open post.

[sheme]

𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐓

tifa lockhart FINAL FANTASY VII

yuffie kisaragi FINAL FANTASY VII

lightning farron FINAL FANTASY XIII

𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐲

( 𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 )

→ Refer to the list above for active muses. Others on my muselist are available as well, but I cannot promise that they (or the other ones listed above) will be sustainable.
→ Put who you would like in the subject line & leave a starter! Feel free to come up with a scenario, or not. We can wing it, too.
→ Can be informal/formal/texting/cross-canon, whatever! Picture prompts (shipping and gen) can also be left and I'll whip up something from that.
→ AUs are super cool. However, I am not fond of modern AUs (coffee shop/high school/university, etc.)
→ Brackets preferred.
→ I love shippy stuff, but please check shipping prefs for characters if you'd like to go that route!
→ Some meme prompts listed below. (click to expand!)

RANDOM SCENARIO MEME

ACTION.
1. Zombies → It's the zombie apocalypse, lock and load!
2. Bar brawl → You had one too many drinks, said something wrong, and now you're being asked to take it outside.
3. Chase → You're caught in a high speed chase.
4. Gun fight → You're caught in a big shoot-out.
5. Fight with a friend → You're fighting with a friend, all out.
6. Interrogation → You're being interrogated for some offense you've done.
7. Aliens → Aliens are attacking and you're not going to take your probe laying down!
8. Final battle → This is it. The battle that will end all the fighting for you. Will you win? Will you get that peace you want?
9. Training → You're not actually fighting, just training for the inevitable.
10. No hope → You know this fight has no hope. It's not going to end well for anyone involved, but you can't turn away.
11. Sneaking in → You're stealing a diamond or sneaking in to kick some bad guy butt, but whatever it is, you have to practice stealth.
12. Blue wire → You're faced with a bomb that needs to be disarmed.
13. Fight for honour → You've been disgraced or someone you care about has, so it's time to fight for honour.
14. Showdown → Time for a cowboy-style showdown. Whoever draws the fastest wins.
15. War → You're caught in the middle of a war here. Remember to keep your chin up and keeping fighting.
16. Apocalypse → The apocalypse finally happened and now you're left to scavenge and fight for whatever is left.
17. Sabotage → It's time to sabotage someone's plan! How is entirely up to you. Do you set up a bomb in their toilet? Do you double cross them at the last minute?
18. Big damn hero → You know you have to handle this one alone, so that means disarming or knocking unconscious the person who wants to join you.
19. Fight club → You know the rules... you're in an underground fighting ring and you're fighting with all you've got.
20. Threaten → You've just been sent here to rough them up a little, threaten them into behaving.

ANGST.
1. Injury / illness → Your character has become injured or ill! To what extent is the mun's choice.
2. Last moments → You character has been gravely injured and this is their last chance to say their last words.
3. Depression → Your character is depressed, what actions they take is up to the mun.
4. Betrayed → You character has been betrayed by the other. How do they react?
5. Tortured → Your character is being tortured and needs rescuing or at least a sympathetic ear to help him through it.
6. Jealousy → Your character is feeling jealous and must deal with it, how will they do it?
7. Breakup! → This relationship has gone as far as it can, it's time to breakup.
8. Broken → For whatever reason, the character is broken, mentally or or physically.
9. Fight → You can't even be in the same room as your friend or lover without arguing anymore.
10. Lost → You lost the biggest fight of your life and now all you can do is try to pick up the pieces.
11. Worst nightmare → Whatever you fear the most is now real or maybe you're just trapped in a dream together, but whatever it is, it feels too real.
12. Addicted → You're addicted to something, alcohol, drugs, sex, whatever. It's destroying your life and you can't do anything to stop it.
13. Hurt you → You're being forced to hurt someone you love either by betraying them or even being forced to shout things you don't mean. It's for their own good in the end though.
14. Separation → You were forced to leave this person for their own safety and while you've been miserable without them, you really didn't mean to run into them again... maybe it was by accident or you were watching them from afar this whole time.
15. Becoming a monster → You are slowly changing, becoming a monster: vampire, zombie, demon, something you can't recover from and no-one can help you.
16. Frozen → You are entirely helpless, frozen, to stop some kind of disaster.
17. Prison → You were very bad and now it's time to pay the price by turning yourself in or maybe the law just finally caught up to you.
18. Fear → You're not sure why, but you are suddenly terrified and you can't deal with it. You need help.
19. Hated → You are now hated by the person you loved the most.
20. Down and out → You're living on the streets, you've hit rock bottom, and you don't know what to do.

