[Regular hair maintance wasn't so bad. It helped. And it was surprisingly soft, since he hadn't conditioned it or anything for 30 years. Maybe he's born with it, maybe it's chimera-ness. But most likely, it was self care.]
I will if they ask. I don't know if there's many people who connect us knowing each other. Not yet.
[Not that she had hidden it. But they are very different people. And it wouldn't surprise her if people thought Gaia and tragedy did not connect all of their group. But it is good to know Vincent trusts her not to spill everything.
But then, Aerith has always kept secrets well. And Vincent was...Vincent.
And this was Vincent too. An uncomfortable Vincent, but one nonetheless.]
I can't give you a cloak to sleep under. But I can ask Cloud for us to trade off for duty, if you allow us.
[She considers. Thinks on it.]
And I'll be there. If you want, I can hold your hand.
[ True that most people aren't aware but a lot of people did have a chance to see him proficiently using the same magic as Aerith does and standing in for her during naps. So there's a more evident connection than there used to be.
And maybe he'll get lucky and not have too many questions to answer even if they did bother Aerith first. Wouldn't that be something? ]
No, it's... [ an inhale, a sigh. ] You don't have to do this.
[ That's avoidance, Vincent. He turns his head to one side again, hope she wasn't trying to do anything with the comb at that time. Because watch as the sharp gesture pushes the long bangs forward to flow down the sides of his face. ]
I'm not... hrrrm.
[ And words are hard. But he's remembering it's also true that there were times he'd doze off in the company of the others he'd come to know as friends. As trust formed and some of his tension eased. Would he find his own room in town? Yeah but that also wasn't always possible. Not was it always a good idea to stray too far. If he said he wasn't comfortable with people being around while he was sleeping, it'd be obviously a lie. ]
Cloud, huh? [ It's muttered as a grumble. ] Trying to make this a slumber party?
[ Who else are you going to invite? Zack? Angeal? ]
[The security cloak and the staff usage would be the tip off. She doesn't give her staff to anyone after all. Leave it behind sure, but not offer it to anyone.]
I know. But I want to.
[It's a gentle nudge, and she moves with ease on brushing out his hair, letting it flow over her fingers.]
And only Cloud. You don't know or trust Angeal or Zack yet right?
[ Vincent has a favorable impression of Angeal, but it's true he's not to the level of trust that would make him comfortable with the trained SOLDIER in proximity. And Zack... well, he has only had a brief meeting with the young man and stories to go by. Which would be enough for him to allow Zack to come over and keep Aerith company if for some reason she needed his presence, but...
Yeah. Trust. He won't deny it. ]
All right.
[ It's clear he's still reluctant. He braced against the nudge, he's still stiff with tension, but... what's the harm in trying? Worse comes to worse, he can always state it isn't working. And his friends will listen to him. ]
...Done with my hair yet?
[ He probably doesn't mean to sound impatient. It's more that he's forgetting his words as he reaches his limits. ]
[ Look he's been through a lot in the last.... half hour or so? Hair care. Talk about feelings. Planning a slumber party. It's been a rough time. Thank goodness this sleepover isn't plotted out for right now. ]
...Oh.
[ That.... probably wasn't missed even if he said it quietly and is otherwise silent. Yeah. He had been bracing himself for everything all at once. ]
[ It's just a bit louder than the 'oh'. But sincerity colors his tone underneath the overall sense of relief that he can't help but feel.
Vincent settles in patiently to let Aerith finish. It may be borderline endures but both of them are probably aware of that. Near the end, it becomes clear that the former Turk had been using the time to reflect. Should this really help lessen the nightmares... ]
I don't need long. Not tonight or tomorrow. But after that.
[ So perhaps it'll be best to reach out to Cloud sooner than later. ]
[ Maybe it will. But then, maybe it'll also be the presence of trusted friends, alive and safe and quietly talking that assures his subconscious and lets him sleep well. ]
Mm.
[ There he goes again, back to mumbled sounds. Once Aerith sets the brush down in his sight, Vincent begins to stand up. While it is not rushed, it's the sort of particular speed of someone trying to make a point to not move quickly.
