01 - A Knight at the Beach -

[mostsplendid]

Who: Haurchefant Greystone and you
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.

Comments

[astralera]

She lets her sobs die down into sniffles and little coughs, listening to Haurchefant's voice and words until finally she is settled again. Era's head aches and she feels drained, but there is a weight lifted from her shoulders.

"I remember when you first saw my horns and scales." It is easier to say 'you' rather than 'my Haurchefant', and so she will continue to do so. "I remember how your eyes widened so and you were so very surprised, even though I knew you were aware of what I was."

She sniffs, hiccuping slightly. "You were happy that I trusted you enough to show you. You were the first person to say they were beautiful."

Rubbing at her face, Era exhales. Relieves some of the lingering tightness in her chest. Leans into the gentle pressure of Haurchefant's fingers on her horns.

"The Ishgard I left behind - my Ishgard - grew accepting of me once the war was over, though still there were those that would trip me in the markets like children, or spit at my feet. After befriending Midgardsormr and Hraesvelgr's brood, any implications that they are my ancestors have made me proud. It is funny there are those who would still think it an insult to me when dragons are so beautiful."

She cannot say much on the slaughter of 'her' people. Au Ra is her race, but they have never been her people. Her people are the ones she's fought alongside. The ones she's saved. The ones she has yet to save. All people are her people.

"The Warrior of Light of the world I found myself in last... She was a Miqo'te woman named Rose with hair as red as her namesake. It took her weeks, but she came to rescue me." Rescue her from what she does not say, but Haurchefant is likely aware. "She shouldn't have come."

Era thought she was done with the tears, and yet finds her eyes overflowing once more. "I remember her dying in my arms. It was just like- Like in the Vault. There was nothing I could do. I could not even save myself. But then everything hurt." She shudders at the memory, however hazy it is. "And then Rose was alive and... And Seraph slaughtered all those who hurt us for so long.

"But I do not know if Rose lived, in the end. Or if she hates me now for what I did. I collapsed and woke up on the bus and I don't know, Haurchefant."