Here is what Fleur knows; that she has been forced from her home, that she has been separated from those she has come to call family and that there is a cold fury building inside her each day she spends without knowing what happened to the other Scions.

It’s hardly a wonder then, that she finds herself in the Brume more often than not. She knows that others likely expect her to be in the Pillars. To be comfortable among the nobility that surrounds House Fortemps.

She isn’t, she finds the Brume more than welcoming. Finds the haggard faces that line the streets comforting in a sad way. They remind her of home, of Ul’dah.

If she’s come to make friends of the urchins and thieves that linger in the Brume it’s only because she routinely brings food.

(If she helps them hone their skills in pickpocketing and lying no one needs to know.) 

Still, with what little she knows of Estinien she doesn’t expect to find the Azure Dragoon lingering in the alleys of the Brume.

          ♢ He only had wanted to bring a little kitten home. One that had wandered after him for the past hours spent in the rescue centre so lovingly [ who would have thought? ] looked after by Estinien himself, even though rather disgruntled expression would have visitors and coworkers think otherwise. He had heard the comments about it here and there, the teases when he wandered towards the office, and then back into one of the multiple rooms where small felines would climb up and high, instantly toddling towards him purring so very loudly.

     ♢ One might want to perceive rumours that he did not like them [ and he had claimed that before, as well, but nobody believed it ], and still had made a choice beyond anybody's comprehension when a small tuft of dark fur had arrived just a few days prior.

    ♢ An adorable little one, with those clear and shining blue eyes, with unruly soft, black fur that had claimed him, enraptured him. Had so easily enchanted him in a way that could only be seen by the small bit Estinien's eyes would soften each time his gaze would sway towards it anew. The decision to take this very one home had been made only hours ago. A small trip towards the pet market on the way to get last-minute items and toys was just fitting for him and the way he would always present himself. The small one had been brought inside, carefully tucked away in a soft carrier, sleeping contentedly after an already exciting journey.

    ♢ Endearing had the reactions of sellers been when the excitement commenced, all that Estinien had bought overshadowed by that little furball's sleepy purrs.

    ♢ It did not take too long for them to arrive home. For the kitten to carefully place a small paw upon the carpeted ground, head moving left and right while small nose takes in all the foreign scents, before shying away once more to glance around the room with those brilliant sky-blue eyes. All from its secure hideout. Quiet mew could be heard when the little one curled up again, would wait for a moment till the swishing of feathers catches attention and at this moment a toy then wiggles before the carrier's open door, urging and coaxing him out to play.

    ♢ He only wanted to bring one little kitten home. One that had been so charming, so captivating, and reminded him of someone else; where affections do lay and who his mind would wander to. Who was a reason [ but not sole one ] for Estinien's constant and steadfast aid to bring a multitude of cats and kittens towards their forever homes.

    ♢ And in this moment’s pause, he would watch another 'cat' that had managed to snuggle himself into his very heart. Sitting on the ground in front of the transport box, waving a stick with little feathers and a bell attached back and forth, delightfully watching the small animal with a tender smile while it reached and pawed for the favourite toy and slowly, ever so slowly, meandering out of the box and onto unfamiliar grounds. Aymeric, as well, had been the person who had carried around this new addition to the family through the pet-store and who had been halted by the retailers just to be granted a look at the unruly little cat that had merely set to blink at them before stretching and curling back up.

    ♢ It hadn't mattered that they had wanted him to walk through the store and maybe just play with this or that toy before picking it out; quickly abandoned was the idea when they realised their little 'child' to be so clearly happy in soft blankets.

    ♢ " Don't be shy~ " A more excited sound of a rumbling mew meets Aymeric's soft voice and invitation, when the black critter jumps out and tries to climb all over him, clearly enticed to now play along while the man of Estinien's interest moves to lay on his back and watch the kitten scramble up upon his chest only following the trinket closely and ardently, without even attempting to use small claws and accidentally prick him.

    ♢ Oh, and that was just when Estinien wonders: was there any picture more beautiful in this world?

    ♢ Was there any sound more gorgeous than the laughter that rises from his - ...boyfriend's? throat - than in these seconds when he lifts the kitty from his chest to hold him a bit higher and allow a glance around the room curiously before he desires to be let down once more? It is enough to drag a soft smile over features usually set to a frown. Enough for his eyes to shine that bit brighter, for a small huff of laughter to escape his lips before he turns to wander off towards the kitchen, having unintentionally missed the delight Aymeric felt when only he sees him so at ease. So free. So truly content within their surroundings, now that everything had gone over so well.

