The Mysterious Materia (F/F feet)

Some parts: consensual, slightly sexual
Some parts: nonconish, not sexual, bondage

First Story

There isn’t a great deal of tickling here given the length of the piece.

For those that haven’t played FF7:

Aerith is the last or one of the last of a sub race called the Cetra. These people are more attuned with the world around them. It is –implied – in the game that Aerith has some limited ability to communicate with spirits – in game known as the life force of the planet. I chose to focus rather heavily on that idea, which is kind of a non-canon thing. Originally Aerith had spent some time – most of her life? – in Midgar, a city that has drained the life force from the planet, so the area of that city is mostly dead and devoid of plant life and such. My idea here was that, after leaving Midgar, she would be unaccustomed to the exuberance of life around her, and therefore bothered by it more than normal, because she hadn’t grown accustomed to it. Additionally, Materia is revealed to be something like crystalized essence or memories of past individuals, which allows the one using the Materia to invoke their powers or whatever (this is how people use Magic in FF7). Purple Materia is typically a passive type buff of some sort, like there’s one in game that lets your attacks hit for full damage from the back row. Also, sometimes Materia has different effects depending on whether or not it is slotted into a weapon or an armor piece (bracelets and such). Yuffie, ah, she’s a side character that can join you, she’s obsessed with collecting Materia for her home town so that they can fight back against Shinra, the company that more or less leads Midgar and also serves as an antagonistic group that is destroying the earth.

The Mysterious Materia (F/F feet)

A forlorn, grass scented gust burst through the stale air; beaten and defeated, the stank smell of metal fell away, lamenting itself while the breeze rustled through Aerith' hair. Closing her eyes and breathing in deeply, she nodded before shifting her chin into her shoulder and waving Tifa forward. The two hobbled through a lightless crevice and rounded a corner. A sudden burst of light brandished itself their way. Shielding her eyes, Aerith continued forward without pause while Tifa grasped onto Aerith' shoulder and groped the walls. In the distance a chorus of watery plinks bounced around the cavern walls as though the cave serenaded to itself in the shadows.

As the two shirked through a brash intersection, the light slowly yet defiantly manifested itself from beyond a cliff edge. Raising her arms and skipping forward, Aerith neared the edge and peered down into the glowing maw beneath her. A low chantlike hum resonated from deep below, attuning itself with her spirit as she closed her eyes and drank in the sorrowful, forgotten sounds that wheezed on about their uselessness, her heart falling slightly within her chest as she exhaled a thick amount of discontent. While pebbles tumbled downward, skipping against the wall, Tifa stepped forward, her hands on her hips as she nodded towards the ethereal glow. "Mythril," she muttered simply, placing a leather clad hand onto her chin as she rubbed her cheek with her thumb. Withdrawing her hand, she patted Aerith on the shoulder with enough force to make her knees buckle as several stones scampered merrily into the valley.

Turning away, she followed behind as Tifa placed her hands behind her head, stretching backwards as she walked. Eyeing each side of the path, Aerith felt her hand tremble as it reached for the weapon slung over her shoulder. Inching forward quietly, though rocks cried beneath her boots, she turned sharply with each step, her arm stiffening as her legs came down. Just as Tifa rounded another corner a sharp whisper carved into her ear from behind her. Jumping straight up, Aerith spun about, drawing her weapon and swinging it down into the shadows behind her as her pack collapsed with a muted plop. Frozen after her attack, she carefully scanned the lightless void around her. Slowly standing straight, she sheathed her weapon, the sound of leather whipping and stretching as the rod resumed its vigilance. Leaning down, she snapped up her pack, spinning it over her shoulder as she rose.

Twisting back towards the direction she had been traveling, the whisper came again, breathier and more audible than before, its formless words gritting together like chains scratching against one another. The breeze that carried the whisper gently ushered her into the wall, lightly lifting her arm. As she reached forward and touched the rocky surface that stabbed outwards she felt a smoothness. Brushing at the sleek area she felt dirt chip away as a pale purple light erupted from the wall and cast a sheen onto her hand and the rocks about her. Raising her left arm, she began to chip away at the gemstone more fiercely until it popped from the wall. With a gasp she rushed forward, grasping the small, warm globe from its freefall. Taking in a deep breath, she listened to the song the gem chimed into the palms of her hands as she turned it about before placing it into a pocket. Her head shot up and she looked about, leaning into a sprint in search of her comrade.

Closing her eyes to the void she let the breath of the wind curl about her as it gently chirped about her surroundings, a faint whisp urging her to edge slightly to the right and then leap, clearing a blanket of emptiness beneath her. A whoosh like a frothy foam of bubbles prickled her eyelids and cheeks as a light lilac scent shyly materialized, skirting about behind a bold, vibrant sword shaped dusk smell that rasped its way towards a musky yet similar odor that lurked about hazily like morning fog. Reaching forward, she grabbed and pushed herself past the fragile yet brutish rock that jealously guarded the lilac. Creaking her eyes open she caught desperate, dying rays as they oozed across the floor, choked by the mists that coiled about the uneven slabs that she sailed across. Ahead, her friend stood, bathing in the sun's last golden efforts to claim the realm, her hand pressed against the wall as she gazed down the verdant hillside.

