[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]

[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!!]

[peacetalks]

[aymeric reaches for moon to wind his arms around his shoulders and gently thunk his forehead against moon's]

So you did. And I am ever grateful.

[eggstinction]

[abandons the snacks to fold his arms back around aymeric again]

We will have many reunions yet. My oceans are far from here, but I will ever return to you.

[peacetalks]

Always will there be a place for you at my side, Master Moon.

[to hells with propriety. kissing him]

[eggstinction]

[all but moans finally, burying his hands in aymeric's hair and kissing him soundly. the good knights should know better to knock.]

[peacetalks]

[oh, this is a lot. it's been a while since aymeric's been touched like this, felt the warmth of another person's lips, and he groans into it despite himself]

[eggstinction]

[moon turns to straddle the bench, crowding that much closer. moon kisses like he's making up for missed time, like he only has until aymeric's next breath to fill the loss of those nights away]

[peacetalks]

[aymeric gasps into the kiss, silently grateful he had set his teacup down so he can grasp moon's cloak with both hands and pull him closer]

[eggstinction]

[their tea is going to get cold, but that's fine. Moon trills breathlessly, his own hands grasping against aymeric's back, delighted to hold and be held again.]

What— what a welcome, beautiful...

[peacetalks]

[aymeric's face has gone a deep crimson, eyelids hooded as he gazes at moon as though enraptured, lips parted]

... would that I could welcome you as you deserve.

[eggstinction]

No? I would make a frightfully excellent scandal.

[he can't resist dipping in to give him just one more kiss, just one before resting their foreheads together again. he rubs his hands down aymeric's back, smoothing out the wrinkles he dug in]

[peacetalks]

[hums into it, eyelids fluttering shut, a shiver running down his spine]

Verily... but I would rather tend to you in the privacy and comfort of my own chambers.

[eggstinction]

To your own bed, in your own home... That would be a great welcome.