[reverie - visiting ishgard]

[peacetalks]

[welcome to the holy see of ishgard.

if you've been invited by aymeric or estinien for a visit, you've probably been warned about the weather, and how the entire country is in a state of permanent winter. there's a light flurry of snow covering everything, and people walk about in heavy furs along the cobblestone streets, breath fogging in the air. people hover by fires for warmth as covered carriages move about the city. statues of fierce-looking warriors stand in the middle of plazas as workers, knights, and nobility mill about in their day-to-day business. one can see the towering spires of a cathedral further in, and behold the vast snow-covered landscape that surrounds the city itself, which is perched on the top of a mountain.

it's bitterly cold here, but people seem genial enough. most folks walking around are tall, lanky, elf-looking types, aka elezen, but there are a fair number of "human"-looking people (aka hyur) as well. and once in a while, you might even see a dragon or two.

if you were officially invited, you may have a letter of invite signed by the lord commander in your possession, which will get you just about anywhere. if you've been to eorzea before, you might find yourself arriving via teleportation magics, which will land you in the aetheryte plaza. perhaps you're arriving by airship. or perhaps you're standing at the gates of the city.]

Comments

[peacetalks]

There are several noteworthy locales worth visiting the interiors of, in my opinion. The Skysteel manufactory, where House Haillenarte designs and builds magitek; or the Athenaeum Astrologicum, where our astrologists observe the heavens and divine the future; not to mention the grand Cathedral, or the Scholasticate...

[he stops, and turns around to face moon]

And, of course, there is my own humble home, of which you are always welcome.

[eggstinction]

I shall make my way to all of them in time.

[moon's tail flicks up and his head drops down to squint fondly at aymeric, tamping down the urge to headbutt him and croon]

And your home, of course. I would be a poor guest to refuse such generous hospitality.

[peacetalks]

[for a moment aymeric looks like he wants to headbutt moon as well, an old dragon instinct rearing its head]

Might I interest you in some refreshment after your journey? I would not tire you with a guide should you be in need of succor.

[eggstinction]

I would like that. Please, allow me to partake of the quieter comforts you have to offer.

[is that a general you or a personal you, that's for his entourage to figure out]

[peacetalks]

It would be my pleasure.

[speaking of which, aymeric will gesture to a tall, serious-looking hyur woman dressed in armor at his side, who bows]

Allow me to introduce my second-in-command, Lucia. If there is aught you require during your stay here, you may speak to either myself or Lucia and we shall do all in our capability to see it done.

[despite her serious demeanor, she smiles warmly at moon. "i've heard much about you from ser aymeric, lord moon. 'tis a pleasure to finally meet you."

aymeric nods to the rest of his entourage.]

Everyone else is dismissed.

[so now they can go about their business without being followed by a huge group]

[eggstinction]

Have you now? It is good to meet you as well, Ser Lucia. Thank you for looking after Aymeric.

[moon chirps at her, friendly, then lifts his head to watch the entourage leave, ticking his tail back and forth like a waiting cat...

and as soon as they're clear, he's thumping his muzzle against aymeric's chest and curling his claws behind him in an oversized dragon hug]

[peacetalks]

[aymeric laughs and wraps his arms around moon's snout to hold his muzzle close, pressing his face to his scales. lucia looks on with polite amusement]

My dearest friend, how good it is to see you again.

[eggstinction]

[whiiiiiiines and nuzzles into aymeric's arms joyfully]

I have been waiting for this moment since I let you down from my arms and said farewell.

[peacetalks]

'Tis wonderful to hold you again.

[he strokes his hand along moon's muzzle, and between moon's eyes]

There is a cafe in the Empyreum that makes particularly good pastries and tea. If you are amenable, we might have lunch there first.

[eggstinction]

[closes his eyes briefly, enjoying the touch]

Shall I make myself smaller? I will clear out the poor cafe's entire kitchen trying to feed this form.

[peacetalks]

[aymeric glances around, and nods to lucia, who moves to stand watch and block the view of any enterprising passersby]

You may, if you wish. I've no intentions to hinder you or any of your forms here.

[eggstinction]

[moon stretches himself out along the street— might as well help de-ice the road if he's going to dissolve into salt anyways —and lets his dragon form crumble as his human form climbs out of the wreckage]

This form is better suited for some things.

[things like taking aymeric's hands and cupping his face]

[peacetalks]

[aymeric immediately blushes and titters nervously at the affection, but he nevertheless places a hand over moon's on his face]

Oh--well, then. I take it you are not too cold like this?

[eggstinction]

Not too cold, but colder than I like.

[one spare hand gestures toward moon's dragon-sized bracelet where he dropped it in the salt]

I will get dressed. My aide packed some clothes to keep me warm during the day and to make me presentable.

[peacetalks]

Will you require assistance?

[he knows moon getting dressed won't be indecent by ishgardian standards, not really... but he has to be polite]

[eggstinction]

Thank you, but no, they are only some robes. I may need some assistance later, however, to undress.

[peacetalks]

[blush blush blush //////]

Of course. I am at your disposal.

[eggstinction]

I am honored to have such an attentive host.

[checks over his shoulder that lucia is still guarding the way, and ducks to press their foreheads together for a moment]

[peacetalks]

[lucia is being a bro and keeping an eye on the perimeter while giving them a modicum of privacy.

aymeric inhales softly when their foreheads touch, and he closes his eyes]

... I have missed you.

[eggstinction]

[moon croons softly, whistling a greeting that's more familiar to the Cerberus dorm than an Ishgardian street: two notes that mean "come back" when someone is far away, but mean "stay" when someone is near]

And I, you... I still wait for the sound of your step in the morning that I might go and join you for breakfast. I step into the hall and look for a bedroom door that is not there.

[peacetalks]

[oh, the sound of that crooning nearly breaks aymeric's heart. it's a feeling so comforting and familiar, something he has been lacking ever since he returned to ishgard. he makes a soft noise of yearning, only loud enough for moon to hear]

... when I wake for breakfast, I sometimes think I can feel your arms wrapping around me from behind as I cook. I fear you will have me in tears ere long...

[eggstinction]

[brushes his thumbs under aymeric's eyes as if to wipe away any tears before they can fall]

You may be right, and you might have my tears too, but I want that moment. I want to share my mornings with you again. Will you cook for me tomorrow?

[peacetalks]

Of course. It would be my pleasure. Ah, but before we get to that, shall we have lunch--?

[he gestures to lucia]

[eggstinction]

[trills OOPS sorry lucia thanks lucia]

Yes, let's.

[bumps his forehead against aymeric's one more time and gives him a quick kiss before moving away to get his robes out of his luggage. the bracelet itself and its pouches get folded up and transformed into a backpack]

[peacetalks]

[there's a tiny squeak at the kiss, and a flustered expression, but aymeric quickly recovers as he waits.

he leads them to another district, a large residential area with a marketplace for foreign goods as well as several bistros and cafes. there appears to be a festival happening, with a theme of crafting toys and other goods--a great deal of people are making and selling handmade wares. at least one of them is a young red-scaled dragon who is very nimbly using human-sized tools to make her goods with.

there is outdoor seating at the cafe, and the proprietors (as well as some of the regulars) definitely notice aymeric, lucia, and moon--though no one bothers them, aside from a few excited whispers.]