Light, and Darkness (Aerith)

[Solo Rose]

Solo walked around the outskirts of the city, in a flowered place his scythe held firm in his grip. He wanted to know more about the mysterious creatures that he had seen in the city those storm like creatures, so he went walking around the city, and he found himself in a garden of sorts. His silver hair shone in the faint patches of sun that glimmered through the clouds, and his golden eyes were always bright, alive, and vibrant with life. He looked like a good enough kid at first glance, but there was an inner darkness that he didn't let the world see the true side of him that he kept hidden from the world. If he went about with his real intentions then well he would be attacked at every turn. It was good to be discreet.

A variation of aroma's floated from the flower's, and filled his nose with their peaceful, and soothing scents. This was a place of relaxation, and he felt at peace here for some reason nothing seemed to bother him. Finding a nearby tree he placed his shoulder on the trunk of the tree, and stood against it letting it support his weight. He absentmindedly twirled his scythe in the air, and he smiled at this. His weapon pulsed with its Dark Aura making this area of peace seem more gloomy than it usually was. The bandages on his arms from his training came loose at the ends, and hung past his arms as he looked around thinking.

[Secret Agent Cat]

Gathering. That was what the young woman was doing, but what was she gathering? Flowers. Flowers of all kinds and wonders. Plants as well, but the pretty ones stuck out to her the most. Basket in hand she lightly skipped, though it was more of a walk, through the fields of grass and wildflowers. The glistening sun making her glow more than she already did and a few times she knelled down to pick some flowers. Some herbs or too, though she grew those around her home.

Looking up at the sky, she felt a chill come over her. Was the weather turning for the worse? Emerald eyes looked up at the sky. There were no gray clouds to be seen. The sky was blue and peaceful with a few clouds. But..darkness loomed here. Or was it simply her mind? "It's just your mind, Aerith.. It's a beautiful day." She said out loud to herself.

Standing up, she turned around and saw someone sitting underneath a tree nearby. Was he what she had felt? The wind whistled around her, ruffling her hair and skirt. A small chill was sent over her as she reached up putting a loose strand of hair behind her ear as her eyes glistened in the sun. Her eyes upon the man. Something was off about him, but she couldn't place her tongue on it. Intuition perhaps. But, she did always try to find the best in everybody. Whether their intentions were a bit off from others. She quietly smiled to herself. She had been contemplating if she should go up to him. Her decision?

Yes.

She made her way over towards him, walking through the tall grass of the field. Sitting underneath the same tree this man was under was something she had always enjoyed. Especially with a book. It wasn't often she found someone else beneath it.

[Solo Rose]

As he stood under the tree, he noticed a girl walking around the flower garden picking up flowers, and plants. She was an average looking girl though her ears were slightly pointed, and her hair was a darker shade than a normal brown, though thats what it looked like to him, it was hard for him to tell colors in the sun. She had stopped for a moment as if sensing something in the air, then she resumed her flower picking duties. Thats when she finally noticed him, even from where he was standing he could feel the light that was in her, and it made him feel uncomfortable. The closer she got to him the more could feel the light in her heart. After a few moments the girl had joined him under the tree, and she was sitting down underneath it.

In a reaction to the great light that was within her heart the darkness in his heart flared to life within him. Being so close to a being of the light, made him want to run away, but he was curious as to her reason for coming near to him. Certainly she could sense the darkness within him, but why would she come closer. This intrigued him, and from her looks she wouldn't be able to cause him any harm she looked to frail, but looks could be deceiving, she might have the ability to destroy him with a single finger, or she could be harmless. Standing there staring at her emerald eyes with his golden ones, a slight breeze wafted over to them blowing his clothes, and hair around.

"Why did you come closer, i am sure you sensed what was within me, yet you came anyway explain yourself." he said with a mixture of curiosity, fear, and anger.

He was curious as to why she would purposely expose herself to a person on the opposite side as she was on. Fear that she might try to turn him into good, or make him feel like he wasn't enough, and angry for allowing himself to consort with her despite how much her inner light bothered him. To his knowledge he was the only human that had chosen the path of discord, and he was curious as to her reasons for coming here.

[Secret Agent Cat]

[avatar]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h276/windrider28/aerith3.png[/avatar]

The dark haired girl had walked underneath to the shade of the tree where the man was standing, a foot or two away she had leaned against the tree as well. Somewhat on another side of the tree this light hearted girl didn't seem to falter from this man's presence. Smiling to herself she looked up through the leaves of the tree, looking at the light that did sink through the leaves. It was a beautiful effect. The effect that the light had on the dark leaves, they were almost see through. You could see the texture of the leaf, of the steam that was in the middle of the leaf.

