Returning home for some R&R

[Eternal Mage, Aether.]

I've return home after being gone for a long time. I've given all the staff time off so they can get out-of-town while the outbreak blows over. So when I return home, there be no one there unless Sakura decided to come back, which is unlikely. So for now, it's going to seem like an abandon building. As I walk through the village, it's almost like a ghost town. I can feel there is some life here still meaning people are here, but not many.

It's creeping me out, to be honest, but that how it is. I'm wonder if any one will believe me that I'm me. I do look completely different now. My eyes roam around the village making out some of the details. Rustic cabins dotted the grassy hills as trees stood up like spikes, zigzagging the border of brick roads and unpolished homes. Rivers streamed through deep valleys. I've arrived to my mansion front gate and it's lucked tight. Normally, there's someone already opening the gate to let me, but for now the key will do. I reach into my pocket and reach for the key and open the lock.

I walk towards the mansion and notice the front door cracked open. I wonder if someone forget to close the door behind them? I'm going to have to give someone a stern talking when they return. The stairs ahead are twisted in a perfect spiral, like a child's slinky toy pulled from each end. The manor walls sprang from the soil like the very dirt insulted them. Such ornate sandstone was too pretty to touch the earth, indeed it was fancier than many a palace. The windows are oversized, mullioned and almost cathedral-like. Inside every room is bathed in daylight from the first kiss of dawn to the twilight hours. “I'm going to need to change into some new clothes and get real bath.”

I've been busy with restoring Onibas and helping Riley so much that I've grown stress and tired. Besides over using my magic to the point I look completely different, I have large black bags under my eyes. I don't know mind doing any of it and if I did, I would have stopped a long time ago and move on. Though, most of it I have to say it's because I'm in love. I let out a huge yawn that if anyone is within the mansion, which is unlikely since everyone on vocation, can hear me regardless where they're located. I begin to think and wonder if it was Lyra. On the off chance I can try, "Lyra, dad home!"

[Lyra]

Lyra was curled up on Aether's bed, her twin tails wrapped around her and her nose was buried under them. Her red eyes were closed, her breathing slow and even as she slept. Her cream back rose and fell with her breathing as she dreamed. She dreamed of death, destruction, her best friend falling to the pull of dark magic before it consumed his body. Her own body twitched from her nightmare. She sat up, wide awake, her eyes wide with terror. Taking a moment to process the dream, where she was, that everything was okay, she took a moment to groom herself. 

Running her tongue along her fur, she listened to the silence of the house. Nothing stirred except birds and the wind outside, the natural creaking of the house's structure, the sounds of her grooming. Then her ears pricked when a new noise joined the fray. The front door, opening and closing with a gentle squeak and slam. Hopping off the bed, Lyra moved to the bedroom door, her ears pricked. She heard a voice, and a yawn. She thought it was her daddy, but something was different. Wrong. He called out to her and she froze. So it was Aether! So then what was wrong with his voice?

Breaking into a run, she sprinted down the hall and stairs. "Daddy!" She let out an excited mew. When she looked up at his face, she came to a halt. She would not recommend stopping suddenly on stairs, as she suddenly found herself falling down them. Landing on the ground in a heap, she stared up at the man before her. He did not have the warm, chocolate brown eyes of her daddy, nor did he have the dark blue hair that reminded her of the ocean. This wasn't her daddy. Maybe her nightmare was a reality now. 

Her ears flattened against her head, she got to her feet and immediately backed up. "Who...who are you?" She searched the man's cold, red eyes, hoping to see the warmth of her best friend, but there was nothing. Slipping into a crouch, the fear in her eyes disappeared, now replaced with hatred. Releasing her magic, she felt two whips of water extend from her tails. "What have you done with Aether?" 

Eternal Mage, Aether.

[Eternal Mage, Aether.]

I hear rushing foot steps from upstairs. Wait, is she really home and have waited for me? I'v haven't seen her for a while so I'm curious how she will react in seeing me despite my appearance has changed. There's a mew from upstairs and rushing foot steps. I hear them coming down the hall and down the spiral stairs at blazing speed. However, as soon as she sees me she's stunned in place and doesn't recognize me. I'm not all that surprise seeing I look completely different and my voice changed a little like I hit puberty all over again.