As she neared, a sound like a hundred cicada buzzing at each other grew. Placing her hands against her ears and lowering her head, tucking her chin into her chest, she skulked onwards. The sound of rocks scraping against boulders resounded as her boot slid across a vagrant stone; her companion's head turned sharply, her back tensing as the fingers on the wall melted into a fist.

At first Tifa's eyes sharpened to daggers but soon sheathed themselves, dulling their blades against the gentle scabbard of her eyelids as Aerith left the shadows, her elbow shielding her eyes from the last light of day. Cracking out a gentle, sullen smile, a sigh of exhaustion creaked through her lips as her shoulders relaxed. Crossing her arms and cocking her raised chin towards the expansive valley below them, she bellowed out several drawled words far louder than necessary. "Told those boys we'd be right fine by ourselves."

A brightness lifted in her chest although the conflicting sounds and cries of the outside world rattled about within her shallow frame. Like a timid sheep too self-conscious to eat the grass around her, she carefully chalked out a response. "I wish they hadn't gone so far ahead."

Grunting, Tifa threw her hands up and then slid them behind her head, stretching backwards as she tapped the back of her right heel against the ground. "Aw, let'em." Waving her hand towards a distant blue building that rose over a cliff, she brushed out more words. "Just got off the PHS with 'em, said they'd stop over yonder for the night. We'll keep going a bit, just a while through the night, outpace ‘em. Get there first, that'll show 'em."

Pressing her thumb against her lips, Aerith' shoulders sought out her ears as she mewled out, "Through the night? What about the beasts?"

With her left hand Tifa waved away the concerns Aerith had placed before her. Bringing her right hand to her forehead, Tifa leaned forward and stood upon her toes as she squinted, scanning their surroundings. Dropping her hand, she nonchalantly prodded to their right. "Out there, that forest by the river. Should be able to make it there before it's too dark. They won't begin prowling so much until later, I reckon. S'long as we set up camp before too long we ought to be fine. The fire'll keep 'em away."

Rubbing at the left side of her rib cage, Aerith dropped a single "but," before Tifa swung hard with her own dialogue.

"Won't take more than an hour to get there," she said with the force of a tree falling; tugging at her pack, the tall woman secured the thing between her shoulder blades. With a nod, she leapt from their tiny alcove, kneeling as she landed so that she slid down the steep hill. The wind blew and she chuckled at its secret joke before matching her comrade's leap, sliding into a sprint as she sped past Tifa. With a snicker her teeth broke free of her lips, the dimple in her cheek brandishing itself towards Tifa.

As though a seasoned seamstress had spun together Aerith’s words, they flowed slickly from her tongue, cascading into a small, colorful puddle. "Maybe we'll beat them there, but I'll get wherever we’re going before you."

With a throaty snort and cackle, Tifa leapt forward, dashing against the ground that slowly leveled beneath them. The depleted soil soon sang of its truce with the grass, allowing the latter to occupy the lands of the former. Small spurts of green broke through, here and there, until a sea of the warring faction swirled in, choking out the bleached earth. Her steps sprung her into the air now, the grass bouncing upwards with her as her boots left the ground. Looking around as they ran, Aerith stopped pushing against the many jingling instruments of life about her, breathing in their varied, rushed stories as they desperately clanged for her attention. The grass spoke with great pride of how they had slowly claimed their land over the course of several hundred years, migrating from the south, across the sea. The rocky soil beat them back time and again, sometimes pushing them all the way to the coast, but the seeds spent years traveling across the seas so they refused to retreat; and, after all, why couldn't their kind coexist with the soil?

As the grass grew in length, reaching above their ankles and then to their waists, the strumming blades spoke of a tree that had allied itself with them. Huffing, Aerith slowed to a trot as Tifa shot past in the direction of a distant, lone tree. Growling lightly as her lips curled to a smile, Aerith brushed onward, forcing herself past Tifa though her calves grew tight and hot. The grass continued its story, saying the tree had caught itself on the wind as a seed, abandoning its homeland in search of an exotic life. The soil barked against the grass, claiming that it was an ambassador sent ahead of an army. Blooming from the distant golden horizon, the tree eventually caught up to them, a flock of birds fluttering into the air as the two women rushed underneath, the tips of the grass brushing and prickling against the bottoms of Aerith' wrists. Sullenly and simply, the tree muttered that it had been cast aside as it turned to weep, its branches trembling in a breeze lightly salted by the tears of an unseen coast.

A gentle warmth filled Aerith as her thoughts lingered upon the distant waves that called to her, welcoming her towards her adventure as the mountains cheered her on. A faint gust spun about her hair as it leapt from her backside with each stride, asking her to look behind her. Turning her head, Tifa slowed to a trot behind her, her hands falling to her knees as she bent over, breathing heavily. Like a race horse's victory lap, Aerith cantered in a half circle as she came to a stop, her lungs leaping at the opportunity to soak in the air. Brushing sweat from her forehead with her left thumb, she placed her hands on her hips as her comrade stood straight, huffing with a sweaty face and half open mouth as she panted her way to Aerith' side. Upon nearing, Aerith continued onward, a slight breeze urging her to the right as she veered off of their intended path.

