Tifa & Aerith IV

[Tifa Lockhart]

Aether moved a hand to gently hold Delilah's head carefully against his side, wrapping his other arm around her waist. With one flap of his wings he took flight, carefully wheeling himself towards the massive walls of the palace, keeping at a steady but gentle pace so that he didn't frighten Delilah.
"Are you alright My Lady?" He asked as he soared overhead, his wings spread wide as he gripped her firmly against his chest, "You need never fear falling."

[The Painted Lady]

Delilah paused, before nodding slightly into the Angel's chest. She refused to bring her eyes up, and felt too nauseous to speak. Her fear was clearly consuming her despite her 'positive' response to his question, as one of her arms found it's way to carefully wind itself around Aether's body, pulling herself in tighter.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Aether did not understand the concept of fear... it was a state of mind he remembered, but he could not himself relive it, as an immortal, he had little to be afraid of. He made no further comments, understanding that nothing he said was going to make her feel any better, instead he continued on to the palace.

His brother and sisters were gathered outside the chapel in the palace courtyard, so it was there he landed. He managed to overhear the word 'physician' as he came to a careful landing, slowly unfurling his arms from around Delilah.
"We are safe on the ground." He said, stretching one wing around her to encourage her to remain close to him, "Let us go find out what has happened, shall we?" He asked, wanting to let her nerves settle before he moved over to his fellow arcs.

[The Painted Lady]

Delilah nodded and with a blush, came unstuck from Aether, removing her arm from around his torso and putting a much more respectable distance between them.
"Yes..." she said softly.
"Sorry."
She felt the need to apologise for her actions. She had behaved in a rather shocking manner toward the Guardian.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Aether gave her an almost critical look, shaking his head at her as if she was being silly.
"As a guardian of you and your people it is my place to serve, stop acting as if you're breaking rules." He chuckled rather merrily, "As far as i know, there are none." He shrugged and urged her forward with a gentle hand to her back, keeping one great white wing curled protectively around her.

The other arcs all bore grave expressions as Aether and Delilah approached. They turned to face them, Ariel stepping forward and beckoning Delilah towards her. Aether withdrew his wing, urging her to go to the woman, before he moved to wordlessly follow Tyrel into the chapel.

[The Painted Lady]

If entirely possible, Delilah felt even more self-conscious as Aether moved away as she was urged toward Ariel. She bowed her head in respect. She wasn't going to even begin to take for granted that the other Guardians shared Aether's attitude. When she looked up, her eyes were fearful and she bit her lip. Seeing the Angels' expressions only made her more anxious. She swallowed the question she had for the beautiful woman in front of her, not wanting to appear disrespectful.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Ariel was one of the younger arcs, much like Aether, but her mindset had shifted somewhat over the years of her immortality. She didn't however have any proper emotional connection to those she protected, rather she was very good at offering up the correct emotions for the situation.
"Lady Delilah you must forgive us." Ariel whispered, pressing a hand to her heart and dropping her chin as if in reverence or fearing a beating.

[The Painted Lady]

Delilah was starting to feel terror flowing through her veins, and she stiffened a little at Ariel's words.
"W-what for?" she asked in confusion, glancing to the others that remained and to the Chapel where she had seen Aether disappear.
Dread was starting to wash over her body, and those shakes were returning again...

[Tifa Lockhart]

"We are afraid that..." Ariel began, trying to sound as sympathetic as she could, "That the King was killed... we were able to save Prince Conrad... though he was injured." The angel shifted uneasily, her feathers rustling, "The assassins used the confusion of the crowd to get the better of us..." She shook her head, "We are sorry..."

[The Painted Lady]

Delilah's shakes were well and truly taking hold of her as she brought her hand to her mouth. She was silent for a few long moments, trying to take in the news, before she uttered a sound.
"Uncle?..." she whispered weakly.
She needed to sit down... She felt faint. A tear slid down a very pale cheek as she looked down, trying to suppress a quiet sob.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Ariel looked a little worried, and took a step forward as if she meant to somehow help the ailing girl, but she was beaten to it.

Aether had come up behind Delilah and was supporting her so that she could not fall.
"Easy." He whispered gently, "I know this is hard... " He simply supported Delilah for now.

[The Painted Lady]

Upon hearing Aether's gentle words, Delilah started crying, unable to hold her composure until she had some privacy. She felt herself sink a little, relying on Aether's support.
How had this happened? Only moments ago she had been re-acquainting herself with her uncle and his son. Now...
"Can I see Conrad?..." she whispered between sobs, her throat sore from grief.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Ariel glanced at Aether, not sure whether Tyrel would allow the girl to see her cousin or whether he'd rather her keep her distance. Aether nodded however and gently urged Delilah to follow him, one great white wing furling around her once more as he supported her dead weight.
"He is asleep as present." Aether cautioned, "Fortuna is tending to him." He lead the girl into the chapel. The altar had something laying on it covered in a white sheet, Aether seemed to casually stretch a wing as they passed, but he was actually preventing Delilah from seeing in for the time being.

Conrad was laid out on a stretcher on the far side of the chapel with Lady Fortuna kneeling beside him, a glow illuminating her hands as she worked to heal a nasty crossbow bolt wound in his chest. There were other wounds as well, some that appeared to be from daggers.

[The Painted Lady]

Delilah knew what Aether was shielding her from immediately, but it was not her wish to look by any means. If anything, she focused her attention rigidly onto her cousin as she walked. Silently, a fresh stream of tears began to flow over her cheeks and she quickly moved to wipe them away, forcing herself to be a little more steady on her feet. For now, she kept her distance, not wanting to interrupt Fortuna's process.
"He'll make it, right?" she asked Aether quietly, trying to keep the desperation from her voice.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Aether placed a hand on Delilah's shoulder as she hung back, giving it a gentle squeeze.
"My sister's skills of healing are unsurpassed by mortal and immortal alike... I am sure with her aid the Prince will recover in time."
As he finished speaking the female arc turned to look over her shoulder, gesturing that the two of them could approach.
"Do not try to wake him though." She insisted as she straightened and backed away, her hands and clothes of white stained with Conrad's blood.