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Standing outside the bar for a breath of fresh air, Tifa immediately held onto Aerith's hand as a way to catch her attention. Aerith flicked a glance over to Tifa, finding an unusual sight. Tears dotted her cropped white top, breathing appeared hysteric.
"Tifa, what's gotten you so upset? There's a dark rain cloud over your head!" Aerith pouted, drawing a little closer towards Tifa. "The sun's out, why not take a walk to clear your mind?"
Hastily, Tifa shook her head, a frown on her face.
"Aerith, you remember that ghost we met yesterday?" Tifa questioned, holding a hand up to her chin. "Well," she shiffled, crimson eyes looking down to the ground "I had a nightmare...woke up at three in the morning..."
Stepping closer, Aerith tilted her head to one side gently. A smile curled along her cherry-pink lips, never fading away when she observed Tifa before her. A hand rose, thumb catching a teardrop that stroked Tifa's cheek.
"I'm sorry - you shouldn't see me cry," added Tifa, and then she took in a deep breath, her voice sounding shaky.
But jade eyes never left Tifa.
"It's okay," replied Aerith, while the brunette still collected falling teardrops from Tifa's pale cheeks. "You can tell me anything...and I'll listen, I promise."
"Thank you, Aerith. You're a true friend," she remarked, but those sweet words never stopped Tifa from crying. "I just...had a nightmare...and I felt like I failed Marlene. I just...I'm so worried about her. I know that she's in the bar, but I still...I saw her in that dream last night...and there was this empty feeling...I could feel sorrow."
"Tifa..."
"I know it sounds silly."
"The trouble with you is that you worry too much. So in touch with your feelings - I like that."
"It can be bad, though. I can always feel my heart racing when I worry...like I'm going to go crazy, and then my stomach hurts afterwards."
Taking Tifa's hand into her own, Aerith's fingers stroked along that soft, supple skin. When Aerith touched Tifa's hand, she could feel the woman's heartbeat. The beating appeared mad, and even full of emotion. Aerith could smell a perfume, too, and it smelled sweet. Emerald eyes stayed fixed on Tifa's face, just watching those tears fall one by one.
"Just let it all out. I'm here for you, Tifa."
"In this dream...Marlene ran into the fog, and I couldn't keep up with her. I was far behind her, and in seconds, I lost her," she explained, crimson hues locked on those jade orbs. "I couldn't sleep last night. I felt so scared."
"Oh, look!" Aerith exclaimed, cheery.
"What?" Tifa asked, looking a bit shocked.
Raising a hand, Aerith pulled out a stem of amber begonia flowers from behind Tifa's ear. These flowers were small, bearing no petals, and their colour appeared vibrant. Aerith still smiled, albeit this smile widened into a toothy grin. Aerith was always so cheeky.
"Look what I found in your hair! I never knew you collected flowers," she remarked sarcastically, showing Tifa the decoration of yellow flowers. "Begonia flowers represent how unique you are, the harmony you seek, and can also be a warning sign that you should stop crying," she explained.
"Oh, Aerith..." Tifa gasped, beginning to laugh. "Thank you so much. That's really nice of you!" Tifa gently took the stem of small flowers from Aerith. "Let's go back into the bar. I'll find a vase for this. There will be one somewhere," she giggled.
"Ah, Tifa! What are we going to do with you?" Aerith leaned inward, enveloping her hands around Tifa's slender arm. "If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm your girl. Got that?"
"Thank you," answered Tifa, a remaining giggle in her voice. "After I find a vase for this flower, let's go on that walk you suggested. You, me, and Marlene. Maybe Cloud could tag along for extra support."