Tifa grasped Aerith' shoulder, leaning heavily onto her comrade as she began motioning towards the center of the forest that had crept up on them. The mob of trees greedily devoured the sun, casting long, devious shadows towards the women. Reaching up, she patted Tifa's hand and smiled broadly, her eyes shutting happily. "This way is better." With a shrug Tifa crossed her arms, her pace slowing so that she fell several steps behind as they turned off of their course.

As Aerith' skin clasped tighter than iron against her calves, she threw her hands behind her head, watching butterflies waft through the air like forgotten leaves. A dragonfly buzzed back and forth, then darted into the veil of the trees as the duo crossed the path of two oaks that stood further from the rest as though they guarded the entrance. The sound of life buzzed loudly, a thousand voices speaking at once about their journeys and adventures to her. The edges of her lips curved as she nodded politely, her hands caressing her ears. A sudden warmth flared from her pocket as the voices united into a melody of harmonies. The breath of a tree to her right circled her wrist as she felt it guided into dropping to her side, her fingers plucking the Materia from her pocket. Raising her left arm in front of her, she plucked out a single green gemstone and set the purple in its place. Around her the forest applauded in an uproar.

A great bravado rose sharply, stabbing her from the side like a well whittled stick. Spreading her legs, she spun her torso as her weapon flew free of its bindings while the forest fell to a hush. From a swaying sea of overgrown hay that had penetrated into the wooded area a low growl resounded, the forerunners of the amber ocean wavering, shaking and swishing. Suddenly a short oaken creature came barreling from the misty haven flailing its long, thorn laden arms. Readying her weapon, Aerith stepped back, pivoting her foot into the succulent dirt beneath her. Glancing to her right, then left, she ascertained her surroundings as she bit her lip, her fingers doubling down against the chewed-feeling leather grip of her staff. Upon nearing, the beast leapt into the air; stepping back and placing her weight on her right foot, Aerith raised her left arm above her forehead. The Materia from the cave twinkled hotly, the beast’s eyes taking on a purple glint as the light it held hostage aligned with that of her Materia’s. A smile curved onto the creature’s oaken lips.

To her left a cloud of dust swept upwards. Ducking to her right, Aerith brought her weapon down against the cloud, splitting the coalition of dust into a disquiet pact. Tilting her head to the side, she felt her eyebrows drop slightly before recalling the beast she wielded. Throwing her weight onto her right leg, she cast her right shoulder to her and drew her weapon back, ready to swing only to find the beast on its back, Tifa standing over it, the deadly weapon at the end of her leg hanging above the monster. As though the two coordinated with one another, the beast leapt up and Tifa fell back, ducking and rolling to the right side of a small tree as it whipped its arms at the earthly cavity her friend had created. Dashing forward, Tifa slipped to the left then the right as the beast swung madly. Twisting, Tifa slid into a stop, her left side facing the monster as she reared back then fell forward, her fist gliding through the air. The beast hissed, whipping at Tifa. Swatting the attack away with her left as her fist landed a crackling blow, she sent the monster tumbling back to the grass from which it came as Tifa immediately retracted into a guarded stance, her hands raised to her cheeks. Several moments of silence passed as the monster lay dormant. Standing straight, Tifa relaxed, brushing her hands several times as she turned to Aerith, throwing a thumb up. Just as Aerith smiled and began to raise her own thumb the beast whipped itself aright and leapt upwards. Tossing her weapon into her left hand, Aerith hurled her arm forward. A green light revealed itself from her left wrist as the beast burst into flames, howling as it fell to the ground and rolled several times before becoming motionless.

Around her the spirits of the wilds cheered with great fanfare as though each individual cry attempted to outdo the entire crowd. Sighing with relief, Aerith closed her eyes as she spun her weapon, sheathing it behind her. A forceful pat fell against her shoulder and she shook, her knee buckling. Opening her eyes, she caught Tifa's glimmering face smiling broadly as she patted once, then twice more, Aerith's knee bending under the weight of the attacks as she drooped forward. Placing a hand on each shoulder, Tifa realigned Aerith, shaking her slightly to the right and left as though Aerith were a crooked painting on a wall. "Do me a solid, though, yea?" Tifa cooed out, pressing her right fist against the left side of Aerith's chin, pushing her head, "That magic bit? Do that from the beginning." Chuckling, Aerith nodded and edged around Tifa, stroking her chin as she waddled forward. The spirits slowly fell to their normal clamoring and feuding, though half beckoned her onward into the deepness of the forest, their cries growing more desperate as she swept onward.

