[ Though he would gladly take to any opportunities presented to him with his knighthood, Haurchefant had become very fond of his post at Camp Dragonhead. It allowed him more freedom than he might otherwise within the walls of Ishgard proper and has put him in a very convenient and central location in a very literal sense.
Even before the Calamity, Coerthas was a labyrinth of winding valleys and high peaks, funneling travelers and would-be adventurers through the kindest paths. Camp Dragonhead is situated perfectly on one such of those which means that he enjoys the benefits of getting to chat with all who pass through the gates as he likes. Ishgard may not have the reputation of being particularly warm to foreigners, but Haurchefant welcomed all with open arms and a hearty sense of curiosity. The world is a truly much more wonderous place than he would have realized otherwise!
Of course, he did play favorites. In the months past a very particular adventurer had graced his stony doorstep and Haurchefant is always glad to have her grace her with his presence. Thoughts of M'ahina were not infrequent as he sits there going over a supply request meant to pass up further north. He rereads the same line twice as he considers if he should write her a letter--then...where exactly would he send it? Always so busy, always in demand...and rightly so! ]
My lord?
[ Haurchefant blinks and looks up to the knight in front of him, then laughs. ]
Ah, apologies! My mind seems oft to wander as the sun gets closer to setting.
[ He grabs his quill and quickly signs his approval at the bottom of the scroll and hands it back. ]
There we are! And send my regards to Ser Dilort.
[ The knight salutes and makes their back towards the door. Haurchefant leans back into his chair as he watches, thinking back to the last time he saw those selfsame doors burst open and revealing his dearest visitor... ]
[ It began as it always did--some simple errand getting far away from her. M'ahina had been asked this time to procure a medicinal plant, and eagerly accepted, thinking it a simple gesture. How wrong she had been. A sold out market and wild goose chase later, she resigned herself to Coerthas to harvest a rare cultivar of mistletoe own her own. One might think, given her disdain for cold and especially the snow, that she might have dressed a bit more sensibly for the occasion. Such persons would be vastly overestimating her foresight, and vastly underestimating her priority for fashion over function. She has an image to maintain, and surely no self-respecting bard would be caught dull clothing.
Though now, she's paying the price for it, in the form of being almost dangerously chilled, and there can be only one possible destination in such a state. There may be plenty of places offering a fire, but in Coerthas, only of one those places offers any warmth of spirit. Lord Haurchefant's unusual mannerisms notwithstanding. M'ahina can't recall being so enthusiastically welcomed anywhere else in all her years.
It's not a very grand entrance. Her ears are flat against her head, her arms pulled around her, and she walks in tiny steps, shivering. ]
I... thought I might take advantage of you hearth?
[ She attempts to give a wry smile, though not successfully. He face is so numb she could almost imagine her features frozen into place. Mayhap she should reevaluate her priorities--this may well be the height of creating one's own problems, and now she looks ridiculous. ]
[ Her timing could not have been more perfect. How fortuitous that when his mind wandered her way that she would deign to make an appearance! Perhaps the Fury was really looking out for him. Haurchefant--jovial in his own right--seems to brighten tenfold at the sight of her. ]
My friend!
[ He stands, his chair pushing back against the stone with the motion and he wastes no time rounding the desk. Haurchefant extends his arms wide as he meets M'ahina at the doorway, taking in the way her ears hug close to her head, the flush of her skin. Chilled, no doubt. ]
My hearth is ever at your disposal and I assure you it is more hospitable than the weather this afternoon. Come, come!
[ He places a hand at her shoulder to guide her in further and motions to one of his knights who immediately goes to the far corner of the room to rummage for a cloak or a blanket. ]
[ M'ahina gives a couple of nods of agreement, more intent on vigorously rubbing at her arms instead of responding directly. She inches as close to the fire as she can, stretching her fingers out towards it to warm away the numbness. She's still quite cold in the drafty hall and probably will be for a while yet, but she is still able to breathe some small sigh of relief. ]
Much better.
[ More so when someone hands her a an old blanket to drape over her shoulders. ]
I hope you'll forgive the intrusion. I may have underestimated Coerthan winters.
[ Hadn't considered them at all, more like, which might be obvious from how she's donned a skirt rather than a heavy coat, but she did not come to discuss her own thoughtlessness. She waves a hand dismissively. ]
[ Haurchefant is only too ready to assist with that, making sure the woolen knitted blanket smooths over her shoulders properly once it has arrived. He gives a thankful nod to the knight who fetched it. ]
Far from an intrusion! Your presence alone aught to bring some much needed sun. But until such a time, you are ever a welcome guest.
[ She is...thoroughly unprepared indeed, but in some ways it was quite brave of her to venture into the highlands dressed as such. He is hardly one to judge, what with his own penchant for sword fighting in as much "in the buff" as he can. ]
Fighting fit but my day is looking brighter by the minute. Might I interest you in some homebrewed hot chocolate to help warm the bones and belly?
