kat_in_a_box | (no subject)

Who: Aymeric and Rhea'li (The Warrior of Light)
Where: The Azim Steppe
Summary: Assigned representative of the Eorzean Alliance, Aymeric travels to Othard with the Warrior of Light - who, when they have a spare moment, decides to take Aymeric to visit the Azim Steppe.
Warnings: n/a

Traveling to Othard had been both a thrilling and somewhat terrifying prospect, particularly as a representative of the Eorzean Alliance, sent to delegate with the newly independent Doma. While the Garleans had vacated most of Othard proper, still they patrolled both the air and the seas between Aldernard and the far eastern shores of Kugane - not to mention their presence within Kugane proper as well. It had to be a discrete operation, on an unmarked ship; accompanying Aymeric was only a small company of members of the Eorzean grand companies, and by his own humble request, Rhea'li Ahkbala, the Warrior of Light, as their guide.

While this had certainly been the most exciting thing that had happened to Aymeric since the liberation of Ala Mhigo, it had still mostly been political talks with Lord Hien: the forming of alliances, of trade agreements, of treatises concerning war with their common enemy, and all the likes. The deliberations went on for days.

Though Aymeric knew this was his duty, that this was what he'd been appointed specifically to do, the political talk was beginning to drive him stir crazy. He'd been doing these sorts of talks, and all of the paperwork that came with it, on a daily basis since the day he'd been appointed to the High Seat of the House of Lords. It was tiresome at home, it was tiresome far from home as well. So when, on day six, Rhea'li had asked Hien if it was alright to let Aymeric see more of Othard, Aymeric had to muster all his willpower to do the right thing and say no.

Lord Hien had dismissed him anyway - insisted, even, that Aymeric see more of the land he'd been sent to ally with. And so, with only Rhea'li to guide him, the two of them had set out to travel across Yanxia and, by Rhea'li's enthusiastic suggestion, to the Azim Steppe.

"I must admit," Aymeric said nervously, gripping the hilt of Naegling - his blue blade - on his hip as they walked through the valley sloping down towards the plains of the Steppe, "I worry I won't be quite up to the standards of the Xaela in the Steppe. From what you've told me, they're formidable fighters and travelers - both things I'm afraid I haven't done much of in the past ten years." He shifted a bit in the more loose fitting clothes he'd been given at the Enclave, eastern clothes that made him stand out ever so slightly less among the natives. It was far more comfortable than his Lord Commander's armaments, and far less flashy, but it took some getting used to.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Rhea'li loves the Azim Steppe. He'd been constantly travelling for much of his life, his initial time in Ishgard actually being the most stationary he'd ever been. Had he been born a Xaela instead of a Miqo'te, he likely would have flourished living in any of the nomadic tribes. Even though he's an outsider -- despite holding their title of khagan -- stepping back into the Steppe feels akin to returning to Limsa Lominsa; it feels a lot like coming home.

Ever since he'd offered to take Aymeric on an adventure, he'd been keeping an eye out for an opportunity. And so when the opportunity presented itself, of course he pounced upon it.

Rhea'li can't help but let out a quiet chuckle at Aymeric's apprehension. This entire trip, he's been in a good mood, his tail twitching behind him. "Be at peace, my friend. Not all the Xaela make battle their life's work. Besides, you've a way with people, regardless of their walk of life. You'll be fine."

"I appreciate your confidence," Aymeric smiled back. "Though it has taken time to adjust. I never thought I would travel this far, see places this strange and new. You, on the other hand, seem right at home." It was really something else, getting to see Rhea'li in his own element. For too long had Aymeric really only ever spoken with him from across a desk or a table. Rhea'li seemed actually happy here - on the sea, on the road, away from it all.

And as Aymeric and Rhea'li rounded a bend and emerged from the mountain passage, Aymeric could suddenly see why.

The sight of the endless outstretched plains, the enormous stone monuments, and in the far off distance, the banners that stretched up to the Dawn Throne, a colorful speck on the horizon... it all took his breath away.

"By the Fury, it's..." Incredible. Vast. Beautiful. A million other words he could have used to describe his amazement as his mouth hung in a wide open smile. "It's.... overwhelming."

Rhea'li can't help but feel a prick of pride at the naked awe in Aymeric marvelling at the Steppe. Though the Steppe is not truly his -- can any khagan truly say the Steppe is theirs? -- ever has he wished to show Aymeric the joy of travel for the sake of it.

"'Tis true adventurers work for money, but the sights we see and the people we meet are worth more than the all the gil in the world."

Making a sweeping gesture towards the rolling plains laid before them, Rhea'li continues, "Drink in the land, its monsters, its people." He flashes Aymeric a grin, a happy and content smile that reaches his eyes. "We have all the time in the world."

They don't, really, but he sees no reason to rush Aymeric's enjoyment of the Steppe. Aymeric's eventual return to politics can wait, as far as he's concerned. But that's the difference between he and Aymeric; Rhea'li has the freedom to roam, the freedom of not truly being tied down to any one faction but the Scions, a neutral party who takes on work as its members desires. And truly, he is beholden to no one but himself. If he so wished, he could walk away from it all...

But he won't.

Gods, Aymeric wished with all his might that Rhea'li's statement about their time here were true. Even now, the weight of his duties was needling in the back of his mind, keeping him from enjoying this as much as he desperately wanted to. But he took a deep breath, and pushed those thoughts down. He'd indulge himself, for now, for the few days they'd been given, in his absolute wanderlust.

"I've not even the faintest idea where to start," Aymeric said softly, smiling at Rhea'li before looking back at the plains. He noticed there was a nearby settlement, a vast one - Reunion, though he wasn't aware of it. "There? If they'll have us. You've mentioned you were... what was the word, khagan? I don't think I understood the exact meaning of the title, but would I be right in letting you do any of the introductions?"

Ah Reunion. His first foray into the Azim Steppe, the place of meetings when travelling from a foreign land. Would it be cruel to introduce Aymeric to one of the Qestir, without telling him anything of their culture?

"'Tis simply that I am the leader of all the Xaela clans until the next Naadam." Of course, he never really intended to rule them, so they can do as they please now that the fight for Doma is over.

Sure, he could make introductions, buuut...

Rhea'li tilts his head, a smile ghosting at the corners of his lips. "Would you rather not enjoy the anonymity while you have it? To be treated as merely a traveller without titles? Though I may be khagan, not all recognise me by sight."

Yet. There's a reason he often doesn't introduce himself by name or title unless necessary even in Eorzea; it's easier to observe peoples' natural behaviour. Besides, he quite likes being an unknown drifter, entering and leaving peoples' lives.

(no subject)

lmao i need to run around the steppe more

I was going to do every last sidequest there, but once I hit 70 I decided to save the EXP lol

i love the steppe so much but it's also my least explored area D:

god if we were on the same server i'd take you on a magic carpet ride

wheezes ok i finally got all the aether currents in the steppe...