FLUFF.
1. Cuddling → For whatever reason, characters feel like being close and cuddling.
2. Pillow talk → After the main event, characters are up for some pillow talk.
3. Celebration → Anniversary or some other big event is taking place and characters want to celebrate!
4. Love confession → Someone has finally decided to confess their love and today is the day!
5. Appreciation → You feel the need to show appreciation for that person closest to you, even if it's just a pat on the back.
6. Apologies → You made a mistake and now it's time to make it up in some way you know the other can't refuse!
7. Get back together → Why did you break up again exactly? Whatever the reason, it was a huge mistake and you both know you can work through it.
8. Date night → You've planned for a wonderful night together and you can't wait to get it started.
9. Family → You've either found out you're pregnant or you've already got that addition to your family.
10. Marriage → You're just about to get hitched or maybe you're enjoying your honeymoon. Maybe you've been together for years now! Whatever the case, it's time for that next big step.
11. Meeting again → It's time for that happy reunion finally!
12. Love at first sight → For whatever reason, you are now insanely in love with the first person you set eyes on.
13. Flirtation → You can't resist to do a little bit of harmless flirtation all of a sudden.
14. In the snow → Look outside! It's a winter wonderland, so why not go out and play in it?
15. Engagement → You've planned it all out and now it's time to finally pop the question.
16. Friendly games → You've set up the game station or board games for a friendly competition!
17. Gift → Time to give that special someone a gift just because.
18. Recovery → You're taking care of someone who's just recovered from some illness or injury.
19. Healing → Time to help mend that someone who's been through hell and back.
20. Better than ever → You've finally got everything you've ever wanted here. What is your ideal life and who does it include?

GEN.
1. Nice meeting you → It's your first time meeting this person! You bumped into each other on the street, in a bar, at work... whatever!
2. Drinks → You're out for drinks! Or just chilling at home with some beers. Wherever!
3. Lost → You're lost and you kind of need help finding your way to where you're going. A little help with directions?
4. Costume party → You're at a costume party, both of you are wearing masks. Do you keep the anonymity or take it off and see whose company you've been enjoying?
5. Wrong number → Oops, actually you didn't mean to call that person...
6. Drunk → You're already drunk! Drunk dialing, stumbling into someone, showing up unexpected... what type of drunk are you anyway? Aggressive, loving, happy? How does the other react?
7. Old friends → you haven't seen this person in a long time!
8. Rivals → you're suddenly rivals! Or maybe you have been all along...
9. Problems → you've got a problem with each other, just got in a huge fight, whatever. Try to work it out!
10. What are your intentions... → This person? They're dating a close friend, family member, etc. You need to find out if they're going to hurt them! Or you need to discuss your friend/family's dating choice.
11. I saw you → you saw the other person doing something bad and you need to confront them about it.
12. Sorry but no → the other person has feelings that you just don't share. They don't necessarily have to be romantic... maybe you just don't agree with their sudden desire to quit their job and start a business making tiny, fuzzy teddy bears.
13. My hero → you need to tell this person how much they mean to you. They've been your best friend or your role model your whole life and they need to know.
14. Enabler → you're enabling the other (or each other) to do something bad, really bad. Addiction, stealing, killing, or just any other self-destructive behavior.
15. Cooking → Time for an impromptu cooking lesson!
16. Oh, sure, I remember you... → It's that awkward moment when someone comes up and seems to know you, but you have no idea who they even are!
17. Rescue! → One of you was in trouble, but you came to the rescue!
18. Boss → One of you works under the other. Is your relationship good? Are you scheming things? Or do you hate each other?
19. Perfect crime → You and the other person have just pulled off the perfect crime... or you're planning to! What are you doing? The heist of the century, an assassination?
20. Movies → movie night! Maybe it's a sleepover. Whichever the case, it's time to eat a lot and have fun.

