I am Damaged

He listened to her words though he couldn't help but worry. She was injured, and he didn't know the extent of them. He wanted to take her back home but was afraid to move her just in case she had more going on than met the eye. Perhaps it was best he let her rest first, and in the meantime, he would gently clean off any blood he found without disturbing the worst of his wounds. It was rare to find him so gentle towards another, and the only times he had been really was towards Heloise and his own family. Though perhaps with one or two others, his children and those closest to him were the only ones that would know his gentle touch. "I'm glad you're home, too. And I promise the woman who hurt you won't come anywhere near you again, not while I'm still breathing." And anyone who dared try to hurt her would also have to face him. He sighed quietly as he returned to his work, his mind occupied with the thought of finding the vile creature who did this to his child.

Although Altair wasn't biologically his, he had grown to care for her and took her in as his own. He was just as much his as his biological children were. He even considered Ignis and Actaea his, too. Along with Tyranis and Cloudburst...Or at least, their father figure since his brother had completely failed them. He promised to protect them and teach them the best he could, though part of him felt like he was failing in some ways. He knew he couldn't do it all himself and sometimes thought it best for them to learn by experience. But this? This wasn't the way he wanted them to learn. He had failed to protect her from this sort of thing, but what could he do? He couldn't lock them away forever...he knew that no matter what, everyone he loved would likely go through some dangerous time in their life, and he wouldn't always be there to shield them.

Despite knowing this, he still felt like he had failed her. When he was nearly done cleaning her up as best he could, Finn returned with some food. He placed it near Altair, and Ace thanked his other "son." "Eat if you can, Altair. We're going to rest here for a bit before taking you to see Drifa." He murmured before turning his attention to Finn. "Finn, let Drifa know she has a patient coming soon, please. We'll be there as soon as we can."