense pain or discomfort. Healing magics can help alleviate this pain... Or sharpening their budding claws on just about anything, including stone.
+Compelled to speak in riddles or outright lying. This makes conveying any information found in the truck stop all the more difficult.
Compelled to guard a either people or a location. This could be beneficial for other Drifters if the Sphinx decides to protect them or the Convoy… But it could also be negative, if a Sphinx decides that they need to guard the garage and gas station, and other Drifters are intruders.
+An obsession with riddles and puzzles. And newly arriving to this place certainly counts as a riddle!
+Ambush Predator: Gains an affinity for stalking amongst the ruins, and using them to advantage when hunting other monsters. Running from or turning one's back on a Sphinx is not advised, lest it trigger the hunting instinct.

03: MONSTER SHIFT, MANTICORE

Alongside Sphinx, is the Manticore. A second human-lion hybrid, with rows of razor teeth, batlike wings, and poisonous quills/barbs on their tails. Manticores can access all Sphinx and Drakonis traits, and also gain:
+Voracious Appetite: Need to consume a large amount of meat. Husk monsters are around to feed on, otherwise may be compelled to raid the Convoy for food.
+Truth Compulsion: Manticores gain a loud, almost trumpet quality to their voice, and a need to announce truths instead of riddles. With so many books in the library, there’s lots of truth to announce.
+Guardian Compulsion: like the Sphinx, Manticores can be guards. Generally Manticores tend to be much more territorial, opting for a location and driving all intruders all of it… Or opting for one person and turning savagely protective.
+Instinct Shift: Low control of Protean form, but can subconsciously shift limbs back and forth.
+Toothing Pains: Gains rows of shark-like teeth that can chew through metal. Growing these may result in pain, and pain easily leads to berserk frenzy.
+Poison Sting: While growing the poison quills, the process can be unstable and cause manticores to shoot or shed their spines at inopportune times. The poison is still developing and cannot kill, but can cause paralysis, pain, or hallucinations.

04: TRUCK STOP ARCHIVES

One oddity with the truck stop this time around is just how many books are on the shelves. They hold information on the monsters here: both tales and legends, but also how to go about hunting them. There is also a section of maps, most of them worn out and illegible… But a few of them carry notes hastily scrawled into them about a place called “Nirvana.”
The following information can be gained from a quick scan:
+“Got to stay on the road. Nirvana is supposed to be a paradise.”
+“Somehow after everything we went through, it’s still standing. Still telling us to seek shelter there.”
+“It’ll take months to reach it. Doesn’t matter. Keep going. It’s the only city we have left.”
+“Crossroads Of Fate. Heard someone say it once.”
+”Only way we can make a home. Or make it home.”
+“Sits on leylines. They say that’s how the moonshards keep missing. Somehow warps time and space around it. Wonder what else it can warp.”

05: HUSK MONSTERS

There are several metallic forms around the garage and the truck stop; whenever night falls (or moonshards fall) they burst open, becoming prey for afflicted newcomers… Or threats.

First are gaunt things called Chasers that look like a cross between a human and a horse, and can easily run down newcomers on foot or in cars. The moon warp also makes something in their backs glow, before generating streams of razor wind.

Second are strange bulky armadillo like creatures. Far slower than the Chasers, these monsters prefer to roll into a ball for any form of speed and crush their quarry with their bulk. Once crippled, they tear at targets with sharp digging claws. They are often encountered with mutated moles who dig through stone like earth.

Last are the hulking chimeras shot through with poison and bad tempers, ready to pounce and tackle into prey to inject their toxins.

06: CACTUARS!

Those who wander a little further from the gas station find that the landscape gets more hostile; hotter, sharp edged rocks, steep rocks... And Cactuars. These odd creatures resemble 2-3 foot high cactuses, do an odd little dance, and shoot needles at anyone who gets too close. These needles hurt a lot, but tougher vehicles (and extremely sturdy rocks) can offer protection. They are also agile creatures who require heavy fire power to bring down.