SOULMATE MEME

TYPE OF AU
1. tats, your character has a tattoo of the first words the love of their life will say to them
2. familiars, your character has an animal tattoo representing their soul mate on them
3. glow, the first time your character sees their soul mate, their chests glow!
4. world in color, life is literally black and white, until you see your soul mate for the first time
5. choose your own

SITUATION
1. first meeting, you've never met this person before.
2. childhood mates, you've always known this person -- but on one particular birthday, everything changes.
3. together, you've been in a relationship for awhile now! happily wed or not, you decide.
4. not together, you've known you're soul mates for a long time, and yet have avoided a relationship.
5. choose your own

CAUGHT IN THE RAIN

i WHERE:
001 PLAYGROUND - Well, you can try to hide under the slide or maybe in the jungle gym... at least you're some place fun?
002 PARK - Always happens, caught outside trying to take advantage of the weather... and it ends up pulling a fast one on you.
003 STORE FRONT - Better hope they have an awning you can take advantage of
004 THE BEACH - Not exactly the best place to be during a rainstorm, however it is possible to get caught in a sudden storm
005 WILD CARD - Anyway you want it

ii HOW:
001 TREE - Not the best cover, but it'll have to do, stay close to the roots and you won't get too wet.
002 UMBRELLA - Most conventional... Kinda boring. But it works.
003 NEWSPAPER - Not permanent, but it'll have to do. Good luck
004 BAG - Well... y'gotta do what you gotta do.
005 NONE - You know what. You're a rebel. You don't need cover. Screw convention
006 WILD CARD - that's the way you need it

iii WHY:
001 REJECTED - Welp. Rejection sucks. And no one will see you crying in the rain.
002 WAITING - For the bus? For someone else? For some revelation? What are you waiting for.
003 MELANCHOLY - Sometimes the best place to feel a bit down is out in the rain.
004 HAPPINESS - Is everything going your way? Are you singing a refrain while walking down the lane? Just singin. Singin' in the rain.
005 ANGER - WELL YOU KNOW WHAT. SCREW YOU TOO RAIN.
006 WILD CARD - Anyway you want it.

INSOMNIA

01 • FEAR. Maybe you're hearing strange, indeterminable noises; maybe there's a severe storm happening outside; maybe you watched a scary movie before bed? Whatever the reason, you're terrified and it's keeping you awake. You just want to wake someone else up so they can protect you from the monster in your closet.
02 • HUNGER. Your stomach is growling and it just won't stop. Or perhaps your throat is so dry you could cough up a tumbleweed? Well, you've gone to the kitchen to remedy this and hey, that was a pan that just dropped on the floor. It was loud enough to wake the dead! Oops.
03 • PAIN. Your body is completely worn out, be it from exercise, battle, sickness, or what have you. Either way you're in enough pain to keep you from sleeping, so maybe someone else has a home remedy or something, or can at least help you take your mind off of it.
04 • SOLITUDE. For some reason, your bed just feels so empty at the moment. You're feeling terribly lonely and really just want someone to keep you company for a while. Maybe it'd be easier to fall asleep if you're with them...
05 • DISCOMFORT. Your room is an oven. Either that or a freezer. Or maybe this bed is just really uncomfortable? Who knows why you can't get to sleep, it feels like it could be anything. Why even bother trying? Maybe someone else can preoccupy you until you feel tired enough to ignore your discomfort.
06 • PENSIVE. Something's on your mind, and no matter how hard you try to focus elsewhere, it's just not going to work. Your body may be tired, but your mind is incredibly busy and it's virtually impossible to get to sleep. Surely, talking it out with someone else will help?
07 • SADNESS. Something terrible has happened that day, perhaps; or you could just be severely depressed. Either way you're trying your hardest not to cry yourself to sleep, and it's not working at all. Better find a way to get it out of your system somehow; you need a shoulder to cry on.
08 • ANGER. You are just... fuming. Who knows why - that annoying dog is barking again, or maybe the people next door are getting busy and keeping you awake. Whatever the reason for your ire is, you'd better put an end to it so you can get some damn rest already! Go wake up a friend so you can complain to them.
09 • RESTLESS. You're far too energetic to sleep right now. Maybe you're just trying to do so out of necessity - you have to be up early tomorrow! But you just don't think you'll be able to fall asleep for a while now, so why waste the time trying to sleep when you could be doing something else? Namely bothering someone else - you're totally jealous because they're getting more sleep than you.
10 • WILDCARD. Choose one of the options above, or make up your own scenario.

CITY AT NIGHT

— scenario prompts

1) WORKING.
You're still caught up at the office or wherever it is you're holed up. It's getting late, but there's work to be done.

2) RELAXING.
You're warm and comfortable someplace indoors, whether it's in a cozy nook of a café or maybe just in your own apartment. There's no other place you really need to be, is there?

3) MEET-UP/DATE.
Is there someone you're seeing for dinner? A date? Maybe you're going bar-hopping together with some friends, or your attendance is expected at some special event. Alternatively, there's someone you're meeting with to make a deal of some kind, whether it's perfectly legitimate or something that might invite trouble with local enforcement.

