[Coethas was cold. Asahi had known it would be cold, had prepared for it. But it didn't stop him from hating it.
Still, he stays as poised as possible. It wouldn't due to show weakness here. The mission isn't important. More of a probe than anything and Asahi already knows he has an in here with the young Haillenarte lord.
Not that he expects it to go very far aside from a slightly warmer welcome. Ever since Lord Francel had accidentally contacted over linkshell they had developed a comradery of sorts. They were both unhappy with the states of their government, and they had both lost men that they loved to the Warrior of Light.
He heard footsteps on the stairs and turned his attention to them, seeing a young Elezen walk down them. Lord Francel de Haillenarte looking exactly as Garlean intelligence had described him.
He felt himself smile.]
Lord de Haillenarte I assume? I am Asahi sas Brutus, Ambassador Plenipotentiary of the Garlean Empire. It is an honor to meet you.
[in stunned wonderment, francel stops at the top of the stairs, then breaks into a smile as he walks rather more quickly towards the garlean delegation. who would have thought that a few mistuned linkpearls would bring him in contact with a garlean ambassador?]
The honor is mine, friend. [(in the background, naturally, some of the house haillenarte knights look rather bewildered to see their young lord addressing any garlean as a friend.)] But I must say, you made no mention that you would be dropping by for a visit...!
[or maybe he did, and they were both just too deep in their cups to remember it in the morning. oh well.]
Oh, there is no need for that — but I'll not refuse a glass of your finest so long as you partake in some of our Coerthan red.
[this answer is given jovially, though it is just as cautious as it is reckless. their countries are neither at war nor at peace, and francel should not, in general, accept drinks from foreign dignitaries, particularly as poisonings are not uncommon in ishgard. but francel does not think himself important enough to be poisoned, nor does he think asahi foolish enough to visit ishgard merely to assassinate the youngest son of a single high house.
so it should be fine.]
We can use the office on the second floor. Though I do hope you won't be too winded by the stairs...
[sure enough, one rather long staircase later, francel ushers asahi into a modest but well-furnished office on the second floor of monument tower, where they might have some privacy.]
Here we are — this is where I normally receive guests. Please, make yourselves comfortable.
But of course. I'm more than happy to share a glass with you.
[Oh, Asahi knows about poisoning in Eorzea. The Ivy had been quite happy to share what she knew before she was uprooted, including Teledji Adeledji's plan to kill the Sultana well before it had happened.
But no, he's not going poison Francel, not when the other man is great to talk to when drunk.]
I've been through worse, my friend.
[He sits and smiles at Francel, putting the bottle on the desk.]
Tell me, Lord Francel, how are you fairing? It has been awhile since we last spoke.
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valoirs
no subject
Still, he stays as poised as possible. It wouldn't due to show weakness here. The mission isn't important. More of a probe than anything and Asahi already knows he has an in here with the young Haillenarte lord.
Not that he expects it to go very far aside from a slightly warmer welcome. Ever since Lord Francel had accidentally contacted over linkshell they had developed a comradery of sorts. They were both unhappy with the states of their government, and they had both lost men that they loved to the Warrior of Light.
He heard footsteps on the stairs and turned his attention to them, seeing a young Elezen walk down them. Lord Francel de Haillenarte looking exactly as Garlean intelligence had described him.
He felt himself smile.]
Lord de Haillenarte I assume? I am Asahi sas Brutus, Ambassador Plenipotentiary of the Garlean Empire. It is an honor to meet you.
no subject
[in stunned wonderment, francel stops at the top of the stairs, then breaks into a smile as he walks rather more quickly towards the garlean delegation. who would have thought that a few mistuned linkpearls would bring him in contact with a garlean ambassador?]
The honor is mine, friend. [(in the background, naturally, some of the house haillenarte knights look rather bewildered to see their young lord addressing any garlean as a friend.)] But I must say, you made no mention that you would be dropping by for a visit...!
[or maybe he did, and they were both just too deep in their cups to remember it in the morning. oh well.]
no subject
I wanted it to be a surprise.
[He looked around the barracks again, meeting the gaze of some of the confused knights.
He holds his hand and clasps Francel.]
It is good to finally meet you in person, friend.
Come, let us retire to a room where we can discuss matters of peace. I'll have Maxima bring us some wine.
no subject
[this answer is given jovially, though it is just as cautious as it is reckless. their countries are neither at war nor at peace, and francel should not, in general, accept drinks from foreign dignitaries, particularly as poisonings are not uncommon in ishgard. but francel does not think himself important enough to be poisoned, nor does he think asahi foolish enough to visit ishgard merely to assassinate the youngest son of a single high house.
so it should be fine.]
We can use the office on the second floor. Though I do hope you won't be too winded by the stairs...
[sure enough, one rather long staircase later, francel ushers asahi into a modest but well-furnished office on the second floor of monument tower, where they might have some privacy.]
Here we are — this is where I normally receive guests. Please, make yourselves comfortable.
no subject
[Oh, Asahi knows about poisoning in Eorzea. The Ivy had been quite happy to share what she knew before she was uprooted, including Teledji Adeledji's plan to kill the Sultana well before it had happened.
But no, he's not going poison Francel, not when the other man is great to talk to when drunk.]
I've been through worse, my friend.
[He sits and smiles at Francel, putting the bottle on the desk.]
Tell me, Lord Francel, how are you fairing? It has been awhile since we last spoke.