[post-heart rate - visitors in ishgard]

[peacetalks]

[welcome to the holy see of ishgard.

the sky is overcast, as it always is, and there's a light flurry of snow covering everything. people walk about in heavy furs, breath fogging in the air. the streets are grey cobblestone, and tall and imposing stone buildings loom amidst wooden structures--some still in the midst of repair, although for the most part the structural damage from the end of the dragonsong war has been mitigated. the spires of a massive cathedral can be seen in the distance, towards the center of the city.

statues, too, are found in every square; the most prominent amongst them of a commanding-looking woman bearing a spear and a shield. people murmur quick prayers to her as they pass her by. "thank the fury," they say, as they mill about. there are some soldiers around wearing thick chainmail, though no one looks especially on edge. in fact, despite the chill in the air and the greyness of the sky, people look... normal. it's fair to say that the majority of them are elezen, tall individuals with pointed ears, though there are a few who look more "human". and once in a while, you might even see a young dragon flitting about.

the aetheryte plaza, where there stands a large glowing blue crystal, is most likely near where you ended up. with a bit of asking around, you can learn of a few choice locations--the forgotten knight, a prominent tavern known for their hot mulled cider; the brume, a collection of dwellings where the lower class tend to congregate; the skysteel manufactory, a workshop which develops constructs and other magitek; the chocobo stables; and the congregation of our knights most heavenly, aka the headquarters of the temple knights. you can go further into the city too, though it's probably pretty obvious where you'd find info about aymeric around here...]

Comments

[moonlit_knight]

[laughs]

I'm sure I could lend them a hand.

[peacetalks]

[sets down his tea cup]

How about the chocobos, first? You can learn to ride, and we can take a short trip through the Western Highlands.

[moonlit_knight]

If you'll be patient with me while I learn, I'd like that very much.

[peacetalks]

Of course.

[rises, and holds his hand out to her, like a gentleman]

[moonlit_knight]

[Sets her own tea down and stands, taking his hand]

Then I'll be in your care, Aymeric.

[peacetalks]

[smiles at her, terribly fond

and takes her outside to the aetheryte crystal just down the street]

Have you used one of these before?

[moonlit_knight]

[Shakes her head, frowning]

How do you do it?

[peacetalks]

You focus your aether on it with your destination in mind, and it will take you there. It can be disorienting if you are not used to it, so we do not need to--but you are of course welcome to try.

[moonlit_knight]

It's... Probably best I don't. I don't know how differently aether would be from the magic in teleportation circles back home, but those make me feel sick.

[peacetalks]

Then let us walk instead. It will give us more time to see the city.

[it's not too far to the chocobo stables anyway, and once they're there selena will get to see a bunch of chocobos. some of them have yellow plumage, but there are a few with a beautiful black-and-yellow plumage that look a bit more regal than the others.]

[moonlit_knight]

[Smiles appreciatively, enjoying the walk with him. Selena's eyes go wide when she sees the birds, going up to one of them to get a closer look]

Oh wow, Aymeric they're so cool.

[peacetalks]

["kweh". the chocobo sniffs at her]

The stable hand ought to have some greens... ah, here.

[he obtains a stack of gysahl greens for her]

Try feeding it some of these. Watch your fingers, though, they do bite.

[moonlit_knight]

Ah, yes! I will.

[Takes the greens, holding her palms out flat for the bird, uwaaaah they're eating from her hands they're kweh's are so cute. Looks back to grin at Aymeric when her fingers are not immediately bitten]

They seem pretty friendly!

[peacetalks]

Aye, I daresay this one will let you ride her now.

[moonlit_knight]

Right, if it's okay then I'll just...

[actually how do you get on this thing]

[peacetalks]

[there's a saddle on it already, so presumably it's not that different from a horse--still, it's a large bird, and clearly affixed for much taller riders. which is why aymeric's hands are being placed on selena's hips from behind her]

May I assist?

[moonlit_knight]

[She's never ridden a horse properly either, she's just driven carriages, this is entirely different!

Jumping at the hands on her hips, she was too focused on the chocobo and taken by surprise, cheeks turning red.]

Oh, ah, yes, please do.

[peacetalks]

Bend your knees... and...!

[he lifts her up onto the saddle]

[moonlit_knight]

Ah-

[Bending her knees as instructed, slinging her leg over and reaching for the reins.]

Whoa, okay. Thank you.

[peacetalks]

[he jumps up onto the chocobo and settles behind her, patting the chocobo's flank]

Hold the reigns in a loop, and keep your feet in the stirrups. When you're ready, give her a light tap with your leg.

[moonlit_knight]

Oh, you just hop up so easily.

[She has some familiarity with how to hold the reins at least, that part isn't as foreign as all the rest of it, shifting a little into a more comfortable secure position.]

Okay, I'm ready, here we go.

[Lightly taps the chocobo]

[peacetalks]

[the stable gates open, and the chocobo trots out into the field--an almost crystalline-like icy landscape covered in snow, glittering in the sunlight. behind them, the city casts shadows over the snow, and ahead is a seemingly-endless expanse of tundra.

aymeric winds his arms around her waist]

Ready to try going a little faster?

[moonlit_knight]

[It's a gorgeous sight and Selena has to take a moment to admire the view.

But she is very quickly distracted by his arms around her, turning back to face him]

Ah - alright. Since you're already holding on tight, why not.

[peacetalks]

[his face is pretty close ////]

Stronger taps this time, until our girl here starts to run.

[moonlit_knight]

[IT'S DANGER. But now isn't the time, she can admire Aymeric all she likes later, sure it would be nice to kiss him right now but that's a thought to be tucked away for when she's not trying to learn riding tips from him.

With great reluctance Selena focuses in front of her, taking a breath and nudging the bird more firmly.]

Come on girl, show us what you've got.