[ though he's certain estinien does not mean it in such a way, necessarily, the words are a dart to his pride. there is no time, no time to take stock, to convalesce, to even sit down - what his father plans to do is unholy and horrific, and all measures must be taken to put it to a stop. once already he has been forced to sit on his hands, and though estinien had surely had the right of it it had chafed him sorely. it chafes him worse, now, as it is happening again - and it shows as much in the brief grimace that flashes over his features, the fine crease between his dark brows.
but for all of his harshness, estinien had never lied to him, never voiced an opinion that was not necessarily for his benefit. and aymeric trusts him now, notably so when he knows that he cannot trust himself. ]
I -- [ he very nearly begins to argue. it feels shameful to back down, most especially now - this has become deeply personal. rational or not, aymeric feels personally responsible for everything his father does, has done; if he could lift up ishgard with his own two hands, protect her with the shield of his body, he would offer himself in a heartbeat. that is, after all, what he had expected to come of all this to begin with. in many ways, aymeric had stepped into the vault carrying the knowledge that he very well may never step out of it again.
but the very fact that this is personal is what lets him know that he is wrong. curse his acute self awareness - it would be so much more gratifying to deny estinien, to leave them all behind and cut a path to his father without delay, with his own hands and blade if he must and the fury damn anyone who dared to stand in his way. briefly, his eyes flash toward lucia; concern is writ clearly in her face. almost visibly, aymeric yields. it's so difficult to stand tall, to keep up the mask. never before has it been so hard. ]
no subject
but for all of his harshness, estinien had never lied to him, never voiced an opinion that was not necessarily for his benefit. and aymeric trusts him now, notably so when he knows that he cannot trust himself. ]
I -- [ he very nearly begins to argue. it feels shameful to back down, most especially now - this has become deeply personal. rational or not, aymeric feels personally responsible for everything his father does, has done; if he could lift up ishgard with his own two hands, protect her with the shield of his body, he would offer himself in a heartbeat. that is, after all, what he had expected to come of all this to begin with. in many ways, aymeric had stepped into the vault carrying the knowledge that he very well may never step out of it again.
but the very fact that this is personal is what lets him know that he is wrong. curse his acute self awareness - it would be so much more gratifying to deny estinien, to leave them all behind and cut a path to his father without delay, with his own hands and blade if he must and the fury damn anyone who dared to stand in his way. briefly, his eyes flash toward lucia; concern is writ clearly in her face. almost visibly, aymeric yields. it's so difficult to stand tall, to keep up the mask. never before has it been so hard. ]
.. very well.