3rd POV:
'Excerpt of a failed 'round' ':
''Do you trust me?,'' Nox asked her.
''I do,'' Aerith replied immediately.
Oh, damn. That quickly? Now Nox felt a little guilty for not sharing more with her. But to be fair, telling her about his most powerful ability, time travel (even if limited), was like opening a can of worms.
As for everything else, she just needed to ask or a situation needed to arise where he would not hesitate to tell her more.
''Then accompany me to the spot the Planet told us to visit,'' Nox requested from her.
''But...I don't know,'' Aerith began a little unsure,''It was one thing to go to that Chocobo Farm, but Mideel is very far away. I don't think they'll let me go away.''
''...So you never wanted to visit Kalm, like we said we would?,'' Nox asked her.
''Well... I will never say 'never', but I'm just a little afraid that going to Mideel will cause mom trouble,'' Aerith explained.
''...Without you and the Planet guiding you I will probably have to inspect every nook and cranny. It will take ages. Please Aerith? I will take on and resolve any trouble that arises from this act, trust me,'' Nox tried convincing her.
Aerith looked thoughtful. She was half convinced, half hesitant.
''Besides, we will only go out of Midgar a bit and then fly there,'' Nox told her. They were in her room, so there wasn't much space, but he summoned his Mako wings and folded them to his body.
''I suppose I could beg Tseng to give me that. Oh! I could explain to him that we are going to Kalm,'' Aerith told him. What little ...gift she has gotten from him, in regards to him allowing her to go to the Chocobo Farm, probably dried up all good will for a time. She understood why. He was in a difficult position. President Shinra probably was very demanding about her... safety and availability by being in Midgar.
He made a small face. A grimace. He didn't like the sound of that, her begging. It must be humiliating to her.
...Well, it was work. It was not like they would actually go to Kalm. And he didn't want the Turks eyes closer on them then they already were. They still had some breathing room, but her begging to go to Mideel could very well cause them to watch them 24/7 every day, all day.
They could do without that.
''Hey! None of that. I won't mind doing that, especially if it is for a good cause,'' Aerith pouted. He wasn't forcing her, so it was entirely her decision to make. And from what she gathered Shalua was vital to his... though she supposed it was their plans now. She wanted to carry her own weight.
Besides, she could use that opportunity to give Tseng her final letter to Zack. She still hadn't gotten around to doing that.
''I...appreciate the sacrifices you make,'' Nox told her, knowing better then to argue.
She smiled victoriously.
''Better,'' she nodded.
---
On her way to find Tseng, she stumbled upon someone that she hadn't seen in a while. Angeal. He descended from the sky and trotted up to her.
Well... more like a weird dog monster-not-monster that had some of Angeals genetic material and also had wings, but also was not quite Angeal.
...
It was confusing.
She knelt down and scratched the dogs head a bit while he happily panted.
''Oh! Say, do you know where Zack is?,'' she asked him.
The dog whined, but she had the impression he did so not because he didn't know where he was, but because he didn't want her to know. That was just as well. She was not too hurt by that, all that mattered was the letter getting to Zack.
''Very well, then don't tell me, but could you take this letter to him. It is important and it would really mean a lot to me,'' Aerith told him holding out the letter.
The dog barked and grabbed the letter with it's maw carefully. Afterwards it jumped on her to hug her and Aerith had, again, the strange impression that this will be the last time they will ever see each other. She made sure to hug him extra tight.
They weren't particularly close friends. He just happened to come an go every now and then, this time he was gone for the longest time and she half expected to never see him again.
Still...goodbyes are never easy even between distant friends.
She knew she could not stop him from going. And if her hunch was correct, then probably to his death as well.
After the hug ended he flew away and Aerith stared after him.
''Goodbye,'' Aerith said out loud, her voice small.
When he was finally out of sight, she began making her way to Tseng again.
---
''Here,'' Aerith pointed at the ground. They were some distance away from Mideel.
The area looked pretty unassuming. Just the average jungle and foliage.
''Anything particular we are looking for?,'' Nox knelt down and inspected the ground.
''The planet says that we should dig a while,'' Aerith told him.
He rolled his eyes. God and their whims. Annoying, but deserved for those with power can do what they want.
Humanity should count themselves lucky that most gods were kind or impartial to them. And the rest, those who were malicious, were either beaten or taken care of by said kind gods, be it by themselves or through employing champions.
Like WEAPONS.
''Then let's dig, dig, dig a hole, We can never dig too deep,'' he sang blandly for a bit and created a Mako shovel. Without much other fanfare he began digging.
