[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

[poisontippedcure]

And there will be even more to do if you collapse from exhaustion.

[Or get stabbed again, but she’s going to leave that part out. There’s a time and place to bring up old wounds, and it isn’t yet. That’s for when Aymeric chooses to do something extremely stupid.]

Everyone who has met you is well aware of that. It’s fine to avoid sitting idly, but at some point you have to remember to rest.

[She sighs. Somehow, she feels this isn’t getting anywhere, and she wants to avoid stressing out Aymeric more than he already might be. Which gives her an idea.]

Let me ask you this: Were you to take a proper day for yourself, what would you do?

[endsought]

[Wow, get stabbed once and people don't trust to keep their eyes off of him.]

I assure you such an event will not happen.

[Listen, Rose, has she ever seen him collapse from exhaustion itself? Usually, there's another cause for it, you know like being stabbed or tortured. But worry not, he will do something stupid probably in the future. It's just part of his nature.]

To worry over me is unnecessary.

[He doesn't even realize that everyone spends so much time worrying over him because the asshat can't take care of himself properly...

At least he's a competent asshat.]

In any case, I have been taking proper days ever since my arrival. To not have the duty that's been entrusted in me here as I do in Ishgard marks one full moon in which I have rested.

[Rose, accept he's a moron.]

[poisontippedcure]

[As it turns out, getting stabbed and tortured are both forms of ‘overdoing it.’ Which Aymeric would probably realize, if he were not such a moron. How someone so adept at politics lacked all common sense, Rose will never understand.]

No, to worry over you is necessary, considering how little worrying you do for yourself.

[There’s a whole group of them to split the worry between, and they still barely manage. But Rose can only sigh. She’s known Aymeric long enough to avoid pushing this point, it doesn’t end in anything but frustration.]

[Which means it’s time for plan B.]

That’s it, get dressed. We’re going into town.

[endsought]

For what are we going into town? I am rather confident that we have all we need.

[Food and otherwise. He doesn't quite get what she's getting at and actually remains sitting there as if he's actually telling her there's no need to go shopping for anything right now. ]

[poisontippedcure]

[Moron. He’s a moron. There’s no other explanation for this. How can one man be so clueless?]

[Rose is standing her ground, and it’s clear that she’s not taking no for an answer. She’s going to get him to do something fun today, if it’s the last thing she does.]

We are going into town to have fun. You need a break, and acting as a makeshift sentinel doesn’t count.

[endsought]

[If there's anything frustrating about Aymeric right now, it's the fact that he's absolutely stone faced about this. Certainly, he's feeling a slight bit of annoyance, yet there is no sign that he could feel that way.

One of his strongest traits, honestly.]

If I am to be honest, I fail to see how that could help. However, since it is you asking, Rose, I shall comply.

[If anyone else had asked, he probably would have turned them down. Getting up, he does go back inside to change into some comfortable clothes to go into town in. He's taking her request seriously to take a break.

Picture this. Aymeric in a blue and black plaid shirt, sleeves rolled up to the elbows with khaki pants. You're welcome.]

[poisontippedcure]

[Rose can’t tell that he’s annoyed, but even if she could, she wouldn’t care. In fact, it serves him right. He’s constantly putting himself into danger and overworking himself, despite everyone’s pleas not to. Perhaps he should be annoyed.]

[She’s perfectly aware of the power she has over him, and she wishes that Lucia were here to see this. She probably wouldn’t believe it. Rose barely does, and she’s right here. And she does have to admit, he cleans up nicely.]

Where should we go first?

[It’s not a date, not officially, so Rose doesn’t feel right hanging onto his arm. She is keeping pace with him, though. Should he try to flee, she’ll latch onto him immediately.]

[endsought]

[It's something comfortable and in with whatever fashion this place has. Well, fashion seems to be all over the place and given how easy it is to move in, that's what sold him the most.

Gesturing with a one arm shrugged is the initial answer she gets.]

I am simply following you for the time being. It had seemed you had the idea of where we were to go.

[Which isn't a lie since he was kind of blindsided by this.]

[poisontippedcure]

[‘Comfortable and easy to move in,’ right, that’s what’s holding Rose’s attention right now. It’s certainly not that she can see how built his arms are under the plaid, she would never pay attention for that.]

[Still, she has to admit he does have a point. If this is her idea, she should take the lead.]

Then, let’s stop for coffee. There’s something I’d like to talk to you about.

[Sure enough, not more than two blocks down the way is a cozy coffee shop that Rose unceremoniously drags them into. Being Mirrorbound, they attract some attention, but not enough to get kicked out.]

[endsought]

[Something she wishes to talk about? That gets his attention really quickly as he follows her in.

And yes, that flannel shirt probably isn't hiding how well he's built. It's only accentuating it.

