lily & knight || ❝ so heavensward we fly this day. ❞

[shepherdtostars]

the lily and the knight

AU PLOTLINE

for ishgard must be saved
our pride's all that remains
wyverns breathe your last flames
these are your final days CODE BY TESSISAMESS

Comments

🕯️ — against the wind.

[shepherdtostars]

first meetings. }

[shepherdtostars]

[ Ishgard is truly like nothing she had seen before.

The Miqo'te traveling with Lord Edmont de Fortemps leans against the window of the carriage as the city slowly comes into view. Her mint eyes widen at the looming shadows of spires that seem to stretch into the heavens. Her father had often told stories of the majestic city filled with knights and ladies, but seeing it as opposed to dreaming it? There is nothing else quite like it. Her rather fluffy tail sways slightly beside her as the bridge seems to stretch on and on. The Lord beside her chuckles at her reaction.

The sight may be one she becomes accustomed to, as it is now her home.

Her hands fold nervously again in her lap in the large white skirt she wears. The fingers hide in the folds as she twists them nervously. It is all so very different from the small town she had recently called home; the very one she had grown up in along side the others like her. However, now, she numbers in the many that have been orphaned due to the Dravanian attacks in the endless Dragonsong War. If others survived the attack is beyond her knowledge. What she is aware of is how very lucky she is that she has a godfather that could take her in, instead of being shuffled to a stranger's home or an orphanage.

She finally steps from the carriage once it comes to a stop. The broken stone walls of the city still give a view and idea that nothing can truly break down the will of Ishgardians even if it is worn down. Her eyes move from spire to spire, stone to stone, until her godfather--now father--calls out to her with a name she is still adjusting to. Within a few strides she arrives at the aetheryte alongside him and attunes to it, knowing they will need to take the long walk to the Fortemps Manor as she might adjust to the city that is still blessed with warm weather as summer turns to fall.

Finally, they arrive at the manor that the Miqo'te will now call her home. The large doors swing open and she steps inside after Lord Fortemps. Her hands still hide in the long white skirt that is crowned with the long sleeved blouse to match. The colors are not quite of the Fortemps, nor is the style of one that belongs to Ishgard. She had nothing after the Dravanian attack and wears only what the healers had given her from Camp Dragonhead. The fabric itches across the still sensitive skin on her arm and she does her best not to scratch at it. Instead, her fingers continually twist one another as she takes in the sight of her new home.

Her eyes then land on another Elezen that is nearby. A young man, perhaps her own age, but certainly not one of those she would now call brother. His clothes seem in a similar manner to hers and his features stand out from those that she knows from the Fortemps. Her head tilts ever so slightly until she is finally able to see the young Elezen's face. Her breath seems to catch in her throat and her ears lift slightly from her head.

Even at a young age, his features are striking and very handsome. Although, it isn't until her mint colored eyes catch his sky-blue ones that she feels entirely rooted at the spot. Her ears then fold down to the sides of her head shyly as her cheeks burn hot. Her shoulders curl but her tail sways behind her quickly side-to-side. The Miqo'te drops her gaze for only a moment before looking through her bangs at the other in the room.

Lord Edmont de Fortemps glances at his goddaughter--now truly daughter--before turning his attention to the servant. ]

Aymeric, come here. I would have your assistance.

[thewayforpeace]

[ As a servant of no reputation or noble house, Aymeric is expected to be in the background unless his services are required by the lord and lady of their house, or by their children. And, for the most part, he is good at remaining unseen just as he is good at being a servant. It helps that Lord Fortemps is kind, as far as masters go, and while Aymeric has the occasional bout of childishness, he tries his best to behave.

As far as he is concerned, his life as a servant to the Fortemps is a normal one, and every day is more or less the same. "Boring", he calls it sometimes. That is, until one day, someone new arrives, and once she makes her entrance, following after Lord Fortemps, he finds his gaze drawn to her. Of course, he remains in his customary position of being out of the way yet still within earshot, he can't help but glance at her from time to time.

