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Ishgard is a city that sleeps, unlike that of Limsa or Thanalan. The sun sets around 5pm, and candles are blown out two hours later. To be up and about in the streets of Ishgard beyond that time, especially as a lowborn, can be not only scandalous, but dangerous. Apart from the taverns scattered across the city, the lively gatherings of the Brume, and the few little-known venues not far off from the Brume, Ishgard operates on a schedule.
Hilda knows this, but doesn't let stupid conventions or risks stop her. She never has. The machinist is making her way to the Skysteel Manufactory, gloved hands in her jacket pockets for extra warmth as she sees a thin fog every time she exhales. Her eyes are set on the door, and she looks down before beginning to make her way up the stairs to the manufactory- but spots a figure walking by the Aetheryte in Foundation.
Huh.
Usually for late errands like this, Hilda is the only one out and about in the city. Especially near the Aetheryte. She glances back over at the manufactory, seeing that the lights are turned off in the building. Joye mentioned that she was taking the day off for a family gathering of sorts (that she made it abundantly clear she did not want to attend), and Stephanivien told Hilda a few bells earlier that he'd handle closing that night. Seeing as it was now nearing one in the morning, he could be Twelve knows where, but that's none of Hilda's concern, really.
She looks back over at the figure walking past, taking its time and stopping to look over the city walls, down at the homes which laid under. It then stood still for a moment, pondering, perhaps, but unmoving- until it swung one leg over the ledge of the wall, sitting halfway on it.
Does this person have a death wish?
Hilda sighed, and turned back on her heel to approach the figure now sitting on one of Ishgard's highest walls. She was confused, a bit angry as to why someone would do that, especially so late, but she figured she could just figure out what was going on and move on with her day- or night. Early morning. Whatever it was.
As she approached the figure and became closer, she began to second-guess herself. Red hair, half-up and a black coat.. a stature unusually short for an Elezen, and those black pleather boots. Odile.
The woman began to run over to her, taking her hands out of her pockets and taking one of Odile's shoulders as soon as she was in close enough proximity, turning the dancer to face her.
"Hells, Odile, you had me scared. Out here this late by yerself, ye could've gotten hurt." Hilda said, a bit breathless now. She quickly sat down beside the Warrior of Light, turning her knees to face the woman and looking at her expectantly.
Odile stared up at the stars decorating the midnight sky. Unfazed, it seemed, as she didn't move to acknowledge Hilda. Not a 'hm,' or a nod, or a look over at her. A minute passed, then another, Hilda still looking at her waiting for any kind of answer. Finally, Odile slowly pressed her lips together, then murmured,
"The stars are beautiful tonight."
Hilda was a bit taken aback, not only by the short and completely unrelated answer, but by the unusual calmness of her companion. Her voice was low and monotone, her facial expression unchanged, and she looked a bit... somber. Tired, as well. Her eyelids looked heavy, her gaze fixed now on the sky above them. It wasn't snowing, but it was mildly windy- the norm for Ishgard. She could see Hilda's ponytail moving out of the corner of her eye.
"They are, yeah. But again, I'll ask, what're ye doin' out now? Sure yer brother and sister are at home, maybe lookin' for ye." She pressed, a sigh leaving Hilda as she finished speaking. Her hands came to rest on her lap as she studied Odile's expression.
Odile waved her hand off in an 'it's fine' gesture and said, "They're sleeping, Hilda." Then she finally turned to directly face the machinist, one of her legs coming up and her chin resting on her knee. "You worry a lot."
Hilda closes her eyes and shrugs. "'S my job to worry. I'm yer girl." She states in a flat tone.
Odile turns her face to the side, her gaze fixing on some random cottage below, and sighs. "Yeah... you're right. But what are you doing up? I thought you said you had a meeting with the Knights in the morning."
Hilda shook her head, her arms crossing over her chest. Odile looked back at her, and made a mental note to pick up a new pair of gloves for Hilda. These ones were in rough condition, to say the very least.
"Errand. I need some gunpowder. I never run outta that stuff, but I did, somehow." Hilda states. "So I'll ask ye again. What brings ye out here this late?"
She shifts around slightly, her words slow to come out. "I just needed to clear my mind.. get out. I don't know." Odile mumbles, shrugging. She sighs, and looks Hilda in the eye- just for a second. She looks back to the side, sucking her lips in.
Hilda quirks an eyebrow, and reaches out to place her hand atop Odile's gloved one on the ledge.
"Odi, luv, what's got ye out now?" She inquires, her voice soft yet firm. "Come on, ye can talk to me. Y'know that."
