Aera's dark gaze fell, watching his hands clench, seeing the shimmer in his eyes. She'd known he'd suffered difficulties the last few months. Like her, years ago, he wasn't always sure this was real. What was a dream. She understood the fear in his eyes, the hesitation to hope. 
Zeke, ever the soldier, despite his own injuries, studied Ed in much the same way, assessing his strength, his uncertainty. "She's blonde, blue-eyed. Scar over her eye." Zeke drew a finger across his cheek to indicate. "Wears some ring on her finger I have never seen her remove. Showy sword that looks like it could cleave a dragon."

Whether she saw a flicker of recognition in his eyes or not, Aera grinned softly to Ed. "Go wash and dress. I will deliver her to you in the Waning Room." Aera instructed, before reaching out to touch him gently. [i]Real.[/i] Her touch said. [i]Yo're awake.[/i]

Turning to lead Zeke back toward the tunnel in which the cell sat, she glanced at the man beside her. "How long has it been since you've fought?" She asked. When Zeke glanced back at her, she continued. "I saw you looking at him with a sort of envy. Longing. Either your preference for gender has changed-"
Zeke snorted.
"-or you're recovering, still."
Zeke was quiet, thinking. "Envy and Sid said I am lucky to be alive. My head nearly crushed. My spine damaged." 
Aera inclined her head, considering what went unsaid rather than the words he shared, but said nothing as they swept into the aromatic corridor and to the others. 

"I don't know." Ruli said. "Worth a shot."
When he heard Zeke's footsteps, Ruli sat forward again, rising to his feet. "Where is she?"
"She'll be okay." Zeke said, his eyes on Kire again. He grinned. "Ed really does look like you." He informed her.

Aera turned, requesting Cohnal to approach with more bracelets. "I will take you to visit with him, but you must wear these." She said, more to Kire and Narda than to Ruli, who balked, anyway.
"No." He hissed.
Aera's cold gaze shifted to him. "Then you will remain in here." She said indifferently. 
Ruli bared his teeth, snarling at her. Unbothered, she looked back toward Kire and Narda. "Are you willing to adhere to these conditions?"