#& i know sarastus has the best healer by her side (sorry alphinaud)

[sarastuss]

AUREATE GAZE IS UPON THE FLOWER, : THE WARM RAYS ENCOURAGE IT TO BLOSSOM FURTHER, to open fully &. reach for the skies! though in truth, as she observes her friend ; she knew little encouragement was needed. for be it her influence or of someone else, little hesitation was spotted upon aerith, even when about to venture into the unknown! no matter how dark it would get, the hero would be the guiding light. ... to her lighthearted tease, she nods again, &. though no audible chuckle is let out, it is clear upon DIVINE FEATURES that the statement was met in good spirits, &. acknowledgement of the truth. ( adventuring is a duty her soul has carried for centuries ; carrying on to this very day, even when title of the traveler was shed. )

SO THE WARRIOR OF LIGHT'S FEET CARRY HER FORWARD, : FOLLOWING THE TRAIL SET BY AERITH, &. also providing a good place to secure her safety, should it come to it. ( lighthearted as she may appear, she remains focused as ever. ) but even so, she can spare a gaze towards her friend as they venture forth, ... luminous gaze filled with kindhearted warmth. ❝ ever since i can remember. ❞ &. oh, doesn't that simple respond embed layers of truth to it! be it from the days of the unsundered world, or to the timeline she awoke to ; discovery, adventure, it has been a crucial part of golden soul. ( even when all else was forgotten, desire to do just that remained. ) ... a pause held, while eye contact is kept. ❝ before this, did you ever dream of adventuring out yourself? to seek more of the world outside the comforts of the area you know? ❞

                        the gaping maw looms before them, eager to swallow all into its abyssal depths. yet, with sarastus by her side — a radiant flame against the encroaching darkness — the void will surely retreat, yielding to the brilliance of the warrior of light, a vessel of the sun's essence. in her luminous presence, the path ahead feels less daunting, its terror softened. perhaps, it is her light that kindles within aerith the courage to step forward and into the role of leader, daring to forge a way forward.

❝ you're the adventurer, after all — this should be your area of specialty!   ❞ aerith teases with a soft, melody-like giggle, before turning to face the abyss that awaits them. there's no turning back now, no alternate path to escape on. if they are to reunite with the rest of the party, and avoid becoming the subject of a rescue mission, they must press onward. with a steadying breath, aerith closes her eyes for a fleeting moment.

with her stave cradled between her hands, aerith bows her head, bringing them together in a quiet gesture of prayer. a soft plea echoes within her mind, a whispered offering to the planet. whether it'll heed aerith's words or not, she cannot know — but still, she tries. asking for protection, for herself and sarastus, and for the planet's gentle guidance to lead them safely from the shadowed tunnels back to the light above.

❝ okay, follow me!   ❞ she calls out, her demeanor shifting abruptly back to one of buoyant energy and into her battle stance. glancing over her shoulder to ensure sarastus is close by, aerith ventures forth. ❝ so ... you've probably done this kind of thing before, right? ❞