revolutionne | ❧ open post

It takes a few moments to fully click, as the song begins building upon itself. It's the melody at the heart of it that he truly remembers, the faint idea of someone singing along to it, and the first time he ever looked upon Ishgard as anything worth seeing.

Despite having fantasized of what Ishgard might be like for most of his youth, when he finally arrived it had been in a state where hardly anything seemed to matter. Its walls held no sense of wonder, it's ancient buildings only a source of spite and despair. He was there, but nothing else was, and so it was useless - insulting that it would even pose as something to be hopeful about. It had done nothing to protect him when he needed it.

So long ago, it's hard to make distinctions or form an easy timeline. Instead, he remembers feelings more than events. He remembers hearing a song and finding comfort it in, a rare flicker of light in the dark dirge his days had become. It isn't the first time he's heard it, since then. Every time it's come up, it has stirred something in him - yet this may be the first that he's truly considered its significance rather than just pushing it out of mind.

On the outside, Estinien falls quiet, listening. As Aymeric has seen plenty of times by now, something has caused him to retreat inward - a memory that draws him back to another time that can feel so difficult to escape. Yet, he doesn't seem unhappy, specifically. Perhaps the feeling is bittersweet.

"It is," he says, remembering that he's been asked a question. He stands as if he's forgotten he's holding a drink at all, strangely still in comparison to the vigor of the music itself.

Edited 2020-11-08 03:44 (UTC)

He has seen Estinien be like this from time to time--quiet, drawn into himself and seeing things that only he can. Aymeric has since learned to wait, to watch, or avert his eyes if privacy is needed. Where Estinien goes in this moments Aymeric can only wonder, wanting to follow but understanding that there are things he may never fully see or understand about his friend. And he is all right with that as long as Estinien returns.

This is one of those moments where he seems to be stuck a little in that time and place unmentioned. So after the customary time for reflection, Aymeric takes one final sip from his glass and leaves it half-finished on the table.

"Would you do me this honor, Ser Estinien..." He then holds his hand out in invitation. "Dance with me?"

It's a question that melds in perfectly with the space he's inhabiting, but that still draws him towards the present. He remembers people dancing on the street, and the way that it had touched him, almost woken him in a sense - and in the same moment, here is Aymeric, extending a hand to invite him in. It feels impossibly perfect, in a way. That such a perfect representation of that hope could exist in parallel.

Estinien blinks at Aymeric and his hand for a moment, and finally rises to greet him. First, though, he takes a hasty gulp of his wine before setting the glass down as well. He feels like he might need it.

It's a bit fumbling, the way he accepts - he sets his hand over Aymeric's, hesitating on the way, his thoughts catching up with his body. He tries to remember the steps he was shown before.

"We're here, aren't we?" he asks in way of agreement. Just, give him a moment to figure out what to do with his feet.

Aymeric's eyes brighten when Estinien accepts, regardless of whether he was expected to or not. This song does not befit the waltz that they had practiced earlier, something a little more free-form might suffice. Yet Aymeric still starts them off in a similar position to begin with.

"Would you believe this is a roll that Alfred had bought of his own accord?" he says as they begin to move. Aymeric is keen to direct Estinien as needed, yet it is increasingly clear he is just moving them loosely to the music.

Somehow just loosely moving to the music is more challenging than following set steps - it leaves something up to interpretation, pushing into the realm of creative expression rather than just following a specific set of moves.

Yet, it feels familiar to what Estinien has seen, and Aymeric provides enough direction that he can at least follow with little issue. He wonders if he shouldn't have chosen something a bit more low key... though something slow and intimate would provide its own challenges, he realizes.

Estinien seems like he's concentrating on following Aymeric at first, but eventually, he will break away from that enough to ask: "Alfred? A connoisseur, is he?"

He wasn't sure who would have been responsible for buying music rolls, but he hadn't assumed the manservant for whatever reason.

To Aymeric, dancing is bother a learned activity as much as an expressive one. Certain choreographed sequences are indeed intended for specific pieces or sets, but there is something enjoyable about a little freeform as well. Much less common amongst nobility, yet the Forgotten Knight has seen its fare share of impromptu dance parties.

He knows well that Estinien has a natural grace on the battlefield and he also now knows that he can apply it to the dance floor...should he feel comfortable enough to do so. He had quickly picked up on the moves that Aymeric had taught him in the street, he only need the confidence to let them flow and interpret them as he wishes now.

"It was a piece he heard and found he rather liked, so he added it to the collection. Having long served the Borel Household for generations, he has become a member of the family. Music is not the only area in which he has discerning tastes."

Aymeric speaks of him warmly. While he likes to believe he is on good terms with all the staff in the manor, Alfred has always been someone he's felt closest to.

"I am sure he would be delighted to know you have a common interest."

