Aether, Lumine, my dear Siblings. Please come home, our people are having a bit of a worldwide mental breakdown. Your father has died, and returned to the heavens, and the peoples of our stars are looking for guidance. Your people are worried for you, and the dragons will not be happy if they lose the heirs of the eldest dragon. I am afraid things will escalate if something is not decided soon. Your return does not have to last forever, but at least come to name a successor to the throne. Please. We all miss you two.

Your dearest sister Armine.

When their big sister had managed to get a letter across the multiple galaxies to them, the twins had been ecstatic. The last time they had heard from Armine was three thousand years ago, when they had been on the Wheel of Time. The Sisters and Brothers there had helped them set up a two way portal, where they had been able to talk. She had informed them of their fathers ailing health, with a promise to notify them of any important events that should happen when they were gone. It had been an amazing break from their constant monotony of never meeting anyone they would be able to keep. The Sisters and Brother had been very kind to the twins, and allowed them to stay for many years. Among other people with a deep understanding of the unusual, they had quite enjoyed their stay. Though they were longer lived than many, they had still begun to lose the ones they were closest with. So they had left, and their journeys had taken them far away from their sister.

-I'm not going Lumine. I can't. You know I can't. You can go, the city doesn't need both of us. It doesn't need either of us anymore, not really. Armine will be glad to see you, and it doesn't matter which of us goes. Please don't make me go Lumine.

~ It's fine. I'll go. Don't worry about it. I don't have the same memories you do, and it'll be fun to see everyone again. Armine would've wanted to see you though Aether. And really, brother, you're the Crown Prince, that's a little more important than me. Don't talk yourself down like that, but you're right, I can do it. I have enough authority. Oh, and I forgot! Venti was planning on coming over in the next few years. It's unfortunate I won't be here. Perhaps you'll get him all to yourself? Or our people will fall in love with him and steal him away~ Hehe! Well, send him my regards, I'm off to go pack. See you… ehhhh. In a while.

And with that, she jumped out the window and flew in the direction of their house. Lumine never stayed long after packing, so that was all the goodbye he was going to get. The trip home would take an unknown amount of time, it depended on how far away they had gotten since leaving. She would likely be gone for at least a century, even if she hurried.

So in other words, Aether had the house to himself.

And Venti was apparently visiting. Lumine hadn't told him. Perhaps she had meant to surprise him. They had invited Venti long ago, back when they were still on somewhat threatening terms with him. Apparently even the most carefree Archon was still too busy to come visit. It was too bad that Lumine would not be here. She always liked leading tours. She knew all the most wonderful places of Sternenlicht too, every nook and cranny was accessible to her curiosity.

He knew Lumine would be flying, likely in her true form as a tarakona, in order to arrive as quickly as possible. He couldn't wait to see his sister fly. Her long snakelike body curved elegantly in the sky when she flew, and her silvery scales seemed to dance with color when the sun hit them. She had always been graceful, much like a swan. She was just as fierce as one too…

Tao Hiriwa. His sister. She had the authority to decide on the new leader. The position of Tao- spear- was a high one. His graceful sister was the head captain of the guard. It was one of the most trusted positions of their home. It was actually higher than any counseling position or other royalty.

But anyway. Venti was coming! What would they do? Aether hadn't ever really had many friends, he didn't know how to entertain. Venti liked stories, and songs. He could work his way into a plan with that knowledge. The people of Sternenlicht had many stories of the times from before he and his sister had arrived. They loved sharing them, being able to tell them to a foreign visitor would likely cause them to launch an immediate party. They were a very happy people, and always willing to do whatever they could to help. He would feel good about not having to ask them for something for once. They were always so willing to jump right to help him, it made Aether uncomfortable. He didn't understand why they were always so willing. What had he done for them?

It was Lumine who had truly raised this city from the ground. She was the one who put the inspiration into the minds of these people. Aether hadn't really ever done anything, just like at home. The people loved him for no reason. He didn't deserve this kind of love. Lumine was the one who should have it all.

He would ask them to tell their stories. He hadn't learned them all yet. Perhaps learning their stories would give him a reason that they loved him. Then he could find a way to prove to them that he wasn't the right person. He had just come along with Lumine.

Venti would need a room. He should go get one ready. It was uncertain exactly when the Archon would arrive, but it would be unfortunate not to have one available should it be soon. Aether would have to make sure his people did not notice, or they would insist on doing it themselves.