022 » baby pull me closer in the backseat of your rover

[haillenarte]

[francel's seven years old, this week. he's counting off the days until he'll be eight. his nameday is next week — and he's not certain that anyone will remember, not really, but it's fun all the same.

it's definitely more fun than accompanying his father to fortemps manor, anyway. francel likes sneaking into fortemps manor so that he can see haurchefant — but he doesn't like going with his father, because count haillenarte always insists that haurchefant has better things to do, that countess fortemps is making him run errands, and that francel should just be a good boy and play games with the servants in the parlor.

except there aren't any servants in the parlor. instead, there's a boy about twice his age sitting on a couch, and he isn't haurchefant — he's haurchefant's older brother (half-brother? father always tells him not to say that out loud, and it's very confusing).]

...H-Hello, Lord Artoirel.

[francel bows, but he's still not very good at it, and he wobbles a little when he shifts his weight to one leg. his boyish voice trembles like a sparrow's when he talks.]

F-Fair weather today, is it not?

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[ironbone]

[With a mildly irritated expression Artoirel glances up from his book. His ire doesn't lie with the boy greeting him so sweetly (though he is a bit clumsy about it); it lies in the fact that it is in fact quite a nice day and he would much rather be out doing sword drills or putting his chocobo through its paces. A lord's education must be well rounded though, and so he's stuck in here reading a musty old play that his tutor assures him is absolutely critical consumption. As he is quite the perfectionist, he's dutifully doing exactly that despite his desire to do just about anything else. He's finding the whole thing to be rather droll thus far, so the younger boy's interruption is a welcome one.

It takes him a moment or two, but he registers Francel's face easily enough. Their fathers have a strong alliance with one another, so he's at least been introduced to most of house Haillenarte at one point or another. He hasn't yet found an occasion to speak with Francel personally though, so this actually convenient. He'll be expected to maintain the bond between their houses someday, after all.]

Hello, Lord Francel, [he replies smoothly, dipping his head and setting his book to the side.] What brings you to our manor on this fine day?

[haillenarte]

Oh? Um...

[by his hesitation, young francel has apparently never had anyone say anything except "fair morning" in response. he fumbles for words — and with the ribbons at the hem of his coat.]

My lord father came to give Count Fortemps some "good tidings," though he did not tell me what those were. And... and he said that he didn't want me locked in my room with a book — that it would be better for me to come with him to Fortemps Manor.

B-But he did not tell me what I should do while I wait for him...

[ironbone]

[Locked in his room with a book? It's all fine and well to focus on one's education, but boys Francel's age should be outdoors on days like this! Though he does recall hearing that he's somewhat sickly; perhaps he usually tries to avoid exerting himself... a quick stroll should be fine, at any rate. The fresh air will do him some good. Besides, fostering the ties between their houses is surely more important than finishing his reading right this second. He can hardly expect Emmanellain to do it, that boy hasn't yet developed a sense of propriety (and he's beginning to suspect he never will at this rate). As for Haurchefant, well, he's personable enough but his very existence is an embarrassment. With his course of action decided, Artoirel stands and offers Francel a small smile and his hand.]

It wouldn't do to have a guest sitting about bored. Shall we take a walk in the gardens? We can let one of the servants know where we are so as not to inconvenience your lord father if he has need of you.

[haillenarte]

[francel seems to perk up at the prospect, and ceases fiddling with his ribbons for a moment so that he can stand up straight and shyly take artoirel's hand.]

The gardens? Does Fortemps Manor have gardens, too? I love flowers!

[oh, maybe that's a little too exuberant. he tries to dial it down a bit.]

I-I mean... I would be most eager to see the gardens here, Lord Artoirel. A-And I cannot imagine my father will have much need of me. He so rarely does.

[ironbone]

[How cute. His own brother isn't half so innocent or charming. He chuckles lightly and starts to lead Francel out of the parlor, shortening his strides so those little legs can keep up.]

That we do. We do not have quite so many flowers as the gardens at your manor, but I did enjoy the hedge maze when I was your age.

[At this point he knows every twist and turn so it's not nearly as exciting, alas. They pass a serving girl as they exit the room and Artoirel waves her down to inform her he'll be out in the gardens with Lord Francel. She's clearly struggling to not coo over the cute picture they make as she presses her lips tight and nods her understanding.]

[haillenarte]

There's a hedge maze? Like the sort in old fables?

[it's plain to see that the little lordling might grow up to be a very beloved young lord, if life doesn't crush the sweetness out of him first. francel smiles sweetly at the serving girl as they pass, as though she's a noble maiden and not just a servant, and he unintentionally squeezes artoirel's hand in his little fingers out of excitement.]

Will there be a dragon to slay at the end? Only — only I don't suppose that's a very good idea. My brothers say I've no talent for the sword.

