It's like christmas in july except just it's cold and everyone is stressed and there are no presents

[heiresy]

Who: [OPEN] Aymeric and you!
What: Catch-all for non-participants and early losers in the fuckening, but everyone is welcome! Come gloat if you like.
When: All day.
Where: In the guard barracks, outside the castle, Yenh's hut, the inn.
Warnings: Will update as needed!



I. In and Around the Castle
[For the entirely-too-manyth in a row now the weather has been getting unrelentingly colder. So much so that he could barely think as he did his duties. It would do no good to lose his work or the possible trust he had earned with his diligence over this, but the temptation to abandon his post became increasingly difficult. During breakfast, if you are a fellow guard, Aymeric will be trying to get your attention. Maybe there is something they can do about their uniforms...? If you are not a guard, he will try to catch your attention anyway. He has requests to make in his miserable state.]

II. The Village
[Once his terrible, miserable shift is over he will run around the village with increasingly conspicuous supplies. First a couple blankets, then some buckets, and eventually he will be rolling a wooden bath down a road. He comes to Yenh's shack and knocks on the door with his arms very much full.]

III. The Inn
[Much later now, he finds himself at his familiar watering hole. Sure, it cost a lot more than drinking with the other guards in the castle, but the illusion of getting out of the Mistress' reach was well worth it. Here you will see him finally changed out of his guard uniform, but back in the clothing he arrived in. Terribly ironic that he was able to acquire some new clothes the very week it was too cold to wear any of them. He's back to looking very over-dressed and out of place. If you sit near him, he will offer you a drink and a warm, weary smile.]

Comments

II: Apparently Yenh's shack is a valid mingle location now, let's boogie people

[takenblack]

[Yenh answers; she's clad in her Shire coat and has apparently decided to wrap her bad blanket around her head as a cowl for warmth. The look of pleased surprise (and then just confusion) are evident all the same from within the curl of cloth.]

Lord Aymeric, good day- but what is all of this? [She immediately steps backward, figuring he might want to come in out of the wind, if nothing else.]

II: It's BYOB

[heiresy]

[As she steps back, he rolls the large tub into her small space, then sets it down properly.]

As I stood there for my guard duty, I thought about how cold I was, and I worried about you. This hut is hardly adequate shelter. I thought we might make a hot bath and try to patch the drafts.

[He allows a brief pause-]

And I thought I might trouble you for some remedies for skin burned by the cold. Those uniforms are particularly ill-suited to this weather.

[takenblack]

[Now that she has found herself the proud owner(??? borrower???) of a wooden tub that takes up a good chunk of the available floor, she truly has no way of knowing how to react.]

[At least not until he makes a request. Those she can do on autopilot, if need be.]

Oh! I don't have any for myself, much less you and Estinien, but lanolin always works wonders. Prices are higher than I rightfully feel like I should have to pay, considering I could make it myself. ...If I had the proper facilities.

[She glances over at the pile of discarded glass and clay containers she's scavenged, some of which contain plants and have been corked with either a literal cork, or whatever else she can stuff in the top.]

You could also... use oil? [She tries very valiantly not to think about Aymeric covered in oil.]

[heiresy]

Ah, good thinking. I'll gather some oil... Can't oils be used in baths?

[He was clearly out of his depths, but he was trying]

Estinien should be along as soon as he is able. Allow me to assist in procuring supplies until then. [he looks over her shire coat, checking for worn seams and fabric it just doesn't look warm enough...]

Are you cold, Yenh?

[takenblack]

[Do not think about the Lord Commander covered in oil]

[She blinks at his question, finding it completely absurd.]

A bit—but nothing compared to what you two are going through! I should rightfully be the one bringing you blankets and a warm bath with oils.

[DO NOT THINK ABOUT THE LORD COMMANDER COVERED IN OIL]

[She finds herself hoping she can get all of this pent-up energy out of her system with the contest. Very belatedly, the Warrior of Light gives him an awkward smile.]

[heiresy]

We will all share in the fruits of our labor together. [As he vaguely gestures towards the bath]

Forgive my forwardness, yet if I may lend you my coat for our excursion?

[He begins the needlessly complex bullshit involved with taking off his regal garb.]

[takenblack]

[There is absolutely no way he meant it the way she took it, so she lets it go. Surely he just means they're all going to take turns.]

[Yenh waves her hands at him, shaking her head.]

Truly! I appreciate your kindness, milord, but I shall be alright. I may not be shrouded in the Blessing of Light, but I'm still a dyed-in-the-wool adventurer. It takes more than cold to break me!

II

[dravanicide]

[Today happened to be an off day for Estinien, and as such he's taken to skulking around the roof tops in the village to pass the time. He didn't like people, interacting with them, being near them, you name it, he probably hates it. However, he isn't entirely opposed to watching the daily lives of people from above, far removed from them entirely.

And besides, if he saw something questionable happening, he could drop in and put a stop to it. Not that he actually cares too much about being a hero, it's merely something to do.

What does catch his eye before anything of that sort can transpire is Aymeric. He knew he had a shift, but didn't realize it was over already, but more interesting than that is what Aymeric seems to be doing. Or rolling down the path, anyway.

Following him for a bit overhead, making good use of his ability to hop from roof top to roof top with ease, he eventually leaps down and lands before Aymeric—with enough space so that he wouldn't barrel into him. Of course he's clad in his drachen mail, and he gives Aymeric a curious smirk.]

Have plans, Aymeric?

[A pointed glance to the wooden tub he's rolling.]

[heiresy]

[He stops rolling the huge wooden tub with just minimal effort.]

Just a few.