...And rather worryingly, Cactuars CAN be eaten. They resemble a vegetable or a fruit with a lot of water packed into them, or green tofu. They are disconcertingly tasty. But anyone who does eat them is suddenly, physically compelled to do the Cactuar Pose. This lasts for 30 seconds, and activates AGAIN if a Drifter eats more Cactuar. And some well meaning person has stocked the entire Convoy with Cactuar supplies, to add to the confusion: please exercise caution with eating anything green.

MICRO ENCOUNTERS:

PLEASE NOTE! These are small bits of set dressing for players to include in threads if they wish, rather than full fledged prompts or events. You may handwave your exploration of these areas, or thread them out.

Open Sky: The garage and gas station are perched on top of a mesa, with a truly massive sky stretched out overhead. Agoraphobiacs beware. Those with monster forms associated with the open sky (harpies, sphinx, wind elementals, dragons, etc) may find the open sky far more enticing than before. Just be careful when crossing the narrow rock bridges, as there’s a long drop below.

Red Hot Red Rocks: Portions of the mesa react to the heat a little too well. There are patches of rocks that can instantly burn any skin that makes contact; some of those patches are between a Drifter and their vehicle, or the convoy, or the gas station! It will be a task to either cool those patches down, or avoid them.

Vegetation: It’s sparse in the badlands, but a few plants are noticeable. First are the tumbleweeds, dried out and rolling along. These ones have sharp edges, and seem to multiply if they hit a solid object at speed. And are very flammable. There’s also a few cactus like plants; some of them even have drinkable water that won’t poison anyone! They are signified by blue fruit growing on them. And the fact that they shoot their spines at anything that gets too close.

NAVIGATION || RESERVES || APPLICATIONS

Comments

aerith gainsborough ✿ final fantasy vii ✿ idk what yet

[cetrary]

01. Summoning Circle
( This isn't supposed to be how it goes. A flutter of panic rushes through her as she reaches to feel a phantom pain, the ghost of something that was and will be. She only allows the panic to hold onto her for the briefest time before she starts to push herself up. Her eyes flicker to the strange circle, it reminds her of things she's put down on the ground herself when she casts but...the feeling isn't right at all. It isn't good.

If she can tell anything about what's happened to her she can tell that: it's not good.

She takes a few breaths and licks her lips, realizing slowly that her mouth is so terribly dry. Her dress is dusty and she scrunches her nose up in frustration as she tries to brush it off. )

Come on, Aerith. Your dress being dirty doesn't really matter right now, does it?

( It's silly to be talking to herself out here, isn't it? But somehow it calms her down. If anyone hears she can just claim she's trying to talk to the...dried out husks of bushes? Sure. She could go with that. For now though she'll just put her hands above her eyes to shield them from the sun while she looks around. )

Nothing's going to happen if I just stay here...

( So, forward and onward it is. Towards what might be a gas station far in the distance. Or at least she really hopes that's what it is. )


02. Cactuars!

( Should she have gone wandering off on her own like this? Probably not. But what's done is done and she's now found herself face to face with a very familiar little guy. It's a standoff really. She's frozen with her arms in a position mimicking the very cactuars in front of her. They've done a little dance and she's done the dance with them and maybe that's managed to leave them a little confused for now?

Both of them seem to just be frozen there. Which isn't exactly a great thing really, she can't stay like this forever and she's got this sinking feeling that the second she tries to move she's going to be hit with a thousand needles. )

Look little buddy, I don't want to fight! Maybe I could just --

( Oh no. It moves at that. Starts to shake like it's about to do it's dance again. Should she try to run for it? Would she even make it? Maybe she could throw some sort of shield up in time but she hasn't exactly had time to figure out if she even can here. Is now really the best time to try that out? What a predicament to get into... )

01. Summoning Circle

[bufudine]

[It just so happens that there's another person out in the middle of nowhere driving towards that same gas station; Serph's been along this journey for long enough to know there's a good chance he'll find another person drawn into this world.

And this world, even if it's more peaceful than what he's used to, is still full of dangerous monsters.

So when he spots a lone human figure walking in the distance, he changes direction and starts heading towards her, the engine of his Toyota HiLux (painted a bright, gaudy orange) perhaps the loudest thing in immediate vicinity. When he pulls up closer, Aerith will see that the person driving the ute has a number of feathered wings -- 6 in total -- crammed against his half of the seating. It's kind of hard to see past all the feathers into the rest of the vehicle, nevermind that his hair and eyes glow with an otherworldly light.