''Is that from a song?,'' Aerith asked playfully,''Have you considered becoming a singer?''
''It is from a song, but I heard it so long ago I have forgotten where I heard it and I will make a terrible singer,'' he told her.
''Shame. If you bother to inflect some emotion into your voice, I think you would make a good singer,'' Aerith told him.
''Maybe one day. What about you? Your voice is naturally soft and pretty nice to listen to as well. There are some songs you would be great at singing, I'm sure,'' Nox commented.
''I will stick to being a florist, but I wouldn't mind trying at least for one song,'' Aerith told him.
Nox hummed. Should he invite her to a karaoke outing? Do the people here even have those things?
''Oh! Look,'' Aerith pointed when there was something white in the earth.
At least he didn't have to dig too depp.
''This... is a Shinra employee ID card. Specifically a Turk,'' Nox observed after inspecting the card.
''Well? What do you thing that means?,'' Aerith asked him.
''A Turk wouldn't just lose their ID like this. And for that matter, how did it get so deep underground? Give me a moment,'' Nox said and began digging again.
''Is that... a human bone?,'' Aerith asked after a while of him digging and eventually stumbling upon something. He held it in his hands.
''Yes. There was a battle here... and whoever killed them buried them under the earth, probably with an Earth Materia,'' Nox had to guess.
''So... Shinra was the one to kidnap Shelke?,'' Aerith asked him.
''Probably. What other conclusion can we make if the Planet wanted us to find this specifically. But... something went wrong and someone attacked them and I would bet my right arm that it was over Shelke. Does she say anything else?,'' Nox asked her and began thinking.
The planet could have just told them that Shelke was dead otherwise.
Or was this an elaborate goose chase where the Planet wanted to fulfill something specific and this was never about Shelke at all for her. In that case, the joke will be on them in the end. But Nox doubted that the Planet would actively hinder his efforts to gather a team and make a better energy reactor, one that did not extract Mako. A very finite and harmful resource to extract from the planet, as all the vegetation around any immediate Mako Reactor has proven.
Nox doubted that, so Shelke had to still be alive and Shinra and this unknown party both wanted her for some reason.
''Give me a moment,'' Aerith put her hands in a prayer and closed her eyes.
''No, she says that we can solve it from here by ourselves,'' Aerith replied.
''She may not be wrong about that. If nothing else we now have a trail to follow,'' Nox commented,''I doubt we will find anything else here, specifically about the other party. We should return to Midgar and gather our thoughts.''
Aerith nodded easily agreeing.
---
Nox hummed.
He was right that the Turks now watch them 24/7. Like obnoxiously so. And he was not exempt, because he killed that Black Dragon so he was a person of interest... on top of already being a person of interest, because he associated with Aerith.
In other words, if he snuck away and did his business as Zero they may catch on, sooner or later, by noticing 'coincidences'.
So be it then.
Nox summoned his sword.
'Exceprt of a failed 'round' end'
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
''Found a Shinra employee ID card. Specifically one belonging to a Turk,'' Nox informed Aerith once he came back.
''That was fast. You left just this morning,'' she pointed out.
''Meh. I guess you described the spot well enough over the phone. Or I was just lucky. I didn't want to leave your here alone all bored,'' Nox joked a littled.
She wasn't the only one that possessed knowledge she shouldn't have. Heh, now that he thought about it. That was both their specialty in a way. Just their method differed.
''I wasn't bored. But I was worried,'' Aerith easily admitted. And she wasn't, bored that is. Angeal the dog-not-dog came over and she could give him her letter to Zack and she spent some time teaching another class of students about flowers and sold some flowers as well.
''Thank you. But I'm used to danger like this. Remember? I left my village with 11 and faced countless dangers,'' Nox tried to assuage her fears.
''Still worried,'' Aerith pointed out and crossed her arms behind her back. Just because his insanity didn't get him killed till now, did not mean it wouldn't get him killed one day or another, if he continued like this.
''Alright, I get it. I'm careful even when I do put myself in danger,'' Nox replied defensively.
Aerith hummed unconvinved.
''So, what now? This is a trail we can follow. No? Shinra was the one to abduct Shelke,'' she decided to change the subject.
''Or was. Remember, I found human remains buried with an Earth Materia. Someone else also had an interest in Shelke,'' Nox pointed out.
''A lot of people seem to have an interest in this one person,'' Aerith muttered thoughfully.
Nox gave her an incredulous look.
