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starhuevalley2018-07-20 02:30 am
01 - A Knight at the Beach -
What: Ocean frolicking. Shell collecting. S'more snacking. Star gazing.
When: All week. Next week. Haurchefant is always on the beach.
Other information: I will tread ever so carefully when it comes to FFXIV spoilers. But maybe some. Be careful.
It's hot. Haurchefant has heard stories of the sweltering heats in the deserts of Ul'dah and he suspects that it must be something akin to this. For someone who has grown somewhat acclimated to the ice and snow and the often below freezing temperatures of Coerthas... this is a dramatic change of pace.
There is a positive to all of this however. The ocean! It is a most splendid wonder. A beautiful shimmering ever moving jewel. The ocean waters were both too far and much too cold for him to ever dream of stepping a toe in but this one? It's simply splendid!
When dusk hits and the air itself cools off a bit the ocean is delightfully chilly and that seems like the best time for someone like him.
You'll likely find Haucherfant there most nights. He hasn't been here long enough to be considered a staple there but he's well on his way.
Seashells by the Seashore
It's like an unspoken treasure hunt. Each wave brings all sorts of curiosities. Shells mostly, of course. And they are of all sorts but so many he simply isn't familiar with. He even finds some star shaped creatures that are so utterly sublime! Sea creatures, that are as far away from the sky as you can get, in the shape of stars.
That's beautiful.
But there are plenty that he does know. Like washed up oysters. Or perhaps clams? He can't tell the difference. Is there a difference? Either way both can be considered tasty. And perhaps they are full of those ever precious pearls. A fine gift for any number of people.
But on top of that he's found all sorts of things that don't belong in the ocean. Or at least he certainly doesn't think so. Like... This clock on a leather band. And these cracked glasses. And these bottles! He's got a whole little pile of discovered treasures... or... trash. It's actually just trash.
Do you want to build a campfire?
Too bad. It's already done. But that's less work for you and more enjoyable fireside time. Warm as he is the light is necessary and a fierce breeze on a cool night does offer a chill. So best to keep cozy. It's no hearth in his keep but it is a fine replacement.
But even better. He has been told of a most splendid treat. S'mores! A sugared cracker. A piece of chocolate and some white blob create a most decedent piece of food. It feels so sinful yet delightfully delicious. (Which is kind of his thing.)
But there is plenty to share if you're feeling that late night sweet tooth.
Star Light Star Bright
This is not a sky he recognizes. If he was an Astrologian he'd be having a most dreadful time. There is no dragon star to pinpoint the rest of the sky with or anything like that. It's as much mystery as the rest of this place is. And there is something fascinating but altogether sad about that.
He could not see the sky too often in Ishgard or Camp Dragonhead. It's always snowing or grey storm clouds are billowing in. To see the endless pool of stars was a rare and fine treat. And he worked hard in his studies as a boy to be able to name them all. But this? This he does not know.
Beautiful as it is...
Well. He hasn't allowed himself to dwell too much on the future and what it might entail. What he may and may not see again. Nor the fact that no one will remember anything that has taken place. All these heart felt and sincere words will not remain for those that need them the most. And that is truly whom he worries for. The ones that needed to hear from him. They will be returned with the same burdens of the heart.
It leave the knight quite melancholy on this starlit evening.
no subject
Would that he could see it for himself... And that is exactly what she offers him. And at first he's eager to take it but then quickly reigns himself back in. He has heard bits and pieces of what is going on. But hearing and knowing is different than actually seeing the world without you in it anymore. And perhaps there are some things that should not be witnessed by the dead.
"Tempting as it is... perhaps not." He lowers his gaze for but a moment. "But maybe you could offer me some other information. I am curious, with all that is going on in Ishgard at present, the state of my family. Is my father well?"
no subject
"Your father remains in good health and I speak with him often. We, my party and I, consider those of House Fortemps family and so we all endeavour to stop by whenever we are in Ishgard. He has certainly been less stressed as of late, he has finally given Artoirel most of his duties and has decided to spend his newly gained free time to write a book."
She grins somewhat impishly at Haurchefant. "I think you would like it, it is a rather heroic affair. There's this one man in it, a bastard son of a noble house who rises to the rank of Knight who helps a bunch of foreign Warriors save his home and becomes a hero."
She chuckles, "Emmanellain is being whipped into shape despite himself. He is now overseeing Camp Dragonhead for you and he is very determined to make you proud."
no subject
He perks up at the mention of a book. His father is writing one? Before he can even ask what it might be about she tells him.
And honestly... The rest of what is said is so very much to take in and process that he's not certain she's being truthful to him. But it seems like a strange thing to make up.
"My father is writing a book about the Warrior of Light..." That makes more sense. And he would be someone who would be in that tale. That's something he can manage to process a bit better.
Emmanellain though. That one he needs to take a deep calming breath for. Emmanellain running Camp Dragonhead. That makes him nervous... but there are good people that will guide him and if he sits at the desk and does the paperwork he should be fine. He'll be safe and well. His comrades at the keep will look after his brother.
But...
"I think our homes might be a little askew from one another, my friend. Some of this doesn't sound quite right."
