[ There’s something about Aerith’s warm, joyous smile and the sound of her voice that’s so disarming in the best of ways; she feels, at once, like an old friend and a new acquaintance, despite the fact that this is their first time having a proper conversation. Oriphi is honestly used to meeting people who are a little bit prickly on her travels, but most people here in this dream realm have been so friendly. Tifa comes to mind immediately, with the way she had met Ori while she was dreaming about bittersweet memories and managed to guide her through it so gently.

The joking and teasing are exactly what she needs in light of everything. Just a little bit of joy to beat back the shadows, and with that, she feels just a little bit more at ease. Ori can easily see how Aerith and Tifa came to have such a strong bond, and she’s glad that the two have each other here. ]

You’re so sweet, Aerith. Truly. Sometimes I keep odd hours, so you can reach out to at three in the morning, too. I mean it.

[ She leans back in her chair, sitting a bit more comfortably as she absentmindedly wipes at the condensation on her milk tea with the pads of her thumbs. ]

You know, I’ve… Dealt with noctaere and nightmare energy before, but it’s all so different when it’s somebody that you care about. It’s… Not something I hope that any of us experience again, anytime soon.