[ Alkaid had been entirely content to leave a message for K'thisru upon her return from her quick adventure with the rampaging hippogryphs. However, her own tasks with Tataru had taken a considerable more time than she expected. This time she planned to return home to Ishgard with gifts and a smile. The wounds may not have healed entirely, but as ever, Aymeric had been correct in saying they had become easier to bear.
Now, she entirely intends to help him with his own scars and wounds, as well as all of Ishgard. The talk of the restoration campaign had even reached Mor Dhona, and Alkaid leapt at the idea. Of course, she had to attend to the newly awakened G'raha Tia along side Krile first, and make certain both he and her sister would be well before making the trip back home. She had wished to make certain that both would visit her and Aymeric in Ishgard before leaving.
Unlike before, this time, she does take the aetheryte to the Holy See of Ishgard. Her hood is up once more, although she imagines many in the city would know who is underneath these certain robes. Another aether shard trip later and she is walking down the street to Manor Borel. Even though the manor is her home as well, she always knocks, finding she would rather not frighten or disturb the older staff. The steward greets her with a smile as always, and the head maid rushes forward to pull her into a hug.
Alkaid laughs and returns the smiles, and tradition, asks if Aymeric was home. They wait until she is within the threshold of the home to inform her that he is, unsurprisingly, not home. However, it is the next news that causes her heart to sink. Since she had K'thisru were once again called away to the First, Ser Aymeric had thrown himself further into his role of Lord Speaker. He is rarely home for more than the handful of hours he sleeps at night before returning once more. The maid continues on that while Ishgard has much work to do and rebuild, he is far too young to work himself into the grave. Alkaid casts a frown to the steward who merely shakes his head. It most certainly is not just the state of Ishgard that keeps Lord Borel away for so long.
She is even more resolved to do as she had decided now.
Alkaid then sets about explaining her plans to the pair of them. She wishes to help them make dinner--the Lord Speaker's favorite--as well as something else with it. The two packages in her arms are sat down in a spare room only for the smallest to make its way back with her to the kitchen. She works with the pair of them to make a stew, typically made for those within the Temple Knights, but with additional herbs and meats as the Lord Speaker is at home and not far away at war. Next, she instructs the steward in how to make the far eastern desert that will accompany it. While the tastes are certainly clashing, Alkaid would rather Aymeric taste the food of far away if they cannot visit such places themselves just yet.
The hour, of course, grows late, and the head maid shuffles Alkaid off to get ready. While far later than many of the other noble lords would return home, the maid notes that it is about the time in which the Lord Speaker finds himself home. Alkaid dresses in one of the extra rooms in a new dress Tataru has prepared for her. A cream colored dress with an underskirt of blue, sheer sleeves, and exposed collar area. She styles her hair in a braid over her shoulder and sets the other of the wrapped packages on the desk in the study. Which is where she has chosen to surprise the Lord Speaker with dinner.
Her ears perk up at the sound of the front door opening. She and the maid quickly finish assembling the bowels and drinks as needed on the smaller table. The maid then brushes Alkaid's bangs and tweaks her dress, to which the white mage attempts to shoo her away. She does not need to look perfect, as she imagines that might stand out more than anything else about her surprise. Alkaid does, however, smooth her skirt and begin to twist her fingers in excitement as she waits for the steward to escort Aymeric to the study. ]
...the hour is late, m'lord, but your visitor insisted on waiting for you to return home. I've set them to be comfortable in the study. [ Alkaid's ears twitch as she hears the familiar set of footsteps beyond the closed door. ] Shall I fetch something to drink?
[ Which, of course, Alkaid has already selected the wine best to go with dinner. She does not find herself pausing or worrying over drinks served to her as some might, despite the several questionable circumstances she has been in with them.
Once the door opens, she stands up straight with her hands folded together and a smile on her face. Her tail sways, absolutely glowing at the sight of her betrothed. Dinner is behind her on the table, to which she carefully stands in the way of in order to surprise him yet again. ]
Good evening, Ser Aymeric. [ Alkaid has to force her voice to remain steady and keep up the part. ] I hope it's not too late for me to visit...
