I suppose so. You have the ability to disappear for so long, though. I had oft wondered what you did then. If I were you... [He trails off, a more interesting thought taking him. ]
I find it hard to believe that you have never felt amorous, though. Even the women's uniform shows some skin. It's quite cute, though I never understood the tactical advantage. And as I had heard, Lady Ysayle had her own allure.
[Estinien gave a flat look at Aymeric, and he so wished he could leap from this conversation like he had many others of the past.]
Aymeric, enough.
[It was true, he never did, he had no reason to feel that way. His mind was and always had been clouded by Nidhogg, anything else did not matter in the slightest. Well, besides Aymeric, and even then he took second and was well aware of such.]
That you would bring Lady Iceheart's supposed attractiveness into this speaks plain of your mental fraying. Let us end this pointless exchange.
[He stared at Aymeric in disbelief, the shift of his mood, and the way he was approaching such matters bespoke of something wrong, it merely added fuel to the fire of Estinien's assumptions towards the state of Aymeric's sanity.
His eyes fell to the bag offered, and in his annoyance he slapped them out of Aymeric's hand.]
Cease this line of questioning, do you seek to humiliate me? Not that your endeavor will be rewarded, but I see not the purpose of this.
I never mean to humiliate you, Estinien. [His far-off jovial look shifted to one of seriousness and concern, his personality glimpsing through the madness. He looked at the cookies scattered on the floor, then back to Estinien.]
You batter me with accusation and insult, as if aught I ask should produce embarrassment. I only wish to know about you, for I love you.
[Now he's absolutely sure this is madness brought on by this place. Much like when he hunted and killed Francel, when he had little control over himself, this too is the same for Aymeric.
Though he wonders what purpose making one think themselves in love with another would prove in this tormented place.]
You know me, far more than any other. What you know should be well enough for you, so cease asking me of intimate things you should be able to surmise the answer for by knowing my character alone.
[He seems fraught, though he nods with solemnity. Though Estinien had said it at least five times in as many minutes, it only started to sink in. And he considered it. ] Days ago I had felt robust, powerful, alert. I feel this way still, but I can't seem to dam the rushing river of my thoughts. I sleep no longer. In Ishgard I certainly would have been put to death. Well, perhaps in the days before the Inquisition had its teeth plucked from its maw.
[he steps closer, though his head is bowed. It seems unlikely that he would try to kiss him again like this. His arms find their way around his shoulders and he holds him in a hug. ]
[Estinien said nothing, merely sternly looking on at the man who had been his friend for so long, but the madness had left him like a stranger. He remained still as he came closer, as arms wrapped around his shoulders, but his remained still as stone.
The request was received, and his plea not quite ignored, but the movements of his arms were not as fast paced as one would likely assume. Hesitation filled the gesture, almost speaking of untrust, but he did eventually place comforting arms around the other.
It was a loose hug if anything. But still one all the same.]
You are unwell, my friend. You should rest and purge this folly from your mind.
[ He nestles against Estinien's neck. He seems to calm for a moment, as his shoulders begin to shake with laughter. His woes of insanity already forgotten.]
That's the damning thing. I cannot rest and I do not want to rest!
[He releases Estinien to pick the Oreos off the floor, putting them back in the bag. There used to be days that he would never consider eating something off a floor. ]
[It was almost more concerning that he would drop the topic so quickly after what they had just gone on about, near shouting at each other over Aymeric's supposed romantic fancy for him—he was certain that their fellows were somewhat privy to what their private talk was about due to the sheer volume and ferocity of the exchange.
He supposed he'd deal with it when it came to pass. For now, he watched as Aymeric picked up the Oreos off the ground without a care or concern for their cleanliness. An oddity for the man, but less so for Estinien.]
I cannot say I have much of an appetite.
[Not with that display happening. It had left him uneasy, and it helped little and less that he had his own sort of madness gnawing at his mind.]
[Aymeric seems entirely unaware that Haurchefand and Francel might have overheard them. And it clearly concerns him very little if they had. He paces as he eats the dirty cookies, cleaning the grit with a fingernail.]
Few things soothe the soul like a lover's kiss, Estinien. Perhaps you could soothe me? [A catlike grin. Is he joking? He places a hand on Estinien's chest.]
