thefeywood | give yourself a try

[ Being in the First for so long had really cemented a few things for Himeka. The first being that if it were at all possible to see the other realms? She would take it up in a heartbeat (risks be damned). The second was that whenever she was plagued with the threat of her home being under siege should they fail, it was not Sui-no-Sato that first came to mind--ever reclusive, mayhaps protected in many ways beneath the waves even from her own thoughts--but Ishgard. This strange city of ice and stone that had initially seen her as some sort of draconic misfortune became her new home away from home before long, and the people in it as close as family.

So of course it is to Ishgard that she drags the Scions' newest member. They are always telling her to rest and take some time for herself, but to Himeka that means getting up and going somewhere rather than sitting still. She spent the majority of her life within the same few malms of open sea, why would she want to waste every opportunity available to her now?

Luckily Coerthas borders Mor Dhonna so the trip itself isn't long. Himeka alternates between random and seemingly inconsequential anecdotes about her time as a Ward of House Fortemps and when she discovered the novelty of snowballs and snowmen, and going from one side to the other of the airship to point out different landmarks along the way. When not beholden to a pressing greater calling, it seems, she has plenty to say.

Once the airship docks, Himeka eagerly makes her way onto the landing, taking a moment to smile up towards the golden spires of Ishgard. Then she spins on her heel, motioning for G'raha to follow. ]

Come on, we're right next to the Astrologicum! You can meet Jannequinard if you're needing a confidence boost--oh! But be sure to attune to the Aetheryte. I got lost so many times when we first came here, it's like the streets literally wind on top of each other. Though I suppose getting lost is part of the genuine Ishgard experience.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Coerthas might be close to Mor Dhona, but G'raha wouldn't have minded a longer flight. He enjoys flying all on its own, and he especially enjoys it with Himeka's running commentary. It gives a personal context for the histories he's read, and he just plain enjoys listening to her.

He's been to Ishgard before, in a different future. He's looking forward to seeing it as Himeka knows it. Intact and alive. His gaze also drifts up towards the spires above as he disembarks. Not as tall or beautiful as those of the Crystal Tower, of course, yet his heart swells to see them nonetheless. It feels like a bit of concrete evidence that the terrible future he worked so hard to prevent truly has been averted. ]

You needn't worry too much about me getting lost. My sense of direction is actually quite good.

[ And, again, he has technically been here before, if not in this condition. Regardless, he attunes to the aetheryte shard as instructed. ]

Who is Jannequinard? I don't recall that name from the histories.

[ Himeka takes the steps respectfully at first, but the last few just beg to be taken two at a time until she takes a spot on the main street. She tilts her head to the side as she waits for G'raha to catch up, cocking a brow once he's close. ]

Then in the event we do wind up in circles, I'll let you take the lead.

[ Which may be bound to happen eventually, if purposefully. She does enjoy trying to discover all the one-way roads and winding alleyways that she can, safety be damned. ]

Jannequinard is from House Durendaire in the loosest fashion, I'm led to believe. Not in regards to blood, I mean, but in all Ishgardian proprieties. He is here really to just have a good time, but his heart is in the right place.

[ She says as she pats her own sternum. ]

I spent a good amount of time running back and forth from the Astrologicum. Though I should really be asking what you want to see first?

He sounds like quite the character.

[ What he wants to see first, though, gods. There are so many options in a city as laden with history as Ishgard. But there is one event that towers over the others in terms of historical significance: the climatic conclusion of the Dragonsong war. ]

Hmm, if it isn't too much trouble, I would like to see the Steps of Faith.

[ That's not technically in Ishgard, but, y'know, close enough? ]

Oh, he is. Never a dull moment!

[ Truthfully Jannequinard could be incredibly frustrating at times, but more on Leveva's side than Himeka's. She enjoys people watching quite a bit and to say that Jannequinard doesn't make things uniquely entertaining would be a bold-faced lie.

Her brows lift at the request and her expression sobers up just a little. The Steps of Faith, having since repaired and rebuilt from the last battle, but the stage for many prior. Himeka was, of course, thinking of all the more personal sites around the city, but when she considers it, it makes sense that he may want to see that particular place.

She nods with a gentler smile. ]

As long as you don't mind a bit of a walk. We're almost on the opposite side of the city.

[ With that, she starts to lead the way through the Pillars, past the Astrologicum and towards the western entrance to Foundation, leaving the more stately manors of the aristocracy behind them. ]

When you think about the Steps of Faith...what do you picture?

[ What he pictures? G'raha doesn't stop walking, but he brings a hand to his chin as he considers the question. ]

Well, it is a long stonework bridge, spanning the deep chasm that separates the city from the surrounding highlands. I imagine it must be quite the striking view when it's intact.

[ It wasn't, last time he was here. ]

And, of course, it was there that you finally laid to rest Nidhogg's quest for vengeance. A truly hard won battle, according to the histories.

[ Himeka nods--it's an adept description, really, and summarizes the basics, but when she thinks of the Steps of Faith she doesn't think of the stonework specifically, even if it is the imposing type of architecture that really introduces one to the styles of Ishgard. It's that chasm that opens up deep, deep down. So deep that the mists themselves create something of a lake of cool air that surrounds the city that juts up out of the mountains like a beacon.

It is truly a sight to behold. ]

It's starting to feel like each battle ends up like that.

[ She says with a smile, though looks a little contemplative as they continue their walk after that. ]

I don't know if we could have done it without Hraesvelgr--both him and his eye.

[ Watching the two dragons fight tooth and claw had been another sight for the ages. Nevermind that she got to borrow a little dragon fuel during the fight as well. ]

But when it was over you could literally feel the air around you change. It was as if all the hatred he felt was finally set free...

Not unlike when you defeated Emet-Selch and Elidibus. 'Tis one of your greatest talents, that ability to bring peace even to your enemies.

[ And just one of the many things he admires about her. ]

What was it like to borrow a dragon's power, if I may ask?

[ He spent a lot of time borrowing the Crystal Tower's power, but it wasn't a living, breathing thing in its own right. ]

To bring peace?

[ ...Huh. In many ways it has seemed like the greater her responsibilities, the more destruction she has caused in turn. Of course the goal has always been to help, but she really cannot turn a blind eye to the body count she has amassed over the years either.

It wasn't something she thought much of until the past year or so.

Himeka doesn't voice any of this. Instead, she just smiles, shoulders lifting. ]

I think I prefer that interpretation.

[ Of course he would find a nice way to spin it.

To his second question, she turns her gaze heavensward. ]

It was...invigorating. I understood that dragons are these great ancient creatures to some extent, and I knew what sort of havoc and destruction they could wreck if they wished to, but it wasn't until I held Hraesvelgr's eye that I really understood more of the gravity of what that meant. It was like...like being yourself and someone else at the same time. The rush of aether was more than I'd ever felt even when communing with the elementals. It was then I understood that I really didn't understand what it was to be a dragon until that moment, and why Ishgard had so ferociously wanted that power for themselves way back when.

[ She pauses, both in words and in step as the Gates themselves come into view. ]

...And why it would be such an overwhelming force to struggle against.

[ Why it had consumed Estinien so wholly. ]

give yourself a try

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Hello I am still here, sorry

no worries! i backtag indifinitely