Well.. yes, and no.

[ she shakes her head, thoughtfully. ]

My brother would be more well suited to explain, but.. aether is something like life energy. It's in all things, including living creatures, and it can be channeled and shaped in different ways. The crystal helps me accomplish that.

[ they're quite useful, crystals, and on hydaelyn of course they were in great excess. alisaie is quite used to them. ]