[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]

[oh... aymeric's expression turns to something--vulnerable, a little raw, something like longing, as he stares at her]

Selena...

[moonlit_knight]

[oh

wrapping her arms around him in a proper hug]

Was that a bit much? It's just... You're very dear to me, Aymeric.

[peacetalks]

[pressing close]

Not at all. You're very dear to me, too.

[moonlit_knight]

Well, I'm glad. Because I would like to make you as happy, as you make me.

[peacetalks]

You do. I am a bit embarrassed at how lost for words I am, but pray believe me. I am... so happy, being with you.

[tucks his face into her chest]

[moonlit_knight]

[Strokes his hair, kissing the top of his head]

I believe you.

[peacetalks]

[he stays like that for a bit, just gently touching her and basking in the closeness, the intimacy, until eventually the light starts to fade from the windows]

Hmm... dinner will probably be soon. We've enough time for a bath, though, I think.

[moonlit_knight]

[Very content to just cuddle with him for a while, reluctantly pushing herself up to sit when it's time.]

It has gotten late, hasn't it? A bath sounds good.

[peacetalks]

Come this way, then.

[he leads her into the attached bathroom, which has a large (elezen-sized) claw-foot bathtub and some nice soaps. aymeric gets the water heated up and gestures for her to climb in]

I've some ointment for bruises, as well.

[moonlit_knight]

[Climbing into this huge tub, sighing contentedly at the warmth. Selena lifts an arm and looks at the marks there, quiet for a moment.]

I'd appreciate that. I... said I'd tell you, what happened earlier...

[peacetalks]

Pray take your ease. I am in no hurry.

[he kneels next to the tub beside her with the ointment--a blue-colored gel that is icy cold at first touch, then quickly warms up and gently numbs the pain. aymeric gets some on his fingers and works on massaging the gel into her skin]

[moonlit_knight]

Ah - you're not cleaning off too?

[She'd been expecting him to join her in the tub so raises an eyebrow when he kneels next to it instead. Selena gasps at the sudden cold touch, closing her eyes and letting Aymeric work her over]

[peacetalks]

I shall, after I've tended to you.

[he makes sure he gets some in the rope burns as well]

[moonlit_knight]

Alright. Thank you, Aymeric.

[It's a little embarrassing but ultimately it does feel nice, so Selena pliantly offers up her arms and allows him access to massage where he likes, trying to relax into it.]

[peacetalks]

[he kisses the nape of her neck, and continues to massage as he waits for her to speak]

[moonlit_knight]

[Gives a soft sigh, taking another few moments to gather her thoughts and figure out how she wants to talk about this, it's a big distressing uncomfortable thing in her mind so it's a little difficult to fully enjoy Aymeric's touch and just lean into it, but slowly the tension is easing out of her muscles as he goes.]

I was... I was on something of a rescue mission. Some of the nobles in the empire had been involved in trafficking slaves, Prince Ignis and I had found one of their operations in the mines and had freed the captives. But, the mercenaries we were working with at the time, told me they had some friends held in the Duke's estate. So I had to go break into his dungeons.

[peacetalks]

[his hands slow a little as he listens, but they're still gentle and warm]

... and what happened then?

[moonlit_knight]

Oh, it was a trap, of course. Not that Ber knew when he asked me to save his friends. I got them out of their cells, but I didn't realise one of them was a plant until I'd turned around and he'd shoved a needle in my neck. Honestly, I'm embarrassed I fell for it so easily.

[Reaches up and rubs the back of her neck unconsciously as she says it]

At the very least, he was the last one I freed, so the rest of them who weren't getting paid off managed to escape just fine.

[peacetalks]

You did a very brave thing. Though, I take it the Duke was none too pleased?

[moonlit_knight]

On the contrary, at first he was delighted to have a hold of me. One of his ultimate goals was to get rid of Ignis for good. He's the son of a concubine, you see, so the Empress and her faction have been scheming to assassinate him since he was young. Duke Andres is her brother. So, having the prince's bodyguard in his cell presented an opportunity for them.

. . .

[this next part of the story feels very awkward to get into and she hesitates again, glancing at Aymeric's face]

[peacetalks]

Ah. You were their bargaining chip.

[moonlit_knight]

[Shakes her head]

He was working with a witch. The plan was actually to put me entirely under her control, and send me back to kill Ignis myself.

Unfortunately for them, that sort of magic doesn't work right on me. I can't say I know all the details, but I've got something going on with my soul that rejects it entirely. Then the Duke was none too pleased, and, well.

[Gestures at her injuries]

[peacetalks]

[oh]

... that shall teach me not to jump to conclusions. You did mention you'd little talent for magic, but I did not imagine that came with such resistance.

[moonlit_knight]

[shrugs]

It was a surprise for me too. Quite a way to learn about it, but for as many questions as I have, I'd rather find a less painful avenue for answers.

[peacetalks]

Then, these marks on you...

[his fingers run over the rope burns as he trails off]