''What?,'' Aerith asked him confused and then the realization hit her,''Shelke and I are not the same at all.''
Nox incredulous look intensified.
''Oh, shut up, will you?,'' Aerith grumbled.
''In any case, we don't know anything about the other party. But this is Shinra we are talking about. They wouldn't let a case like this open and uninvestigated,'' Nox remarked.
''You plan on sneaking into Shinra?,'' Aerith asked him afraid for his safety.
''Wouldn't be the first time I did this,'' he lowly muttered,''The Turks are good, but I'm better.''
Aerith stared at him for a moment and then sighed in frustration.
''I thought I would do more then just sit around all day and wait for you in worry,'' Aerith muttered.
''Sorry. I really don't mind including you in all this and my other plans for I know you are plenty capable yourself, but you just got unlucky with this one. It needs a delicate touch, the hand of someone experienced in those matters,'' Nox tried pacifying her and gave her an apologetic expression,'' And besides. You already helped me immensely with Mideel. Otherwise I wouldn't have a trail at all. Don't sell yourself short.''
Aerith shook her head and then made a determined expression.
''You're totally right. Then do your thing and afterwards we will go after Shelke together,'' Aerith told him.
Nox nodded.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was a little tight, but he was lean enough to fit through the vent shaft. Guess his desire to prioritize speed over strength paid off, what with his athletic built.
Now, if he remembered correctly, the way to the Documents Room was that way. Nox turned at an intersection to the right. He was moving a little slowly so he wouldn't make any noise and attract the attention from those underneath.
''NO! You morons, transport the specimen in the special containment chamber I prepared for her. The one in my personal lab. If the specimen turns bad because of your doing, I will log in a complaint to the President,'' Nox recognized that obnoxious voice.
Hojo.
Nox looked through the gaps in the vent and watched as people transported something to somewhere. The same feeling he experienced all those years ago washed over him and he tensed, expecting those black shadowy entities to attack him again.
He was stronger now, much stronger, but it was still ...noteworthy that the feeling washed over him again at all after all this time and where it might come from. His second power, he never made any headway with?
Well, in any case; Nox thought as he watched Jenova get transported; he will have to much more mindful now, every time he sneaks into Shinra HQ.
...
''Rude, Reno, Cissnei it's good that I found you guys. I've just gotten word that some specimens escaped from Nibelheim. The President fears that they may cause mayhem and tarnish public image as well as the fact that someone else might find them first and use them for their own ends. We are tasked with finding them first and capturing them back and failing that, neutralize them. One Subject C and Z,'' Tseng informed them while he stumbled upon them in the hallway.
Oh? Nox stopped crawling through the shaft and listened.
''Do you think-?,'' Cissnei began.
''It doesn't matter. President Shinra gave us that order directly and after all the recent setbacks we can not fail him. So let us get to work,'' Tseng interrupted her and began walking. The walls had ears, so he couldn't talk with her about that here.
Cissnei looked dejected for a moment, but then the realization hit her and she shot him a thankful nod.
The mysterious Subject C and Z he once read about in the Nibelheim Mako Reactors reports. Before he was attacked by those black ghosts. Nox watched them walk away. He thought about inspecting the Manor too, but he reasoned that the ghosts would just attack him again so he moved on.
If he gets the chance to find out more about them, then he will take it, but right now he has FAR more pressing matters.
...
Finally. Nox dropped down in the documentation room.
---
''So we hit a dead end again? Should I ask the Planet for the next step?,'' Aerith asked him after what he shared with her about what he found out.
''Not necessarily. Shinra is on top of the world and owns it too, more unofficially then officially. But they understand that the higher one rises the harder they fall, that is why they continuously invest in the military budget and have projects that make stronger and stronger weapons that can take on any threat.
In other words, they wouldn't suffer such a slight as an escort or team like that disappearing without investigating who attacked them. If, for nothing else, to make an example out of them.
And yet the President called of the investigation pretty early, citing 'other priorities' at that time.
Now why would he do this, Aerith?,'' Nox grabbed his chin with his index and thumb in a thoughtful pose. He was slowly starting to get into this, memories resurfacing, evoking familiarity within him.
He was good at this.
He liked it.
These games of shadows.
Aerith playfully copied his gesture and began thinking herself, recognizing that Nox wanted her to arrive at the answer herself. If that was the case then he already gave her enough hints for that, she just needed to think over them and their implication for a bit.
''Are you trying to say... that Shinra attacked Shinra? But... that doesn't make any sense. And what even makes you so sure of that?,'' Aerith asked him confused.