The voices fell to muted murmurs and whispers meant only for one another as her pack's straps dug into her shoulder. Shifting it slightly, it felt as though it had abruptly gained weight. The bottoms of her boots felt as though they weighed her down, resisting her with each step as if they longed for rest. Tiny, subtle beads of sweat prickled her nose as her lungs grew hot. Curling her toes in her right boot she stopped, her head bent slightly downwards. From above, scratches and cracks weaved through the canopy as a hollow nutshell rained down to their right. Around them crickets feuded with one another loudly, a cicada screaming its song as wind caressed the disobedient leaves of the trees while they swayed their branches angrily. Without notice, Tifa walked into Aerith, knocking her forward a step. Yawning, Tifa looked around at the darkness that had silently enveloped them in its secretive embrace. "Good a place as any?" she said, her head slightly tilted as she looked to the right and left, another nut cracking against several branches before bombarding the forest floor, rending a dried leaf and forming a crater where it landed.

As though they sought to burn her alive, the soles of her boots licked her flesh with furious flames, their vapory tongues sending silent shivers up her spine. Her shoulders stiffened as the leather creaking up the sides of her ankles began to slither, a light itch tugging at her. The trees, meanwhile, called her further within the recesses of the forest as her boots slowly sank into the soil that seemed to align itself with the trees. The ground muttered a carnivorous sound while clawing at her boots in a seeming attempt to separate them from her. Closing her eyes, she quickly exhaled several times as the murmurs churned a low heat within her stomach, the inaudible words hammering at her as though she were an anvil.

"Aerith!" Tifa shouted, freeing her from the spell of the woods. Turning, she placed a hand to her fast beating heart as she looked at her ally with wide eyes. "Gonna get firewood, or what?" Nodding, Aerith fanned herself before letting the darkness serenade her and her friend apart. With each step mournful cries bellowed hotly, desperately, as her boots crooned a wicked lullaby of imprisonment. Casting her head over her shoulder, she watched as Tifa darted behind some trees in the opposite direction.

Beneath her breath, she whispered "just a little longer." Her breathing became ragged, the heat in her chest clamoring loudly as it banged a fist against her insides, begging for release. The murmurs grew into a low hum that nibbled at the backs of her ears, the hairs of her neck raising in defense against the humid whispers that rippled down her stiffened spine. Tossing her head over her shoulder again, she began to exhale hotly before dropping her pack and lifting her right leg, ripping the boot off of her foot. Lobbing it behind her, she let her naked foot gently land upon the welcoming, dried leaves that crinkled beneath her pleasantly as the cool earth greeted and kissed her flesh. Sighing like a spring in summer, she felt exhaustion leap from her muscles as she wiggled her toes. An inferno struck at her left foot with well sharpened fangs as she whispered "alright," over and over to sooth the enraged leather. Releasing the boot from its post, she slipped her foot out, laying it to rest with its partner.

A great, cool wave of air washed over her with a thick smell of a sea of snowy glaciers, a powdery scent that rubbed at her shoulders. Placing her right hand on her left shoulder, she closed her eyes and pressed her mouth against her right shoulder, a simple yet guttural moan escaping the cage of willpower that held it captive. The breeze kneaded her spine and she leaned her head back, her eyelids fluttering at the butterfly like pecks that paraded across her backside. Digging her toes into the soil, the ghostly memories of that man's caresses haunted her soles as the pleasant soil attempted to mimic him. Against her left wrist, she watched as the Materia she discovered in the mine flickered, the light flashing like the glassy looks in that man's eyes. Huffing hotly, she knelt down, reaching deeply into her pack, well past her provisions, until she felt the smooth, hidden treasures she had recovered from the don’s mansion. Withdrawing the pink pumps that she had worn the night she attempted to get information out of the don's henchmen, she stood, silently staring at the paragons as whispy thoughts of the spell they had cast on her wafted through her mind. Parting her hands, she let them fall to the ground with a light thud before slowly sneaking her feet into them. A rush of emotions gathered from deep within her like a geyser as she felt the smooth interiors welcome her again. Stepping forward, she wrapped her arms around her midriff then walked a short path and back again as she stared straight ahead, the memories of that night surging forward as they wrapped around her like a blanket of intense warmth; the sensations gnawed and chiseled at her until they toned and defined her.

A gust blew like a ship, hitting her with such force she had to take a step forward and kneel slightly in order to brace against the impact. Above her the leaves chattered loudly, fighting with one another as branches danced madly. In the distance, a branch snapped. When the breeze calmed down she looked at the ground in front of her, placing a hand to her mouth and the other against her heart as liquid glistened at the edges of her eyes. Clenching her toes within her shoes, she felt the memories melt away like morning fog as she grasped and clawed at them. The further she reached in an attempt to reclaim their exact glory the further they seemed to slip away. A purple twinkle came from her wrist. Raising her hand to her eyes, she looked at the piece of Materia that illuminated the area with its calm, purple light. As it flickered she felt several rough objects wedge themselves into her shoes, between them and her arches. Before she could jump in fright the mysterious guests began to wiggle and wrap around her toes. A giggle nearly escaped her lips but she reached out and caught it, placing a hand to her mouth to stifle the smile that was coaxed onto her lips.

