You know I have to ask—Quinn’s thoughts on Estinien
Oh Estinien…ohohoho Estinien….
Her memory of HW Estinien is a little fuzzy (ie: I need to replay HW to remember actual details) but they were on amicable terms for the most part, both fighting for the same cause and all that. Quinn understood Estinien’s need for vengeance, but she detested being seen as his equal by Aymeric (or at least, she assumed he alluded to that).
They did have a very short conversation post-Vault while Aymeric was being tended to by the chirurgeons for his wounds. Estinien had some…odd words of encouragement for her and actually helped her in her grief over Haurchefant. (once I replay HW, I will write this scene)
So, throughout Stormblood her view of Estinien was that of a man who was going through his own growth and she respected him for that, if not sort of looked up to him for it. She appreciated his work in being an intermediary between man and dragon and really had nothing but praises for him. They never really interacted directly though, and as far as Estinien was concerned Quinn was the same Quinn that she was in Heavensward.
Which is…a very different Quinn. A less tame Quinn. A loud and boisterous and drunk and promiscuous Quinn…
So post-Shadowbringers Quinn and Aymeric finally open up about their courtship and intent for marriage. Estinien learns about this and, is quite frankly, unimpressed with Aymeric’s choice in partner. Quinn is confused as to all hell why Estinien is so sour towards her, even going so far as to be dragged to their official ceremony in the Vault right before the events of 5.5 and not staying for the afterparty.
Then he becomes a Scion, and Quinn returns his feelings towards her by being equally sour and almost bullying and annoying him like a little sister would. He’s Aymeric’s best friend! It’s totally fine. And she’s being playful about it. But she holds less animosity towards him as he does to her.
She even chooses to invite him into her room before they travel to Ultima Thule, to which they have a pow-wow concerning Aymeric, and Quinn concedes that if she is Aymeric’s sun, Estinien is his moon. (Translation: We’re both important to him, so neither of us can die on this mission).
It’s definitely a big brother – little sister relationship up until the end of 6.0, where Estinien finally has respect for Quinn after all she had done for the star. She wasn’t the little drunken whore that she was when they first met, and he finally admits that she’s a stalwart ally.
While the patches aren’t necessarily canon, between 6.0 and 7.0, Quinn and Estinien have a good relationship with each other. They’re back to being amicable, but there’s still an air of tension between them that’s almost indescribable. They are like oil and water, much to Aymeric’s disappointment.
But they’re also like friendly rivals all the same. They’re Aymeric’s left and right hand.