I think I'm rather enjoying the idea of a series focusing on young!Aaeru. This is technically the 3rd story, even though I haven't finished the 2nd one completely just yet. I'm calling the series "The Life and Times of Young Aaeru" tentatively for now. This story was part of my original plan for the series, and I feel that I couldn't do a story on a younger Aaeru without her flying in the Simile as a young child at least once. The ending is well... you'll see. Anyway, this makes my 19th story in the Simoun fandom and it means I've doubled the number of fics posted to in this fandom that were here when I originally started. I'm so pleased! Enjoy!

"Come on, Grandpa! Let's go!" Aaeru waited impatiently at the door, wondering why it took her grandpa so long to get ready. She had long ago slipped on her shoes and was eager to go. This outing was one of her favorite activities.

"Coming, Aaeru, coming," he called from the kitchen, chuckling. "You're almost getting too big to do this, you know." He set the dishes that he'd dried on the table carefully, and began to put them away.

Aaeru puffed out her chest, grinning. "Of course I am!"

"But when you're too big, we won't be able to fly the Simile anymore. You'll have to wait until you're a Sibylla to do that."

"Why can't I fly and not be a Sib'lla?" Aaeru couldn't quite pronounce the funny word just yet.

"Because you'll learn how to fly a Simile at the temple. I can't teach you that." The last dish was placed onto the shelves, and he placed the towel neatly on the back of the chair to dry. He walked toward the door and to the right where he kept his sandals.

"You're so smart! I bet you could!" protested Aaeru.

Her grandfather slipped on his shoes, glad he didn't need to do much bending. His back was giving him such trouble these days. He placed a hand on the door. "No, it's something you learn when you're ready to become a Sibylla. That's how Tempus Spatium wants it."

Aaeru crossed her arms across her chest. "Tempus Spatium's stupid then."

"It's how the world works, Aaeru. Now, let's go get ready, eh? I'm sure you're ready to fly the Simile after all the hard work you put in helping me to clean it."

Nodding happily, Aaeru dashed out the door when her grandfather opened it. She raced for the building. "Come on Grandpa! You're such a slowpoke!"

Slowly, he walked behind her, taking his time. "You should enjoy the journey before, Aaeru. It makes the event much more pleasant."

"Huh?" Aaeru stopped in her tracks and looked up at her grandfather, confused. She wasn't sure what he meant. Sometimes he just seemed to talk really funny and made no sense whatsoever.

"Never mind. You'll learn some day." He smiled at her, nodding.

The pair reached the building. Aaeru hadn't run anymore after her grandfather confused her. She wasn't sure why she had stopped, but she knew she didn't want to run. "Can I turn the key?"

Her grandfather placed the key into the heavy padlock. "Of course you can."

Aaeru stood on tiptoe, trying to reach the end of the key. Her fingers stretched and she concentrated on doing her best, but she was still too short. She growled in frustration. "Stupid key!" She felt arms lift her up just a few inches. Now she was at eye level with the lock. She turned the key with all her strength, and heard the click of the lock. Her grandfather carefully removed it from the door, and then pulled both doors wide open.

The simile stood in the center of the building, towering over the two of them. It gleamed with the afternoon sun, clean as a whistle. Aaeru remembered running the clean rag over the cool metal, loving the slippery feeling it created beneath her hands. She had helped her grandfather wash and wax the Simile. Her grandfather patted the side of the Simile, as though greeting an old friend. Aaeru grinned, knowing that what came next was her favorite part. Her grandfather swung her up, holding her with one hand as he climbed slowly into the Simile.

Together, they settled in, Aaeru being placed on her grandfather's lap. She watched as he checked the gauges and knobs before the Simile rumbled to life. The seat vibrated beneath them as the craft moved forward. The outside soon became visible, and then they were high in the sky.

"Let's go faster, Grandpa!" Aaeru reached for the lever she knew would increase the speed. Her grandfather swatted her hand away.

"Not yet. Let's just fly first."

Aaeru pouted, crossing her arms across her chest. "Aww but I wanna!"

"We will soon, I promise."

Not persuaded, Aaeru sat in silence, not speaking. She thought that if she were silent long enough that her grandpa would give in to her request. Her eyes searched the sky instead, trying to find something to focus on.

"Look, Aaeru," prodded her grandfather gently. "Do you see the flock of birds?"

Unable to keep from looking, Aaeru turned her head to the right, looking out the glass. She saw three birds flying together, two larger birds and one smaller one. They flew at speed with the Simile, not minding the nearby craft. It was as though they thought of the Simile as one giant bird.

"Do you see how they fly together? The one is smaller, but the two larger ones protect it. Just like a family."

Looking up with innocent blue eyes, Aaeru asked, "Are we a family, grandpa?"

"Why would you ask that, Aaeru?" asked her grandfather, concerned.

"Cause Reya says we aren't."

Her grandfather frowned, knowing exactly who Reya was. He'd heard her comments to the other children on various occasions. "Of course we're a family, Aaeru. You shouldn't let Reya get to you."

"But she says you need a mom and dad to be family. And I just have you." Aaeru frowned, her eyes tinged with sadness.

Growing more serious, Aaeru's grandfather pulled her close. "Listen to me, Aaeru. You don't need a mom and a dad to be a family. You can have anyone be your family, as long as you really care about them."

"Like you?"

"Yes, just like me. You tell Reya that the next time she tells you you need a mom and a dad." He kissed the top of Aaeru's head. "Don't you forget that."

"Are those birds a family?" Aaeru asked, pointing to the three that still flew outside of the Simile. "Even though they might not have a mom or dad?"

"You are forgetful, aren't you? They are family. If you are close to someone, you could say they are your family. Anyone can be your family if you want them to be." The flight had turned more serious than he liked. Even though Aaeru had been upset, he didn't want her pondering such a deep topic… it seemed too much for a five year old. "Would you like to help steer?"

"Yeah!" Tiny hands reached for the control stick, and quickly turned the craft sharply to the right. The flock of birds quickly scattered out of the way. Aaeru giggled at the sight, turning the craft back to the left. This time, the birds scattered completely. Aaeru had to cover her mouth with both of her hands to suppress her laughter.

"You like picking on those poor birds, don't you?" laughed her grandfather as he took control once more.

"But it's fun! They really fly quickly!"

"They do when a little girl is intent on scaring the life out of them."

Aaeru giggled again. "Grandpa! I wasn't gonna do anything to them!"

He smiled. "Of course not. I'm just going crazy."

Her grandfather guided the craft through the sky, Aaeru stealing the controls from him when he pretended not to pay attention. As the Simile finally touched the ground, Aaeru was reluctant to get out. "Can't we fly more?"

"Someday, you will. You'll fly the craft all on your own."

"What about you, grandpa?" asked Aaeru, looking up at him, confused once more. "Won't you fly too?"

"I will always be with you, Aaeru, even when you fly. You won't have to worry about that." He gave her a comforting smile, and lifted her into his arms.

"We'll fly together then!" agreed Aaeru happily.