003. [video/action]

[cetra]

[ Aerith pops on screen looking a little winded, and maybe just a tiny bit frantic.

See, she has this Materia - a tiny little ball of glowy magic, courtesy of her mother - and she's managed to lose it.

There's no telling where the thing is. Usually, she tucks it up tightly in her ribbon, but recently she's been pretty distracted with the arrival of some of her favorite people, and maybe she's let her routine slide just the tiniest bit.

Whatever the reason, it's now gone and after she's turned her room upside down in her search, she figures she'll put out a message on the network in case anyone's found it. ]

I was wondering if anyone could help me out. I've lost something of mine. It's green and about this size. [ And she props her little device on a side table, so she can stand back and make a shape with her hands. ] It's not big enough to really stand out, but it's not small enough to fall through any cracks or vents.

[ She picks up her device again, sighing. In all the time she's had her mother's Materia on her, she hasn't lost it. Not like this. Especially not in a mansion that likes to throw monsters and tricks their way. ]

I'm going to look more through the mansion, but if anyone comes across it, give me a heads up?

[OOC: Just a heads up - she won't be finding it anytime soon, but everyone is welcome to help her. Also, feel free to run into her anywhere - she'll be searching high and low and through the grounds. ]

Comments

[cetra]

I feel the same way - I don't wish this on anyone, but having people show up that I care about is... [ It's a lot of things, and she pauses before smiling. Keeping it simple is always good. ] It's nice. Nicer than I thought it would be.

[ Aerith's searching a bit through cabinets, but it's more absent minded. She's sure nobody would pick it up and put in anywhere like this, but who knows? ]

I was surprised to see Vincent here, but that was nothing compared to seeing Zack again. [ And yeah, her eyes go a little soft because it's Zack. Her first love (and her first real friend), and it's been so long since she's seen him. ] It's been a nice surprise, and I keep expecting more of my friends to show up.

[breakthecurse]

[Tohru's gotten up off the floor, and now she's looking through drawers as much as she can without snooping - maybe one was open and the Materia fell inside?]

That would be really nice. I know I'd love to see my friends again. I don't even know what Yuki or Kyo would do in a place like this...actually Kyo would probably make a big fist and say, uh, "I'M GONNA PUNCH SOMEONE IF NO ONE TELLS ME HOW TO GET OUT OF HERE"!

[And Tohru makes a fist herself and lowers her voice a little to try and imitate him.]

What are Vincent and Zach like, Aerith? I know they must be good people, since they're your friends.

[cetra]

[ Aerith has stopped her search, got up in talking with Tohru. It's all right, since she's positive at this point her materia isn't in the clinic. She leans against a nearby bed, listening to the girl and laughing at her impression of her friend Kyo. ]

Sounds like he would fit right in here. Who knows, maybe someone will show up!

[ Sometimes, she wishes there was a way to tell. Like some sort of list available of who will be arriving when. That would make things too easy, though. ]

Vincent's a little...standoffish. I think people might find him intimidating, but he has this way about him. Very strong. It's easy to keep a cool head when he's around. [ She'll laugh, thinking back to when she first met him. ] We found him in a basement, sleeping in a coffin. I think my friend Yuffie is still convinced he's a vampire.

Zack is Zack. Friendly, welcoming, kind. Funny. [ She sounds a little dreamy when she talks about him. The girl is smitten, and has been for years. ] I met him when I was about sixteen. He was my first boyfriend, actually.

[breakthecurse]

[Unfortunately, the Materia isn't where Tohru's looking either. They've pretty much exhausted their options, so Torhu goes over to where Aerith is and sits on the bed across from her.]

H-He was in a coffin?!

[Tohru's startled, and honestly probably would have thought he was a vampire too. But she nervously laughs off her reaction.]

Oh, well, um, of course he wouldn't be a vampire. But he sounds nice! I know some people with that kind of personality, and they're all really wonderful.

[But then she gasps as the last bit sinks in.]

Zach was your boyfriend? Wow, that's amazing! No wonder you have so many nice things to say about him. It must be really great to see him again. You're really lucky too - it sounds like you and Zach still get along really well!

[Not many couples can say that after they've broken up, which is what Tohru assumes happened since he "was" her boyfriend.]

[cetra]

[ Tohru's reaction is kind of expected, because it's an odd story. Not often you run across a man just sleeping in a coffin unless he is a vampire. ]

It is nice. I thought for the longest time he was...lost. [ She hesitates to say anything about his death. Saying it out loud makes it seem more final, and that's hard to swallow when he's here and vibrant and alive. ] Seeing him again is something I never thought I would experience. That's been one good thing about Wonderland, I guess you could say.

[ And she takes a long look around the room, hoping against hope that her materia will suddenly appear. That's not how it works, though, and she sighs. ]

Looks like I'm marking this place off my list.

[breakthecurse]

[Tohru nods, understanding now. It dawns on her slowly that it wasn't a break-up that separated them.]

That makes it even more special that he's here then. That's such good news, Aerith! That's really good...Wonderland can really be amazing sometimes, I guess!

[Tohru's only recently learned that the dead can be in Wonderland, and it still amazes her to even think of it. She tries not to, otherwise...well, she might get her hopes up about something that shouldn't be able to happen at all. But it's okay if she can focus on how wonderful this must be for Aerith!

But Tohru peeks around the room too. There really isn't anywhere else to look...]

Where else should we look then? Is there another place you think it might be in?

[cetra]

I guess you're right, it can be.

[ Aerith wonders if anyone else who has died will show up...then she starts wondering about Tohru's mother. It's possible for someone who has died to show up, she knows that now. It's one thing to wish for her friends to be there, but to hope for someone who's long since passed to show up? She doesn't see much harm in that.

She also doesn't want to get Tohru's hopes up, either, but she's secretly got her fingers crossed for the girl to see her mother once more. ]

Right now I'm drawing a blank. I feel like I've looked everywhere I can at this point... [ She sighs, pushing herself away from the bed. ] I think I'll probably go back to my room, try to regroup a little.

[ She gives Tohru a bright smile, going over to the girl to put a hand on her arm. ]

Thank you for your help, Tohru. I really appreciate it. If you ever need anything in the future, let me know. I'll help you out any way I can.

[breakthecurse]

That's a good idea. I know sometimes, when you're looking really hard for something, it helps to step away from the search for a little while. It'll help you focus the next time! Or, at least I've noticed it helps me.

[Tohru follows suit and rises when Aerith does, but she turns that arm touch into a full hug.]

It's no trouble at all! I know how important that Materia is to you. I really hope you find it soon. If I see it anywhere, I'll let you know right away, okay?

[It's something really important to her, so Tohru doesn't mind helping at all. She doesn't feel like she needs anything in return. Still, Aerith is the kind of friend who would definitely come to her aid if she ever needed it.]

[cetra]

I hope it does help. Clearing my mind can't hurt, that's for sure.

[ Aerith hugs back. It's amazing how something as simple as a hug from a friend can do wonders for her drive. ]

Thank you again, Tohru. You're a sweetheart. [ She tugs lightly on a strand of Tohru's hair, an affectionate gesture. If she had a little sister, she would have loved for her to be exactly like Tohru. ] I'll let you know what happens.