echoes of truth | ❝ to all of my children to whom.... ❞

[heranswers]

song of hope

BOOK 5: OUR SONG

Our song of hope, she dances on the wind
Higher, o' higher
E'er our hearts endure and remain forever strong
Standing tall through the dark do we carry onCODE BY TESSISAMESS

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[thewayforpeace]

[ If Alkaid remains unaware of any particular plans, then so does Aymeric. Life does seem to be proceeding apace, even though Alkaid's condition remains at the forefront of his mind. Between doing his best to meet her needs and the needs of their children, while still seeing to his responsibilities as lord speaker, he finds his days quite full indeed.

But he still tries his best to be there for his family, because he has no intentions of failing as a husband and a father. There are indeed some days in which he does not report to work, choosing instead to do what work he can from the manor in between caring for Alkaid when she needs him to.

They have developed a sort of routine that fits their new needs and recent developments. If he opts to stay home for Alkaid's benefit, he does often work late into the night but only after she and the children have been fed and their needs seen to before they retire. He does regret that this arrangement does not often allow him to assist Alkaid and the children with their nightly routines, but there is little to be done about that. He does greatly miss the nightly baths that he and Alkaid often share, but work must sometimes come first.

He is working on yet another proposal, as she surmised, and as he writes, he finds he has to stop himself from pausing to stretch and yawn. This must be completed with relative haste, even if it is not technically an urgent matter. It would not do to cause delays. But even Aymeric cannot say he has not made good progress on the document. It will not take long at all to complete it. No sooner does he think that very thought then he registers a hand moving to rest upon his. He would, of course, recognize his wife's touch anywhere, and almost immediately, he smiles. ]

It is indeed. I half expected you to have retired already. [ And he offers her an apologetic look, as if her being still awake is his error. ] I suppose you are correct, given the half dozen or so yawns I have attempted to stifle over the last handful of minutes.

[ He glances properly at her then, gaze moving to take in her appearance as he has done so many times over recent days. ] Are you well? And are the children asleep? [ They ought to be by now, which is yet another thing he regrets. Seeing the children to their beds is something he wishes he could always be present for, but circumstances often interfere. ]

[shepherdtostars]

[ A gentle and knowing smile touches her face then. One that should say it plainly: she rather dislikes going to bed for the night without him. They've spent far too much time apart in the past that it causes her disliking to sleep by herself. Her sister and her had always a space until G'raha attended the Scions. She then took to sleeping on her own so the two might bond and hopefully work past the rather strange blockade they've put between themselves.

Alkaid tilts her head to lay it on the top of his shoulder. Her gaze moves back to the unfinished parchment in front of him. Fingers begin to caress the skin on the hand he does not write with. ]

The children went to sleep with no issue, but, I imagine that they will want their own rooms shortly. While they are not that far apart in age, they've begun to squabble over nighttime habits. [ Alkaid smiles gently before glancing up at him, saying she finds it rather amusing. ] I'm fine for now, Aymeric. Please don't worry so much.

[ Then, she nods to the paper. ] What proposal requires such late nights?

[thewayforpeace]

[ Truth be told, he is not overly fond of that either. If he could have things his way, they would be able to see the children to bed together and retire for the evening at a much earlier hour. Not for the first time, he contemplates retiring, although it seems a bit prematurely timed. Ishgard still has a great many steps to take, and he would not leave his people to fend for themselves so soon. For now, compromises will have to be made, but he intends to do his best to be there for his family as much as he is able.

He smiles warmly at her when she rests her head against his shoulder, and if he had a free hand, he would place it atop her head. ]

Well, there is no shortage of rooms to be had, so they may have their pick. I do apologize that you have had to contend with their squabbles on your own, however. [ He still feels that he has been remiss in his duties as her husband and a father. ] I find that I have developed a habit of worrying, despite my best efforts to avoid it.

[ He glances back at the paper before returning his attention to her. ] Well, since we in Ishgard have been making efforts to aid other parts of the star, it has been decided that we should extend further assistance to Radz-at-Han. The exact terms of that assistance have yet to be decided, which is where this proposal comes in.

[shepherdtostars]

You have had to deal with several squabbles while I have been away. I am more than certain it is my time to handle them as you work.

[ She gently nuzzles further into his shoulder and her fingers continue to brush along his unmoving hand. Something tells her that the stress of it all may cause his old wound to ache and she will need to tend to it. ]

We can see to a new room for one of them later. [ And a sweet smile forms for him. ] I will be certain to tell you if anything goes awry, Aymeric.

Ah, aiding the city also lead by a dragon. [ A knowing smirk replaces the smile. Then, she stands once more and kisses his cheek lovingly. She knew it was the right thing to introduce Vtra and Aymeric to one another. ] Then, you will be up for some time and I will keep you company. Would you like your usual tea with birch syrup?