[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

[madasa]

[Break squirms to the very edge of the cot to give Aymeric room, then clings to him like a limpet.]

I feel it. What about you?

[peacetalks]

[props himself up on his side so break can curl close, winding his arm around him]

Aye... it has been a long day.

[madasa]

[wraps his arms around Aymeric in turn, tucking his head against his collarbone.]

It has... Thank you. I know I'm getting in the way of things you should be doing.

[peacetalks]

[pulls the blanket over the both of them]

Ishgard will not collapse if I take a few days for myself. I will need to return to work soon after... but as I said, I'll not be far. And I'll do my work from your bedside if I must.

[madasa]

I'll find a way to make myself useful once I'm somewhat recovered, okay?

[peacetalks]

[kisses his forehead]

Alright. But pray do not push yourself. 'Tis enough for me that you are hale and whole and by my side.

[madasa]

I'll behave. I just... I'm no good at being at loose ends, either.

[peacetalks]

What is it you wish to do when you feel better, Kevin?

[madasa]

I haven't the foggiest idea.

[peacetalks]

You've plenty of time to ponder on it. I'll not demand an answer straightaway. Just know that... you've options. And whatever you choose, you shall have my support.

[madasa]

...Thank you, my love.

[peacetalks]

[tilts break's head up just enough so he can kiss him, soft]

[madasa]

[aaaa. soft kissing, hoping no one comes in and ruins this, pressing even closer.]

[peacetalks]

[aymeric takes his time, kissing break soft and slow, unhurried and tender as he winds his arms around him and holds him close]

[madasa]

[that goes a long way in soothing him, letting the tension from a hard day ease out of him until he's a boneless puddle clinging ti Aymeric.]

[peacetalks]

[gently runs his fingers through break's hair, murmuring into his lips]

Sleep, my love.

[madasa]

[for such a contrary creature, that seems to be what he needed. his breathing starts to slow, evening out.]

[peacetalks]

[aymeric's a little more restless--the fear that break will suddenly start to deteriorate in the night grips him still--but he eventually wills himself to sleep, curled around break comfortably]

[madasa]

[Break sleeps lightly, generally speaking. He is a paranoid man. But he's so wiped out he sleeps many, many hours, which the chirugeons seem to approve of overall.

Still, healing comes slow and hard, but eventually he's cleared to stop being on bedrest (to the protest of some healers, the man is clearly insane to be half as lively as he is, with a body as devastated as all that, but his mental health is also clearly starting to decline with his honest attempts to behave while feeling stifled.)

Aymeric is surely present for his ~release~, but Break is careful not to cling to him too much until they're in private.]

[peacetalks]

[aymeric has to force himself not to hover too much, to give break space and try to at least preserve the image of himself as being put together--for ishgard's sake. he still spends a lot of time in break's sick room, taking his lunches and afternoon tea there. but as break continues to improve, he doesn't feel so anxious about staying in his office.

he has tailors come and take his measurements to fit him for new clothes--warmer ones, best for ishgard's punishing weather. break's preferences are taken into account, although there's at least one cloak in royal blue, aymeric's favorite color, that he insists on. aymeric brings books to read to him, and whenever someone of interest comes by--a head of state, or a scion--he introduces them to break as well. it's clear aymeric wants to integrate break into his life as much as possible without overwhelming the man.

(in private, they both cling to one another, and aymeric makes up for any distance with kisses--but just kisses, he insists, not wanting to test break's endurance when he's still recovering.)

when he's finally well enough to be discharged, aymeric is there to escort him through the city. the chirugeons suggest walking instead of using the aetheryte crystal, as it would be a shame if break were to become aether sick right after he just got better.]

[madasa]

[Break takes to the royal blue-- he can't see himself anyway, so he simply requests that the rest of his clothes be made in appropriately suiting colors. So ultimately they dress him in much the same colors as Aymeric, letting the Lord Commander lay his claim on Break that way.

(Break does whine, when Aymeric refuses to go further, but ultimately folds. Trying to behave, ever trying to behave.)

As they tour, as well, on the day he's discharged-- Break stays close to Aymeric, but lets him be the one to judge exactly how close, exactly how obvious they should be. He doesn't take the cold very well, either, face half hidden so buried is he in layers of clothing.]

[peacetalks]

[aymeric is patient, staying close to break as they walk along the cobblestone streets]

The wind is unfortunately nippy today. 'Tis not always this bad, I promise.