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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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.]

[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.

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.]

[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?

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.]

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.

[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.]

[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.

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.]

[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.]

[open] hydaelyn's house for wayward souls

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