Chapter Text
The doors didn’t swing open as he approached, something that would be a curiosity when all doorways had been programmed to open unless locked or specified by the occupants of the room that they guarded. However, as this particular room belonged to the paragon Lahabrea, Elidibus wasn’t all too surprised.
It was still strange. Lahabrea had summoned him urgently and would surely be expecting him.
He moved forth, raising his hand to knock against the door’s surface. The moment his knuckles made contact, the solid wood surface seemed to vanish.
“Enter!”
… So he was expected after all?
Elidibus paused at the raised voice, a sense of confusion and wariness growing within him. Then did he move forth into the room, coming to a stop once he’d passed the threshold.
“Lahabrea,” he called in greeting. Elidibus’ brows furrowed as he took in the sight before him, going still as he processed everything he was seeing. “… And what exactly was the reason for your summons?”
The man in question stood behind a crackling wall of red aether, chains and angry plumes of flame alike keeping him separate from all else within the room. There was a rare look of pure anger on Lahabrea’s face, eyes wide as he paced back and forth behind his cage.
Even at a cursory glance, Elidibus could see how the wall prevented any aether within its confines from escaping. It was a cage to contain the most violent and explosive of concepts… so how had Lahabrea ended up trapped within it?
It seemed that the answer was this: in front of the cage wriggled a content fledgling bird with three heads, clacking its beaks in a bright and somehow mirthful manner as it regarded the Speaker with all six of its eyes.
“Release me from these blasted confines!” The Speaker snapped. “The switch is on the console over there. And trap the wretched thing while you’re at it!”
Elidibus looked down at the small concept who looked back at him with mischief gleaming in its eyes. It fluttered its wings and let out a triumphant squawk, taking flight to perch upon a shelf far above Elidibus’ head.
He couldn’t help his smile. It was rare to see Lahabrea so outwitted.
“Of course, Lahabrea. I merely need a moment.”
Elidibus moved towards the console that Lahabrea had indicated towards earlier, perusing the many buttons upon its interface. Once he’d located the release button, he pressed it—and Lahabrea burst forth from his restraints with aether yet crackling, fire licking at his fingertips. He looked near apocalyptical with his fury, rage barely restrained within his eyes.
“It is a testament to your prowess that the concept is so intelligent,” Elidibus remarked, even as he watched Lahabrea throw whips of flame at the bird.
Each lash missed by mere ilms, the bird managing to weave out of reach at the very last second. Elidibus found himself rather in awe of the concept’s agility.
“Intelligence? It has anything but. Once I get my hands on the thing…” Lahabrea’s voice was a growl. “Spare the flattery, Elidibus. Aid me in catching the thing!”
With Elidibus’ aid, it took them the better part of a bell before they managed to inter it. Lahabrea seemed particularly vindictive in the number of layers of chains he wrapped around the concept, though his rage had clearly settled enough that it was more akin to smouldering coals than a raging fire.
It was then seemingly crushed between Lahabrea’s hands, its aether dissipating and condensing into a concept matrix. Lahabrea tossed it into his desk with a disgusted scoff.
“How did it manage to capture you?” Elidibus asked once Lahabrea had been able to smooth his robes and fix his hair, once more the composed Speaker of the Convocation.
“ Do not ask any questions about the previous matter, Emissary.”
Elidibus smiled faintly. “As you will, master Lahabrea.”
Lahabrea moved to sit at his desk, brusquely gesturing for Elidibus to sit opposite to him. He did so, perching lightly upon the plush chair in front of Lahabrea’s desk.
The man was silent for a long moment. He finally let out a sigh. “My thanks, Elidibus. I called you here to aid me, with the understanding that you would keep this matter discreet.”
Elidibus blinked behind his mask. “Of course. Though I’m confused as to why you didn’t call over any of the other professors within the Akadaemia, who would have been able to respond to this matter far more promptly than I.”