He's not sure he would define it as an interest... would he? It's something he's familiar with, something that brings back memories, but... surely nothing more than that.

Lack of comfort definitely seems to be Estinien's main issue here. He easily has the dexterity and the capacity to remember patterns, but as they stand together and move to such joyful music, he finds it difficult to put anything of himself in that context.

If only it operated by the rules of pragmatism that govern the battlefield. He knew where he had to go, how he had to move, because of the necessity of the fight. There was an end goal he could see. This, though... the only goal is Aymeric, isn't it?

To be with him, to share something with him. As much as he tries, there are parts of himself he can bear to leave exposed - as if to open them would lose him his control. Why is it that when he reaches out in these gestures that the gap between him and others only seems to yawn wider?

He moves out of step, falling out of the rhythm with Aymeric and having to stop himself. He pulls away a hand, trying to recalibrate.

"I... Apologies," he says. He's trying to get back into step, but it does still seem like he is holding himself back from really getting into it.

Truly, Aymeric pays no mind to any missteps. That is the point of doing something other than a standard dance, is it not? But it clearly bothers Estinien as he pulls back and apologizes. So Aymeric pauses as well, tilting his head lightly to the side. Though Estinien did pick the music, mayhaps it is a little too free for someone so unaccustomed to the pastime? For as unwieldly as Estinien can be, he does seem to do better with some standards and guidelines to follow.

So Aymeric just smiles and shakes his head. "There is nothing to apologize for. Perhaps we can find a different roll...and we should try that lovely green drink you found as a little inspiration?"

Yes, he can pick something a little less upbeat, something easier to follow so that Estinien can feel like he can readily apply the knowledge he has gained.

Aymeric makes quick work of what is left of his drink before going right to the Wormwood bottle. Upon opening it, a strange new aroma takes the air and his brows raise quite high on his forehead.

"That is unexpected," he says as he offers his friend a whiff should he choose to let curiosity get the better of him as well. It does smell quite woody, and strangely spicy on the edges. Aymeric swirls the bottle around a little before offering to fill up Estinien's glass, and then his own.

When he first heard this sort of music, it has seemed a flicker of hope - an ideal of the happiness that could be found in even such an imposing place. Yet, even with Aymeric, Estinien can feel himself failing to live up to that spirit. There's a openness in this music that he can't seem to match, and trying sets him off balance.

He looks subtly disappointed in himself when Aymeric finally stops as well, like he's hasn't captured what he thought he would. Yet, Aymeric still managed to ease his worries with that next suggestion. With some relief he nods his head, moving to finish off his own wine to give the new stuff a try.

He gives it a smell when offered, an eyebrow raising in turn. Not bad, exactly, but parts of it smell more like a tincture.

"Well, it is green," he reasons, accepting the offer to fill his glass. Swirling it around, observing the color, he finally takes a sip. His brow immediately furrows.

"Seven hells," he rasps.

The way Estinien states the scent as if it should be self-evident does bring a twinge of amusement to the edges of Aymeric's lips.

"Is this what green should smell like?"

Then by the Fury, what is it supposed to taste like? He takes another sniff as Estinien tries his glass and--that sounds like a ringing endorsement.

"...Strong, is it?"

Yet Aymeric finds himself punched by the taste almost instantly. The combination of bitter herbs and spices makes him cough, and the laugh at the absurdity of it. He pats his own chest to clear his throat.

"I see now why this bottle has been sitting almost full all this time!"

What in the world had his father been thinking?

Tentatively, Aymeric takes another sip to see if it goes down easier the second time and--no, unfortunately not.

"--Our Gridanian brethren--" Ahem. "Should be afforded some due respect..."

Upon having tasted it, it certainly seems like what green should smell like, but not what it should taste like. Estinien smells it again after having drunk from it, just to be sure. The aroma is certainly more palatable than the taste.

"It tastes like what a chirurgeon would place on an infected wound," he says. It's more like harsh medicine, or a salve not meant to be consumed. Still, that doesn't stop Estinien from trying again, as if to decode whatever the purpose behind this concoction is. Is it medicinal, and they somehow misunderstood?

It's more of an endurance test than anything after the first attempt, but he puts down a little more none the less. Maybe the effect of it is better than the flavour.

"I know not what ceremonial purpose this holds, but it surely cannot be purely recreational." It's easy for him to imagine it having some kind of mysterious function in forest life, though, which causes him to gaze at it with some wonder despite how unappealing it is.

"That...is an astute observation, yes." Aymeric wrinkles his nose as he looks into the cup. "I do feel as if something inside of me is being purged..."

Mayhaps that is the true intent of this? And yet there is Estinien taking another drink as well. Aymeric raises a brow.

"..."

He looks back to his drink, then to Estinien.

"Are you unable to finish yours?"

"I could finish it," he says, taking another small sip, just to show that he can. Let it be known that it isn't a matter of being unable. "...I don't think I will, though. I have need to remain on my feet."

