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Aerith is standing before the room in Gold Saucer. She is restless and there are tickets for the rides in her hands. Tifa comes from behind but Aerith was expecting this.
Tifa: What are you doing here?
Aerith: Oh, nothing much. I've wanted to invite Cloud, but he's already asleep!
Aerith is pouting.
Tifa, looking at the tickets wistfully and then back to Aerith: "He does seem exhausted more than at Midgar here."
Aerith nods thoughtfully then her attitude changes, and she is her usual overly active self.
Aerith: If Cloud is asleep, and you don't have anything better to do, what about a friendly date? Just the two of us.
Tifa, surprised: Are you sure? Cloud can wake up any moment so you can still go together?
Aerith grasps Tifa's hands in hers.
Aerith: Of course I do. Let's have some good time together.
Tifa blushes but nod eagerly.
Tifa: yep, let's do it.
The girls leave the hotel and soon get to the rides. They quickly pick a ride with the smallest queue. Long minutes pass by and it's soon their turn. The crowd starts murmuring.
Murmuring: Isn't the girl all alone.
Murmuring: I'm not sure, maybe her parents just behind the corner?
Murmuring: Someone should help her?
Murmuring: But can't it be somebody from the end of the line? We've waited for so long.
Aerith and Tifa look around.
Murmuring: Isn't it irresponsible to leave your child alone in a place like this?
Aerith finally spots the girl and leaves the line by stepping over the rope. Tifa notices then girl too and follows.
Murmuring: See, somebody went to help her.
Murmuring: Ouch!
Murmuring: We could help too.
Murmuring: I still can't believe the girl's parents have left her all alone, so irresponsible.
Murmuring: I think someone from the end of the line should've help. Poor women have just stayed here for nothing.
Murmuring: They could've waited-
Tifa sits before the girl while Aerith is looking around for the child's parents.
Tifa: Hey, princess, are you OK?
The girl: Yes. Mum's just over there, she'll come back soon.
The girl is obviously lying.
Tifa: Do you know where reception is?
The girl shakes her head
Tifa troubled and chews on her lip.
Aerith sits beside them.
Aerith: See that map over there? Why don't you lead us there and then to the receptionist table?
The girl looks ashamed: I'm bad at maps.
Aerith: Then we'll have little adventure, OK? How's your name, princess?
The girl: Anya.
Aerith: Lead on, princess Anya.
Anya's pouting: I'm not a princess.
Aerith: Aren't you?
Anya shakes her head: I'm a hero like Sephiroth!
Aerith and Tifa look at each other and then chuckle.
Tifa: Good, Hero Anya, head on to the map.
Anya nods and goes to the map.
They create a route through a different easy- to-see places to the closest reception, so Anya can lead at all times. The receptionist makes an announcement and Anya's parents come in no time. Anya leaves with them waving to Tifa and Aerith goodbyes.
Tifa sighs tiredly. She's stretching up and Aerith is subtly staring.
Tifa: So should we go back and pick a-
Tifa's stomach growls. Tifa looks extremely embarrassed. Aerith chuckles.
Aerith: Let's have something to eat first. I've heard that any local snack is ten times better than food in the slums.
Tifa smiles weakly: Honestly? Any food is better than in the slums.
Aerith pouts: It's awful to hear from a bartender, you know?
Tifa laughs. Aerith looks in-love.
Aerith: Hey! I see a stall over there, let's go, don't lost too!
Tifa, embarrassed from the contact, follows Aerith.
Aerith and Tifa wait in line and look out at the menu at the far.
Aerith: can you see anything?
Tifa: Not much - only names. Don't know what half of them means.
Aerith, sad: and the prices bite too.
Tifa nods.
Aerith: Let's then just pick two of the cheapest one.
Tifa: I'm not sure-
Stall worker: Good evening, dear guests, what are you going to order.
Aerith pointing at the menu: this one and this.
Aerith pays, and the worker brings out food. Tifa looks at it and takes one dish. The girls leave the stall.
Aerith: Do you know what it is?
Tifa: No, but I'm not eating yours. It tastes like a mix of acid and sugar.
Aerith: It's one of my favourite, tho.
Tifa nods: It's not affected by water quality for sure.
Aerith quickly takes a bite of Tifa's food. She suddenly yelps and starts breathing quickly.
Tifa worried: Aerith? Do you need something? Have you burned yourself?
Aerith shakes her head and is breathing quickly. She finally drinks some water from Tifa's bottle and calms down.
Aerith: Spicy. I'd better eat my acid and sugar.
Tifa looks awkward but sits down back on the bench. She looks contemplatively at her food. Aerith is watching Tifa with curiosity.
Aerith: If you want I can sh-
Tifa quickly takes a bite of her food. She immediately throws the carton with the rests of it to the bin and bends in two on the bench.
Aerith looks at her with understanding.
Aerith showing at her food: Acid and sugar?
Tifa nods few times, still bent in two. Aerith is watching her patiently.
When Tifa is finally fine Aerith passes her the food.
Tifa: Thank you.
Aerith silently smiles.
Aerith looks away and on the clocks.
Aerith: Are we still going to that ride? We should hurry if we want to sleep at least a bit until tomorrow morning.
Tifa shakes her head. She doesn't look at Aerith - to shy.
Tifa: Let's better go to ferris wheel. I think we still can see the fireworks.
Aerith, now shy too: Yep, let's go to ferris wheel.
The place was surprisingly empty.
Tifa: It looks like we've missed all the line...
Aerith grabs Tifa's hand in her two: It doesn't have to mean we won't have a ride, right?
Tifa, lost: Of course.
Aerith smiles at her and drags her to the entrance.
Aerith: You aren't afraid of heights, are you?
Tifa shakes her head: Only ghosts.
Aerith: Then it's good there aren't any that high, right?
Tifa: I wonder.
Tifa shivers from the thought and Aerith chuckles at her.
The gondola's doors open and Aerith jumps into it.
Aerith: Shall we?
Tifa smiling takes Aerith's hand and walks into gondola too. Aerith sits on a place and taps beside her. Tifa sits there shyly. They're awkward at first but then Aerith spots the steering wheel and tries using it. It makes both girls look around in awe. They go past the alien space battle ride and Tifa grabs the wheel to make a quick save. She has to release one hand when Aerith falls on her by inertia.
They're looking at each other, not speaking.
Tifa: Ah... Maybe we should-
Aerith surges forward and kisses Tifa on her lips.
***
Aerith and Tifa look at each other at loss. Both look at the other's eyes trying to gauge what the other is thinking. Then they step back. The gondola's going down, and they don't have much time left.
Tifa and Aerith: I-
Aerith: You say-
Tifa: You first-
Aerith: No, you. I need to know what's on your mind.
Tifa: I thought... I've thought you are into Cloud.
Aerith nods: It's hard not to, it's Cloud, SOLDIER 1st class, after all.
Aerith breathes out a laugh.
Tifa: But then why?
Aerith: I am attracted to Cloud. And you. Even my feelings for Zack haven't completely gone.
Tifa: Oh.
Aerith smiles sadly. The gondola stops.
Aerith: Let's go. We need at least some sleep. We much to do tomorrow.
The girls exit gondola and head to the sleeping rooms. Though neither has enough sleep nor they can make a look that everything is perfect. Luckily most of their companions come up with a reason of their own.