[His tone is dangerous and low. He thought they had just settled this, it appeared he was wrong.]
You are fortunate that I stopped your first assault with that strange snack, but if you attempt once more, you will know well the taste of my gauntlet. Mad or no, I will not tolerate this, and I will beat the madness out of you if you persist.
[He takes Estinien's gauntlet in the hand that was on his chest. He presses kisses against the sharp knuckles, not being overly careful. He nicks his lip, looking back up at Estinien with a charming smile as blood wells.]
[Estinien remained still as Aymeric took hold of his gauntlet, a look of disgust—or perhaps disdain—flooded his features as Aymeric kissed the sharp knuckle and consequently nicked his own lip.
A moment later, he pulled his hand from Aymeric's grasp and took a step back. He didn't want to harm Aymeric, but he would only suffer so much of this. But blatant threats did not seem to do much, so maybe he needed a different approach.]
Might we concern ourselves with more pressing matters? Perhaps searching our surroundings for aught of import? Surely these morsels are not all this building has to offer.
[As he said such, he began to attempt to walk past Aymeric.]
It couldn't hurt to scavenge. [His mind seemed to switch tracks effortlessly. ] It has been a terrible while since we have found any wine to warm ourselves with. I doubt we should find aught of the like in this place.
[He follows quickly behind Estinien, matching his long-legged stalk. The blood from his lip hadn't staunched itself yet, and a red bead dripped down his chin. ]
You may wish to stop the bleeding before worrying yourself with wine.
[Estinien pointed out. Now that he could see that Aymeric's mind more or less fluttered without direction, not unlike a butterfly looking for any flower it could perch upon, it was proving a bit easier to deal with.
He didn't know the crux of the issue, what it was that plagued Aymeric's mind so, but he could manipulate it, at the very least. It kept them from the uncomfortable and unfortunate conversation they were having, at the very least, and he'd be full sure to keep it from returning if he could help it.]
[The answer came quickly enough. He did not need much to feel comfort, but the spear he had made for himself was a joke in the face of the Gaebolg, or even a training lance.]
I can still almost feel the water on my skin from last time. What I wouldn't do for a basin large enough to cover my knees and shoulders. [his eyes flick to the strands of hair visible through the helmet's opening] I hope we haven't lost your comb.
[He sighs in wistful agreement. A bath and a real weapon would be wonderful. Though he had to wonder if eventually Estinien would become more dangerous than any anomaly. Anomalies, at least, always were a threat. Not that h sensed this as a true concern, just a passing thought.]
I wish I had something truly productive to do with all my energy right now. These damned locked doors. If only I had felt this way back home sometimes. I feel as though I could finish my paperwork in triple time.
[His hair being a tangled mess was not the worse he had ever dealt with, in fact, it was pretty normal. The only reason it ever looked half way manageable was because of Aymeric, anyways.]
Aye, but would it be legible, or even half as accurate. I doubt not your productivity, but instead the quality there of.
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I find it hard to believe that you have never felt amorous, though. Even the women's uniform shows some skin. It's quite cute, though I never understood the tactical advantage. And as I had heard, Lady Ysayle had her own allure.
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Aymeric, enough.
[It was true, he never did, he had no reason to feel that way. His mind was and always had been clouded by Nidhogg, anything else did not matter in the slightest. Well, besides Aymeric, and even then he took second and was well aware of such.]
That you would bring Lady Iceheart's supposed attractiveness into this speaks plain of your mental fraying. Let us end this pointless exchange.
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[He eats some cookies in the time he allowed Estinien to speak, then holds the bag open, offering them. ]
They're fairly good, if not very strange, little biscuits. If you hadn't stopped me just then, would that have been your first kiss?
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His eyes fell to the bag offered, and in his annoyance he slapped them out of Aymeric's hand.]
Cease this line of questioning, do you seek to humiliate me? Not that your endeavor will be rewarded, but I see not the purpose of this.
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You batter me with accusation and insult, as if aught I ask should produce embarrassment. I only wish to know about you, for I love you.
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[Now he's absolutely sure this is madness brought on by this place. Much like when he hunted and killed Francel, when he had little control over himself, this too is the same for Aymeric.
