[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

[madasa]

Aymeric-

[oh his throat and lungs don't like the cold. he snaps his mouth shut, shaking his head and leaning against him, trying to head off the inevitable coughing.]

[peacetalks]

[mentally aymeric told himself he was prepared for this possibility. in reality he's terrified.

but he has to act, so he quickly sheds his cloak and wraps it around break for warmth]

Forgive me the indignity.

[and he picks him up, gently as he can, and moves. it's a bit of scene, the lord commander running through the streets carrying someone, and hushed and worried whispers follow them. before long they're inside, a wave of warmth running over them from a nearby hearth, and aymeric is barking orders at people]

Summon the chirugeon, have a room prepared. There is no time to waste. Lucia, with me.

[a woman's voice responds--"yes, my lord" and then they're moving again, up stairs]

Hold on, Kevin, pray hold on as much as you can--!

[madasa]

[Break clings to Aymeric as best he can, through that cloak. It shields him a bit, but the cold has already taken the opportunity to settle in his lungs, in his bones, so he starts coughing before long-- horrible, wet, bloody things. But all the same he clings, shaky, and speaks to Aymeric wrecked and unsteady and in places inaudible, once they're inside and his body protests breathing slightly less.]

-t's all right... Love you.

[enjoy that, Lucia.]

[peacetalks]

[if lucia finds the situation odd, she doesn't say anything about it. aymeric is clearly too stricken to be interrupted. soon he's laying break down on a soft bed, trying to sound as steady as possible but break can surely hear the tremble in his voice]

And I you. Tell me, what can I do?

[there's movement in the room, people murmuring--and soon there's a heavy warm blanket covering break's body, though aymeric doesn't let go of him for a second]

[madasa]

Just... stay?

[maybe don't trust that one to keep him alive, though. he's mostly just in huddle against Aymeric as much as possible mode. eking out what shreds of love he can before it's over again.]

[peacetalks]

I will. I am here.

[at that moment, however, someone gently prompts him--"lord commander, we will need to examine him..." and aymeric lets out a breath]

... of course. Please, do everything you can.

[he reluctantly lets go of break and kneels at the side of the bed, holding his hand to reassure him of his presence. meanwhile, the chirugeons to the side begin casting healing magics, a wave of energy washing over break]

[madasa]

[Break squeezes his hand, still annoyingly strong even like this. And... his breathing does start coming a little easier with each pulse of healing magic.]

[peacetalks]

[aymeric squeezes back, and one of the chirugeons pulls the blanket back enough to get a better look at break's chest and whatever he's been coughing up. aymeric turns to lucia to murmur another order]

Have the Atheneum send someone. Pull any strings you need to.

[lucia demurs with another quick "my lord." and steps out. the healing pulses continue, as aymeric runs his thumb over break's knuckles]

[madasa]

[the reality of his body's situation is that... it is simply giving out. this is most apparent with his lungs, where they've gone raw inside with some sort of irritation, but his strength is giving out, his vision is long gone... it's a miracle of stubbornness that he's lasted even this long.

his breathing getting better is helping a lot, though, and he looks distinctly embarrassed by all of this like he isn't DYING, though he has the sense to keep his mouth shut.]

[peacetalks]

[the chirugeon echoes most of this information, the most pertinent information being the state of his lungs. aymeric's hand tightens a little, though he does his best to remain calm and collected. he takes a proffered washcloth and carefully cleans the mess from break's front, so he'll at least be more comfortable]

... how is it now? You sound like you're breathing better.

[madasa]

...I fear I'm making a poor first impression on your city, my love.

I'm hurting less.

[peacetalks]

[chuckles weakly]

Were you planning some grand spectacle instead? I fear you may have missed your chance.

[madasa]

I was thinking something with confetti. Maybe doves.

[peacetalks]

Alas, you'll have to come up with something else to surprise me.

[said fondly, but his voice is a tad raspy. one of the chirugeons hesitantly speaks up: "my lord commander, I've an elixir for... the patient. will he be able to imbibe?"]

... can you sit up and drink?

[madasa]

Mm.

[sits up like he's feeling better than he is, holding his free hand out for what he's assuming will be a bottle.]

[peacetalks]

[aymeric hands him a bottle of something that tastes very sour, but within a few minutes it gets blood flowing in him quicker, giving a boost to his immune system]

Shall I send for tea?

[madasa]

[he's feeling quite lively in comparison to his baseline, honestly. it makes him antsy.]

Please.

[peacetalks]

[aymeric nods at someone in the room, and shortly there's a platter of tea placed on the bedside table]

I think this is herbal...

[he takes break's hand and places the saucer and cup in it so he doesn't have to fumble]

[madasa]

Thank you.

[softly. he can't help making a face when the tea isn't as disgustingly sweet as he normally takes it, but that's frankly more embarrassing since he weathered the elixir without complaint.]

[peacetalks]

[aymeric's fingers brush some hair from break's face, huffing softly]

I can send for some birch syrup if it is too bitter.

[madasa]

No, it's fine. I can be a brat later.

[peacetalks]

[shifts so he's sitting on the edge of the bed instead of kneeling by it]

You're looking much better. Are you still cold?

[madasa]

[scoots closer to lean on him. getting PDA in ur Ishgard.]

Warmer now, but yes.

[peacetalks]

[if the chirugeon finds this scandalous, they're not saying anything. but you know internally they're losing their mind at this HOT GOSS

aymeric will not object to break being closer, but he's keeping himself restrained, for now]

I'll send for a tailor, and we'll have you fitted for proper clothing. Mine will be ill-fitting, sadly.

[madasa]

Mm, we're not exactly of a size, it's true.

[Break doesn't push for more contact, just focusing on breathing evenly and soaking up Aymeric's warmth.]