Antithesis [Clive, Aerith]

[Aerith]

Something's Changed

Aerith could see Clive's point. Honor often forbade people from taking their own lives just to escape despair. That didn't mean she condoned the killing. But he said he felt he didn't know how to do anything else anymore. Surely, that couldn't be true.

The conversation ended when Clive's attention went to Jericho, who had apparently awakened. She rose from her chair and took the two empty teacups over to the sink. Letting the water run for a moment, she glanced out the little window. There was still so much work to be done. It never seemed to end.

She finally returned to the living room just in time to hear Clive say something about being a free agent again. Her curiosity was instantly piqued. "Hm? What's going on?" She kept her distance from Jericho on the couch.

[Slash]

This is what it's like to help someone?

He took notice of Aerith's avoidance of him. That was much better. There was now an element of wrainess in her kindness, which improved everything.

"I'll be leaving this world. D...Clive will not." He was no longer Jericho's dog, after all. Jericho stood up.

"He's yours. He doesn't eat much, and I'm pretty sure he's housetrained. He bites sometimes, but it won't be hard to get him to stop. Just try to make sure he doesn't run away."

He stopped for a second, changing from sarcastic to sincere for just a bit. Looking at Clive, he said, "Good luck."

Here was the place where the paths branched off. Two people, both half-man and half-monster, were going their seperate ways. One would regain his humanity, while the other would cast it aside. That is, if Clive could regain it. If not- well, Jericho would see him again if that was the case. But he very much doubted it.

"Aerith. Thank you for your hospitality." He obscured himself, which made him harder to focus on, smiled, and left.

Perhaps some worlds were worth leaving. If there was one, this was it.

Some flowers can grow in even the worst soil.

[Nothingness]

New Ownership

It was official--he was freed of Jericho's service. As Jericho made to leave, he essentially handed Clive over to Aerith and left with some rather kind words. Clive knew that those would probably be the last, fleeting moments of humanity for Jericho, and those were something he ought to remember. If they ever did meet again, then they would most likely be out to kill one another. Of course, the irony in that is that that was what Clive was planning to do from the very beginning.

As Jericho left, Clive watched, emotionless, but gave him a small nod of farewell. Turning to look at Aerith, he asked her very calmly, "So, are you to be my new client?"

[Aerith]

A New Friend?

Jericho seemed to be handing Clive over to her, which Aerith found odd. But he wasn't kidding, for he stood and exited the house, offering his appreciation for her kindness as he went. Perhaps she would see him again someday, but she wasn't sure if she would recognize him. Would the monster take over completely or not? Only time would tell. "You're welcome," she managed quietly.

She was now alone with Clive. The assassin-for-hire beat around no bushes. But when he asked if she was going to be his new client, what did that mean? "Well... I don't have much munny with which to pay you. And I don't need or want you to kill anyone."

Putting a hand to her chin, she thought for a moment. The RGRC always needed more help. She could employ him for that. Food, clothing, and shelter could work as payment if he would accept it. She would probably need to find him his own house, though. The others might not take kindly to the idea of a known hired sword staying in her house. "I can get you a place to stay and food for payment, though. And in exchange, you can help us rebuild our home."

She wasn't fond of the term "client" and let him know that. "You don't have to call me client, either. You're allowed to use my name."

[Nothingness]

New Beginnings

Clearly, Aerith had no idea what she was doing when he asked if she was hiring him. Still, he didn't have much of a choice--not that he didn't want to work for her. And what a strange client she would be; no killing and no munny, only manual labor with a roof over his head and a full stomach. Being the kind of person he was, he couldn't refuse to take a job when it was presented to him, especially when it was making them smile so much.

Standing up, he looked at Aerith and gave her his answer. "Very well--I'll work to help rebuild your home. Just give me a hammer and nails, and tell me when can I start. Okay, Aerith?" And for the first time in years, he truly smiled.