Finding a seat, he's annoying and orders tea instead of coffee. Maybe not quite the tea he likes, but still familiar enough that he will take it.]

What is it that you wished to speak of?

[poisontippedcure]

[Tea instead of coffee? She supposes it makes sense. Surprisingly, Rose prefers the latter. She needs to be able to stay alert, and considering how much sleep she loses, coffee is often the best option.]

[She pauses, looking at her drink. This subject is somewhat delicate, and she wants to approach it in the right way.]

Have you found anyone to bond with yet?

[In this case, that means being direct.]

[endsought]

[A direct question, that actually doesn't catch him off guard. If anything, it's a logical thing to be speaking about.

Placing a finger against his lips in thought as to how to answer this, he shakes his head.]

As of yet, I have not. 'Tis not something I feel should be rushed. After all, bonds seem rather sacred in this place, yet something created out of necessity. Should I bond with someone, I would wish they could be someone I care for and trust. Such as the woman before me.

[Aymeric, here to steal the thunder.]

May I presume that is why you are asking?

[poisontippedcure]

[Rose should not be surprised that Aymeric has a direct answer to her direct question, but somehow she is. What really catches her off-guard is that he can say such endearing things with a straight face. She might actually be blushing right now.]

Y-yes, it is.

[He has a way with words, she has to admit. Still, she needs to calm herself.]

I feel much the same way, and there are very few people here that I trust. Among them, I trust you the most.

[endsought]

[To hear such words brings a slight curl to his lips. Perhaps he didn't intend to fluster her, considering he's been in those states himself like just asking her for a simple drink.

Still, his words were no lie at all, and how she interprets them is up to her.]

I am happy to hear such feelings are mutual.

[No, he's really happy to hear this.]

Then, shall we bond?

[He could have said 'will you bond with me?' but that sounded.... even too much for him and he probably couldn't have said that with a straight face at all.]

[poisontippedcure]

[Their feelings are mutual...right. Wait, what feelings are those again? Mutual respect and trust. Nothing else. Why would there be anything else?]

[A genuine smile appears as she responds. For all that she’s frustrated being here, this is nice. Neither of them having any pressing responsibilities right now, and she’s happy to be able to just exist.]

I think that’s the best course of action, yes.

[She pauses.]

The only question that remains is when.

[endsought]

Whenever the appropriate moment shows itself. Now would not be a good time as we are 'relaxing in town'.

[A sip of his tea. It's not often he's a gentle tease, but now is one of those times. They are to not do anything that requires their immediate attention, or so what this relaxing means.]

[poisontippedcure]

[That actually earns a small chuckle from Rose. He’s not taking this too seriously, which is nice. It’s not often that Ishgard’s leader jokes around.]

You’re right, I nearly forgot myself.

[She takes a sip of her coffee.]

So you agree that this is relaxing, then?

[endsought]

It is different and therefore something I am actually putting thought into. Though I admit, it does relax the mind.

[Especially since his is constantly on overdrive.]

[poisontippedcure]

Different? I suppose it would feel different, considering how little time you take for yourself.

[She’s chiding him a little, but it’s mostly coming from a place of worry. And because she can. Part of it is definitely just because she can.]

This place is quaint. I like it.

[endsought]

[He replies to the chide with a sip of his own drink.]

To take time for myself is taking time away that Ishgard needs from me. However, such a thought is inconsequential here.

[And thus it's difficult to turn his mind off or even try to relax. The only thing that helps is that he really isn't near as influential here, which means the people don't need him as much.

A burden, that for the time being, he is okay with not having.]

[poisontippedcure]

[If Aymeric thinks he’s getting off the hook that easily, he clearly doesn’t remember every other conversation he’s had with Rose.]

Yes, but Ishgard would prefer to have to you hale and whole and not collapsing from exhaustion.

[A small pause before she continues.]

As would I.

[endsought]

Likewise I could say the same for you.

[Just a knowing smile. No accusation, just care. He doesn't know what she's been up to, but he does know that she's done far more than he currently recalls.

Perhaps she has been resting, that's how little he's been around at their abode to really check up on others.]

[poisontippedcure]

[To have her accusation lobbied back at her hurts a bit. Rose is very fond of breaks, and would shirk all of her responsibilities if she knew there would be someone else to take them up.]

There’s hardly little I can do to stop working. It’s not as if those summoning primals care if I have a vacation.

[Or to put it better: ‘It’s not as if the Ascians care if I have a vacation before they can destroy another planet.’ Which, now that she thinks about it, is probably how Aymeric feels. There are few that share his single-minded devotedness to Ishgard, and even fewer who are as competent as he is.]

[She sighs.]

You make a fair point.

[It hits her after a moment that he doesn’t remember the time she actually collapsed on the battlefield, and only happened to survive because Estinien happened to be nearby. She’s just gonna...not mention that.]