Tifa & Aerith IV

[Tifa Lockhart]

Aether tilted his head and flashed his flawless white teeth at her once again, his wings opening wide and glimmering in the light that still burned in his palm.
"I will try to be back by morning, just try to get some rest." He instructed, and with another whispered word of magic the light in his palm came to float nearby her. "It will remain lit until you will it away." He said, turning slowly to walk towards the exit of the chapel, his feet making no noise on the hard marble floor.

[The Painted Lady]

Delilah watched Aether leave, feeling strangely vulnerable without his strong presence close to her. Once he was gone, she turned her attention onto the tiny light, curling up into a ball on her chair.

((Skip again?))

[Tifa Lockhart]

The pink glow of sunrise was dawning on the horizon when Aether arrived back at the chapel, landing softly on his feet and furling his large white wings in close to his sides. He nodded to the guards at the door, who uncrossed their spears with a bow and allowed him admittance.

Siera and Tyrel were in another meeting with the King's Advisors but Fortuna was again by the Prince's side, patching his wounds.
"How is his highness?" Aether asked, keeping his voice soft.
"He may wake soon." Fortuna replied, looking up from her work, "But he has a fever."
Aether winced slightly and then glanced around, not seeing Delilah anywhere, "Where is Lady Delilah?"
Fortuna pointed, in the corner of the chapel, curled up on a little palet was the Lady. "Ariel moved her there while she slept, she feared she was uncomfortable here."
Aether nodded and moved over to where Delilah slept, sitting not far from her, he would wait for her to wake of her own accord before imparting his news

[The Painted Lady]

Again, as if sensing his presence, Delilah's eyes fluttered open not long after Aether sat down. When she saw his form in the morning glow, she sat up quickly, holding her head as it spun violently from the hasty movement.
"It's morning already?..." she asked, feeling no more rested than she did last night.

[Tifa Lockhart]

"If you count the lick of dawns first light as 'morning', then yes." Aether said pleasantly, resting an arm on his raised leg as he remained sat where he was, his posture impeccable, though a little casual. He tilted his head, a lock of his blonde fringe sliding sideways with the motion.
"Did you sleep well?" He asked, his amethyst eyes dark in the dappled morning light that filtered through the stained glass windows, painting the ground around them both an array of amazing colours.

[The Painted Lady]

Delilah looked down before she started staring too long at the Angel's perfect face.
"I suppose so," she said softly.
"As well as I could have hoped, anyway..."
She wrung her hands a little in her lap.
"Is Conrad okay?"

[Tifa Lockhart]

"He's-" Aether began his reply, but a call of his name from across the chapel diverted his attention briefly. He straightened from his seated position, walking over to Delilah and offering her a hand up.
"Why don't you ask him yourself?" he suggested, waiting for her to take his hand.
It seemed Conrad had stirred as if he'd heard his own name XD

[The Painted Lady]

Feeling heat rise to her cheeks, Delilah took Aether's hand, letting him lead her to her cousin.
"Conrad?" she whispered softly.
She kissed his forehead, stroking his hairline tenderly.
"How do you feel?..."

[Tifa Lockhart]

Aether released the girl's hand when they reached the Prince, stepping back out of the way so that they could have a private chat. He didn't go too far though, wanting to keep an eye on them both.

Conrad slowly turned his head to meet the voice's eyes. He was bleary eyed and sweaty with fever, but he was alive.
"Del?" He replied, his voice a bit raspy, "What happened?" He winced, a hand moving to touch the wound on his chest.

[The Painted Lady]

"Don't touch it," Delilah said quickly, grabbing his hand gently.
She hung her head a little.
"It's not good Con... Someone wants us dead."
She swallowed thickly.
"They've... already killed you father," she said, her voice cracking a little.

[Tifa Lockhart]

"They... what?" He breathed, what little colour there was in his face instantly leaving it. "My f-father? No..." Tears instantly welled up in his eyes, partly of pain, partly of grief. "H-How could this happen...?" He clenched his hands into fists, his jaw clenched tight.

[The Painted Lady]

Delilah felt her throat close up as Conrad's eyes filled with tears.
"We'll find out who did this," she promised.
"I'm sorry Con..." she whispered weakly. "So sorry..."

[Tifa Lockhart]

Conrad let his eyes close for a moment, inhaling deeply as he steeled himself. Then with a weak and shaking hand he reached up, touching his cousin's cheek. "Shhh." He mused, letting his hand drop once more, too weak to hold it up for long, "It's not your fault Del." He insisted, shaking his head, "Father always warned me that something like this could happen." The look of anguish crossed his face again.

[The Painted Lady]

Delilah caught her cousin's hand as it fell, kissing it gently.
"I just wish it hadn't," she said quietly.
She paused for a moment.
"Do you want me to stay here?"

[Tifa Lockhart]

Conrad nodded, giving his cousin's hand a feeble squeeze as he closed his eyes, seeming about ready to sleep again. His heart was as heavy as his weakened body, and his chest throbbed painfully.
"Here." A calm voice said, waking him from the edge of slumber. One of the arcs stood over them, the young blonde male it seemed. He held two mugs, offering both of them to Delilah.
"Fortuna says to drink this, and help the Prince drink his own." Once the mugs were taken from him Aether stepped back again.