CRIMSON.

Gaius wasn’t a playful man. Not under normal circumstances at any rate. Garlemald was a cold, unwelcoming place, situated in the icy inlets of Ilsabard, and it was only as a young boy during the first virgin snows of the early winter where he would find joy in outside playtime. Years of being tempered against the frigid climes had rendered Gaius a stone against the flurries. Garlean children, however, seemed keen nowadays to make snowmen on the heavier days, and it was this very activity that Gaius agreed, albeit reluctantly, to take part in.

Alisaie Leveilleur was no child. But that didn’t necessarily mean she couldn’t have fun, and if she wanted to make a towering snow elf, then Gaius was the man for the job to help stack massive spheres of the stuff on top of one another to reach acceptable heights. Whatever commands or requests she had of him, he would quietly obey, and with the discipline of a hardened war general, ensured that each task was completed to utter perfection, from the size and shape of the snowballs to the stones to the shape and size of the long, pointed ears.

It was during the arduous process of getting the ears to stick to the round head when he wondered how Alisaie managed to rope him into this. He had nothing better to do with his time, and shoveling snow was starting to get dull.

Some photos of new exhibits in the arms and armor department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Spanish espada ropera, 16th century.

Il faut aller à l'escrime comme on va à la danse; il faut aller à l'escrime comme on va à  la guerre.**

- Émile Mérignac, Histoire de l’escrime (2 tomes), Imprimeries Réunies, 1883

Argentinian officer’s sword, early to mid 20th century.

French rapier featuring etchings of the portraits of French Kings, 16th century.

Venetian schiavona, circa 1700.

He was lucky enough that he was dressed somewhat appropriately for this world’s time of the year. He knew better since he first came to Ishgard that he should supply himself with clothing better suited for the weather. 

After being somewhat briefed in on his situation, he set out to explore the city after getting himself settled in his accommodation. He diligently follows the pamphlet he was given like a lifeline, taking himself to the main square to ask questions with the locals. To his surprise, they all seemed to be used to his queries, being told that he is not the only one who has arrived. This made him think of his sister and the Scions, if they came along too. But seeing the bustling crowd, almost every one of them uniquely stuck out to him.

Still determined to learn of this enigmatic island, he continued off asking the locals in the city square for now, having given a pen and paper by one of the elderly who seemed to feel sympathetic to see a young man like him get lost in the crowd. 

“So, there are three other wards as big as this… They all seemed bigger than the city states back in Eorzea. I suppose here will be a good start…” he mumbles to himself, tapping the end of his pen on his chin as he goes through his notes, idly pacing about in the middle of the square. 

“ alphinaud! ”

she grabs his collar before he simply takes the crosswalk in front of a moving car, making the ever foolish mistake of paying more attention to his thoughts than what’s in front of him. alisaie expected nothing less. she turns him, grabbing his shoulders for him to face her, shaking him furiously.