Lyra ears rolls back and she backs away. She seems frighten and confuse over who I am. Then she moves into more of an aggressive stance while questioning on who I am. “It's me Lyra, stop that. You're scaring me.” I back away very slowly and put up my hands to show I mean no harm and not dangerous. “You know I don't do well in these situations. Look, just go ahead and sniff me to prove that it's me.” I take deep breaths to calm myself down, since last time seeing me I looked completely different and my anxiety was much worse. It has improve, but it's still there. If Lyra sniffs me she should find out it is me and that I've been around a woman.

For Lyra, this might seem a bit odd as I most stay inside and barely socialize with anyone, including the staff. I sometimes go outside and take walks for health reason, but that is about it. Lyra been gone quite a bit and she missed a lot. So once she recognize me I can explain a lot of stuff to her.

[Lyra]

It's him. She needs to stop. She's scaring him. Oh no! Immediately, the water is released from her magic, creating a huge puddle on the floor. "A-Aether..." She approaches him, slowly and cautiously, but no longer on the attack. She reached his leg, her gaze flicking up to him. Extending her snout, she takes in his scent. Immediately, she's filled with the feeling of warmth, protection, home. It is Aether. He's safe. 

Bursting into tears, she let out a wail. "I'm sorry!" Leaping up, she dug her claws into his clothes, running up his leg to his body before snuggling up against his chest. He smelled like women. She pressed in closer, feeling his body's heat against her. "I'm sorry, Aether, I didn't know."

She so desperately wanted to be held by him, consoled, pet and stroked on the couch. Like the good old days. Lifting her head, she gazed into those new, red eyes. It's been so long since she's seen him. And this is what happened. She couldn't protect him. She couldn't be there to help him. She felt useless. And that just made her hate herself. "What...what happened?" One of her tails stroked his cheek. She sniffled, using her other tail to wipe up her tears. She wasn't there to protect him. She had broken her promise. 

Eternal Mage, Aether.

[Eternal Mage, Aether.]

Lyra stops being so aggressive and says my name in disbelief. She approaches me with caution, and she begins to sniff me to confirm who I am. Once she realizes that it is me she drops all aggressions while leaving a small puddle on the floor. Lyra lets out a loud scream while screaming she's sorry. Lyra jumps onto me and dig her claws into my clothes as she runs into my chest. I held her tight and begin petting her little head.

Her fur is completely soft and smooth against my hand. I begin moving to a chair to sit nearby so I can rest my feet and tell her what has happened. “It's Okay, it be weird if you did recognize me right away. While you were away, a lot has happened to me.” I let myself drift into thought for a moment as I try to piece everything in order. “It started about a month ago I went on my usual walk around the village.” I let out a small sigh as I remember this encounter. I'm not going to say it was the best meeting for a father and daughter to meet.

“I get blind sided by a complete stranger and she drags me into an hotel. Apparently, I looked just like her missing father. After talking to her, some of my lost memories come back, and I begin to remember. The young-girl, Sakurai, really is my daughter, but adopted. I've been missing from her for a long time. We've bonded a little, but she ran away from me. I didn't stop her because of the outbreak.” I begin to scratch behind Lyra ear as I remember more details.

“I go through Sleeping forest to head towards Onibas in hope to find her, but I get attacked on the way, but saved by a nice girl. Finally I make it inside Onibas and meet a special girl.” My heart beat picks up a bit in just thinking of her and my cheeks begin to turn slightly red. “She saves me from a bunch of thugs, but turns out she has own demons.” It's best that I leave out some details on what happens next or Lyra might get mad at me. “Shortly after, I find out that she's quite famous. She's the recent new ten saint wizard member, Riley. We go through quite a bit together due to the outbreak and she saves the town from the raiders. For the course of the month, I meet a few others, but I mainly stayed around Riley as we made shelters to help the sick and wounded. Once everything calm down, I've used all my magic to restore the entire city of Onibas before the outbreak.”

I let out a burden sigh as I think over what happen. “I turn into an old man for a few days, but when I return to my normal self. I didn't look like me anymore and even stunned Riley. We even went on a few days, but I'm not sure how she feels about me. I've also haven't found Sakurai at all either, but I will in time if I really begin to look for her.” I snuggle my face into Lyra with joy in finally seeing her again. “I'm happy thatyou've returned and didn't get caught up with the virus, Lyra.”

[Lyra]

Lyra listens to the story intently, purring under Aether's gentle hand. A lot has happened to him since he's been gone. She wasn't there to protect him. She was here, sleeping her days away in ignorant bliss. She immediately hated herself. She was so stupid, so useless. She starts to cry again. 

