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That final comment was pointed, sharp, aimed right for his heart. It is rare that the insults be so candid, yet it is clear that Triaraut's feathers had been ruffled enough that he thought it warranted. He should have predicted as much when neither he nor Estinien had seen it fit to back down.

He could not have predicted Estinien's reaction, no matter how well Aymeric thinks he knows the man. Despite all that has been put upon him for appearances, Estinien has been on his absolute best behavior. Some of the mirth leaves his face as soon as that glass is lifted and he sees it all happen in slow motion. Wine splatters across Triaraut's face and the man in question is understandably even more shocked than Aymeric is.

If no one had been watching this confrontation before, they certainly were now. Conversations around them stopped immediately and there were several gasps as one of the (little) Lords of House Dzamael stood with wine dripping from his face.

Aymeric, looking a little dumbfounded, turns to Estinien with wide eyes and lips slightly ajar.

"How...how DARE you!"

The commotion has garnered more than a few onlookers. Aymeric can see some of the stationed House Fortemps' Knights moving forward to investigate out of the corners of his eyes. No, this will not look good on them at all, no matter how congenial their conversation had been with Count Edmont. Aymeric lightly squeezes the hand that still rests on Estinien's shoulder and gives a tug backwards.

"Pray excuse us...but do enjoy the wine!"

If Estinien will let him, Aymeric abandons the buffet entirely and starts leading the dragoon out of the banquet hall and out into the hallway proper, hopefully fast enough as to avoid the knights entirely. He speaks low to his friend,

"I think it best if we forego the dance, don't you?"

It's not so much that Estinien doesn't realize what he's doing until it's over - more that he doesn't fully think out the consequences until they have already begun. He supposes it makes sense, that a private argument is one thing, but throwing a drink is bound to draw the attention of everyone surrounding them. Yet, part of Estinien can't help but reason that Triaraut is fortunate that it was a drink and not a fist.

It's at this point, too, that Aymeric looks more shocked than pleased, which admittedly does something to dampen Estinien's spirits. Aymeric will manage to pull him part of the way back from the situation, but before they can fully escape, Estinien will stop him. The reality of the situation is catching up.

"Nay," he says, the stress of the situation beginning to match the anger in his gut. "I... have acted in haste, and my actions are mine own. I must stay to accept responsibility, lest they misconstrue the source of the disruption."

Not to mention, he keeps casting glances in the direction of the table they just left, and he's not sure it would be as simple as slipping out and pretending it never happened.

Estinien is a man who has never turned down in the face of opposition, and yet Aymeric still finds himself surprised and humbled in that instant. So he does not resist, only nodding in agreement. Truthfully Estinien has done more than Aymeric could have even asked for.

So as the crowd parts further and the Knights make their way towards the pair, Aymeric does offer the other man a smile, fond and genuine.

"You have my thanks, Estinien. Rightfully I ought not encourage it, but...'tis the first that someone stood in my defense. Whatever the outcome, I am yet by your side, my friend."

Estinien's gaze lingers on Aymeric, surprised to see that the man's appreciation seems to have already returned for reasons he can't fully comprehend at the moment. To Estinien, he feels like he must have only made it worse, but to heard Aymeric speak would make it seem otherwise.

Either way, after allowing his expression to fall to something worried and unsure, he finally girds himself and turns away. He crosses his arms as if preparing himself to enter a dispute.

"Well, don't let them drag you down with me," he murmurs and then proceeds to move forward to greet the knights without further resistance. He'll cast a glare towards Triaraut through the crowd, only to address that have started to gather with conjured confidence.

"Mine apologies," he says. "But Ser Triaraut's unseemly words have momentarily released me from my senses."

And that's where it starts.

As promised, Aymeric stays at Estinien's side the entire time. Though Aymeric is usually one to dictate conversations, especially if it were for his friend's benefit, he does allow Estinien to make his case uninterrupted, only offering his agreements to back up said claims. He does let it be known that Estinien had acted in his defense, not wanting to allow the full blame to fall on his shoulders. (Truly, it should fall on Triaraut's.)

