"I have let servants prepare a bath for you.
Go wash yourself.''
Aethelstan frowned at the shortness of Avery's words but ultimately decided on ignoring the other, briskly walking past him. Following the awaited maid as he was lead a certain way.
Taking the opportunity to gain an insight in Avery as a person.
A home decorated with a person's likes and dislikes, more often than not one could learn a lot from just looking.
In Avery's case it was a more strict decor ,gving off the aura and need for pure efficiency. Not a second wasted as they rapidly moved along to their destination.
Nothing unnecesarry was placed along the hallways, nothing on the wall, in short nothing that would make one think this was someone's home.
What a somber feeling, Aethelstan could not imagine living in a world so dull, life was already making things hard.
Just imagine coming home to a place of nothingness?
Although right now his own was changing to rapidly.
"Master has carefully assigned this servant to help you bathe.''
''No need, you can leave."
She was hesitant to do so ,however shortly after, she left him alone in a bathing room that was decorated to it's fullest. Unlike the rest of the mansion, most likely a show of wealth to visitors, just like him.
In the middle a huge jade bath, embedded in the floor, the way of entering through a small set of stairs going down.
Flowers decorated each side, candles ablaze lighted up the darkness that the sky brought.
A burning middle to an otherwise calm and peaceful room.
Perfect for recuperating after a long, exhausting journey.
Touching the bath water, that had clearly been prepared with great carefulness, as it steamed in it's hotness, he let his own power wash over it and watched as the warmth vanished entirely.
Just how he liked it.
Getting rid of his clothes in a wave he entered, coldness seeping in as he sighed in relief, tired from the past years.
Closing his eyes, muscles relaxed visible, his shoulder no longer tense.
"Why did you faint?''
Ofcourse it was not meant to last.
''It was a five second black out.'' Aethelstan drawled out, still with closed eyes.
''Hm, I distinctly remember supporting you for longer.''
"Why are you here?''
Slowly the fabrics hanging from the outer walls moved, a soft breeze flowing through the opening they made, Avery's eyes shifted over him.
''My maid told me you you didn't accept her help.
Surely someone in your position must be used to that?''
Frowning at the accusation he found underlining Avery's word, he bit back.
''There is never a need for that, so no matter how nice it is for you to come and serve me yourself, you can leave.
You don't match my qualifications.
"I don't?" As always he did not leave it at that, moving down the steps one by one, not once cutting the eyecontact, the water turning hotter with every step he took.
''Even the princess wishes for my attention."
"Well then, go to her.'' Words left him easily enough, Avery had a way of bringing out a side not know to many elf's.
Contact with Adrian had been enough to develop it.
He did not in fact leave,shame.
''You're annoyed.''
''You noticed.''
''We spend a lot of time together, how could I not.''Avery smiled as he seated himself a little farther off, smiling in absolute glee as his own eyes narrowed.
Peace would no longer be within hand reach.
Waving his finger, his magic spread in the room, shampoo adding itself to his hair strand by strand. Mindlessly Aethelstan continued washing his upper body, eyes watching intently.
''You are aware you are crossing boundaries, right?"
His opinion meant nothing as the other kept staring, unmindful of all around him.
"Aware yes, do I care? Not so much.''
Silver eyes glowed, vexed from the answer, dimishing in seconds upon realising his slight loss of control.
Within a snap Aethelstan's hair was washed, body clean and draped in a soft white coat and pants as he stood back at the entrance.
Having been forced to leave after less than half hour.
With a sigh, he lamented coming, was this is future from now on?
"Enjoy your bath, I will be leaving."
In a flurry of blue fire Avery appeared in front of him, dried, the movement was familair.
As if he had seen them before and yet he hadn't...atleast he thought so?
''What now?'' Exasperated, his voice sounded in the otherwise silent room.
''Soon you shall join me on missions.''
''I tought you wanted to keep me hidden.''
'I also wanted to keep you by my side, neither makes you happy so I decided to choose one for you. You shall help me solve them.
In fact I have quite a few interestings ones lining up.''
A pleased smile blossomed on the other's face and he could almost be called cute, if it wasn't for the purple twinkle in his eyes. "Let's make good use of your elven identity now.''
With a devilish laugh he left and Aethelstan realised he did not look forward to anything that was coming, he could only quess what Avery was up to and whatever it was the one who would receive the shortest end of the stick was sure to be him.
As if by magic, his eyes glimmering from the slight humour he found, the maid from before reappeared.
''If you follow me, I shall point you to your assigned room for the rest of your stay.''
And off they went.