4) OUT FOR A WALK.
Sometimes, it's nice to get out for some fresh air—or, well, as fresh as it gets with all the air pollution around you. The park's not too far away; it might be nice and quiet at this hour, if you don't run into any...

5) TROUBLE.
It's getting late and it's dark outside, but someone has been tailing you for a while. Walking faster only makes them speed up; they're doggedly persistent. What to do now? Is there a busy street you can turn on to for help? Or maybe it's time to confront your pursuer... On the flip side, you're the one tracking someone. For what reason? Well, only you would know, right?

6) OTHER.
Anything else you can think of!

— setting prompts

A) STREETS/ALLEYS.
Are you visiting a busy district teeming with people? Or are you out on a quieter street? It can be dark out there, especially if you turn onto a smaller one without many streetlamps. Watch your step. Some of the alleyways might make good shortcuts if you're trying to get somewhere fast, but there's also trouble to be found sometimes. Don't get cornered anywhere, and especially don't get too curious if you see something suspicious in one of the dumpsters...

B) IN TRANSIT.
You're between locations right now, just trying to get on with your evening. You have some options, like public transportation: the bus, the train, the subway. Alternatively, you're a fancier kind of person: you've got your own car that you're driving, or better yet, you have a chauffeur and a private car. Or, you know, you're just taking a taxi or using a ride-share app. There are also transitional spaces like parking lots or garages.

C) DINING.
Some cities are melting pots of different cultures; you're bound to find countless spots at which to eat. There are small cafés if you want a quick bite, or fancier restaurants where you can wine and dine. You could support a small family business by dropping by at a local hole in the wall—sometimes the most authentic spots with the best food are nondescript locations. Or if you're really trying to impress, go for some famous Michelin three-star.

D) NIGHT LIFE.
Bars, clubs, lounges—all of it's fair game. Remember to drink responsibly—or don't, if you're looking to really forget about your troubles for a while. Just know that you'll only have yourself to blame for that raging hangover in the morning.

E) CORPORATE BUILDING.
In a larger city, major corporations might be headquartered in the glittering skyscrapers that line the most expensive districts. There are all kinds of businesses—banks, law firms, finance companies, tech groups, to state just a few. Some places might keep their lights on pretty late at night for the white-collar workers burning the midnight oil; others, perhaps not. Do you fit somewhere in this equation? Or if you're here for something more exciting, there's always corporate espionage...

F) SHOPS.
A lot of shops could be closed by now, but maybe it's that final hour before that mall or outlet you wanted to visit locks their doors for the evening. Time for some last-second shopping! Snatch up that deal before it's gone, or be sure to buy a gift for your date before it's too late!

G) HOME.
You're at home, wherever that is—an apartment, a condo, a house somewhere, or maybe something more extravagant. Real estate can get expensive in the city, especially in popular locations. Do you have a tiny apartment that covers all your basic needs? Or something much nicer, like the type of penthouse people usually only see in movies, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows?

H) CITY SQUARE.
Some city squares are hubs of activity, filled with street performers, pop-up stores, or food stalls. There's a lot you could do, especially when it's nighttime and the little lights strung around the place look so pretty.

I) ABANDONED SPACE.
Every city has its fair share of abandoned warehouses or other buildings that are slated for demolition. Sometimes they attract certain types of crowds that would make your average person think twice before confronting. A lot of places are off-limits, but every so often, the no-trespassing sign is more of a suggestion than a real threat, right?

J) OTHER.
Anything else you can think of!

FAKE DATING

home for the holidays ⇢ You need to prove to your parents that you do so have a significant other. Just until they're gone.
no singles need apply ⇢ The place is perfect, but the landlady will only rent it to a nice, respectable couple.
it's not safe for a woman alone ⇢ One of you is vulnerable in this big, bad world without a partner to protect you.
public relations ⇢ There's only one way to stop these pesky rumors: start your own.
undercover mission ⇢ They'll never suspect a couple of lovey-dovey honeymooners of... whatever it is you're actually up to.
marriage of convenience ⇢ It's good for both your families. Or your finances. Or your hetero street cred. Whatever: might as well make the best of it.
well that escalated quickly ⇢ It's common knowledge that you're together, except you're the last to know. Is it worth correcting people?