Lowering the window to speak to her, he greets her with-]

It's dangerous to be out alone. I can get you somewhere safer.

[Absolutely no pre-amble; social niceties weren't much of a thing where he's from.]

[cetrary]

[ The sound alerts her to someone approaching far before she's fully made out what's coming her way. It's loud but definitely not the absolute loudest thing she's ever heard in her life. As it gets closer she waves, only stopping once she's spotted whose inside. There's not many things that give her pause anymore but his wings do give her a brief pause, enough for her hand to hang there for a moment before she goes back to finishing her last wave up. They're beautiful, there's no denying that, unique for sure, but they also stir a memory in her for a fraction of a second.

Not long enough to cause her to lose her smile though. ]

I'd appreciate that! I just arrived and it seemed like my only choice was going forward alone. Having company would definitely be nice.

[bufudine]

[Serph nods before gesturing to the passenger seat beside him. Hop in.]

I'll bring you to the Convoy. That's where the rest of us are.

[The passenger door is unlocked so Aerith can get in his vehicle. Except...

If Aerith can see past the reflection off the window, she might see that the passenger seat is occupied. If not, well, when she opens the door a small waterfall of old and variously rusted car keys pour out from the pick-up truck onto the ground.

Sorry his vehicle's a mess.]

[cetrary]

Thank you again!

[ Alas she does not see before opening it and instead takes a step back as the keys fall out. Quickly she bends down to start scooping them back up and into the car. ]

I'm sorry! I think I've gotten them all. Should I put them somewhere safer where they won't fall out again?

[ Although she kinda wants to ask why he keeps them in the first place. But that seems rude to do to someone offering to help her . So she just scoops them up and awkwardly holds as many as she can while she scoots into the vehicle. ]

sorry for the delay! was at a con and only just got home :')

[bufudine]

[Oh. Oh no. He reaches out in a half aborted attempt to stop her but she's already gathered so many that he just... lets her scoop up as many as she can.]

It's... alright.

[How does he explain that the key collection had been something of a spontaneous urge brought on by the monstrous transformation that had taken him for a month and he's not actually attached to it at all? But he kind of also hadn't bothered to get rid of it? Awkwardly, he adds-]

Behind the seats on the floor is fine.

[Will that be just as messy? Absolutely. Will it get in the way of passengers? No. Will it be weird to have a bunch of keys stuffed into the gaps between seats and such inside his vehicle? Probably.]

02. Cactaurs! (Also OG game Vincent for reference! Hi!)

[coffinturk]

[ There's the crack of a gun. ...Repeated several times. The rounds come in hot from a distance, surprising the cactaur who was distracted by Aerith's antics; several find their mark on the usually way-too-nimble creature.

But then, Vincent Valentine was a frighteningly good shot. ]

Run! To me!

[ The rough voice, intense with the issued order and loud enough to be heard might be known. Or have they not yet met? No matter; the gunslinger's response and call to the woman would have been the same even if he had not recognized the painfully familiar figure confronting the small menace.

Whatever the outcome for the cactaur, if it chooses to flee now that it's been hit or change its focus to the attacker, there's one thing that's certain. Aerith now has a chance to shield herself or escape in the direction of the voice. Or any other direction for that matter.

Vincent is on the approach, red cloak rippling behind him as he continues to open fire on the threat. He intends to at least close the distance to the safety of an ally if not at least cover the retreat. ]

hello! rebirth for me!

[cetrary]

[ That's one way to handle a problem. Not a bad one either. Her eyes light up with recognition of the voice (maybe even of the shooting too, he's a distinctive shot), and she nods. No need to waste anymore time when she's given such a great chance. The ridiculous pose is dropped quickly and she absolutely bolts towards him. She's still her so she stumbles slightly for just a second before picking herself up. Luckily it's just a little trip, nothing too major or to be embarrassed about.

