[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

[moonlit_knight]

[Nods, nods, it all makes perfect sense and she knows Aymeric is plenty strong, but it still feels weird to have a friend going into battle and not be offering them immediate support. She'll have to talk with Ignis when she returns, she doesn't want to make an offer she can't follow through on.]

So you'll have travel time to factor in as well. I'm starting to feel guilty for not making an appointment after all.

[peacetalks]

[gives her what he hopes is a reassuring smile]

A lesson for next time. We'll have plenty of time to spare for this sojourn.

[moonlit_knight]

I'll speak to your secretary about my next visit before I leave. If there's anything I can do to help with your preparations, I'd be quite happy to work on that while I'm here too.

[peacetalks]

I'll not put you to work when this is a visit for pleasure--but if you'd like, I can show you the proving grounds where the knights oft train.

[moonlit_knight]

This is full permission to put me to work! I'll take plenty of pleasure in the evening when it's done!

I would like to see your training grounds though.

[peacetalks]

The new recruits could use a sparring partner.

[:>]

[moonlit_knight]

[laughs]

I'm sure I could lend them a hand.

[peacetalks]

[sets down his tea cup]

How about the chocobos, first? You can learn to ride, and we can take a short trip through the Western Highlands.

[moonlit_knight]

If you'll be patient with me while I learn, I'd like that very much.

[peacetalks]

Of course.

[rises, and holds his hand out to her, like a gentleman]

[moonlit_knight]

[Sets her own tea down and stands, taking his hand]

Then I'll be in your care, Aymeric.

[peacetalks]

[smiles at her, terribly fond

and takes her outside to the aetheryte crystal just down the street]

Have you used one of these before?

[moonlit_knight]

[Shakes her head, frowning]

How do you do it?

[peacetalks]

You focus your aether on it with your destination in mind, and it will take you there. It can be disorienting if you are not used to it, so we do not need to--but you are of course welcome to try.

[moonlit_knight]

It's... Probably best I don't. I don't know how differently aether would be from the magic in teleportation circles back home, but those make me feel sick.

[peacetalks]

Then let us walk instead. It will give us more time to see the city.

[it's not too far to the chocobo stables anyway, and once they're there selena will get to see a bunch of chocobos. some of them have yellow plumage, but there are a few with a beautiful black-and-yellow plumage that look a bit more regal than the others.]

[moonlit_knight]

[Smiles appreciatively, enjoying the walk with him. Selena's eyes go wide when she sees the birds, going up to one of them to get a closer look]

Oh wow, Aymeric they're so cool.

[peacetalks]

["kweh". the chocobo sniffs at her]

The stable hand ought to have some greens... ah, here.

[he obtains a stack of gysahl greens for her]

Try feeding it some of these. Watch your fingers, though, they do bite.

[moonlit_knight]

Ah, yes! I will.

[Takes the greens, holding her palms out flat for the bird, uwaaaah they're eating from her hands they're kweh's are so cute. Looks back to grin at Aymeric when her fingers are not immediately bitten]

They seem pretty friendly!

[peacetalks]

Aye, I daresay this one will let you ride her now.

[moonlit_knight]

Right, if it's okay then I'll just...

[actually how do you get on this thing]

[peacetalks]

[there's a saddle on it already, so presumably it's not that different from a horse--still, it's a large bird, and clearly affixed for much taller riders. which is why aymeric's hands are being placed on selena's hips from behind her]

May I assist?

[moonlit_knight]

[She's never ridden a horse properly either, she's just driven carriages, this is entirely different!

Jumping at the hands on her hips, she was too focused on the chocobo and taken by surprise, cheeks turning red.]

Oh, ah, yes, please do.

[peacetalks]

Bend your knees... and...!

[he lifts her up onto the saddle]

[moonlit_knight]

Ah-

[Bending her knees as instructed, slinging her leg over and reaching for the reins.]

Whoa, okay. Thank you.