"You're going to stay here, alright?" Vivienne's tone held a gentle firmness, not exactly a question, but a clear expectation. Aerion understood.
He nodded, his gaze meeting hers. "As you wish, Mother."
A soft, loving smile graced her lips as she caressed his cheek, her eyes filled with a bittersweet tenderness. Then, without looking back, she turned and walked away, knowing that a lingering gaze would only make the parting more difficult.
[Thrown into another situation I don't understand… Why it's happening to me? It's like I'm nothing but a cosmic entertainment.]
As Vivienne disappeared through the gate, Raatindra enveloped Aerion in a warm, comforting hug. Her embrace was soft and reassuring, a welcome contrast to the whirlwind of emotions he was feeling.
As he felt her body on his a wave satisfaction ran through his nerves. [Well atleast this role compensate with this.]
"Hey kiddo," she said, her voice gentle, "you're going to be staying with us for a while now.
"Okay, Aunt," Aerion replied, a small smile touching his lips.
Raatindra playfully ruffled his hair. "Don't call me Aunt, kid."
"Then what should I call you if not Aunt, Aunt?" Aerion retorted, a hint of mischief in his eyes.
Raatindra's playful ruffling turned slightly more vigorous. "Ahhh… slow down, Aunt… Are you planning to make me bald… huh?" Aerion protested, giggling.
Ādima's sharp voice cut through their playful banter. "Stop it, you two…" Both Raatindra and Aerion instantly straightened, a respectful silence falling between them. No one dared to defy the matriarch.
Maa ādima looked at Aerion, her gaze softening slightly. "Arya… this is your home too now. Be comfortable. We will begin your training from tomorrow onwards." She reached out and patted his head with a surprisingly gentle touch.
"I have a question," Aerion said, looking up at her.
"Mhm, sure, what is it?"
"How will I know when a day has passed… the sun always stays up there." He gestured towards the perpetually bright sky above the shelter of the house.
Maa ādima grinned, a hint of amusement in her eyes. She rested her head on her palm. "Oh, don't worry about that, little one. When the time comes, you will know."
Aerion wondered at the cryptic answer. Following Maa ādima's instructions, he was led to an in-house bathing chamber where he cleansed himself. The water flowed through some unseen magical means, responding to his thoughts – warm when he desired warmth, cool when he wished to be refreshed. He marveled at the effortless magic that permeated this land.
Wrapped in a soft towel, he entered the bedroom that had been prepared for him. It was a small but cozy space, dominated by a large wooden bed adorned with intricate carvings. A single, soft light source floated above, adjusting its intensity automatically to suit his smaller stature. An open space on the floor with an empty shelf suggested a place for meditation. On the bed, he found a long piece of golden and white cloth, its purpose initially unclear.
After a few moments of contemplation, he emerged from his room, dressed in the golden-white cloth wrapped around his waist, a matching scarf draped over one shoulder.
Raatindra smiled warmly at the sight of him, causing a faint blush to rise on his cheeks. "Hey, stop it, Aunt… don't look at me like that," he mumbled, feeling self-conscious.
She grinned and playfully ruffled his hair again. "You look good, boy."
"Thank you," Aerion replied, feeling a little more at ease.
As if on cue, the light within the house began to subtly dim. "What is this, Aunt?" Aerion asked, noticing the change.
"It's time for bed," Raatindra replied matter-of-factly.
"Really? Isn't it too early?" he asked, glancing outside at the still-bright landscape. "Did you forget the sun stays at the top?" He stuck his tongue out sheepishly and scratched his head. "Oh yeah, my bad."
Raatindra giggled and patted his shoulder. "Now go eat something light, like some fruit, then go to sleep."
He nodded. "And don't forget to take a bath and get ready with fresh clothes tomorrow, okay?" she added.
"Sure, Aunt."
After several hours of deep, restful sleep, the light within the house began to brighten once more. Aerion groaned softly, rubbing his eyes as he woke. [I guess time's up.] The night had been peaceful, the bed incredibly comfortable, like sleeping on a cloud.
Later that day, with Raatindra by his side, Aerion arrived at a majestic palace. His heart pounded with excitement and curiosity as they ascended the grand steps, passing guards clad in gleaming golden armor, each bearing a sun symbol on their chest and white feathers adorning their helms. Giant doors swung inward, and they stepped into a world bathed in a perpetual golden light.
[So this is where king and queen of elves live? Wow look at the carvings it's so beautiful so ancient Nothing like castle back home.]
Aerion gazed around in awe at the palace's breathtaking beauty. Every corner seemed to shimmer with a golden hue. They spotted Maa ādima sitting comfortably on a plush couch, waving them over.
As they approached, Raatindra asked, "So, how did it go, Maa?"
Hearing her daughter's question, Maa ādima smiled enigmatically. "It was fine; they both understood the implications."
Her words sailed over Aerion's head. He understood something is up but just that, even one as consciously aware as he was, certain matters were deliberately kept from him. It was like a complex puzzle he wasn't yet equipped to solve.
A regal woman emerged from a side chamber, her presence commanding attention. She wore a magnificent golden gown, her elegance undeniable. A delicate crown, adorned with three white feathers on each side, rested upon her dark grey hair. Her skin possessed the rich tone common among High Elves. Her figure, with its gentle curves and confident posture, exuded both allure and strength.
"Sage Ādima…" Her voice was soft and melodious, yet held an unmistakable undercurrent of authority.
"Hmm," Maa ādima responded, her gaze turning towards the approaching woman. "Meet the child I spoke of, lady Prakarti."
Lady Prakarti shook her head with graceful disapproval. "Please, Acharya, don't use such formality with me. It feels… heavy on my heart."
Ādima raised a questioning eyebrow. "You certainly remain a kind soul, Prakarti."
"Yeah, you could say that." Lady Prakarti then turned her attention to Aerion, her deep, intelligent eyes studying him intently. "So, you are my dear Acharya Ādima's grandson. Then you must possess her… unique genes. Well shaktih is gene dominant after all."
Aerion kept his head lowered, his gaze fixed on the intricately patterned floor. "I don't know," he mumbled. [This constant act of playing the clueless child is going to make me sick one day. But this woman… she's captivating. Hell this women literally most women in Suryasthirh are baddie.]
"Did you say something?" Lady Prakarti asked, her tone calm and gentle. Aerion quickly shook his head. "It's truly a pleasure to meet an heir of another nation while they are still so young." [much easier to mold?]
She gently raised his chin, her touch surprisingly delicate, and studied his face for a long moment. Aerion's cheeks burned with a sudden heat.
"Okay, Ādima," Lady Prakarti said, finally breaking the silence. "I understand now. You were right. This child does indeed carry a potent, yet incomplete, blessing from Shaktih. He is welcome to stay here and learn under your guidance." She paused, her gaze returning to Aerion. "But make sure he gains something significant from his time here. I don't want him to leave empty-handed, and I trust your judgment implicitly. You are, after all, the best." She finished with a soft, knowing giggle.
Ādima reached out and gently caressed Aerion's head. "Yes," she said, her voice filled with a quiet certainty. "My Arya is going to be something truly great. I just know it."
[Why do I feel so stuck?]