OTHER MEME IDEAS

→ Picture prompts
→ Body heat
→ Seasonal prompts
→ Mistletoe/Pocky meme
→ Gen/Midnight/Shipping texts
→ Nursed back to health
→ Trapped in an elevator
→ Bodyguard/Protector shipping
→ Intimate bathing
→ IDK JUST COME AT ME

Comments

[starshower]

[The voice came to Tifa in a dream. It was distant at first, hardly comprehensible, but it had an oddly familiar ring to it. That playful tenor of the voice, the comforting warmth it carried... It felt like she was reliving a distant, fond memory of an old friend. It took her some time to place it, and she'd followed it through an endless, dark void, trusting that it would lead her to where she needed to go. It beckoned her, urged her to keep going, and when she should have felt scared, she didn't. She felt the opposite, in fact—it was warm, tender, welcoming, like the waves of the ocean on a hot summer's day...

The ocean...

That's right. It was Aerith's voice, in the end.

"Costa Del Sol," she'd said so frankly. "I think it's time you took a break, don't you? I think you could do a lot of good just by being there, you know. There's someone I know that could really use your help. But why not take the kids along for the ride? I'm sure they'd love to get away from Midgar for a while, too!"

But what about Cloud? And the bar...? Questions she wanted to ask, but she seemed prepared for that, too. She always was.

"I'm sure Cloud would want to go, too. Why not just ask? Think of it like... a little family vacation. When's the last time you were there, anyway?"

... With you, Tifa thinks. But before she can voice as much, she's blinking her eyes open in bed, and the sun is already filtering through the cracks in the curtains and pouring into the room. It must still be early, because when she turns over, she sees Cloud sleeping soundly next to her, his breathing steady. And that was when she decided.

Of course, Marlene and Denzel were thrilled. Cloud questioned her several times before finally relenting, agreeing once she explained to him that they could afford to close up shop for a week. She would only have to stay open for an extra hour for a couple of weeks to make up for it, and promised that she wouldn't overwork herself before he could scold her for it. So, after some more begging on the part of the kids and a couple of days of preparations, the family set off for the resort town, calling Cid to take them there on the Highwind, to which he happily obliged. Any chance to get her up in the air, he'd chuckled loudly, and then took off without a warning.

It didn't take long for them to get there at all. Tifa had set the reservations, so while Cloud carried their bags up to their room with the help of Marlene and Denzel, she spoke with the man at the front counter to ensure that everything was in order. They would have the hotel room for the night, and a cabana for the days on the beach, and a resort house on the shore for their last two nights of the week. She's just finishing up when Tifa turns and—]

Oh—!

[—bumps into a poor, unsuspecting soul and Tifa drops her bag.]

I'm sorry. Are you alright?

[cryscere]

[ it's the sound of children that snaps lucrecia out of her miserable thoughts, a fleeting name that crosses her mind — sephiroth?! no... she had never known him as a child and too many years have passed now. he is dead; vincent told her as much. still, her head lifts as she hastily wipes the tears from her eyes. two children, a boy and a girl — and oh how her heart squeezes painfully to see them — follow a blond-haired man away towards the rooms. she doesn't recognize them — her eyes were closed when they visited her cave — and so she sees no reason to stay, where memories and regrets still plague her. breaths catching in her chest, she resolves to leave the lobby, try to find her way to midgar somehow.

where is that friendly voice when she needs it?

maybe if she can make it outside, she can breathe some fresh air and figure out what to do now. slowly pushing herself to her feet, as much to avoid the other people around her as to make sure her legs are steady enough to carry her, she wraps her arms around herself, her eyes on the floor. no one will recognize her now; it's been too many years and even if a family resemblance exists between herself and sephiroth — it does, the shape of his face and the way his hair framed it, not to mention the shape of his mako-tinged eyes, mirrors her own — no one would recognize him here. she's safe.

right...?

she isn't paying attention, lost again in her own thoughts. in fact, she's so distracted that she doesn't even see the woman turning by the counter and bumps straight into her. unsteady legs threaten to give out as her balance is thrown completely off and lucrecia reaches for the nearest table to keep herself upright. thank goodness her benefactor had the foresight to buy her a pair of pants instead of the skirt she'd worn in the lab back in the day. if she tumbles over in this, it won't be quite as mortifying.

she doesn't... but it's a close thing. ]

I'm so sorry, [ she offers reflexively, a mantra born of her long, lonely confinement. her voice is slowly returning to her but still sounds rusty with disuse. a moment passes, her fingers tightening on the table like a lifeline she desperately wants to cling to before she releases her hold and dips down to pick up the bag. offering it out as she straightens, she finally lifts her head to see who she bumped into.

lucrecia still doesn't recognize her and perhaps that's for the best. it would be far too uncomfortable if someone recognized her. ]

Here. [ voice cracking slightly as she desperately tries to put on a brave face, ignoring the fact that her eyes are rimmed with red from crying and her breaths are still caught painfully in her lungs and throat. she'd spent the last few decades encased in crystal; why is she feeling claustrophobic now? ] I was just stepping outside. I didn't mean to run into you.

