[ Estinien nods along to all of G'raha's theorying, agreeing to the broad strokes of it if not to the specifics when—
Hm. This may be the first time he's ever gotten in trouble for saying too much, he'd wager. ]
The tail grew in over the course of an hour. It was not a smooth process.
[ There was... a lot of blood. Skin bulging grotesquely at the small of his back until he'd taken a knife to it. And then...
Estinien has been stabbed before. Has been gutted and burned and left broken and bleeding and still he doesn't think anything quite compares to— that.
At his feet his tail shivers, as though it knows it's under scrutiny, and even though he can feel it, it has yet to register as something belonging to him. Estinien sets a hand on it as though he is calming a wild animal and begs for patience. At least wait until he's left; he'd hate to be the cause of any damage to G'raha's belongings. ]
I'm fine.
[ Do not trust him, G'raha, you know what he's like. ]
G'raha's expression turns more serious again, thin brows furrowing together as he really looks over the other man. The quiver in his tail doesn't escape his notice, which G'raha originally took to be a general sense of unease, but now he has to wonder if it is causing Estinien pain. ]
[ Estinien sighs as though G'raha isn't the one doing him a favour, but he foresaw this the moment he mentioned the word 'pain'. All three of them are like this, as though Estinien was not born into strife, did not cut his teeth on war. Still— ]
My thanks.
[ —he would not be seen as ungrateful. He drops his hands to his belt, which is the only thing really holding his hastily altered jeans in place and starts to undo it. ]
[ It only occurs after his request that G'raha is, essentially, asking Estinien to show G'raha his lower back. Which means he will need to remove his trousers.
Ah. Well...surely this isn't anything untoward? He believes that Estinien's training as a Knight in Ishgard would have plenty of exposure to shared barracks with fellow Knights. This is just much of the same.
Right?
Right. ]
Um--
[ Though for Estinien's own modesty, G'raha quickly moves to pull the curtains over the balcony. No onlookers across the way, thank you. With that, G'raha motions for Estinien to move closer to where a standing lamp is. ]
[ The curtains hadn't even crossed Estinien's mind. He stares bemusedly at them as he walks over to the lamp, sliding the belt free from its loops as he does. The jeans immediately sag. He'd less 'cut a hole' for his tail as much as he's sliced the back of the jeans in twain; delicate work is certainly not among one of his strengths. And though the jeans are dark, it's easy to see that the material is stiff with blood, cold and tacky to the touch, and leaving the newly revealed skin smeared red.
However he is not still bleeding. The skin around his tail is healed, but it definitely looks raw. Red where the scales meet the skin. Estinien crosses his arms and focuses on his tail, holding it quiescent, the spines laid flat, so as not to accidentally injure G'raha while he takes a look. ]
[ G'raha does want to try and give Estinien a sense of privacy, even to the point of looking away while Estinien loosens his trousers. (Even if he is going to look at Estinien immediately after.) As such, once he hears Estinien's voice, G'raha turns back around and--oh.
Raw, red, and something that must have been incredibly painful. ]
By the Twelve...
[ He steps closer, leaning in to really inspect the area where man and dragon meet. The dragoon may not be bleeding at the moment, but G'raha still feels the need to render aide. He summons a healing ball of aether into his hand and holds it above the junction. Maybe it will help soothe any remaining aches. ]
The "heretics" that Count Edmont referred to in the Dragonsong War...they underwent transformations when imbibing draconic blood as well, didn't they?
Aye. [ The words come slowly, owing to his focus on his tail. ] A part of Nidhogg's revenge, giving blood to Ishgardian. We're all descendants of the original betrayers, and the power stolen from Ratatoskr can be activated thus. Though as far as I am aware they underwent full transformations once enough blood had been consumed.
[ He doesn't think he'd mind all that much if it was merely that. Dragons are by and large majestic creatures. Proud and powerful and more honorable than even the most fervent of knights— No, if it was merely the inevitable case of his draconic heritage rising to the fore he would not be here.
But he would not have Nidhogg lay waste to this place in his endless thirst for revenge. Not for his comrades and the innocents here, and not for Nidhogg himself.
