gurabad | 044 » deep down i know it never works

[ Sometimes, it's very difficult for Haurchefant is trying to go incognito anywhere; he is recognisable, more often than not, and gangly with his own movements. Yes, he's a knight, yes, he's charming, but that is what makes him popular - and dressing down, while likely suiting him, isn't the easiest thing.

When he spots Francel any attempt at being quiet or hiding himself is forgotten as he rushes forward, fully prepared to sweep his friend up in a timely embrace. It's only the reminder that they're sneaking off for a quiet elopement that has him settling down, and then he's laughing, reaching out to put a hand on his friend's shoulder. ]

Here I am, as I said. [ He leans down, curious. ] Are you dressed as a botanist under there?

I am!

[though it lets in the cold winter chill, francel extends his arms outward, spreading his cloak like a pair of wings so that haurchefant can examine his choice of attire. the young lord is, indeed, dressed like a common traveler, and with his knowledge of plants, should probably be able to present himself convincingly as a botanist.]

And you, are you ready? Shall we be off before we are spotted?

Very handsome, my friend. You'll fit in well with the Gridanians.

[ He's... Somewhat less hopeful about himself, but he imagines that he's both less well known and perhaps more invisible outside of the realm of Ishgard. At least he's managed to dress down enough that he looks more like a traveller than a knight, even if the idea of leaving his sword and shield behind had been something tragically felt.

He squeezes Francel's shoulder again before he nods, stepping forward. ]

You'll have to be my guide. I've never stolen an airship before.

[ ... Technically. He was very good at finding them, though. ]

Wait! Are we really going to steal an airship?

[at least francel has stopped referring to it as borrowing the airship, but now that it's actually being proposed, he doesn't seem to think that it's a very good idea...]

I mean, we could... but Gridania isn't far, you know. The edge of the North Shroud is just past the Observatorium. It would take us near as long just to walk back to Ishgard to take the airship.

The thrill of adventure has been burning inside me, my friend!

[ But, really, they probably shouldn't go around thieving airships. It's not good behaviour and his code of honour doesn't enjoy the idea. It was a fun notion all the same. ]

We can walk together, then. I would fetch us some chocobo but I fear that might give the game away before we've even begun.

Yes — I fear the chocobokeeps would notice two missing birds sooner than my lord brother would notice a missing airship. Let us walk, then.

[jauntily, francel skips into place beside haurchefant, then slows to match the older man's pace. he smiles, rendered unspeakably happy just by being at his best friend's side.]

Besides, we would have to secure food and lodging for the chocobos, and that might prove difficult. It would be fun to race our way to the Shroud, though! I've gotten very good at riding, you know. I fancy I would emerge the victor.

Your lord brother is more observant than you credit him for, surely.

[ But he teases, and his arm lays around his friend as they walk, mostly because he enjoys the companionship. ]

Perhaps next time, when we are not being sleuths incognito, we shall race. I'd like to best you in a contest.

[laughing, francel swings with the weight of haurchefant's arm, then rests his own hand on top of his friend's, gently holding his arm in place, as if to tell haurchefant that francel enjoys this closeness, too.]

You'll find me not so easily bested! But yes... I think a chocobo race would be excellent for morale. Our knights must often work with each other, after all, so they must be afforded the opportunity to think of one another as brothers-in-arms. Perhaps the thrill of competition would bring our encampments closer together.

[suddenly, francel realizes that this prattling on about their encampments is the exact opposite of how he intended this trip to gridania to go...]

Ah, here I am thinking about work again! This was supposed to be our escape from it all!

[ It's nice, he thinks, to see Francel relaxing and enjoying a little bit of his time. Things are not always easy for the both of them, and being able to escape for a few days is a gift indeed. ]

The thrill of competition and a good drink once it's done! We must all be friends if we're to fight together - there is no denying that. We must trust one another as surely as you and I do.

[ Clearly, he's not too upset at the prospect of discussing work just a little. ]

It is important to us! It'll come up, even if we flee from it, my friend.

We need rest! We need rest.

[too much work and too little play makes francel a dull boy, and he is afraid that he is being one now, rambling on about work work work work work. still smiling, he turns his head and air-kisses the back of haurchefant's glove on impulse — then he pats it and lets go, leaving haurchefant free to withdraw his arm from francel's shoulder if he chooses to do so.]

When we return, surely, we can discuss the possibilities of, oh, more joint training exercises and shared supply chains. For now, however, let us think of more... more exciting things.

Competition can be rest, my friend! It is fun, a game!

[ He's only teasing, just enough that he knows he can rile Francel up a bit and still bring him back down from the edge. The soft sign of friendship just makes him smile all the brighter and he makes no move to take his arm away, content and relaxed in the moment. ]

What exciting things do you seek in Gridania, then? Tell me all your plans.

Well, first, we'll be headed through the North Shroud, where we'll pass by Fallgourd Float. I thought we might ask the locals nicely and see if it would be possible for us to take a little boat out on the lake — just to enjoy the scenery and breathe the clean Shroud air. Then when we reach Gridania proper, I should like to visit the markets there, and see what treasures they have that the Jeweled Crozier does not. And I've brought some coin, so we simply must try some Gridanian cuisine! Rumors say the eel pies at the Carline Canopy are to die for...

[obviously excited, francel rattles off his vacation bucket list with an intensity that suggests he has been planning this trip for a while. after a moment of gushing, however, he catches himself, eager to hear haurchefant's input. he is particularly happy that haurchefant has decided to keep his arm wrapped around his shoulder; he feels remarkably safe and warm.]