''Oh, but it does. People can not live their lives, thinking what they are doing will have an effect removed from the world in some sort of vacuum or echo chamber.
Every inaction is an action. Every silence or deflection is an answer unto itself. And so on and so forth.
And in this case a lack of evidence is the evidence unto itself.
Think, Aerith, think! Why would the President call off the investigation and why the subterfuge?,'' Nox asked her, almost giddy.
Oh, wow, he was really getting into this stuff. Aerith copied his movement again and grabbed her chin.
''I still think this is too much conjecture, because you have no evidence to support your theory. BUT, for the sake of the argument, I suppose... if Shinra attacked Shinra then either we have an issue of competing factions. OR we have a secretive branch of the company that only the President knows off and he wanted it secret from the rest of the world,'' Aerith replied a little unsure.
''Yes,'' Nox hissed satisfied.
''So...what? You plan on going up to the President and asking him?,'' Aerith asked him a little playfully. It was a joke, because clearly Nox was not insane enough to do that.
''And what would be the point? Even if I wanted to do that, I'd need to torture him for information. And unlike as portrayed in the movies, torture is a pretty unreliable interrogation tool. No, no. I will need to sneak into Shinra again and try to access the more guarded servers of theirs.
Then it is a matter of following the money trail. I know it is the latter. And if we are dealing with a secretive Shinra branch then they need equipment, a place from which they can conduct their operations from. I will just need to find out for what the President 'appropriated' the money for and then I can take it from there. Coded language, I'm sure, something personal, like a yacht or mansion.
Knowing Shinras usual MO, I may need to investigate 'accidental' deaths too, in regards to that subject,'' Nox muttered, starting to get really into it.
Aerith looked at him weirdly for a moment.
''But you just snuck into Shinra. I still don't think that you are right with your theory, but if Shinra really did kill people over this I can ask people in the Lifestream. It would certainly make it easier for you,'' Aerith reasoned with him. And safer too.
Nox felt like he just received a cold shower and calmed himself down, feeling a bit embarrassed.
''That is an excellent suggestion. It certainly spares me some of the work. Then do your thing,'' Nox told her.
Aerith nodded and closed her eyes, putting her hands in a prayer. The Planet wouldn't give her any more hints, but know that she knew which questions to ask, the right questions, surely she will make some headway. If not with the Planet, then with disgruntles dead people.
After a few minutes she opened them again and had an expression between impressed and annoyed.
''You were right, there really is a secretive branch of the government operating here-''
''There always is. Sorry, continue,'' Nox apologized seeing her expression.
''During initial stages of constructions for MIdgar, President Shinra tasked some people with building a few things... off the grid, so to speak. Apparently, there aren't 8 Mako Reactors in Midgar, but 9. Deep in the sewers there is Mako Reactor 0-''
''Do you think that is why the monsters get more and more dangerous the deeper one goes? Because of the Mako leakage?,'' Nox interrupted her again.
''Maybe. The people aren't really that sure, as that was probably done as a security measure after they died, by...someone. In any case, after they were done with Mako Reactor 0, those whose personality profile suggested had a talk active mouth were dealt with, accidents, sickness, that kind of thing. Others, received a package, but were quietly watched by someone who were not the Turks. They are not sure who. Not that many people probably, considering they were all offered a home in Mideel-''
''Mideel? Can you try to contact Shelkes and Shaluas parents again?,'' Nox asked her wanting to confirm a suspicion that just formed in his mind.
''I already tried. They still refuse to talk to me. Their names were mentioned by the others,'' Aerith explained. He didn't need to verbalize his suspicion, for she already formed it as well.
Well, that explains how Shelke's... whatever her ability was, got on Shinra's radar despite Mideel being such a backwater village.
''Right. As I was saying, not that many people probably, considering all those who were left alive were nicely gathered in one place. The dead people have been pretty talk active considering their regret and frustration,'' Aerith added at the end of her explanation.
''They want revenge,'' Nox said with understanding.
''Indeed. Usually those in the Lifestream are ...inactive... Slumbering? I don't know how to exactly describe it, but as I am now, I wouldn't coax those people to do anything. But those who linger because of unfinished business, are much easier to talk to... unless they are like Shelkes parents and refuse to talk to me while still having regrets,'' Aerith explained to him.
''Is it painful for them? To linger,'' Nox asked her curiously.
She shook her head.
''No. They can linger as long as they wish. But Eternity carries with it it's own pain. It is easier to... not be aware, till they get reincarnated at least,'' Aerith replied.