G'raha's aether feels particularly cool against the fever of his skin. Estinien feels his shoulders lower by inches, feels it in the way his tail becomes easier to control. ]
[ The history does make G'raha's gaze darken a bit. The sins of the past, which he knows are already in reparations, are still difficult to recollect. Even if they aren't of his own making. But the downstream effects have been felt for centuries. How much effect the blood itself may have...
No, Estinien's circumstances with Nidhogg were unique. Are unique. This still feels different. ]
It looks as if you have undergone substantial trauma.
[ Estinien's nerves must have been on fire. ]
But it is healing with surprising efficiency. The scales appear to be in a contained area for now.
[ But considering how quickly the onset of the tail...who knows how long that will last. ]
[ Then there is aught to do but wait, and it serves nothing and no one for him to stand around doing naught but mope. What comes will come.
And there is more of them this time. It won't have to fall to Aymeric to be the one to stop him, have to fall upon Alphinaud to be the one to save him from his folly. And...
Is it causing you any pain, my friend?
Please allow me to assist however I can.
Perhaps he need not keep his own council on this. Bear it wholly alone. ]
I believe it would be better if I kept my distance from town as much as possible. [ He pulls up his jeans as he speaks, rethreading his belt to hold it in place. Admittedly, his back does feel much better now and he offers G'raha a nod of thanks. ] But if you were willing, perhaps I might confer with you from time to time. To keep an eye on my affliction if nothing else.
[ G'raha pulls back when it seems that some of the redness has ebbed. It certainly won't undo what has been done, but if it's offered Estinien even a modicum of relief, he will consider the efforts well-worth.
The glow of his magic fades as he steps back, once again to allow Estinien a bit of privacy and autonomy.
He isn't terribly surprised that Estinien is taking precautions and given his personal history with draconic transformations, the fear isn't unwarranted. Taking extra time for himself won't cause any initial alarm amongst the others either given his flighty nature. But he can already imagine how much Alphinaud is going to worry in time. ]
I understand. I can only hope that your reason for caution becomes unfounded.
[ That this is the extent that Estinien is forced to endure...a tail, at least, isn't' an awful thing to have. Though he may be biased in that thought.
Still, he finds himself surprised for the second--or is it third?--time that evening. His brows lift and his eyes widen but he is readily nodding before he even speaks. ]
Yes--absolutely, of course. I will do aught that I can.
[ Estinien is going to trust him with it? Fully? ]
I'm honored to have your confidence... [ Truly. He puts a hand over his heart. It's like accepting an award (of friendship). ] though I do believe that Alphinaud in particular may begin to ask questions.
[ It's not a sigh he gives, because that would be to imply that Alphinaud's attention is some kind of burden. But his breath is heavy in his chest nonetheless at the reminder. ]
I... will not ask you to lie for me. Any questions you receive you may direct towards me. I only— If this is to be temporary then it serves nothing and no one to worry him so.
[ It if course goes without saying that if it is not temporary then they will have more pressing things to concern themselves with.
And speaking of pressing concerns. ]
Until it goes away, I must beg another favour of you. How... do I alter my clothes?
[ Local man has zero levels in every crafting job. ]
[ Likewise, G'raha has only Alphinaud's well-being in mind, but that has to weigh against Estinien's as well. And it wouldn't be the first time G'raha has gotten in trouble with now allowing the young man to take control of his own decisions.
But Estinien's take is practical, as anticipated. G'raha nods, accepting and glad that they have an agreement on that. He wouldn't want to do a disservice to either of his comrades. His friends. ]
Of course. I'm sure he would rather hear it from you, besides.
[ But G'raha will do his best to assuage any fears Alphinaud may have in the interim. Should it come to that. Hopefully, this will all be--
--oh. ]
Your...clothes?
[ OH. ]
--Ah! Yes, forgive me, I'd almost forgotten--of course.
[ He stammers a bit before looking around the room. There is an ugly, poorly-made "wooden" dresser (though G'raha does not yet understand what particle board is) that convenient has a drawer for each of the room's inhabitants. G'raha goes to his and pulls out a small sewing kit, as well as a pair of trousers he's altered. ]
My skills with a needle are minimal at best, but...
[ He unfolds the article of clothing to show the back. Where the waistband was sliced in two and an incision was made below it, carving out a sort of oval shape. The edges are roughly lined with an off-color fabric and the same fabric has been sewn as extensions onto the split waistband. This allows it to tie. ]
This has been the simplest method for me. I...have not yet mastered the art of creating button holes. Snaps are an option as well.
