FF PSL | ❝ for those we can yet save. ❞

[hobbitholmes]

AFTERGLOW

— hear, feel think. —

❄️ HEAVENSWARD

★ Ever Heavensward (3.0)
    — Ishgard Meetings, Part 2

★ As Goes Light, So Goes Darkness (3.1)
    — Unfleeting Emotions

★ The Gears of Change (3.2)
    — Heavy Hearts, Part 2

★ Revenge of the Horde (3.3)
    — Starlight Festival (Alkaid)
    — Starlight Festival (KP)

🔥 STORMBLOOD

★ IC Permission
★ IC Permission
★ IC Permission
★ IC Permission
★ IC Permission

BEYOND

CODE BY TESSISAMESS

Comments

[dragonssung]

[ Estinien remains quiet as his friend's mind is quite obvious;y miles away. Not that he can blame the man. It was always obvious Aymeric had been taken by the Warriors of Light as heroes and people to look up to; ones who would help regardless of stigma or national borders. Now, it is quite different with the fact that one of those heroes is to be his wife. Estinien would presume an emotional shift happens at the point of heroes unto family. He would almost say he is certain, yet, he is not sure he would call the young Lord Alphinaud family.

Perhaps not yet.

The once-Azure Dragoon hardly knows the notion of family other than the blood oath between him and the man across from him. ]

Perhaps if you were to ask unofficially, your woman might find a way to bring you along. If you were to allow her. [ The statement is gentle and he truly means it in a kind way. ] I would imagine her thoughts go to you quite often.

[ A chuckle comes from him at the idea of K'thisru charging straight to the Empire's front door. She certainly would. ]

My trip to the Far East can be postponed till the morning. It would seem that you are in need of company more than I am in need of going to my next destination.

[thewayforpeace]

[ In some ways, he is still working out how to bring together the two parts of his life: the Lord Speaker and the man who wishes to be Alkaid's husband. There must be a middle ground, but he would be lying if he said he was still uncertain how best to bring that about.

As for Estinien's suggestion, Aymeric looks up with an expression suggesting surprise. ]

That she might spare some thought for me, I would not dispute, as my own travel to her just as often. But would she truly wish for me to come along? I certainly miss her presence, but perhaps if I were to join her, I would only be a distraction from her duties. Given the nature of what she does, I imagine she can ill afford to be distracted. Still, I would ask such a question of her, even if I expect to be rebuffed.

[ And, even as he says that, a fear arises that she might only say yes to his request out of obligation, and not because it is what she truly wants. ]

If you must go, I will not have it said that I detained you, Estinien.

[ He can hardly fathom the notion of being so incredibly selfish as to delay his friend, even if it is only until morning. ]

[dragonssung]

[ That middle ground is one that Estinien will most likely not be of any aid in helping find. He himself has yet to settle on a middle ground of his own. His burning need for vengeance and rage has seemingly all dried up, leaving him to wonder who he might be now. There is a sense that he must now live to uphold the hopes laid at his feet by dragons and Ysayle alike... yet he is hardly the sort of man for that. Such a thing should fall to men as good as Aymeric or the Warriors of Light. ]

She sent a letter to you without the fanfare of being a Scion of the Seventh Dawn, Aymeric. I am certain she would wish you to accompany her. Do not tell me you are so thick skulled that you could not see that. [ He rolls his eyes slightly, looking away towards the window. ] It was clear to see even to me during our travels in the Churning Mists that her thoughts often drifted back to Ishgard. Mot certainly they drifted to you... which begs the question. When did the two of you begin your courtship?

[ Surely, despite all going on, Estinien would not have missed that.

A hand raises to dismiss the notion. ] Airships depart at all times. I can wait till the morrow.

[ He pauses as something brushes against his leg. The dragoon drops his gaze down to his legs to find the sight of a familiar feline. The old bugger still lives? What a stubborn cat. An eyebrow raises as the old Borel cat stares in return. One might think perhaps the two were having a silent conversation. However, Estinien has never truly gotten along with the family pet. ]

I would wonder if your affection for a Miqo'te is because of your feline companion, but, I rather doubt his friendliness would instill that in another.

[ The cat meows lowly as if to protest Estinien's presence all together. ]

[thewayforpeace]

[ In that way, they really are not so different. Both of them are facing something new, although Aymeric would argue that Estinien has a far longer path ahead of him. Still, in the absence of war raging in Ishgard, there is much that must be done and damage that must be repaired, mostly to the people who have been hurt by the long war but also by the intrigues and deceptions of the church. At times, even Aymeric feels as though he is at a loss for how he can truly help, but he is determined to press on regardless.

As for Estinien, Aymeric remains convinced that his brother is a good man and he can also uphold the hopes of people like Ysayle and the dragons just as well as he can. And of course, should he need it, he will be there to offer his support without hesitation. ]

She always intended to send letters when and if she is able, and I imagine that more may very well come should she find the opportunity. I have no doubt that she wishes I could join her, as I wish that I could as well, but we all understand our respective duties and that sometimes they must come before anything that we would wish or hope for. [ And he knows that his brother does not need to be reminded, as he is without a doubt aware of the need to do one's duty. ]

Ah, as for when our courtship began... Well... [ He cannot identify a specific point when it began, just that he knew he wished to have her in his life and to seek her hand, if she would give it. ] I imagine that the seeds were always there, beginning to take root. You will certainly think me too sentimental, but they did not truly begin to grow until the night of the Starlight Celebration, when I presented her with a ring and she consented to be my wife.

