Estinien Wyrmblood (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
dravanicide) wrote2018-07-10 10:37 pm
dravanicide) wrote2018-07-10 10:37 pm
IC Inbox (Snowblind)
-Voice/Text/Video-
-Voice/Text/Video-
...How did you come to be locked in a cellar?
[Did someone lock him in there, or did he go there for shelter, he wonders...]
What joy that you would come to me.
[HAURCHEFANT IS HERE. AYMRIC IS HERE. Why HIM? But he lets it go for the most part, it is what it is, so he might as well roll with it. He at least asks a relevant question, and his eyes fall to the wood and metal he was working with just previously.]
I have found lengths of wood and scraps of metal that still remain durable. With some rope, and no short supply of ingenuity, I may yet fashion myself a lance.
[Did someone lock him in there, or did he go there for shelter, he wonders...]
What joy that you would come to me.
[HAURCHEFANT IS HERE. AYMRIC IS HERE. Why HIM? But he lets it go for the most part, it is what it is, so he might as well roll with it. He at least asks a relevant question, and his eyes fall to the wood and metal he was working with just previously.]
I have found lengths of wood and scraps of metal that still remain durable. With some rope, and no short supply of ingenuity, I may yet fashion myself a lance.
Edited 2016-07-18 20:23 (UTC)
[the prospect of talking to aymeric is even more terrifying than that of talking to estinien... but francel would rather not talk about that, and instead takes estinien's questions at face value.]
well it was rather well-concealed
the cellar, that is...
so I thought perhaps I had come across something of value,
but it seems that others have already been here.
They left writing on the walls.
The Azure Dragoon with a lance in hand once more...
The Dravanians would tremble to think of it, if there were any here.
...Would you like me to speak aloud, the better that you may concentrate on making your lance? Without having to look at this device, I mean.
well it was rather well-concealed
the cellar, that is...
so I thought perhaps I had come across something of value,
but it seems that others have already been here.
They left writing on the walls.
The Azure Dragoon with a lance in hand once more...
The Dravanians would tremble to think of it, if there were any here.
...Would you like me to speak aloud, the better that you may concentrate on making your lance? Without having to look at this device, I mean.
And so you have gotten yourself locked inside? Are there any within the vacinity that could aid in freeing you?
[He's honestly taking a break from fussing with it, but--]
The less I must stare at this glowing screen the better. I ill like the contraption, and if I am to speak with another, I much prefer the sound of his voice, than his written words.
[He's honestly taking a break from fussing with it, but--]
The less I must stare at this glowing screen the better. I ill like the contraption, and if I am to speak with another, I much prefer the sound of his voice, than his written words.
...You can lower the intensity of the light, you know, if it bothers you.
[francel's voice is quiet, and has a rusty quality that implies it is rarely used. it echoes slightly, too, implying some dark, open space, but there is no background audio — no howling of the wind, like what disturbed him last evening.]
If this cellar is anything like the other houses in the area, I do believe it will unlock itself come morning. For now, however, I... I am likely trapped inside.
[he sounds vaguely as though he is still trying to come to terms with this fact.]
[francel's voice is quiet, and has a rusty quality that implies it is rarely used. it echoes slightly, too, implying some dark, open space, but there is no background audio — no howling of the wind, like what disturbed him last evening.]
If this cellar is anything like the other houses in the area, I do believe it will unlock itself come morning. For now, however, I... I am likely trapped inside.
[he sounds vaguely as though he is still trying to come to terms with this fact.]
'Tis not the intensity that bothers me.
[The less he has to feel as though he's using the device is preferable.]
Ah, was uncertain if 'twas related to that, or something a bit more ominous.
[A bit more ominous he says, as if being locked inside so they don't die isn't ominous enough.]
[The less he has to feel as though he's using the device is preferable.]
Ah, was uncertain if 'twas related to that, or something a bit more ominous.
[A bit more ominous he says, as if being locked inside so they don't die isn't ominous enough.]
The last two houses I stayed in had beds...
[he's not whining, but... well, okay, he's totally whining. what a spoiled little lordling, complaining about not having a bed.]
But I found a towel here, and I suppose I can rest my head upon it... and I have Estinien! Not you, of course — the smaller one.
[this last part is said in a playful, jocular tone, but one can tell by the weakness of francel's voice that even he isn't really in the mood for this bunny nonsense.]
[he's not whining, but... well, okay, he's totally whining. what a spoiled little lordling, complaining about not having a bed.]