"I'm sorry, Aether." She nuzzles against his clothes. She wasn't there to protect him. He got protection from a bunch of women, but not her. That made her jealousy flare up, but not as much as her guilt. "I should have been there." So much has happened. He met his daughter, he became friends with a Wizard Saint. And Lyra was doing absolutely nothing for him. She didn't deserve to call herself his partner, his Exceed, his best friend. "I should have protected you." 

And the virus too, the outbreaks. So what if she got sick? It didn't matter. Nothing mattered to her except Aether. Not even her own life mattered. She had given up her will to live a long time ago, the moment she collapsed at the base of Mt. Hakobe. She forgot herself, being replaced by someone completely willing to help her friend, even at her life's expense. "I'm sorry. Please forgive me."

Eternal Mage, Aether.

[Eternal Mage, Aether.]

I begin petting Lyra head as she's clearly feeling guilty while snuggling into my chest. I pet her head to help console her. “There there, it might have been good for me to finally be out there on my own. I've gotten a lot of bad experience, and a lot of anxiety attacks, but I've also gotten to meet some interesting people while helping others. So don't feel bad, Lyra.” There's a bunch of details I am leaving out to avoid making Lyra more worry and guilty.

“Look at it this way, you got an older sister and...” I begin to trail off a bit as I am bit embarrass to say it out loud. Well, I better leave it there because nothing is going on just yet, and I don't want to jump the gun. I begin to play with Lyra ears while I pet her at the same time. Trying to calm her down and let her know everything is alright. “Would you like to meet them at some point? Long you stay with me again, you'll get to meet these awesome people for yourself.”

I'm curious as too where has been Lyra this whole time? Did she stayed inside all this time or did she gone out and have her own adventures? Well, the only way for me to find out is by asking her. I let go of Lyra ears and give her a calming smile. “So, where have you been all this time? Did you have your own adventures as well?”

[Lyra]

Lyra shook her head, purring under Aether's hand. "I'm not leaving your side again so I'm sure to meet them." She didn't sound that excited. She was still upset over his whole ordeal. It never should have happened. If she was there, she could have done something! Instead of sitting around doing absolutely nothing. She had never felt more useless in her life. An older sister didn't sound that...exciting. In all honesty, she was jealous. Whoever this 'sister' was, she obviously spent some time with Aether. Time that should have been with Aether AND Lyra. Oh, the guilt was eating her alive.

Shaking her head again, she stared up at into her father's new eyes. "I have been doing nothing of excitement or adventure." She told him, not wasting time beating around the bush. "I have been here, watching over the manor." Even when she wasn't with Aether, she was loyal to him. "It would be absurd of me to go gallivanting about, leaving the home unoccupied. I was cleaning." Of course she was cleaning, there was nothing else she liked to do. Clean and care for Aether.

Eternal Mage, Aether.

[Eternal Mage, Aether.]

I move Lyra up to my shoulder which should allow her to snuggle from there as she speaks in doing nothing but cleaning here. Sounds about right seeing how the place has no dust or anything. She knows me well, I like things being tidy and clean. I make my way into the kitchen and grab some grub. Despite this huge mansion, I don't have any cooks here because I prefer cooking for myself. It was the only thing I had for a long time to make me feel independent.

Right now with Lyra, I'm just going to make a few sandwiches for us both. I grab a bunch of items of food and merge them into two giant sandwiches. I smirk at my creations as I am pleased. I've always gone over the top, but it's a bit fun. I cut up a few pieces for Lyra so it's easier for her to eat while I just begin to devour mine whole, Lyra might get mad at me for manners. “Dad will need your help with something.” I'm a bit shy to ask this, especially since this is Lyra.

“Dad is trying to get you and Sakura a mom.” I have no experience and I doubt Lyra have any as well. I've read a book that woman loves animals, or in my case a cute and adorable exeed. “So, dad miiiight use you as a way to do that, sorry.” I'm a bit a shame of this, but hey, two heads are better than one? “Do we have any books on learning magic tricks? Not spells, but just plain old trick magic with cards or something?” Lyra maybe seen a book in the library in her cleaning. If not, I will have to purchase a book.

[Lyra]

Lyra immediately took to his shoulder, clinging to his shirt as her tails gently wrapped around his neck. She closed her eyes and smiled, pressing her snout against his neck. As she snuggles there, she feels him stand and move. Hearing the clack of the cupboards and fridge, she lifts her head, her nose twitching at the smell of food. When he sits at the table, Lyra walks down his arm to stand on it. With the plate of cut-up sandwich in front of her, she began to eat. 