It is hardly his place to stare, nor to even think that he might catch her eye. But even as he is doing his best to look away, despite his resolve, their eyes meet for just a second, and like her, he feels a rush of heat rising in his cheeks.

But soon enough, he feels the gaze of Lord Fortemps upon him, and he quickly breaks the brief eye contact he found with her. He isn't here to gawk or stare, and his master's words remind him of that.

Quickly bowing somewhat awkwardly and a bit rushed, he asks: ] What- What can I help you with? [ It isn't the practiced formal words that he should say, but he seems to be just a little tongue-tied at the moment, and he stumbles over his words as he says them. ]

[shepherdtostars]

[ She watches as the younger Elezen walks over to them. She pauses when he breaks eye contact, and that is when the realization comes that he is a servant. Her family had none, but her father talked about the differences of Ishgard to their quaint life in Corethas. She glances to the side, then downwards, but smiles again nonetheless when the Elezen makes his way over. The blush remains on her face, but she hopes he might look back at her again.

Lord Foretemps smiled at the fumbling attempt. Aymeric is something of an unofficial son to him. His mother had come into their care under dire circumstances, and they employed her, but Aymeric himself has grown up along side his eldest son. Still, there is a hierarchy in their society, and while perhaps the Lord Foretemps is kinder than most would? The young boy remains a servant for now. ]

This is Alkaid, and she will be joining us in our home from now on. [ He gives a nod to his smaller companion, hand still on his walking stick. ] The room you prepared is for her. I had hoped you would show it to her and make certain she finds all she needs in it. I will be along shortly.

[ Alkaid's eaes lift slightly from her head. Her gaze moves from Lord Foretemps and back to Aymeric. She smiles once again, red remaining on her face as she twists her fingers nervously. With an encouraging nod from her godfather, Alkaid takes a step forward to be escorted. ]

[thewayforpeace]

[ He knows full well what is expected of a servant, but he slips up sometimes. Fortunately for him, he has a relatively forgiving master, but he still tries his best to learn and remember how he should behave. Staring at the master's daughter is hardly appropriate behavior, although he has already realized that he wishes he could look at her again, and for a little longer this time.

But even though Lord Fortemps is forgiving, even he would not tolerate someone outright ignoring his orders, as Aymeric well knows.

He offers first his master and then Alkaid brief bows before straightening up once more. ] Yes, ser. I will show her to her room and help with whatever she needs.

[ And once Alkaid steps forward, Aymeric moves to join her, standing beside her but a little bit behind her too, out of respect. ]

If you're ready, I'll escort you to- to your room. [ Again he stumbles over his words, but he tries not to draw attention to his fumble. ]

[shepherdtostars]

[ Alkaid glances at how he is behind her ever so slightly. Her head tilts, ears twitching at the idea of it all. How can he escort her from behind by just a few inches? Still, she smiles at him and her tail sways and nods for him to do so. Lord Foretemps also smiles and waits until the two have disappeared before moving to find his wife and eldest son in the meantime.

She remains silent until he shows her the room. She steps inside timidly, looking around with a smile forming on her face with her eyes wide in wonder. The room was so large compared to any she had seen before in a home. Within a few steps she was at the bed and gently pressing down with both hands, one covered in bandages. ]

...are the rooms all this big?

[thewayforpeace]

[ How indeed... It might appear silly, but as a servant, he believes he should not walk beside her as an equal would, but slightly behind her. He can still give direction should she be uncertain where to go. It is not a long walk at all, nor does the path there take too many turns or changes in direction. Perhaps he has grown too used to following along behind his master.

But before too long, they arrive at what is now her room, and he is quick to hold the door open for her. Once they are inside and she takes her first look around, he very nearly grins at the sight of her reaction. But he must act as a servant would, behaving properly and with what those older than him call decorum. ]

A lot of them are, yes. The master and the mistress have the largest, and their sons' rooms are also large.

[ There isn't any point in mentioning the servants' quarters, as she did not ask that, and why would she? Even so, their living arrangements are just fine, and as Aymeric has been reminded, could be much worse. ]