“Mr. Foxwell, I want to thank you for coming in today. She’ll be glad to see you.”

“Thank you.” Dim, white lights shine over the man, today wearing a long coat over a blue vest and white shirt. A matching blue tie sits neatly against his torso with a bouquet of flowers tucked gently against it. One foot in front of the other, he takes careful steps down a narrow hallway. Motivational posters are splayed on each wall, denying what horrible experiences are had in a construct like this. It is the only place that would suffice, however. The only place that would take her.

The large door opens, and the doctor allows Cas in. Once in the privacy of the room, he sits him down. “There is no easy way to tell you that it isn’t getting any better, son. Things like this- a disease we’ve only seen a few times in history- it just isn’t curable here. At least... not with our practices now.”

The smooth-skinned man nods. Emotions fail to appear over his face as he asks, “How long?”

“We can’t put a time on it just yet, but I would give...” The grisled, bearded man sighs. “Some have lasted weeks, one up to a year. Now... I’ll give you some time here. Let me know if there are any complications when she wakes up.” He stands, placing a hand on Hayalci’s shoulder for a moment before stepping out.

The door latch clicks, leaving him in the room, silent if not for the terribly quiet breaths of a pale-faced Elf in the bed. Almost gray now, her skin looks as if it was painted on to make her appear monochromatic. A few steps over put Cas at the bedside, his hand failing to reach her the first time. Instead, he softly lays down the flowers and whispers, “Aethea.”

Moments later, the long, pointed ear twitches and the woman’s eyes flutter open. Brilliantly purple eyes show themselves to Caspian, and they widen at the sight of him. An exhausted voice awakens, saying, “Oh, Darling... again so soon?”

A shriveled smile appears on Caspian’s face. “I’m afraid I’m being sent off again next week, so... you have me again. I apologize for not coming by yesterday- here, for your birthday.” A short motion to the bouquet draws her vision and brings out a wide smile. “I thought you would enjoy a little liveliness around here.”

The blonde-haired Elf nods. “Afraid I lack that these days. How is little Freija?”

Cas reaches a hand over to take hold of hers. It’s cold and frail, unlike how she used to be so comforting and bright. “Alain, she’s not so little anymore. In fact, she’s being trusted to watch over me, can you believe it?”

“I can indeed, Caspy.” A nickname, given to him only by her. “You be good to her now. Such a lovely woman deserves someone willing to move the world for her.”

“Ah, but... Mother, I’m not planning to marry her, you know. We just work together.”

The wide smile on the Elf’s face turns sly, her eyes drooping ever so slightly from lack of energy. “Of course, of course. Caspy, you do plan to marry someone in your life, do you not?”

He nods, fearing the thought of disappointing her. “Yes, it is on my to-do list, Mother.”

A lackadaisical hand reaches over to clamp his. “Be kind to me, Son. I will not live forever, after all.”

Unable to hold silent tears from before back, Cas nods, dropping his head. “I know, Mother.”

“Look at me, Son.” Upon being obeyed, Aethea tells him, “It is no secret my time is coming. You are welcome to grieve, but not yet, not while there is still time to have blessed times together. These worlds are too unhappy these days as it is.”

“Do you not regret living your full life, though?”

“Oh... what I wouldn’t give to continue living knowing how successful you have become. It is nearing my time, however, and we must both understand that. Either way... we still have time left, Caspy. Tell me... how have you been?”