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

[mostsplendid]

Of course, should Cehd'ra ever make that journey it would be too late to meet the Elezen he is currently speaking with. But the picture that hangs above the desk and the people that remain would tell him all that he needs to. There is also an eager half brother who longs to right previous errors with tales of younger years and with a desire to uphold the standards that have been set. Despite its great loss Camp Dragonhead finds a way to maintain its warmth. So while Cehd'ra may not cross what he's looking for exactly he will find so much more in Coerthas.

At those words though Haurchefant starts and then eagerly reaches out to take the offered hand. So many people stop by the fire these nights so there's no excuse in forgetting formalities.

"My apologies! I am Haurchefant Greystone of House Fortemps. It is ever a pleasure to make your acquaintance. And I thank you for your kind company this evening. The stars shine brighter when you have someone to admire them with, or so I've always thought."

[stabbersinyerfambles]

"Ah, nothing to apologize for," Cehd'ra tells him, gripping Haruchefant's larger hand with his own gloved one. "I was the one who joined you, pretty sure that means it was on me to do the introducing first."

Is that how it works? Cehd'ra honestly doesn't know if there's a proper way. Haurchefant probably does, apparently being nobility and all. Still it doesn't seem right to let the elezen apologize for anything.

"And you're welcome, I'm glad I did," he adds. Withdrawing his hand he looks back up at the stars in question, his smile turning rueful. "'Been keeping to myself too much. This has been a nice change of pace."

He really does need to make more friends...is it too soon to call Haurchefant that? Haurchefant used the word 'friend' from the moment he'd sat down but that's just the elezen being polite. The miqo'te looks across at the man, curious and trying not to come across as too openly hopeful.

"Maybe we'll do it again some time."

[mostsplendid]

Perhaps that's true but it is proper to ask for names before getting too involved. And he went on and on with the Warrior of Light and all. Ah well... a place like this doesn't seem to need such proper decorum it seems.

"Oh? I would love if you stopped by again. While I slowly adjust to the heat I will happily be spending my nights by this beach. I'll be quite easy to find I think. I will be sure to have snacks next time for my future guests. I hope for many more meetings, my friend. Perhaps in the day light hours as well... Have you put any thought into what you're going to be doing here or how long you intend to stay?"

An innocent question but he does want to know people's plans. Many Warriors of Light say they intend to stay a while with a vague indefinite answer. That's fine... but... Well, it's not as if he can go so he wants to get a feel for who might be long term neighbors.

[stabbersinyerfambles]

There's a joke in there about the average elezen's height making them especially easy to find. A fang peeks out over Cehd'ra's bottom lip as he bites down the urge to actually say it. Could Haurchefant handle some friendly teasing? Probably he could, but at the same time he's somehow too sweet for Cehd'ra to want to risk it.

"Absolutely, though I usually sleep most of the day we could figure something out. Maybe a morning or evening visit," he says. The troubles of being a Keeper and making friends who are not.

"As for my plans...right now? I don't intend to leave this place unless I have to. My farm has a river running through it so most of the coin I make from that has been fishing but I'm working on getting some beehives going too. Other than that I work as an officer and--"

And he patrols at night. Which is what he was doing before coming down to the beach. It was supposed to be a quick break but he's been here talking to Haurchefant for...how long has it been?

"...shite, I'm supposed to be working."