V I G I L A N T

[viigilxnce]

MUSE LIST

Firmalbert

Cirina Mol

[milesducemdominus]

"Directions is a good place to start." Mayhap he really was getting too overexcited about the endeavour. Ah, but he could not recall the last time he had left Coerthas, especially not as far as this; while Aymeric had to remember that he was there on business - - he didn't want to return to their homeland without experiencing as much as they could while there, in the Far East.

With a glance towards his company, the Commander offered a sympathetic, apologetic smile. Indeed, he ought behave and get their most important intents out of the way first and foremost lest his dear companion suffer an aneurism.

"Let us find our way straight there then, my friend."

[viigilxnce]

There was an air of relief from Firmalbert when Aymeric relented and agreed to head straight to the Ijin district. Of course, he wasn't blind to the apologetic smile, either. Sometimes he wished he wasn't so serious all the time, but there was a lot of pressure here. His task was to keep Aymeric safe... Not to dictate or even suggest that the Lord Commander keep on track. A less kind person would have likely fired him by now, or worse, for stepping so far out of line.

That Aymeric referred to him as 'friend' was a testament to that kindness - and an honor in and of itself.

It takes naught but a few questions at a local food stall to get directions to their destination. Firmalbert was discreet as well, with a transaction made to acquire some local cuisine. At the very least, it wouldn't do for the Lord Commander to conduct business on an empty stomach.

He returns with the food, and offers some to Aymeric - something certainly deep fried, and fresh.

"The vendor has given me proper directions, and I had a thought to buy something to eat. He called it Kushiage." He pauses, glancing off to the side in an attempt to hide his flustering. "We can eat as we walk. It shouldn't be too far from here."

[mrlarkstin]

Elezen players should reblog this with their Elezen so I can look at more pretty elves. ♥

[viigilxnce]

Local Ishgard guardsman gets a makeover, more at 7 uwu

[viigilxnce]

I'd like to add a Third Muse here. What do y'all think?

Fordola

Allie

Foulques

(likely humanized) Nidhogg

Voting ended onApr 3, 2024

[viigilxnce]

So it’s a tie between foulques and nidhogg. The reasonable solution to this is to obviously add them both uwu

[viigilxnce]

I'd like to add a Third Muse here. What do y'all think?

Fordola

Allie

Foulques

(likely humanized) Nidhogg

Voting ended onApr 3, 2024

[milesducemdominus]

"If in doubt, I'm certain we shall find someone to ask within the Markets, yes?" He finds his spirits dampened not as they wander further into the city itself - eyes unable to tear away from the beauteous sights before them, bright colours certainly a vast contrast to the grey stone and snows of Coerthas.

"Mayhap we ought purchase some clothing while we are within the markets. I do rather enjoy the idea of learning more of the customs here while partaking." An exciting prospect, in truth! There was very little reason for either of them to be so heavily clad in armour as they were. It wasn't as if an ancient dragon was going to tear through the heavens at them while they were there. Or some-such similar disaster.

[viigilxnce]

The market itself was impressive. Much more lively and colorful than what he was used to in Ishgard. Vendors shouted their pitch to the people walking through, the scent of the local cuisine wafted through the air and reminded him that they hadn't eaten since that morning, before the ship docked.

So long as no trouble presented itself, then maybe they could get away with a peek at what Kugane had to offer.

"I.. very well, Lord Commander. Just do not forget that our patrons expect our timely arrival. I've no doubt that word of our docking has reached them already." Way to sound like a right stick-in-the-mud, Firmalbert. "...I will ask for directions, in the meantime."

[milesducemdominus]

"Ever do I have faith in you, my friend." Aymeric's smile remained upon his expression, even as they began to move through the docks and into the beauty of the city itself. Eyes were wide with wonder, an excitement thrumming within his chest - - but one couldn't deny the uncertainty nestled there, too. They were so very far from home, from everything they knew... with such responsibility placed unto shoulders.

"Mayhap the baths will do us some good. Some say that the waters here offer healing." Perhaps it was naught more than a legend, of sorts, but it bought comfort to his aching, tired bones regardless. Perhaps it would be a nice way to end the evening--

"Which way do you suppose we ought go-? I'm afraid my sense of direction is oft somewhat backwards."

[viigilxnce]

The rumor that the waters possessed healing properties was certainly superstition. Though Firmalbert kept his mouth shut with that opinion. The last thing he wanted was for one wrong person to hear that and take offense. Being here was like walking on eggshells, it felt.

"..I'm afraid I have no more directional knowledge of this place than you do, Lord Commander." Maybe he should have studied a map before they arrived. That would have been smart. "All I know is that it's on the opposite end of the city. I assume we would be close once we pass through the market..?"

He could lead the way through the main plaza well enough at least. Over the bridge and certainly the market would be just past there. He only hoped that they could pass through with no distractions.

[milesducemdominus]

The Ijin district. Aymeric recalled the mention within the brief he had read ere they had departed Ishgard but it had fallen to the back of his consciousness in lieu of the beauteous sights and excitement belonging to their very arrival in a new place. Oh, how beauteous everything was - so bright in colour, so rich in new smells and experiences. His dear heart could scarce take it, having been duty-bound to the snows for as long as he had, he had nigh forgotten how much there was to experience elsewhere 'pon their star.

