[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

[notsospeedy]

[Somewhere, in that big castle or whatever, I don't know anything about FFXIV just assume it's a place from a memory... the order and solemnity of this day is shattered by the joyful, ecstatic scream of some weirdo in a thick winter parka. How did he end up in here? No one knows. They didn't see him come in. But his voice rings through the hallowed halls of antiquity:]

I AM A FREAKING GENIUS!!!!!

[peacetalks]

[hilariously the place he most likely ends up in is st. reymanaud cathedral, prompting an entire congregation of church-goers to stare at him, affronted and alarmed, as they all shush him in unison.

THIS IS THE FURY'S HOUSE, SON, SHOW SOME RESPECT]

[notsospeedy]

Oh shit--! SORRY......

[Roy cringes, about to make his leave, but-- um. Actually, he has to ask. Though his voice is attempting to sound hushed this time.]

Um, does anyone know where to find Aymeric de Borel? Lord Commander of the knights?

This is Ishgard, right??

[peacetalks]

[one of the priests nearby says, exasperated: "cease with the interruptions and begone already if you're not here to pray!"

a little girl in one of the pews looks amused at all of this and leans over to whisper: "the lord commander's in foundation. you're in the pillars." her mother shushes her.]

[notsospeedy]

Sorry! Please resume with the piousness!

[Shoots the nice little girl a quick smile and a whispered thanks before zooming off.

...

Except, he doesn't know where the pillars are in relation to foundation. There's not exactly handy maps posted everywhere, right? Maybe he'll just wander the halls until he finds a knight standing guard or something who can give him directions. Or better yet, lead him there?]

[peacetalks]

[unfortunately the only real direction in the cathedral is out of it at this point, considering how the guards are starting to shuffle. the good(?) news is that there's a glowing blue hovering crystal right outside the entrance... surely that's useful, right?]

[notsospeedy]

[On the one hand, he should probably ask someone about how mysterious blue crystals work before touching it.

On the other........ science.

Unsure if this is the kind of magic where you have to focus on a destination in mind, Roy thinks hard of Aymeric as he touches the crystal.]

[peacetalks]

[the crystal... doesn't respond at first, as one usually needs to have a destination in mind.

but, after a few seconds it starts to pull, and quickly roy will find himself thrown into a different dimensional space for a split second, and somewhat unceremoniously tossed out into another, different plaza on the other side of the city. roy may find himself feeling dizzy after that experience. that... probably could have gone better, but it seems to have worked...?

the crystal he stands before now is near a tavern with a sign on it--"the forgotten knight". down the street is another building, guarded by soldiers in chainmail armor, with a sign that reads: "congregation of our knights most heavenly".]

[notsospeedy]

Whew... good thing I brought a jacket.

[He takes a moment to soak in the city, now that he's outside - everything is just a fantastic as he imagined, if not moreso. These are sights no one from his world has ever seen. It's breathtaking...

Congregation of knights seems like he's headed in the right direction, though. Maybe not where Aymeric's office is, but full of people who'd know. And uh, hopefully they won't be suspicious of this weirdo asking for their boss.

LET'S GO WITH A FRIENDLY APPROACH]

Heyyy guys, working hard or hardly working? I'm kinda looking for your boss, maybe you know where he is?

[peacetalks]

[the guard in front levels him with a stare. "the knight commander is a busy woman. if you've urgent business, you can fill out a request form." he gestures to a table with a secretary scribbling on what looks like a massive stack of papers.]

[notsospeedy]

[ugh, bureaucracy. Roy scrunches his nose.]

Okay, but - what about her boss? The Lord Commander? He and I go way back.

[peacetalks]

[the guard sighs. "the lord commander is a very busy man, and appointments with him must be made well in advance. if you've urgent business, you can fill out a request form." he sounds like he's said this spiel many times before.]

[notsospeedy]

Orrrr, we could go with my suggestion where you just point me to where his fancy office is! I promised him a very special conjugal visit, and he's been waiting a long time already, so...

[madasa]

[Break is, as expected, dropping in a little bit later. But he hears Roy's voice a few steps before he reaches the door, so... he bursts in obnoxiously]

Do my ears deceive me?!

[notsospeedy]

Break!!

[The tea had arrived by that time, and Roy was warming himself up with a cup - which he raises in a playful little toast]

Guess who made it for teatime??

[madasa]

If you are holding tea, you may wish to set it aside.

[notsospeedy]

Oop.

[Delicately places the tea down and stands up from the table, arms spread]

[madasa]

[yes, good, BODIES HIM.]

[notsospeedy]

[SCOOPS UP BREAK IN HIS BIG MANLY ARMS, your full body tackle is now a suffocating embrace]

I can't tell you how freaking glad I am too see you!!!

[madasa]

[oh no~~~ whatever shall he do~~~

smother him in many kisses is what]

I knew you'd make it!

[notsospeedy]

[Laughs, kissing him back]

Did you? Didn't wonder if I'd teleport myself into the sun even a little bit?

[madasa]

Utmost confidence!

[lifting his hands to map out Roy's features with clever fingertips again, looking for any changes.]

[notsospeedy]

[He's shaved! Horray!

Roy studies him back, with his eyeballs instead.]

You look good. You look healthy.

[madasa]

I feel it, too. We had a close call on arrival, but... Aymeric has taken good care of me.

[squishes his cheeks]

[notsospeedy]

[fwuahh

He sets Break down so he can squish a pastry in his face in a counterattack]

I don't wanna say I told you so, but know that I'm thinking it very hard.