[ The vast array of horrors leading to the bonfire, and its abominable purpose have spread her focus incredibly thin, so much so that Aerith doesn't catch his meaning until she looks his way again and sees the way he's pulled his shirr up to cover his mouth and nose.
Harried, she comes to a halt before they have a chance to get too close to the edge of the ring of light the fire casts. Torn between being apologetic for putting him in a situation that carries an added level of risk, and wanting to get as far as she can get from the fire, Aerith makes herself stay put while she casts a wary glance over her shoulder at the blaze, wishing there was more space between it, and her. ]
Is this okay? I can't try to heal you if something happens, so.
[ Her lips purse together in a thin line as she frowns, and lowers her head. She brings her hands up, clasping them under her chin - listening for a chorus of voices that have maintained a gutwrenching silence since she came to this place. What was once a comforting ritual has become a reminder of the dire circumstances she's found herself in.
She gives up and raises her head, taking in the sight of the words staining his clothing on her way to meet his eye. Nothing good in him? He's a stranger, but he didn't let her go alone - and not in the surveillance type of way. Maybe someday soon she'll get around to pointing that out - if they live, if she can ever bring herself to mention this again - but for now. ]
Thank you for coming with me.
[ Everything is a lot right now, it's all she's got. ]
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Harried, she comes to a halt before they have a chance to get too close to the edge of the ring of light the fire casts. Torn between being apologetic for putting him in a situation that carries an added level of risk, and wanting to get as far as she can get from the fire, Aerith makes herself stay put while she casts a wary glance over her shoulder at the blaze, wishing there was more space between it, and her. ]
Is this okay? I can't try to heal you if something happens, so.
[ Her lips purse together in a thin line as she frowns, and lowers her head. She brings her hands up, clasping them under her chin - listening for a chorus of voices that have maintained a gutwrenching silence since she came to this place. What was once a comforting ritual has become a reminder of the dire circumstances she's found herself in.
She gives up and raises her head, taking in the sight of the words staining his clothing on her way to meet his eye. Nothing good in him? He's a stranger, but he didn't let her go alone - and not in the surveillance type of way. Maybe someday soon she'll get around to pointing that out - if they live, if she can ever bring herself to mention this again - but for now. ]
Thank you for coming with me.
[ Everything is a lot right now, it's all she's got. ]