The elezen adjusts as Aymeric settles with him, listening: no clink of chain mail or metal filigree, no rustle of silk. His vision - such as it is - does not deceive him, then. The question that follows, though, is no less than he would expect of the Lord Commander.
When Gwyneire answers, he does not stiffen or affect aught less than that warm, soft tone, but still there is something in the cadence of his speech that speaks to a man reporting to his superior. He wasn't bred into it, perhaps, but he has had plenty of experience of late. "They see regular action, though little outside of the norm," he answers. "The number of sky pirates have dwindled with the increase in laborers on the isles; I can only assume they've decided if aught of value were to be dug up, either it would have been found by now, or the pirates would be discovered ere they found what they sought. Mostly, now, it is curtailing beast- and vilekin that overpopulate and wander beyond their territory, thus threatening the miners and botanists."
It's a comprehensive report and Aymeric is left wondering if this man has given such before - perhaps the affliction with his eyes is a recent one, and he was a soldier of some kind previously. A good man, then, to manage to strike up a conversation with.
"That is often the case when civilisation increases in an area," he muses thoughtfully "do you think they're manned well enough to handle the problem? Or supplied?"
If manpower or gear is a problem, it doesn't always make it as far as him, there are so many people between him and what's really going on these days, it would be nice to know if the reports he's been getting are as accurate as what people are actually seeing.
"I see to it that it is so," answers the elezen, and his voice is not defensive, but neither does it brook accusation. There is a little pride underlying it all, despite himself, a satisfaction hard-earned. He does concede, "As much as can reasonably be spared. Granted, providing protection to the gatherers supplying Ishgard's restoration has been wisely deemed of paramount importance, so I wouldn't consider it a difficult task. What little the soldiers of the Diadem lack, Ishgard herself lacks, as I understand it."
He smiles faintly, sightless eyes flickering elsewhere as though in a brief daydream, or memory. "We have come a long way in such a short time." His attention seems to return to his new companion. He would ask questions in turn, but he finds himself thrown off-balance. The Lord Commander is well out of place here, especially alone, and whatever dress he has donned, it is a far cry from his normal finery. Gwyneire cannot parse the situation, and wishes neither to offend, nor to jeopardize aught - if something might be jeopardized to begin with.
The elezen wonders if he isn't growing too used to the politicking of the High Houses, to be so suspicious. Maybe even the Sea of Clouds is not far enough from the spires of Ishgard.
Aymeric nods along with the explanation, increasingly pleased. He does wish he was able to gather more such stories, to truly confirm that things were as he hoped, but he's glad at least to have achieved this one. The understanding that supplies are scarce all over is reassuring too, he had often worried that people thought their requests ignored when Ishgard simply didn't have the means to fill them.
"That we have." He agrees softly, to the comment about coming a long way. It's easy to forget, sometimes, when it seems there's so much more still to do, but they really have made great progress.
"Are you on your way there again, then? Or is this a journey back to Ishgard?" He asks then, not wanting to get too deep into important questions about troop movements and supply, lest he give himself away as anything more than a curious fellow traveller.
Gwyneire cannot help but marvel - this is certainly the longest conversation he has ever had with the Lord Commander. It's... oddly nice, even if the elezen feels off-kilter for being unable to quite read the situation. Gwyneire has never doubted Aymeric is a man for the people, but having personal confirmation is reassuring.
(And, perhaps privately to himself, Gwyneire must admit he likes the cadence of Aymeric's voice, and the warmth to it.)
"Neither, actually," he answers, and his smile might easily be mistaken for something flirtatious. "I'm staying here, tonight. —Though tomorrow, yes, I will be on my way back to the Diadem. I just like the atmosphere, here, so I go out of my way, sometimes." A momentary pause, and then, "and what about yourself?"
The smile might be mistaken for something flirtatious, but Aymeric only really sees the warmth in it and he smiles back, encouraged by the other man's friendliness.
"I was simply travelling," he admits "exploring, if you will, it's been a time since I was able to see more of this land and I wished to take it all in."
It's a vague excuse but he thought it would be better to avoid specifics and risk giving himself away.
"I had thought to stay here tonight as well, I should see about a room."
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When Gwyneire answers, he does not stiffen or affect aught less than that warm, soft tone, but still there is something in the cadence of his speech that speaks to a man reporting to his superior. He wasn't bred into it, perhaps, but he has had plenty of experience of late. "They see regular action, though little outside of the norm," he answers. "The number of sky pirates have dwindled with the increase in laborers on the isles; I can only assume they've decided if aught of value were to be dug up, either it would have been found by now, or the pirates would be discovered ere they found what they sought. Mostly, now, it is curtailing beast- and vilekin that overpopulate and wander beyond their territory, thus threatening the miners and botanists."
no subject
It's a comprehensive report and Aymeric is left wondering if this man has given such before - perhaps the affliction with his eyes is a recent one, and he was a soldier of some kind previously. A good man, then, to manage to strike up a conversation with.
"That is often the case when civilisation increases in an area," he muses thoughtfully "do you think they're manned well enough to handle the problem? Or supplied?"
If manpower or gear is a problem, it doesn't always make it as far as him, there are so many people between him and what's really going on these days, it would be nice to know if the reports he's been getting are as accurate as what people are actually seeing.
no subject
He smiles faintly, sightless eyes flickering elsewhere as though in a brief daydream, or memory. "We have come a long way in such a short time." His attention seems to return to his new companion. He would ask questions in turn, but he finds himself thrown off-balance. The Lord Commander is well out of place here, especially alone, and whatever dress he has donned, it is a far cry from his normal finery. Gwyneire cannot parse the situation, and wishes neither to offend, nor to jeopardize aught - if something might be jeopardized to begin with.
The elezen wonders if he isn't growing too used to the politicking of the High Houses, to be so suspicious. Maybe even the Sea of Clouds is not far enough from the spires of Ishgard.
no subject
Aymeric nods along with the explanation, increasingly pleased. He does wish he was able to gather more such stories, to truly confirm that things were as he hoped, but he's glad at least to have achieved this one. The understanding that supplies are scarce all over is reassuring too, he had often worried that people thought their requests ignored when Ishgard simply didn't have the means to fill them.
"That we have." He agrees softly, to the comment about coming a long way. It's easy to forget, sometimes, when it seems there's so much more still to do, but they really have made great progress.
"Are you on your way there again, then? Or is this a journey back to Ishgard?" He asks then, not wanting to get too deep into important questions about troop movements and supply, lest he give himself away as anything more than a curious fellow traveller.
no subject
(And, perhaps privately to himself, Gwyneire must admit he likes the cadence of Aymeric's voice, and the warmth to it.)
"Neither, actually," he answers, and his smile might easily be mistaken for something flirtatious. "I'm staying here, tonight. —Though tomorrow, yes, I will be on my way back to the Diadem. I just like the atmosphere, here, so I go out of my way, sometimes." A momentary pause, and then, "and what about yourself?"
no subject
The smile might be mistaken for something flirtatious, but Aymeric only really sees the warmth in it and he smiles back, encouraged by the other man's friendliness.
"I was simply travelling," he admits "exploring, if you will, it's been a time since I was able to see more of this land and I wished to take it all in."
It's a vague excuse but he thought it would be better to avoid specifics and risk giving himself away.
"I had thought to stay here tonight as well, I should see about a room."