Chapter Text
The Lord Commander, knowing the warrior of light held a certain fondness for learning as much as he could about his surroundings, ever so kindly offered him the opportunity to join him in meeting with the temple knights at Falcon's nest. Their walk throughout the many stations proved to be somewhat relaxing, and they often found themselves in deep discussions, their conversations flowing as easily as the Coerthas' winds.
Eventually, their journey came to an end upon a rooftop of one of the few buildings left standing, quietly observing the stars above.
"May I ask you a personal question?" Aymeric inquired, his voice breaking the silence between them.
Rokurō shrugged, still looking at the stars above. "I do not see the harm in it, go ahead."
"You once mentioned you came to Eorzea with only knowledge of how it had changed due to the calamity."
The warrior turned to look at him, claws tapping casually upon the stone balustrades. "That's true. What few pictures I had seen were no longer fact. I did not know much about the calamity in itself, it sounded more like a distant tale than an actual event."
Aymeric nodded, placing his gloved hands on the stone alongside the warrior's own. His chin jutted in the direction of the camp as he turned away.
"What do you think of Ishgard seeing it now as it is now instead of the rolling green hills you might have expected?"
Without a second thought, Rokurō simply answered, "It's more beautiful than I could have imagined." He paused, a light chuckle escaping him as he brought his hands close to his chest, clutching his sweater. "Colder than I expected, but I will adjust eventually."
Aymeric blinked in surprise, "Truly?" Was the only word he could manage, taken slightly aback by both the warrior's honesty, as well as the swiftness of his answer. What little awkwardness that might have lingered between them dissipated at that moment in favor of something more honest.
A hint of a smile pulled at Rokurō's lips, though his brows furrowed and head tilted at the question. "Of course, how else could I possibly feel after seeing a city such as this?"
If the genuine fascination in Roku's tone hadn't been so apparent Aymeric might have taken his answer for a lie, one made to avoid any awkwardness. "I will be honest, yours was an answer I did not expect, nor is it a popular one amongst both Ishgardians, and visitors to Coerthas..." The Lord Commander closed his eyes, desperate to remember Falcon's nest the way it was before. Ishgard had been at war long before he was born, and though it saddened him to think of it, he had grown accustomed to the realities of war long ago. The Calamity itself however was a fresh scar, still sore from the impact. One that added to the ongoing struggles of his nation. Like trudging through a snowstorm, his upward battle for change only seemed more desperate and uncertain by the year. He drew in a deep breath, "We have lost much and more to our war, the Calamity in itself was taken by many to be a sign of Halone herself..." The build-up in his lungs came with a relieved sigh, "...Despite this, your perspective is, as always, a refreshing one, although..." Aymeric then turned to meet his gaze, "Would you grant me an elaboration?"
Rokurō straightened up, quickly pulling his hands away from his sides and back onto the railing. His tail lashed behind him, seemingly embarrassed now by his answer, despite Aymeric's compliment. "I did not mean to make it seem as if I was ignorant of Ishgard's struggles." He began hesitantly, "I am painfully aware of how much harder it has made things, how the people themselves suffer. It's a sight as plain as the scars decorating the stones of foundation itself, however-" Rokurō gestured out onto the camp, "In spite of everything, Ishgard marches on, your knights still devoted, your walls still standing...." The warrior's smile slowly came back to him as he spoke, growing wider with each passing second "I have seen Dragoons gathered around a campfire off shift laughing and telling stories. I have seen children--when they allow themselves a moment's indulgence--playing with their friends in the snow. When I speak of beauty, I speak of hope , Ser Aymeric. Despite the tragedy, there is still hope to be found. Ishgard may never be the same, Coerthas may never be green, but they need not be... " Rokurō's words landed softly as he carefully placed a hand upon Aymeric's shoulder. "Now I would ask you the same."
"How I view ishgard you mean?"
Rokurō nodded, "You have lived here all your life, I would like to hear your perspective as someone who has witnessed all parts of it."