The knights exchange a series of glances, a tilt of the head, a shrug. Such altercations are not unknown at these sorts of events, as Aymeric has told Estinien of in the past, but it does not mean the spectacle is authorized by the patrons. Some may turn a blind eye depending on the circumstances, but the way that Triaraut is clearly fuming as he cleans himself off, it would not end as a simple disagreement.

Unfortunately, House Dzamael, while not really a friend of Fortemps, does hold some sway in who stays or goes in the light of the other guests.

"...While we appreciate your server, Ser Dragoon, we're afraid that it would be best if you retired for the evening."

After giving his case and receiving the verdict, Estinien will simply nod and accept it without further complaint. It's better than he was expecting, truthfully - without really understanding the customs of these things, he'd half expected he might be arrested and left with a trial by combat looming on the horizon. When neither of those things happen, he's left to ruminate on his own foolishness.

So lost in his thoughts, he nearly fails to consider Aymeric's presence, though he's been there all along. He rises to the surface enough to acknowledge him, though his look is somewhat distant and preoccupied.

"It is time I depart," he says. "Pray, do not let me keep you from the rest of the evening. This was not your doing, and you should not lose out because of it."

Meanwhile, Estinien is heading towards the cloakroom

Aymeric does hold his breath for their request, glad that it is only that. Truly despite the status Estinien has gained as a dragoon, the High Houses are still of higher authority and an affront towards one of them could be taken much more seriously than a little wine to the face. Thank the Fury it does not come to that.

So, to Aymeric, this is a win. Yet he is once again a little baffled when Estinien takes his leave so quickly--leave of Aymeric. He watches his friend go and then shakes his head, bowing to the knights.

"As my guest for the evening, it is only fit that I also take my leave. Please express our apologies to Count Edmont. We do hope the disturbance does not cause undue stress for the rest of his guests."

Aymeric makes a point to trot down the hallway, catching up to Estinien as he is retrieving his coat. Once he does, Aymeric huffs at his friend, then nods to the servant who is manning the closet.

"Mine as well, if you would be so kind. 'Borel' is the name."

Estinien huffs in return, turning to look at Aymeric like he's just said something foolish. He crosses his arms, his brow furrowed with worry. Of course, it's not like he can go anywhere because he's still waiting for his coat, so all he can do is stand there and look bothered.

"Aymeric," he says more sharply. "...It would be unwise to forsake this opportunity. To have you leave on such a note would be..." He trails off because he's not even really sure. Inwardly, he may be catastrophizing the situation. "I would not have it be my doing."

If there is an opportunity for Aymeric to save face... he isn't sure. He doesn't know what anyone should be doing right now, and he feels very much untethered.

Aymeric crosses his arms as well, a silent challenge of his own in mirroring the posture. The stern tone behind Estinien's reply does not deter him at this venture, not after everything they have been through this evening. If anything, his confidence in their bond has only grown tenfold.

So he shakes his head. "Did I not say say that I would be by your side, no matter the outcome? 'Tis the very least I can do as you have been by mine."

It feels an easy thing to say, but the weight holds true. It feels right.

When his coat is offered, Aymeric offers his thanks before sliding it on. They will be returning early enough that Alfred may still be up. Estinien will need to return to the Borel Manor at least to retrieve his armor and his lance, though Aymeric would not mind should he want to stay longer. He waits for Estinien to be ready before taking leave of the Fortemps Manor, each step down from the doorway feeling strangely empowering to him.

"If I may be honest...I would not forsake this opportunity either--and I am not. If my choice is to stay and save face to the few who may want to listen or to stay true to my stalwart ally and friend, then the choice is an easy one to make." He shakes his head. "There will be other galas. Mayhaps it will be a while before we are welcomed back to House Fortemps, but...I cannot find it in myself to feel regret."

He has an air of lightness about him. Aymeric turns his head up to the starry sky.

"Ser Triaraut likens himself to greater import than he has within House Dzamael and I have not been the first to become a target of his less than knightly conduct. He uses his name to his advantage, of course, and is unused to being called out on his behavior..."

Then Aymeric actually chuckles. "The look on his face! Estinien, it was priceless."

Estinien grumbles, but he doesn't have the spirit in him at the moment to keep arguing with him. Instead, he just sullenly waits for their mutual coats, and heads out of the manor at the same time Aymeric does. As they leave the building, Estinien feels like Aymeric is doing him the favour - benevolently forgiving his inadequacies like he always has.

