William walked in a short while after Caterina had left, giving Abel some time to think.
"When can I see Esther? From what I can guess, I need to be moving soon if I want to find Cain again." Abel had been pacing the small room, stretching and shifting his sore muscles. William had brought another fresh pot of tea and a hearty snack for them to share.
"Lord Walsh said after supper she is free to make it down here. Meetings have been back to back," William mused as Abel's strides were hampered in the small room. "You know, you're not a prisoner here, we could go walk around a little."
"Hmmm… as tempting as that is, I'm still not sure I can do it yet. They activated without me earlier. That was unexpected and terrifying. I've always had conscious control before this."
Bringing out his pipe to chew on it a few times, William looked at Abel thoughtfully.
"Well, let me bring the Duchess of Kiev in, she has been around you before and survived right? Or Lord Walsh, he did see your other form."
"I don't know if that's wise. But I'd rather take a hit from her than harm him." He rubbed the back of his head ruefully.
"Should I get another jar ready just incase? Or was the food enough?"
"I...ah don't know honestly. I used to be ok as long as no one had a wound. I should be in control enough again." He reasoned out.
William nodded and tucked his pipe back in his pocket. "I know where she is staying at, it's not far given it's also here in the underground facility. I won't be long, drink up the rest of that tea with the sugar to help your nerves if anything."
Astharoshe was working on some meeting notes when there was a knock on her door. Not expecting anyone, she got up and opened the door.
"Good afternoon my Lady, may I have a moment of your time?" William smiled warmly as he stood politely outside of her doorway.
"Oh, hello…. Professor Wordsworth right?" She stumbled a bit as his name finally came to mind.
"That's correct, Duchess of Kiev, I'm glad I made enough of an impression to be remembered," a boyish grin crossed his features briefly. "Abel is awake now, and we would like you to come see him, if you have some time to spare?"
The statuesque woman's amber eyes widened with the news and she looked past Williams brown hair searching for Abel's lanky form.
"Is he ok?"
"For the most part yes, thank the lord. A few friendly faces would help him out a lot right now as he gets his bearings. I uh… will need to attend as well in case he has any issues, medically."
"Oh, of course. Being unconscious for that many days would be a bit unsettling to the mind. Can we go now?" At his nod she turned back and grabbed a dark blue long coat to put over her shoulders. Her ivory hair had grown out to just above her shoulders, her bangs with her trademark red streak, the last of her natural colour, swept to her right ear and trailing along her jawline. William had to quicken his stride to keep up with her.
Abel had fortified himself with the rest of the sugar and tea. Everything seemed normal so all that was left was to be around Asthe. He hadn't seen her since the mission at the Empire, and given what Caterina said perhaps she was a good person to bring with him, they worked well together after she acknowledged he may know a thing or two.
A light knock at the door and Astharoshe stepped in, her tall form, proud and upright. Abel blinked as he belatedly remembered how her hair had been burned short by Radu. Behind her William came in quietly and moved to the far side of the room, covertly watching Abel for any changes.
Abel stood up and reached out to shake her hand as she came forward, to ward off any further contact as much as manners. She looked down at his hand briefly with a slight smile and took his offered hand. And with a grunt took her hand back quickly.
"Ack! The static charge in this place is terrible." Astharoshe shook her hand ruefully and looked at Abel a bit sheepishly.
His face had gone pale and he was looking at his hand with concern. Nothing else had changed thankfully.
His blue eyes snapped up and looked into hers, he chuckled in embrasement.
"So it would seem! Very sorry about that Asthe.
Here please sit down," he gestured to the chair as he sat on the edge of the bed again.
"You look to be on the mend now, Tovarish, how do you feel?"
He smiled hearing her using the empire term for partner, it seemed she still held him in high regards.
"I am alright now, all in one piece it seems." William seemed to choke on his tea momentarily. "You were in Milan on Empire business?"
"Yes, the Empress wanted more information on what possibilities are for open trade to the Outer. When Cardinal Caterina advised us she needed to get to Londinium as you had been injured… I felt we needed to come in assistance as much as anything." She stopped a moment and looked past him a moment before refocusing on his face. "The Empress expressed that your return to the Empire was needed in the coming months. I was to persuade you to travel back with us."
"Oh… well that might not take so much convincing now," he smirked a little since it sort of worked with him needing to leave AX now.
"Cardinal Caterina seemed open to the idea of sending you as an envoy again. Given Esther is to be crowned immediately I'm not sure if you would have an assistant…"
"Of course. I'm sure with you around I'll be alright."
She smirked and rolled her eyes "I didn't sign up for babysitting, tovarish."
"Pah, I'm not that bad." He groused back, feeling at ease again with their friendly banter. "How soon do you need to return?"
"Promptly once you were awake was the orders when I communicated with the Empress yesterday."
"She never did like waiting… will we be able to use an airship to get back?"
"To my understanding yes. And with you in convalescence I'm sure it is more a necessity to help you recover."
"I won't complain, beats walking any day."
Asthe seemed happy with everything and looked at her wrist watch.
"I will take my leave then and start organizing our return?"
"Give me a bit more time to settle a few things before you call the ship. I did only just wake up today you know,"
She gave him a half smile and stood up, reaching out to shake his hand. Privately she wanted to touch him to reassure herself with some contact he was ok.
Abel swallowed and reached out again, nervously awaiting another zap. But nothing happened, no rush of energy down his arm, and his mind was left in peace.
"Ah ha ha, looks like the sparks have died down." He chuckled and returned her handshake.
She shared an amused grin with him before leaving the room.
"Whew, that wasn't as terrible as it could have been." Abel signed and looked at William.
"Was the shock from you or just normal static charge?"
"The nanomachines were quiet when she walked in, but when our hands touched… they got a bit pushy, after the shock happened things got muted and settled down to a normal level. Now that she's out of the room it's all gone away… I think I have a handle on them again."
"Not too shabby at all then, I would say. I think you are ok again to mingle, as per say." William smiled around his pipe, "Perhaps we can meet with Lord Walsh and Esther?"
"Yes, I need to know more of what happened when I was… well… indisposed?" He stumbled verbally as he tried to find a term that didn't sound as upsetting as dead.
"Ha yes that is a polite way to put it, might settle Esther down a little verses saying you were having a nap in a coffin."