[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]

Don't... don't put it like that. This isn't putting me through anything, this is saving me.

[peacetalks]

[his breath shudders]

... thank you. I love you.

[madasa]

[curls closer to him.]

I love you. So much.

[peacetalks]

[more hair pets]

... we'll be a tight squeeze on this cot, but I think we can make it work.

[madasa]

Is that okay...?

[peacetalks]

I am not leaving you. Not tonight. My office is down the hall--if I need to be called away, I won't be going far.

[takes break's hand in his and squeezes]

Others can say what they will. If the scandal is that I've come to love a mysterious man with a coy smile, then that is a scandal I shall weather with pride.

[madasa]

Aymeric...

[squeezes his hand gently in turn.]

All right. If I am to be a scandal, then a scandal I shall be.

[peacetalks]

[leans down and kisses him, very gently, for just a moment]

I may have some reservations about the publicity of our relationship... but I'll not hide it, either. I've naught to be ashamed of.

[madasa]

You should tell me any reservations you have, so I can take them properly into account...

[but flushing.]

[peacetalks]

Well... to begin with, I shall need to break the news delicately to some of the high houses. There have been... a number of young men and women who have been fervently courting my hand since I became Lord Speaker. The excuse that I've no time to devote to a proper courtship in the midst of war and general upheaval has worked to spur their advances thus far, but... there may be some backlash, as it were.

[madasa]

Now that some mysterious man with a coy smile has snapped you up, hmm. Should I stay out of it?

[peacetalks]

You are ill and confined to your sick bed until such time as your strength returns, which I daresay shall be enough to keep the wounded at bay... for now.

[madasa]

...I'm going to be so bored...

[peacetalks]

[strokes his cheek with his knuckles]

Better to rest in boredom than wither in excitement.

[madasa]

[nuzzles his hand]

Please note that this is me actually agreeing to rest and not go haring off exploring your lovely city. Since it seems my condition may actually improve.

[peacetalks]

... aye. And I am eternally grateful for it. We shall go exploring when you feel up to it, I promise.

[madasa]

Good. I shall look forward to it, and behave.

[peacetalks]

[keeps stroking his cheek, fond and tender, until there's a knock at the door, and aymeric shifts to put a teensy bit of distance between them--still sitting on the bed next to break, but without his head in aymeric's lap. a guard comes in with a tray of leek and popoto soup and bread; simple fare, but good food for someone feeling ill. the guard is dismissed, and aymeric moves closer again, as though picking up where he left off]

Can you eat at all?

[madasa]

[just staying where he is, letting Aymeric adjust their dynamic as the one more in touch with the situation.]

...A little, I think. I'm a picky sort, but. I can't really excuse it, if I'm to focus on healing.

[peacetalks]

Even a little will help. Ah, and they brought birch syrup with the tea this time, good.

[time to sweeten all the tea]

[madasa]

That will help. You like your sweets too, which is very cute.

[peacetalks]

Are you not the same as I, in that regard? Cute, and fond of sweets?

When you are well enough, I shall take you to the pâtisserie in the pillars near Borel manor. I'm particularly fond of their breakfast pastries.

[madasa]

[chuckles]

Our tastes are well-matched.

I'd like that.

[peacetalks]

Then it shall be.

[aymeric takes a piece of bread and breaks off a piece, holding it up to break's lips]

[madasa]

[embarrassed, but also content to eat from Aymeric's fingers.]