[The moment the other Aether disappears, the real one opens his eyes.]
[A fine layer of frost has formed over his body, but he can finally move again -- freed from the mirror that the Ayakashi had trapped him in. But although he hadn't been the one in control, the memories of the false version of him still linger in his mind. And while it takes a moment or two for the stranger of the memories to settle in, the last thing he saw is what has him moving, leaping out the nearest window of the castle and gliding down to the ground -- whereupon he immediately searches for Xiao.]
[Thankfully, it doesn't take long for him to find the familiar form of his friend kneeling down in the snow. He runs towards him -- but then slows to a stop. What sort of expression will be on Xiao's face... would he rather be left alone? And is Aether really the right person to be comforting him right now?]
[The questions linger in his mind, but ultimately--]
Xiao.
[The freshly fallen snow crunches under his feet with each step -- before he too kneels down by Xiao's side. He has no idea what he should say, so all that comes out is--]
no subject
[A fine layer of frost has formed over his body, but he can finally move again -- freed from the mirror that the Ayakashi had trapped him in. But although he hadn't been the one in control, the memories of the false version of him still linger in his mind. And while it takes a moment or two for the stranger of the memories to settle in, the last thing he saw is what has him moving, leaping out the nearest window of the castle and gliding down to the ground -- whereupon he immediately searches for Xiao.]
[Thankfully, it doesn't take long for him to find the familiar form of his friend kneeling down in the snow. He runs towards him -- but then slows to a stop. What sort of expression will be on Xiao's face... would he rather be left alone? And is Aether really the right person to be comforting him right now?]
[The questions linger in his mind, but ultimately--]
Xiao.
[The freshly fallen snow crunches under his feet with each step -- before he too kneels down by Xiao's side. He has no idea what he should say, so all that comes out is--]
I'm here.