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Ardbert saw the state Aelynn was in when the Scions – her family – barged into the suite. They let her lay down onto the bed while talking between themselves about the events that just unfolded. She was unmoving and it was an unnerving sight. For the many, many days this ghost has watched over her, he knew Aelynn as one who hated being idle. Always doing something with her hands, moving around Norvrandt, reading or weaving. To see her look almost dead is too weird for him.
He kept an eye on her while she was resting. He owed her at least that. She tried, let the skies return to darkness once more, and she did too much, and now it was back to square one. She will definitely be devastated upon seeing the state of the sky, but he knew she wouldn’t rest until what she came to do is done, and bring her family back into the Source.
Day one. Master Matoya – Y’shtola – came. The Mystel was accompanied by little miss Ryne. As one has hearer abilities and the other could manage to keep the light within the sick in check, it was only right for them to check how she was going. After the check-up, unable to bear the sight, Ryne left quickly. Y’shtola stood behind, trying to look at Aelynn, but she couldn’t. What she still couldn’t see physically, she could see in her Aether, and by the way Y’shtola looked clearly terrified, this was bad. Very bad. But Ardbert knew of Aelynn and Y’shtola’s worst kept secret, so he knew she was here to stay by her side whenever she was not away to find a cure for her. It was very late at night, after she was gone, that Feo Ul came to see their little sapling.
“Ryne is a good kid. Too sweet for her own good. I hope that once we bring the night back onto this star, she gets to live the life she deserves. Full of love and curiosity for the world not having to always fight for her rights.”
Day two. This time, the tiny twins that Aelynn kept on calling her younger siblings, Alphinaud and Alisaie. It was a little obvious that she was protective of the two young Scions who wanted to look bright into their future. As usual, they were arguing, but he could see the red one was in tears, and Alphinaud had to console her. Apparently Alisaie wanted to come see her earlier, feeling at fault, but she wasn’t ready yet. Knowing that she has yet to open her eyes yet, she begged for her to not leave her behind again and to wake up as fast as possible. Y’shtola came very late at night. She moved a strand of hair on Aelynn’s face. She took a glance at what Aelynn was working on lately. Something so little, so simple. … She took it with her.
“They are both very young. I think it is only fair to let both of them have some trial-and-error for what they want to do in their futures. Alphinaud and I went through thick and thin, and seeing Alisaie improve makes me want to keep up with her. I am certain they will both grow into fine adults. ….Do I have some favoritism because they’re both two of our youngest members of the Scions? ……probably.”
Day four. Urianger made himself at home very early and started his search inside the suite. It seemed easier for the tall elf to talk out loud, as if he was telling Aelynn of what he was doing. Each action, each detail….. Arbert could barely understand him at all. It was a bit after noon that Thancred showed up. They did talk a lot together, and they ended up cleaning themselves up before leaving the suite in the state they found it first. Thancred stood a bit behind, posing a gentle hand onto Aelynn’s head, ruffling her hair a little, giving silent words. Y’shtola was unimpressed by the feel of her hair under her hand and arranged it back, guided by Ryne who could actually see it.
“...no, don’t ask me why he speaks like this. I never knew the proper reason either. But his words of wisdom… do in fact soothe me. Even if I only understand him more than half of the time, lately. It does get better with time. As for Thancred, he was the first Scion I encountered. I do have a soft spot for him in particular, but sometimes I do want to punch his pretty face. Despite their differences, they’re both funny. I always have fun around them.”
Day six. Y’shtola showed up this time with a box. She placed the box on the table before joining Aelynn’s side once more, taking a hold of her hands. Ardbert knew that Aelynn was the more sentimental of the two, so it surprised him to see Y’shtola bringing new clothes for her. It appeared she took a little time in her search to ask the Night’s Blessed to help her with crafting something new for Aelynn to wear when… if she wakes up. The style was similar to both the Night’s Blessed and Y’shtola’s outfit, but there were details that could clearly show that this was made for her. … What is up with Aelynn and showing legs. The little accessory Y’shtola took a few days ago were included in the outfit. A cute, dark purple ribbon, this time, with an additional jewel to it.
“......you are not going to have these words out of me, Ardbert. ………….. So all I am going to say is that I look up to her and she has my utmost respect. …..Look at me, I’m supposed to be the one who talks the least, but if I speak….. if I speak .... Wait, actually let’s talk; did you used to have a significant one back then?”
Day twelve. By Y’shtola’s and Alisaie’s gaze upon their friend, it was clear they were running out of options and of time. Aelynn wasn’t waking up yet, and their search went fruitless. Neither of them were willing to give up, however. Nobody of the Scions wanted to give in to despair yet.
“...Yes, I do have people, friends I enjoy having around, and the Scions are who I cherish the most. I wish them only love and happiness, and that we all go back home, together. I have no reason to doubt myself in times like this, maybe I am just as stubborn as my grandparents but…. but I just hope the feeling is reciprocated.”
It was by day sixteen that the Drahn finally woke up. She was obviously disoriented, lost… and still hurt.
“Ah, finally.”
It was obvious to him that Aelynn did not want to talk at all right now, but he also knew she had to.
“....give it to me straight, Ardbert,” Aelynn’s first words in a long while resonated through the room. It felt weak, but it was clear to him that she wasn’t willing to run from the consequences. “The details, please.”
It was a hard one to tell her everything and he did not like he had to be the bringer of bad news, but it was for the better that it was him first before anyone else. It hits differently when Aelynn is being the one devastated by the sight of the Light onto the sky. A lot of her work, undone. She went back to her silence, a heavy one at that. Hence why he urged her to go out and take a breath. Better than drowning in a mess of bad feelings.
“But before you do that, someone left something for you. Take it with you,” he pointed to the box on the table.
He took a glance of the dark purple-haired lady walking slowly to the table to discover the content of the box. Saw her standing there in silence before rushing to hide and dress herself up. He did not need to see her face. He knew. He won’t bring up the fact that he knew.
He allowed himself to disappear for the moment.
He hopes she will soon find out that her feelings are greatly reciprocated, and that they would drill it into her head hard enough if she keeps thinking otherwise.