[Dain isn't the only one with an army of leggy bois following him around, though Aether is far more ambivalent towards them. Although he knows they're harmless and arguably well-meaning as far as ayakashi go, the fact that their presence was practically announcing to the world that he was sad or lonely was a little less than preferable.]
[And so, just as Dain thinks he's lost the bulk of them, he'll find himself running right into more -- and also literally into Aether, who was a bit distracted by one that was very adamantly hanging on his hair... somehow? They don't have arms?? He can't tell how it's doing it--]
[But that's quickly forgotten when he hears the familiar and very unexpected voice.]
Wildlife Strife! AND ALSO HELLO OMIGOSH
[And so, just as Dain thinks he's lost the bulk of them, he'll find himself running right into more -- and also literally into Aether, who was a bit distracted by one that was very adamantly hanging on his hair... somehow? They don't have arms?? He can't tell how it's doing it--]
[But that's quickly forgotten when he hears the familiar and very unexpected voice.]
Sorry, I-- Dain? When did you get here?