She heads towards the voice as quickly as she can not even bothering to throw a glance back to the cactaur as it rocks back and forth from it's new wounds. It's clearly trying to reorient itself before deciding between fleeing or spewing the fury of a thousand bars at it's attacker. Now it's time to hope that they're not pack animals that will gather for revenge or something. ]

You really do have dramatic entrances down to an art, huh?

[ The relief in her voice is audible and matched by a smile. ]

Excellent! We happily mix and match in this house!

[coffinturk]

[ About that. There's an oasis not too far off where the creatures are quite territorial. So it's probably best not to run in that direction. ]

I'd hate if people started expecting me.

[ About as dry as ever and hard to tell if Vincent's joking or not. But maybe Aerith will catch a hint of a rare, albeit faint, smile.

The man's gun is still trained on the problematic cactaur. It was lucky he got in some solid shots. Retreat becomes the better part of valor for the creature as it spins on a foot and starts rushing away into the brush. Vincent eyes the direction it went with some suspicion. ]

Time to go.

[ They really are too close to the oasis for him to be at ease. With familiar abruptness, Vincent turns and begins to stride in the direction of safety. Clearly he expects Aerith to follow.

...Aerith. Alive. It was always a possibility wasn't it? Just as well Vincent has a good poker face. ]

[ ooc: maruah if you have it and wanna. ]

wonderful! I love both og and the remake so I'm happy to mix and match too!

[cetrary]

It would ruin a lot of your mystique.

[ The tiny smile she gives him says that she catches that smile and is assuming he's even doing a little joking. Which obviously means she's got to do a little joking of her own. Not that she doesn't genuinely think he's got a certain bit of mystique to him.

She does finally look back to see what's become of her new friend and lets out a huff of a sigh as it retreats. ]

Sorry about upsetting you. [ It's addressed to the fleeing cactuar but also not said super loudly. She's not really keen on accidentally catching it's attention again. That would feel pretty bad.

She falls right into step with him. ]

I'm really glad to see you.

[ ooc: plurk is having a meltdown for me but mine is adrastean

[coffinturk]

[ Everything seems to end on a positive note. Getting out of here is definitely a goal for both parties now; before anything else happens. And just to help with Vincent's accredited mystique, he's just not going to respond to the first part.

He needs time to come to terms that Aerith is here knowing, even somewhat bracing for the possibility, the plan sometimes crumbles at first contact. Vincent's silence lasts a little longer than it takes the young woman to get to the part where she expresses how good it is to see him. ]

...It's been a while.

[ Maybe because he's been here a while. Maybe... other reasons. But how can Vincent ask the question? Hi Aerith. In my memories you died, do you remember that or has it not happened to you...

...Even he understands that's something you just don't drop casually like it doesn't matter. ]

01!

[dolphinpunch]

[There's perks to searching for supplies, it turns out; and that's even beyond finding water and filling a flask with it. Tifa is already making her way back to the gas station, ready for a chance to cool off from the heat. Maybe taking a drink from water she's located... But seeing someone wandering through the waste short circuits that plan.]

"Wait-"

[At first, Tifa wonders if the heat haze is playing tricks on her senses. But even her memories can't replicate Aerith's voice so perfectly. Naturally, Tifa finds herself running forward, desperate to make sure this is real.]

"Aerith-? That's really you... Isn't it?"

[And she's looking like there's no changes gripping her yet. Scrambled as her memories are, Tifa can't help but feel a little bit relieved by that. Even as she finds herself taking pains to hide her own hands.]

"You're here? You're okay-?"

[Hard not to be concerned, much as Tifa tries to keep some composure. If the heat is doing a number on Aerith, she'd sooner not add to the stress.]

[cetrary]

[ There's a bright smile on her face as she spots Tifa and she follows it with a dramatic look down at her feet. She moves her arms out and seems to check them over and then nods. ]

Last time I checked it was me!

[ Which would be now. It's the best attempt she can give to be cheerful and light. Which is surprisingly easy to be considering the relief she feels at seeing a friendly face, especially Tifa's. There are other emotions mixing in there but she's going to choose to cling to relief and happiness right now. ]

I'm good. A little confused on all of [ she gestures around them ] Are you okay?

