[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]

[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.

[moonlit_knight]

[shakes her head]

Don’t be silly, I’m not bored. So this revelation of everyone’s descendants came about, that must have had major ramifications on Ishgard’s social structure. How did the commonfolk react?

[peacetalks]

There were mixed reactions. Some were elated, others were indifferent--after all, for many of them, it would not change their lives significantly. But for others, it did make a difference. And while 'tis true our society, especially here in Ishgard, is strongly divided between the rich and the poor, the gap is lessening. You see far more people of "common" standing here in the pillars than there were for many years. There've been a number of initiatives launched to grant people of the lower class better and more work opportunities, many of which have been backed by the four noble houses. What better way to use their wealth than help the common man, now that they know we are all cousins to one another? And, now that the war is over, the rebuilding of residences for those whose homes were lost or damaged has made great progress.

[smiles]

It will take time, but change is already happening rapidly.

[moonlit_knight]

It sounds like you're all making great strides. Having more resources to devote to your poorest, and the backing of those four houses behind such initiatives, you must be able to do so much good now.

[thanks to Rosa she doesn't have to worry about money now, but Selena can't help but remember her own childhood spent in poverty and feel a tiny bit envious of their progress. Only a little bit though; even if it was a pipe dream for her, the thought that children here could sleep in warm homes with full bellies is a wonderful thing, and something she's proud of Aymeric for his hand in bringing it about.]

[peacetalks]

Aye, we are. And we hope to do much, much more.

[he stops in front of a row of houses--nice, two-story townhomes, but clearly separate from the large estates belonging to the four noble houses]

My home is just this way.

[moonlit_knight]

I have every faith you will.

[Noting the difference between the two, hmm not as Fancy as she'd expected when they'd walked in the neighborhood but this, she thinks, is far more comfortable and suits Aymeric more.]

[peacetalks]

[a few houses down and they stand in front of borel manor. aymeric unlocks the door and leads her inside. like the exterior, it's very nice, but more cozy-looking than opulent. everything looks like it's made of dark wood, and there are fresh flowers in vases and a few portraits hanging on the walls--including one of a very serious-looking teenage aymeric. there's a small library on the other side of the room, and a little reading nook. a kindly-looking older man is currently dusting one of the tables, and he looks surprised when the door opens.

"my lord, you are home earlier than expected. is aught amiss?"]

Nay, Sebastian, I've decided to take the afternoon off to see to my guest. Will you be troubled overmuch if she stays for dinner?

["not at all, my lord. shall I have the guest room prepared?"]

Yes, please. Selena, this is Sebastian, my family's house steward. Sebastian, this is ser Selena Evan.

["a pleasure, good ser." the older gentleman bows with a kindly smile. "please call for me should you require aught."]

[moonlit_knight]

[LIBRARY SIGHTED. STARES LONGINGLY. The house is lovely and there's plenty she would have been taking in if not for books. That reading nook looks so cosy it would be so nice to curl up there what books does Aymeric have--

But she snaps out of it when Sebastian and Aymeric start talking and she realises she's being addressed.]

Oh - thank you very much, Sebastian. It's a pleasure to meet you as well, thank you for your assistance.