( His pupil shifts towards the sound of her voice. Provoking her is everything they have left from that raging flame that once was. He abhors the fact there's still warmth emanating from those ashes, a hopeless phase with no return that burns more than the fire itself.

His eye closes, brow creased while he delves into rationalizing. Not here or there so he can spare her from an argument. Even though to him, she's wrong. )

I use almost very loosely.

( She is more than her Coreflame, he wants to comment but it puts a wrench in his headache. )

The truth is the observable reality that awaits us after we reach the greatest form of enlightenment. Some may refer to this as death, but I see it as an opportunity. As a scholar and Sage, you have to take what you can get one way or another. Mind you, dying is a choice in this matter. Time is the true enemy.

( Time is agonizingly painful and powerful and he spent enough time with her to realize how precious it is. Perhaps for her it might be too late, but he won't stop until her body is sinking in gold. Cerces would be proud of him doing what they could never do for Mnestia. )

You're still Aglaea for better or worse.