Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ulrich nodded, smiling to himself in the darkness. That was good, it meant that Lin was keeping her secret just as she had been asked.

"He's Adanedhel's favourite person, too," he agreed, "and he spends quite a bit of time with Aliya and Amdir as well. Even Shael looks up to him ... and I hear Arwen seeks him out every once in a while, too."



Elros nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps you should ask him, then," he suggested. "You won't know unless you do."

Ulrich nodded his agreement. "Aye, they do ... and I know Adanedhel adores him, just about worships him. I can't say as I mind, after all, the situation being what it is ... and Aliya and Amdir don't mind, so even if I did I wouldn't be able to say anything about it."

He stopped them in front of the dark man's door and knocked.



Elros chuckled. "So your brother enjoys cooking?" he asked amusedly. "That's good. I understand he's also an excellent fighter, though it seems as though he doesn't prefer that path."

The door opened only a moment later, and a very energetic Adan exclaimed "Neko!" and pounced on Ulrich. Then he grinned at Donovan. "Guess what guess what! Ara-kun's going to take me up into the mountains tomorrow! Isn't that so neat? It's gonna be so much fun!"

A moment later, the tall cloaked and hooded figure himself appeared in the doorway. He didn't say anything, just gazed out at the group, but the air around him was warm and clear.



Elros chuckled. "Well, I would say something to the effect of being surprised, considering how many other teachers there are, but I suppose that would sound a little hypocritical, wouldn't it now?"

A moment passed before the dark cowl dipped forward slightly, and Aragost's deep, raspy tone emitted from the shadows within:

"Hello." There was a brief pause, and then he added, "I ... am glad that you decided ... to come see me ... rather than not."

Adan grinned and darted back to Aragost's side. "'Course he would, Ara-kun!" he giggled. "He's gotta see everybody 'fore he goes! Right, Donovan-san?"



Elros cocked his head curiously. "And who are Irvine and Shi?" he asked. "You haven't mentioned either of them before."

Aragost nodded again. "Indeed you are ... though ... not ... perhaps ... as much as your daughter ... or granddaughter ..."

Lin and Miyu (Miyu especially), though they weren't around often, spent quite a bit of time with him when they were around, and he had to admit (to himself only though) that he was quite fond of them.

"It's nice to have them here ... every so often."



"Interesting," Elros murmured softly to himself. "I've never heard of anyone like that before ..."

He cleared his throat awkwardly. "But ... speaking of lessons ... shall we continue?"

Within the shadows of his cowl, Aragost smiled.

"As am I," he murmured in reply. "Every time they come."

Adanedhel was getting impatient. "Ara-kun!" he pouted, tugging on the man's arm. "Let's go! You said we could go!"

A low chuckle emanated from the depths of the cowl, and it dipped forward slightly once. "Indeed ... I did," he agreed. He bowed his head briefly to Donovan. "Excuse me," he murmured. "Safe journey."

And he and Adan brushed past Donovan and Ulrich, closing the door behind them and heading down the hall towards the stairs.

Ulrich chuckled at Donovan. "Well, I guess that was a bit different from what you might have been expecting, hm?"

He turned to face the other way and knocked on Elros's door. "Actually, that's the most social I've ever seen him ... except for one time."



Elros looked up at the sound of the knock, then smiled at Lin. "Excuse me," he murmured, rising and heading over to the door.