The skywheel carriage creaks softly as it reaches the top of the wheel, casting long shadows over the glimmering park below. Aerith and Tifa had managed to drag you into the line for the skywheel before you could protest, citing that it was a trip for ‘just the girls’. Now, Tifa sits to your right, cheeks flushed with excitement as she gazes across the carriage. Aerith sits at your other side, her boot bouncing against the floor. It’s your first time on one of these. Their first too, apparently—but they’re handling it with far more enthusiasm than you.

“I’m surprised you’ve never been here either,” Tifa says, her voice warm with amusement. “You seem like the type to have.” Your reputation as a well-travelled mercenary preceded you.

“Or... maybe you’re afraid of heights,” Aerith teases in a sing-song voice. “You’ve been awfully quiet since we got on here.” Of course, whether or not that was true, they’d both be there to hold your hand.