[ In truth Estinien himself did not know what to make of his own survival, he thought himself surely dead upon the Steps of Faith. What other course was there? If they did not strike him down what little strength he had left would have faded and Nidhogg's hold over his body complete. Instead, his friends surprised him; at great risk to themselves, they pried the Eyes from his form despite his pleas and freed him. Saved him.
What was he to do with that gift? With air in his lungs and the lessons learned during his time as the wyrm's unwilling host? Rest, Aymeric had told him, rest and regain his strength. But they both knew such thing would not happen, he knew full well Estinien would not remain idle and bound to his sickbed.
Thus it was little surprise when they had found it-empty, his armor left behind and his spear missing, no sign of where the former Azure Dragoon may have gone. Aymeric likely had his suspicions, of course, he could not hide his intended destination from that man even if he tried. He would suspect Alphinaud and the Warrior of Light also knew, half expecting them to attempt to stop him and return him to his sickbed. It is a relief when they do not dog his steps when he travels from the safety of Ishgard to Azys Lla.
It is a simple gesture, the only one he can think of doing in repayment for all she had done for them─ for all she had done for him. He is hard-pressed to admit their journey together had been good for him, had changed him for the better. But it was. Thus he travels here, a bouquet of Nyemia lilies in hand, to honor the fallen and thank the woman who had been instrumental in their victory.
A simple, silent gesture that is shattered by a voice.
You remain as foolhardy as ever, dragoon.
Fingers curl tightly around the bouquet and his posture changes, expecting to look over his shoulder and see nothing but the expanse of Azys Lla. The voice is nothing more than a phantom of his tired mind, isn't it? He remembers her falling, aether dissipating, so surely she cannot be standing there.
Yet she is.
Estinien turns, eyes widening for a brief moment before they narrow, a scowl quick to find his features. Has it truly been so long since he last slept? Is he now seeing phantoms as well as hearing them? ]
Begone specter, I need no commentary as I pay respects to the dead.
no subject
What was he to do with that gift? With air in his lungs and the lessons learned during his time as the wyrm's unwilling host? Rest, Aymeric had told him, rest and regain his strength. But they both knew such thing would not happen, he knew full well Estinien would not remain idle and bound to his sickbed.
Thus it was little surprise when they had found it-empty, his armor left behind and his spear missing, no sign of where the former Azure Dragoon may have gone. Aymeric likely had his suspicions, of course, he could not hide his intended destination from that man even if he tried. He would suspect Alphinaud and the Warrior of Light also knew, half expecting them to attempt to stop him and return him to his sickbed. It is a relief when they do not dog his steps when he travels from the safety of Ishgard to Azys Lla.
It is a simple gesture, the only one he can think of doing in repayment for all she had done for them─ for all she had done for him. He is hard-pressed to admit their journey together had been good for him, had changed him for the better. But it was. Thus he travels here, a bouquet of Nyemia lilies in hand, to honor the fallen and thank the woman who had been instrumental in their victory.
A simple, silent gesture that is shattered by a voice.
You remain as foolhardy as ever, dragoon.
Fingers curl tightly around the bouquet and his posture changes, expecting to look over his shoulder and see nothing but the expanse of Azys Lla. The voice is nothing more than a phantom of his tired mind, isn't it? He remembers her falling, aether dissipating, so surely she cannot be standing there.
Yet she is.
Estinien turns, eyes widening for a brief moment before they narrow, a scowl quick to find his features. Has it truly been so long since he last slept? Is he now seeing phantoms as well as hearing them? ]
Begone specter, I need no commentary as I pay respects to the dead.