[ As always, the push and pull between duty and heart churns inside Aymeric, but the moment that she rests her head against him, he does his best to push that internal battle away and allow the comfort he's been secretly longing for to wash over him, even for just a moment.
As for his love for her, it is quite easily the strongest feeling he can ever recall having, although his present storm of anguished feelings is quite strong indeed. If he could just put that aside, he might be able to properly express the depth of love he has for her. That he cannot find the words or actions to properly convey it is yet another thing that weighs him down, and he fears that she might think her love unreturned if he lets this go on too much longer.
He still draws comfort from her presence, but his doubts and fears are threatening to drown that out. ]
Then I suppose I shall have to pull my wits together and quickly but decisively put a plan in place.
[ In times of war, there is no room for weakness and hesitation, and that is why Aymeric feels he must push away the uncertainty that Nidhogg's actions have stirred up in him. He must be the Lord Commander and Ishgard's acting leader, or else this bloody war may never reach an end.
And so, with no small amount of effort, he wills himself to focus on Alkaid's suggestions and offer his own contributions to the subject. ]
Of course. If I am not mistaken, such a route already exists, but thank Halone that we have not had to make use of it thus far. In times gone by, it has been used, of course, but not yet during this current conflict. I fear that may not remain the case for long, given Nidhogg's threats.
[ He has a map of Ishgard and the surrounding areas on his desk, and he briefly crosses back over to retrieve it. Once he returns to Alkaid's side, he unfolds the map and points to the route he just mentioned. ]
I suppose that further communication with the dragons is needed, if they will agree to meet with us. [ His expression turns pensive as he considers this. ] I should make this request in person, considering the great inconvenience it presents to them. And they may no longer wish to have dealings with us, which I cannot blame them for.
As for any enchantments, I will have to leave that particular aspect to you, or perhaps to Mistress Y'shtola. [ He casts his gaze down then, some measure of guilt sweeping over him once more. ] I regret having to ask anything of you at all, when you already carry more responsibilities than anyone should.
[ He does make a mental note to devote time to studying magicks and enchantments; it is one area he lacks significant knowledge in, and he supposes it is high time that he rectify that.
When she leans against him, he automatically moves one arm to place it around her, hoping to both give and draw comfort from her closeness. ]
That you have not begun to think of us as poor hosts because of all the requests and aid we have asked for is nothing short of a miracle in my mind. [ He cannot help but feel that giving them sanctuary is a poor sort of repayment when considering how much he and his people have asked of her, her sister, and the Scions.
He would say more, to address her words concerning Nidhogg, but she has just placed herself in his lap, and in doing so, all concentration temporarily flees from him. It isn't difficult, considering his state of mind, but her presence and closeness has always had that effect on him.
When she places her hands on his face, for just a moment, his shoulders drop and with them goes the mask that he has been working so hard to keep in place. If not for the fact that she is holding onto him, he would have dropped his gaze and his posture as well, the weight that he's been carrying finally forcing him to bend. ]
I- [ His voice falters and he has to try again. ] I would not withhold anything from you, but I have to say that I would not know where to begin.
[ And for someone who is rarely at a loss for words, that feels so very foreign to him.
Finally, after a moment, he adds: ]
I know that you said I will not let Ishgard down by letting the mantle slip, and yet I cannot help but feel that that is what I have done.
[ She asked him to share his burdens, and that is one of them. ]
no subject
As for his love for her, it is quite easily the strongest feeling he can ever recall having, although his present storm of anguished feelings is quite strong indeed. If he could just put that aside, he might be able to properly express the depth of love he has for her. That he cannot find the words or actions to properly convey it is yet another thing that weighs him down, and he fears that she might think her love unreturned if he lets this go on too much longer.
He still draws comfort from her presence, but his doubts and fears are threatening to drown that out. ]
Then I suppose I shall have to pull my wits together and quickly but decisively put a plan in place.
[ In times of war, there is no room for weakness and hesitation, and that is why Aymeric feels he must push away the uncertainty that Nidhogg's actions have stirred up in him. He must be the Lord Commander and Ishgard's acting leader, or else this bloody war may never reach an end.
And so, with no small amount of effort, he wills himself to focus on Alkaid's suggestions and offer his own contributions to the subject. ]
Of course. If I am not mistaken, such a route already exists, but thank Halone that we have not had to make use of it thus far. In times gone by, it has been used, of course, but not yet during this current conflict. I fear that may not remain the case for long, given Nidhogg's threats.
[ He has a map of Ishgard and the surrounding areas on his desk, and he briefly crosses back over to retrieve it. Once he returns to Alkaid's side, he unfolds the map and points to the route he just mentioned. ]
I suppose that further communication with the dragons is needed, if they will agree to meet with us. [ His expression turns pensive as he considers this. ] I should make this request in person, considering the great inconvenience it presents to them. And they may no longer wish to have dealings with us, which I cannot blame them for.
As for any enchantments, I will have to leave that particular aspect to you, or perhaps to Mistress Y'shtola. [ He casts his gaze down then, some measure of guilt sweeping over him once more. ] I regret having to ask anything of you at all, when you already carry more responsibilities than anyone should.
[ He does make a mental note to devote time to studying magicks and enchantments; it is one area he lacks significant knowledge in, and he supposes it is high time that he rectify that.
When she leans against him, he automatically moves one arm to place it around her, hoping to both give and draw comfort from her closeness. ]
That you have not begun to think of us as poor hosts because of all the requests and aid we have asked for is nothing short of a miracle in my mind. [ He cannot help but feel that giving them sanctuary is a poor sort of repayment when considering how much he and his people have asked of her, her sister, and the Scions.
He would say more, to address her words concerning Nidhogg, but she has just placed herself in his lap, and in doing so, all concentration temporarily flees from him. It isn't difficult, considering his state of mind, but her presence and closeness has always had that effect on him.
When she places her hands on his face, for just a moment, his shoulders drop and with them goes the mask that he has been working so hard to keep in place. If not for the fact that she is holding onto him, he would have dropped his gaze and his posture as well, the weight that he's been carrying finally forcing him to bend. ]
I- [ His voice falters and he has to try again. ] I would not withhold anything from you, but I have to say that I would not know where to begin.
[ And for someone who is rarely at a loss for words, that feels so very foreign to him.
Finally, after a moment, he adds: ]
I know that you said I will not let Ishgard down by letting the mantle slip, and yet I cannot help but feel that that is what I have done.
[ She asked him to share his burdens, and that is one of them. ]