Aera's eyebrows flickered in reaction to Ed's joke, her mind racing for a moment to sort out what happened; not with his memory, but in the communication. Was this woman an imposter? Was he honest in saying he did not know this woman? Her lips barely parted when they atmosphere changed and they all laughed and hugged, and the princess closed her mouth and sighed. [i]Humans.[/i] She turned her head to spy on Zeke, who was watching the trio with a shadow across his face.
She knew why. Zeke had long ago been abandoned by his family. He'd been born in Ziad to a family that had reproduced far too many times, and one day they had gone. Left him alone; on purpose or on accident, he never knew, but Aera was not aware of how any parent could forget a child. Misplace them. 
He had been eight, taken in and raised by the Kartaian beneath the city. His best friend a smart mouthed blond with piercing blue eyes. 

"You are not in a good place." Aera muttered softly as the three laughed and cried together some few yards away. 
Zeke's mouth tightened. "No." He agreed. "Not currently."
He expected her to ask at least one question; [i]why?[/i] It was what everyone wanted to know. What could have happened, what was so bad, that it would tear the brotherhood between the two apart so viciously. But Aera didn't ask. Of course she wouldn't. Aera hated Ruli, and was likely glad to have someone on her side that would turn a icy shoulder against him. 
"You need one another." She said instead, and Zeke turned to stare at her. Never did he expect her to say [i]that.[/i] "Find what is broken, and set it straight."
"You're one to talk." He murmured quietly.

Gods above, he regretted it immediately. The look on her face when, for just the space between two heartbeats, was shattering. Despair and hopelessness. Then it was gone, hidden once again by her immortal mask. "Aera," Zeke turned toward her, a million apologies on his tongue.
But she gave him a rueful smile, cutting him off. "He and I were never good for one another." She said quietly. "You two need one another to grow."
Her eyes flickered to Narda as the woman approached, giving Kire and Edward a moment alone. The conversation was over, Zeke knew. He turned back towards the others, shifting his weight uneasily.

As Ed turned and formally introduced Kire to the princess, the dark-haired elf stepped forward. She looked from one to the other as Kire mentioned she was, unfortunately (judging by her expression) a former empress, the elf still bent. "Welcome to Lithilote, Empress Akire. Once was, or will be again, you will hold the title here." Aera greeted. Zeke stepped up behind the elf, Narda beside him. Aera glanced from Kire to Ed, then gestured to the table. "May I invite you to sit. Speak with one another. I will have chambers made up so you do not have to return to the holding cell."

While they shuffled and lowered themselves into seats, Aera departed briefly to relay directions to a nearby waiting servant; an ageless elf with her hair bound elegantly around her head and wearing plain white robes. When the servant bowed and moved away, Aera joined them at the table. 
"I do apologize for the welcome you all received." Aera admitted. "Foremost, the reason is because we do not get many visitors. It was once true that we [i]never[/i] received visitors, but that became untrue nearly a year ago." Her eyes shifted in a wave of warmth as she smiled at Ed. "The rest of the council is still quite uneasy with the decision I have made to allow you out and to roam freely. I am placing a large amount of trust in Zekiel's word and in you." Her gaze lingered on Kire, mostly, hoping that her magic truly was dormant now that she'd removed her ring. "I must ask, naturally, that you keep to your best behavior. You may be met with hostility if you act unacceptably, and with the language barrier, I fear much would escalate far too fast."

A small row of servants of both genders approached, each carrying a plate of fruit sprinkled with sugar accompanied by more of the sweet yogurt. A plate was set before each occupied chair as another elf approached Aera. 
"[i]Both rooms are prepared, Lady.[/i]"
Aera declined her head in acknowledgement. "When you're ready," She said to the others. "You'll be shown to your rooms. I know you are not on our schedule, and must be tired. Zeke, you'll be alone, but I apologize to announce the two of you will share a room. Joined by Ysaryn when she is ready. You are near Edward's room, should you wish to visit with one another."
"You really don't get guests that often, hm?" Zeke asked teasingly. 
"That, and I thought you would feel more comfortable with someone you're familiar with. A language you share." Aera added to the women. "[i]It is no easy thing to get along with a host of elves when you do not share the language, is it, Beleger?[/i]" Aera added, glancing toward Ed with another whisper of warmth in her eyes.