Why did you come closer, I am sure you sensed what was within me, yet you came anyway explain yourself.

Still smiling she began to answer the man, "There is much hidden within one's heart, one's mind. One's body. Such that they may not know it themselves, that perhaps others can seek out." She explained, still staring up at the leaves. The light wind, continued to whistle through her brown strands of hair and her pink dress. A few petals let lose from the flowers inside of the lady's basket, blowing past the mysterious man.

Removing her eyes from the branches and leaves of the tree they were standing underneath, Aerith looked at the man. For what seemed for the first time. When she had approached him, she couldn't see his face. She had decided not to, his presence was all that seemed to matter to her. It had aided her in her approach, in her words. But now, her green eyes seemed to look through the man. Some would say, she looked through the essence of someone. Through what they were, what they looked liked. And tried to see the light. Though, it might be deep down. Way down, somehow, though it took awhile, she saw the good in them. Had she seen the good in this man yet far? Perhaps. But, who could know?

"It's a beautiful day, is it not?" She asked, looking away. Towards the sky. Towards the white clouds, the blue sky. The majestic sun. It was truly a spectacular day. One that was to be enjoyed. And, she felt this man envied its beauty. It's peacefulness that was hidden in its soft hues and vibrant greens. Perhaps, this same peacefulness was also inside this man's heart? Wasn't it in everyone's?

[Solo Rose]

This girls response was trivial, but he quickly deciphered its meaning, and he gave a laugh. This was not a heat felt, or goodnatured laugh though, this was a cruel laugh that practically oozed evil, and darkness. She thought she would be able to see the light in him, but he would prove her wrong there was no light left in him, and if there was he would soon bury it beneath the darkness. He made his choice long ago, and he was not one to go back on his word so now he would have to tell her how wrong she was. This thought brought him some pleasure.

"If what you are saying is that you are trying to see the light in me, or that there is good in everyone you are sadly mistaken. There are those who embrace the darkness we thrive from it, it gives us strength, and in turn we spread discord, and chaos throughout the realm. I am, but the first of many, others will follow me later, but no matter what i will always be the first. If you try to see the light in me you might as well try to find a needle in a haystack because there is no light left in me. I killed my light long ago so that only the dark would remain. An agent of chaos is what this world needs, and i will supply it. I will go down in history, as a villain to some, and a hero to others." he said laughing his cruel malicious laugh at her.

Then she talked about the day being nice, and well he figured that she deserved a reply to this after all maybe he would garner some insight to who she was. The darkness in him never faltered for a moment it stayed strong, as he looked over at her the light seeming to shine through the leaves. In this light she was a very attractive girl, but he paid this no mind, there were plenty of pretty girls in the world.

"Yes this day is nice." he said simply not saying anything more to her as he looked away, and stared up at the sky.

[Secret Agent Cat]

[avatar]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h276/windrider28/aerith3.png[/avatar]

Are sins ever forgiven?

She was not afraid. His evil did not scare her. One might not guess why though. His laugh though, maybe subconsciously, didn't send chills up her spine but instead it awoke something. She had always been a trivial girl. One that perhaps belonged in a fairytale.

"Darkness," she began. "Cannot live without light and light cannot live without darkness. There is always a shadow within the light and light with a shadow. They co-exist. Though, one may choose to not embrace one of them. They both exist." She explained to the man. Though, her way of thinking may be naive. She chose to believe this way of thinking, because in her mind it brought for a better happier life. She accepted that there was darkness, that there was evil people. People who stole, who treated others. But, the light would always shine after. Much like night and day. After day, darkness struck but with each night came day again. It was a process, a thing that happened naturally.

She looked over at him again, "See, you already accept the peace of nature. That is a step." She said to him, then quietly giggled to herself. "I'm sorry, I get lost in thought. In my seriousness of such a matter, but I didn't catch your name, young warrior." She cleared her throat some, stopping herself from laughing.

"I am Aerith."

Aerith couldn't help but smile at the man, to shine her light on him so he could see his own.

she will save me in the oceans of her dream

[Solo Rose]

Listening to her talk about the light, and the dark, and her viewpoint on the things that made this world revolve around itself he gave another cold laugh. Shaking his head at her explanation he moved around the tree so that he was in front of her his golden eyes boring into her emerald ones like he was looking directly into her spirit he had to make this clear to her that he was evil, and that after he left her today that they would be enemies, maybe. His scythe pulsed with its Dark Aura again making the air around them chill with its cruel power he wanted to make her believe him although he doubted she would. Staring at her again he smiled a wicked smile.

