5th 💀 video;

[amaure]

Well, well! What an intriguing little announcement that was, eh? 'Twould seem we've quite the incident on our hands, one that is no doubt worthy of the effort, though I have no intention of rescuing Lance. Certainly his dragons will be suitably up to the task.

Nay, I wish simply to vanquish and capture one of these Braviary for mine own research.

[Emet-Selch sounds and seems to be in rather decent spirits, a far cry from the bedridden mess he was a week or so ago. Perhaps that's why he's actually interested in pursuing these birds?]

However, seeing as these avians are quite robust and no doubt as powerful as Lance claimed, I cannot hope to pursue them alone. And so, I thought it only prudent to address those of a similar mind for a potential allegiance against a foe most fowl.

[Did he have to do the pun? No, not really, but it does kind of add to the theatrics of this little call to arms of sorts.]

What say you? Whom amongst you are up to the task?

Comments

[ourstosee]

Yes, that certainly sounds like Estinien.

[Thankfully, he spares Emet from any sort of saccharine simpering he might have about Estinien's well-being. Learning that the man had been here for such a substantial period of time had been worrisome. He knows that the dragoon can handle himself well enough, he would not still be alive were that not true. But there was more to life than survival skills, even if Estinien might have preferred to think otherwise.

Suffice to say, the cat has been properly socialized, and Aymeric is eternally grateful. He might have even vocalized as much, if not for one thing that Emet says.]

I was not aware that any scions had lost their lives in the process. [A singular shard of ice lodges itself within his belly, but he ignores it for the time being.]

... Full well do I understand, though. There is much that I would give not only for my country, for this star and the people that live upon it. And though I may have been on the receiving side of some of your more... antagonistic efforts, I can respect a need to give everything for those you struggle to hold up.

[amaure]

Ah, 'twould seem I inadvertently shared a secret, I suppose you will need to ask Estinien for the details on those that lost their lives, for I shall say no more.

[As if there were any save for the warrior of light who hadn't.]

For what it is worth, none of it was personal. A man of your standing is doubtlessly practiced in the formalities of war, particularly ones of extinction.

[After all, Ishgard was in one for a thousand years. And while not all the dragons needed to die out for the war to end, Nidhogg himself is gone and his brood will ever suffer for it. Yet, that was simply the way of it, wasn't it?]

But this conversation would be better served over tea than the network, do you not agree? Should you find yourself in Goldenrod, mayhap we could meet properly, though I would understand if you are not in the habit of keeping such undesirable company.

[ourstosee]

[He doesn't want to leave it at that. Apprehension swallows his heart for a brief moment. He recalls, vividly, the selfsame fear that had crept through him as he'd carried Estinien back to Ishgard, battered and broken. How he'd felt sitting vigil at his bedside, hoping and dreading in a simultaneous dance.

Mentally, he goes back through the conversations he's had since arriving. He'd taken Estinien's assurances that the Scions as a group had gone their separate ways, but that didn't mean that any one of their number hadn't been lost on the journey. He's at least confident in assuming the dragoon had made it out unscathed, but what of the others?

Intentionally or no, Emet does little to help improve his mood at the mention of Nidhogg and his flock. He had meant to avoid the eradication of any more of their number, and that included Nidhogg's most loyal. That so much of that number had been wiped out in the second battle on the Steps of Faith... He doesn't like to think of it.]

Unfortunate though it is, you are correct.

[his voice is just a little stiff, though whether perturbed by the insinuation or still distracted by Emet's first revelation is hard to say. He can at least agree that he's hardly in the position for amicable conversation at this point, though.]

I have heard much of this Goldenrod City. 'Tis my hope to make the journey there erelong. Many of my companions resided there until recently, it seems. 'Twould only make sense to make it a primary destination on this first leg of mine journey.

As for your company... [He forces himself to crack the faintest of smiles.] Already it has proven more fruitful than any conversation I have had with Ishgardian nobility. And in this land, where we are all more or less equal, there is no one to judge me for the company I keep.

I look forward to taking tea with you.

[amaure]

[Honestly, this is Estinien's fault for not telling Aymeric the important details. Sure, he might have let slip some of them died (all of them did), but that should not have been a secret to begin with! Though, he isn't surprised that Estinien only told him what was likely immediately relevant. In Emet-Selch's experience, he's never been a very talent storyteller.

That crack at the Ishgardian nobility earns him a chuckle. While he did not personally have dealings with Ishgard as Lahabrea had, he was not unaware of it, nor its rigid social structure. It was part of his duty to know as much as he could about mankind and its civilizations, ever looking for an opening to take advantage of—a well to poison, so to speak. As such, he likely knows far more about Ishgard than one might assume otherwise.

Though he has little intent in playing his hand so readily, not that he should have to worry about playing any hand at all—but one never knows.]

Indeed, I do suppose none here would conspire against you for speaking with the my ilk. Perhaps Estinien, though he has no room to talk, when one considers he had lived in my abode for some time. Little can I blame him, the location in Goldenrod is quite convenient, and I suppose it saved him from seeking out lodgings elsewhere.

All the same, once you have reached Goldenrod, Estinien should be quite capable of leading you there, granted he hasn't forgotten the way.

[He smiles, though who knows how genuine it is. He is an Ascian, after all.]

Until then, friend.

[And with his little signature wave, he cuts the feed. Prompt in his exits as always.]