[ his description of the bar seems to align with precisely what she's feeling, the warmth of it radiating a loss of the tension that had been building in her, compared to the suffocating cold emptiness of that large suite where she's hardly felt like she belongs. it's different here too than the good adrenaline kick she often gets in places she can do some training, having felt plenty intrigued and drawn in by recommendations she'd heard of the beak and talon. instead, this is the kind of place she'd want to relax in when she doesn't want to put up a fight, which she's felt she's had to do a lot more lately than ever. ]
Yeah, I wanted to thank you for that too, for β well, for being patient in learning the face. [ she chuckles a bit awkwardly, but the sentiment is honest. because as low of a bar as it is for him not to have turned around on her, she knows there's plenty of boys that probably would have taken advantage in getting a peek even when she'd ask not to, and it doesn't help when this place seems to encourage it too.
but for all that charming language seems to come easy to him, she can see there's a honest consideration in him that stretches beyond the surface of flirtatious banter. back in the shower, he had been kind enough to respond to her concerns, just as he seems to now, but unlike then, it's possible to notice the weight of his attention now that they're directed towards each other, how she can feel the gentle perception of his eyes, not leering but mindful as he gives her the chance to speak quietly through every word.
she finds it's effortless in doing the same when he responds, when he doesn't wave off her fears merely as fresh arrival jitters, and the confession of his experiences has her even more acutely aware that she's hardly the only one afraid. his time in this place has stretched months but he's carried himself far through it, enough to find him consoling her in this bar. and it's familiar too, she realizes, with the struggles that everyone had faced in the sector 7 slums, already smothered by the harsh conditions of living at the bottom rubble beneath that ceiling plate of midgar and made even worse by the shinra government's pressures. but what had made it possible to survive was the sense of community there, the reminder that for as terrifying as it was, encouragement and understanding, finding joy in all possible corners, is what kept her crawling through it.
when he gives her that gentle grin, tifa doesn't have to force herself to return it as it seems to match on her lips before she notices, a soft sigh easing the tension from her shoulders once more. ] Yeah, it is nice. [ she nods, briefly casting a glance around her before looking back at him. ] You know, back home, I ran this bar called Seventh Heaven. It wasn't as dolled up like this, just a few wooden tables, chairs, and stools, plus a dart board and a few arcade machines. [ she chuckles sheepishly at the simple description, but there's a warmth in the memory of painting that image. ] But it was home, like anyone who stepped in knew they could belong there, that they could have a drink and be amongst people who knew the pain and ache they'd carry, that they shared, day by day. It's ... not standing anymore. [ there's a brief quiet somberness, gentle and slight, before she carries on with her positive smile. ] But I guess being here reminds me of what I could rebuild it to be one day, when things slow down again. But you're right ... not everything here is terrible when we can find little places like this to make us safe, even for a little while.
[ she gives a small nod, a glance of her eyes bright and sincere peering at him with an unspoken thanks in their gaze, appreciation for his encouragement, for the honesty in comforting her with understanding, before her mind drifts back to his words and gives a slight lean forward in curiousity. ]
You ... mentioned setting out with your friends to accomplish dreams before coming here. [ something about that feels so nice, compared to the harsher reality of what set her own group on their journey, and something about that sense of hopefulness gives her a genuine curiosity of him, how he bears struggle with a strong, comforting smile as he does. ] If it's not too invasive to ask β what's your dream?
no subject
Yeah, I wanted to thank you for that too, for β well, for being patient in learning the face. [ she chuckles a bit awkwardly, but the sentiment is honest. because as low of a bar as it is for him not to have turned around on her, she knows there's plenty of boys that probably would have taken advantage in getting a peek even when she'd ask not to, and it doesn't help when this place seems to encourage it too.
but for all that charming language seems to come easy to him, she can see there's a honest consideration in him that stretches beyond the surface of flirtatious banter. back in the shower, he had been kind enough to respond to her concerns, just as he seems to now, but unlike then, it's possible to notice the weight of his attention now that they're directed towards each other, how she can feel the gentle perception of his eyes, not leering but mindful as he gives her the chance to speak quietly through every word.
she finds it's effortless in doing the same when he responds, when he doesn't wave off her fears merely as fresh arrival jitters, and the confession of his experiences has her even more acutely aware that she's hardly the only one afraid. his time in this place has stretched months but he's carried himself far through it, enough to find him consoling her in this bar. and it's familiar too, she realizes, with the struggles that everyone had faced in the sector 7 slums, already smothered by the harsh conditions of living at the bottom rubble beneath that ceiling plate of midgar and made even worse by the shinra government's pressures. but what had made it possible to survive was the sense of community there, the reminder that for as terrifying as it was, encouragement and understanding, finding joy in all possible corners, is what kept her crawling through it.
when he gives her that gentle grin, tifa doesn't have to force herself to return it as it seems to match on her lips before she notices, a soft sigh easing the tension from her shoulders once more. ] Yeah, it is nice. [ she nods, briefly casting a glance around her before looking back at him. ] You know, back home, I ran this bar called Seventh Heaven. It wasn't as dolled up like this, just a few wooden tables, chairs, and stools, plus a dart board and a few arcade machines. [ she chuckles sheepishly at the simple description, but there's a warmth in the memory of painting that image. ] But it was home, like anyone who stepped in knew they could belong there, that they could have a drink and be amongst people who knew the pain and ache they'd carry, that they shared, day by day. It's ... not standing anymore. [ there's a brief quiet somberness, gentle and slight, before she carries on with her positive smile. ] But I guess being here reminds me of what I could rebuild it to be one day, when things slow down again. But you're right ... not everything here is terrible when we can find little places like this to make us safe, even for a little while.
[ she gives a small nod, a glance of her eyes bright and sincere peering at him with an unspoken thanks in their gaze, appreciation for his encouragement, for the honesty in comforting her with understanding, before her mind drifts back to his words and gives a slight lean forward in curiousity. ]
You ... mentioned setting out with your friends to accomplish dreams before coming here. [ something about that feels so nice, compared to the harsher reality of what set her own group on their journey, and something about that sense of hopefulness gives her a genuine curiosity of him, how he bears struggle with a strong, comforting smile as he does. ] If it's not too invasive to ask β what's your dream?