Odile looks back over at Hilda, her concerned eyes and fixed gaze doing all of the speaking for the woman. She ponders for a moment, but she knows it isn't fair to keep Hilda waiting, especially considering how worried she must be at this moment.
"Just... tired is all." She says, finally. "Tired. I haven't gotten much time to rest as of late. Between being the Warrior of Light-" She waves her hands in a mocking-grandiose manner and rolls her eyes at those words, "Dancing, and studying, I'm tied down, I feel. I want more time to myself, you know? Even if just once in a while, and not the way I did before I started... all this, whatever it is."
She brushes her hair off one shoulder and onto the other, pausing for a moment. "Time for my family, for those little pastimes, even for just doing nothing. I wish I didn't feel lazy for opting to stay in bed a little longer. I'm expected to be so much, yet it's draining. And Twelve, the amount of performing I have to do in a day, just so that others won't think less of me for something I can't control..."
Odile trails off, and turns her knees to face the woman before her. Hilda is nodding along, her arms crossed over her chest. That's one of the things Odile has always loved about Hilda, although it may be the bare minimum. She listens, and she cares. She takes everything the dancer says into account and offers insight beyond a muttered 'mhm' or a 'that's nice,' or 'oh, that's too bad.' She feels seen.
Hilda takes a moment, her red eyes looking back up at the very sky Odile had mentioned just a moment prior. Her hand is still atop her girlfriend's, her thumb coming to gently brush across the back of Odile's hand. She swallows, before starting,
"Would reckon a lot of other folks would feel the same in yer position." She looks back over at Odile, "You've given so much of yerself for this job, and for dance- which yer actually happy doing, but come on. Everyone needs a break once in a while, and I'd say yer long overdue for one."
Odile gives a small smile in response, and shrugs. "I don't know if I'd be able to actually get one." She whispers.
"Who's stoppin ye?" Hilda remarks.
"The Scions, Hild." Odile replies, using her free hand to rest her chin on.
"How so?" Hilda asks. "They can throw a fit or moan all they want, but yer a grown woman who can make her own decisions. Can't drag ye out on the battlefield, can they?" She chuckles, giving Odile's hand a gentle squeeze.
Odile giggles in response to that. Yet another thing she admires about Hilda: she finds a way to make light of almost any situation. She knows how to make her smile, regardless of her prior emotions or prepositions.
"Not really. You're right... do I just go to them and say, 'Hello, I apologize for the inconvenience, but I'll be taking the next few days to myself'?
Hilda looks up, one hand coming under her chin to fake contemplation. "Nah. Just tell them yer walking out and they'll see ye when they see ye." Hilda chuckles, again, seemingly finding her own advice amusing.
Odile laughs again, a genuine laugh, and smiles up at Hilda. "You make a convincing point. But I'll talk it out with them." She says, opting to inch closer to her companion- if only by a little bit.
"Wouldn't be Odile if ye did what I suggested." She smiles back, and her fond gaze locked on the girl before her. Odile nods in reply, her eyes slipping shut for a moment then opening just to inch the slightest bit further, and gently press her lips to Hilda's temple. Hilda's smile only widens at this, and she reaches her hand from Odile's to gently cup one cheek.
"Thank you, dear." She whispers. "You really do so much for me..." She trails off, before her brows suddenly furrow and she tilts her head to one side. "Why are you going to the Manufactory at this time?" She asks, an accusatory tone in her voice.
Hilda barks a laugh at that question, and puts her hand down on the ledge. "I was preoccupied all day. Between the Hounds, piles and piles of paperwork, and tryin' to get a bite in between said paperwork, I didn't have a second to meself."
Odile swings one leg over the ledge towards the Aetheryte, and offers Hilda her hand. Hilda takes it quickly, and they both stand up, Odile letting out a yawn.
"Tired, are we?" Hilda teases, and Odile nods. "I'll walk ye home."
"What? No." Odile replies, shaking her head quickly. "No, I came out here myself and you were looking for something. You do that, I can get home okay. I wouldn't want to step on your t-"
Odile is hushed by a gloved hand gently covering her mouth, Hilda's mouth in a wide smile. She laughs again, "Odi. I offered, didn't I? That gunpowder can wait till the morning comes." She emphasizes her point by wrapping her left arm around the Elezen's waist and pulling her in close to her side, using her other hand to ruffle her hair.
Odile's smile returns, and she goes in to give Hilda a quick, yet sweet peck square on the lips. Hilda smiles into it, and upon pulling away, quips, "Maybe ye should come out here at night more often. More time spent with my girl."
The dancer chuckles at that, and rests her head against Hilda's shoulder in place of a reply, as they set off east, toward Odile's residence.