When she finally comes to, Alain awakens in her bed. Bluish sunlight filters through her curtains, lighting up an empty bedroom. The same clothes from the night before were left on her, though she was, at some point, tucked into her covers. A light blinks on her tablet, it propped up on a bedside table against the body of her lamp. Slowly, her hand reaches and takes the tablet, which she lights up to see what was left for her. When her eyes adjust, she sees a message left under the name “Cas,” making the corners of her mouth stretch upwards in a warm smile.
“Allie- Look through your photos when you awaken, then reach out... Your Agent.”
My Agent, Alain thinks, the thought making her heart grow larger each second. With a few taps, she finds out there are tens- maybe even a hundred- images from the night before. Slowly, the memories return and she remembers all that had occurred in vivid detail. After the V.I.P. lounge, they danced together on the inside balconies with each other and with strangers. The two strolled through, drinking and conversing in the streets of Ascentia. At some point, they wound up in Descentia at a coliseum, the picture showing Caspian speaking to a few demons, male and female, twice his size while Alain makes a face at what took the image. More drinks, more food, and more partying leads up to a final photo of her with her lips on his cheek, seemingly taking the picture without his knowledge. In her bed, she rolls over to put her face into a pillow and squeals with glee, reliving the night in her mind over and over again. I can’t believe that happened- I can’t believe he did that for me, she thinks.
After cleaning up and changing, she stops in front of her bathroom mirror. A part of her morning routine, she makes eye contact with herself and says, “Be incredible today, Allie. You deserve it.” As she speaks, another grin sneaks up and takes her face over, prompting a giggle before she steps out and reaches out to her Agent with the mental link. “Good morning.”
The response comes relatively quick, Cas greeting her. “Alain, good to hear you’re awake. Ready for breakfast?”
“Breakfast? I would love that,” she says. “Where do I need to meet you?”
“Just step outside.”
To this message, Alain strides for the door, not before slowing down to try and seem calm and collected. Keep it together, Allie, she thinks. A few deep breaths later, her hand moves to the door and she opens it, finding an entirely different place through the threshold. Judging by the yellowish-white sun, she steps out into a lovely restaurant on Bea, closing the portal behind her. Wide windows look out into a forest surrounding the place, pearly white stairs lead down from the balcony she stands on, and small groups enjoy early morning meals together. The pale Elf stands out among all others, though few even give her a second look. When called by name, she turns to see two faces, both very familiar to her. One of the two makes her gasp, and she puts a hand to her heart. “Aethea?”
The Elite Elven woman sits with her son, blonde hair put up in a messy bun that matches a very light-colored dress. She is exceedingly tall, reaching seven and a half feet like most other Elite-species Elves. Despite the sickness making her thin and frail, the mother retains a strong appearance out of her own will. With Caspian’s help, her fingernails have been painted a faint pink, which accentuate her mesmerizingly violet eyes. “Alain, dear, come join us,” she greets.
As Alain approaches, she notices the wheelchair Aethea sits in, but gives it no obvious attention as she kneels to take and kiss the woman’s hand. She straightens back out to take a seat at the small circle table, looking over the one who had acted as her mother when she was a child. “It’s been so long, I... By all imaginable, it’s amazing to see you again.”
“And you as well, sweetie. I hear you are going to be my son’s guardian angel soon enough. Is this true that you decided to become a Controller?”
“Yes,” she nods. “The timing certainly helped out so that I could work with him.”
“Ah. Well, I hope he causes you no trouble. I raised him not to, after all,” she smiles, showing a perfect set of teeth. Had she not been seen in the wheelchair, no one would be able to tell how much pain she’s going through at this very second. Next to her, Cas keeps a hand held over hers on the table as a sign of affection between Chassan family members.
“Why no, he causes me no trouble at all, Aethea. In fact, he has been rather delightful towards me recently.” A shared glance with him makes her heart skip a beat. This is moving so fast. Am I still under some influence? “I’ve begun to wonder how we fought so much as kids.”
“I remember it being your fault most of the time,” Caspian teases, giving a smile unlike anything Alain has seen before. Something about him being with Aethea makes him a different person, and it’s incredibly captivating.
His mother gives him a knowing look, saying, “Be kind to her, son. You will be in her hands soon, so it would be wise to stay on her good side. Though,” she adds, looking to Alain once more, “it doesn’t look like there is a bad side to even be on.”
Alain blushes, waving it off. “Too much, Aethea! Thank you...” She enjoys the time spent with the two people closest to her in her life. They share breakfast choices, memories, and laughs in the soothing light of Bea’s sun. The conversation kept away from their recent late night antics, mainly to keep themselves in a somewhat decent light for Cas’ traditional-styled mother. They also keep away from talking about her illness, but it seems clear to Alain that not much time is left judging from her Agent’s behavior and attitude. When Caspian eventually excuses himself from the table for a moment to pay the bill, Alain is left with a perfect opportunity alone with Aethea. “May I ask you something?”
“The answer is yes, dear Alain.”
“Huh?”
The Elite Elf’s gaze is all-knowing, like she is some kind of Goddess. “You look at him now the same as you did when you were young. I may not have been the brightest in my day, but I can see the feeling radiating from you now. It may take time for him to realize how much he needs you, maybe longer than I have left, but he will realize it. When he does, you have your answer and my blessing, Alain. Just don’t give up on him, will you?”
Alain is taken aback, at a loss for words until she manages to get out a few “Thank you”s in quick succession. She takes Aethea’s hand, holding it in both of hers. “Thank you, truly. This was a treat, and... I’ll do you proud, I promise.”
Aethea’s other hand moves to clasp over the Aether Elf’s. “No need to promise me you’ll do something you already have over and over again. Make him happy and keep him safe is all I ask of you in return.”
Before tears can spring from her eyes, she pushes them back and nods, smiling from ear to ear. “Thank you, thank you so much. You were everything I never would have had, everything.”
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