But I found a towel here, and I suppose I can rest my head upon it... and I have Estinien! Not you, of course — the smaller one.
[this last part is said in a playful, jocular tone, but one can tell by the weakness of francel's voice that even he isn't really in the mood for this bunny nonsense.]
[He doesn't reply to the whining at first. While a bed is a better comfort than not, the noble-bred entitlement to such comforts does little to endear him. If the lack of a bed will breed whining in this lordling, then he wonders what the more horrifying aspects of this place yet holds in store for this lord.
At the mention of "Estinien", he lets out a noise of discontent, but otherwise doesn't complain further. He can hear the weakness in his voice, and while he is not one to show much sympathy for others, he at least doesn't attempt to argue with the name.]
Mayhap you will find a use for that ill named toy.
[Okay, well it's not a full on argument, but it's hard not to comment!]
You should be grateful that you have shelter at all, not having a bed is scant your biggest worry. Do not expect the luxuries here that a noble such as yourself would otherwise be handed on a bejeweled platter in Ishgard.
Scarce do you need me to remind you: this is not our home. To expect aught but the worst is folly.
At the mention of "Estinien", he lets out a noise of discontent, but otherwise doesn't complain further. He can hear the weakness in his voice, and while he is not one to show much sympathy for others, he at least doesn't attempt to argue with the name.]
Mayhap you will find a use for that ill named toy.
[Okay, well it's not a full on argument, but it's hard not to comment!]
You should be grateful that you have shelter at all, not having a bed is scant your biggest worry. Do not expect the luxuries here that a noble such as yourself would otherwise be handed on a bejeweled platter in Ishgard.
Scarce do you need me to remind you: this is not our home. To expect aught but the worst is folly.
[there is a quiet laugh.]
...Think you this life was handed to me on a bejeweled platter?
[the question seems accusatory, as though some defense will follow in its wake, but francel says nothing to defend himself, and merely sighs.]
I suppose I really should have died a long time ago.
...Think you this life was handed to me on a bejeweled platter?
[the question seems accusatory, as though some defense will follow in its wake, but francel says nothing to defend himself, and merely sighs.]
I suppose I really should have died a long time ago.
Cease your self-pity, boy.
[There's absolutelt irritation in Estinien's voice, a bit of a growl to his words.]
If you wish to speak with me you will do so as a man, not as a petulant child. You are a son of House Haillenarte, have some pride and honour for yourself as well as your House.
If you are to die, do so with dignity, but do not resent that it has not come for you yet. If you wish it, earn it, but if you are to just lay down and die here in the snow, know that your death will bring naught but shame.
[Seriously kid, come on. Ishgard has weathered far worse than this and you think you should have died because of all of this? Francel is hardly disproving his theory that his life has been handed to him thus far. Not with this overreaction.]
[There's absolutelt irritation in Estinien's voice, a bit of a growl to his words.]
If you wish to speak with me you will do so as a man, not as a petulant child. You are a son of House Haillenarte, have some pride and honour for yourself as well as your House.
If you are to die, do so with dignity, but do not resent that it has not come for you yet. If you wish it, earn it, but if you are to just lay down and die here in the snow, know that your death will bring naught but shame.
[Seriously kid, come on. Ishgard has weathered far worse than this and you think you should have died because of all of this? Francel is hardly disproving his theory that his life has been handed to him thus far. Not with this overreaction.]
[an impressed — or perhaps incredulous — silence follows estinien's words.
at length francel replies, but he doesn't sound offended in the least, and in fact, there is a touch of amusement in his voice that was not there previously.]
...That's not quite what I meant, Ser Estinien, but it is nice to know that you think I could, in fact, die with dignity.
at length francel replies, but he doesn't sound offended in the least, and in fact, there is a touch of amusement in his voice that was not there previously.]
...That's not quite what I meant, Ser Estinien, but it is nice to know that you think I could, in fact, die with dignity.
Explain yourself then.
[He says curtly, annoyance still in his tone.]
Any man can die shamefully, but just as well, any man can die with dignity. It rests upon him to choose which course he takes.
[He says curtly, annoyance still in his tone.]
Any man can die shamefully, but just as well, any man can die with dignity. It rests upon him to choose which course he takes.
...So you would say I chose this path.
[francel does not explain himself.]
What do you value most above all, Estinien?
[francel does not explain himself.]
What do you value most above all, Estinien?
Aye. I will not deny that others will bar your passage to paths they wish you not to tread, but to bend to their will is no different than to take the path of your own volition.
