[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]

[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]

[peacetalks]

[tail '^' aymeric smiles warmly]

Then we will have to make the most of our time together.

[lucia's gone to pay the tab.]

[eggstinction]

[lucia continues to be a bro]

So we will. Where will you take me next, my dear?

[peacetalks]

[A TIMESKIP IS HAD. aymeric and lucia escort moon to the various sights of ishgard in the city proper, such as the cathedral and the manufactory (they make guns and airships there) and even take the time for a short chocobo-flight to the western highlands, a vast snow-covered landscape that leads to dravania. it's very beautiful in a winter wonderland sort of way. so moon gets a sneak peak of the journey to dragon land!!

by the time they return, it will be getting late and lucia will depart for the evening and wish them both well. aymeric takes moon to a humble two-story manor down one side street, as the street lamps light up to illuminate against the dark of night]

It has been a lovely day for me. I hope you have enjoyed yourself thus far.

[eggstinction]

[moon has a BLAST. he begs for postcards of the cathedral and other great buildings, promising to pay aymeric back for them. he marvels at the airships, but he's even more delighted by the novelty of flying on a chocobo— when was the last time he was a passenger instead of the one flying? and on a bird at that! he's more eager now too for when he'll get to fly over that scenery himself.

as they head down the street, bolstered by the excitement of the day and the security of night, moon reaches out to hold aymeric's hand]

I have! You and your city have shown me such wonders, such places of beauty. I still have a tourist's eye, but I begin to see why you love this place so much.

[peacetalks]

[aymeric is too flustered to hold moon's hand for most of the day, but by the time the sun has gone down he feels more comfortable, entwining his fingers with moon's]

Many Ishgardians yet long for the days before the Calamity, when the land was verdant and free of snow, but I believe there is still beauty and wonder to be found here.

[he gestures to the house--it's nice, well-kept, but less grandiose than some of the larger estates around the city]

Welcome to my home.

[opens the door with a key and leads him inside. there is a fire crackling in the fireplace, and furniture in warm dark woods, along with decor in--what else?--shades of blue. it looks a tad old-fashioned, like the fantasy version of a georgian household, but clean and cozy]

[eggstinction]

I have seen lands fall into cold and I have seen tundras become pasture, but I have seen few cities adapt and thrive as proudly as Ishgard has.

[Moon shucks his cloak as soon he’s over the threshold to spread his extra arms and shake out his tail]

And here! Another wonderful and beautiful place.

[peacetalks]

[aymeric takes moon's coat to hang it up in the foyer, just as a beeg fluffy white cat comes padding in, meowing for attention and dinner and WHO IS THIS STRANGER IN MY HOUSE]

--oh! Moon, may I introduce you to the master of the house, Ser Clawdien. Ser Clawdien, this is Lord Moon, of Oceans.

["mreh."]

[eggstinction]

Ser Clawdien!

[kneels down to offer the cat a hand to sniff, why HELLO]

I must assume that this is the master that has taught you so well in the art of scratching under chins and rubbing tummies. It is an honor to meet you, Ser Clawdien.

[peacetalks]

[ser clawdien sniffs but he is SUSPICIOUS!!!! ...wait a second you smell like fish. TIME FOR LICKIES]

Indeed he is. Long have I labored under his thorough tutelage of scritchies.

[eggstinction]

[trills and wiggles his fingers, oh no! oh no lickies!]

It is a noble calling to be sure, but your Lordship seems to wish a reward for his efforts.

[peacetalks]

[ser clawdien is now realizing moon has MORE THAN TWO HANDS???? HANDS FOR PETTING????? he rolls onto his back and shows moon his fluffy belly]

And a reward he shall have.

[and by that aymeric means dinner. which he will go to prepare, because obviously the cat eats before anyone else in the house]

[eggstinction]

I shall do my part here to distract him from his terrible, mournful hunger.

[which is to say he's gonna PET THAT KITTY. tummy traps are okay when you're covered in armor.]

[peacetalks]

[there is FIERCE BITING but it amounts to nothing, really, especially once ser clawdien starts getting the good pets. he will be a little purring blob of fluff by the time aymeric returns and places his food dish down next to him]

Here you are, my good ser.

[glances at moon]

My thanks for occupying him for a spell. Usually he is hounding my heels and delivering unto me all his complaints.

[eggstinction]

[moon gives the fluffball a last pat then stands up to let him enjoy his dinner]

It was my pleasure. He is an easy creature to spoil!

[peacetalks]

[aymeric rises and holds out his hand to moon]

Speaking of spoiling... would you care to sit with me? No one will bother us tonight.

[he gestures to a cozy-looking sofa in front of the fireplace, with woolen blankets and furs nearby]

[eggstinction]

[he takes aymeric's hand]

I very much would. Your people are lovely, but I would enjoy having you to myself for a while.