[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]

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.

[peacetalks]

["of course. I shall be in the kitchen until dinner, then." sebastian nods at both of them with a smile before heading down the hall. aymeric turns to selena]

May I take your coat?

[so proper]

[moonlit_knight]

He seems nice.

[Smiles sheepishly, taking her coat off. She's wearing much nicer clothes than the shabby ones she had back in Heartrate, Selena may have wanted to dress up a little to see him again, but even so her tastes aren't very lavish and lean more masculine.]

Right, it's much warmer in here. Thanks Aymeric.

[peacetalks]

[he takes her coat and hangs it up near the entrance]

I've known him nearly all my life. He was our main caretaker when I was a young man, and he stayed with me even after my parents' passing. I could manage well enough without any servants--Fury knows I spend more time in my office nowadays--but he has always been good to me. And an excellent cook, besides.

[there is a fire place with a large, comfortable-looking L-shaped sofa near to it, and aymeric goes to place a log on it so it will continue to warm up the house]

Come, have a seat. Or would you prefer to read a book?

[moonlit_knight]

[listening with a soft smile, this is a sweet relationship and it's sad about his parents but at least he wasn't alone, but then he mentions books and she has an embarassed moment of aaah i got caught looking

shakes her head, coming to sit on the sofa with him.]

I can read later. Right now it's nice hearing you talk about your home, and your life. And I'd hate to miss out on the time you've set aside for me.

[peacetalks]

Not at all. I am enjoying every moment with you, I promise. And I fear I will talk your ears off if given the opportunity.

[moonlit_knight]

[Laughs, leaning against his side]

I like hearing you talk. And I'm the one who asked to see everything so you're simply fulfilling my requests, you've been a wonderful guide so far.

[peacetalks]

[a moment where he realizes they're in his home and no one will bother them if they see them being casually intimate, and then he drapes his arm over her shoulder comfortably]

Well... what would you like to know?

[moonlit_knight]

[ah ///////// slipping an arm around his waist]

Oh, everything. You know, I didn't get a good look at those portraits, I'd like to see what family photos you have around.

...Well, I can see later though.

[she doesn't want to get up she'd much rather stay close next to him.]

[peacetalks]

[chuckles]

Oh, I remember sitting for one of those portraits and just hating it. I was not a very pleasant young man, to be honest with you. Not until I became a soldier. Having something to work towards was a great boon in helping me mature.

[moonlit_knight]

Is that right? I know everyone has a moody teen phase but I admit, I'm having gret difficulty imagining you being unpleasant.

[peacetalks]

I had something of a chip on my shoulder. You see, I was adopted into the Borel family at a very young age. I was too young to recall much before--but I have always known I was a bastard. And so did everyone else. I do not look very much like either of my parents, and 'twas an open secret that my mother could not conceive. They did not hide the fact from me, but cautioned me against ever revealing it. Yet rumors plagued me for years. And while I rarely lashed out, I took all those feelings of resentment and buried them inside me.

[moonlit_knight]

[mmmm hate that, places a hand over aymeric's]

It must have been rough. People really don't know when to keep their mouths shut.

You said becoming a soldier helped, and you've certainly earned much respect. Does that resentment still bother you?

[peacetalks]

[he turns his palm over, and tilts his head back]

The feeling is... complicated. I learned to let go of the resentment, and channeled my feelings towards other things. The fact of my birth instilled in me a great determination to fix the ills that plagued this nation. I was fortunate enough to be taken in by a family that loved me and did not suffer the hardships of poverty--yet so many others do. I've oft been called naïve for the ideals I keep, yet without them, I would have despaired instead.

But as I said, 'tis complicated. Had I not known my true sire, I might not have held fast to such ideals, or become the man I am now. Knowing your true father is the archbishop puts things into a... different perspective.

[moonlit_knight]

It's not naive. People say it is as a convenient excuse not to change anything.

You found your birth father then? An archbishop sounds complicated...

[are archbishops allowed to have sex??]

[peacetalks]

[NOPE 8D]

Aye, the late king Thordan VII. A tyrant and a madman, all told. He attempted to become a god and wipe out the entire race of dragons, using dark and dangerous magics. I opposed him, and he had me imprisoned. Had it not been for the efforts of the Warrior of Light and some very good friends, he might have succeeded. Full glad am I that he did not... yet his cruelty cost many lives, and even more suffering. History will remember him as a monster, above aught else.

[moonlit_knight]

[OH THAT'S HEAVY]

...It sounds rightly deserved. A man like that isn't fit for godhood or fatherhood or anything in between.

[peacetalks]

[nods]

I quite agree. And for that reason, I... ordered him to be stopped at all costs. He did not survive his encounter with the Warrior.

[moonlit_knight]

Even with how terrible he was, that can't have been an easy order to give. But it sounds like you had good friends by your side through it.

[peacetalks]

I did. And I do not regret my actions... but I do regret that such a thing was unavoidable. Some have called me a patricide for it, and they are correct, yet I'd still not take it back--even if that means being rejected from the Fury's halls.

[his hand tightens into a fist briefly]

[moonlit_knight]

[i want to make this better but how]

I don't know much about the Fury or your religion, so it may not mean much. But it would be foolish to reject you, when you've done so much good, for something that needed to be done. That man wasn't ever a father in the first place.

[peacetalks]

[he lets out a breath, and gently thunks his head on her shoulder]

... thank you. I tell myself not to dwell on such things, but sometimes it is difficult.

[moonlit_knight]

[Holding him, stroking a hand through his hair]

You always carry yourself with such strength and dignity, it's not so bad to let yourself dwell on the rare occasion. Things left unsaid and buried down deep often fester. And I'm always willing to lend an ear.