He would like enough to think a bit less, but not enough to ruin his dexterity. They still have things to do, after all. He places his glass on the table.

"I think I will set it aside for now, to avoid purging even more later." Or, at the very least, to allow the properties of this mysterious drink to settle in.

Edited 2020-11-08 22:35 (UTC)

Aymeric gives a huff and a smile. "A wise show of restraint considering the precedent we have set in the past." Though he has to take another sip himself--also to prove that he can. Mayhaps he will do so fully once the night is over, simply so that it does not go to waste.

So he sets his glass aside as well and goes back to the Orchestrion rolls while the current set is still playing. He has a few pieces in mind and selects the first one that comes up in his search. Mid-song, he stops the current roll and makes a quick switch, letting the much calmer tones filter out through the machine and fill the room as he carefully rolls up the first.

"Mayhaps this will be more fitting?"

He enjoys the sound of the first roll even if dancing to it was proving troublesome, so part of him regrets when it's eventually silenced. He waits to hear what the next selection is, though, hearing something slower and more contemplative begin.

He leans away from the table, his brow furrowing a little. It seems fine, he thinks, but maybe he could do with some advanced planning this time.

"Which step is this?" he asks. If Aymeric can tell him what he needs to do, he's sure he can follow along. If all else fails, this wicked wormwood drink is here to further destroy his inhibitions, at least.

As Aymeric had suspected, Estinien does seem want for a little bit of foresight and structure to the moves. He nods his head as he stows the first roll away in its allotted slot before turning back to the other man.

"It can be several depending on the preferences of the dancer, but most start thusly."

He extends his hands again in a way that is similar to the waltz they had begun in a street, once again taking the leading position as he slides in closer. Aymeric guides Estinien's hand to his shoulder, taking the other in his own as his left settles at Estinien's hip.

"Though as you can well hear, this piece is based on beats of four rather than three. It is...more casual, I would say, and oft what you may hear later in the evening when wine has been readily passed about and tired feet look for something gentle to move to. I find it rather calming myself."

Estinien realizes as they do this again, that this is more physical contact that he'd usually allow. All the same, he places his hands where instructed, his expression very serious and focused as if this is a major undertaking that requires his full attention.

He can see that application of a dance that one can do while tired, perhaps with Aymeric intending to make it easier on him. Still, there is something daunting about such a contemplative pace.

'Calming' is not the exact would he would use for it.

"Taking it easy on me, then," he comments, though he won't start moving until Aymeric does. "Or is the day catcing up with you?"

Aymeric chuckles, cocking his head to the side as he steps to the side, starting them off slowly. This he knows is not the most...conventional way to dance with a friend, but he believes at this point they are anything but conventional. Aymeric reasons this may serve Estinien well at a later time. (Yes, that's why.)

"Why not a little both?" More so the former than the latter, in truth. As long as the other man doesn't mind.

"Mayhaps we may reach this part of the night at the next gala we attend and you can enjoy the sloppy steps of tired and well-drunk aristocracy attempting to be the last guest left."

"The next gala," he scoffs, ostensibly remarking on how well this one had turned out. Admittedly, it was very good in some senses, but not the sort that made him think the public at large would appreciate a repeat performance.

"I can't imagine why one would toil so determinedly to be the last one remaining." He sways back and forth easily, picking up on the pattern without much trouble. It's easier to think than it had been with the other music... which has the downside of letting him focus much more on Aymeric's general presence.

Had they ever been this physically close, before tonight? At least, in a way that wasn't dragging each other across a battlefield, or up the stairs while piteously drunk.

He had meant it mostly as a joke, though he does hold the hope that Estinien might grace him with his presence at another engagement sometime in the future. Not the near future, likely, though he does belief that any potential harm done to his reputation will be washed over with time.

Aymeric gives a light huff, allowing his gaze to fall to Estinien's shoulder, now only a handful of ilms away.

"There are many ways to earn a reputation within certain circles in this city, though I can only imagine what progress we might make had those efforts be placed elsewhere."

Estinien furrows his brow. Is Aymeric suggesting that people linger at parties simply so that others know that they do? Sometimes he feels like noble life really is beyond him.

This, at least, doesn't seem so bad. After mirroring the movements a few times, they are easy to repeat, and it takes little thought to keep it up. Just as Aymeric had promised. The glass of wine and mysterious green drink are starting to have some effect, as well, blurring his thoughts ever so slightly as his movements begin to feel simultaneously more fluid and more heavy.

Estinien huffs out a sound of disbelief, but otherwise falls silent. It's increasingly hard to take all of this lightly. Them, alone, dancing together past midnight, after everything else they did that night... it weighs on his heart, even if not in necessarily a bad way. It's simply a reality that is hard to ignore.

