((LMAO Estinien just, "not my fault you never asked"))

((Maybe hes bestie should just ask then hehehe))

((He has no reason to lie! people just don't ask him things so he doesn't tell.))

((I wanna do the truth serum thing with Estinien, but he already doesn't lie LMAO))

He points towards the rear of the beast.

"Start over there. There will be plenty of meat, but we should make them reasonably sized all the same. Easier to carry, and easier for the chefs at the orphanage to manage."

[He huffs a small chuckle.]

Right. 'Warm.'

Remind me to take you away from Coerthas at some point and introduce you to some properly warm weather. There are places where it almost feels as warm as Corethas used to before the Calamity...

having been caught, and at how timid Aayu seems around him.

"'Tis just another change to adjust to. There is nothing to be done for it." Not with the way their souls have become one after that incident.

"...I am ever in control of myself, lest you worry for that..."

He makes no eye contact with Aayu, turning his attention to the fallen beast and instead focusing on carving it to make transport easier. At the very least, he can deliver plenty of portions to the less fortunate in Ishgard.

"It happens once in a while," he admits softly, unsure how to feel at +

Concern?

[His head tilts slightly.]

What, worried you may get lost? I could accompany you if you so; it would give me a chance to restock on some things easier than waiting on some merchants in Limsa...

Estinien accepts the cloth and better cleans the blood from his face, offering a small thanks. He won't say it aloud, but he's grateful that it's her who happened upon him, as she has seen him in such a state before.

"Care to help carve the meat? You can take some for yourself if you'd like."

carve up the remaining meat to help better explain the blood...

He kneels back down in the snow, taking out a dagger and starting to carve out the section he had been eating from first.

"I have no intention of letting this go to waste..."

He huffs a small chuckle at the suggestion, imagining the confused and potentially concerned looks on the faces of the knights at Falcon's Nest when he strides through.

"So long as I have the spoils of my hunt with me, I doubt they will question it overmuch."

Though perhaps he should at least +

((It's too early for sleep 😭))

((I just wanna write))

((opens bsky to write and immediately gets sleepy instead oops))

A nice day out...

the scene is rather...unsettling.

Estinien's eyes shift to the side, looking away from Aayu.

"This blood is not mine, I assure you..." He mutters softly. "Just some late night hunting... 'Tis nothing to worry yourself over..."

Estinien almost flinches as Aayu reaches out to touch his face, rather surprised that the viera would reach out so gently to him in this state, especially given the way his hands shake.

Admittedly, it hurts to see him seem /afraid/ of him, though he can hardly blame him.... There's no doubt that +

[He hums softly in thought, finishing the piece of jerky as his ears wiggle slightly, content with the snack.]

Why not travel there yourself? Better than waiting on the possibility a merchant may bring something back themselves.

muttering a small thanks.

"What brings you out here so late?"

He blinks as she teleports away, a bit surprised by the sudden departure, and when she reappears, Estinien has sunk his teeth back into the beast to tear off another chunk of meat.

He stands and accepts the towel to clean the fresh smears of blood from his face as he finishes his mouthful, +

startle them..."

"Had to hunt," he mumbles, wiping the blood from his face with the back of his hand.

"'Tis not an easy instinct to ignore..." Though she makes a good point of cleaning himself up.

"I suppose I ought to... Most of the rest of this meat will get delivered to Rolanberry Field, and I do not wish to +

If you're in Ishgard still, then I regret to inform you that it has been cold there for the last five years at least, my friend.

((real))

((can't believe Haurche wouldn't let Estinien have a lil nibble :( /lh))

((he gonna do a little nibble))

((idk what you're talking about :) ))

((aayu gonna get many kisses))

((would u let Estinien bite u with his newfound fangies even tho it might hurt y/y?))