[open] hydaelyn's house for wayward souls

[exarchal]

Who: Anyone!
When: All of November.
Where: The Haven, at the "classy" grade house maintained by some people from the FFXIV cast.
What: It's mingle time. Drop by for a visit, make your own toplevel, maybe ask who that weird old guy sleeping in the yard is. (It's probably crystal grandpa.)
Warnings: Mind FFXIV spoiler warnings in threads!

[ Located past the fanciest manor houses is something a little more modest. The most prominent thing one would notice about it is the front yard, which someone obviously spends some time in, though the cutting of certain bushes is a little close to amateur. More importantly, it looks a little messy but very inviting, and there's almost always the smell of something warm and delicious coming from inside the house. The lush and flowering garden in the back has a recently-scrubbed fountain and running water, as well as a near-permanent host of small birds. Is it magic? Probably. Most of the flowers are roses, though, which are a bit hardier than your usual flowers.

The interior is just as cozy, with a fire in the hearth that's almost always going, and plenty of books loaned or purchased from shops. Furnishings are occasionally sparse but the kitchen is fully-stocked, as is the family room where most people spend their time. The dining table exists and it's nothing fancy, but there's almost always a smorgasbord of fruit and other snacks left out for visitors.

New this month are tiny sigils drawn in faintly glowing paint along the windows and doors. Teleportation wards are in place, as well as soundproofing for each bedroom (ahem), so anyone teleporting directly inside the house will find themselves repelled.

There is a spare housekey under the mat, though, if someone gets locked out. ]

Comments

Aymeric de Borel | ota

[endsought]

i

[Back in the garden, Aymeric is tending to it. Pulling out weeds that are trying to sprout, and doing the daily watering. Whether they be Warrior of Light or Lord Commander, chores are chores and must be done. There’s something calming about doing this, granted it’s more that he doesn’t know how to deal with all the free time that’s now on his hands.

Servants are nice, but mainly because there’s not enough time for him to get things done.

Once he’s done tending to the garden, he snips off a few fully bloomed roses to place in a vase and bring back into the house. ‘Twould do no good to have a dreary place, after all. Even the smallest of decorations does well to liven things up.]

ii

[Probably everyone living with the Lord Commander has noticed that he has a routine by now. Wake up, go train somewhere, come back and either make breakfast or eat breakfast that was made, probably go read some books he found, train some more, food again, probably patrol town out of habit, return, dinner, sleep.

Rinse and repeat.

They’ll see that every waking moment of his day is spent doing something. Granted he’d probably consider sitting on the patio and reading a time he’s resting. Also probably using it to just be the literal neighborhood watch.

While he’s reading.

A knight’s habits don’t just disappear.]

iii.

[The wildcard option.

Come in and join him for a drink that will end up actually being dinner and a drink... We can wildcard it from there. Don't worry, it's not a date. He's not that smooth right now...

Whether it be dinner he's made for the housemates or just a random gesture. It's Aymeric. lbr.]

ii

[poisontippedcure]

[While this is the first time Rose has lived with Aymeric, she knows him well enough to know his habits. Mostly, that he keeps himself working every moment of every day. There isn’t a time that Rose can think of where Aymeric hasn’t been buried by work.]

[Which is probably why she’s so surprised when she sees him on the patio. She walks up from the garden, a genuine smile on her face. A genuine smile coupled with teasing, of course.]

Color me surprised, the Lord Commander is taking a moment for himself. I never thought I’d see the day.

[She’s going to take the seat next to him, asking be damned.]

[endsought]

Is such a thing really so surprising to you?

[His tone is actually sincere here. For so long he's tried to delegate duties to others, alas, only to be told he's the one most qualified. Whether it's being a representative or actually leading Ishgard, his full intentions were to relinquish that to someone else.

Sadly, Ishgard did not agree.

Who knew turning Ishgard into a democracy would work against him?

In any case, he places a bookmark where he's reading and closes his book. He fully intends to give Rose all of his attention since she's here.]

This also is a rather good vantage point to ensure that there is peace where we are.

[In other words, no, he's not taking a moment to himself.]

[poisontippedcure]

Yes, it is. Usually when I see you, you look like you’re about ready to keel over at your desk.

[Is a brash way of putting it, but nonetheless correct. The only exception she can think of happened after her collapse at the Ghimlyt Dark, and even then he had only stayed long enough to ensure that she was okay before returning to the battlefield. Not that Aymeric knows it, of course, which is probably for the best.]

[As much as she is grateful for the attention, she is less grateful for the follow-up comment.]

What is much less surprising is that you’re still finding a way to turn this into work. Vigilance is good, but everyone has their limit. The neighborhood won’t burst into flame if you take a moment for yourself.

[endsought]

There is always much work to be done in Ishgard.