What about you, my friend? Hmm, let me guess... would you want to see the chocobos at Bentbranch Meadows?

You have our entire journey prepared for us both! For something so spontaneous you are well equipped.

[ It sounds like a very enjoyable and wonderful set of plans. There's not much time for relaxing or enjoying yourself when you are a knight just as he is, and he considers how much they are going to be able to do before they're forced to return. Markets, food, a boat ride... It sounds like the most charming experience. ]

Of course I do! I would like to see how they compare to the ones that have been raised at home. You'll accompany me?

I do so enjoy seeing you get all worked up about chocobos...

[that almost sounds demeaning, but it's true! haurchefant is great fun when he's going on and on about good, strong birds. even if the rest of ishgard does not especially agree...]

And you know me — I'm always thinking about things. [francel smiles demurely, vaguely embarrassed.] Well — well, perhaps I have been planning this escape for a little while! But I'm ever so glad you are willing to go along with it.

They are such marvellous creatures! I'd love to train them more, but there is always so much to do...

[ It's incredibly wistful; he knows, of course, that he has a job of great import that cannot often be ignored and he is proud of it. His ventures would be marvellous to continue all the same. ]

I've always been rather willing to go with your grand schemes. They're always far more interesting than anyone would imagine - I always knew you would be an incredible mastermind! Will you plan another for us?

A mastermind? Haurchefant! You make it sound as though I've plotted a heist!

[laughing, francel rests his hand upon haurchefant's once more. yes, they are terribly busy men, and they have precious little time to spend like this — but perhaps, if francel plans well and covers their tracks, they can escape for yet another outing, travel someplace warm...]

Since you have flattered me so nicely, mayhap I shall plan another! And, hmm, perhaps I might be able to procure passage on an airship...

[it takes some time, but at last they do reach the north shroud, where francel draws his cloak back to reveal his simple attire beneath. the gridanian wood wailers take them for common travelers (though one does seem to stare at haurchefant a bit too closely — his reputation precedes him), and offer them directions to fallgourd float; upon seeing the waters of the town's magnificent lake, francel gasps in delight.]

Oh, look, Haurchefant — is it not beautiful? And the building in the center there — that must be the famed Bobbing Cork!

Is this not a heist? You've successfully kidnapped a knight from his duties! The world will be hounding our footsteps in a few short hours, surely, and until then we must make the most of what time we have.

[ It's nice, he thinks, to have a few moments to simply enjoy what it is to have a friend and bask in it; his duty ties him up more often than not and there are so many things for him to do and accomplish that 'breaks' are not necessarily part of his routine. Haurchefant fears that he is lucky to get an hour to himself, let alone any longer period.

The promise of an airship has his delight and he is quick to follow his friend though towards the Float. His own eyes widen and the look of sheer joy on his face is impossible to miss. ]

Is that our first port of call, then, my friend?

It certainly is! Welcome to Fallgourd Float, dear friend. I wonder if the residents will let us take a boat out on the lake...

[francel finds someone to ask soon enough — a pretty midlander lass who boasts something of a mannish air about her as she pulls a canoe closer to the dock's edge. expertly, she ties it to the pier. "the two of you want to take a boat out?" she asks, quirking a brow.

straightening herself to her full five-fulm height — even at her tallest, she fails to hold her head any higher than francel's chest — the woman gives haurchefant and francel a blatant once-over. "travelers, by the look of you, and ishgardian too, i reckon," she concludes. fortunately — gridanian though she may be — she holds no particular biases, and is kind at heart. "well, i don't see the harm in it, so long as you bring it back before the day is done. but are you quite sure you know how to work one of these boats, boy? i wasn't aware as you had lakes out there in freezing coerthas."]

Oh, I, er...

[she does have a point, at least in francel's case...]

I think they could be persuaded - we cannot be the only ones who want to give it a try.

[ Of course, his enthusiastic and forward thinking friend is the one who goes and manages to find them a boat before Haurchefant has even considered where they ought to go. Francel is far more prepared than he had ever imagined and he's more than happy to follow after him, striding long and slow with a wide smile on his face.

The question makes him pause and his eyes widen, flicking to his friend before he laughs. ]

I am certain we can work it! I have utter faith in us, my friend.

A-Are you sure?

[though francel does not seem entirely certain of himself, the gridanian woman takes one look at haurchefant's confident demeanor, then shrugs and tosses him the length of rope she's been working with. "take care out there," she says. "i'm a strong lass, or so my father says, but even i can't haul two elezen men out of the water if the two of you capsize."

"ah, but don't you worry," she adds, chuckling. "the water's not that deep. i'm sure one of you could stand in it and still have your head poking out over the surface!"

jovially, the woman departs, leaving the two travelers to row their borrowed canoe.]

Of course! We're capable of anything if we try together, don't you think?

[ Francel might be unsure but there's nothing stopping Haurchefant - he makes his way over to the boat without too much hesitation, looking it over with a critical eye. He's a knight, trained in many skills, surely this cannot be too difficult to work out? It is hardly dangerous, either - like the find lady said, the water is hardly too deep for them to manage.

Turning back to his friend, Haurchefant grins. ]

Do you want to get in first?

A-Ah, er...

[francel seems to balk at the idea of getting into the canoe — evidently, he is afraid of capsizing it, as the hyuran woman implied they might. he hesitates, standing awkwardly at the edge of the pier. sheepishly, francel scratches at his cheek.]

I-I believe it might be better if... if you were to get into the boat first, and then help me in...

044 » deep down i know it never works

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