Thread: Playing the game (ExodusxAznTwnk)

It was looking pretty miserable down in the slums. The usual sounds of gunfire had multiplied in the distance, and already she could hear the whispers of warning from the Planet. Initially, Aerith had stayed behind when the rest of AVALANCHE had left. ShinRa was threatening to destroy the pillar a convenient way to squash the coming rebellion, as well as to discredit the rebels of sector 7 and so, Cloud and the others had taken off into the slums to try and stop the bomb from being deployed. She had wanted to help, naturally, but with the tension between the two enemies already and the attractiveness of her origin, she had a feeling she would only be in the way. A powerful magic user, she was unable to defend herself well, and ShinRa had taken very opportunity to abduct her in the past - she didn't want AVALANCHE to have to divide its forces in order to keep her freedom. Instead, she had offered to take care of Marlene, an outgoing little girl with an unfortunate look of wisdom in her young eyes. The child knew where her father was going, and knew enough by now that she could do nothing but hope and pray for his safe return. The sound of rapid gunfire had become louder and louder over the past little while, and the tension was felt by everyone in the neighbourhood. Glancing out the smudged and dirty windows, Aerith watched worriedly as the families in the area were leaving their homes, seeking a safer place with only what they could carry with them and their children in tow. Having lived most of her life in the slums Aerith knew that it was usually best to follow the crowd, away from teh sound of gunfire. Marlene. She said softly, turning from the window and offering the warmest, most comforting smile she could. It's not safe here. We're going to run as quickly and quietly as we can, alright? We'll go to Sector 5 - my mother lives there. The little girl only nodded, her small hands twisting her sskirt worriedly. Don't worry. The young woman said, reaching out to take the little girl's hand, the bangles on her wrists ringing jovially against each other. We'll be safe there and wait for your Papa. As quickly as possible the two of them abandoned the pub, bringing nothing but the teddy bear Marlene had clutched tightly to her chest. It wasn't a terribly long walk, just a bit dangerous as panic began to spread through the slum population. Aerith kept her hand tight around Marlene's and pushed past the crowd, ignoring anyone that spoke to her, wary of the young men loitering around looking for the opportunity to begin looting... Or worse. They had made it to the gate of Sector 5, and with a sigh of relief, Aerith had loosened her grip on Marlene's hand. They were home. They were safe. At least, until she felt the cool barrel of a gun pressed against her temple. Her green eyes flashed around, catching sight of the surfacing soldiers and Turks, and cursed under her breath. She snatched Marlene closed to her and glared up at Reno, the redheaded Turk who had been chasing her with his partners for years now. The look in his cool mako-tinted eyes told her there was nowhere for her to go, so she did the only thing she could... She offered to come quietly so long as she could escort Marlene to her mother's home. The walk was quiet, and short. She left Marlene in the doorway and flashed a big smile for her, assuring her and her mother Elmyra that she would be fine. She just had to go with these nice people... She wouldn't make a scene infront of them. She turned on her heels, tossing her long auburn braid over her shoulder, her shoulders squared, her breasts heaving with rapid breathing as panic began to set in. Don't even think about running. One of the men beside her barked, as she gazed off into the many crevices and hidey-holes that were hidden all over the slums.