[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

[eggstinction]

Perhaps I should bring you a painting. I could bring you a painting of the ocean and tell you it is the gift of scenery— something to look in lieu of carrying you home in my arms to see it yourself —but if I bid the artist to paint the sea at night, you will know what the moon is.

[peacetalks]

... just the idea is breathtaking... you would not find it an imposition, truly?

[eggstinction]

How could I?

[peacetalks]

I-I could not say, I am only... I am honored.

[looks up at him, beaming]

Would you like to see my home?

[eggstinction]

[takes aymeric's hand again. if he wasn't done eating, he is now.]

I would love to.

[peacetalks]

[aymeric sucks in a breath, uncertain at the public display of affection--but he doesn't reject moon's hand, squeezing it gently]

'Tis not far from here. We'll pass the cathedral on the way.

[he leads moon out of the market to the pillars proper, where it's clear this is where the nobility live]

[eggstinction]

[squeezes back more firmly. confidence!]

Cathedral... To your Fury? The one you swear to?

[peacetalks]

Aye. You can see a statue of her in the courtyard.

[he points out a large statue of a fierce-looking elezen woman bearing a spear and a shield]

Halone, the Fury, patron deity of Ishgard. My faith in recent years has been shaken... yet I still believe in aught she represents. The glory, the victory, the strength to fight and to protect.

[eggstinction]

Those are meritous causes, with or without their figurehead. I do not doubt you honor those virtues.

[peacetalks]

[squeezes his hand]

I endeavor to, certainly.

[he leads on, down a nearby street with smaller two-story townhomes, less extravagant than the manses, but still quite nice-looking. aymeric stops in front of one with a small plaque that reads "borel manor" on it]

Here we are.

[eggstinction]

[looks up at the townhome as admiringly as if aymeric had brought him in front of a palace]

Borel— that is you! Do you live here alone?

[peacetalks]

For the most part, save for my housekeeper, Sebastian. He comes around to keep the place tidy and cook for me on occasion. I could manage well enough without him, but he's been a long-standing friend of my father's for many years, and it would be terribly lonely in there otherwise. Ah, and of course, there is Ser Clawdien.

[he opens the door and steps inside. the interior is beautiful without being overly extravagant; the atmosphere is more cozy and comfortable than anything else, with dark woods and fabrics, along with fresh flowers in vases. there is a small library on the far wall of the main living area, and a gently crackling fire place. there are several paintings on the walls, mostly of landscapes and still lifes, though there is one family portrait that includes a very dour and serious-looking teenage aymeric.]

[eggstinction]

[Moon stops at the door for the chance to finally shed his boots and coat, stretching out his claws happily now that the public can’t see them.

it seems like a very busy process, fussing over his own hands and smoothing out his silk robes, but they’re just something to look at. something instead of aymeric’s face in case the next question lands badly. he’s been assuming— hoping —for the best, but…]

And what of Break?

[peacetalks]

[aymeric's expression must be a relief--he smiles warmly]

Break is well. He's taken to adventuring these days, though he makes the time to come by Ishgard for short visits. I was worried it would be too much for him at first, but he is much better health-wise than he was... and much happier for it, as well. I do not know if he will return before you leave--the last I heard from him, he was in Limsa Lominsa, an island nation to the south.

[eggstinction]

[moon’s tail curls up so high with joy and relief that its spikes peek up behind his shoulder. healthy break! happy break! tanned break???]

Adventuring! I would not have imagined it, but I am delighted to hear it! You must give him a hug and a kiss for me next he returns— three hugs! and tell him how sorry I am to have missed him.

[peacetalks]

[cute... aymeric places his hand on moon's shoulder]

I shall. And we will plan for a time when you can visit again and ensure he will be here to welcome you.

[eggstinction]

[puts his hand over aymeric’s and squeezes it]

I would like that very much! I will bring gifts enough for both of you.

[peacetalks]

[lingers like that, squeezing his shoulder, wanting to stay close, but then he remembers something and has to let go]

Pray make yourself comfortable. Sebastian must be here since the fire is lit--he's probably in the kitchen preparing your gifts for us. I shall return anon.

[he heads down the hall to the kitchen, leaving moon there]

[eggstinction]

I shall be here.

[he doesn't venture out of the hall, but moon easily entertains himself with sniffing every flower display and looking at the paintings. including dour teen aymeric. especially dour teen aymeric. making some mental notes about the kind of landscapes that seem to be in fashion.]

[peacetalks]

[dour teen aymeric is cute in a kind of angsty grumpy way. it's a stark contrast to how aymeric carries himself now. it's also worth noting that he doesn't especially look much like either of his parents, save for the fact that they're all elezen. his eye color, hair color, even the overall shape of his face--he doesn't share any of it with his parents.

the landscapes are all lush and verdant scenes of vast green meadows filled with flowers. beautiful, but clearly not much of a resemblance to ishgard.

aymeric returns after a minute]

As I thought, he's preparing dinner. I requested some chocolate to accompany our fruits.

[eggstinction]

[moon can make a small guess there. his daughter Julia didn't look anything like him either.

he bounces right back to aymeric's side, perking up like he's returned after an hour instead of just a couple minutes]

He is not having any difficulty with it, I hope? I did not think I packed anything too strange, but one of the cooks was concerned when I had them pack things up.

[peacetalks]

Sebastian is an excellent chef and he seems to be quite excited to try something new. But if you've any advice to pass on, by all means.

[aymeric's hand casually finds its way to moon's waist]

[eggstinction]

[brushes his tail across the back of aymeric's legs]

Only to be sure to keep the head of the fish. The collar and the cheeks are full of meat.

[peacetalks]

Ah, very good. I do think he'll discover that for himself, but I shall pass it along nevertheless.

[... but he seems disinclined to move away from moon at the moment]

[eggstinction]

[twines his tail further around one leg, which is totally and definitely helpful for walking]

Considering the effort to remove the head, I doubt he will miss the muscles.