[starshower]

No, that was my fault... I should've been looking where I was going.

[She takes the bag with a silent thanks—a smile of gratitude, but her fingers wrap around the woman's arm, meant to help steady her while she slings the strap of the bag over her shoulder.

Though, there's a pang of... something in Tifa's chest, and maybe in the far, far back of her mind when she finally lifts her eyes to look at her. She isn't sure what it is—it isn't something that she can easily place, but it's immediate, and it's visceral. Familiarity? Except she's not sure she's ever met this woman before. Pity? Guilt? She doesn't linger on it for too long, but there's that mild discomfort in her gut, like this is something that she should know.

Like a very distant memory that's trying to claw its way forward and remind her, but Tifa isn't sure if that memory exists.

It isn't just that, though. There's something in the woman's expression and in the redness in her eyes, and even the hoarseness in her voice, that worries Tifa.]

... Are you sure you're alright? I don't mean to sound rude, but... you're looking a little worse for wear. [Really, what she's trying to ask is:] Do you need help?

[cryscere]

I...

[ lucrecia is trying. gods know she's trying to figure out what possessed her to come here and bother anyone, to speak with this woman instead of running off like she hadn't noticed anything. but here she is and she's trying to talk to someone for the first time in decades. how does she even start?

unable to hide her thoughts, she gives her head a shake to clear her mind — it doesn't work. she absolutely isn't okay and needs any help she can get. the man whose chocobo she had brought back had been kind enough to give her clothes and a room to sleep in for a night, but he hadn't asked her if she needed anything, just foisted those on her and refused her protests. he had also left without making sure she would be okay later on, but that's how people are in rich, resort towns. they think about now and not later.

thinking about either is frightening for a person as lost as lucrecia is. her lower lip trembles and she bites down on it, but it doesn't help. ]

I don't know what to do, [ she finally admits, her gaze lowering to the floor, eyes reflecting a deeply wounded mind. lucrecia should absolutely not be left alone right now but she has no idea what she's doing or where to go from here. and she doesn't want to be a burden on someone else. ] Someone told me that I should go to Midgar, but this is as far as I got on my own. She said... she said a friend would meet me here, but I don't know who she was or who she wanted me to find.

[ another shake of her head. no, she shouldn't talk about it. what if someone thinks she's crazy? lifting her head, she manages an apologetic smile that looks like it's just a mask to hide her uncertainty, which it is. ] I'm sorry. It sounds so silly when I say it. I should go. I'm sorry for bothering you.

[starshower]

Wait.

[Something about what she says rings all too familiar in Tifa, and she doesn't mean to suddenly grab hold of the woman by the arm, and she's quick to pull back with a quiet apology. The whole reason she had booked this trip was because Tifa had dreams of an old friend the nights leading up to her decision, telling her to come to this place and find ways to help. She didn't know how or why, but she wasn't going to ignore the nudges sent to her from one of her dearest friends, and she wonders...

No, that sounds silly when she says it, which is why she doesn't.]

You're not...

[It's probably not going to help this poor woman in any way, is it? This insistence that she's absolutely no bother to Tifa, so she takes a short breath to recenter her thoughts, and smiles.]

... Do you know who this girl was? The one that told you to come here?

[cryscere]

[ the idea that this woman isn't laughing her right out of the inn is just as strange as her kindness. lucrecia's eyes widen slightly as she gives her head a gentle shake. if she had known the voice in her "dream," it would've made things easier. or harder, given she isn't exactly on friendly terms with anyone she once knew. not even vincent. ]

I don't know who she was. I was— [ in crystal stasis, locked away— ] —asleep at the time. I heard a voice. She was friendly and kind, but I don't think I'd ever met her before. I don't even know if she was there with me or if—

[ her voice trails off. or if she was just in my head rests unspoken between them.

a frown creases her brow as she considers something else and then she adds on, softly, as though she's just voicing a thought rather than actually offering an explanation to the woman in front of her: ]

Was it the Lifestream?