[ Estinien stares somewhat helplessly at the altered pair of trousers presented to him. This looks to be an amazing feat of engineering, so G'raha's talk of inadequacy is... slightly alarming. He certainly doesn't know how to wield a needle. He doesn't even know what snaps are. ]
Ah. [ Estinien picks up the article of clothing and turns it about in his hands, as though perhaps its secrets might fall out. ] I fear this might require more lessons than just this one. If you are amenable, of course.
[ G'raha's brows raise slightly at that admission, but he quickly stifles it down and nods with a light smile on his lips.
Truthfully, he understands. G'raha's basic skills in mending had needed to expand. It was no formal training to figure this out, mostly trial and error. But he is ever eager to share what he's learned with another.
And, well...he's just happy to be of help. Happy that despite the strange situation, Estinien wants his help. ]
Of course, you need only say when.
[ He reaches out to accept his trousers back. ]
If you'd like, we could do a "working session" of sorts on some of your existing pieces?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cw lil gore/body horror
Hm. This may be the first time he's ever gotten in trouble for saying too much, he'd wager. ]
The tail grew in over the course of an hour. It was not a smooth process.
[ There was... a lot of blood. Skin bulging grotesquely at the small of his back until he'd taken a knife to it. And then...
Estinien has been stabbed before. Has been gutted and burned and left broken and bleeding and still he doesn't think anything quite compares to— that.
At his feet his tail shivers, as though it knows it's under scrutiny, and even though he can feel it, it has yet to register as something belonging to him. Estinien sets a hand on it as though he is calming a wild animal and begs for patience. At least wait until he's left; he'd hate to be the cause of any damage to G'raha's belongings. ]
I'm fine.
[ Do not trust him, G'raha, you know what he's like. ]
no subject
G'raha's expression turns more serious again, thin brows furrowing together as he really looks over the other man. The quiver in his tail doesn't escape his notice, which G'raha originally took to be a general sense of unease, but now he has to wonder if it is causing Estinien pain. ]
Be that as it may...
[ He won't be forceful, but. ]
Might I take a closer look?
no subject
My thanks.
[ —he would not be seen as ungrateful. He drops his hands to his belt, which is the only thing really holding his hastily altered jeans in place and starts to undo it. ]
Where would you have me?
no subject
Ah. Well...surely this isn't anything untoward? He believes that Estinien's training as a Knight in Ishgard would have plenty of exposure to shared barracks with fellow Knights. This is just much of the same.
Right?
Right. ]
Um--
[ Though for Estinien's own modesty, G'raha quickly moves to pull the curtains over the balcony. No onlookers across the way, thank you. With that, G'raha motions for Estinien to move closer to where a standing lamp is. ]
Closer to the light, if you could.
no subject
However he is not still bleeding. The skin around his tail is healed, but it definitely looks raw. Red where the scales meet the skin. Estinien crosses his arms and focuses on his tail, holding it quiescent, the spines laid flat, so as not to accidentally injure G'raha while he takes a look. ]
As I said, I am fine.
no subject
Raw, red, and something that must have been incredibly painful. ]
By the Twelve...
[ He steps closer, leaning in to really inspect the area where man and dragon meet. The dragoon may not be bleeding at the moment, but G'raha still feels the need to render aide. He summons a healing ball of aether into his hand and holds it above the junction. Maybe it will help soothe any remaining aches. ]
The "heretics" that Count Edmont referred to in the Dragonsong War...they underwent transformations when imbibing draconic blood as well, didn't they?
no subject
[ He doesn't think he'd mind all that much if it was merely that. Dragons are by and large majestic creatures. Proud and powerful and more honorable than even the most fervent of knights— No, if it was merely the inevitable case of his draconic heritage rising to the fore he would not be here.
But he would not have Nidhogg lay waste to this place in his endless thirst for revenge. Not for his comrades and the innocents here, and not for Nidhogg himself.
G'raha's aether feels particularly cool against the fever of his skin. Estinien feels his shoulders lower by inches, feels it in the way his tail becomes easier to control. ]
...What does it look like? Does it spread?
no subject
No, Estinien's circumstances with Nidhogg were unique. Are unique. This still feels different. ]
It looks as if you have undergone substantial trauma.