[ironbone]

[A dragon. Mayhap he's even more innocent than he originally thought. He tries to remain gentle in his correction of the notion, keeping his voice light.]

...no, I rather think that keeping a dragon would be entirely inappropriate. I would not relish the scandal.

[Or the inevitable visit from an inquisitor. There is something to be said for having smaller dragons nearby to practice on, but all one has to do is step out of the city to find one.]

There is a gazebo and a fish pond at the center. I oft enjoy reading a book or practicing my figures there.

[He knows better than to attempt that on days like today when he's feeling antsy, though. It's perfectly natural for a teenage boy to have excess energy, but he tries to quash it all the same if he has duties to attend to.]

[haillenarte]

A fish pond? Why, that is even more exciting!

[there goes that angelic little smile again. emmanellain's a smiley sort, too, but he tends to grin more often than not, in a way that bares his canines and makes his nose wrinkle; francel smiles with a tiny little curl to his lips and an apparently unconscious batting of his eyelashes.]

What sort of fish do you keep here, Lord Artoirel? Mine uncle — well, one of mine uncles — he has a fondness for fish, you see, and maintains a vast aquarium. But really, I think flowers and plants are less work.

[ironbone]

[It's a smile he can't help but return, though Artoirel's is far more subtle. Just the barest upturn of his lips, really. What a pleasant child, his very presence is soothing. He almost feels cheated with the brothers that he has. That bastard in particular he could do without.

Oh, he'll be in a sour mood when he finds out just how often Francel runs about with him.]

We have a small school of tri-colored carp. I hear that they are quite popular in Ul'dah. I do not tend to them personally, but apparently once they have been established properly they are not greatly troublesome. They mostly tend to themselves in the warmer months by nibbling at plants and feeding upon the insects attracted to the water's surface. Since we do feed them in the winter, they will gather if you care to approach the pond.

[haillenarte]

Carp? Are not carp dangerous?

[it's funny how he thinks carp might be dangerous, but keeping a dragon in the garden wouldn't be...]

I read in a book once that some species of carp can grow as big as mountains! Well — well, maybe not mountains, but they can grow big enough to eat small dogs, and cats. What if they eat me?

[ironbone]

[Not only is a dragon far more dangerous, but even the biggest fish isn't really a threat on land for one big reason:]

Do you expect them to leap from the water to devour you? They can't breathe air.

[Mayhap that was a bit harsh. Francel is just barely of an age to be starting his schooling proper, so he shouldn't expect him to know everything.]

You have nothing to fear. Even the largest fish in our pond does not reach a yalm in length. They may have a go at your finger if you poke about their mouths, but they will not harm you otherwise.

[haillenarte]

But suppose I fell in the water?

[a peek at francel's face will reveal that he's still smiling serenely, which most likely means that he knows full well that this line of questioning is pointless — he's just screwing with artoirel.

cheeky little thing.

he changes his tune, though, once they finally pass through a large set of double doors into the manor's interior courtyard, where the garden lies beyond a set of stately stone columns. the fresh scent of grass and brisk spring air fills francel's lungs; he pauses in his steps so he can breathe deep of it.]

Is this the House Fortemps garden, my lord? Why, it's so beautiful... and so grand!

[ironbone]

[Tempted though he is to return that cheek in kind, he refrains. He's not yet sure how sensitive of a boy Francel is, and the thought of it getting back to his father if he made the youngest Haillenarte lord cry is not a pleasant one. At his age he should serve as an example, not tease a lad half his age.]

I am pleased to hear it is to your liking.

[He takes a slight detour away from the hedge maze. A child that thinks a dragon at the center of a maze sounds fanciful will surely enjoy seeing the lifelike unicorn statue rearing majestically at the center of the main fountain. He remains silent as he leads Francel by the hand, secretly hoping that he does think it's real, if only for a moment.]

[haillenarte]

[boo, artoirel didn't react to the teasing. how boring! but francel will forgive him as soon as he's led to the unicorn fountain, and immediately drops all pretenses towards lordliness.]

Is that a unicorn? A real unicorn?!

[but — oh, no. the stone is carved beautifully, to be sure, but the unicorn isn't breathing and its mane isn't waving in the wind.]

Ah, I see... 'tis merely a statue. But it looks so real! It so resembles the picture in the bestiary I have at home! Can I ride it?

[francel is practically shining with glee as he utters:]

Oh, Haurchefant would be so excited to see this!

[ironbone]

[His joy is infectious, and despite the fact that Francel's request is somewhat impractical he's about to acquiesce when the boy says something to utterly spoil his good humor.]

I am sure he has already seen this, [he says stiffly. Why would Francel know Haurchefant? It's bad enough that his father openly acknowledges the bastard, but allowing him to socialize with a proper trueborn son of another house is just shameless. Must the entire city be made aware of his baseborn brother?]

