escordvi | two 🔧 it's a pirate's (birthday) life for me

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two 🔧 it's a pirate's (birthday) life for me

Who: Everyone who knows Cid!
Status: Open
Where: The Enterprise II on Eltrut, long before Cid becomes The Most Wanted Man
What: YO DAD, IT'S YA BIRTHDAY
Warnings: Probably? If people get drunk, or make out... but probably pretty general here.

Under the pretext of "I need some supplies" and Benedikta keeping Cid busy for any and all party business, and the help of Kaveh for some money to get said supplies, the Enterprise II is ready for a party! Another shellphone alert will have gone out to everyone but Cid with a time and place and a note that if you know Cid? Show up! Even if it's been a very brief meeting, it's likely Cid would remember you anyway; he's just Like That. Come for singing happy birthday, stay for some cake and dinner!

THE FOOD

Styled like what you'd find in one of the many taverns dotting Eltrut in a large buffet-styled table is plenty of tavern food and some casks filled (and marked appropriately) with alcohol and non-alcoholic mead, wines, and punches, straight from the Minstrel and Cask. Larger casks are found around the main area as well holding the same.

The cake itself is styled like a night in Waloed, long before any issues arose, almost as if taken straight from memories. Inside is a chocolate cake with some light lavender flavouring, and for those who want some lighter fare, some of the same cake has been made into cupcakes with mini lightning bolt-shaped cookies with some differing decor.

OUTSIDE

Outside has plenty of seating on the deck, tables, and places to watch the hustle and bustle of Eltrut, with some balloons hanging from some high-up strings above everyone's head. At night, the balloons will be lit up to look like stars, and the boat will pull out from harbor to at least circle the main island slowly. There aren't really any places for people to sneak off to (and if Mid catches you trying to break into crew quarters... so help her she'll tell her dad) but people can enjoy the sea breeze and some drinks under the stars.

As sort of a centerpiece is a small potted tree with many branches, and slips of parchment with ribbon ties, and quills for writing to act as a guestbook but also a memory tree. Even if you haven't known Cid for too long, you can still write something nice!

Overall this is very much a mingle post! Drink, eat, be merry, and wish Cid Telamon a happy birthday!

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Daqiang was fashionably late to the party and did not announce himself. He simply arrived, took a moment to read over the guestbook request (and sign it), before casually walking in and slowly making his way around. He did not stop to speak to anyone, moving through the crowd as if he were invisible.

Which he was.

Until he appeared next to Cid where the man stood away from the crowds on the quarter deck. He had the courtesy to wait until Cid wasn't in the middle of swallowing anything, at least. In case his sudden appearance startled the man.

"How often do you celebrate your birthday? Every ten years? Five?"

Cid had just been slowly nursing his drink, mulling over things as he watched the crowd below with an expression mixed with fondness and contemplation when he starts upon hearing Daqiang suddenly next to him. It really was a mercy that he waited until he set down the bottle, though that didn't mean it wasn't shaken a bit when Cid gave a short yell of surprise and turned suddenly to him, staring wide-eyed before letting out a breath.

"Dammit, Dongfang, you 'bout near gave me a heart attack," he half groaned, half laughed with a shake of his head. "When did you get here?"

He somewhat missed the question from the the god's sudden arrival.

"Just now," he answered, blinking slowly and waiting for Cid to settle himself before he moved to join Cid in leaning against the rail. "This venerable one will not be staying long."

"Just appearing and going as you please, eh?"

Now that he's recovered from that initial shock, he raises the bottle again.

"Should at least stay for the food or take something to go. Or a drink."

"If you have wine, this venerable one will have a glass before he leaves," he agreed with a tilt of his head. "But not if all you have is the beer-wine or 'ales'. This venerable one is not in the mood for them."

As for appearing and going as he pleases... "You did once say that when you got a ship, this venerable one would be allowed to visit."

Said in a way that could perhaps be a question as to whether that offer was still true, but could also simply be a reminder that it had been said... just in case Cid's question about coming and going was not as rhetorical as it had sounded. Daqiang still very much had difficulty with determining that.

He chuckles at the request for wine and nods.

"Aye, we have a few fine bottles I can share a glass with you."

But that remark had indeed been a rhetorical one, which he knows is not really Daqiang's strong suit. Still he smiles and continues, "And that I did. This is your first time on the Enterprise II, aye? I could give you a tour, but I can't guarantee there aren't a few drunkards lying around."

"This venerable one is willing to see the strength of your ship," he agreed amiably. He was curious about the ship. Other than some personal vessels, a couple smaller boats rented out for MANTA Board requests, and the flagship of the Corsair fleet, Daqiang had not explored many ships either before obtaining the Phantom Moon or after.

"Your daughter, has she made changes since her return?" He asked as he straightened and made ready to follow Cid on his tour - presumably the fine bottles of wine would be obtained during the walk.

