[ unfortunately for ajax, he's not meeting with her twin brother that afternoon. at least, not in person. a last minute engagement with another client had held aether up that, by the time lumine gives sophie the green light to let him come up to their office, she's still on the phone with him, sighing and feeling exasperated.

if she had known there would be a hitch to today's schedule, she would've gone in place of aether. that way, he would've met with ajax instead and discussed his request together.

she fiddles with the blue ribbon on her chest, leaning back in her seat behind the oak desk, staring blankly at the painting albedo gifted her years ago. her brother remains on her ear, grumbling at how this is taking so long and he just wants to return to the office. ]

This is why I told you not to keep pushing it until past lunchtime.

[ she winces when aether whines in response, another sigh leaving her lips in its wake. ]

Well, just stay on the line, okay? Sophie said he's on his way, and— [ lumine pauses and looks up at the door when she hears a knock, her secretary peering in to announce her guest. she waves a hand to let him in, sitting up straight when she hears the door open again. ] You have to be the one to tell him, so stay, Aether.