On the Other Side Talking To Me Too

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(Aaravos' POV)
My palms sweat as I waited expectantly in front of the mirror. With a roll of my eyes, I wiped them on my pants. I was ready entirely too early. I honestly shouldn't be early. After all, I would hear him when he arrived. He was sure to say something upon not seeing me. I stood up and walked to the other side of the room where my reading book was and began to weave a bracelet as I watched the sky. The moon was high and the clouds were light, showing the stars quite clearly. It was a beautiful night. The bracelet was purple, gray and light blue. I thought of lying in the grass and staring up at the sky with my fingers laced together with another's. Just the way these strings held each other together. I smiled.
"Aaravos? Are you there?" A whisper pulled me out of my thoughts. My heart fluttered at the way his voice sounded when it said my name. I ignored it and walked over slowly. I paid careful attention to pace myself, taking my time to reach the mirror. For I could not seem eager.
"Greetings, so you've arrived."
"Yes, I told you I'd be here soon."
"Ah yes, well, I had some things to take care of."
He nodded and looked down. He cleared his throat. "Of course. Right."
"Did you have something in particular you'd like to discuss?"
He met my eyes, opening his mouth before closing it and averting them again. His ears were tinted red. "Well... I started discussing the battle plans against Xadia but you heard that."
"Indeed. Was that the only topic on your mind?" I asked, tilting my head and resting it on my palm.
He smiled. "Sorry, I'm actually pretty tired."
I furrowed my eyebrows. "Is that so? You seemed rather energetic before."
He tapped his fingers somewhere, I could hear the sound. "Nervous energy, busy energy. For work, afterward I often experience a slump."
I nodded. "Very well. Do you wish to proceed?"
"What do you mean?"
"Do you desire sleep instead of discussion now?"
He laughed. "I'm afraid that my thoughts at this time are pretty erratic. Not exactly professional. And mostly nonsense."
"I enjoy chaos, if that is your only concern. I'm certain I'd find it amusing."
He clenched his jaw. "Amusing?" He stood up. "Am I entertainment to you? Is this all some twisted game?"
This took me aback. It appeared that any filter for his frustration had been removed. Perhaps this had been brewing for a while. I decided that now may not be the best time to pull the string. I frowned, averting my eyes for the first time. "Only as much as any individual is. A large part of who I am, for example, is a show. I keep most of my feelings and opinions to myself. I consider myself to be an entertainer of sorts."
When I looked at him again he was staring at me with his mouth hanging open. "I see... I apologize. I also have more of a temper when I'm over tired."
"Understandable. You are a man of many responsibilities."
"Yes I am." He sighed. "I love my work but sometimes... I feel like I'm alone. Is loneliness just the fate of men of our intellect?"
I smiled. "Perhaps. But we're alone together." I felt the itch to touch the mirror and reluctantly gave into it. He smiled a smile that melted my heart as his cheeks grew pink. He placed his hand in the other side, meeting my hand.
"Thank you."
"Naturally." We stood like that for a while, looking into each other's eyes. His started watering due to his forgetfulness to blink.
He laughed. "Oh my, now my eyes are misbehaving. It'll be a long night."
"Is that so? Do you have trouble sleeping?"
"I never feel as if I sleep well but apparently I do. Claudia had my sleep measured by one of her various magical objects."
I nodded. "Ah, that must be frustrating."
"It is." He sighed before looking at me seriously. "I know so little about you, even now."
I laughed. "In time I'm certain we'll learn more about each other."
He sighed. "Right." He tilted his head. "Have you ever allied with a human before?"
"Hmmm... Many years ago, yes."
"What kind of person was he?"
"She was outspoken and clever."
"Do you find human women beautiful?"
I shrugged. "Not any more so than other types of women. I admire their elegance."
He nodded. "And men?"
"What of them?"
"Are they more different from others of their gender?"
I smiled. "Not incredibly. Though men have a unique gift for arrogance. Not uncommon among others of the male gender but humans are more prone to it. That's my experience."
He chuckled. "Do you find yourself arrogant?"
I raised an eyebrow. "At times."
"Interesting. I think I am, though I think I have the skill to back it up. Thus, I think it's more confidence than arrogance."
"Ah, yes."
He rubbed his eyes. "Perhaps we can speak again tomorrow night. I hope to be less tired then."
"Indeed, good night."
"Good night." His hand lingered on the mirror for a while longer before he left. I continued standing there, as if in a daze. My hand lying against the cold glass.

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