[Even if he's left the city's defense to Lucia many times before, he'd rather tend to it himself. Some sort of need to always feel as if he's doing what must be done.

To see his vision through.]

And such habits, I'm afraid, have followed me here. To sit idly my is not within my nature, and I am rather sure it never was.

[Definitely not since that say him and Estinien were the lone survivors of a deadly mission. Perhaps he felt it some providence that he has a role to play and must ensure his life is dedicated to such a role.]

Though I am aware that this place is not in need of such leadership or reform, so do not worry about me in that regard.

2

[inlikethebrume]

[It's one of those times where exploring the house was a good idea. She's at least someone who doesn't go where she shouldn't be like some gremlins and during one of these treks, Mira spots Aymeric with what appears to be a...book of some kind.

Call her curiosity piqued as she clears her throat, like announcing herself.]

Hello again, Ser Aymeric. It is not often someone sees you rather relaxed.

[To the most that he can. It's weird not seeing him at a desk ok.]

[endsought]

[It's a rare sighting, seeing Aymeric take a little time to himself to simply read in the house. Perhaps it's the fact that the mental list of things he must do actually ended for once, and now his mind is giving him the time to relax. Granted, he felt fatigue back in Ishgard, but it's different now knowing there's not something pressing demanding his attention.

Well, now there is as he looks up to see who is there and offers a genteel smile.]

Mistress Mira, 'tis a pleasure to see you again. I take it you have come to visit our humble abode.

[Quick to mark his spot in his book, he stands ready to do something to be a proper host. No, apparently he can't just sit down and chat now that he sees her there.]

[inlikethebrume]

Just Mira is fine. There is no need for titles between us all.

[It's honestly true in this place and Halone knows how Mira feels about them considering where she was born and how touchy the subject can be. She doesn't deserve any kind and it just feels weird to hear something attached to her name at all other than her last. But then she sees what he is about and holds up her hands because whoa there was no asking of standing up even if you are a gentleman, Aymeric.]

Please, you do not need to stand up for me. I was rather curious about the title you were reading.

[Eyes looking at that book in interest. What kinds of reading does intrigue the lord commander, she cannot help but wonder...]

[endsought]

Mira it is, then.

[He does prefer the familiar tone than the one he gives to be polite, he will admit.

And too late, he's stood up. He doesn't know how not to be a gentlemen, especially before a Warrior of Light.

The book itself appears to be a title that one could infer it's about politics. Even here, he's still working on his politician skills via fiction. He holds it out to her to grab and look at, should she like.]

I was simply reading a book that appeared to garner my interest upon seeing the cover. One would suppose tales of knights and heroic deeds would be something of a common topic to write about.

[Nothing as fanatical as dragons in it, but there does appear to be political intrigue when she reads the summary.]

iii

[wordsinthesoul]

[He'll still find some way to tease Aymeric, given time.

For now, Thancred simply offers the other man a smile.]

It's good to see you again. How have you been settling in?

[endsought]

Master Thancred, 'tis good to see you as well.

[A respectable ally in this place that is probably just confused as he is about time shenanigans. Alas, that's probably not what he wants to speak of right now and instead offers him to come in further, not before producing two wine glasses.]

Care for a drink?

[wordsinthesoul]

[On this side of the house, the 'why is everyone from the future' team.]

I'd be honoured. As the host, would you care to choose the wine?

[endsought]

[Choosing a wine is what he does as he grabs a bottle of slightly aged red wine, but nothing terribly fancy.

Let's be real, it's still pretty fancy, but not as fancy as the Lord Commander could get.

Pouring them both a glass, he hands one to Thancred before grabbing his own.]

May this be to your tastes.

[Holding his glass out in cheers.]

ii - aaand spoilers

[exarchal]

[This is one of those rare moments where their schedules overlap. Without invitation, he drags a chair over to sit besides Aymeric on the patio. He has his own book-- one on magical herbology lent from the library-- and has it open to a chapter on healing roots, but it's clear he's more interested in polite conversation.]

How fare you, Ser Aymeric?

[He hasn't exactly made a point to come out and admit who he is-- not that his identity would mean much to an Ishgardian-- but certainly he's caught the glimpse of a tail or something else by now.]

[endsought]

[Polite conversation is good, considering he's not 100% focused on his own book. It's difficult to sit down and just relax when there's much he could be doing. But one cannot plan when it's technically not his duty to.

Where's a country that needs reforming when he needs it? How else does one live? Please tell Aymeric...

Anyway, he's seen a glimpse as to what his race is, but nothing that Aymeric will call out. Considering his height.... made it sort of obvious. Either that, or an Alphinaud height Elezen.]

I would suppose I am well. Though I should be asking how you are faring, given how much work you seem to put in, Exarch.

