Jancis stands up, looking through the crowd of pilgrims. "Ah! Lady Aya!"
Aya Foxheart looks shocked for a moment, smiling sheepishly toward Jancis, before she moves to ascend the steps.
"It is a honor to have you come so far from the Jewel to be with us this eve."
Aya smiles softly, nodding, "Thank you so much Miss Jancis~ it is a pleasure to be here..!"
Jancis bows her head politely, "I leave the floor to you, though you listen to many tales in the Quicksand, you have your own lovely poem to share this night."
Aya Foxheart looks shocked for a moment, smiling sheepishly toward Jancis, before she moves to ascend the steps.
"It is a honor to have you come so far from the Jewel to be with us this eve."
Aya smiles softly, nodding, "Thank you so much Miss Jancis~ it is a pleasure to be here..!"
Jancis bows her head politely, "I leave the floor to you, though you listen to many tales in the Quicksand, you have your own lovely poem to share this night."
Many faces from Ul'dah look up at the familiar face. Leanne waves shakily to Aya, still trying to settle down her own nerves. Chachanji moves to the side to give Aya some room.
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Aya keeps her soft smile, with a little hint of bashfulness in her eyes, and upon her lips. She glances around the room, carefully slipping the cap from her head and allowing her pony tail fall free.
Aya speaks in her light, Ishgardian accented voice, more calm than excited. "Good evening everyone - you'll have to excuse me I've just come in from the cold, I cannot express what it is like to be surrounded by so many warm and friendly faces in this land of winter. It reminds me of the very best moment of the past few years I spent, as many of you have no doubt guessed, in the towered city not far from here."
"But... I am not a native of this city, so I was raised surrounded by Halone's most faithful, but came to her with the view of an outsider. Of course, I came to know Halone and everything she represents, and what she means to the city, and people of Ishgard and Coerthas. I wish to thank Miss Jancis for providing me this opportunity to share a moment of poetry and reflection upon the goddess."
Aya takes in a deep, quiet breath. Her expression relaxes, as her eyes close for a moment. As she slowly draws her eyes once more open, she looks out upon the gathered celebrants. She begins to recite a sonnet from memory--her voice remaining light and slowly measured, as she emphasizes the iambic meter, her gaze moving slowly across the entire crowd.
Aya speaks in her light, Ishgardian accented voice, more calm than excited. "Good evening everyone - you'll have to excuse me I've just come in from the cold, I cannot express what it is like to be surrounded by so many warm and friendly faces in this land of winter. It reminds me of the very best moment of the past few years I spent, as many of you have no doubt guessed, in the towered city not far from here."
"But... I am not a native of this city, so I was raised surrounded by Halone's most faithful, but came to her with the view of an outsider. Of course, I came to know Halone and everything she represents, and what she means to the city, and people of Ishgard and Coerthas. I wish to thank Miss Jancis for providing me this opportunity to share a moment of poetry and reflection upon the goddess."
Aya takes in a deep, quiet breath. Her expression relaxes, as her eyes close for a moment. As she slowly draws her eyes once more open, she looks out upon the gathered celebrants. She begins to recite a sonnet from memory--her voice remaining light and slowly measured, as she emphasizes the iambic meter, her gaze moving slowly across the entire crowd.
â™ â™ â™
Iceborn goddess, for our own heart's solace,
Renew today this sacred trust that binds
Our towers gleaming, your image flawless.
So they together ever will entwine.
Renew today this sacred trust that binds
Our towers gleaming, your image flawless.
So they together ever will entwine.
We knoweth thee, beneath our frigid plea;
That you alone command hard frostbit cold
And harken not to warm our land with glee,
That you alone command hard frostbit cold
And harken not to warm our land with glee,
But narrow lucent eyes on us to scold.
For what is fear of bidden ice-cold rime
Compared with perils of dragon fire.
For what is fear of bidden ice-cold rime
Compared with perils of dragon fire.
Learn thee to face the harshest cold, sublime.
Lest fail yourself the test of time, and tire."
But... as she cloaks our land with bulwark cold,
Shall she our hearts' goodwill and warmth withhold?
Lest fail yourself the test of time, and tire."
But... as she cloaks our land with bulwark cold,
Shall she our hearts' goodwill and warmth withhold?
â™ â™ â™
Aya bows her head for a moment as she finishes, hand balled near her collar as she lets out a slow breath before lifting her eyes to smile warmly once more, "Thank you everyone~"
"Lovely Lady Aya!" Jancis smiles, her head tilting back to look up at the stairs high above her.
"Lovely Lady Aya!" Jancis smiles, her head tilting back to look up at the stairs high above her.
"Thank you Miss Jancis~ so much! It has been so long since I have seen snow. And it has been so worthwhile to find it again."
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