The commander brought a hand to his chin, his brow furrowed in deep reflection. Even his lips were now pressed into a thin line. After a few seconds of silence, he gave his answer. "Ishgard is...troubled, deeply so. Our people have waged this war for generations, our knights are spread thin. The calamity has only strained our resources even further. Yet…" Aymeric's voice trailed off if only for a second before it came back to him, reignited by a passionate flame. "It is in the people where I place my faith. They who have marched on in the face of all adversity, who have rebuilt our walls more times than one could count. Ishgard has lost many good men and women, I would not forsake them, I would not let their deaths be in vain. It is for them to which I strive for a better future, and it is my hope that I will achieve any small measure of it within my lifetime."
For a moment, only the howling winds of Coerthas were all that filled the silence. Rokurō's eyes stared into his, searching them for something Aymeric couldn't quite guess.
"You speak of hope, yet there is uncertainty in your words. "Rokurō replied, he spoke sharply, though his tone was honest and more of an observation than an accusation. "It is as if you do not want to allow yourself to truly believe."
With a shake of his head, a resigned sigh escaped the Elezen." 'Tis difficult not to, but dreams such as this do not come so easily. I must prepare for all outcomes, regardless of my personal desires."
Rokurō hummed thoughtfully, "I suppose you're right. You are in a different position than I am, but if you would allow me to speak plainly, Lord Commander, then let me tell you this. I believe in the change you envision for Ishgard, and no matter how long or narrow the steps of change, I will walk them alongside you...however-" Rokurō pointed a finger to the air,"You must not allow yourself to be shackled by the uncertainty of the future, do not be afraid to hope."
It was not often that Aymeric found himself speechless, though before he could muster up any sort of reply to the Warrior he was cut off by a sharp gasp.
“By the twelve-" Rokurō lost all train of thought as turned to up at the sky, green lights flowed overhead like water through a stream, illuminating the land below. The Au Ra's grin grew wide as he let out a boisterous laugh, "I have only seen lights like this i-in paintings, it's descriptions in books!" Rokurō leaned further out the railing as if in doing so he would find himself just a little closer to the sky. "I've never seen anything like it! Looking upon it now this is what I meant, Ser Aymeric. How could I not love, how could I not hope?"
"I...understand," Aymeric replied in a soft whisper as his eyes shifted from the sky to the warrior before him. In beauty, there is hope he mused to himself, and just as the lights illuminated the snow below, the truth became clear before his eyes.
The Warrior of light, whose deeds he had followed with fascination before their first meeting, who possessed unparalleled strength, and utmost compassion. Who had shown him that despite the fact dark clouds enshrouded Ishgard's azure skies more often than not, the hopeful rays of dawn's light were never absent in his presence, for he reflected it in both body and spirit.
If Rokurō ever had need of him, he would be there. If he asked for his sword, it was his. And if for whatever reason- when the war was over and the city could rest easy- he asked for his heart, then he would give it gladly. Looking upon him now, Rokurō's sentiment echoed his own. How could he not love? How could he not hope?
"Lord Commander."
The suddenness of Lucia's voice tore him from his thoughts. Immediately, and almost instinctively he turned around.
"You are needed back in Ishgard, my lord." She continued, her eyes flickered briefly to the warrior of light, then back to him, though she said nothing.
"Very well, I will make my way back at once. Thank you, Lucia."
The knight bowed her head respectfully before she made her leave.
"I will find my way back later, for now I wish to stay a while longer." Rokurō tore his attention away from the sky to the Lord Commander. "Thank you for this, Aymeric."
"I…of course." He responded with a grin that matched Rokurō's own. "It was a pleasure. I look forward to our next meeting." With a bow Aymeric left the warrior's side to return to his duties. Though before he entered the city he found himself pausing to take one last glance at the aurora, not bothering to fight the smile that appeared as his thoughts wandered back towards Falcon's Nest, and the warrior he had traveled with.