Tifa & Aerith IV

[The Painted Lady]

"O-okay," Delilah said quietly, taking the two mug.
She looked down to her cousin, placing her own on the ground.
"Con?..." she asked. "Do you feel up to having a drink?"

[Tifa Lockhart]

Conrad winced slightly, opening his eyes yet again and fixing them on Delilah. He shook his head, giving a feeble smile.
"I fear not, but i shall do my best." He admitted, eyes flicking to the arc who lingered. The others were not around, so why did this one remain with them?

[The Painted Lady]

"Tell me if I hurt you," Delilah said softly, repositioning herself to help him so that he could drink from his mug.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Though the progress was slow with Delilah's help Conrad was able to finish off the strange herbal concoction that the Arc had given him. With that done his tiredness kicked in quickly and the Prince dozed back into sleep.

Not long after the Prince had fallen into slumber a beautiful lilting music filled the air. Aether had seated himself on the stairs that lead up to the chapel altar and was now playing a soft beautiful melody on a strange instrument that he had pressed to his lips.
It appeared to be a shell, with a stem into which he blew and a number of holes over which he placed his fingers in different sequences to create different sounds. It glimmered like the insides of a shell, but its edges were trimmed with gold. There was the symbol of the arcs engraved on the instruments side, though at present it was mostly covered by the angel's hand.

[The Painted Lady]

Delilah looked up to the Angel as the music began, watching him unblinkingly, feeling completely at peace. It was only when she heard a sigh pass her lips that she blushed a little and busied herself with her drink.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Though up till this point Aether had played with his eyes closed, Delilah's sigh urged him to open his amethyst orbs and fix her with his gaze. Despite this his finger continued to play the dainty instrument as if it took no concentration from him. He didn't know why he watched her thus, no human had ever fascinated him so before. There was just something about her, he longed to watch her night and day, simply to see her live.
The swirl of confusion in his head did not effect his playing, though the confusion he felt about Delilah confused him, breeding an endless whirlwind of thoughts in his head. He just did not understand.

[The Painted Lady]

Delilah could feel those violet eyes watching her, even as she looked away. She couldn't stop herself from looking up to see his face again. There was a beauty in the way he played, his fingers graceful and delicate as he manipulated the instrument. She wondered... how it would feel to have those fingers brush her skin. To touch her lips and trace down her neck to the hollow of her collarbone and--
Now she blushed furiously, ripping her gaze down to her mug, concentrating on it hard. She felt a little flustered; where had those thoughts come from? She hardly ever fantasised in such a way about the men who showed in interest in her. Why think of one of the kingdom's Guardians so? That was far less appropriate. She felt horribly embarrassed, even if she was quite sure Aether couldn't read her thoughts.

[Tifa Lockhart]

The music stopped short as Delilah tore her gaze away from his. He began to laugh, strangely amused by her behaviour.
"Why do you bloom so, rosebud?" He asked, playfully mocking her blush, leaning his chin on his hand as the other that held his instrument dropped down to his side. He tilted his head, his purple eyes dancing as he watched her.

[The Painted Lady]

Delilah could feel the heat radiating from her cheeks. There was no way she would be able to tell Aether the reason behind her strange behaviour. It was hard for her to accept the strange feelings she was experiencing. She couldn't even find her voice to reply to Aether, let alone any believable explanation. Instead, she shook her head quickly, still looking down.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Aether continued to laugh happily, pocketing his instrument as he straightened to his feet, spreading his wings for a moment as he stretched.
"Your mother is safe by the way My Lady." He said, the playful tone he'd had a moment before ebbing a little, "I cautioned her guard to keep a close watch on the estate."

[The Painted Lady]

"Thank you," Delilah said softly, risking a glance up again, concentrating on not getting lost in thought again.
"I really appreciate everything you've done..."

[Tifa Lockhart]

Aether tilted his head again, looking a little baffled.
"Why do you act as though you have inconvenienced me." He shook his head, "My existence is to aid mortals in any way i can. If i cannot do that, i may as well not exist at all."

[The Painted Lady]

Delilah's shoulders hunched in a little, shyly.
"Because I feel that perhaps your help would be better used on others... I feel as if I'm impeding on the time you devote to everyone else..."

[Tifa Lockhart]

"There are five of us for a reason." Aether said with a chuckle, shaking his head, "That, and at present your safety and wellbeing is more important than anyone else. Because your wellbeing helps keep the kingdom whole and thus content and safe." The strangest thing then happened, the angel's cheeks filled with the tiniest amount of pink as if he was now blushing too.
"And i suppose i may have promised a rather anxious mother that i would keep an eye on her daughter."

[The Painted Lady]

Delilah looked a little startled as the blush rose in Aether's cheeks. Was it even possible? She didn't know that Angel's could blush...
"I'm... I'm sorry if my mother hassled you," she said quietly.
"She does tend to get a little over-protective..."
She looked down to her sleeping cousin, brushing his hair gently.
"I suppose this means Conrad will be king now..." she said sadly.