[Estinien's a man who came from basically nothing, and what he did have was taken from him at a young age. He got to where he was because he worked for it, and did what he could to meet his goals at all costs. To blame others for his possible shortcomings is inexcusable to him. ]
My duty as Azure Dragoon.
[Which is almost a whole truth. He does value his duty far more than basically everything, but that's far more because of its intersection with his thirst for vengeance.
But that is not something he cares to divulge with the young lord so soon.]
[Estinien's a man who came from basically nothing, and what he did have was taken from him at a young age. He got to where he was because he worked for it, and did what he could to meet his goals at all costs. To blame others for his possible shortcomings is inexcusable to him. ]
My duty as Azure Dragoon.
[Which is almost a whole truth. He does value his duty far more than basically everything, but that's far more because of its intersection with his thirst for vengeance.
But that is not something he cares to divulge with the young lord so soon.]
Really.
[he says this so quietly that it's almost hard to hear.]
Is that the duty to defend Ishgard? Or the duty to slay Nidhogg?
[he says this so quietly that it's almost hard to hear.]
Is that the duty to defend Ishgard? Or the duty to slay Nidhogg?
Both.
[His tone is absolutely serious, he both wishes to defend Ishgard and slay Nidhogg, but it'd be a lie to say they were in equal measure.]
If I am to slay Nidhogg, then Ishgard will thus lose its greatest threat. 'Tis one in the same.
What of you? What do you value beyond all else?
[His tone is absolutely serious, he both wishes to defend Ishgard and slay Nidhogg, but it'd be a lie to say they were in equal measure.]
If I am to slay Nidhogg, then Ishgard will thus lose its greatest threat. 'Tis one in the same.
What of you? What do you value beyond all else?
[how did it come to this? some strange, lopsided discussion of values and morality and one-sided death with ishgard's vaunted, twice-disgraced champion. why is francel trying to explain any of this?]
...A friend.
A friend to whom I was perhaps never really a friend at all.
...A friend.
A friend to whom I was perhaps never really a friend at all.
Speak plain, Lord Joacin.
[He cares not for a cryptic answer like this.]
Did this friend betray you? Or is there aught else that would make you come to such a conclusion.
[He cares not for a cryptic answer like this.]
Did this friend betray you? Or is there aught else that would make you come to such a conclusion.
He betrayed —
[francel's voice rises suddenly, rises in volume but dips in pitch — and then, just as quickly, it breaks into the whisper of a man defeated.]
...No, I did this to myself.
...They — they say, you know, that you and Ser Aymeric are — are bosom friends. That you two have been friends ever since you served in the Temple Knights together. This is true, is it not? [francel does not wait for an answer before he continues, in the same soft and polite tone as before, but at a rapid pace, sped up nearly twofold.] And so it stands to reason, does it not, that there are things you would do for Aymeric that you would not do for anybody else, that sounds reasonable, does it not?
[francel's voice rises suddenly, rises in volume but dips in pitch — and then, just as quickly, it breaks into the whisper of a man defeated.]
...No, I did this to myself.
...They — they say, you know, that you and Ser Aymeric are — are bosom friends. That you two have been friends ever since you served in the Temple Knights together. This is true, is it not? [francel does not wait for an answer before he continues, in the same soft and polite tone as before, but at a rapid pace, sped up nearly twofold.] And so it stands to reason, does it not, that there are things you would do for Aymeric that you would not do for anybody else, that sounds reasonable, does it not?
[Estinien grows silent and allows Francel to finish with whatever point he's trying to make. He grows more curious as the high-born goes on, particularly since he focuses on his relationship with Aymeric.
The speed in which he talks makes it plain how much he's distressed by whatever it is this mysterious friend has done, and Estinien almost wants to tell his own curiosity to bugger itself and end the conversation here.
He isn't one to give advice on such things, and he feels this is going down that path, but he decides to see just where this rabbit hole is going.]
Aye, you have the right of it. Ser Aymeric's and my friendship is a secret to none, and as such my loyalties lie with him above all else.
That being said, I would endure far more for him than any other, and there is little I would refuse if he asked--however, I suggest you get to the crux of this, ere I tire of this chatter.
[He doesn't care to discuss his personal relationships with others, especially not to a lord he barely knows, but he figures there's a point... somewhere in there that he's aiming for, and he will put up with this till he knows of it, at least.]
The speed in which he talks makes it plain how much he's distressed by whatever it is this mysterious friend has done, and Estinien almost wants to tell his own curiosity to bugger itself and end the conversation here.
