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[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!
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. ]
ii
[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.]
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[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.]
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[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.
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[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.
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[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?
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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.]
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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.
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[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. ]
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[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.
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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.]
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[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.]
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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.]
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[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.]
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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?
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[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.]
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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?
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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.
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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.]
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[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.
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[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.]
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You’re right, I nearly forgot myself.
[She takes a sip of her coffee.]
So you agree that this is relaxing, then?
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[Especially since his is constantly on overdrive.]
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[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.
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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.]
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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.
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