To his credit though? He doesn't immediately make a beeline for his cloak or the scarf. Instead, after taking a step or two away from the chair he turns to face Aerith. Maybe to speak to her face to face but also possibly to let her see her handiwork from the front.
It's not as if she'll get many opportunities to see him without his usual adornments.
Carefully combed and brushed, the dark locks flow around his face and down over his shoulders. Soft, as she noticed, and straightened there is a soft sheen that is almost uniform. The absent gesture that draws fingers through the bangs and pushes them back is actually a familiar gesture; when the wind would get strong he'd often do such a thing.
Though perhaps with a little less self-conscious manner. Vincent also seems more mindful of the work that was just put in. ]
Satisfied?
[ The tone is dry and maybe the humor is more self-conscious, though the question is real. ]
[ Another nod. As if that's all he lingered for, Vincent turns away to cross the room and check the bottle of wine. Well, there wasn't much left but maybe half a glass? He had certainly drained the one Aerith refilled for him.
On the way he pauses, fingers descending as if to start picking up the crimson scarf he keeps his hair in semi-control with. But they pause, hovering just over the fabric before lifting away.
Well, it won't hurt to delay a bit before putting that back on. Surely it's not because he'd be worried of something like messing up Aerith's work barely thirty seconds after she finished right? Moving on~. Picking up the bottle, he considers what's left through the tinted glass before profferring it to her. ]
Want to take the rest with you?
[ Yup, no offer to finish it here, Aerith. Definitely about time to head out. ]
[Oh he's moving fast. And oh...there's only a little wine left. And he was kind enough not to take up his head scarf and cloak not yet. It was kind of fun to watch him without any coverage, with his leather suit.
He was nice enough to not hide behind his covers either. But...she knew that there was a limit and that she was pressing on it by staying here.
Gently, she moves over-but to gently touch a gloved hand.]
No thank you. Please enjoy the rest.
[She smiled at him, before moving to head towards the door. Time to go!]
[ Another nod and silence again. Aerith's last sight will probably be of the man pouring the remaining wine into his glass and returning to the seat he'd occupied when she first arrived.
Though whether he'll be able to focus on reading or just sit there long enough to finish the glass of wine would probably be left only to speculation. By tomorrow, he'll be covered again and back to his usual self. Tonight, well.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
I will if they ask. I don't know if there's many people who connect us knowing each other. Not yet.
[Not that she had hidden it. But they are very different people. And it wouldn't surprise her if people thought Gaia and tragedy did not connect all of their group. But it is good to know Vincent trusts her not to spill everything.
But then, Aerith has always kept secrets well. And Vincent was...Vincent.
And this was Vincent too. An uncomfortable Vincent, but one nonetheless.]
I can't give you a cloak to sleep under. But I can ask Cloud for us to trade off for duty, if you allow us.
[She considers. Thinks on it.]
And I'll be there. If you want, I can hold your hand.
Or...you can hold Holy. If you think it'll help.
no subject
And maybe he'll get lucky and not have too many questions to answer even if they did bother Aerith first. Wouldn't that be something? ]
No, it's... [ an inhale, a sigh. ] You don't have to do this.
[ That's avoidance, Vincent. He turns his head to one side again, hope she wasn't trying to do anything with the comb at that time. Because watch as the sharp gesture pushes the long bangs forward to flow down the sides of his face. ]
I'm not... hrrrm.
[ And words are hard. But he's remembering it's also true that there were times he'd doze off in the company of the others he'd come to know as friends. As trust formed and some of his tension eased. Would he find his own room in town? Yeah but that also wasn't always possible. Not was it always a good idea to stray too far. If he said he wasn't comfortable with people being around while he was sleeping, it'd be obviously a lie. ]
Cloud, huh? [ It's muttered as a grumble. ] Trying to make this a slumber party?
[ Who else are you going to invite? Zack? Angeal? ]
no subject
I know. But I want to.
[It's a gentle nudge, and she moves with ease on brushing out his hair, letting it flow over her fingers.]
And only Cloud. You don't know or trust Angeal or Zack yet right?
Then you wouldn't be able to settle down.
no subject
[ Vincent has a favorable impression of Angeal, but it's true he's not to the level of trust that would make him comfortable with the trained SOLDIER in proximity. And Zack... well, he has only had a brief meeting with the young man and stories to go by. Which would be enough for him to allow Zack to come over and keep Aerith company if for some reason she needed his presence, but...
