Once they left the Heavens and appeared at the Order of Spiritual Heralds, Aarin wanted to get to work immediately. Nirvan, however, held his shoulder and shook his head.
"You haven't eaten a thing since the morning," the ghost fussed. "We're going to go home, get some food in you, gather our thoughts, and then go anywhere."
"When did you get so demanding?" Aarin let out an unimpressed 'huh' and crossed his arms over his chest. "I was always the one taking care of you, not the other way around."
"You've grown sloppy." The ghost lord smiled teasingly. "So, of course, I must take over like the dutiful man I am."
They looked at each other, neither backing down, when their intense staring match was broken by a high-pitched squeal in the distance.
"Master Aarin!"
They both turned to the source of the noise. Aarin finally noticed that everybody had been staring at them this entire time. All the reapers around them had left what they were doing and instead turned to face him and the ghost. They were clearly on edge with many weapons already drawn. It was a stupid mistake on his part, as, of course, a ghost's presence in the order wouldn't be appreciated. But what caught his attention now were two figures barrelling towards them full speed. Lina came to a halt right in front of Aarin and bowed respectfully.
"Master Aarin," she gasped, "we heard about the assembl-"
She was cut off as Kian failed to stop in time and instead crashed into her, both of them falling over. Aarin sighed and looked away with second-hand embarrassment. He caught the way the older reapers around them tried to gesture Lina and Kian to move away, but neither his juniors nor the ghost lord seemed to notice.
"Your juniors are quite the pair," Nirvan laughed heartily and nudged Aarin, earning a well-deserved pinch on the arm. As the ghost lord rubbed the sore spot and 'ah'd in pain, the two young reapers pushed themselves up, glaring at each other. Once it became clear they weren't going to be causing trouble, the reapers slowly lowered their weapons and returned to their tasks. Aarin didn't mind the watchful eyes that lingered; at least they weren't in active danger anymore.
"As I was saying," Lina continued while Kian stuck his tongue out at her, "we heard you returned from the assembly and wanted to ask how it went!"
Aarin frowned. "A curious bunch, hm? What happened to focusing on your lessons?"
Both of them sheepishly smiled. Lina avoided his eyes by intently looking at her feet and Kian suddenly seemed to find Nirvan's arms very interesting.
"It's natural to be curious." Nirvan tried to soothe Aarin. "A little break wouldn't hurt, would it, Master Aarin?"
"Call me that one more time and I'll knock your ghostly teeth out," Aarin grumbled and fixed his stare on his two juniors. They'd abandoned their attempt to avoid his eyes and instead were now staring at him like a pair of lost ducklings. He shook his head and groaned.
"Fine, fine," he conceded.
"Can we stay for dinner?" Kian added excitedly, Lina immediately slapping her hand over his mouth.
"There's really no satisfying you, huh? Once you get to eat, you want to lay down." Aarin looked surprised by his boldness but didn't shut it down either. It was basically as good a permission as they would get from him. He turned around, the silk of his uniform flowing gracefully.
"You know where to go," he called over his shoulder. "Consider this practice for your teleportation lessons."
Shimu was very excited to see not two, but four familiar faces come through the door of the hut. She ran over and started rubbing Aarin's leg. Lina cooed, and Kian leaned over to pet the cat. Leaving their feline overlord to his two disciples, Aarin went over to look at the ingredients in the hut.
There wasn't much; there never was. So used to living alone, he barely had things to accommodate guests. Even now, there was just enough for himself and Nirvan, but he would make do. He grabbed a sack of rice and some vegetables.
He was about to carry them outside to wash them when Nirvan plucked both bags out of his hands.
"Let me help you," the ghost lord said. "Or do you not trust my clearly outstanding skills?"
Aarin stood up and placed his hands on his hips. "Of course, of course. We'll see about that skill of yours soon. You wanted a duel, didn't you?"
At the mention of a duel, Nirvan lit up.
Nirvan washed the produce and grains while Aarin prepared a fire nearby. When alive, Nirvan had tried to help Aarin cook, but he had denied the prince every time.
"Such lowly work does not suit royalty, you must behave well," Aarin would always say. Now, as a powerful ghost lord, here Nirvan was. His wishes had finally been granted.
Nirvan and Aarin sat together, the stone slab too small for them both to fit comfortably. Aarin stirred the fragrant vegetable simmer from time to time while Nirvan took care that the rice and lentils didn't overboil and get mushy. Neither of them spoke; they didn't have to. The silence was comforting in its own way, only the sound of utensils and boiling audible over it all.
The sun had begun setting by the time food was ready. Some ingredients were cut a little too clumsily. Nirvan had taken the brave duty to chop vegetables and had struggled quite a bit, but Aarin didn't mind it. Food was food; what did the shape do for him?
As Nirvan plated the rice, lentils, and the simmered gravy, Aarin went in to get the kids. He found Lina and Kian gossiping about some peer of theirs while Shimu napped by Lina's side.
"...does he think he is? I would knock his teeth out, no problem."
"He thinks he's so great, I-"
"Food's ready," Aarin said. "I won't call again."
Nirvan looked over at him and smiled.
"You act like a tired mothe- ah, ah, ah, let go of my ear, Aarin! Why are you so cruel to this poor ghost?"
Once the two came outside, Kian let out an excited "it smells so good" and ran over. Lina followed at the same speed.
"Gluttonous," Aarin sighed, but didn't ask Nirvan to reduce the rather hearty servings on either of their plates. As they all ate, Aarin gave them an overview of what had happened, making sure not to mention any specific god's name or any conflict. They didn't need to know of these things at their young age; he'd rather let them have their idealistic views of the beings that ruled over them for a little bit longer.
"Things will get harder for you too," Aarin told the two. "Niryati will probably have to strain the Order for faster, more accurate results. I can't help but think your batch will be sent out on proper missions very soon." Too soon, considering their training had barely finished, but he didn't say as much to not scare them. "For the scale of the problem, the deadline we've been given is quite punishing."
"Then we'll come with you!" Lina exclaimed, eyes wide. Kian nodded in agreement with his face still stuffed with food. Aarin furrowed his brows and shook his head.
"You don't choose whom you follow, you're assigned missions and-"
"Actually, we can choose to shadow any on-field reaper who has mentored us before, if they will have us, of course. It's in the rule book," Lina said matter-of-factly. Startled, Aarin narrowed his eyes at her.
"You've been planning this for a while, hm?"
Lina inhaled deeply. "Why wouldn't I want to travel with and learn from one of the best reapers in our time?"
Nirvan laughed, "She got you there."
"Could you not encourage them for once." Aarin glared at Nirvan before turning to both his disciples again.
"It's not that I don't trust you to be of any help," he ignored their protests and kept going, "But also, I can't put the two of you through that kind of danger."
"But how will we learn and experience things otherwise?" Lina asked, and the earnestness in her eyes almost made him give in. It reminded him of the way young Nirvan would look at him sometimes, and suddenly he didn't know what to do with himself.
"She's right," Kian agreed after finally swallowing a mouthful of rice.
"You'd really rather travel with dead-eyes than anyone else?" Aarin questioned with disbelief dripping off every word. Both the juniors nodded hastily, though he didn't miss the way they flinched at him using the nickname on himself. He even saw Nirvan tense through his periphery.
He couldn't help but chuckle.
It wasn't too long ago that Kian had called him that, reluctant to accept him as a mentor, and now here they were begging to follow him.
"Alright, alright." Aarin smiled gently. "When the time comes, I guess I could consider bearing the two of you for a little bit longer."