“I’ve already answered your implied question. Discretion, Elidibus. You are able to keep this matter entirely silent.” Lahabrea paused. “Had I called upon anyone else—or stars forbid, Azem had been nearby—this incident would be known throughout the city within a day.”
Elidibus conceded to that. Azem would have found much amusement in telling anyone who would listen about Lahabrea’s predicament. “I shall keep this matter entirely to myself, you needn’t worry about that. Was that the only matter you wished to… ah, discuss?”
“No. Though it was convenient that you could come here for more than one purpose.” Lahabrea leaned forward at his desk, steepling his fingers. “You are of a similar age to the students of the Akadaemia, are you not?”
Elidibus tilted his head to the side, confused by the sudden question. “Yes, when compared to the eldest of your undergraduate students,” he confirmed after a moment’s thought. “I believe I am a few decades older than the average student however.”
“... I see.” Lahabrea’s brows had furrowed. “Perhaps you are not the right person to ask in that case.”
Such a curious statement could only have one consequence. With his interest now piqued, Elidibus found himself unwilling to allow Lahabrea to drop this topic.
“It would be better to know what your question is, such that I can answer it to the best of my abilities. Then you can decide upon my qualifications,” Elidibus proposed.
Lahabrea was silent for a while. His expression darkened, and he seemed to have some form of internal conflict that prevented him from voicing his thoughts.
It was a day of rarities that Elidibus could bear witness to Lahabrea in so many forms: lacking composure, at a loss for words, perhaps even flustered .
“I will not elaborate upon the details of my circumstances. However. I require… advice upon resolving conflict within a relationship of mine.” Lahabrea finally asked. “How would you go about– making amends with someone of an age similar to yours?”
There was an implied context that the relationship involved someone younger than Elidibus, most likely a student within the Akadaemia. Igeyorhm had once laughed about Lahabrea’s acerbic personality and how students tended to dislike him for it; Elidibus could therefore assume that Lahabrea intended on bridging this gap of dislike with his students.
Elidibus was thoughtful as he considered this.
“May I ask as to the reason for this conflict?” He asked quietly.
Lahabrea’s response was prompt. “No.”
Elidibus hummed. “Conflict arises due to a variety of factors. A difference in beliefs… a misunderstanding that has yet to be clarified… judgement that an unfair act has occurred… Perhaps, even that someone has caused feelings of hurt in the other. You should consider the cause of the conflict you wish to resolve and therefore what actions you can take to mitigate the feelings of dislike or hurt that have been caused.”
“You needn’t spell it out as if I am a child, Elidibus.” Lahabrea stated impatiently.
“I do not know the reason for your unpleasant relationship. I can only give the most general advice possible,” Elidibus reasoned.
The Speaker let out a sigh, exasperated but resigned.
“... Very well. And if they cannot recall the cause of this conflict?” Lahabrea asked almost tentatively.
Elidibus tilted his head to the side. “It may be unpleasant, but reminding them of the cause could be the first step you take in making amends. You are implying that it was caused by an act that was carried out by either yourself or the other person involved. In that particular case, taking accountability is important. I personally would appreciate the knowledge that the person who offended me understands the cause for the offense and will take measures to prevent it from happening again.”
Lahabrea didn’t seem particularly upset at Elidibus’ assumption. His furrowed brows had only deepened, clearly thoughtful and considering what Elidibus had said.
Elidibus had only one final thing to add.
“Azem once told me that people are rarely rational,” he began, “and that emotions can often cause people to ignore truths that they do not wish to accept, especially from the person or event that caused that emotion in the first place. Changing the context in which these truths are given could help. Perhaps another person could help you speak with the person to whom you are referring.”
“I will take that into consideration… even if part of it is from Azem .” Lahabrea said finally. “Thank you for your thoughts, Elidibus. That is all that I needed.”
Elidibus smiled. “It was my pleasure to aid you–in both matters today. I wish you the best in your endeavours.”