{ ishgard.
Now, she entirely intends to help him with his own scars and wounds, as well as all of Ishgard. The talk of the restoration campaign had even reached Mor Dhona, and Alkaid leapt at the idea. Of course, she had to attend to the newly awakened G'raha Tia along side Krile first, and make certain both he and her sister would be well before making the trip back home. She had wished to make certain that both would visit her and Aymeric in Ishgard before leaving.
Unlike before, this time, she does take the aetheryte to the Holy See of Ishgard. Her hood is up once more, although she imagines many in the city would know who is underneath these certain robes. Another aether shard trip later and she is walking down the street to Manor Borel. Even though the manor is her home as well, she always knocks, finding she would rather not frighten or disturb the older staff. The steward greets her with a smile as always, and the head maid rushes forward to pull her into a hug.
Alkaid laughs and returns the smiles, and tradition, asks if Aymeric was home. They wait until she is within the threshold of the home to inform her that he is, unsurprisingly, not home. However, it is the next news that causes her heart to sink. Since she had K'thisru were once again called away to the First, Ser Aymeric had thrown himself further into his role of Lord Speaker. He is rarely home for more than the handful of hours he sleeps at night before returning once more. The maid continues on that while Ishgard has much work to do and rebuild, he is far too young to work himself into the grave. Alkaid casts a frown to the steward who merely shakes his head. It most certainly is not just the state of Ishgard that keeps Lord Borel away for so long.
She is even more resolved to do as she had decided now.
Alkaid then sets about explaining her plans to the pair of them. She wishes to help them make dinner--the Lord Speaker's favorite--as well as something else with it. The two packages in her arms are sat down in a spare room only for the smallest to make its way back with her to the kitchen. She works with the pair of them to make a stew, typically made for those within the Temple Knights, but with additional herbs and meats as the Lord Speaker is at home and not far away at war. Next, she instructs the steward in how to make the far eastern desert that will accompany it. While the tastes are certainly clashing, Alkaid would rather Aymeric taste the food of far away if they cannot visit such places themselves just yet.
The hour, of course, grows late, and the head maid shuffles Alkaid off to get ready. While far later than many of the other noble lords would return home, the maid notes that it is about the time in which the Lord Speaker finds himself home. Alkaid dresses in one of the extra rooms in a new dress Tataru has prepared for her. A cream colored dress with an underskirt of blue, sheer sleeves, and exposed collar area. She styles her hair in a braid over her shoulder and sets the other of the wrapped packages on the desk in the study. Which is where she has chosen to surprise the Lord Speaker with dinner.
Her ears perk up at the sound of the front door opening. She and the maid quickly finish assembling the bowels and drinks as needed on the smaller table. The maid then brushes Alkaid's bangs and tweaks her dress, to which the white mage attempts to shoo her away. She does not need to look perfect, as she imagines that might stand out more than anything else about her surprise. Alkaid does, however, smooth her skirt and begin to twist her fingers in excitement as she waits for the steward to escort Aymeric to the study. ]
...the hour is late, m'lord, but your visitor insisted on waiting for you to return home. I've set them to be comfortable in the study. [ Alkaid's ears twitch as she hears the familiar set of footsteps beyond the closed door. ] Shall I fetch something to drink?
[ Which, of course, Alkaid has already selected the wine best to go with dinner. She does not find herself pausing or worrying over drinks served to her as some might, despite the several questionable circumstances she has been in with them.
Once the door opens, she stands up straight with her hands folded together and a smile on her face. Her tail sways, absolutely glowing at the sight of her betrothed. Dinner is behind her on the table, to which she carefully stands in the way of in order to surprise him yet again. ]
Good evening, Ser Aymeric. [ Alkaid has to force her voice to remain steady and keep up the part. ] I hope it's not too late for me to visit...