[He turns and smiles at his friend. He knows the gesture is essentially never mirrored, but that hasn't stopped in him ten years.]

I thought that I would pay Yenh a visit, that we might heal our wind-burned skin and ensure that she is in good health. The falling snow worries me. It reminds me of those bleakly quiet days after the calamity when Ishgard was blanketed in white. It sounds as if the people here have a method to deal with it, and we have no choice but to trust it.

[heiresy]

Ah, but there is no need for you to suffer either.

[a warm, very assured smile as he continues to take off his outer layer.]

It would please me if you would accept this until we come back.

[takenblack]

[Being the giant pushover she is, she sighs and returns his smile.]

Very well. 'Tis not like we'll be out long, either.

[She reaches out to accept the coat, wondering if Aymeric is committing some kind of ancient heresy by allowing her to even touch it.]

[heiresy]

[I mean, yes kind of, but in this instance whatever. The Holy See can't See shit]

[He wraps the coat around her, fastens it, and uses the sash to tie up what would otherwise drag on the floor. It looks tremendously silly and cute. He steps back to admire at his handiwork. He fails to keep a straight face as he turns his head and laughs into his hand]

You're... so small.

[takenblack]

[ She looks down at herself, as much feeling drowned in fabric as she looks. If she didn't know any better, she would think he did it on purpose. ]

[ She can't help but join him in laughter, even as she feels a little embarassed and confused. ]

That I am! Terribly astute of you, Lord Commander.

[ Yenh points dramatically to the door, her had momentarily emerging from the depths of the sleeve. ] Shall we?

[heiresy]

'Tis what they pay me for. [he places a hand on her upper back, suddenly feeling as though she might trip over all the fabric. How many Yenh's across were his shoulders? By the slack of the fabric it seemed to be about two, maybe two and a half.]

We shall. You're warm at least?

[He has to duck a little to get out of the low door frame. What miserable cabins...]

I understand not wanting to fall under the Mistress's direct supervision, yet... Still. I worry for you once the sun falls. Mayhap I could sneak you into the castle tonight- Or what if Estinien and I stand vigil for you? You would be warmer with two more bodies.

[takenblack]

I am. Thank you for your concerns.

[ Despite the biting cold, she feels her face warm. With a light laugh, she ventures: ]

May I speak bluntly, milord? [ She addresses the ground, being careful with where she puts her feet. It isn't her first robe rodeo, but they usually aren't so... generous. ]

[heiresy]

[He tilts his head curiously at her, partially to move into closer listening distance over this "bluntness"]

Of course you may, dear warrior. What is it?

[his hand remains on her shoulder, though his eyes scan the ground for the tripping hazard of a coat he had offered her.]

[takenblack]

[ She mulls over the best words in silence for a moment, and finally chances the best possible phrasing she can think of that isn't are you trying to make me the miqo'te filling of an elezen sandwich? ]

The locals aren't shy with their innuendo, nor with their blunt offers of companionship. I presume your full innocence, of course, but I've had my days too packed with such come-ons that I can't help but misread them in your generous offers, as well.

[ perfect. ]

[heiresy]

[...]

[oh]

[he is silent for a moment before he closes his eyes and nods.]

I... I can see where you gathered that from my words and actions. I fear this place has twisted my boundaries somewhat.

[he presses a fist to his mouth as he opens his eyes and continues moving.]

Please understand, I would never betray your trust in me that way.

[dravanicide]

[Estinien smiles. Sometimes. Well, smirks, but it's similar enough.]

Full sure am I she can take care of herself.

[A reply as cold as the wind that nips their skin, or at least someone who didn't know Estinien would likely think so.]

Aye, a method in which you attempted to partake.

[yeah. He read the listing, Aymeric. You ain't sly, even if you look like a fox.]

[takenblack]

[ She mouths the words, and then snorts. A plume of steam fluffs out of her nose. ]

Please make no mistake. I would trust you whether you'd carnal intentions for me or not.

[ Looking up at him, she smiles. ]

I tell you only so that I can stop seeing a hidden meaning behind every turn of phrase. I apologize for causing embarassment. [ She shrugs. ] And besides, I cannot possibly imagine Estinien having any personal interest, much less in me.

[heiresy]

[he presses his hand to his face, emitting a deep sigh. Worse than participating was losing in the first round.]

What was I to do? Leave it to others and merely pray that it would be taken care of?

[Big words for someone whose face was so red, really.]

[dravanicide]

You misunderstand, I am not judging you for attempting to play hero.

[There's a quirk to the corner of his mouth, as if he's trying not to smirk, but failing quite miserably.]

But to lose so quickly... that is quite another thing entirely. Here I had thought a man of your influence might stand a far greater chance.

[heiresy]

My thanks, then, for such a weighty trust.

[Well. That sure was some information. It's much easier to focus on the less personal, Estinien part of this.]

...Aye, Estinien's drives, those besides hunger and killing, are much dampened. The air of carnality here does little but irritate him, it seems.

[heiresy]

[Aaaaaaaaaauuugh]

I... preferred to take charge with him. I believe that was the main miscalculation. It had been going well...

[Aymeric's hand is still clamped onto his face, shielding all but one eye that can't even make eye contact with his friend.]

[dravanicide]

...Truly, you needn't disclose the details.

[That smirk has fallen to something closed to disgust. The last thing he needs is the details of Aymeric's defeat.]

Nevertheless, you perhaps should have gotten some practice in before hand—that was not solo training.

[Yeah Aymeric. Your jerking it keeps him up at night.]

Scarce can I blame you for any hesitance in that regard, however, 'tisn't as if we are offered a desirable bounty in which to select from.