[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]

[Moon and the grouper give the guard the same flat, repellant look. what do you mean im not on the list, do you know who i AM.

his tone is a measure more polite for the woman though and he repeats himself without complaint, nodding to her apparent rank.]

I am the Lord of Oceans, Moon.

[peacetalks]

[the woman studies him for a moment and then nods, turns to the guard. "he has an appointment. please follow me, master moon." she gestures for him to follow her, while the guard just sort of blinks, perplexed.

"my name is lucia. I am ser aymeric's second-in-command. he's been expecting you."]

[eggstinction]

Thank you for your escort, Ser Lucia. I hope I have not delayed the date of my arrival too long.

[lets his tail unwind from underneath his fur-lined robes, swishing it behind them as they walk]

[peacetalks]

[the guard is gawking now, but who cares.

"he didn't have exact dates to give, so I wasn't certain when to expect you. I can take the fish, if you like." lucia leads moon further inside, past a pair of guarded doors, and up a set of stairs, until they stand in front of a stately-looking room. lucia knocks twice, and aymeric's voice can be heard from inside]

Enter.

[she opens the door, and inside is clearly an office, but a very nice one; aymeric sits at a large wooden desk, tall windows behind him overlooking the plaza, and a low cushioned bench next to a crackling fire. aymeric himself is currently engrossed in paperwork, his quill scrawling over parchment]

[eggstinction]

[Moon passes over the unhappy fish with a thank you. he follows her with a dignitary's grace, inured to curious looks and not gawking around in his turn either. only the way his tail flicks up hopefully at each corner betrays his mounting excitement. aymeric soon? aymeric now? now??

he's through the door as soon as it's open, calling out with that bright, delighted trill]

Aymeric!

[peacetalks]

[aymeric is just starting to lift his head from his desk as moon enters]

To what do I--Master Moon!?

[eggstinction]

[sets down the crate of fruit and hurries across the room, reaching behind his back to untangle the ornamental knot his four extra sleeves had been tied into. he needs all six arms if he's going to be hugging!]

I am here! I made it!

[peacetalks]

[aymeric is standing too, although he doesn't realize moon is going for the hug just yet. lucia is being quiet and unobtrusive]

Do my eyes deceive me...? Is it truly you, Master Moon?

[eggstinction]

[he has about two seconds to figure it out once moon unfolds his accessory arms. his carapace shutters over his hands and up the sides of his neck with a series of rattling clicks and his gemstone eyes appear in small puffs of salt. hope you were warned about the bug armor, lucia.]

Who else could it be but me!

[peacetalks]

[he makes a muffled noise of surprise before carefully hugging back. if lucia is surprised she doesn't say anything, but you know she's just standing there like o_o and making sure no one walks by]

... it is good to see you, my friend.

[eggstinction]

I missed you as soon as I was home.

[leans back to cup aymeric's face, his other arms still wrapped around his waist]

How are you? Is all well?

[peacetalks]

[blushing as soon as moon's hands touch his cheek //// but smiling]

I am as busy as ever, but well otherwise. And yourself, I take it?

[eggstinction]

[brushes his thumbs softly over aymeric’s cheeks, fond]

Only busy, ever busy. But I have secured some time to come away here.

[peacetalks]

[aymeric lowers his eyes, leaning into the touch. lucia, meanwhile, clears her throat. "shall I have tea sent up?" she asks, politely.

... she's also still carrying the fish.]

[eggstinction]

[want to kiss want to kiss want to kiss want to kiss want to kiss want to kiss want to kiss want to kiss want to kiss want to kiss want]

...Ah, that is right. I brought you gifts, Aymeric.

[being good does not cover being the first to detach himself or look away though]

[peacetalks]

Ah, yes, please. My thanks, Lucia.

[aymeric reluctantly detaches himself, if only to regain some composure]

Is this from one of your oceans, Master Moon?

[eggstinction]

They are from my own central palace, in fact. The fruits are from my gardens and the grouper from the waters outside. My keepers reported him harraging the rookery. He is still a little wiggly, but I wanted him brought to you fresh.

[peacetalks]

Verily, he does seem so. I'm certain the cooks can prepare something delicious for us from all of that. I am humbled by your generosity, Master Moon.

[lucia nods, and bows. "I'll have these prepared and the tea sent up shortly, my lord." she closes the door behind her.]

[eggstinction]

[they'll find a note from one of Moon's cooks stuffed into the fruit crate with quick notes like "here is how to cut open the big yellow spiky one" or "do not eat the seeds in the small pink spiky ones." please my lord don't hare off and accidentally poison someone. no instructions for the fish though.]

They are only a few things. I would have brought you a whale or a squid, but I thought I should pack smaller the first trip.

[peacetalks]

[the cooks will be deeply perplexed, but they can come up with something]

... aye, that would be... less cumbersome for you, surely.

[eggstinction]

Only for this shape!

["whatever you can carry" is a fun rule when you're a giant dragon]

[peacetalks]

[a guard comes shortly with a platter of tea and some pastries, sets it on a low table near the fire place, and leaves with a polite, "m'lord"]

A drink, Master Moon?

[eggstinction]

[gravitating back towards aymeric's space once the guard is out]

Certainly. And I do not refuse pastries.

[peacetalks]

[there's a cushioned bench by the fire that definitely looks like it's been slept on a few times. aymeric takes a seat and pours them both a cup of tea. he adds to his birch syrup, because... because.]

It truly is wonderful to see you again.

[eggstinction]

[follows him to sit and wraps his tail around both their feet under the bench. once he realizes the syrup is a sweetener he's adding that too.]

I told you you would not have to miss me for long.

[and! kisses his cheek! no guards to scandalize!!]