You two are acquainted?

[haillenarte]

Yes! We met at a party some moons ago.

Well — not at a party, exactly. He was outside of the party. I don't quite understand why. But I shared my pudding with him, so we are now friends.

[it's plain to see from the way the boy talks about this that little francel is fairly enamored with young haurchefant. what a pity.]

[ironbone]

[He is at least somewhat mollified to have Francel confirm what he already suspected — his father ensures that Haurchefant stays out of sight during high society functions. Artoirel's mother deserves at least that much respect. He turns from the fountain, tightening his grip on Francel's small hand slightly as he starts to walk away toward the hedge maze.]

I see. Do not forget that a lord should choose his friends carefully, Lord Francel. Sharing pudding is hardly grounds to trust in someone.

[haillenarte]

Oh? But... but Haurchefant is ever so kind.

[confused, he squeezes back, smiling in a timid way that suggests he's trying to pacify whatever ill humor he's detected in artoirel's words.]

Sometimes he sneaks into my room and we play games together, or he takes me out on adventures through the city, or we play in the Crozier. I never know what to do with myself besides read books and stay in my room so I don't bother anybody — but there's ever so much to do when Haurchefant is around.

[the boy's gaze falls to the grass, suddenly, and he kicks his feet at the dirt.]

...No one else pays attention to me the way Haurchefant does. Not my father, nor my brothers... Chlodebaimt is kind to me, but he's always away, so he doesn't have time to play games with me...

[ironbone]

[Haurchefant sneaks a young (and possibly sickly) noble boy down to the Crozier?! This is even worse than he initially thought. Surely they aren't going without some sort of escort. It's generally safe, but there are pickpockets about and if Francel were to get lost... perhaps if he befriends him instead, he'll have less cause to associate beneath him.

Not that his motives are entirely altruistic. The idea of stealing his half brother's little friend away is admittedly an appealing one.]

I am sorry to hear that. There are a lot of demands on men of our station; you'll come to understand as you grow older. However...

[Artoirel smiles down at the younger boy kindly.]

I often have free time on weekends after church. You are welcome to come and visit if you like.

[haillenarte]

[altruistic or not, francel falls for artoirel's words like a noble woman promised undying love for the first time. his face shines with the obvious hope of someone who really really wants something but is too afraid to claim it.]

T... Truly, Lord Artoirel? Truly? I... I know being the firstborn of your House is a great responsibility, and you must have a great many other things to do than entertain a fourthborn like myself. I... I would not want to impose...

[ironbone]

[Artoirel is not blind to that admiration, nor is he above taking advantage of it. Not that he's planning anything nefarious — it's really quite charming to have someone so genuinely excited at the prospect of keeping company with him even without the secondary motive of steering Francel away from his half brother.]

Aye, truly. Do not worry yourself about imposing; your company would be most welcome.

[He pauses by a particularly lovely iris in bloom and leans down enough to run his index fingers over the delicate petals.]

You said that you are fond of flowers, yes? We recently acquired an encyclopedia of the flora and fauna of the Twelveswood with full color illustrations. Mayhap this coming weekend we could take it out to the gazebo and take a look at it if the weather is fair.

[haillenarte]

[for a moment, francel just stares at artoirel like he's just been offered the entire world.]

I... that would be lovely, Lord Artoirel. I would... I would appreciate...

[he stammers and pauses, but in the end — even though he knows it's not appropriate, and artoirel seems like the sort of person who cares a lot about behaving appropriately, but maybe it's fine to blame his unruliness on haurchefant's influence, just this once — francel throws his little arms around artoirel's waist and hugs as tightly as he can manage. his little cheeks are flushed from some mixture of happiness and embarrassment; he smiles into artoirel's shirt.]

You're the best, Lord Artoirel!

[ironbone]

[A hug is a bit more than he was expecting. He simply stares down at Francel for a moment, waffling between gently scolding him for the behavior and hugging him back. After a couple seconds more he settles for placing his hand on the overly affectionate boy's head. It's fine to be a little over exuberant sometimes...]

'Tis no great deed worthy of singing my praises over.

[Any longer than this is excessive even if he doesn't truly mind. Artoirel takes a step back, offering his hand again.]

Shall we be off?

[haillenarte]

[okay, okay, he'll behave himself; he knows when to let go when he's told. francel draws back and cheerfully reclaims artoirel's hand.]

Yes, let's!

[ironbone]

[It isn't at all difficult to spot the hedgemaze with its nine foot tall hedges. Excessive elsewhere perhaps, but since elezen have been known to reach seven feet tall it would hardly be any fun if someone just jumped up to see over them. Once they get there he releases Francel's hand, squatting down enough for them to be eye to eye.]

I have navigated this maze many a time, so I fear we will be done all too soon if I take the lead. Would you like to lead, Lord Francel?