Aymeric takes pause, however; the brief cessation of movement allowed for him to turn to his company, place a gentle hand upon his shoulder and offer what he would hope to be a reassuring smile.

"The air is nigh ripe with your tension, my friend. Pray, try to relax and enjoy yourself. It would be remiss of us to appear uncomfortable to our noble hosts, would it not?" His smile never once falters, the warmth within his person forever present. Since they were there, they ought enjoy as much as they could. Evidently, their business would have to come first but considering how far they had come and for how long they had travelled... they would gain much morale from a little exploration.

"Mayhap we ought explore the market district once business for the day has concluded."

[viigilxnce]

Firmalbert would pretend that the hand on his shoulder didn't make him jump. It was difficult to remain so upbeat when he was in such an unfamiliar place, but even so, there were expectations that he needed to meet, and so far he wasn't doing such a great job.

"Easier said than done, Lord Commander; but I will try."

For such an unfamiliar place, though, even he couldn't deny that his curiosity was just as strong as his caution. The culture here was so different compared to the cold stone of Ishgard. The suggestion had his brows raising slightly in thought.

"...Mayhap, so long as we are back at the inn by nightfall." He had to wonder how Aymeric wasn't so fatigued from the travel as Firmalbert himself was. Maybe he hid it better. Maybe his intrigue was the overpowering motive.

Though most notably was the intrigue that the natives seemed to have in them. He had not spied a single Elezen native since their arrival, and it was hard not to feel every single pair of eyes on them as they passed through the city. He hoped at least that the less-than-well meaning people would avoid them. The last thing they needed was a potential diplomatic incident before their business here even began.

[milesducemdominus]

"Ah-- how right you are." Aymeric's gaze briefly turns to his dear companion, offering a softened smile. Truly, with Lucia in Garlemald and Handeloup holding the fort back in Ishgard, it was an easy choice to bring along Firmalbert to keep him on track.

Aymeric may have been entirely duty-bound every day of his life, but he couldn't deny that there were just some things that dragged his mind away from that - and the rare occurrence of seeing somewhere to rich in history and culture... well, it was overwhelming in the very least. How could one resist?

"Then we ought check ourselves into the inn and go from there, yes?" He rolls a shoulder, still unable to tear his eyes away from any of their surroundings. Finding their place of rest, however, would prove to be an event in and of itself.

[viigilxnce]

Firmalbert recalled the day that he was called into the Lord Commander's office. Though he worked so close to the headquarters, Firmalbert himself had rarely been partial to the details. His job was to guard the entrance - and guard it well, he did. Or at least he thought so.

He'll choose to ignore some of the harder days where he may or may not have accidentally dozed while standing up. Nobody had to know, least of all the Lord Commander himself.

"Aye, once checked in, we were instructed to meet our host in the Ijin District, where I'm sure your business will begin." And where he would like as not resume his guard duties, he was certain.

Firmalbert did his best not to gawp at the tall building and winding stairs as they entered the city proper. Thankfully, reaching the inn wasn't too hard a task, though he wished they didn't need to cross half the city to get there; and he mourned that their next destination was even further of a walk.

It left him ample time to stress about the potential for ambushes, assassination attempts, thugs seeking to assault and rob them-

[milesducemdominus]

"'T is always for business, is it not--?" He falls so silence for a moment longer, the armoured base of his boots 'pon the pier slow in their pacing for he wished to allow as much time as possible to graze his eyes across the utter beauty of the sights before them. "But there is no harm in enjoying the sights while we are here. 'T is not every day one travels as far as this. It would be nigh a crime to not enjoy ourselves betwixt business."

"Are you not the tiniest bit intrigued?" He pauses his stepping once feet reach solid stone, adoring the sights of architecture. "I hear the hot springs are wonderful for past wounds."

[viigilxnce]

He couldn't blame Aymeric for having such a view on things. The Lord Commander was always prone to the allure of adventure. Of course, it was proven time and time again that he could certainly defend himself, but Firmalbert's mission was to ensure his safety. He had no idea what to expect of a place like this. So, he was tense. Okay maybe more than tense. Still.

"I'll have time to be intrigued when we've settled in - safely." He responds, still maintaining his position by Aymeric's side, and.. definitely not wondering if this promotion was worth it.

[milesducemdominus]

@kolak-magiya || LIKED for a STARTER

"I'm glad you came along with me. To finally see Kugane is truly a blessing." His eyes can scarcely draw everything in at once, the joy he feels nestled within his heart one he cannot hope to drescribe. Ah - - all of the bright colours, the beauty - - its so very contrasting to the monochromatic nature of his dear home.

[viigilxnce]

That Kugane was a contrast to Ishgard was mayhap the understatement of the Era. The ocean trip was long and quite grueling but they had made it without much incident (praise Halone).

Despite the awestruck air that came over him, the other man stood rigid and alert by Aymeric's side.

"Indeed, though do not forget that we are here on business, Lord Commander, not pleasure."

True to his nature, Firmalbert remained ever vigilant and protective of the other man. They were in a strange land and he wouldn't allow any harm to come to the Lord Commander. The time to relax would come later.

[viigilxnce]

Cirina my love......

[viigilxnce]

Put my boy through some minor adjustments and he has no right being this handsome...