Yeah. Trust. He won't deny it. ]
All right.
[ It's clear he's still reluctant. He braced against the nudge, he's still stiff with tension, but... what's the harm in trying? Worse comes to worse, he can always state it isn't working. And his friends will listen to him. ]
...Done with my hair yet?
[ He probably doesn't mean to sound impatient. It's more that he's forgetting his words as he reaches his limits. ]
no subject
So she'll forgive him. Eventually.
And Zack was her partner, but that didn't give him a pass for the former Turk.]
Almost done.
[She sounded amused. His impatience made him sound younger then he truly was.]
And this doesn't have to be right away. I still have to talk to Cloud about it. See how he feels.
[He's free of them comforting him.
For now.]
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...Oh.
[ That.... probably wasn't missed even if he said it quietly and is otherwise silent. Yeah. He had been bracing himself for everything all at once. ]
no subject
[And do whatever she wants...most days.]
But I know you need time. Nothing tonight. I won't bring it up for a few days, actually.
Once your hair is done, I'll go.
no subject
[ It's just a bit louder than the 'oh'. But sincerity colors his tone underneath the overall sense of relief that he can't help but feel.
Vincent settles in patiently to let Aerith finish. It may be borderline endures but both of them are probably aware of that. Near the end, it becomes clear that the former Turk had been using the time to reflect. Should this really help lessen the nightmares... ]
I don't need long. Not tonight or tomorrow. But after that.
[ So perhaps it'll be best to reach out to Cloud sooner than later. ]
no subject
But maybe the exhaustion will deaden his dreams if she's so lucky.]
Okay. Couple of days then.
[Gently, she sets the brush down onto the table in front of him. No styling. She pushed enough for tonight.]
Thanks for indulging me.
no subject
Mm.
[ There he goes again, back to mumbled sounds. Once Aerith sets the brush down in his sight, Vincent begins to stand up. While it is not rushed, it's the sort of particular speed of someone trying to make a point to not move quickly.
To his credit though? He doesn't immediately make a beeline for his cloak or the scarf. Instead, after taking a step or two away from the chair he turns to face Aerith. Maybe to speak to her face to face but also possibly to let her see her handiwork from the front.
It's not as if she'll get many opportunities to see him without his usual adornments.
Carefully combed and brushed, the dark locks flow around his face and down over his shoulders. Soft, as she noticed, and straightened there is a soft sheen that is almost uniform. The absent gesture that draws fingers through the bangs and pushes them back is actually a familiar gesture; when the wind would get strong he'd often do such a thing.
Though perhaps with a little less self-conscious manner. Vincent also seems more mindful of the work that was just put in. ]
Satisfied?
[ The tone is dry and maybe the humor is more self-conscious, though the question is real. ]
no subject
But he at least was nice enough to let her see the results of his labor.]
Oh yes.
[She offered a slow nod, and smiled. He was looking a little less ragged.]
Very nice. Brushing your hair is a small, but good, upgrade.
no subject
On the way he pauses, fingers descending as if to start picking up the crimson scarf he keeps his hair in semi-control with. But they pause, hovering just over the fabric before lifting away.
Well, it won't hurt to delay a bit before putting that back on. Surely it's not because he'd be worried of something like messing up Aerith's work barely thirty seconds after she finished right? Moving on~. Picking up the bottle, he considers what's left through the tinted glass before profferring it to her. ]
Want to take the rest with you?
[ Yup, no offer to finish it here, Aerith. Definitely about time to head out. ]
no subject
He was nice enough to not hide behind his covers either. But...she knew that there was a limit and that she was pressing on it by staying here.
Gently, she moves over-but to gently touch a gloved hand.]
No thank you. Please enjoy the rest.
[She smiled at him, before moving to head towards the door. Time to go!]
Enjoy the rest of your night.
no subject
Though whether he'll be able to focus on reading or just sit there long enough to finish the glass of wine would probably be left only to speculation. By tomorrow, he'll be covered again and back to his usual self. Tonight, well.
Tonight's the night to just think. ]