Then, I shall bother you for a time longer. It has been far too long since once gave you advice on the other gender. [ A small smirk settles on his face as he leans comfortably back into the couch beneath him. His legs cross at the ankles as a hand raises towards the letter. ] Not that I expect you will disclose the information written in it. She went to great efforts to keep it secret.

[ He idly wonders why their engagement has not been made public, but does not voice the question. The pair of them seem completely head over heels for one another--why would they not proclaim it loud enough to hear? Aymeric has always been one of a quiet man of personal affairs, yet, Estinien believes his best friend might burst at the seams if he does not dote on about it in some form. ]

Although, I would ask where she and her sister might yet be.

[ The letter, as Aymeric will find it, is most certainly Alkaid's penmanship. The paper has browned around the edges to merely show the fact that it has traveled quite far indeed. ]

Dearest Aymeric,

I hope this letter finds you well. The postmoogles assure me that it might reach Ishgard regardless of how far away it might be. They have already set their paws and footholds inside of the city we are now in, as it remains a neutral party in the war between the Empire and the rest of the world.

Where to begin?

We have had to cross the Ruby Sea and enter Kugane. Perhaps you have heard of it? It remains a city that is open to trades of Doma and Eorzea alike. It is a port city in Hingashi. The architecture and food are like nothing else I have seen before. Thisru, myself, and the few Scions with us have arrived safely and have been set with a place to stay despite our rather opposed nature to the Empire. I am certain that by now the Scions have given reports to the leaders of Eorzea, so you no doubt are aware of at least the basics of what our path is.

I do not want my letters to be filled with details and notes you will most certainly read in reports. I want to be able for you to see the places in your mind as best possible. Until there might be a day in which I can show you them myself.

Kugane is made of stones and wood, with inverted roofs with tiles. The people here are used to travelers from all over the world to sell goods, so it is certainly welcoming to business and trade. They dress in garb known as kimonos in the cold and yukatas in the warmer months as we are now. They are colorful with so many different sorts of patterns. Their inn even has a public hot spring!

The city, somehow, falls quiet at night outside of certain places. It is not the same quiet that finds its way to Ishgard. Instead of the still peaceful quiet that accompanies snow? It is a light quiet that could burst into life at any moment and yet finds itself not chaotic at all. The moon often looks down on the city with clear skies with so many stars. Kugane is certainly a place in which I will take you to someday.

I am far from the best artist. Alphinaud has been kind enough to draw certain places in the city for me to include with this letter.

Thinking of you always,
Lantaa

[ The two following pages are indeed sketches that show a few places in Kugane.

However, once Aymeric shifts through the papers, he will find one more note tucked inside between the pages. It is gently places alongside the sketch of the market way. ]

While walking the streets of the market today with Thisru, I spotted a couple that had come all the way from Ishgard. They were still wearing the thick coats and clothing of the colder climate in a place where the sun is high and warm, but the sea breeze can be felt at any point.
All the way from Ishgard, can you believe it? Any from home can travel so far now
It reminded of how cold and quiet the city is
Kugane is so far away but they're here regardless
I realized how much I miss the city that gave us a home when we had nowhere else to go.
I wish I were home, regardless of the wars with the Empire.
I miss you.

[ The words are struck out several times as if Alkaid could not properly put what she wished to convey into words until the very end. The second letter is unsigned and unmarked, save for the water stains that decorate the bottom of the letter. Ones that may certainly resemble drops of tears. ]