❛ Hm . . When it comes to the world and its griefs, they've learned to handle such with smiles and laughter. And unfortunately, I tend to be their running joke. ❜

Though, it's said with a gentle smile, before gesturing over with her head.

❛ Go enjoy the sights then, I can handle things here. ❜

❛ The two of them could be a handful at times. ❜

As Lightning gets more settled into the work pace, her words trailing off as she gave the flowers her full attention there.

Giving each bouquet a gentle little pat once she was done with them. ❛ There we go. Let's see, what else . . ❜

❛ I try. Compared to who taught me, I think this of passable quality. ❜

Or so huh? In that case . . ❛ Seventy more bouquets coming up then. ❜ Half a tease, half serious, hands picking up the speed.

How about preparing three bouquets at once to start?

less than great about this, but more of conveying I am not your enemy. I don't know who you are, but I am not here to fight needlessly.

him that blow.

As Sazh would say, bobbing and weaving. And as Fang would say, attack with no mercy. And Hope, he'd say he's got it.

As she exchanged blow for blow with him, each slash carried those feelings with them. Not to overwhelm or to bend him to his knee, but . . well, she's always been -

fresh air. For once, she can truly fight to her heart's content, use her blade for something better than just, as he puts it, mindless slaughtering.

Skills matched up to par as their blows start to leave more of a mark on the land, seconds stretching as he tries to find an opening and she denies -

falter back an inch.

❛ Almost like old times' sake. Only difference is, it's a merc and not a monster. ❜

Though she didn't necessarily sound . . displeased by that? If anything, it had her swinging harder, shifting her feet to dodge incoming attacks.

Still, as she said, it was a nice breathe of -

Fortunately for her, Light is none the wiser? Definitely not judging by how she hums lightly in response, moving onto the next bouquet.

A red flower there, purple flowers around, broken up by yellow tones... keep the stems equal, make sure there's no thorns.. ❛ How many do you need? ❜

agile on her feet to stay her distance, slashing upwards as she backflips a good few feet back.

Live, find out answers, and get back home. That's all she needed, that's all she needed to prove, right? Right?

her room to follow-up with a swift strike on the opposite end. It was a blow that wasn't necessarily meant to threaten, but moreso to check his own reflexes in turn.

If the goal is to survive 24 hours, then this isn't the time to get hasty.

She'll keep up the pressure while remaining -

lay traps to gain any underhanded advantage. So, for now, she'll respond in turn. No magic, no buffs, no debuffs, nothing but her own technique and blade.

❛ 24 hours then! ❜ she meets him head-on, blades clashing with her tilting her blade enough so that his is forced to follow hers, allowing -

While Lightning isn't nearly as nimble with her fingers as Aerith, she was at least able to keep some pace with trimming the flowers.

❛ Yeah? Got any tricks for that in exchange for my assistance? ❜ a dry remark, shifting to adjust the flower arrangements properly now. ❛ And it's no trouble. ❜

Who knows? Something, something, the universe is vast. But more importantly! There were tasks to be done, it'd be a shame for the festivities to be over before they began.

❛ Save the thanks for afterwards, ❜ hands reaching out for the first bouquet, ❛ Oh, these are some lovely flowers. ❜