ღ fifth heart. ( action. locked to aqua. )

[anunlockedheart.livejournal.com]

[Tifa's restless.

She's been this way for a while now--Sephiroth's arrival, even with the apparent timeline difference, has had her edgy and tense. But the restlessness today is different. Unusual. She's in a good mood. It's odd, considering the worries that have plagued her for the past few days, but she doesn't think much of it. More pressing is the restlessness, the warmth that moves through her and makes it hard to focus. She's swept the floor of the bar no less than five times, gone outside for a run near the lake and returned, and the feeling is still present. She leaves the door open after that, in the hopes that the breezy air will cool her down.

She ignores it, as best she can. If she admits it to herself, sexual frustration is nothing new to her. She brushes it off as a side-effect of being cooped up in this place for too long. Nothing odd has happened as of late, save the gift of chocolates, and she'd had those at least two days ago. So instead of dwelling on it, she decides to distract herself by practicing the piano. The music is soothing, and some of the tenseness leaves her shoulders and back as she plays through the song.]

Comments

[restlesswaters.livejournal.com]

[ ]

[ ]

He—[ ]

sorry for the wait! ;;

[anunlockedheart.livejournal.com]

[The music fades into peaceful silence after a moment, and Tifa takes a deep breath.

When she turns toward the door, she looks surprised, but not displeased, when she sees Aqua. It's good to have company, and she's fond of Aqua, finds her formality and politeness endearing.] Aqua! Hello, it's good to see you. [She's curious about the flowers, but she doesn't question them just yet, pulling away from the piano and standing up.] I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were there.

that's okay!

[restlesswaters.livejournal.com]

[ ] No, that's alright. I just didn't want to interrupt you. [ ] Is this a bad time? Because I could come back later, if you'd like.

[anunlockedheart.livejournal.com]

No, it's not a bad time at all. [After all, even with the...odd feelings she was experiencing, Tifa thought it rude to send Aqua away, after she'd gone through the trouble to visit. Besides, she didn't mind the company.] Come on in, sit down. [She motions to one of the bar stools, smiles. After a moment, she tilts her head, curious.] Are those flowers behind your back?

[restlesswaters.livejournal.com]

[ ] Well, yes. They're for you—for your bar, that is, so... [ ] Here. Please accept them.

[anunlockedheart.livejournal.com]

[She takes the offered flowers, and her expression changes...softens. It brings back a pleasant memory. It's been a long time since anyone has given her flowers.] Thank you. They're beautiful.

[More forward than she would be usually, she takes hold of Aqua's hand and gently tugs her over to the bar counter.] Come on, I'll make you something. [She pauses, then adds:] If you'd like.

[restlesswaters.livejournal.com]

[ ]

I... yes. Well. That is, I would. Like something.

[ ] Thank you.

[anunlockedheart.livejournal.com]

[Tifa seems satisfied with the answer, and while she notes Aqua's nervousness, she doesn't seem bothered by it. In fact, she thinks it's a little cute. It's not in her nature to tease, though, even affected as she is by the chocolates, so she lets go of Aqua's hand once they are at the bar counter, and sets to mixing a drink.

She's still getting used to...the endless supply of liquor this place has. After a moment of studying the taps, checking the bottles, she decides to ask what Aqua wants, instead of running the risk of making something she might not like.] Is there anything in particular you want? [She smiles, a little sheepishly.] I can make pretty much anything, with the stock I have.

[restlesswaters.livejournal.com]

[ ]

I've never been in an establishment like this before, so I'm afraid I don't really know. Perhaps you could make me whatever you like the most, Tifa.

[anunlockedheart.livejournal.com]

What I like the most? Hmm. [Tifa taps her fingers on the counter. Even though she owns a bar, she's not much in the habit of drinking herself. Seeing enough people stumble their way around after drinking too much has deterred her, for the most part.

She does have favorites though, and she nods after a moment of thought, flashing Aqua a grin.] I've got it. Just a minute.

[She sets to work, after that, debates doing the fancy tricks she's learned with the bottles, but decides against it, choosing efficiency over flair. She might show off, another time.

A little while later, she slides Aqua a drink: blue-tinted, topped with an umbrella. It's sweeter than something she would make for Cloud or Barret, but it's one of her favorites.] There you go. Careful. [Her grin goes a little crooked, her tone is playful.] It sneaks up on you.

[restlesswaters.livejournal.com]

[ ] Thank you, Tifa. I'll be sure to take my time.

[ ] It's sweet. [ ]

[anunlockedheart.livejournal.com]

[Tifa seems pleased with the response, and nods.] You're welcome.

[She's about to turn away, ready to busy herself with stacking glasses, or idly going through inventory while she thinks of a topic of conversation, but she pauses midway, for a reason she can't quite decipher, to watch Aqua. Specifically, her mouth. It takes a moment for her to realize that she's staring, and as soon as she does, she turns away quickly. A warm flush crawls from her neck to her cheeks.

Where had that come from?]

Um, yeah. It is. [She coughs, grateful Aqua can't see the blatant shock on her face at the moment, and talks shop to distract herself.] Not all alcoholic beverages are bitter. It's a common misconception, I think. That one--ah, it uses fruit juice, so it takes the edge off, and makes it milder. [She's talking a little fast, almost rambling, and stops herself before it gets worse.

She thinks this impromptu visit is about to become decidedly more awkward. She mumbles, embarrassed:] I'm glad you like it.

[restlesswaters.livejournal.com]

[ ]

Tifa? Are you alright?

[anunlockedheart.livejournal.com]

[Tifa doesn't tense when Aqua puts a hand on her shoulder, but it takes a great deal of effort. The last thing she wants though, is to alarm Aqua, or worse, make her think she's done something wrong.

So she smiles, shakes her head.] I'm fine. [She bites the inside of her mouth, but she manages to make eye contact, and places a hand over Aqua's.] I just...I didn't want to bore you with that talk. [She laughs, sheepishly.] Sometimes I get carried away.

[restlesswaters.livejournal.com]

[ ] I'm not bored! Not at all, Tifa. In fact, it's nice being here. I like learning about all sorts of different things, as well new things about people.

[anunlockedheart.livejournal.com]

[Tifa can't help but smile back, and relaxes a little. Whatever just happened, she was sure Aqua hadn't noticed, and she was...at least reasonably sure it wouldn't happen again, if she had anything to do with it.] That's good. You said before, that this was your first time being in a world this long, besides your own, right? I'm glad you like it here.

[Tifa can't say the same. Her time here has not been entirely pleasant. At the least, however, most of the company has been enjoyable. She taps her fingers against the counter.] What have you learned, so far? Anything interesting?

[restlesswaters.livejournal.com]

[ ]

I think it's all interesting, in its own way. There are more worlds than I even imagined there could possibly be, but people are still people, no matter where you go. There are a lot of strong hearts here. [ ] I think one of the most important things so far has been getting to learn about Sora. I haven't seen her since she was four or five. And Ventus, too; he was like my brother, back in my homeworld, but I hadn't seen him for about eleven years. Being here means a lot to me, even if it does inconvenience a lot of people.