He had only hoped that he might return the favour by supporting him at this event, and now...

Estinien pauses mid-thought, looking at Aymeric with surprise as he begins to speak again. And now... Aymeric seems as pleased as could be? It's hard to make sense of, when he's spent this whole time fearing that he'd somehow ruined Aymeric life. Even in advance of the natural effects of the cold, Estinien's face and ears may appear pinkish.

"Aye..." Estinien admits awkwardly. Like, it was pretty funny, on one hand. "Yet... I had hoped to lend credence to your efforts, and instead... I have only caused more stigma for you to battle against."

Though Aymeric really does seem happy, part of Estinien can help but wonder if he's just trying to cheer him up - to assuage his guilt. For his part, Estinien sounds more genuinely distraught by this than he usually lets on, his hands in his pockets and his posture closed.

"You need not coddle me..."

Estinien's own lack of amusement in the events does sober Aymeric a little, as does his comments. So caught up as he has been in the novelty of having someone stand in for his honor, to not let these sorts of indignities go unspoken of--it's so refreshing that he had no realized how it might affect Estinien.

Or rather, how hard Estinien has been trying for Aymeric this entire time.

"My friend..."

Aymeric reaches out, placing a hand at Estinien's forearm in a quiet request for him to stop and look up at him.

"'Twas not mine intent, though I do apologize it seems that way. Nothing that transpired this eve is irreparable. And save for this one incident with Ser Triaraut, you conducted yourself well. Yet, that you were willing to stand in my defense means more to me than I can say. That I would much rather have than the approval of the High Houses. I speak only the truth when I say I would rather spend the evening with you than with all other guests in attendance."

It does go a ways to convince Estinien of Aymeric's sincerity on the matter - which he, again, looks surprised and puzzled about. His shoulders relax, and he stoops over less, meeting his friend's gaze. Some of that gloom fades in favour of him looking generally unsure.

Some part of him fears that Aymeric is being naive, and that the effect he's had will be grievous in yet unseen ways. He never allows himself to fret like this about anything else, he realizes. This level of anxiety is foreign to him - positively bizarre, when there is so much about life that he's numbed himself to. Becoming aware of that makes him feel somehow exposed.

"Then... I am glad to not have caused undue harm," he says carefully, allowing Aymeric to keep hold of his arm for as long as he pleases. "Though, some part of me regrets having missed the night's conclusion. I had hoped to see other nobles skirmish about tarts, not to wind up in a fight myself."

And keep hold he will, allowing himself that selfish desire for contact. He shakes his head again--that is most certainly to reassure Estinien that he did not ruin Aymeric's reputation wholly. A small misstep, in the grand scheme of things, and Aymeric does not vie for approval of Dzamael as it is, knowing that such things would be impossible.

He does give an amused chuckle at Estinien's apparent wishes for the evening. "Had I set that bar too high?"

Giving into temptation, he gives Estinien's arm a light tug to urge him forward, back towards the Astrologicum and the edge of the Pillars where Aymeric lives. But he does not pull it back.

"Perhaps on another venture...although I would understand if you would prefer not to attend a gala or ball for some time."

"If any were to invite me after tonight, I would have to think carefully, aye," he says with a small amount of amusement, at least loosening up a little they make their way home. Maybe it would be so bad to try again, but only with Aymeric present.

"Though, it seems we will not yet have the chance to put your dancing lessons to the test." He's still not sure if he would have been in the mood to attempt it, were the dance to happen, yet missing the opportunity completely is another thing he's vaguely regretting. Though maybe he is still only pining after the idea of doing it in a place where they could be truly alone.

Yet, he finds himself comforted by their return to Borel Manor. It's begun to feel more familiar and homey to him in ways than even the Congregation, though he would be reluctant to admit it.

Edited 2020-11-06 05:52 (UTC)

Ah, yes, the second concern of the night--only after Estinien had shown up in full armor. It had seemed almost ages ago after all the other adventures that they had, but Aymeric does find himself filled with a little remorse that they did not get to dance at the party. He does enjoy dancing quite a bit, after all.