[ At Estinien's words saying that he can delay his departure, a grateful expression crosses Aymeric's face. ] Thank you, my old friend. I am, as always, grateful for your company.

[ And then his glance travels to where the old family cat brushes against Estinien's leg. He has to fight to forestall a smile, because he knows that the two have never seen eye to eye, a thing that gives him no small amount of amusement. ]

I imagine such a thought would amuse Alkaid greatly. [ He moves so that he might bend down and rub the cat between his ears as he knows he likes it. ] He might be prickly at times, but he has been a faithful companion nonetheless. I am quite fortunate to be surrounded by so many of those.

[ He inclines his head in Estinien's direction, to further underline the point that he is beyond grateful for the friendship he offers him, and the brotherly companionship that they have known over the years. ]

[dragonssung]

[ Then there they will differ in opinion. Estinien is not one to look away from the damage he brought to people, nor shy away from how more rage and revenge drove him then a sense of duty. Aymeric has always been the sort to allow his duty and heart drive him forward. That path is one he leads by example, even if he cannot see it himself. Ishgard would not be in the state she is in if not for both him and the Warriors of Light.

Estinien holds back a roll of his eyes. A proposal at Starlight Celebration? Halone take him, for Aymeric has always been a romantic at heart. He truly proposed on that day? Perhaps the only thing more predictable would be to propose on the blasted day of love he wishes nothing to do with.

His gaze shoots back to Aymeric. ] Courtship begins before you ask her hand in marriage. Unless, that is to say, the pair of you simply dove in head first. By the Fury, Aymeric. How long did did it take you to think of proposing?

[ He expected to hear something along the lines of "I always knew I wished to, Estinien."

The old family pet mews loudly in protest at the presence of the dragoon. Estinien himself gives a shrug. He does not care ro win the favor of others. Including a bloody pet. ]

One might think you ought to find better fellows. Ones that, at least, might stand one another.

[thewayforpeace]

[ Aymeric would be the last person who would deny that Estinien's actions caused no small amount of damage, but while he believes some responsibility must be taken, the blame does not wholly rest with his friend. Nidhogg saw an opening and he used it, exploiting Estinien's simmering rage and need for revenge. Had he been given a choice, Aymeric doubts he would have chosen to be used by the wyrm.

For a moment, Aymeric feels no small amount of embarrassment because of his choice to put forth a proposal. Perhaps it was not done as it should have, and Estinien's chastisement, if that is what it is, only adds to the uncertainty that he feels. He would not take it back, unless of course Alkaid expressed a desire to break their engagement, but he feels just a little bit foolish. ]

When you consider how often she is required to leave for adventures all across Eorzea, I found myself thinking that I did not wish to wait. The opportunity might not present itself again. And even if I had the opportunity to venture from Ishgard to wherever she might have gone, perhaps she would be too occupied to even speak with me.

[ His resolve remains, but still, he feels that perhaps he acted far too rashly. But he does not regret doing what he did, and if there was ever a moment for being rash, it was then. ]

Perhaps, Estinien, I ought to find you a young cat that might accompany you on your travels, one that you could raise as you see fit.

[dragonssung]

[ Estinien rolls his eyes with a growling sigh coming from him. He is quite certain that Alkaid would not allow herself to be too occupied to not spend time with Aymeric. It was clear how often her thoughts and worries would glide back to Ishgard--and therefore a certain Lord Commander. Perhaps, though, it would not seem so obvious to another. None of the Scions seemed to speak up of the matter at least. ]

Perhaps I misunderstood how much the pair of you pined for one another before you begun your relationship. I had realized she was quite taken with you, but had not fathomed how taken by her you were. [ Perhaps the pair of them did not even need a courtship then. ] She did say yes, and thus, I would wager that your heart had picked the correct option in the moment.

[ Now, if only he had seen his own folly.

He eyes the feline as the old man settles in his owner's lap. ]

I rather doubt I am one that is well suited for any company. Let alone a traveling companion.

[thewayforpeace]

[ That sigh that sounds more like a growl draws Aymeric's attention; not that he was not paying attention before, but there are times when he cannot help but be startled by Estinien's actions and responses. If he did not know his friend as well as he thought he did, he might have interpreted his words as chastisement and disapproval.

Still, he wishes to be clear on his understanding of his friend's thoughts and opinions. ]

That may be so, but as one who has been my friend for many long years, what do you believe? Have I acted rashly or have I made the correct choice?

[ At those next words, Aymeric huffs out a quiet laugh. ]

You may very well doubt that, but there must be a reason that the two of us have been friends for as long as we have. And I am certain that you have only to meet the right individual, whether of the feline kind or not.

[ Simply put, he would not see Estinien discount his chances so readily. Perhaps there still is someone out there who could be with the dragoon, prickly nature and all. ]

/wraps this one up!

[dragonssung]

You have never been one to act rashly, Aymeric, in the many years I have known you. [ A hand raises to wave the statement away. ] If you had believed it was time, then far be it from me to say it was not. The pair of you know your hearts. I cannot begin to fathom the depths of your relationship, let alone your hearts. I simply know and accept that it is.

[ His gaze drops back to the family cat. ]

Hm. Perhaps.

[ Or, perhaps, he had already missed his chance at a companion as Aymeric has found. There is no doubt he may eventually find those in which he offers his lance to and a cause to fight with. There is one person that springs to mind that could have filled that spot... but well, the time has passed for that and her soul gone to the aetheric sea.

Estinien still resolves to spend as much of the night as his friend is in need of. Aymeric fought to have him returned and he will not abandon his friend in a time of loneliness. ]