The light flickered brighter as the whispers of the forest grew audible enough to discern their intent. Casting the light from her wrist downward, she saw several roots had sprung from the ground, growing into her shoes as they wiggled lightly. Digging her fingers around the edges of her mouth, she tossed her head back and forth, battling the light laughter that deigned rebel against her.

A particularly brash bit of soft, fuzzy root snaked across her arch, its tip spiraling against her, just to the edge and beneath the ball of her foot. Immediately she felt herself whisked away to a small, nondescript room where she sat on a couch next to that man. He smiled broadly as he ran a hand over top his bald head, tapping lightly against his thigh. With a giddy yet nervous chuckle she complied, raising her bare feet, setting them in his lap as she crossed her ankles. With the tip of his finger he traced up and down her arch as she gasped, giggling while she shifted her shoulder blades against the malleable fabric. Puffing air through her nose, she shakily smoothed her dress while that man went about his work, seeking to refine her. Clamping his fingers around her left ankle, he raised her foot to his face, his eyes twinkling wetly as she brought her hands to her cheeks, her fingers tucked into her palms. Above them the white bulb that lit the room darkened to a purple, embellishing sinister shadows across his face as his tongue brushed against her flesh. Gripping her cheeks, she slammed her eyes shut as she cawed out a delirious moan. A great undulating wave of warmth washed around her as she fell backwards, floating in the welcoming waters that rippled within her.

A sound came from behind her, catching her attention without awakening her consciousness. It came again as the ice cool feeling of spring rain ran like veins through the warmth in her chest. Disregarding the sound, she threw her head back, opening her mouth to laugh just as the cry came a third time, now much more genuine.

"Aerith?" came the drawling voice of Tifa as it wrapped between the trees behind her. Gasping, she lowered her hand, tapping at the purple Materia several times, the vine like roots slithering back into the ground as she did so. Placing a hand between her breasts, she sighed with a deep relief as footsteps stomped from behind. Jumping in place, she turned, her friend’s eyes sagging, their eyelids too lazy to stay entirely open and instead drooped downward, covering the upper half of her eyes. "C'mon, its ok if you can't find any firewood. I got it." Like a snake Tifa's arm shot forth, coiling around Aerith’s wrist. Returning in the direction she came, Tifa pulled Aerith like a pup, disregarding the flailing of her free arm as she grasped for her pack. Sighing, Aerith’s head slumped downward as she considered picking it up in the morning. The two slogged forward through the depths, finally stopping at a pile of forlorn branches and twigs.

"Here," Tifa said, yawning afterwards, "I need your Materia." Slipping the bracelet from around Aerith's wrist, Tifa placed it across her right arm as a low hiss resonated from the trees. Lowering her arm a bit, Tifa pulled back hard, her head turning to the sky as she grit her teeth. Suddenly the bracelet came free and she fell onto her back. Without looking she lobbed the bracelet in Aerith’s direction. Dropping it onto her wrist, Aerith sat down, slipping her knees beneath her as Tifa waved her hand in the air. The small pile of wood suddenly sparked alive, spilling red flames above the bent branches as smoke belched into the canopy.

A strong gust gathered its strength, the sound roaring before it kicked its way through their small encampment, scattering leaves through the trembling flames that tossed restlessly through the air. Several leaves blazed goldenly through the forest, lighting a glowing path as they quickly buzzed to ash. A twig snapped behind them and Aerith turned, her hand falling to her heart as she gazed into the darkness absent of the voices that had hummed so pleasantly moments ago. A glance at Tifa revealed her stretching and turning to her side as she lay in front of the fire like a spoiled cat. Propping her elbow onto the ground, she rested her head in her hand and yawned as the crickets’ chorus resumed. Relief took her lungs and expelled a sigh as she turned back towards the fire. The chorus fell to a lull as an intermission of crushed leaves took the stage. Tifa shot up onto her right knee as Aerith spun about, her arms spreading from her body.

Silence flirted with the fire as the two women stared into the vacantness their campfire forced into existence. Sweat beaded upon Aerith’s forehead as she held her breath, watching, waiting. Without turning her head, she made eye contact with Tifa. Blinking twice rapidly, Tifa carefully rose, stepping forward once just as a white cloth flew from behind her, slamming into her lower back as it wrapped its arms around her wrists and torso, knocking her forward. Tifa began to turn but a second cloth flew in low, stifling her movements as it sealed her ankles, forcing her to her knees. Jumping up, Aerith felt the muscles in her arm twitch as they screamed for her weapon, though two more pieces of cloth appeared, silencing her wrists and ankles while quietly commanding her back to the ground, her knees upright in front of her. The forest hummed as a shadow darted from the branches above them, landing between Aerith and the fire, its flames casting a ghostly glow behind the dusky creature that seemed to command the night around it into obscuring its figure.

A high-pitched giggle came from the shadow as it crossed its arms, a voice sounding like a fading star peppered with girlishness gleefully called out. "That was, ah!" It raised an arm and coughed, then spoke an octave lower while maintaining a reflection of its former self, "That was too easy!" Pacing away from the two of them, a face came and went, the fire spitting light at the person before them. Raising an arm, she waggled a finger and exclaimed "Defenseless little girls like yourselves shouldn't wander in the wilderness alone."

