arranged marriage au.

[dragonsung]

It was not Ysayle's decision, but nor did she protest -- she'd be a fool to think that there was a better gesture of solidarity. Oh, she knew that Ishgard would have difficulty swallowing the fact they were marrying off their golden boy to Lady Iceheart, the heretic. But if they proved that they could forgive her (and oh, she wanted that forgiveness, even if she knows she does not deserve it) or at least let her walk amongst them a free and accepted woman, then the dragons would have another sign of the changed minds of the Ishgardians.

And she will do everything in her power to see peace between the two.

Which is why she is here, sitting across from the Lord Commander at a table that is startlingly large for the two of them in a building that seems needlessly empty. The dinner must have been his idea, for Vidofnir would never have thought to suggest it and Ysayle simply agreed to a wedding, not... whatever this is. Courtship, mayhap? But that would imply feelings, and she is certain that duty is their motivator here, not desire.

He is at least passable company, however, if the nature of the situation makes them both overly stiff and formal.

Ysayle cannot help but make it moreso. "I do not mean to intrude overly into your personal life," she says, mid bites of her dinner in a silence that had become increasingly more uncomfortable the longer it went on. "If you have other attachments you wish to pursue even after we are wed, I shall harbor no ill-will towards you or they." Unlike many Ishgardians who pretend that they are above such things. Was not Haurchefant Greystone one of the bastards that Ishgard had so readily dismissed? And Hilda, too, to say nothing of Aymeric himself. Ysayle has no plans to delude herself that such things were rare or uncommon, nor that she could expect fealty in a relationship with no romance.

If he could find joy apart from her she finds no reason to deny it.

Comments

[dragonsung]

She does not understand why such a simple thing can bring out such a response in him, but at the same time Ysayle finds herself grateful for it all the same. He does not brush it off as self indulgent, or as meaningless.

"I have made do with less, and you have offered more than I expected. It does not go unappreciated," that he would be so willing to help in what way he can. The shock of his desire to learn is clear on her face -- wide eyes, surprise obvious, and pleasure too.

Setting aside her glass for now, she continues. "Finding a leatherworker will do for now. They will likely be easier found outside of the city -- Tailfeather, perhaps." That he wants to learn is a surprise in and of itself, but she does not discourage him. "If you seek to capture a bird from the wild we will need traps, or if you would prefer to purchase one bred for the sport they are no less skilled than their wild brethren. Provided we do not purchase one in Ishgard itself."

Ysayle has her doubts on the capableness of those.

[mostheavenly]

"It may be that Tailfeather is the best place for gear and bird alike. I imagine they have some skill at such things, and some need. I confess, it's more a sport I would see the Gridanians interested in, though, than any of our current outposts," the current is important there. He's well aware that there used to be a great many more small settlements who would have practiced such things.

Actually, though...

"Perhaps I will flex some of our newfound diplomatic powers," he says, musing over what would be required. "I don't know how the Seedseer, herself, feels about such things, but I imagine that there's something to be said for introducing Gridanian falconry skills to Ishgard. Perhaps she would send a tutor. If such a thing would interest you, of course."

Everything is political with him, but politics and personal enjoyment aren't opposites.

[dragonsung]

Back when things were not covered in ice and snow. Ysayle knows that other parts of Eorzea have suffered after the Calamity, but Ishgard's situation has always struck her as unique. All at once things changed, but there was rebuilding to be done, time to recover. Ishgard is simply going to be cloaked in eternal winter until the end. "Those who remember will no doubt be willing to engage with it once more," Ysayle muses, but at the mention of getting someone from Gridania brightens her eyes.

"I-- yes. It would, immensely." Ysayle feels she can admit to that, at least. The ice in her eyes retreats for a moment, softening when she looks at him. "I see now why you have the position you do, Lord Commander. I do not mean it as an insult, only complementary. You are quite skilled at this."

[mostheavenly]

He gives her a thin smile. It's genuine enough, but there is both much that he says in the not-saying and much that it says that he trusts her with that much.

"It has been a talent and a necessity both. It pleases me to be able to use it for something that is likely to be agreeable to everyone, for once," his eyes drop and there is something both genuine and practiced about the way it makes him look more demure, like he might deign to blush if he were someone else. It's as though the expression were practiced so thoroughly that it became a natural expression. "And, perhaps, to please someone of whom I think highly."

It's a bit more... guarded of a bit of flirting than some of his earlier, more honest but less flattering attempts had been. But this, too, is somewhat calculated, a small show that he can play the game when he needs to, perhaps, or perhaps some kind of leading by example. Even so, there is nothing about it that seems disingenuous.