[ Estinien's nerves must have been on fire. ]
But it is healing with surprising efficiency. The scales appear to be in a contained area for now.
[ But considering how quickly the onset of the tail...who knows how long that will last. ]
no subject
Very well.
[ Then there is aught to do but wait, and it serves nothing and no one for him to stand around doing naught but mope. What comes will come.
And there is more of them this time. It won't have to fall to Aymeric to be the one to stop him, have to fall upon Alphinaud to be the one to save him from his folly. And...
Is it causing you any pain, my friend?
Please allow me to assist however I can.
Perhaps he need not keep his own council on this. Bear it wholly alone. ]
I believe it would be better if I kept my distance from town as much as possible. [ He pulls up his jeans as he speaks, rethreading his belt to hold it in place. Admittedly, his back does feel much better now and he offers G'raha a nod of thanks. ] But if you were willing, perhaps I might confer with you from time to time. To keep an eye on my affliction if nothing else.
no subject
The glow of his magic fades as he steps back, once again to allow Estinien a bit of privacy and autonomy.
He isn't terribly surprised that Estinien is taking precautions and given his personal history with draconic transformations, the fear isn't unwarranted. Taking extra time for himself won't cause any initial alarm amongst the others either given his flighty nature. But he can already imagine how much Alphinaud is going to worry in time. ]
I understand. I can only hope that your reason for caution becomes unfounded.
[ That this is the extent that Estinien is forced to endure...a tail, at least, isn't' an awful thing to have. Though he may be biased in that thought.
Still, he finds himself surprised for the second--or is it third?--time that evening. His brows lift and his eyes widen but he is readily nodding before he even speaks. ]
Yes--absolutely, of course. I will do aught that I can.
[ Estinien is going to trust him with it? Fully? ]
I'm honored to have your confidence... [ Truly. He puts a hand over his heart. It's like accepting an award (of friendship). ] though I do believe that Alphinaud in particular may begin to ask questions.
no subject
I... will not ask you to lie for me. Any questions you receive you may direct towards me. I only— If this is to be temporary then it serves nothing and no one to worry him so.
[ It if course goes without saying that if it is not temporary then they will have more pressing things to concern themselves with.
And speaking of pressing concerns. ]
Until it goes away, I must beg another favour of you. How... do I alter my clothes?
[ Local man has zero levels in every crafting job. ]
no subject
But Estinien's take is practical, as anticipated. G'raha nods, accepting and glad that they have an agreement on that. He wouldn't want to do a disservice to either of his comrades. His friends. ]
Of course. I'm sure he would rather hear it from you, besides.
[ But G'raha will do his best to assuage any fears Alphinaud may have in the interim. Should it come to that. Hopefully, this will all be--
--oh. ]
Your...clothes?
[ OH. ]
--Ah! Yes, forgive me, I'd almost forgotten--of course.
[ He stammers a bit before looking around the room. There is an ugly, poorly-made "wooden" dresser (though G'raha does not yet understand what particle board is) that convenient has a drawer for each of the room's inhabitants. G'raha goes to his and pulls out a small sewing kit, as well as a pair of trousers he's altered. ]
My skills with a needle are minimal at best, but...
[ He unfolds the article of clothing to show the back. Where the waistband was sliced in two and an incision was made below it, carving out a sort of oval shape. The edges are roughly lined with an off-color fabric and the same fabric has been sewn as extensions onto the split waistband. This allows it to tie. ]
This has been the simplest method for me. I...have not yet mastered the art of creating button holes. Snaps are an option as well.
no subject
Ah. [ Estinien picks up the article of clothing and turns it about in his hands, as though perhaps its secrets might fall out. ] I fear this might require more lessons than just this one. If you are amenable, of course.
no subject
Truthfully, he understands. G'raha's basic skills in mending had needed to expand. It was no formal training to figure this out, mostly trial and error. But he is ever eager to share what he's learned with another.
And, well...he's just happy to be of help. Happy that despite the strange situation, Estinien wants his help. ]
Of course, you need only say when.
[ He reaches out to accept his trousers back. ]
If you'd like, we could do a "working session" of sorts on some of your existing pieces?