Tifa growled and shook her shoulders, the cloth at her wrists trembling. Looking on, the young woman laughed before facing them again, her arms crossed. "Quite a show you put on earlier, though." A breeze whipped the flames into a frenzy as they freed the woman's face from the darkness, a broad smile appearing then vanishing into the shadows. "I want your Materia."

Very slowly, Tifa's gaze fell in front of her, her wrists silently twisting beneath their bondage without her arms or shoulders moving. Turning her head to the darkness beyond the fire, she cast out words that bobbled up and down in the cool air. "Ma..tear-ah? Now, I don't know nothin' 'bout that." Beyond the restless silence of the forest spirits, the crickets nervously began their orchestra once again at the behest of a cicada chiming in loudly at their hiatus.

A glint of purple shone through the vanilla bindings at her wrists as the fire sinisterly flicked upward. Their assailant’s eyes took the light of those wicked flames hostage, making it their own as they glittered blackly in the shadows. She laughed. "Ah, you want to play? Let's play." The figure took long strides towards Tifa as she began to struggle. A whisper snaked its way to Aerith, quietly disclosing itself before raising its sails to the wind that casually passed by. Raising her chin, Aerith caught Tifa's eyes. Shaking her head very gently to the right and left, she edged back towards a rock, sawing at her bindings. Tifa blinked and tilted her head down, her wrists growing numb with silence as the purple light quickly flared up then vanished.

Stopping behind Tifa, the woman plopped down, crossing her legs. Lifting a hand, she tapped the bottom of Tifa's shoe twice before the rest of her fingers joined, drumming a line across the rubber as Tifa flinched, her shoulders squirming. Biting her lip, Tifa flung her head onto her shoulder and looked the other woman up and down before barking out, "Now why in tarnations would anyone ever leave that Wutai Paradise?"

A puzzled look leapt to the woman's face, unseen forces tugging at her eyelids as she leaned backwards while biting the inside of her lip. Drawing a deep breath, she smiled, her fingers grasping the sides of Tifa's shoe as Tifa's torso stiffened with a shock, her face turning straight ahead. "Where's your Materia?" she asked simply, her words oozing like syrup.

The soft sound of fabric mewled out a somber sonata as Tifa's shoe was gently tugged away. Her eyes growing wide, Tifa bit the edge of her lip and tilted her head down as words thick with the resolve of a castle's walls beckoned from the side of her mouth, "Jes’ who are you?" The woman's eyebrows rose and fell as she freed Tifa's shoe from its mission, setting it down to her side before tugging away a black sock as Tifa gasped and closed her eyes.

Like aged paper, her yellow-white flesh glinted hotly in the dark air, complimenting the golden oranges and earthly greens of the leaves that presented it like a fanciful dessert served on an elegant dining table of autumn reds and browns. Her foot, long and narrow, curved inward sharply at either end like a boomerang. As the woman began drumming her fingers against Tifa's naked flesh, the silver of the moon broke through the leaves above, warring with the golden light of the flames across Tifa's skin as it shifted between a concoction of the two colors, each trying to claim her sole for itself. Tifa shivered, her shoulders grasping her neck as she leaned forward and shook. Closing her eyes and gritting her teeth, she shifted to the side, her knees dragging against the dirt as her lips cracked into a wide oval. Plain and simple, the woman's high pitched voice from between cooed out a single word, "Yuffie."

The light rapping of the ninja woman's fingers suckling against Tifa's skin battered out a light sound akin to a mouse's drumming pitter patter. In the black mists that skirted around the flame's light the crickets blew their majestic horns, the gilded sounds racketing through the trees as each one sought to drown the other out. Near a tree behind Aerith, one ratcheted out its melody, the notes drenched in valor while one somewhere above sang an octave higher in response to and sometimes overlapping the first. A third, somewhere distantly past the fire, crested out a third chime an octave lower than original's, his beat in tune with an inaudible fourth's that the breeze whispered unto Aerith while speaking of the cricket kingdom's code of honor, the wind gently nuzzling her ankles as the bottoms of her shoes seemed to catch fire, the feather like flames fanning her soles with a desperate flurry of tight warmth. Gripping her toes together she brushed her forehead against her shoulder, casting away the defiant sweat that rallied there while huffing out a thorough puff of air as she whipped the slab of stone against the cloth, light plinks snipping the air as threads were rent apart, exasperating the small campfire as it whipped restlessly.

Sucking in her lower lip, Tifa bit down as her shoulders shuddered and twitched. Creases catapulted around the edges of her eyes as she shut them tightly and tilted her head to her side, the edges of her lips coiling into semi-circles. Like the creaking sails of a great galleon her lips whipped open, quickly expelling several thunder-crackling words through tightly clamped teeth. "Now what are you needin' this, ah--" biting her lip, she twisted, shifting in place as she threw her head back, her hair fluttering like fall leaves. Shaking her head, she dropped it down close to her breasts, smirking as she huffed out a final foray of sounds, "Why are you needing this mah-tear for?"