A flatterer as always, I see. [ Tough she is hardly offended by it. Indeed, it is refreshing to hear nice things about her that do not come accompanied with personal requests, for as much as M'ahina loves to bring smiles to the faces around here, the constant obligation can grow taxing, at times. ] It's so nice have easy friendship in these parts. I was never one for snow, but it makes it much more bearable.
[ Sun indeed. Though she brightens at the mention of drinks. ]
Oh! That sounds wonderful. It's rare to be enjoy chocolate...
[ For her, at least; the climate shifts have made it something of a luxury item. She supposes a man of House Fortemps would not have the same problem, so she's eager to take up the offer. Though mayhap a bit too eager, and thus, she clears her throat. ]
... If it isn't too much trouble. I wouldn't want you to think I visit only for a warm drink, after all.
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no subject
Even before the Calamity, Coerthas was a labyrinth of winding valleys and high peaks, funneling travelers and would-be adventurers through the kindest paths. Camp Dragonhead is situated perfectly on one such of those which means that he enjoys the benefits of getting to chat with all who pass through the gates as he likes. Ishgard may not have the reputation of being particularly warm to foreigners, but Haurchefant welcomed all with open arms and a hearty sense of curiosity. The world is a truly much more wonderous place than he would have realized otherwise!
Of course, he did play favorites. In the months past a very particular adventurer had graced his stony doorstep and Haurchefant is always glad to have her grace her with his presence. Thoughts of M'ahina were not infrequent as he sits there going over a supply request meant to pass up further north. He rereads the same line twice as he considers if he should write her a letter--then...where exactly would he send it? Always so busy, always in demand...and rightly so! ]
My lord?
[ Haurchefant blinks and looks up to the knight in front of him, then laughs. ]
Ah, apologies! My mind seems oft to wander as the sun gets closer to setting.
[ He grabs his quill and quickly signs his approval at the bottom of the scroll and hands it back. ]
There we are! And send my regards to Ser Dilort.
[ The knight salutes and makes their back towards the door. Haurchefant leans back into his chair as he watches, thinking back to the last time he saw those selfsame doors burst open and revealing his dearest visitor... ]
no subject
Though now, she's paying the price for it, in the form of being almost dangerously chilled, and there can be only one possible destination in such a state. There may be plenty of places offering a fire, but in Coerthas, only of one those places offers any warmth of spirit. Lord Haurchefant's unusual mannerisms notwithstanding. M'ahina can't recall being so enthusiastically welcomed anywhere else in all her years.
It's not a very grand entrance. Her ears are flat against her head, her arms pulled around her, and she walks in tiny steps, shivering. ]
I... thought I might take advantage of you hearth?
[ She attempts to give a wry smile, though not successfully. He face is so numb she could almost imagine her features frozen into place. Mayhap she should reevaluate her priorities--this may well be the height of creating one's own problems, and now she looks ridiculous. ]
no subject
My friend!
[ He stands, his chair pushing back against the stone with the motion and he wastes no time rounding the desk. Haurchefant extends his arms wide as he meets M'ahina at the doorway, taking in the way her ears hug close to her head, the flush of her skin. Chilled, no doubt. ]
My hearth is ever at your disposal and I assure you it is more hospitable than the weather this afternoon. Come, come!
[ He places a hand at her shoulder to guide her in further and motions to one of his knights who immediately goes to the far corner of the room to rummage for a cloak or a blanket. ]
no subject
Much better.
[ More so when someone hands her a an old blanket to drape over her shoulders. ]
I hope you'll forgive the intrusion. I may have underestimated Coerthan winters.
[ Hadn't considered them at all, more like, which might be obvious from how she's donned a skirt rather than a heavy coat, but she did not come to discuss her own thoughtlessness. She waves a hand dismissively. ]
But nevermind that. How are you?
no subject
Far from an intrusion! Your presence alone aught to bring some much needed sun. But until such a time, you are ever a welcome guest.
[ She is...thoroughly unprepared indeed, but in some ways it was quite brave of her to venture into the highlands dressed as such. He is hardly one to judge, what with his own penchant for sword fighting in as much "in the buff" as he can. ]
Fighting fit but my day is looking brighter by the minute. Might I interest you in some homebrewed hot chocolate to help warm the bones and belly?
no subject
[ Sun indeed. Though she brightens at the mention of drinks. ]
Oh! That sounds wonderful. It's rare to be enjoy chocolate...
[ For her, at least; the climate shifts have made it something of a luxury item. She supposes a man of House Fortemps would not have the same problem, so she's eager to take up the offer. Though mayhap a bit too eager, and thus, she clears her throat. ]
... If it isn't too much trouble. I wouldn't want you to think I visit only for a warm drink, after all.