    ♢ Moments pass, only heartbeats slowing down and quietening the world when the owner of the rescue centre would wander after him, holding the small bundle of joy securely against his chest while it looks around with those bright and excited eyes, trying to paw at this or that item that would come in its way before Aymeric halts next to the table. Sits down. Would nearly release the small critter upon the surface where now tea and milk would be prepared before throwing a glance towards Estinien.

    ♢ To ask if this was okay wordlessly and then bring forth a question of importance: " Do you have a name for the little one? " Gears nearly audibly began to turn, eyes blink for but an instance before well-known frown puts forehead into creases and, truly enough, he had not thought about it. While the permission to let the kitten wander had been given with a simple nod, the rest of their little 'parentship' [ why was he thinking like that? ] had only yet begun and he would soon enough turn back to the tea and coffee nearly being finished. Towards the snacks, he would then extend that would be eagerly taken and devoured with happy little crunches.

    ♢ ' Mayhap one of your favourite sweets? ' It drones out with an air of nonchalance still hiding the realising that he had missed that idea. " Mine? " And just as much did not miss the sheer surprise painting itself upon Aymeric's face with the happenstance that - indeed - he was indirectly naming the little ball of fur and the implications that could be found within it would not be misunderstood.

    ♢ After all, Estinien had only wanted to bring one small and very enthusiastic kitten home--- ' Yes, yours. After all, I wanted this one because--- ' Oh, that was when he stopped and the desired mug would be placed in front of Aymeric, who couldn't help the laughter hiding behind a raised hand that would startle the other man out of his thoughts [ curses! ]. " ---Because he reminded you of me~ " Undeniably thoughts like this had been discussed between Haurchefant and himself. Had been a topic over the last days: how quick, after all, had Estinien not been to accept his friend's request to come along when the furball was about to settle into the new home.

    ♢ " Alright~ " Thus he takes the feline back into his hands, elbows propped up on the table and its full belly exposed to scrutinising gaze and a surprised mew followed by soft purrs could be heard. As energetic as the kitten was, he was a gentle one, a pliant one. " Muffin or Doughnut? Maybe not my all-time favourites, but something that comes to my mind, when looking at that black fur. " Just again at this moment he couldn't help but wonder: was there anything more beautiful in this world? From the laughter and jesting, the little tease that had obviously taken place and still finds no answer past a huff and a bout of merriment that could be nearly unheard. No, there wasn't, and it's enough for him to raise his coffee to his lips, turn around to lean against the kitchen counter with both hands wrapping around the warm ceramic.

    ♢ ' Why not both? ' Before he took a sip. " Both? " Before the sound of confusion was all too evident, and he had paid him back so swiftly. Yet gingerly. ' Yes. After all - he has a sibling, no? ' How quickly could that not be decided, in these moments spent together in gentled understanding? Yes, he only wanted to bring a little kitten home---

        “Ahh, forgive me. I... could not sleep.”

        Too many thoughts plagued her mind. The ability to rest was lost upon the young Elezen, and so she had taken to idly wandering. Such was how she found Estinien, and, instead of listening to reason and leaving him be, Alisaie chose to join him in insomnia.

“ɪ ᴡᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ sᴀʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴀᴍ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋғᴜʟ ʏᴏᴜ ʟᴏᴏᴋᴇᴅ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜɪɴɢs ʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡʜɪʟᴇ ɪ ᴡᴀs ɢᴏɴᴇ” he seems to hesitate for a moment before continuing to write, his ears now hanging lower. “ʙᴜᴛ ᴛᴏ ɢᴏ ᴀs ғᴀʀ ᴀs ᴅɪʀᴇᴄᴛʟʏ ᴇɴᴛᴇʀɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ɪᴍᴘᴇʀɪᴀʟ ᴘᴀʟᴀᴄᴇ? ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴀs ʀᴇᴄᴋʟᴇss. ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ʜᴜʀᴛ.”

 >> "Memories are nice, but that’s all they are."

& ESTINIEN WYRMBLOOD.

The blonde looked at the Elezen for a moment as she listened to him speak. However, his last words left her with a certain bitterness. She had noticed over time that Estinien was the type of person who said things without handling with kid gloves, regardless of whether they hurt or not.