"What you speak of is balance, nothing more, nothing less. For every being of light there must be a being of the dark. There is no light left in me. I chose my path long ago, and while the others might be abled to be saved, i am beyond salvation for i am the original, i am the first human to choose this path. There is no saving me." he spoke the words with finality. "With this being said, once we depart here today the next time we meet we shall be enemies." he finished looking at her.

"No me observing a peaceful day is not a step towards the direction of the light, it just simply means that i am human." was all he said to her his face indifferent as he spoke to her. His face was a mask that could not be seen through, and it was always like this while he analyzed something his face would become smooth, and flawless. Then he heard her next question she wanted to know his name, but should he tell her, should he get close to this girl knowing that he might have to kill her on the field of battle. Pushing these thoughts aside with relative ease he wondered if he should tell her.

"My name is Solo Rose."

[Secret Agent Cat]

[avatar]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h276/windrider28/aerith3.png[/avatar]

A frozen ocean joins our hearts

Aerith looked into his golden eyes with her own as he had moved from the other side of the tree to stand in front of her. She listened as he explained that what she had spoken about was nothing more then balance. But, wasn't there balance in hearts as well? That, everyone committed good and bad even though they were probably unaware of it. She smiled at him as he said that him admiring nature only meant that he was human. But, if he was human then he was capable of good. That there was in fact light inside of him. Her eyes did not move away from his, for at this moment in time she was not afraid of him. For, whether he liked it or not whether he said that he was totally and entirely evil, that there was indeed light inside of him and she saw it.

"But, if there is balance in nature. Balance between light and darkness," she paused. "Then, there is balance inside our hearts, inside of yours." She said to him as she placed her hand lightly on his chest. "And, it will always be there, whether you know it or not." She added, removing her hand from his chest and letting her arm fall to her side.

"I would hope to never encounter the day, where we would be enemies." She then smiled at him, her eyes halfway closing as she did. Her smile was bright and vibrant. She smiled for him, because she saw the hope where he might be saved. That perhaps she could be his saviour (instead of the other way around, since she was usually the damsel in distress). She envisioned another life where they might be friends, that he was not evil. That there was light in his heart and that he saw it. She smiled for hope. Because that was all she could do, hope. Hope brought happiness. Hope brought light.

In Aerith's mind, her world, there was hope for this man; Solo Rose.

[/size]

[Solo Rose]

He could already tell that he would be hard pressed to change this woman's mind, but he would keep trying. For some reason she still believed that he had some good in him though he told her that he had chosen the path to darkness a long time ago. She was still trying to see the good in him though he knew there was none left in himself she wanted to believe, and that only made him more inclined to prove her wrong. She didn't even seem that afraid of him at all he would have thought that the darkness in his heart would have made her feel uneasy around him, but she must be more powerful than he gave her credit. Staring at her he wanted to prove her wrong just all the more.

"There is no balance in me, because i gave up my light a long time ago to pursue the darkness. I chose this path of the dark for the freedom it gave me no longer, am i slave to the light i am free to choose. I was the first, and i always will be, but no matter how much you want to believe you have to realize there is no hope for me." he said still staring at her.

To be honest he didn't ever want to see the day where he would have to meet her on the battlefield it would be a shame to kill such a beautiful creature. He might even feel pity, but for now he would not dwell on such thoughts turning his sight away from her he looked out at the garden that was layed out in front of him. Not even realizing what he was saying he started to speak.

"You know I always felt different even as a kid I knew something was off, and so did my parents, thats why they let me do whatever i wanted. I was born with a dark heart, I could have changed later, and chosen the light, but i didn't want too I liked being different to much it separated me from the rest of the world. It was a feeling that I enjoyed, and never wanted to give up. Can you understand that? Wanting to stand out in the world, to leave your mark whether it be good or bad. I am sure you do." he finished turning to stare back at her.

[Secret Agent Cat]

[avatar]http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h276/windrider28/aerith3.png[/avatar]

He continued to persuade her that he was indeed evil, but she still didn't believe. Her heart would not let her. She knew he was bad, that he was evil but she choose to see the lighter side of him. The side that enjoyed the scenery. One could be evil and good at the same time, did they not? The man, Solo Rose, turned around looking out across the bright green scenery that they stood in. How the grass danced and the daisies flowed.