Oh they were definitely going to stop by the bar...but he knows where the good bottles are, and they aren't up on deck. So Cid just grins as he leads the way, deciding to start below deck since the stairs to it are nearby and it will take them away from the noise for a bit. He will make a gesture towards someone just so they know he'll be gone for a bit and they don't freak out about his disappearance or something.

"You mean Mid?" He smiles fondly at that as they head down. "Not yet, but I know she's itching for it. We have a few projects so been quite the busy little bee."

And once down, Donfang will notice how the corridors are well lit, and this is due not by candles or lamps, but by electricity, which Cid was sure the ship would have upon, ahem, "acquiring" said ship.

Daqiang recognized that the lights were being lit by something similar to - if not the same - magitech that lit most of the lights in the Phantom Moon's research lab. They had some more of it through the ship, mostly in the center line of the ship that connected the lab to the galley and healer's room. But certainly not to the degree that the Enterprise II had. Lanterns and lamps, both magical and mundane, made up the majority of lighting on the Phantom Moon.

Of course, this meant that Daqiang's perspective on the differences in ships was greatly skewed, as his crew had acquired theirs through asking Nogard to make them one and offering materials that would influence it's creation. He did not know the specifics of how Cid and his crew came to possess the Enterprise, after all. For all he knew, they had specifically given more materials that would produce the greater distribution of lighting that was not provided by open flames.

"Yes. Midadol," Daqiang agreed. He didn't know of any other daughters. Or sons for that matter. "Is she your assistant or you hers?" To his understanding, Cid did a lot of his own inventing and the crew itself wasn't focused on research of the world in the same way his own was. But from his description of his daughter, she was the prodigy between the two of them and outstripped Cid's own skills considerably.

Of course, that could also be a matter of parental pride and not an valid or realistic sentiment. Daqiang was not inclined to to believe that, however.

Cid chuckled at that, that light of pride brimming in his eyes as he continued to lead the way down the hall.

"I'd say it would depend on what we're doing, but it's more of a partnership," he finally answered. "She has her own projects, and in that case I serve as more of an extra hand when she needs it. Likewise, when it comes to my own she will assist."

He spoke not just of how they did things here, but also how they worked back home. Once she was old enough to try her hand, which was already quite the young age, he was more than happy and willing to let her be on her own. Thinking about those old memories, a bit more of a wistful look appeared.

"She was always a smart girl. Quick to pick up on things and reading long before her peers—and that was already a luxury in our world. In the beginning I'd let her watch and assist me, but I allowed her to be more independent as she grew older. Likely how she got to be she is today."

Cid's description of their life, of Mid's development of her talent, had Daqiang idly wondering if his own father had ever felt that for him...

Which was a thought that immediately soured his mood and which he did not wish to pursue.

Rather than let himself focus on how disparate his own relationship with his family was in comparison to Cid's, he latched onto the strangest of comments Cid had just made:

"Reading was a luxury?"

"Aye." With bit of a rueful nod, Cid takes them down a corner past the galley where the sound of some of the cooks working can be heard towards another room that had a lock to it. Here, rather than fish out keys, he just places his hand and there's a small spark of lightning before there's a click and lock falls away.

Opening the door, and beckoning Daqiang to follow, he continues.

"Reading and writing was usually reserved for the wealthy, such as nobles, merchants, and other aristocrats. Those of lower class and means may learn the very basics, but it's not uncommon for someone to not even know how to spell or write their own name."

Walking in, it's clearly a wine cellar of sorts, though it's not just wine in here. It's also not completely full, but it already has an assorted collection, one that's clearly for Cid's personal use. Looking through, he eyes the bottles before they light up and he picks one out.

"This'll do us."

Daqiang's eyes followed the hand and the spark that unlocked the room. Cid had found a way to create a qi-based lock. Or, at least, something similar. How interesting.

Just as interesting was the number of bottles and variety of drinks on display.

"In the Three Realms, among the immortals, it would be considered a failure of one's duty to their family and students, for those who have them, to not teach them to read and write. Many demons that cultivate a mortal form learn to read and write before they are able to walk as mortals do." He replied, clearly judgemental of a society that regularly failed its people so thoroughly.

When Cid picked out a bottle, he moved in closer to look over Cid's shoulder at it in curiosity, "Is it very old or rare?"

"Sounds like your world is a lot more progressive than ours," he answered with a rueful look. "Wish it were the same really."

It really was unfortunate that the higher ups would gatekeep learning to make it easier to control and rule over everyone else. It was why he encouraged those who joined the Hideaway to learn if they could.

"And a bit of both, one that I may have pilfered from someone who wasn't going to enjoy it anymore." Daqiang can take that as he wanted. "Aged for a few decades, it's considered quite a luxury wine from what I've found. But suppose we'll see for ourselves whether it is or not."

With a grin, he then walks over to a cupboard where he stores a few glasses for just the occasion.

