He is certainly an articulate one.
Roen regarded Ser Maximilien Vaillancourt with an even expression, watching his exchange with Khadai. Night and day the two seemed; the Elezen was one of refined nobility with confident eloquence in both poise and charisma, while the Xaela's rigid and austere demeanor only accentuated his foreign bearing. Standing next to each other made the contrast all the more obvious.
She was also beginning to realize that perhaps Ishgard was the most alien place in all of Eorzea for one such as Khadai to try and adapt to as an unlearned outsider. Even more than Ul'dah, Ishgard was defined by a social caste; to learn the ways of aristocracy, one was often bred into it and taught since childhood. What little she had gathered of Khadai's people, they seemed to value function, directness, and efficiency above all.
But all of those things often were set aside amongst the high society in preference for the artistry of exchanging social graces and subtle political maneuverings. Having been raised within a wealthy family herself, Roen had never considered it a difficulty for someone who never had exposure to such upbringing.
There was a sudden stirring of sympathy as she glanced back to Khadai. But that was when she found herself arching a brow instead as the Xaela warrior bowed to the dragoon. And the gesture itself was not completely awkward.
Roen almost smiled.
The paladin arched another brow to join the first when Khadai then agreed to join Ser Vaillancourt's men without too much of a protest. She may have objected in his stead if she saw that he was clearly uncomfortable with the idea, but after the initial objection he said nothing further. Since her efforts lately had been to try and acclimate Khadai to the ways of Ishgard and to get him better known amongst the residents here, Roen could not think of good reasons not to help the men. The Elezen dragoon was right; fighting alongside the knights against a common foe could do well to set their mind at ease regarding the Au Ra.
Perhaps encountering this Ser Vaillancourt could prove to be fortuitous, Roen hoped. The Elezen actually seemed as though he wanted to help Khadai’s situation. He did not show any prejudice against the Au Ra and even indirectly admonished his men for their apprehensions. Even if he was just looking for a pair of extra sellswords to tip the scales in his favor against a dragon, the challenge the Elezen put forth to both her and Khadai seemed both amicable and bold. A part of her was ready to take him up on it.
Roen also knew that at least she herself could not refuse. She was still under Ser Tournes' command after all. If the Knight Captain had promised aid, she was obligated to provide it should there be a need. "I have no objections, Ser Vaillancourt," she said with a firm nod, her tone sounding more certain and fearless than she felt. She knew it would do no good to show any anxiety she might have felt in front of the other knights, and she could not deny that there was a part of her that trembled with anticipation at the thought of facing off against a true dragon.
“But I did ask for Khadai’s help in accompanying me for this supply run.†She looked over her shoulder to steal a glance at the Xaela to gauge his response to all this. She knew to expect his usual stern visage, but somehow felt that she may spy something more at times. “It is up to him if he too wishes to join. He is not under Ser Tournes’ command and is not exactly obligated to follow his orders.â€
She gave the Au Ra a thoughtful look. “Even though I have no doubt that he will prove worthy of the sword he carries.â€
Roen regarded Ser Maximilien Vaillancourt with an even expression, watching his exchange with Khadai. Night and day the two seemed; the Elezen was one of refined nobility with confident eloquence in both poise and charisma, while the Xaela's rigid and austere demeanor only accentuated his foreign bearing. Standing next to each other made the contrast all the more obvious.
She was also beginning to realize that perhaps Ishgard was the most alien place in all of Eorzea for one such as Khadai to try and adapt to as an unlearned outsider. Even more than Ul'dah, Ishgard was defined by a social caste; to learn the ways of aristocracy, one was often bred into it and taught since childhood. What little she had gathered of Khadai's people, they seemed to value function, directness, and efficiency above all.
But all of those things often were set aside amongst the high society in preference for the artistry of exchanging social graces and subtle political maneuverings. Having been raised within a wealthy family herself, Roen had never considered it a difficulty for someone who never had exposure to such upbringing.
There was a sudden stirring of sympathy as she glanced back to Khadai. But that was when she found herself arching a brow instead as the Xaela warrior bowed to the dragoon. And the gesture itself was not completely awkward.
Roen almost smiled.
The paladin arched another brow to join the first when Khadai then agreed to join Ser Vaillancourt's men without too much of a protest. She may have objected in his stead if she saw that he was clearly uncomfortable with the idea, but after the initial objection he said nothing further. Since her efforts lately had been to try and acclimate Khadai to the ways of Ishgard and to get him better known amongst the residents here, Roen could not think of good reasons not to help the men. The Elezen dragoon was right; fighting alongside the knights against a common foe could do well to set their mind at ease regarding the Au Ra.
Perhaps encountering this Ser Vaillancourt could prove to be fortuitous, Roen hoped. The Elezen actually seemed as though he wanted to help Khadai’s situation. He did not show any prejudice against the Au Ra and even indirectly admonished his men for their apprehensions. Even if he was just looking for a pair of extra sellswords to tip the scales in his favor against a dragon, the challenge the Elezen put forth to both her and Khadai seemed both amicable and bold. A part of her was ready to take him up on it.
Roen also knew that at least she herself could not refuse. She was still under Ser Tournes' command after all. If the Knight Captain had promised aid, she was obligated to provide it should there be a need. "I have no objections, Ser Vaillancourt," she said with a firm nod, her tone sounding more certain and fearless than she felt. She knew it would do no good to show any anxiety she might have felt in front of the other knights, and she could not deny that there was a part of her that trembled with anticipation at the thought of facing off against a true dragon.
“But I did ask for Khadai’s help in accompanying me for this supply run.†She looked over her shoulder to steal a glance at the Xaela to gauge his response to all this. She knew to expect his usual stern visage, but somehow felt that she may spy something more at times. “It is up to him if he too wishes to join. He is not under Ser Tournes’ command and is not exactly obligated to follow his orders.â€
She gave the Au Ra a thoughtful look. “Even though I have no doubt that he will prove worthy of the sword he carries.â€
