[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

[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.]

[eggstinction]

[moon's hidden his extra arms and his tail under his cloak, but he hasn't closed his extra eyes. he needs those for looking at EVERYTHING.

he even forgets their public manners, reaching across the cafe table to pat aymeric's arm for attention and whisper at him excitedly]

Aymeric! Aymeric, there is a dragon over there!

[peacetalks]

[aymeric chuckles]

Indeed. She is not the only one here, I daresay, if you would but walk around. They have become a regular sight, particularly during celebrations.

[eggstinction]

Megumi told me there would be...

You were all possessed, but I have never seen this world's dragons before, not really. I only saw Ratatoskr and Nidhogg's forms in dreams.

[peacetalks]

If you wish, we could make the journey to Dravania together. You could see for yourself, how the dragons of my world live--the ones in Eorzea, that is.

[eggstinction]

[together...!!]

I want to go!

[peacetalks]

[smiles]

I am certain they will be interested to meet you, as well.

[and their food has arrived! aymeric had ordered a plate of fish gratin and some flaky croissants. this is a carb-heavy food culture.]

Here we are. I thought you might enjoy this.

[eggstinction]

[moon's cloak rustles where his tail is wagging underneath it]

You thought rightly! It looks like just the thing for dining on a cold day.

[peacetalks]

[aymeric and lucia both dig in (lucia is enjoying some hot tea) and watch the festivities as they eat. aymeric looks on fondly. lucia turns to moon at one point and says,

"after today's visit, i shall leave the matter of escorting you to ser aymeric. 'tis plain to see that you are in good hands--both of you."

aymeric looks a tad sheepish]

I am grateful as always, Lucia. Lucia has kindly agreed to oversee my duties as Lord Speaker during your stay, that I might be more readily available.

[eggstinction]

[moon seems completely unabashed. why yes aymeric IS in good hands]

Thank you, Ser Lucia. I promise I will not steal him away despite how much I might like to.

[peacetalks]

["you're welcome. while ishgard would be much the poorer for it, ser aymeric's stress levels would be vastly improved." lucia quips, sipping her tea while aymeric flusters.]

I am not entirely certain how to take that from my second-in-command...

[eggstinction]

I think you should take it as encouragement for a vacation, treasure.

[peacetalks]

I rather think I've had plenty of vacation time, all things considered.

[reverie counts as vacation, right? right?]

... your visit being an obvious exception, Moon.

[eggstinction]

[does it, does it]

Then I shall make sure to leave you well-relaxed when I depart.

[peacetalks]

[////]

You are too kind to me.

[eggstinction]

Not at all. I only regret that I cannot spend more time with you more often.

[winds his tail around aymeric's ankle underneath the table]