''Reincarnation is real?,'' Nox asked with surprise.
''Weeeeeell. No? When I mean Reincarnation, I mean that the Planet ends a cycle and then recycles itself to begin life anew. But... I don't know how that is supposed to look like and I probably didn't understand things completely when the Planet explained it to me.
In any case, we now have our next course of action. No? To go into the sewers and find this secretive government branch,'' Aerith replied to him.
''Yeah, about that. You are not coming with me down there,'' Nox immediately shot the notion down.
''What? Why, I'm not some helpless flower girl that can't carry her own weight,'' Aerith frowned and sternly pointed out, putting her hands on her hips.
He knew that. But if they were secretive, then it meant that they were powerful. They had to be in order to conduct special military operations, especially if they had to do that as a small team.
While he didn't necessarily need to fear for anything, considering his ability, he didn't want to spend too much time fighting and killing them. And he will kill them all, except Shelke.
And he knew if Aerith came with him and then got scars he will have to do it all over again.
Honestly, in a way he really respected her drive to fight despite having a fear of getting scars.
''I KNOW that. I just...,'' Nox grimaced not knowing how to explain it. It would be weird if he pointed out that he didn't want her to get scars. For her there was not event that occurred that would reasonably let him form such a suspicion.
''Psst,'' Aerith held her hand to her mouth and whispered loudly,''I appreciate your worrying for me. But how is that fair to me, as your friend, to let you walk into danger like this all alone.
I'm coming with you and that's that.''
Nox stared at her for a moment and then sighed deeply, before giving her a fond and defeated smile.
''You dare use my own spell against me, Aerith?
Well, you are in luck, for it was super effective.
...
Aerith... are you sure? Going down there, probably means killing people. It is different from killing monsters,'' Nox asked her with a smile.
''...Well...There are some people I REALLY want to talk to. So, I have to start somewhere. No?,'' Aerith playfully replied, her innocent expression not matching her words. It did not need to be mentioned who that someone was.
''Alright, alright. But Aerith, while you have gotten more powerful, I do not consider it enough. You will follow my orders and take some of my mastered Materia. Since you know about my ability, I can let loose. You will see what I mean.
Oh! And you need a disguise, just in case there are any cameras down there. I doubt that the President of Shinra will send Turks to investigate after we clear base, but there is no reason to risk it,'' Nox set the rules down.
Aerith nodded completely serious.
Nox hummed satisfied.
''Say... how good are you at sewing? I have the Materials at home and we can get to work together. Or I can take your measurements and then come up with a disguise myself for you,'' Nox asked her.
He did say, it was a risky idea to have them both wear disguise and get caught, because then the Turks or whoever else caught them, will have more information to work with. But no plans survive first contact with the enemy. Guess it didn't take long, for him to change his mind on that matter.
Oh, well, they were powerful enough to take a few risks and shoulder them too.
And he was always good at playing with fire.
''I would say I'm half decent,'' Aerith clapped her hands eagerly. She liked the sound of that.
Masquerading as a hero through the streets, like in some of the stories she read or heard about. It would be nice to experience that. And of course she would say no, to spending more time with him. She also did say she wanted to help him with his plans. While she hasn't given up on her own, she recognizes that his plans were important for the planet.
In other words, there were lots of reasons to help him or go with him to sew her disguise.
Nox shook his head fondly and sighed at her antics.
''Good enough for me. Let's go,'' Nox stepped forward and patted her shoulder in encouragement and approval before starting to walk away. Aerith quickly followed him and shoved him slightly away by swinging her hips into his body playfully.
''Should I come up with my own alias?,'' Aerith asked him.
''If you want. Do try not to come up with a name that is not flower related... or has any connection to anything else you like,'' Nox pointed out to her.
''Hmm. Say, how did you chose your alias?,'' Aerith asked him. Now that she thought about it, it was a little ironic. Zero going down into Mako Reactor 0 to clean base and leave zero evidence behind. Hehe.
''Well... Zero is an empty cup. No? I can fill it however it pleases me,'' Nox explained and lowered his voice. They weren't being watched right now, but it was better to err on the side of caution sometimes.
He liked playing with fire, but not THAT much.
''But what if the cup is already filled with something else?,' Aerith asked him.
''Then empty it and start over. Sure, people have disabilities and limits and affects the shape of the cup, but they have much more control over their lives then they may think.
The number Zero also means nothing and represents nothing. In a way, because of that, it represents endless possibilities,'' Nox explained.
