[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]

[bernice starts to trot, and they head back to ishgard. he holds onto her close and comfortable until they reach the gates, where he leans back to have some semblance of propriety]

[moonlit_knight]

[Holding the reins means she can't touch him as much as she wants to, but she can still turn to kiss along his jaw before they have to inevitably part. Aymeric isn't the only one being tempted!!

It does make it all the more disappointing when he does have to pull back, but Selena assures herself with the knowledge that he's a big time political figure who she doesn't want to burden with any scandals, and that she can bear all this yearning until tonight, just spending time together is wonderful anyway.]

Do you think you could give me a hand again getting down?

[peacetalks]

Of course.

[he holds out his hands to help her down since it's easier to slide off a chocobo than it is to climb on. and gives bernice some pats because why not]

[moonlit_knight]

Thank you.

[Taking his hand and down she goes! Selena will also pat the chocobo because destroying the mood aside she has been a good girl]

And thank you for the ride, Bernice.

[peacetalks]

["kweh"]

Shall we head to the manufactory next?

[moonlit_knight]

[grins]

Mm, lead the way.

[peacetalks]

[TO THE MANUFACTORY. it's a large building not far from the stables, and busy-looking too. a few people there are equipped with guns, or examining and taking them apart. several large-scale models of airships hang from the ceiling in the process of being built, along with things like cannons and ballistas and one object that looks like a old-fashioned steam engine, but is glowing blue. this place feels much less formal, as virtually everyone here is dressed like a mechanic, and shouting over one another about magitek designs, but as soon as aymeric walks in they all kind of scramble to look more presentable. it's also much more diverse in here than anywhere else in the city. while elezen and hyur are typical, inside the manufactory there are roegadyn (large, well-muscled people taller than anyone else around) as well as lalafell (small, halfling-like people with bright cheerful faces) and even a few au ra (people with scales on parts of their bodies along with dragon-like horns).

one young man comes up to greet aymeric and aymeric quickly assures him he's not here on any official business, only to show his guest around ishgard. the atmosphere quickly grows more relaxed.]

Well? What do you think?

[moonlit_knight]

[Selena watches everyone run around for Aymeric with some amusement, but quickly becomes distracted looking at all the machines. She's familiar with cannons and guns and all that, but not ones infused with magic, she might live in a fantasy novel but they had nothing this fancy back in the empire. Selena is staring up at one of the airships being built when he speaks and snaps back to attention.]

I think it's brilliant.

[peacetalks]

Aye, as do I, though I could not tell you how half of it is made. The Ironworks team has made quite a name for themselves, and with good reason. For a long while, the only efforts made were on behalf of extending Ishgard's military might against the dragons--but now, with the freedom to explore other venues, the strides they have made are unparalleled. I daresay there will be an entirely new and improved model of airship every nation will be using within the next five years.

[someone across the room yells, "is that a challenge?!" followed by "SHUT UP WE ARE ALREADY SWAMPED WITH ORDERS" and another person's "bet it'll be three and a half anyway."]

[moonlit_knight]

[Laughs! This workshop is fun these workers are cute]

They seem very dedicated to their craft. Even though I came because I heard about the weapons, everything else they're working on seems so impressive. I'll have to try riding the new ships when they're ready.

[peacetalks]

We could make a short trip on the current models, if you are interested, mayhaps...

[taps his chin thoughtfully]

[moonlit_knight]

[:ooo]

Would we have time?

[peacetalks]

[aymeric goes over to talk to one of the crew members by the airships, who directs him to a timetable. he nods, and returns looking satisfied]

We could do it if we leave early tomorrow morning. If you'd like a leisurely trip, the closest city-state is Gridania to the south. A beautiful place, to be sure, and it would only take a bell or two to get there... however, there is also a private craft belonging to the Temple Knights that we could take straight to the Churning Mists in Dravania. Do you recall me telling you about the ancient dragon lands beyond the clouds, before? We could go there, if you like.

[moonlit_knight]

[part of selena feels like she shouldn't be so excited when aymeric has so much on already, but everything she hears she wants to see more, and surely he wouldn't offer unless he was really able to make time, right? and anyway, he deserves some time to enjoy himself too.]

I remember! Okay! If you have the time to spare, then I'd really like to see Dravania.

[peacetalks]

I shall make the arrangements.

[he looks almost as excited as she does at the prospect]

[moonlit_knight]

[Bumps against his side, the closest to an Intimate Gesture she is allowing herself in front of a bunch of people who would definitely spread gossip about him]

I can't wait.

[peacetalks]

[there's definitely gossip happening already, but he doesn't seem to mind]

Let me know when you are ready to leave. I think the pillars ought to be the next stop.

[moonlit_knight]

[she's curious about a lot of things in here, but she wants to get as much time with Aymeric as she can right now so asking the workers about their projects can wait. Selena can always come back later.]

We can head out now. What's at the pillars?

[peacetalks]

The marketplace, the resident's district for the four noble houses, and the cathedral. My home is there, as well.

[moonlit_knight]

Now that, I definitely want to see.

[peacetalks]

[goes a little pink ///// and nods]

Come, then.

[he takes her to the pillars, which is the Fancy part of ishgard. if foundation is the blue collar part of the city, the pillars is where the rich people live. there are far more people dressed like proper lords and ladies about, and large manors take up the majority of the residencies. the marketplace is thriving and there's plenty to be seen there, along with excellent views of the cathedral, whose spires tower above everything else]

[moonlit_knight]

[cute cute he's so cute

Selena follows, starting to feel a little underdressed here. Her coat is nice enough, but nothing super elegant and lordly.]

Oh, your neighborhood is fancy.

[peacetalks]

[chuckles]

'Tis not strictly my neighborhood, my home lies on the very outskirts of this area, and is much smaller besides. But the four noble houses of Ishgard have been the foundation of our nation since near to its inception, so they are certainly well-established.

[there are some noble ladies walking by who greet aymeric politely, and a few who give subtle but sharp glances at selena--not contempt, exactly, but scrutiny]

[moonlit_knight]

[don't like scrutiny but could be worse. Bows politely back when they stare but mostly focuses on him]

Oh, a more humble lifestyle for you? You seem popular with these nobles.

[peacetalks]

'Twas not always so. My adoptive family were lesser nobles--respected, but small. I inherited the title of viscount upon the former's passing. To those belonging to the four houses, however, until very recently they might never have paid someone like me any mind, let alone someone of lower standing. Recent revelations that became commonly known near the end of the war, however, have changed that. Where we all once believed that the four noble houses descended from Haldrath's knights, granting them the illustrious position of nobility, and all others the meager lives of the commonfolk, they've no longer such ground to stand upon--for all Ishgardians are descended from those same knights, and the same blood runs through all our veins.

[he stops]

... forgive me, I do not mean to bore you with such talk.