I have no complaints with this, my friend. [ He values any time that he gets to spend in Estinien's company, with or without advice about the opposite gender. ] As to the contents of her letter, well- You know as well as I that I do not keep secrets from you, as much as I am able. I imagine if there is sensitive information contained in her letter, that should be kept close, but unless you intend to go travel to far-off places alongside her and her sister, a thing I would not begrudge you for, I suppose there is no harm in divulging her location to you.
[ And he trusts that Estinien will keep whatever he tells him to himself, not revealing the information to any who will listen.
But then he falls silent as he opens the letter and begins to read it. His expression remains as impassive as always, but as he reads, a smile slowly forms on his face, but there is a sort of longing in his expression as well. He can see the places she describes in his mind's eye, but oddly, knowing that those are places where she has walked only adds to the loneliness he feels but has yet to disclose to anyone.
But still, he smiles, even if it takes on a little sadness as he continues to read down the page until she closes the letter. And then, just as he is about to fold up the letter and turn his attentions back to Estinien, his eyes spot another smaller piece of paper tucked inside the larger pages.
His eyebrows gently lift as he pulls it out and begins to read the words written in Alkaid's neat hand. His movements are subtle, but as he reads how she spotted Ishgardians in Kugane and then goes on to say that she misses him, his shoulders drop and his head lowers, eyes momentarily sliding closed as his emotions begin to swirl.
It did not miss his notice that the page is dotted with what he is certain are teardrops. He places her letter and the shorter note down so that he does not inadvertently damage either piece as his fingers curl inward and his gaze lowers to look at his hands. He is all too aware that Estinien is still there looking on, but in this moment, he cannot hide behind the stoic mask that he so often wears.
He misses Alkaid more than he can put into words, and reading the words she wrote on the page has only amplified how keenly he feels their separation. After a moment, he raises his head once more, and he fixes Estinien with an apologetic smile. ]
My apologies. I- Well, I can hardly pretend that her words did not strike a chord. She is well, or at least she was at the time this letter was penned, and I remain grateful for that. It seems that their path has led them to Kugane, in Hingashi, across the Ruby Sea. I have heard of it, but my knowledge is superficial at best.
[ He knew of this, from the reports that they have received, but there is a difference between those dry, factual reports and Alkaid's letter, and it is no secret which one he prefers. ]
no subject
[ And he trusts that Estinien will keep whatever he tells him to himself, not revealing the information to any who will listen.
But then he falls silent as he opens the letter and begins to read it. His expression remains as impassive as always, but as he reads, a smile slowly forms on his face, but there is a sort of longing in his expression as well. He can see the places she describes in his mind's eye, but oddly, knowing that those are places where she has walked only adds to the loneliness he feels but has yet to disclose to anyone.
But still, he smiles, even if it takes on a little sadness as he continues to read down the page until she closes the letter. And then, just as he is about to fold up the letter and turn his attentions back to Estinien, his eyes spot another smaller piece of paper tucked inside the larger pages.
His eyebrows gently lift as he pulls it out and begins to read the words written in Alkaid's neat hand. His movements are subtle, but as he reads how she spotted Ishgardians in Kugane and then goes on to say that she misses him, his shoulders drop and his head lowers, eyes momentarily sliding closed as his emotions begin to swirl.
It did not miss his notice that the page is dotted with what he is certain are teardrops. He places her letter and the shorter note down so that he does not inadvertently damage either piece as his fingers curl inward and his gaze lowers to look at his hands. He is all too aware that Estinien is still there looking on, but in this moment, he cannot hide behind the stoic mask that he so often wears.
He misses Alkaid more than he can put into words, and reading the words she wrote on the page has only amplified how keenly he feels their separation. After a moment, he raises his head once more, and he fixes Estinien with an apologetic smile. ]
My apologies. I- Well, I can hardly pretend that her words did not strike a chord. She is well, or at least she was at the time this letter was penned, and I remain grateful for that. It seems that their path has led them to Kugane, in Hingashi, across the Ruby Sea. I have heard of it, but my knowledge is superficial at best.
[ He knew of this, from the reports that they have received, but there is a difference between those dry, factual reports and Alkaid's letter, and it is no secret which one he prefers. ]