Emmanellain would have no reason to try and make him proud. His opinion about anything to his brothers, to his father's trueborn sons, has never meant a thing to them and it never will. Why Emmanellain would strive for anything in his name is a baffling concept to say the least.
no subject
Oh, she sees the look on his face at the mention of Emmanellain, the slight twitch of worry and she can't help but let out a snort of laughter. "Yes that was our collective reaction to that news at first but who better than your men to knock an ilm of sense and responsibility into that boy? He has even stopped calling me Old Girl whenever he greets me, which has been a gods send."
Q'uila reaches across and places her hand on his shoulder. "I would think not, I feel it in my soul that this is the same in your home for your actions were the same were they not? Your deeds shamed a good many people in the wake of all that had happened and your brothers were not exempt from this 'Tis the thing about a loss is it not? Most do not recognise the exact nature of that person and themselves until they are gone."
no subject
To be placed in the same category does not seem fitting. He has done naught to earn the title. But it is flattering and he won't rebuff it though he probably should.
And the soft blows against his heart continue. It is only through loss that you realize some of the more important things but it is much too late to act upon them... It's a shame that things work out that way. Growing up in that manor... all he wanted was them to be his friends. Just friends. They didn't need to see him as their brother but maybe friends. After a while he knew it would just never be. After so eagerly introducing the Warrior of Light to them they were swift to offer the reminder that they were the trueborn sons so there couldn't possibly be any confusion despite the fact that he holds not the family name.
It seemed hopeless to expect to be a part of their lives to any great degree. Harder still to believe that he could ever hold a meaningful place in it.
And it is frustrating, to a small degree, that it is in death that they have now hold regrets towards the way things were. But... he mostly is grateful that even though it is too late for him to experience it personally he is finally part of their family.
"No one has told me this... So I sincerely thank you." Truly... He is so very thankful to know of this. Would that things could be different but as they are will have to do. It's enough. "Pray forgive me for I have been most selfish with my questions about myself. I do very much wish to hear about your home and how you were blessed with so many Warriors of Light." He must move on from this topic or he'll be driven to grief in front of a near stranger and that will not do. Wet eyes and shaky hands can be hidden and surely her exciting story with so many great Warriors will ease the sorrow away temporarily.
no subject
"I cannot speak for the others but for me, it all started around four years after the Calamity. Before I had been a Hunter for my clan, going around La Noscea gathering fur and meat from the wildlife found there to be used in crafting or cooking by the clan. But then I started to feel this...itch, like I needed to be going somewhere else."
Her gaze drifts back to the fire as she thinks back, "I spoke with my mother and sire and set out to the Lancer's Guild in Gridania the next morning. I trained, and git permission to hunt to supply the Leatherworkers Guild and it was during my time there that I became acquainted with two Lalafells from Ul'Dah called Connor and Pinya." Q'uila chuckles, "They could not stand each other. I swear to the Twelve that as soon as they had to spend even a moment alone together they would start arguing."
"On one of our trips out into the Shroud, we were asked to look into some trouble by Lifemend Stump and it was there we had our first encounter with an Ascian. With the aid of Papalymo and Lyse, we were able to take down the creature summoned by the Ascian and word of this got back to the Elderseedseer."
She shifts slightly, leaning bad a bit and shakes out the foot that was starting to go a bit dead. "Kan-E-Sanna asked us to represent Gridania, one of us from the three main Guilds, and visit the other city-states. It was then that we started crossing paths with some other Adventurers; Felih, an Archanist, and Sami, a Marauder. It took the Scions summoning us all to Vesper Bay to realise that we all possessed the same gift and that we had each been headhunted by various members of their order."
no subject
Oh. But one name actually rings familiar in her list of brave adventures much to his surprise.
"I have recently met Felih. He is determined to help me learn how to swim..." He laughs as that's really the only part he can laugh at. Otherwise it was a sad tale that did truly break my heart. Truth be told he feels a bit guilty for running into him at all as it would probably be best if they had not crossed paths. But if after all the tears some true joy was found maybe that's enough. He simply hopes he did more good than harm to the broken hearted hero.
"But your tale, aside from being in Gridania and which Scion you befriended it rings familiar with the tale of the Warrior of Light that I know. It's ever interesting how these things come about and fall into place. Our worlds are like slightly fractured mirrors. Near perfect reflections with only the slightest differences. "
no subject
"That sounds like Felih, my brother had always wanted to take you to the La Noscean shores. You are not our Haurchefant but I know you were undoubtedly kind to him and for that I thank you. I also apologise, 'tis not a burden you should have to carry."
She nods at his assessment. "It certainly is seeming that way, it is enough to make you wonder if we ever truly had any choice or if we are more akin to actors in a scripted play." She shakes her head, "Forgive me, that is a more maudlin train of thought than I want to pursue this evening."
no subject
"Would that I could help him more but... I am a bit torn on how to proceed. It's difficult to explain but I somewhat fear as being seen as a different version of myself. I am just Haurchefant, who danced a similar dance with a different Warrior of Light but that Warrior was not him..."
He cannot be what Felih once knew or had. Nor does he want to replace what was there without it being justly earned. Which is a lot considering it's all him to some degree but... He knows this is how it must be to protect not just for himself but that poor Warrior of Light as well.
"But he is quite charming and kind... An ever remarkable Warrior of Light."