middaeg | [open] hydaelyn's house for wayward souls

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. ]

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[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....]

[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.

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.]

[He doesn't press Aymeric on it. He understands. He's the same kind of man, after all-- maybe not half so courageous or charismatic, but certainly the kind who is always doing something.]

I do not. [His smile fades to something a bit more concerned.] I'm afraid I can only draw conclusions based on my own experiences with traversing the rift. What I can tell you is that the amount of energy required just to hop to an adjacent dimension is immense. But this world does not bear any resemblance to Hydaelyn at all-- it can only be something separate entirely.

Whatever we are contending with... I highly doubt this was an accident. Which leaves me to wonder the design of it all... and whose.

As I told Thancred, I dislike the implications of our unanswered questions.

So someone with an immense amount of energy is doing this, yet we have not a clue as to who it may be. 'Tis quite a troubling scenario.

[He purses his lips, bringing his fist up to them in thought, but decides that this definitely isn't his topic of expertise, and thinking on it will cause nothing more than a headache.]

Pray tell me, what implications are you speaking of?

Quite. Nor do we have any indication as to the source... but that need not be as obvious as, say, a giant tower made of crystal.

[He's quiet for a moment as he considers his words.]

... To be plain, anyone able to demonstrate such power could be considered naught less but a god.

I cannot help but agree with your assessment. We are dealing with something much more powerful than man.

[And perhaps more powerful than the very gods they worship. Though to say would be blasphemy, so he keeps such a thought to himself.]

Given that, I doubt we can do much without information. To act rashly would only end in our defeat.

[He can sort of guess at that thought. It's the logical conclusion. What is more powerful than a primal, or a primal slayer, than a true god?]

Indeed. The best we can do, I think, is to make as many connections as possible. The Warriors of Light are ever charismatic, but they cannot do all the work themselves. And so it falls to us to work the finer points of diplomacy in the Coven and elsewhere, and see what we can discover.

-- At least, that is what I plan on doing. I would be interested to hear your thoughts, Ser Aymeric, as you are a practiced leader and commander. [A pause.] On the other hand, I never considered myself much a fit for the position, so I only led out of necessity.

[Those words. While they are words of praise, he also detects some words of worship. As if Aymeric was some political genius. Yet, he only sees himself as a man who was forced into the position by the public...]

Like you, I also led out of necessity. I am unsure of what you may have heard of me, however, such tales are likely exaggerated. [He shakes his head...]

Diplomacy was always my goal. I would rather not unsheathe my sword if at all possible.

[In that they have something in common.] They were the memoirs of someone who had witnessed the end of the Dragonsong War from within Ishgard, so I do not doubt the veracity. You have a certain grace about you. I, on the other hand, was never the leader of knights or men-- a scholar, not a soldier.

[His lips curl. Aymeric is... certainly someone who can be trusted now, he thinks. And it is strange to continue hiding himself from someone who, by all accounts, would be an ally. The only issue is Emet-Selch. Would he pursue his housemates for answers...?]

Of course. I believe there are many like minds in the Coven and among the other Mirrorbound, but as far as how to move forward... I admit I am at a loss. 'Tis nothing that will be solved this day, at least.

[He doesn't really like talking about this but...]

Did the memoirs state my birthright?

[Because the way it's sounding, they have more in common than Exarch knows or wants to admit. Even if he grew up as nobility, he was always aware of the dark rumors around his heritage.

And chose to rise above them and not acknowledge such rumors. Neither affirming or dismissing them.

It makes him wonder what rumors the Exarch has chosen to rise above.]

I digress. For now, let us focus on what we can do. I am certain there are other Mirrorbound that have formulated strategies or know more than we do. Mayhap reaching out to them would do good. I believe the devices we were given allow for mass communication, however I must admit, I am hardly adept at it yet.

They spoke of the rumors, but only when it became relevant. Truthfully, I am also somewhat... familiar with those sorts of shadows hanging over one's head, but that is a tale best saved for later.

[There was so much he didn't know until right before he closed the door.]

The more-than-watches are quite curious, are they not? But you do have a point. I should endeavor to make more of an appearance.

Then you understand.

[He leaves it at that. The wounds of being pointed at, being called a patricide, they still hit. However, it's something he's chosen to keep inside.

There are other matters his mind would focus us.]

As for such an endeavor, it is something we can both make. You are not alone in this.

[......he's pretty sure he's been chided with those same words against him many times. Such hypocrisy.]

[open] hydaelyn's house for wayward souls

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