[ oh but that probably makes her sound crazier, doesn't it? lucrecia shakes herself again and plasters on an apologetic smile. ] I was camping in a cave at the time. I don't suppose you know anyone who would have been there?

[ she's mostly joking, but honestly, maybe there's a crumb here and her scientist's heart is a little bit curious as to what she actually heard, even if she still doesn't think she should have actually come. ]

[starshower]

[There's that nervous turning in her stomach. The Lifestream? And she mentions a cave...?

Tifa opens her mouth to say something, but she can hear Marlene and Denzel closing in as they rush down the stairs, and Cloud will likely be not far behind them. Right, they were immediately going to be heading down to the beach because the kids had begged and begged them until they relented. She was supposed to go upstairs, but never showed...

"Tifa! Where were you? We were waiting for you." Marlene comes down first in her swimsuit, her braid bouncing over her shoulder.

Denzel follows behind and stares at Tifa quietly, before he's turning his attention to the woman.

Cloud is third, and he tips his head at the two of them in that boyish way he always does. "Everything okay?" There's the slightest narrow of his eyes when they land on Lucrecia, but he says nothing else.]

Yeah. Everything's fine. I was just helping this woman out... But why don't you guys go ahead and I'll meet you on the beach, okay?

[Marlene and Denzel don't even need telling. Each of them grab Cloud by his hands and drag him out of there before he can say much of anything else to Tifa besides a "Are you sure?" to which she simply nods before her attention is back on Lucrecia.]

Sorry about that. They can get a little rowdy at times.

[A little is an understatement.]

Why... don't we find someplace to sit? Out on the sand?

[cryscere]

[ the commotion of the kids clamoring back down the stairs and into the lobby distracts lucrecia from her story, while adding to it another complex round of emotions. these kids are another reminder of things she had lost, though at least the loss of her son wasn't exactly her fault. hojo had simply taken him from her and that was that. what was he like as a child, she wondered idly. would he have been like the outgoing girl or the more reserved boy?

which parent would he have resembled...?

the man behind the children glances towards her, eyes narrowed, and she instinctively turns her head away. she is no one and she doesn't want to be perceived. ]

They're precious, [ she responds, a touch wistfully as she takes a few hesitant steps through the door. outside sounds like the best idea. a part of her just wants to run, to return to the cave and give up this entire thing, but another, stronger part is trying so desperately to believe that this woman might be able to help her. ]

I don't mean to take time away from your family, [ she continues, her gaze following the man and the two children as she walks through the sand. ] If they're waiting for you, you should—

[ a soft wind swirls around her then, like the comforting nudge just outside the cave, distracting her momentarily from that thought just as a pain spell hits her, the first since she awoke. she crosses her arms over her stomach, her face scrunched, but it's blessedly short and doesn't bring her to her knees this time.

could've been worse. she could be on the ground rather than trying to plaster on an apologetic smile for tifa. ]

I'm fine. [ but is she, though? her arms fall back to her sides and she gives herself a gentle shake. there's an empty table nearby, shaded by an umbrella, that looks like a good place for a conversation. she motions with one hand in that direction, unwilling to move too quickly lest she drag up something else from the dredges of her past. ] How's that table? It's far enough away that we can talk easily and it's shaded.

[starshower]

[Tifa shakes her head. With the kids now rushing towards the waves with Cloud in tow, shouting at them all to be careful and not to swim too far out, they have already forgotten about Tifa and the mystery woman. She can hear Marlene's high-pitched scream as Denzel splashes her, and she turns to spot Cloud wading into the waves after them, but it's when Lucrecia staggers with her hand across her stomach that she snaps her attention back.

She doesn't desperately ask if she's okay, but she does wrap a helpful, solid arm around her for support, should she need it, and looks in the direction of the table.]

Yeah. Let's go sit over there. Do you want anything to eat, or drink? My treat.

[cryscere]

[ the helpful arm of support is... exactly what lucrecia needed, but not what she had ever expected. a long, long time ago she had given up thinking that anyone would help her, or that they should, so to have someone just making a motion like that out of the goodness of their heart sends a pang of regret and loneliness through her body.

finally managing to straighten herself up again, giving her head a little shake to clear it and sending her mess of long thick hair flying, she begins to walk in the direction of the table. her steps are measured, though slower than they were, like she's picking her way carefully and expecting another burst of pain at the same time. one doesn't come, though, and she makes it to the table with no further trouble, sliding into a chair and resting her hands in her lap. ]

Hm? [ is someone actually trying to take care of her? it's something she hasn't had in far too long. ] I... I guess? Maybe just some water. [ her stomach growls then, dispelling the notion that she isn't hungry. but how can she ask what's good to eat when she hasn't been awake in decades? ] A small sandwich, maybe. Are you sure, though? I don't want to—

[ i don't want to be a burden hangs in the air between them, even though tifa has already said she isn't one. the woman made the offer. she wouldn't have done so if she didn't mean it... right? lucrecia's head tilts downward and slightly to the side, as though she might be able to hide behind her hair, rather than let her fear and worry show through on her face. ]

I wish I could do something for you. I'm just a stranger you bumped into. You have no reason to be so kind to me.