"A shame, 'tis true," he laments, though there is still a smile on his lips.

If asked, Aymeric would blame it on the high he has been riding off of since leaving the Fortemps Manor, what he offers next. But in truth he likely would have made the gesture either way.

"Since we still have some of the night left and if you have no need to hurry to your own quarters, we may yet still garner how much of my lessons you retained."

When Aymeric agrees, Estinien just sort of assumes they are going to leave it at that. After all, the dancing was for the party, and they'd never done it before that. He couldn't see any reason that would change, for events outside that context.

He thought he understood where this was going, but now he realizes he has no idea. He turns to look at Aymeric, dumbstruck - even as they continue on down the street, all but holding hands.

"Yet still...?" he repeats. It's true that he was hoping they would spend a bit more time together before he went back to his quarters, if only to cleanse the pallet... but this is more than he was expecting.

The more he considers it, the more Aymeric finds himself enamoured with the idea. It is entirely possible that Estinien will turn him down outright, and that would fine, as he would much prefer to be able to spend a little more time with his friend regardless of how it is spent, but he is feeling bold. Too bold, perhaps.

"While I do not have a live orchestra at my beck and call, we do have an orchestrion and several rolls to choose from."

He casts a glance to Estinien, doing his best to not look hopeful and likely failing at that. Despite his practice at keeping a mask in front of others, he is finding it increasingly difficult to even bother hiding his reactions in front of his friend.

"Even so, we did not eat a proper meal and I am certain I can put something together. It would not do to let you leave with an empty stomach."

Estinien has, admittedly, been feeling some pangs of regret that he never got to spend any time with the buffet table, so the offer is not without obvious merit. Aymeric is clearly flying high, and it seems like it would be a shame to deny him, though Estinien also finds himself uncertain how to accept such a proposal gracefully.

Is this... normal? Is this a standard thing for two grown men of Ishgard to do together? He has no point of reference, so he honestly doesn't know. He isn't sure whether to interpret this as simply an extension of their usual activities, or whether there is an additional intensity here, after the night they just shared.

"I would not be opposed," is what he manages to say, doing his best to conceal how confused he is. This is turning out very differently than he had anticipated, after declaring that he would remain to face the consequences. "To catch up on a few drinks would not go amiss, either."

Edited 2020-11-06 19:38 (UTC)

Aymeric is fairly certain that this is not the standard thing for two grown men of Ishgard to do together, but he also cannot find it in himself to care. Estinien is his friend and they should be allowed to spend their time together how they wish, should they not? And if he wants to dance with his friend and make him dinner, then he will.

"The cellar is ever at your disposal, as you well know," he says, rather chipper, all too glad that Estinien has agreed.

When they make it to the manor, Alfred is notably surprised that they are earlier than expected. Aymeric makes an offhand comment that the party had gone a new direction and they had opted to spend their time elsewhere. Alfred did not ask any further question though it was clear that he did not fully believe it.

Aymeric beckons Estinien to the kitchen, rolls up his sleeves, and immediately sets to work.

"What say you to a simple onion soup?" A classic of the region, and not usually the fare one may find in the nicer restaurants of Ishgard. "I find myself looking for excuses for extra cheese."

Estinien looks a little flustered when they are met with Alfred, both because he doesn't seem to be buying Aymeric's excuse and also because he's been sent a bit off-kilter by this whole situation. He's gone from expecting to face jail to having Aymeric cook for him, and he isn't sure what to make of that.

One could interpret this as him having done well, somehow. Yet, Estinien is still cautious in that assessment.

Estinien follows him to the kitchen all the same - it's not a place in the manor they've spent much time in, considering. He watches his friend quietly, his armed crossed as they usually are when he's in unfamiliar territory. At least the food Aymeric mentions is something he's had before, but still not something Estinien himself would have any idea how to cook.

"Sounds appetizing," he says, at a loss for better works. He'll be watching extra close as Aymeric gets to work. "Do you often... cook?"

Or whatever this is. He hadn't thought Aymeric would be required to.

Any man should know his way around his own house, no matter what the room, but the way Aymeric moves about his kitchen suggests that he does more than round up food every now and then and wait for his meals to be prepared. He readily grabs an apron from the closet and starts to pull out the pots and ingredients.