[AYMERIC, PLEASE LOOK IN A MIRROR....]

[exarchal]

[He has a city to rebuild too and no way to do it, so they can be clueless and bored together. As for how tall he is... despite inches of difference, Alisaie is still able to reach him and that's a Problem when she's angry. Ah, well.

His lips curl into a smile that's friendly and just mysterious enough to get on nerves at times.]

I am well. Though I may be slightly ancient, I cannot let that slow me down. I have a duty to see all of you home-- and myself, of course.

[He adds:]

I noticed that someone has been tending the garden in my absence, and it is not Rose alone. I would like whoever it is to know that I appreciate their help.

[endsought]

If I do find such a person who has been maintaining it, I will be sure to thank them as well.

[Aymeric is frustrating in his own way as well. It takes two, one supposes.]

As for returning home, I do not believe that the onus is on you to do that. Unless you have an idea as to why we have been brought here.

[He motions towards Exarch gently, but there's still something incriminating about the way he does that. As if he has been sensing there's a lot more going on. The warriors have told him a few things, but nothing enough that he could piece together who the hooded man before him is.

At the very least, the Lord Commander does know he's an ally, and that's all he needs for the moment.]

iii

[omnicrafter]

[Once more, Irhya is dropping off a little care package to the house of miqo'te-and-Aymeric filled with a few wrapped portions of food, figuring she ought to keep the exchange going. This time, though, the front window is open just enough to let the crisp fall air in, and she thinks to perhaps set it down on the sill and flee without a word, but there is also a delicious smell coming from inside, one unrelated to her own offering...

For a moment, she stops and stares into her own reflection, trying to identify what it is she's smelling out of pure, idle curiosity. It reminds her that she's yet to eat, either, having mostly neglected her own stomach in favor of getting the share for her gift done and packed...]

[endsought]

[He's not making anything too fancy, or too fancy by his definition as he's preparing a light dinner for anyone to eat. Given the fact that visitors are free to come and go, they have to ensure that their guests are fed.

That includes sneaky guests who attempt to leave offerings and leave. It doesn't take Aymeric long to spot her through the window as he approaches it, opening it fully so he can converse with her.]

If you are here, why not come in, Mistress Irhya?

[omnicrafter]

Ah--

[Caught. Her ears shoot up.]

I, I mean-- That can't have looked good. Sorry. I was just...

[Yeah, it's obvious what she was doing; no need to explain it. She pauses, her expression changing from deer-in-headlights to a little sheepish over the course of about three seconds.]

...You're sure?

[endsought]

You are an ally, are you not? You are most welcome here.

[A soft expression is on his face, for just a moment, before he turns back to his usual stoic expression. He motions for her to come to the door as he makes to open it and invite her in.]

Please, come in.

i! finally slides in here

[joies]

[As Aymeric is busy in the garden, he'll find himself a visitor - one certain brightly colored, and very vocal, bird. One that tweets and chirps from his perch on the bench, before hopping onto his shoulder, clearly taking an interest in his work.

When one is the familiar of a walking flower, one takes an interest in garden work. And Iago likes to think he knows his way around a garden! ... Or at least knows when to weed some plants.

And said walking flower soon appears, expression faintly curious about what her familiar is up to - before she notices Aymeric busy at work, and Iago there to act as "support".]

I didn't realize you had a green thumb, Aymeric.

[endsought]

[The knight really is into his work, not even recognizing the bird's tweets until he finds himself perched on Aymeric's shoulder. One glance allows him to know he has a visitor. He doesn't turn quite right away, instead using a finger to prod and pet the bird before he looks to his guest.]

Alas, 'tis not something I generally have, but I figured since it is part of our abode, it would do me well to help take care of it. Having only one person tend to the garden seems like far too much work.

[joies]

[Iago preens at the attention, feathers puffing up with some pleased chirps, while Persephone leans against the fence - mostly to get a better look at the garden he's tending to. It seems to be well-maintained, maybe through hardwork or magic. Or both.

Seeing Aymeric so focused though, makes her lean more towards hard work.]

A garden like this does certainly need more than one pair of hands. And you seem to be doing well. [A pause.]

Though would you like any assistance? You could say I have some experience with gardening. ['Some experience' says the woman who even has flowers constantly blooming in her hair.]

[endsought]

[He's not surprised to hear she has experience and likely a green thumb. Being the personification of a garden herself, she likely has to use similar tactics to take care of herself. With a single nod, he accepts her offer.]

It would be an honor to have your assistance, Mistress Persephone. I am sure we would all appreciate your expertise.

[He can do so much and prune where he needs to, but anything more is out of his field of knowledge that he leaves to the others. However, even upkeep takes many hands to ensure its beauty is upheld.]