peacetalks | [post-heart rate - visitors in ishgard]

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[post-heart rate - visitors in ishgard]

[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...]

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[Leans against him, placing a hand on his arm.]

No, it's... I got off light, all told. The Duke and Corneille, didn't have hold of me for very long. Because Ignis showed up to get me...

[And this is the part that feels the worst. Selena gulps, grip tightening on Aymeric's hand for a moment.]

...But Ignis has no such resistances to her magic.

... what happened to him?

He's alright now. He's been recovering well. But...

[Closes her eyes, tensing again as she remembers what happened in that dungeon. Ignis, going completely wild, covered in blood...]

...I wasn't in much of a state to fight him when Corneille directed him to kill me. I could just fend his attacks off, and try to get through to him. And when I finally did, Ignis... in order to stop himself, he...

[Takes a deep breath, leaning her face into Aymeric's shoulder]

He stabbed himself in the chest instead.

[shit. for someone like selena, having the person they're responsible for protecting nearly kill themselves...

his arms tighten around her, and he says nothing]

[IT WAS EXTREMELY DISTRESSING. Selena takes a shuddering breath, recalling it is upsetting but she refuses to allow herself break down over it. She won't cry over it even if she's still beating herself up for allowing it all to happen.]

A terrible showing for a knight, isn't it? The man I'm sworn to protect, almost killing himself for my sake...

The Duke had fled at this point. And Corneille... I don't know, thought watching me struggle to save him was more fun? She kept trying to make deals with me when Ignis was attacking. When he... he fell, she let us go. Said I'd be better served trying to save him than kill her. I took Ignis and ran straight to a healer. So he's okay now. He's okay.

You did everything you could. And he is alive, as you say. You still protected him, as a knight should.

[It doesn't make it better or fix the danger Ignis was in, but it's incredibly reassuring just to hear Aymeric say that. To hear that affirmation from him.]

Yeah. He's safe right now. And I won't let anything like that happen to him again.

[presses a soft, chaste kiss to the side of her neck]

To have endured all of that and still upheld your promise... is an incredible feat of strength. And yet, it must still weigh heavily on your heart. Am I not right?

[he's so gentle and it feels so nice and comforting]

...It does. How can it not? But even so, I'll not let that weight hold me down.

If I can ease that weight at all, pray allow me to.

[he rises and moves to climb into the tub--which is a little more snug now with the two of them, but still plenty of room]

[She's small and perfectly happy to lay snug in the tub with him, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek]

You're doing plenty to help me already. Thank you for listening, Aymeric.

[he pulls her into his arms so he can wrap them around her from behind and rest his chin on her shoulder]

You are most welcome. 'Tis only mete that I do so, as you did the same for me.

[Leaning back against his chest, caressing Aymeric's cheek]

I appreciate it all the same. Along with all this care you're taking of me. I'm feeling much better already.

Full glad am I to hear it.

[he leans into her touch, comfortable and content]

[This all feels very cosy and comforting, enjoying being held by him and letting herself be soothed, tension easing out of her as she relaxes against him.]

There aren't many people... That I can rely on like this. That I can confide in like you. I truly feel blessed, being in your arms.

[oh... it touches his heart again, to hear her say that]

... I feel blessed, as well. To be held in such regard.

[nuzzles the back of her neck]

[Sighs softly, tilting her head for him, reaching for his hand]

I hold you in the highest regard. You're wonderful, Aymeric.

[he lets her take it, threading his fingers with hers]

I think much the same of you.

[Pretty much all of her earlier distress is gone by now. It's not that the experience doesn't still hurt, but she feels so warm and safe and cared for in this moment, all she wants to do is bask in his comfort and enjoy the fuzzy feelings filling her heart. With her other hand on his cheek she pulls him into a tender kiss.]

[he leans into it, soft and gentle and in no hurry to rush things]

[Selena isn't either, kissing him soft and slow and full of affection, wanting to savour it.]

[eventually he breaks the kiss to breathe, eyes closed for a moment longer as he lingers, and then he takes a bar of soap and starts lathering it up so he can wash her back]

[oh that's nice, as much as she'd been enjoying laying back against his chest Selena does shift forward to allow him room to do so]

I have to say, I'm feeling very pampered right now.

Good, as I intend to pamper you.

[once his hands are all sudsy he moves them to her front, lingering on her breasts but not trying to be too lascivious, either]

Mmm...

[Soft sigh, closing her eyes and leaning into his touch]

You're doing a wonderful job.

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