[Twas the night before Starlight, when all through the house. Not a creature was stirring, not even Megumi’s little babies.
Estinien didn’t plan on staying long honestly, just long enough to drop off gifts for Megumi and her children and disappear again. It’s his MO, anyways. Whether he succeeds depends on whether he’s come late enough to go unnoticed. If his Megumi is awake, it’s over for him.
His steps are careful, but this certainly leaves room for error! Also it leaves room for not noticing the mistletoe above the doorstep too. ]
[ Estinien can’t be normal. Not even on the eve of Starlight. He’s promised Aymeric that he would come by, but didn’t tell him when or where or how.
The balcony was always his favorite spot in the Borel manor, and it remains to be true. On this chilly eve he’s climbed to the balcony, awaiting the return of his overworked partner. He could go stoke the fire inside, but it’s more fun watching the streets below anyways.]
[ Yet a catte was stirring, having teleported back. To tuck in her children after giving them many snacks. Her adventures had taken her to the far end of the void, but tonight she wanted something a lot more quiet.
And her husbands, her mates, were all over the place, one having vanished as soon as company came. So now, this Starlight moon, as the eve grows deeper-
She hopes her little enchanted mistletoe handles any late night creepers.
( Gottem. )
She smiles to herself as the barely heard footsteps stop the very silent dragoon, and she finally makes herself known, tapping a finger on her arm. ]
[starlight is one of aymeric's favorite holidays, and it isn't just because it's his de facto birthday. it's the one time of year that all ishgardians--highborn or lowborn, rich or poor, young or old--embrace a bit of the holiday spirit. the city streets are filled with lights and garlands and decor of all kinds, and children run about dressed as saint nymeia's helpers. so to say that borel manor is decorated for the holidays is like saying it might get a bit chilly in ishgard: it's a foregone conclusion. there are decorated trees and baubles everywhere, tinsel and garland and ribbons in every room, wrapped gifts for every member of the household and then some awaiting by the fireplace, and of course--mistletoe hanging above every doorway.
despite all of that festiveness, on the eve of starlight, the house is conspicuously quiet. having sent his servants home early, it seems aymeric fully intended to spend a solitary starlight by himself and his cat, ser clawdien--and yet the man himself is nowhere to be found.
until the front door of the manor closes, and the sound of aymeric's footsteps and weary sigh faintly echo upstairs to estinien's ears. neither starlight nor his own birthday can stop the lord commander from working late, it seems. after a few moments, the sound of aymeric climbing the stairs to his bedroom heralds his arrival, and as soon as the door is open he stops and stares, eyes wide in surprise]
[until his eyes crinkle in warmth and adoration, and he covers estinien's hand with his own, smiling]
Forgive me, it had slipped my mind. I had just returned from finishing some last-minute paperwork, and the time crept away from me... have I kept you waiting long?
[ The kids are asleep, and she's dressed all warm and adorable while she's waiting for Aymeric to show up, but she is going to surprise him when he appears.
Only it's been so long that she's been up, and the fireplace is so warm, that she can't help but take a little nap. She'll hear Aymeric and Estinien return, surely... ]
[aymeric smiles at the cocoa--of course one of his servants would have come by to tidy up or prepare something for dinner even though he let everyone go home early]
Nay, not yet. I truly meant to come home much sooner...
[his eyes lower and he gently thunks his forehead on estinien's shoulder]
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