He isn't one to give advice on such things, and he feels this is going down that path, but he decides to see just where this rabbit hole is going.]
Aye, you have the right of it. Ser Aymeric's and my friendship is a secret to none, and as such my loyalties lie with him above all else.
That being said, I would endure far more for him than any other, and there is little I would refuse if he asked--however, I suggest you get to the crux of this, ere I tire of this chatter.
[He doesn't care to discuss his personal relationships with others, especially not to a lord he barely knows, but he figures there's a point... somewhere in there that he's aiming for, and he will put up with this till he knows of it, at least.]
Edited (repetitive wording blehh) 2016-07-19 05:05 (UTC)
[francel is quiet for a long time as he drowns in the sea of chaos that his thoughts have become.
estinien thinks it's because he didn't try hard enough. it's because he didn't try hard enough. it's because he didn't try hard enough and maybe if he had tried harder he could have been something, done something, been more than just the lonely little lord on his hill with his flowers and his graves. and even estinien understands something of friendship and loyalty, that there must be rules, that loyalty is won not earned — and it was always so easy to win haurchefant's loyalty, the sign of a generous heart perhaps, the sign of a fool on the other hand, and francel the greater fool for believing that he had actually won anything in his miserable life. he was convenient, that's all; their friendship was a matter of convenience at best, and if there were any other hopeless lordlings to befriend the bastard then haurchefant would have picked another boy and not francel. and there is little that estinien would refuse if aymeric asked and there is little that francel would refuse if haurchefant asked, but the difference is — the difference is —
it occurs to francel suddenly that ser aymeric made a bid to slay nidhogg during the conference at falcon's nest.
ser aymeric would have killed estinien during the conference at falcon's nest.
and estinien does not know of this. and there is no such thing in this world as friendship. and maybe in this world there are things like pragmatism and utilitarianism and it is right and good to choose ishgard over a single man's life. but francel would have chosen hellfire, he has already chosen hellfire, he chose to place himself in harm's way to avenge chlodebaimt (death for the life of a brother; anything for the life of a brother) and look where that has gotten him: nowhere. and haurchefant saved the warrior of light just the same way that he saved francel all those years ago, and it never meant anything at all, and it was only ever just that shallow, and he just couldn't help himself, could he, he just couldn't help himself, could he.
and loyalty is won but i always lose.
and estinien thinks it's because i didn't try hard enough.]
...You should hold on to him. And perhaps one day you too will wake up and find that you never meant anything to anyone at all.
[and on that incredibly unhelpful note, upon which estinien probably decides that there's no value in talking to francel any further while he's like this, and francel decides that there is no value in his talking to anyone (because he is just that worthless), francel decides to end the conversation, and roll over onto his back to sleep.]
estinien thinks it's because he didn't try hard enough. it's because he didn't try hard enough. it's because he didn't try hard enough and maybe if he had tried harder he could have been something, done something, been more than just the lonely little lord on his hill with his flowers and his graves. and even estinien understands something of friendship and loyalty, that there must be rules, that loyalty is won not earned — and it was always so easy to win haurchefant's loyalty, the sign of a generous heart perhaps, the sign of a fool on the other hand, and francel the greater fool for believing that he had actually won anything in his miserable life. he was convenient, that's all; their friendship was a matter of convenience at best, and if there were any other hopeless lordlings to befriend the bastard then haurchefant would have picked another boy and not francel. and there is little that estinien would refuse if aymeric asked and there is little that francel would refuse if haurchefant asked, but the difference is — the difference is —
it occurs to francel suddenly that ser aymeric made a bid to slay nidhogg during the conference at falcon's nest.
ser aymeric would have killed estinien during the conference at falcon's nest.
and estinien does not know of this. and there is no such thing in this world as friendship. and maybe in this world there are things like pragmatism and utilitarianism and it is right and good to choose ishgard over a single man's life. but francel would have chosen hellfire, he has already chosen hellfire, he chose to place himself in harm's way to avenge chlodebaimt (death for the life of a brother; anything for the life of a brother) and look where that has gotten him: nowhere. and haurchefant saved the warrior of light just the same way that he saved francel all those years ago, and it never meant anything at all, and it was only ever just that shallow, and he just couldn't help himself, could he, he just couldn't help himself, could he.
and loyalty is won but i always lose.
and estinien thinks it's because i didn't try hard enough.]
...You should hold on to him. And perhaps one day you too will wake up and find that you never meant anything to anyone at all.