Aerith raised her eyebrow at him and the burst out laughing.
''What? Hey, what is so funny?,'' Nox demanded a little flustered.
''You're cute, you know that?,'' Aerith told him after she was done giggling.
''Uh, thanks?,'' Nox replied a little flustered. Where did that come from.
Aerith nodded and did not bother to elaborate after her compliment.
Silly goose, pretending to be all cynical and pessimistic and then went on to say such hopeful rhetoric. He should be more honest with himself.
---
''Alright, so how do we start?,'' Aerith asked him, once they arrive in his condo and he locked the door.
''Well... I need to take your measurements first. And NO, get your mind out of the gutter. I just need you to remove your jacket. The dress is comfortable and puffy, so I can press the measure band on it without it interfering. Besides some small space for movement is necessary so it doesn't matter if you wear that dress or not.
Look, I'm good at this. I know what I'm doing, so while you can add your own input, just trust that you are in good hands,'' Nox explained to her calmly.
Aerith pouted. She wanted to see him flustered again. But she complied and removed her jacket.
''Fine, spoilsport. Then make me pretty,'' Aerith demanded.
''I doubt I will have any difficulties with that,'' Nox moved his eyes up and down her body,''Besides, one can not be pretty while obscuring their face. The face actually matters a lot when it comes to beauty standards. I can make you stylish, however.''
''Awww. Thank you,'' Aerith clapped her hands happily.
''Well, it is the truth,'' Nox shrugged,'' Now stretch out your arms.''
He grabbed the measure band and got to work after Aerith did as he instructed. He began with her wrists and worked his way to her shoulders.
''Say, when did you have time to learn this type of thing in your travels. I though you were constantly on the move,'' Aerith conversed with him.
''Not CONSTANTLY, but also ... yeah. Whenever I didn't move and stood in a place for a bit, I picked up a thing or two,'' Nox shrugged.
Aerith hummed.
''Say, do you plan on ever returning to your village and paying your parents a visit?,'' Aerith asked him.
''...Maybe. What was it that you said? Never say never,'' Nox proved she wasn't the only one that could thrown the others words back into their face. But, he would try to resist that and prefer not to take that course of action.
Aerith hummed again. Now that she told him she was a Cetra... and she knew he was one too. Gosh was it hard not to squeal with happiness when she found that out, to not be the last one. And he hadn't treated her any differently then before.
There was nothing really standing in her way for her to shoot her shot. She liked the sound of that, to one day meet his parents. And she did think they should talk it out and reconcile over whatever their issues were.
Nox was almost done. He just had to do her legs.
''I can pull the dress a bit,'' she offered.
''No. I can feel and mark the number with my thumb. It was how I took my own measurements, after all. You can leave the dress down. It's juts...come on, it is a little embarrassing to shove my hands under your dress. Can I?,'' Not asked her anyway, a little flustered again.
''Of course you can. There is nothing sexual about it, it is for a purpose. Right?,'' Aerith played the matter off, trying to make him a little more comfortable.
''Right. I will make it as quick and respectful as I can,'' Nox knelt down and started with her shins and began working his way upwards.
There was only one problem. Sure, he could mark the number on the band with his band, but he still needed to put the bad in the correct position and for that he needed to touch her a bit.
Aerith's face flushed a little. And after a while she jumped up with a jolt as Nox hand brushed over her panties and her crotch.
''Sorry, I couldn't tell where your legs end and where your hips begin,'' Nox lowered his hands back down.
''It's fine,'' Aerith's was beet red,'' try to make it quick.''
Nox winced.
''Got it, but I need to go back in,'' Nox explained to her.
''That is fine. Do it,'' Aerith assured him.
''Right,'' Nox whispered and got to work. He worked slower this time, and still nearly brushed panties again, but lowered his hands quickly when he felt the touch faintly. He quickly noted the number down alongside all the others.
Nox cleared his throat.
''We are done. Shall we get to sewing then?,'' Nox tried to move on as if everything was normal.
Aerith nodded acting normal for both their sake, but inside she was happy.
Else he would have just not cared about her comfort at all and been dismissive of it, like he was with some of their other friends. Not in a non caring manner, but more of a 'though it out' manner.
Going by his reaction, she took them as a good thing.
(A.N.: 5618 words. I did not play FF7 Dirge of Cerberus and only watched a summary of it. I just don't consider it important enough to leave it for the future or drag it out, when Nox has a reason to deal with them now and receive some benefits for doing that.
In any case, I hope you enjoyed reading that. Cheers and stay safe out there.)