[dolphinpunch]

[Even with the stress from the canyon, exploring it, and getting her thoughts scrambled? It's hard not to be relieved as she gets a good look, and actually gets a conversation going. It's also hard to keep from smiling... Though Tifa finds herself taking pains to keep the eyes at her temples carefully shut. She'd sooner have their biggest problems be worrying about the dust, not any changes.]

"Looks like I can join you with being confused. Something about the canyons here... Makes it hard to focus. But I think a little rest, and I'll be okay-

...Mostly.

Doesn't look like this place has really gotten to you yet-"

[Wait. One thing at a time. She feels clear on that much, at least.]

"Wherever we are... It can mess with you, if you're not careful. Glad you've avoided the worst of it so far."

[Now as for the next matter... How does one go about offering a drink, when they'd sooner not show off how warped their hands are?]

[cetrary]

We can take as much of a rest as you'd like.

[ She tries to not sound too concerned but it's probably written all over her face. ]

That's ominous.

[ But she cant say she doesn't feel strange herself. Off really. Really she'd brushed it off to what had happened right before she arrived here or just the confusion of ending up in a very strange place. Even if that seems illogical given just how weird she's feeling. Maybe there's a thin line between optimism and just denial. ]

Mess with you how?

[dolphinpunch]

"How? Well..."

[Nothing for it. Much as she was fine with circling the topic, Tifa also knows that she'd better bring the reality up sooner or later. Vincent already showed her that she can't indefinitely put off upsetting someone. Or confronting some of the more ugly facts.

Speaking of.]

"...Please don't be scared by this?"

[She carefully draws a hand out from behind her back, then the other. It's hard not to miss the claws tipping her fingers, or the black patches of skin and fur coating her hands.

Still not pleasant to look at.]

"Wherever we are, it can twist your body. Make you a little less human looking."

Choosing 1 because it's probably the more alarming option for aerith

[firstsoldier]

[There's a battered Shinra troop transport truck idling off to one side of the garage, the cloth-backed kind that tends to have terrible shocks and struts and bounce anyone being carried in it like popcorn in a kettle, its engine a steady rumble.

It is in fact a complete coincidence that the summoning circle doesn't feel right, that none of this feels good, and that Sephiroth is about twenty feet away, going through a cabinet of tools in the vain hope of finding a ten millimeter socket.

Sephiroth and unpleasant feelings tend to go hand in hand with remarkable frequency, after all. That he's rather younger by several years than when they last encountered each other could be a trick of the light and heat, or something more ominous.

It's also coincidence.

He's easy to miss, somehow, in spite of his size as Aerith glances around, one more dark shadow amidst other dark shadows, even the metallic sheen of his hair easily overlooked thanks to the amount of rusting chrome dotting the garage.]

Nothing happening if you stay here is the better option.

[Even if he'd gone overlooked, he won't be as soon as he speaks up, tone mild.]

The more alarming the better

[cetrary]

[ The voice is so familiar and yet... not at the same time. The difference isn't enough to keep her breath from catching in her chest. For a moment she feels as though everything siezes up, like she just can't breath at all. Ironic. Her shoulders tense as she faces him with wide green eyes.

There's not really fear in them but that might just be because she's gotten good at hiding things like that. A brief spark of anger isn't so easily pushed back, despite her efforts. It's obvious she recognizes him and she doesn't really try to hide the fact that she's studying him. Her eyebrows knit together slightly as she notes differences between this man and the one she knows all too well.

It's strange. Fills her with so many emotions that she's not sure which one to even settle on. So she just takes a step away and keeps her eyes on him. Does he not recognize her? What could that mean? ]

Is it? Why do you say that?

friend greets, friend greets, friend greets.. murderer says hi..

[firstsoldier]

[The last three people who recognized him also immediately attacked. Aerith doesn't, for all that he's certain he catches a flash of anger that's been shared among a few others now, and the SOLDIER raises gloved hands in parody of surrender, very deliberately. That Masamune isn't in hand is meaningless, that sword could be called to his grip with only a thought. It's easy to miss black claws sticking out of black gloves, short and sharp.]

Because we're in a desert, and this is the only shelter for some distance. Waiting until sunset, or for the rest of the convoy to arrive, means avoiding the heat of the sun.