[and on that incredibly unhelpful note, upon which estinien probably decides that there's no value in talking to francel any further while he's like this, and francel decides that there is no value in his talking to anyone (because he is just that worthless), francel decides to end the conversation, and roll over onto his back to sleep.]
Edited 2016-07-19 11:09 (UTC)
[The silence does not lead Estinien to quite the introspection that Francel has undergone. In fact, he nearly assumes the other has hung up, and as thus he leaves the tablet to its own, as he resumes fiddling with the metal and wood to brainstorm how to fix it into a proper spear—even if he cannot fasten it yet.
That isn't to say he doesn't have thoughts floating around, he does indeed, and he finds himself wondering about what the hell Francel was even trying to get at. Not being one to ponder interpersonal relationships so deeply, however, he feels the distress is clearly born of him being a man with too much time on his hands, too little responsibility, and lacking a good hard slap from reality.
Perhaps this place will harden the lad.
But then, after the long pause, his tablet speaks to him again, and his attention is on it fully. The message is as melodramatic as Estinien has come to expect, but then the silence thereafter implies the lord has withdrawn, and honestly Estinien couldn't be more relieved.
Of course, that isn't to say that parting message didn't leave Estinien with some thoughts to consider, and curiosity of what he may mean, but not enough for him to attempt to seek answers.]
That isn't to say he doesn't have thoughts floating around, he does indeed, and he finds himself wondering about what the hell Francel was even trying to get at. Not being one to ponder interpersonal relationships so deeply, however, he feels the distress is clearly born of him being a man with too much time on his hands, too little responsibility, and lacking a good hard slap from reality.
Perhaps this place will harden the lad.
But then, after the long pause, his tablet speaks to him again, and his attention is on it fully. The message is as melodramatic as Estinien has come to expect, but then the silence thereafter implies the lord has withdrawn, and honestly Estinien couldn't be more relieved.
Of course, that isn't to say that parting message didn't leave Estinien with some thoughts to consider, and curiosity of what he may mean, but not enough for him to attempt to seek answers.]
Edited 2016-07-19 18:30 (UTC)
THIS EMAIL IS CURSED!!! BY OPENING IT YOU ARE NOW ALSO CURSED!!!
The curse has downloaded itself to your tablet, and soon it will change you too. In the end, this is what happened to the previous victims that the Admin brought to Norfinbury...true story, they were all turned into anomalies by the cursed force inside their tablets...! The only way to stop the curse from taking you over and causing you to wander in the snow forever is if you forward this email to five people within the next hour. Will you break the curse, or will you be doomed to wander as a mindless hungry monster until the end of time?!
THE CLOCK IS TICKING...
The curse has downloaded itself to your tablet, and soon it will change you too. In the end, this is what happened to the previous victims that the Admin brought to Norfinbury...true story, they were all turned into anomalies by the cursed force inside their tablets...! The only way to stop the curse from taking you over and causing you to wander in the snow forever is if you forward this email to five people within the next hour. Will you break the curse, or will you be doomed to wander as a mindless hungry monster until the end of time?!
THE CLOCK IS TICKING...
[He's had some time to stew over the conversations with Luna, talked to Rhys. He'd advised Rhys not to pick fights with men like Estinien, but John isn't Rhys. He can do this better. And it's important that the Elezen know that threatening Luna is not okay or going to be tolerated.]
Mr. Estinien, this is Dr. Watson. Would you have a moment to discuss something?
Mr. Estinien, this is Dr. Watson. Would you have a moment to discuss something?
Aye. What is it?
[He doesn't really recognize the name, mainly because he doesn't care to memorize names that have yet to hold any importance to him.]
[He doesn't really recognize the name, mainly because he doesn't care to memorize names that have yet to hold any importance to him.]
I'm sorry for the text. I'm with some other people and I'd rather not disturb them.
[Or have Alfie overhear any of this.]
I wanted to apologize on behalf of Rhys and Angel for the whole debacle they had with you. They can be hard-headed, especially when they're trying to defend people they count as friends. They shouldn't have taken the tack they did with you because it seems like what was a misunderstanding blew up into something that's a problem now, for them, for you, and for other people.
[Or have Alfie overhear any of this.]
I wanted to apologize on behalf of Rhys and Angel for the whole debacle they had with you. They can be hard-headed, especially when they're trying to defend people they count as friends. They shouldn't have taken the tack they did with you because it seems like what was a misunderstanding blew up into something that's a problem now, for them, for you, and for other people.
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