Mistletoe

[finalsteps]

Because I’m mobile, please imagine a gif of mistletoe.

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Aymeric de Borel | post-reverie

[peacetalks]

[finalsteps]

[ 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.]

[peacetalks]

[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]

... Estinien...?

[finalsteps]

Working late even on Starlight Eve, are we? Did you forget that I told you I would come?

[ The tone is light, and he just smiles. He pushes himself off of the balcony railing and walks towards Aymeric. ]

You should really not look this surprised.

[ He reaches a hand out to brush along Aymeric’s cheek. ]

1/2

[peacetalks]

I...

[aymeric is at a loss for words for a moment, quietly captivated by estinien's presence and his hand on his cheek]

[peacetalks]

[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?

[finalsteps]

Not long. Just long enough to notice you weren’t home. I thought to stoke your fire, but your attendant came up.

[He nods his head towards the cup of cocoa that he had. The butler probably thought us he was cold.]

Have you eaten?

[peacetalks]

[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]

[finalsteps]

I can forgive it.

[ He leans into the forehead touches. ]

Would you like to go to the kitchen?

[ A quiet offer to help him cook something. ]

[peacetalks]

[softly]

Aye. Pray allow me a moment's respite here, first. I have missed your scent.

Re: Aymeric de Borel | post-reverie

[menphina]

[ 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... ]

[peacetalks]

[perhaps she'll feel the weight of a warm karakul blanket being draped over her instead, as aymeric enters the room quietly]

Meihmi?

[he speaks softly, not trying to startle her out of sleep]

[menphina]

Mrrrp?


[ She sleepily makes a little activation noise, ears flicking up and she rubs her eyes. Nyan style. ]

Aymerrric's going to be home soon...

[peacetalks]

[he can't help but smile at that. he loves her meihmiisms]

Soon, aye. And what then?

[menphina]

Then I'm going to... put 'im in my mouth...



[ Wait, who is she talking to? It's not the housekeeper- Her eyes fly open and she blinks a few times before nearly jumping. ]

Ack!!! When did you get back?!

[peacetalks]

[he chuckles]

Just a few minutes ago. You looked so peaceful, I did not wish to disturb you. Forgive me for my tardiness, I lost track of the hours.

[menphina]

[ She puffs her cheeks and opens her arms to pull him in as she sits up. Onto her LAP. ]


You took your own time! I was waiting to surprise you! The children have been asleep for bells and I was all alone here.

Megumi/Meihmi Jomalah | post-reverie

[menphina]

[finalsteps]

[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. ]

[menphina]

[ 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. ]

Leaving so soon already, Ser?

[finalsteps]

Aye, you aren’t supposed to see the Saint of Starlight, right?

[ It’s a weak excuse for saying he was just going to leave without saying hello.

He’s clearly going to be staying a while now, and maybe he figures he was a little rude to disappear without a word back in Radz at Han.]

[menphina]

Lucky me, I found one of his helpers instead.


[ If Estinien gets trapped under the mistletoe, that's not her fault. ]

You ran away so soon.

[finalsteps]

I did, didn’t I?

[ He is already trapped! With gifts! So he’s going to just, shuffle.]

Did you enchant that plant?

[Looking above his head. ]

[menphina]

[ She nods with a bright smile. ]


Aye! They're meant to keep an older person under them until a condition is fulfilled. Clever, isn't it? Thought I'd catch an escaping dragoon with it.


[ She comes over, moving her arms around his waist. ]

I expected you, you know.

[finalsteps]

I knew you would be, had to take my chances.

[ He just chuckles under his breath. Winding an arm around them.]

And what condition should I have to fulfill to be free?