[He doesn't recognize Aerith specifically. But she does look rather like her mother, and he'd met Ifalna once or twice, when he also resided in the labs as a child. Hojo's other prize specimens. He'd been young enough then to resent that their holding cell had been bigger than his own.]

Heat stroke is not a nice way to die. Please try to avoid it.

nothing weird to see here just a girl getting greeted by the guy that killed her

[cetrary]

[ Her eyes stay on him with an intensity that might make one wonder if she's actually afraid to take them off him. Maybe in a way she is. Which feels silly of her, there's clearly something different about him. But does that different mean he's not a threat? To her or to this entire place? ]

Traveling at night seemed like a bad idea, it'd be hard to see and I don't know anything about what to expect here. I didn't even know there was a convoy coming.

[ There's suspicion in her voice though she's doing her best to keep that down- hidden behind a miniscule wavering smile. Oh but her eyes do narrow at that. ]

I'm not afraid of death. [ It's a defiance that probably means nothing to him but...she can't help it right now. ]

exactly, perfectly normal!

[firstsoldier]

Mm. There's risks to everything, but you've better odds when not delirious from heatstroke.

[Slowly, Sephiroth resumes digging in the cabinets for what he'd started to try to find, before anyone else could show up and get the good tools.

That too is a deliberate choice, entirely because Aerith is still clearly tense. He's not good at being social at the best of times, and figuring out how to ease concern or fear when he's been trained his whole life to wield it as a weapon is surprisingly difficult.

The declaration she's not afraid of death earns a pause, glancing up through the curtain of silver hair]

You should be. Fear is a gift, life's eternal guardian protecting us from our own foolish minds. It keeps us from stepping off cliffs or throwing stones at dragons.

[There is a moment, a brief flash of satisfaction that is suppressed down to neutrality when he comes up from the cabinet with.. a socket wrench.]

There's a difference between not being afraid, and not letting fear control you. Who wouldn't be afraid of that kind of demise? So we avoid it.

[And NOT walk into deserts alone.]

The convoy will arrive in an hour or so. I drove ahead because someone keeps taking all the ten milimeter sockets, but the others will be here soon.

Aeriiiiiiith <3333 Summoning Circle

[cloudsenior]

[The Convoy hadn't moved yet, so Cloud used the down time to work on tuning his new bike to the best of his ability. He was no mechanic, but it was something to pass the time and not think about turning into a creature or the fact that if they didn't get to the Temple of the Ancients soon, then who knew what Shinra would do to the place.]

[Speaking of Ancients... one of his ears flicked against his hair as he picked up a familiar voice talking to herself. He stood up then, wiping his hands on a rag as his eyes scanned the dusty landscape, finally spotting her in the same place he had woken up in.]

Aerith!

[He raised a hand and waved, hoping that would get her attention if she hadn't heard him.]

Over here!

[cetrary]

[ Her eyes practically light up seeing him and she immediately waves right back with enthusiasm. Is it a little too much enthusiasm? That's anyone's guess really (yes, it probably is). Without needing anymore coaxing she makes her way over to him. Eventually she stops waving, tucks her hands behind her back as she looks him over. ]

Those are new! [ She leans forward, almost touches the ears but doesn't quite go that far. Still, she's smiling, curious about them and obviously glad to see him. ]

[cloudsenior]

[One ear flattened against his head as the other flicked a few times in annoyance as Cloud fixed her with a look reminiscent of when she said he was "pretty" after The Honeybee Inn Incident.]

Yeah. They're great. Thanks.

[His deadpan expression eased a bit as he shifted on his feet.]

Are you alright though? Nothing weird happen?

[cetrary]

Aww, they move too.

[ In annoyance. That's cute! Does she ever learn to not press her luck on certain things? No. No she does not. At least she's resisting the urge to scratch them. Really, she should be praised for that at the very least.

She looks him over, up and down slowly, then around at everything and gestures in a big circle. ]

Well, this is all pretty weird. And I have a massive headache and feel really...weird?

[ Not right is the best way she can think of to really express it. Like something is shifting and she doesn't like it. But she's also prone to doing her best to keep people from worrying. Especially him. ]