Standing her hand onto two fingers, Yuffie's hand lightly stepped into the center of Tifa's arch before kicking back and forth in place as though her flesh were sand. Tifa’s smile burst forth like dawn light jealous of the moon's kingdom. Though her foot did not budge, the wrinkles near her toes wavered and flailed as her toes quietly trembled, the moon's smoldering light dancing back and forth as the bonfire's orange pierced through a phalanx. Leaning forward, the ninja quickly hopped up, kicking her legs underneath her as she rotated her neck before simply stating, "To fight fire with fire." The blaze at Aerith' feet churned as she watched, her fingers going lax and releasing the stone as the small thing cried its fate out with a light plunk. Above her the leaves battered against one another as though rain serenaded them, the whispers comforting her as they coiled around the naked tops of her feet, gently brushing the inner sides near her arches as wild flames kicked in her stomach. Shutting her eyes, she began breathing and exhaling heavily, mutedly begging please, no, as the cool air swirled into her shoes, bubbling against her arches. Sucking in her lips, she clenched her toes as the spirits quipped back and forth that it should be her instead, that Tifa stole her treasure and opportunity. Shutting her eyes, she gently weaved her ankles back and forth, forcing the back edge of her shoes into the dirt while she tugged lightly, freeing her heels from the infernal heat that radiated inside.

As a calm like a wave less ocean coursed through her, she slowly let her eyelids flutter away, watching as Tifa's arms strategically shook, her fingers fluttering wildly as the ninja scraped bits of sanity away from her sole. Forcing her head down, she became motionless, her leg occasionally tugging at the cloth that held her ankle despite her foot remaining stoically stiff. The ninja's motions grew in scope, slowly sweeping up and down her arch, heel to ball, Tifa's head twitching between each rigid beginning and ending of the wavering path that the ninja wrote into her flesh, scaling untouched territory with each pass. Exhaling a long yet narrow string of air as the breeze continued to clamor that it should be her, Aerith slipped her feet from her shoes as they fell away, immediately forgotten as the night air, carefully chilled by the clouds above, welcomed her bare feet. Cracking an eye open, Tifa looked up at her comrade, the left side of her mouth jumping up as her eyebrows fell. Almost immediately her face contorted itself into a knot of suppression as she bit her lip, quelling the rebellious smile that sought to overthrow her.

Releasing her lip into the wild, Tifa let words slowly crawl forth. "Now what sort of f-f-" she loudly sucked in air and kicked her head to its side as the ninja woman began scratching at her heel, "f-fires would you be fighting that you- you," her body shook violently as the ninja woman twirled a circle above her heel, Tifa's toes fluttering repugnantly at the action. Shaking her head back and forth, she struggled to reign in her smile as it bucked wildly across her face, freeing the teeth she attempted to hold hostage as her lips spread a wide, thin opening, the campfire throwing its orange shadows against her face, dispelling the shade that she wore. Staring, her eyes wide and glazed over, Aerith felt a shiver shake up her spine as the air about her feet condensed, coalescing against her soles. Turning, she caught sight of a white ball of fur scurry across the ground, making a beeline towards her soles. Chirping as it rustled across a small twig, the small puffball slowed as it neared her, taking hesitant steps forward as it turned towards the other women nervously, its whiskers flapping like a bird's wings. The ninja woman crossed her arms as Tifa looked at her companion, rattling out a sigh.

Scratching her cheek, the ninja woman looked over her shoulder, her eyes squinting as she placed her hand to her forehead, slowly turning as she surveyed the depths beyond the campfire's small dukedom. Shrugging, she spun back around and slipped a hand beneath Tifa's foot. "Shinra."

Light beaming to her face, Tifa shot up and turned, facing her captor, "Oh! We're also figh--" her words split apart by a sudden scream that railed from her lips as the ninja woman quickly ran her fingers against the bottom of Tifa's toes. Leaping on her knees, she flailed her head, her long hair cascading back and forth like a banner in a storm. Falling forward, she landed upon her right shoulder, curling up as she tugged mightily with her leg, her foot refusing to follow her as her toes were set upon by a flurry of fingers, a siege of sensation. Spinning her foot in circles, her toes thrashed against the villains that assaulted them while the woman cackled wildly through the massive smile that sank into her face. Her eyelids flew apart as she scuffled with the ground, spiraling onto her chest and back onto her shoulder as her spine twisted and contorted in a seeming attempt to distant itself from her foot. Laughing loudly, she burrowed her forehead into the ground, digging out a slight crater as dirt clasped against her cheeks while her nose nuzzled the soil and leaves that crackled beneath her.