If Aymeric looks up, he may find Estinien's grey eyes lingering right on his face, his gaze unconcealed and searching. His hand at Aymeric's waist grips a little more tightly.

It is a silly thing, isn't it? As accustomed as Aymeric has become to many of the peculiarities of nobility, there are still instances that make him shake his head. Practices that, even while they do no harm, are essentially pointless. He entertains what he must to maintain good enough standing for his family and for his own larger goals, yet there are many notions that he simply observes if he bothers with them at all.

Parties are indeed such a place to observe a good portion of them. He really does not blame his friend for wanting no part in it.

Estinien's silence is not unsurprising, yet the pressure at his waist is enough to raise Aymeric's eyes to the other man's face. It hits him all in the same instant--the proximity, the warmth of Estinien's hand at his waist and the other in his, how easy it would be to take a sweeping step forward, how the mix of grey and blue in Estinien's eyes make him think fondly of summer storms.

It is that thought that hits him harder than most. It must be the wine, he reasons, that ridiculous Wormwood concoction that settles so uneasily in his stomach. Yet wine or no, he finds those eyes searching his and cannot bring himself to look away. Fighting the heat that threatens to rise to his cheeks and up the back of his neck--that has to be the wine, most assuredly--he offers a tentative smile that reaches his own eyes, turning their movements slowly to the song with each step. Yet for the first time in a while, he says nothing, not wanting to break the moment.

Estinien feels a matching burn, though not in his face and neck - instead, it lingers in his heart. It's a warmth that borders on ache, the edge of where comfort becomes pain.

He had never thought that he would care so deeply for another again... and yet here he is. He's allowed this man, this comrade, this friend to leave his mark, to steal into his inner world. It's at this moment that he realizes there is no escaping it. He's well a truly doomed himself.

To sever this bond would be to severe what remains of his heart.

It's a burden that no one should have to bear on his account. Aymeric is aware, to some degree, of what darkness he holds inside, but it feels in no way adequate. No one could be prepared to hold all the hope another has left. When did this happen, he wonders? Was it tonight that caused him to no longer see a way back, or had it been this way from the day Estinien had resolved to call him friend?

It brings a level of bittersweet sorrow and depth of affection that he doesn't know how to direct. Instead, he continues to hold on tightly, curling inward and closer to Aymeric as if pulled by the weight of his realization. It draws him closer, close enough that their foreheads might touch.

All the while, the music winds towards its conclusion.

Edited 2020-11-10 06:47 (UTC)

Each passing second feels like nearly a bell as the weight of Estinien's gaze settles on him, unbreaking. Aymeric swallows around a lump in his throat despite himself, hoping that the warmth of his palms is not overtly noticeable.

His dear friend is prone to moments of reflective silence, yet this time Aymeric feels as if he is being towed along by the current of his thoughts to an unknown end. Mayhaps he yields all too readily to the ebb and flow much as the movements of their feet begin to feel as if they do of their own accord, heedless of the music quieting down behind them. When their foreheads touch Aymeric cannot deny the fact that his heart flutters in his chest and that the warmth of Estinien's breath across his face makes the hairs stand up on the back of his neck.

It must be the wine, he repeats the mantra inside his head as he might a memorized passage from the Enchiridion. And by the Fury's blessing, may he continue to believe it for just little longer.

Aymeric does not register that the music has stopped, his own heartbeat loud enough in his ears to make up for it. This close, Estinien's features a blur, but their noses nearly touch and he feels compelled to do or say something.

His throat feels dry so he wets his lips out of habit.

"Estinien..." he utters softly, voice deeper than usual. Tentative, as if he knows that this may be--

Crash! Something topples over in the room beside them--the kitchen.

"--the soup!"

Aymeric jerks back, fighting a losing battle against the flush on his face and ears as mental images of the metal lid of the soup mysteriously crashing to the ground and onion soup going everywhere are enough to pull him from more incriminating thoughts. He releases Estinien and rushes over to the doors, pulling them open with less force than might be imagined, and quickly making his way into the kitchen for damage control.

Though Estinien is aware that they are in close proximity, he's drifted into such a distant world that he doesn't fully contemplate the way they touch. He's thinking about Aymeric and himself and the way they are connected, but in visceral abstracts. It's only when Aymeric speaks that he comes back to himself enough to grasp it.

It's close enough to feel his warmth, close enough to feel the brush of his dark hair. Estinien's eyes widen with self awareness, only now realizing the implication of how they stand, now I'm silence.

And then there's a crash. It genuinely startles him this time, causing his heart to leap and his muscles to go taut. Aymeric realizes the source before he does. He runs of to the kitchen and Estinien falls behind, left standing in place.

He curls his arms around himself, but not in the forbidding crossing of arms that he usual does. Instead, it feels more like he's holding himself together, only pausing to wipe a stray bit of moisture from his eye.

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