The sound of unannounced visitors causes Aymeric to surge into an awkward, half-sitting position, not unlike a cat rudely awakened from a comfortable nap. He turns toward the door, pupils thinned to mere slits as his tail lashes with agitation.
It takes a moment for his draconic instincts to settle after having been startled into "fight-or-flight" mode, but as soon as he registers that it's only a bevy of moogles at their door, he visibly relaxes.
"I wasn't expecting company, certainly not at this hour..." He shrugs helplessly, fixing Ariane with a pleading look. "Would you mind terribly...?"
Ariane is already getting to her feet before he can finish his request. As the moogles flutter in, Aymeric pulls himself into a more comfortable seated position, not wishing to greet their guests lying down.
Old habits die hard.
He blinks owlishly as one of the moogles sets a basket beside him. Upon hearing their explanation, a slow, tired smile spreads across his face. He hasn't the heart to correct their misunderstanding, nor to inform them that the scale of their project is just slightly off.
However, as he gently picks the basket up, he can't help but admire the craftsmanship. From the tightly-woven fibers to the colorful cloth lining and silk ribbons adorning the handle, it's obvious that a lot of time and effort was put into it.
"A lovely gift, and quite thoughtful, as well." Aymeric offers his most diplomatic smile. "I daresay I needn't worry over any of my eggs breaking should they be housed in such exquisite baskets."
"You really think so, kupo?" One of the moogles twirls with delight. "See? I told you all that practice would surely pay off!"
"Okay, you were right, kupo! But my poor little paws have blisters from all that weaving..."
"Kupo-po, me too! If only there was something to take our minds off the pain..."
"Whatever happened to 'hard work is it's own reward'?" Aymeric chuckles at the sudden wave of crestfallen looks. "However, it would be remiss of me to send you all home on an empty stomach, wouldn't it?"
He gestures toward a small barrel near the door. "Pray, help yourself to some kupo nuts. You have more than earned them."
With a chorus of kupo!s and don't mind if I do's, the moogles immediately beeline toward the barrel, pushing and shoving one another as they greedily gather up as many kupo nuts as they can carry in their tiny little arms.
"Pray, give my regards to the Temple Knights upon your return!"
"Oh, we will, kupo!"
"Sorry we can't stay longer, kupo. So much work, so little time, and these kupo nuts won't eat themselves!"
And then, just as quickly as they had arrived, they were gone. Aymeric sighed, carefully setting the basket aside before flopping heavily upon his nest once more. Maybe it was due to his condition, but being in the presence of so many energetic moogles had left him feeling suddenly drained. More so than usual, at any rate.
"Never a dull moment when they're around, hm?" Aymeric smiles tiredly at Ariane. "Do you think we ought to tell them or...?"
Nah, let someone else explain the idiom. Or not. Maybe someone else will get some free baskets out of it, too?
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2022-02-10 10:31 pm (UTC)It takes a moment for his draconic instincts to settle after having been startled into "fight-or-flight" mode, but as soon as he registers that it's only a bevy of moogles at their door, he visibly relaxes.
"I wasn't expecting company, certainly not at this hour..." He shrugs helplessly, fixing Ariane with a pleading look. "Would you mind terribly...?"
Ariane is already getting to her feet before he can finish his request. As the moogles flutter in, Aymeric pulls himself into a more comfortable seated position, not wishing to greet their guests lying down.
Old habits die hard.
He blinks owlishly as one of the moogles sets a basket beside him. Upon hearing their explanation, a slow, tired smile spreads across his face. He hasn't the heart to correct their misunderstanding, nor to inform them that the scale of their project is just slightly off.
However, as he gently picks the basket up, he can't help but admire the craftsmanship. From the tightly-woven fibers to the colorful cloth lining and silk ribbons adorning the handle, it's obvious that a lot of time and effort was put into it.
"A lovely gift, and quite thoughtful, as well." Aymeric offers his most diplomatic smile. "I daresay I needn't worry over any of my eggs breaking should they be housed in such exquisite baskets."
"You really think so, kupo?" One of the moogles twirls with delight. "See? I told you all that practice would surely pay off!"
"Okay, you were right, kupo! But my poor little paws have blisters from all that weaving..."
"Kupo-po, me too! If only there was something to take our minds off the pain..."
"Whatever happened to 'hard work is it's own reward'?" Aymeric chuckles at the sudden wave of crestfallen looks. "However, it would be remiss of me to send you all home on an empty stomach, wouldn't it?"
He gestures toward a small barrel near the door. "Pray, help yourself to some kupo nuts. You have more than earned them."
With a chorus of kupo!s and don't mind if I do's, the moogles immediately beeline toward the barrel, pushing and shoving one another as they greedily gather up as many kupo nuts as they can carry in their tiny little arms.
"Pray, give my regards to the Temple Knights upon your return!"
"Oh, we will, kupo!"
"Sorry we can't stay longer, kupo. So much work, so little time, and these kupo nuts won't eat themselves!"
And then, just as quickly as they had arrived, they were gone. Aymeric sighed, carefully setting the basket aside before flopping heavily upon his nest once more. Maybe it was due to his condition, but being in the presence of so many energetic moogles had left him feeling suddenly drained. More so than usual, at any rate.
"Never a dull moment when they're around, hm?" Aymeric smiles tiredly at Ariane. "Do you think we ought to tell them or...?"
Nah, let someone else explain the idiom. Or not. Maybe someone else will get some free baskets out of it, too?