“Mah, oh mah,” the little ninja chuckled as she feigned Tifa’s accent, “aren’t,” she cooed, her fingers ravenously whirling spirals into the center of Tifa’s foot. Spinning onto her side, Tifa laughed loudly while shaking her head up and down as she bent into a ball and back again, her legs kicking the air. “we,” the ninja continued as she plucked away at the young woman’s foot, prying at the treasures that lay hidden within Tifa’s sole. “Ticklish,” she concluded before plucking at Tifa’s toes again. At once Tifa went wild, shaking her head from side to side, her hair completely covering her face as she wailed loudly, her shrill cries repeated by the trees, her story told to the entire forest. Wincing, Aerith shuttered an eye and cocked her head into her shoulder, Tifa’s shouts resounding in waves as though she were a breached car, its alarm incessantly harassing the surrounding city block.

The breeze whispered again that it should have been her as the small mouse sniffed at her foot, its whiskers brushing under her toes. Giggling lightly, Aerith turned away, puffing as her elbows dug themselves a refuge in her stomach. Glancing back, she watched as Tifa bounced against the ground, streaks of dirt covering her face as her hair fell, defeated, against her side. As she struggled thick strands fell limply across her face and into her mouth as she slapped her knees against the ground. Purple light began to pulsate at her wrists, a small flash crystalizing as an immaculate gem slid from beneath her bonds into an empty slot on her gloves while the ninja woman continued to pursue her attack. The pleasant sensations that crissed across Aerith feet stopped as the mouse turned and scurried away. Suddenly Tifa's eyes took on the look of a wild boar's as they fell upon Aerith. A purplish hue flashed across them as she suddenly pushed herself back to her knees, biting her lip as she threw her shoulder forward, ripping her arms free of the cloth that held them. Spinning on her knees, she twisted about and threw a crazed punch at the ninja woman behind her. Hopping onto her feet, the ninja woman leapt back then dashed into the darkness. Panting, Tifa fell forward onto her hands, her hair forming a waterfall around her face. Lifting an arm, she wiped her forehead with her wrist as she pushed herself up. Rising, she ripped the cloth away from her legs before snatching up her discarded sock and shoe. Cocking her head at Aerith, Tifa's eyes flashed purple again as the two gems that garnished her bracelet and glove glittered brilliantly with the moonlight that crashed through the canopy, drowning out the meager light that the dying campfire sputtered out. Raising the hand that held her shoe, she adjusted the bracelet with her free hand as she smiled, her eyes glittering with purple light. "You look good like that," she said simply, dropping her hand as she stepped forward.

Her eyes fluttered and she shook her head. Darting her head back and forth, she kicked dirt onto the fire before approaching Aerith. Leaning down, she slipped her fingers between the cloth at her wrists, tearing it apart as it wept violently. Placing a hand on Aerith shoulder, Tifa leaned in and whispered, "We should move." A force pushed against Aerith’s wrist; looking back, she caught Tifa nodding at her before flicking a hand through her bangs and pointing a finger to the sky. As she stepped away, she simply said, “you’ll be needing that,” as she tucked her knees inward, crashing to the ground, slipping her foot back into her sock and shoe. Aerith sat for a moment, stunned, before unwrapping the cloth from her ankles and re-equipping her own footwear, her eyes catching a purple glint twinkling in her bracelet. For a moment Tifa watched, a deep hunger in her eyes as she crouched, until at last Aerith rose, dusting dirt off the backside of her dress. Tifa shot up at once, spinning her left arm to her right while tucking her wrist behind her elbow, tugging lightly as her bones crackled.

Stumbling into the night, the two hurried onwards, the wind whispering for her to stay but a moment longer. Plucking at her nose, Aerith dashed to her left, slowing as she pinched her nostrils closed while looking about. A breeze pushed her forward, and she dashed into a run, stumbling onto the glade she had hidden herself in. Snatching up her boots, she set them into her pack and spun around, dashing after a willowy voice that scampered unevenly between the trees until she reunited with her ally. As they exited the forest and clamored up a small hill a small, a distant light flickered: Junon. Crossing her arms, Tifa nodded and began striding forward before suddenly stopping, turning to Aerith. Placing a finger on her nose, she pressed the tip so that it bent to the side, a purple light twinkling from her glove and eyes as she spoke, "Also, don't tell the boys about what happened, ok?"

--This, ah, I’m not sure. It’s certainly a piece. I had a lot of fun writing the early sections, but then when I got to the tickling bits I didn’t spend a great deal there. I should have elaborated more on the tickling, but it just felt, hm. Fine where it was? The problem is there isn’t a lot of it in relation to the rest of the piece and that’s a bummer. Also, this ended up being far longer than I intended as I ended up doing a lot more character type development than I used to do. Well, it was a good practice piece for that. There isn’t a whole lot to say, but as a whole this piece came out of nowhere and didn’t really go where I had initially planned on taking it, which may or may not necessitate a third piece. I wanted Aerith to collect the Materia, but then Tifa got tickled instead of Aerith, and by Yuffie instead of by a monster. Mostly, I wanted Aerith to step off on her own and get accosted by a monster and be tickled by it but not fight back. The other idea was that she was tickled by Tifa, because of the Materia, near a bubbling brook, this sort of based on a picture I had seen some time ago. Of course, this piece sets up for all of those things but it doesn’t actually do them and that is sad, almost requiring more time spent on this series. What a bother, but I should respect the characters.