[starshower]

[Tifa ushers her to the table first, a small, reassuring smile passing over her expression.]

Don't need a reason to be.

[As far as she's concerned, the woman has done nothing to earn anything but... and Tifa has never needed a reason to be kind to anyone. That should simply be the default for everyone, shouldn't it? Even if it wasn't, she doesn't really have anywhere else to be right now. The plan was to hit the beach, and that's exactly what she's doing.]

I'll be right back with a water and a sandwich. Wait here, okay?

[And before Lucrecia can even get a word in, Tifa jogs off towards the bar across the street from the beach, returning a few minutes later with a pair of matching sandwiches and two bottles of water.]

Hope egg salad is alright. That was all they had left. Pretty busy over there today.

[As she sets it all down on the table, one for each of them.]

[cryscere]

[ tifa's first comment, "don't need a reason to be," receives the most confused expression from lucrecia. for a woman who worked for shinra, and was ridiculed for her theories and research, to be given support and kindness unconditionally is something of a shock. so much so that tifa has left the table by the time lucrecia can even formulate a response. egg salad is probably more than lucrecia usually ate on lunch breaks, even while she was pregnant - she was never very good at taking care of herself and hojo never cared whether she did or not.

vincent would have cared... but that situation was far too complicated and lucrecia finds her gaze turning back to the table. there's an imperfection in the plastic that she finds some comfort in, one finger drawn to it like a magnet, rubbing until tifa returns and recaptures her attention. ]

Thank you, [ she says softly, forcing as much of a smile as she can manage. it's... tiny; she barely knows how to smile anymore.

and, of course, now that she has something in front of her, the idea of food is rapidly making her stomach turn. but she has better manners than to refuse this kindness. maybe she'll pick at it while they talk and by the end she'll have managed to eat it all.

speaking of manners, another thought occurs to her. ]

I'm sorry; I didn't even tell you my name. [ mostly because she hadn't thought about it, but perhaps also partly as protection for herself. people close to shinra probably know of her because of chaos and the jenova project, although given how quickly sephiroth was removed from her care, maybe not. in the time since, she might have simply been swept under the rug, so to speak. shinra was always good at doing that.

all of that aside, she glances back up and presses another smile to her face, trying to feel it and give back even a sliver of the kindness she's already been presented with. even as her nerves flare at the idea that someone might hear her name and realize she is (was) with shinra. or that this woman might suddenly toss her into the ocean and run. ]

Lucrecia- [ a small pause as she debates whether or not to continue and then decides she's gotten this far, may as well jump in. ] -Crescent. Egg salad is wonderful. I- [ another soft pause as she shakes her head to gather her thoughts. she never was good at handling people as opposed to science and theory, but by god she's going to try. ] I appreciate your help. If I can do something in return, please... I would like to try.

[ as long as it doesn't require money, mostly because she still doesn't have any. once she's managed to earn some, she will gladly pay back anything that she can. ]

[starshower]

[What a curious woman.

Tifa watches her with no shortage of patience as she works through her thoughts, almost out loud. She keeps apologizing for things that have no bearing on anything, but she understands—she was like that once. Insecure, unsure of everything she did, always needing to apologize for fear of upsetting the other person. She's gotten better at it as time went on, but she still has her moments, so she simply shakes her head at Lucrecia.]

It's fine. [A hand presses to her chest, and she offers her warmest smile.] Tifa Lockhart.

[She motions to the beach where the others are still splashing around and playing together.]

That's Cloud, Denzel, and Marlene that you met earlier.

[Fondness laces her voice, but she's quick to turn her attention back to Lucrecia.]

You don't have to do anything in return.

[Again, she reminds Tifa so much of herself when she was much younger, it's almost startling.

There's another pause as she looks between her, the water, and the sandwich before she laughs and points to the unopened bottle.]

Actually, have some water. That's what you can do for me. And stop worrying so much about paying me back.