"Oh, you are right, he did lose his arm..." Henri's voice carried up, his usual commanding tone softened by genuine worry. He adjusted his stance, one hand resting thoughtfully on his chin as he studied Aether's figure above.
"Yeah..." Elara started slowly, her eyes widening as the reality of the situation finally registered.
She took a stumbling step backward, her hand flying to her mouth. "He actually lost his arm!" Her scream echoed in the open field. She didn't realize it, but it was true; his figure diminished without it.
"It's a long story!" Aether called down as he realized they're here, his voice bouncing off the walls. He shifted his weight uncomfortably, very aware of their scrutiny.
"Not long enough..." Henri sighed, making an impatient gesture toward the open space before him. "Jump."
Aether's heart rate spiked, his pulse thundering in his ears. "What?" He pressed himself against the wall, feeling the peeling wallpaper crumble beneath his touch.
"Jump." Henri's voice was firm, brooking no argument.
"I've had enough jumping today..." Aether protested, clinging tighter to the railing. His palm was sweaty against the faded paper, leaving a damp imprint.
Henri's expression darkened. "Three days ago. I left you there three days ago..."
The words hit Aether like a physical blow. His mind reeled as he tried to process the information. Time really works different there, I didn't experience time, let alone experience anything... The thought made his head spin.
"Alright, just hurry down!" Henri's voice had softened again, somehow maintaining its gentle tone despite the volume needed to reach Aether's height.
"Alright..." Aether called back, pushing away from the railing and beginning his descent. He moved quickly but carefully, his right hand sliding along the banister for support as his tied-up sleeve fluttered like a surrender flag.
"Didn't he also have hair?" Henri asked Elara, his eyes tracking Aether's progress.
Elara shifted her weight, fidgeting with the hem of her sleeve. "He did. He barbered it... in your room. I mean, office."
"Oh, okay," Henri nodded absently, then froze. "Wait... he what?"
"He basically got ready in your room—" Elara's explanation was cut short as Henri suddenly launched himself upward, sailing past Aether with supernatural speed.
The sudden sound startled Aether so badly he lost his footing, tumbling down the remaining stairs in an ungraceful heap.
"Aether!" Elara called out, fear gripping her.
Henri barely noticed, his mind consumed with thoughts of Leonardo running loose in his office. It was still better than anywhere Adelaide might reach. Yes, it was better... wasn't it? Doubt gnawed at him as he ascended; he rushed past Aether and flew up the stairs.
Meanwhile, Aether had finally stopped rolling at the bottom of the stairs, having been mercifully close to the end when he fell.
He pushed himself up with his remaining hand, legs shaking slightly as he found his balance. As he dusted off his outfit, it seemed to unwrinkle itself, returning to pristine condition.
"Special outfit privileges," he mused with a small smile, straightening his collar as he walked toward Elara, who watched him with a mixture of concern and curiosity.
"Leonardo," she began, her voice uncertain.
"Aether," he corrected gently, adjusting his stance to face her fully.
"I might not get used to that." Elara wrung her hands, a nervous habit she'd never quite broken.
"We barely knew each other a month?" Aether replied, then added with a warm smile, "Don't worry, I'll correct you every time." He reached out and briefly touched her shoulder, a reassuring gesture.
Elara stood frozen for a moment, processing his words before asking, "Why'd you change your name anyway?"
"It was safer to make a fake name," Aether's expression grew distant as he spoke, his hand dropping back to his side.
"Fake?" Elara's voice carried a note of hurt.
"It's real now, don't worry," he assured her, his smile returning as he turned toward the garden.
Henri joined them, slightly out of breath, looking exasperated. "You've certainly managed to turn my office upside down," he muttered, eyeing Aether's lack of hair, the bandaged stump of his arm, and his general appearance.
Aether grinned unapologetically, brushing a bit of dirt from his shirt. "I'm Aether. I think this is our first time formally meeting? And I'm sorry about the office..."
"Forget about the office, we have maids and butlers for a reason, my son!" Henri replied cheerfully.
Son? Aether thought, confused at the remark. Elara takes a lot from her father, that's a good thing.
Henri brought out his hand, confusing Aether suddenly, as he muttered, "I'm sorry for what my wife did, deeply and sorrowfully so. If it would suit you, I would bow for you this instant."
Elara turned to gaze at her father in shock but with equal guilt. "I would too."
Aether watched them in disbelief as tears started to fall. He obliged and shook Henri's hand.
"No, no. I wouldn't want that, far from it. In all honesty, I would have died without your help," Aether replied gracefully, a streak of joy staining his face.
"The offer is always on the table, son."
"Noted," Aether replied, giving a mock salute with his remaining hand. He turned to the garden, his gaze softening.
Elara stepped beside him, folding her arms. "He's the all-good type, Dad. We picked a good friend."
When did we have such a bond? Aether thought inwardly. In all honesty, he never gave the idea any grace of settling in his mind, yet here he stood talking and laughing with his family. The word felt foreign, yet the warmth in Henri's voice made it stick.
Aether rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of warmth in his voice. "Alright, enough. Have you gone to the grand bibliotheca? I don't want to be wrapped up in this arm of mine... I mean, it is gone."
Henri chuckled, his gaze following Aether's to the garden. "Ah yes, I may have forgotten about that arm of yours. You're certain you can handle missing a full arm?" His voice trailed off, a thoughtful expression on his face.
Aether paused and held his tied-up sleeve, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I can handle it until I think about stabbing myself with a sword—also, where is my sword?"
Henri and Elara looked at each other and offered strained smiles. "Your sword is safe... just forget it for a while..." Henri said slowly, his unease showing.
"And now, we have work to do. Leonard—Aether, you're going to need that energy."
Aether exhaled, shifting his focus from the tranquil garden to his friends. "Yeah, I figured. Just… maybe don't tell me to jump off anything else for a while."
"Oh, don't worry," Elara said with a mischievous smile. "I'll make sure you don't have to jump—at least not alone."
"Alright, Elara, go call Anna for me. Aether, follow me." Henri's voice was instantly resolute.