[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

[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.

[peacetalks]

[off they go! the wind isn't too sharp right now, but it's still a biting cold as the chocobo (whom I'm going to name Bernice) picks up speed and takes off. aymeric holds onto selena and occasionally tugs the reigns a little to guide her along and wow selena is just living every horse girl's dream right now huh]

[moonlit_knight]

[She is riding free and wild through the snow on a noble steed with a charming stud at her back what could be better! And it's freezing, but honestly with how her face was heating up maybe that's helping actually! Riding like this is fun no matter how cold it is, she feels secure with Aymeric behind her keeping the ride steady and as Bernice runs faster she can't help the delighted laughter bubbling up.]

[peacetalks]

[he laughs with her, delighted by her delight, and tightens his arms around her waist as they ride. when eventually they stop so bernice can graze, aymeric presses (admittedly cold) lips to the back of her neck]

[moonlit_knight]

[oh /////////////// Selena shivers, leaning back against him, reaching a hand behind her to stroke through his hair]

Mm, Aymeric!

[peacetalks]

[he leans into her touch, chuckling against her skin]

Forgive me, I've been so tempted. But there is no one here to judge us--well, save for our mount.

[moonlit_knight]

[huffs]

She seems an open-minded bird. But you know your lips are freezing.

[Turning and pulling him down for a proper kiss]

[peacetalks]

[he smiles into the kiss, lips quickly warming up as they move against hers]

[moonlit_knight]

[It's been far too long since she's kissed him and she's been trying so hard to be good and proper in front of all his people, all that carefully held restraint crumbles away now like a dam bursting.

Selena fully intends for this to be a sweet romantic reunion kiss, and while it does start that way, she craves more of him the second she has it and very quickly presses deeper.]

[peacetalks]

[aymeric feels much the same, his hands at her hips moving along her front now as he parts his lips and coaxes her tongue to entwine with his]

[moonlit_knight]

[Aymeric gets a more than eager response, meeting his tongue and kissing back hungrily, moaning softly and stroking her fingers through his hair.]

[peacetalks]

[he echoes her with a low moan of his own, his hand dragging up her front--before bernice pecks at his hand with a "kweh"!]

[moonlit_knight]

[Jumps! Breaking the kiss to look back at that noise, and then laughing]

Perhaps she's not so open-minded after all.

[peacetalks]

[shaking his hand out, also laughing]

Mayhaps she's restless. Or hungry for more greens. Here, there should be more...

[he reaches down to a pouch hooked onto the saddle and produces some more gysahl greens, handing them to selena so she can feed the chocobo again]

[moonlit_knight]

[Takes the greens and feeds Bernice, patting her feathers, then reaching for Aymeric’s pecked hand and kissing it softly]

Hopefully she’s appeased now. I suppose we should get moving again soon…

[Aymeric is busy and she knows she can’t keep him out in the fields all day. As nice as kissing him all day would be…]

[peacetalks]

[he nuzzles the back of her head and places his hand on her shoulder]

Shall we return to the city?