Lord Adrestus seemed very upset, Ariadne realized. What she thought was odd behavior before suddenly manifested into a case of full blown anxiety. For once, Ariande was actually very glad she was there instead of her sister. While Ismene was very good at pep talks and trying to care for others physically, she wasn’t exactly the best at giving comfort people craved when they were upset. Except with Ari. The twins were usually pretty in sync and could do well at comforting each other. Though half the time, a hug would end with a 'buck up' comment from her twin, which was not what she wanted. But Ari would at least take the effort.

In this case, Ariadne had the feeling that telling Lord Adrestus to 'buck up' wasn’t going to be the right solution. She wondered what it could be. What news could be so bad that he was so upset? Ariadne carefully went about making the tea, hoping that the warm drink might at least provide a bit of comfort to the boy. …Man? Young man? For while she was still very much a girl (despite how grown up she was feeling), Adrestus had grown up lately.

And suddenly, before he could finish getting the words out, Ariadne realized what he wanted to tell her. A grown up was to have adventures. To be off and make something of themselves. It was what her father and uncle had done. Though if Ari was careful with her math, she thought that they had been a tad bit older than Lord Adrestus was at the time. Though perhaps nobility did things differently. That was what was most likely, she was sure.

Despite her revelation, Ariadne waited patiently for her companion to get his words out. He deserved to tell his own story, not have her spoil it. The tea ready, she carefully removed the leaves that had been steeping and poured the drink into two separate cups. She put one in front of Adrestus, though she didn’t know if he would drink it.

His words gave her pause though and she didn’t step away as she had been going to do. Hate him? Whatever for? He had saved them. Neither Ari nor her twin could ever hate him. Was it really going to be so bad? Gently, Ariadne reached out a placed a small hand on his arm. She wanted to give him comfort when he was so obviously upset. She wanted to let him know that everything was going to be all right.

“Nobody is going to hate you, Adre,” she said softly, moving into the realm of less formal. He always asked them to feel comfortable to call him by his nickname, though Ariadne hardly ever did. This time, it seemed quite appropriate though. “I am excited for you,” she continued on. “And I think everyone will feel the same. You’re going on an adventure. You’re going to experience what Ismene and I have only dreamed of. It’s an honor. You should be excited.”

The girl then remembered how she hated when others told her how to feel and quickly added, “If you want to be. I am glad you feel sad that you are leaving us—it makes me feel like we are important to you. And Adre, you are important to us. But our friendship will be unbroken. Isi and I never lost our love for our father while he was away. We won’t lose ours for you either.” She gave his arm a squeeze then wanting to show him how much she cared. She didn’t know when she had become so wise, but all she knew was that she was speaking from the heart.

“We can write letters, you know. Isi and I would like to hear about your adventures.”