Oh, he needed her help with something? Her ears prick, her eyes flicking up to him from where she's bent over her plate. She stops chewing, stares at him for a heartbeat, then returns to her food, her eyes flicking down at the bread. So he wants another female in his life? Isn't Lyra enough? She couldn't understand why he needed anyone else but her. She cared for him, cleaned for him, protected him. Why wasn't that enough? But....it was his wish. She would do everything in her power to make it come true. No matter how much it hurt. "I will do my best."

She would be used. Anything for her father. 

She would need to find a book of children's magic. Anything for her father. 

She would be replaced. Anything for her father. 

"I believe there is something in the library. I will check after dinner." Or was it lunch? Whatever meal they were eating now, she will check after. 

Eternal Mage, Aether.

[Eternal Mage, Aether.]

Lyra seems to be depress and jealous? She's not saying anything, but I can tell by her behavior. She's not really asking any questions on her new older sister or even a potential new mommy. What more, she's barely saying anything at all and just doing what I tell her. She's not even commenting on my poor table manners. She's just being a silly I guess and might just feel like I won't give her any attention. I can only prove later that she has no fear and everything is fine.

I doubt my words will reach her if I tell her now so I will be a little nice to her. As Lyra goes up to find a magic book for me to study, I search the kitchen. I wonder where the staff could have put it? I open different cabinets and close them right back once I realize they're not there. I head to the main hall for a second and browse until I finally find them. I grab the box and find that it has not yet to be open. There should be one open already, but I can't find them just yet.

“Hey Lyra, I have something for you~” I scream upstairs while waiting for Lyra. I have a ball of catnip for her and it''s hiding behind my back. Once she comes down with the book for magic, which I am going to need to impress someone later. I'll show and give the catnip to Lyra. The ball is a bit squish in my hand and feels a bit weird, but as long it makes her happy. I can just wash my hands afterwards.

[Lyra]

The search for the book was hard, but it wasn't impossible. After some searching, Lyra was able to locate Aether's desired book. It was neatly sorted into a shelf dedicated to the art of magic. It was pretty easy to find, as it was not the most conventional. Sprouting her water wings, Lyra flew up to the shelf, a little over two feet above her head. Pulling the book out from its place with her front paws, she flew it out of the library and down to stairs. 

She was quick to find Aether. It was still surprising turning the corner and seeing a man she didn't recognize, but that would take some getting used to. Landing on the ground, her wings dissolved into clouds of evaporation. "I have found the book." Wait, her father had something for her? Whatever could it-- 

No! Not that! Anything but that! Lyra stared at the catnip, her eyes wide with horror, her ears flat against her head. This was his idea of consoling her? Getting her high of that devil herb? This was his idea of making her feel better. She was unable to process it; the absurdity of it all. "How...how could you?" Was all she could say before she turned and ran. 

Leaving the book on the floor, she ran to the front door, easily popping it open with a water whip. Then she disappeared into the night, tears streaming down her face. Cancelling her magic to make sure she wasn't followed, she ran down the front pathway, disappearing into a bush in the front lawn. She was so panicked, so stressed, so upset, she didn't notice the men crossing the street, making their way up the path to the front door. Even if she did notice them, she wouldn't take the time to stop. They were members of the household, dressed in the gardeners' uniforms. Why they would be visiting the manor at this hour, Lyra knew not. Frankly she didn't care. Slipping under the bush, she let herself catch her breath as she cried. 

[Eternal Mage, Aether.]

Lyra finally comes down the stair with the book I requested of her, but she responded quite the opposite of what I had expected of her when I tried to offer catnip. I thought it make her happy, but instead she gives me how could you and ran off from the mansion leaving me standing here thinking what I do wrong? “Lyra,” I yelled for her, but it doesn't look like she's going come back. Maybe after she calms down or something?

“Well that twice now I've had someone run away from me. I'm horrible at this parenting,” I said to myself. I see a bunch of people come into the mansion suddenly and they're looking all confuse as I am. They're dressed like my old staff members, but they're not the regulars? Did my family send in a new staff for me?

“Who are you?!” One of them said to me. “I'm the master of the house.” However, this only put more confusion to them. “You look nothing like we were told” said another. They're in a silent and begin whispering to one another. “It's me, but things happen....” They begin to mutter more to one another and begin to look at me a bit differently.