Though he wonders what purpose making one think themselves in love with another would prove in this tormented place.]
You know me, far more than any other. What you know should be well enough for you, so cease asking me of intimate things you should be able to surmise the answer for by knowing my character alone.
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[he steps closer, though his head is bowed. It seems unlikely that he would try to kiss him again like this. His arms find their way around his shoulders and he holds him in a hug. ]
Hold me, Estinien.
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The request was received, and his plea not quite ignored, but the movements of his arms were not as fast paced as one would likely assume. Hesitation filled the gesture, almost speaking of untrust, but he did eventually place comforting arms around the other.
It was a loose hug if anything. But still one all the same.]
You are unwell, my friend. You should rest and purge this folly from your mind.
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That's the damning thing. I cannot rest and I do not want to rest!
[He releases Estinien to pick the Oreos off the floor, putting them back in the bag. There used to be days that he would never consider eating something off a floor. ]
You should eat and replenish your strength.
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He supposed he'd deal with it when it came to pass. For now, he watched as Aymeric picked up the Oreos off the ground without a care or concern for their cleanliness. An oddity for the man, but less so for Estinien.]
I cannot say I have much of an appetite.
[Not with that display happening. It had left him uneasy, and it helped little and less that he had his own sort of madness gnawing at his mind.]
Mayhap in a bell or so.
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Few things soothe the soul like a lover's kiss, Estinien. Perhaps you could soothe me? [A catlike grin. Is he joking? He places a hand on Estinien's chest.]
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[His tone is dangerous and low. He thought they had just settled this, it appeared he was wrong.]
You are fortunate that I stopped your first assault with that strange snack, but if you attempt once more, you will know well the taste of my gauntlet. Mad or no, I will not tolerate this, and I will beat the madness out of you if you persist.
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[He takes Estinien's gauntlet in the hand that was on his chest. He presses kisses against the sharp knuckles, not being overly careful. He nicks his lip, looking back up at Estinien with a charming smile as blood wells.]
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A moment later, he pulled his hand from Aymeric's grasp and took a step back. He didn't want to harm Aymeric, but he would only suffer so much of this. But blatant threats did not seem to do much, so maybe he needed a different approach.]
Might we concern ourselves with more pressing matters? Perhaps searching our surroundings for aught of import? Surely these morsels are not all this building has to offer.
[As he said such, he began to attempt to walk past Aymeric.]
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[He follows quickly behind Estinien, matching his long-legged stalk. The blood from his lip hadn't staunched itself yet, and a red bead dripped down his chin. ]
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[Estinien pointed out. Now that he could see that Aymeric's mind more or less fluttered without direction, not unlike a butterfly looking for any flower it could perch upon, it was proving a bit easier to deal with.
He didn't know the crux of the issue, what it was that plagued Aymeric's mind so, but he could manipulate it, at the very least. It kept them from the uncomfortable and unfortunate conversation they were having, at the very least, and he'd be full sure to keep it from returning if he could help it.]
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[ he looks at his coat. Even in this light he could tell how dirty it had become. Somewhere on there was Cheetos dust. Disgusting.]
I should like to find some hot water again soon. I'd like to wash my clothes...
[He scans the floor for objects it sees nothing but rubble and garbage. ]
What small comfort do you think you'd like? [He asks this kindly ]
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[The answer came quickly enough. He did not need much to feel comfort, but the spear he had made for himself was a joke in the face of the Gaebolg, or even a training lance.]
But I suppose a proper bath would not go amiss.
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[He sighs in wistful agreement. A bath and a real weapon would be wonderful. Though he had to wonder if eventually Estinien would become more dangerous than any anomaly. Anomalies, at least, always were a threat. Not that h sensed this as a true concern, just a passing thought.]
I wish I had something truly productive to do with all my energy right now. These damned locked doors. If only I had felt this way back home sometimes. I feel as though I could finish my paperwork in triple time.
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[His hair being a tangled mess was not the worse he had ever dealt with, in fact, it was pretty normal. The only reason it ever looked half way manageable was because of Aymeric, anyways.]
Aye, but would it be legible, or even half as accurate. I doubt not your productivity, but instead the quality there of.