"Not often, but I do find it relaxing, in a way." He turns on the stove and sets the pot and a bit of oil to begin heating as he immediately moves to start chopping the onions.

"It has proven to be useful when we are out on the field from time to time." Estinien may or may not have noticed that Aymeric did tend to offer to man the rations or fire if there was a meal to cook, although such actions then hardly took much skill.

"What sort of cheese would you prefer?"

The truest answer is that it 'doesn't really matter', but with Aymeric clearly putting so much of his heart into this, Estinien is endeavoring not to be a brick wall. He's usually not the sort that makes requests, most often abiding but what is already on offer. He glances around the kitchen, like he's not quite sure what he should be doing with himself.

"Well... the kind I am most accustomed to is that made with karakul cheese." Of course, when they had first discussed his knowledge of the animals, Aymeric had remarked that he was unfamiliar with the practice of their milking, so he assumes that it isn't available. "But I am certain whatever you have on hand will suffice."

He supposes he has seen Aymeric handling rations fairly often, but he had always just assumed that it was something he did out of a generous spirit rather than anything else. He feels a flicker of anger when he is reminded of the way Aymeric's good nature has been taken advantage of recently, and how that snake Triaraut had tried to shame him with it.

He's going to be thinking about that man's smug face for a while - though at least he can also recall the addition of red wine.

Aymeric does smile a little at that. "I had wondered, but I did not want to assume as much." What with Estinien raising them after all, but that did not necessarily mean he preferred it. That being said, he puts down his knife to retrieve a few options of cheese...

...one of which is decidedly karakul. Aymeric sets them out on the counter.

"I confess that after you mentioned it the first time you came over, I had been keen to try it myself." To his credit he looks just a tad sheepish about it. "Mayhaps we create something of our tradition and combine a few? Karakul and...Trou du Cru may go well together. What do you think?"

When it comes to food, familiarity could breed the strongest affection, and that's certainly true of Estinien. Given that he's never been particularly thoughtful or adventurous about what he eats, most of what he finds draws his attention is whether he's seen something before. Sometimes it can be entertaining to eat something completely foreign to him, but when he simply wants for nourishment, the familiar is the most reliable.

His surprise when Aymeric reveals that he has some of the stuff around is obvious. It feels... pointed, in a way. Something he clearly went out of his way to do, either because he envisioned this moment, or because he's just been so curious to try something Estinien had told him about.

It inspires some strong emotions, which simmer in his chest. They are mostly positive, he thinks, there is some bittersweetness there as well - something about the experience of being known almost makes him feel helpless. As if a hook has been placed within him, so easily able to tug at his heart. He tries to keep the struggle from his face, though he has clearly dipped into one of his more thoughtful moods.

"I know little of the latter, but I will trust your sensibilities." It's entirely possible he's had it, but just never put a name to what it was. "...Is there going to be an onion selection process as well?"

Managing a bit of humour, at least, though it's also a real enough question.

It is nigh impossible not to notice the shift in his demeanor. Aymeric has long since learned that gestures of familiarity are not always taken with an easy smile and he can guess as much that the fact Aymeric happens to have karakul cheese on hand may seem a tad suspicious. (Over-invested, maybe?) So he feels the need to explain,

"I requested it once to try it and the staff has since decided to make sure that we do not run out."

He hopes that paints an easier picture to view, less imposing on Estinien's own sensibilities.

The fact that the other man does attempt a joke eases things a bit for Aymeric as well, who smiles as he returns to slicing the onions.

"Alas, we have but one kind in stock. Mayhaps another time we can be even more adventurous with our flavor palette."

The steps go quickly--add the onions, simmer, add minced garlic, simmer. Aymeric narrates a few of the steps along the way mostly to keep the kitchen from falling to silent, though he generally finds most silences with Estinien at this point companionable. He just does not want his friend to feel put upon.

Once the cooking wine is added, the broth reduced, herbs and spices, and set to cook again, Aymeric puts a lid on the pot and steps back. He begins to untie the apron as he speaks.

"Well, that will be cooking for a while. Shall we select a few drinks from the cellar and then see what Orchestrion rolls we have on hand?"

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