“Look, there no way you're the master of this house, we heard he's out-of-town and looks nothing like you! You're trying to rob this mansion!” I tilt my head in their confusion. They begin to crowd around me and leaving me no method of escape. This is increasing my anxiety as my heart beat begins to pick up, but still doable. “Um no? Please stop crowding me, it's making me feel funny.” They begin grabbing me and tie me up out on the stairs. “Stay there while we call the police!”

[Lyra]

Lyra stayed under that bush for what seemed like forever. Curled up in a tight ball, twin tail wrapped around her protectively, she waited until she was calm enough to talk to Aether again. Maybe she was too hard on him. He was only trying to help. Besides she vowed never to leave his side after he came back changed. And she was currently in a bush, away from him. Well that made up her mind. Crawling out from her hiding spot, she shook out her coat. Taking a minute to give it a quick grooming, her ears pricked when she heard the sound of voices coming from inside the mansion.

After picking up the word 'robbery', and Aether's distressed complaints, she stared at the open door, her eyes wide with shock. "Daddy," she whispered before bolting towards the door. She burst inside and stared at her father tied up on the stairs. Wasting no time or breath on words, she sprinted towards him, intent on biting through the ropes to free him. "What do we got here?" A gruff voice spoke behind her. The next second, Lyra was in the air, a thick hand holding her up by the scruff of her neck. "A little kitty," the man shook her harshly by the scruff of the neck. Glancing over towards the living room, he barked out an order. "Hey, Gerad, get the rope."

A few seconds later, the other one reappeared with a thick rope. All this time, Lyra was struggling, trying to activate her magic. But she wasn't good enough to do it now with these many interruptions to her focus. Powerless, she flailed about to free herself as the rope went around her neck and muzzle. It was on too tight! She couldn't breathe. With a mocking laugh, the man holding her threw her against the wall. She hit and fell to the ground, stunned.

[Eternal Mage, Aether.]

The guys begin to pick up stuff and search around. Lyra comes inside, and rushes towards me while chewing on the ropes. However, the staff grabs her by her throat and being roughed with her. “I've advice you to trend carefully,” I say in a low monotone voice. My hands begin to get sweaty and I'm feeling dizzy, but what I see is pissing me off, but they just laugh in a mocking tone.

They begin tying Lyra up so she can't move and she begins to struggle while trying to use her magic. After they tie her up and preventing her mouth to move, they toss her against the wall and stunning her. Blood begins rushing to my head and I see another me in front of me. It's been a while that I can physically see him. [She had it coming, she's weak] Be quiet, I'm not in the mood to argue with you. This other me looks just like me but his face is that of a clown make up.

However, he used to have bleached white hair, but it's normal now? [You know by now that they're not your staff or are you that stupid? Unless you bare your fangs, not only you but Lyra might die.] I grind my teeth and clutch my fist. The other me leans over, and offers a hand towards me. One of the men comes over, and punches me in the face resulting in busting my lip. “Tch, I don't know who you are, but do you think we let some weirdo rob a house before us?” He punches me countless time until he gets tired. I begin to black out from my anxiety and anger. The clown me merges into my body and takes over....

I begin to laugh and the robbers just look at me all confuse. I laugh even more to mock at their confusion. “Something funny?!” He comes over to me and strikes me again. I just laugh even more at his attack. “Thank you sir, can I have some moar?” This pisses him off as he gets ready to strike me. However, my right eye glows and cause the floor below his feet to decay from age. Causing him to fall through the floor to the basement.

I decay the ropes around my arms that keeping me tied up and releases myself. I look down at the man on the ground while pointing at him as I laugh. “Jokes on you, I'm not into guys. It's only fun when women are rough with me.” Another would be robber looks at me while stunned and begins charging at me. I snap my fingers and increase time on the ceiling to decay and fall on top of him. “STOP FUCKING UP MY HOME YOU SHIT!” Well, it's my fault, but they don't need to know that.

Another man comes in and might be the last one unless there is another one hidden somewhere. I pick up a fire poker from a nearby and taught the man to come at me. The man seems confused at first and most likely just think this place is just old. I increase time on myself this time and move in rapid speed behind him. Moving so fast, that it's impossible to keep up with me with normal eyes and what they see standing there is just an after image. I swing the poker like a baseball bat into his back. “You!” I swing again at him while he's down, making a loud thud noise. “DUMB!” I swing again! “MOTHERFUCKER!” I swing again and again and again! The man is bleeding profoundly and is not moving. I can still see him breathing, but I want to make him stop!