She remained where she was as she listened to what he had to say next. Feeling for him, she moved forward and reached for his right hand. She placed her hand lighting inside of his. "Different doesn't always mean you are evil, everyone is different," she said smiling towards him, holding his hand. "I do understand that you want to be different, you are. I am." She looked up at him now, then to the sky. Almost as if she was praying for him, she closed her eyes.

[Solo Rose]

She placed her hand in his, and he didn't take it away despite how much his body, and mind told him too even the darkness was screaming at him to take his hand from hers. Something about this girl entranced him, but he knew it could never be, so he quickly jerked his hand away from hers jumping a few feet away, and landing softly on his feet his scythe at the ready. He was in a battle stance like he was preparing for a battle, but it was only him, and her. She was smiling at him as she took his hand, and he had felt something weird it was a feeling he had never known before. A look of disgust was now upon his face, as he reflected on what had just happened.

Do...I....have....a.....crush....on.....her? this thought flashed across his mind before he threw it against the mental barriers of his mind, and crushed it out of his thoughts.

When he first saw her he had thought her beautiful, and he could see the folly of his ways the more he thought about them. How could he ever like her she was of the light, and he was of the dark two conflicting forces that would never be able to stop fighting each other. She had made her choice, and he had made his. She chose the valiant path of the light, and he chose the powerful path of the dark. They were enemies by nature, no matter what she chose to say to him or see in him. The fact was that they were too different he was her enemy. He had become frustrated with himself for having a moment of weakness in front of this woman. His golden eyes flared to life with a vibrant energy that hadn't been there before, they were now like two gold flickering flames.

"Do you know that I could crush your life out of existence, that I could take my weapon here, and slice you into teeny, tiny, bits. You would be helpless. Why do you continue to say that I am good?" he said as he stared at her his golden eyes still alive.

[Secret Agent Cat]

Aerith was a bit surprised that he had not moved away at first, but instead it took him a moment to process what was happening. She giggled slightly, moving her hand to her mouth covering it as she let out little laughs. He had jumped away as he jerked his hand away from hers. This. Was what she had expected him to do. He stood a few feet away, ready to attack her. Even though in her heart and mind she knew he would not. Even with his rough exterior and intentions, he would not hurt her.

Do you know that I could crush your life out of existence, that I could take my weapon here, and slice you into teeny, tiny, bits. You would be helpless. Why do you continue to say that I am good?

His words were just empty lies to this young woman. She knew he could, that he had the power to. But, did he have the mind? The heart to? The conscious to cut her life away? If he did, he would have killed her by now. Would have ripped her pure heart right out of her chest. His eyes flickered like a billowing flame, mesmerizing at first. Her own green eyes reflected the person who she was, and so did Solo Rose's own golden eyes. Yet, they also depicted the golden light inside of him.

"Because, you do not believe it." she said to him as she turned towards the tree and places her basket of flowers underneath the tree, near its roots. She placed her hand on the bark of the tree, like she was somehow connecting with the tree. "But, I suppose I can't persuade you, now can I?" She said, turning her head to look over her shoulder at him. She gave him another smile, tilting her head as she did so. "But, it's nice to believe that in another world, another life. There is the possibility that we could be friends."

[Solo Rose]

He was growing so tired of her talking about how he was not truly evil he wanted to show her that he was. Running up to her twirling his scythe in his hand, the darkness in his heart pulsed harder than it had before, and a slight hue of darkness coated his body as he descended upon the girl with nothing, but malice in his heart. Close enough he stopped in front of her, and held the blade of his weapon against her neck, not hard enough to draw any blood, but enough to show that he meant evil. It would be so easy for him to slit her throat, but he didn't do it for some reason. Instead he stared at her with his golden eyes, and he let his voice lower so that only she could hear him, even though it was just the two of them.

"You don't understand what goes on in my head, or my heart I'm not even sure I do at the moment. You are different from the rest, but be sure of this Aerith, we couldn't be friends in any world or time, it just would not be possible." his voice was cold, and menacing as he spoke to her.

Taking his blade away from her neck he turned around, and began to walk away the dark pulse that illuminated his body remained barely visible around him. Though he would never admit he desperately wished that the two of them could be friends, or maybe more, but this was buried deep within the dark confines of his heart where no light shone. He wanted her to call him back, but he kept walking through the garden away from her.

"Goodbye Aerith, hope we meet in the future." he said in barely a whisper.

[White]

Aerith
+2 Cunning

Synthesis Materials
Bright Stonex3