Interest piqued, Daqiang followed after Cid in a round-about walk that took him through the room and past each cabinet. There were too many vintages in the room to get a proper sense of each of them through smell alone. They'd have to move to another room for that. But he could admire the variety while Cid fished the glasses out.

"Let us drink elsewhere," he said after Cid had retrieved them, but before any wine could be poured. "Take this venerable one to the crew cabins... Your cabin, if it is empty."

Ah.

While Cid was about to readily oblige, he does pause at the suggestion before there's a rueful smile.

"Unfortunately my own quarters will be occupied at this time, so I'll have to show you another time. But there are some empty cabins we can use...and I can think of one that would suit our uses."

Daqiang's cabin was usually unoccupied if he was not in it. So he had assumed much the same for Cid. But if it was occupied, it was occupied.

"Very well," he waved his hand for Cid to lead the way, "show this venerable one what sort of hospitality you have for your crew and guests. If it is not sufficient, this venerable one will educate you accordingly."

He was somewhat glad that he didn't press on who the occupant was, but it wasn't exactly a big secret for those on the ship, anyway. Still, Cid just smiled in some amusement as he led Daqiang out of the room, waiting for him to exit before locking it the same way he unlocked it.

"Now I may be a former outlaw and corsair, but I do know a thing or two about hospitality. Whether it's up to your standards, however," he chuckled at that, "I suppose we'll find out."

But it was clear that Cid likely wouldn't mind whatever criticism the god gave. If anything he was a bit curious as he realized not all customs would be the same.

Daqiang watched the locking process and was definitely going to ask Cid about that later. For now he simply followed the other man through the ship, taking it in and memorizing the layout as they walked.

"What defenses do you have?" He asked at length, having not yet seen obvious signs of defensive weaponry or spells to shield the vessel. He didn't really explore the main deck before he found Cid, so he expected there were weapons there that had simply not been the focus with the party going on.

"You won't find too many as it's not a combat ship," he explained. "However, we do have the standard number of cannons, harpoons, and tech to deploy barriers if needed. Though when you have a ship with six Dominants of our caliber, you really don't need much more."

There was a bit of a smug, cheeky grin at that.

Six dominants? He had known about two, certainly. And suspected more given the conversation over the network all those months ago where Cid had attempted to downplay the manner of his being "summoned" by Yuffie and under her control for a brief period. The manner in which he'd seen Joshua transform when empowered was similar enough that he could assume Joshua was one. But he had not known there were a full six. This was both good - the ship was most certainly protected and thus Rem would be as well - and bad - Daqiang did not know if he could take on six of them at once should something happen to force that.

"No, this venerable one supposes there is little that would cause you serious trouble," he agree thoughtfully. "Is that why Rem has chosen to join you? To study with your dominants?"

She had only really told him that she was leaving to join Cid's crew. He was trying not to view it as a betrayal. Or a failure on his part. Though it hurt much like one or the other when he thought too hard on it. He was still uncertain if there was a difference between the way both felt. He couldn't say he wanted to feel them enough to know.

Ah... He had wondered if he would be asked that, and Cid briefly wondered how to answer.

"I feel a bit bad about that, but..." His voice trailed in thoughtful contemplation. "I don't think it's that. Rather...how to say this."

What made this complicated was—

"I don't want to speak in her stead so ultimately if you want to know you will have to ask her herself. But if you want my opinion, then I think it's just a simple matter of the connections she's made within the crew. I didn't realize she had so many friendships here until after."

There was also the matter of her situation and what she was working towards, but he assumed that either Daqiang already knew about it, or that it's not something he should freely speak about to begin with. More of a matter of Rem's privacy than anything against Daqiang.

However, not wanting his friend to feel too badly, something that he can somewhat sense since the question was brought up so suddenly, he reaches out and gives him a small pat on the shoulder.

"Don't worry too much about it. I'm sure you took care of her very well, and if you ever want to meet with her you are always welcome."

Connections she'd made with Cid's crew. Many friendships. Ones that she valued more than those she had on the Phantom Moon. More than she valued his.

(his heart and stomach clenched, tightening in pain that reached up toward his throat)

He should have, perhaps, expected something like that tobe the reason.

(why did his eyes feel so hot?)

He was not a good 'friend'. He barely understood what it meant to be one. Why wouldn't someone who had a choice choose another?

(oh.)

(that's a tear.)

(and it wasn't orchid's).

As the hand comes down on his shoulder, Daqiang turned so his face couldn't be seen. So the tear couldn't be seen. His eyes whipped downward, as if examining the way the walls and doors were crafted and, possibly, their security. Hidden in his sleeve, his fingers curled to discreetly burn the water off his face with his qi. It was his. So he did not have to endure as he would were it Orchid's. He could make it evaporate before the evidence could be seen.

"This venerable one is not worried," he lied, forcing himself to find what little remained of the cold that once thoroughly encased his heart. To sound unaffected and more over: uncaring. "Only ensuring that whatever reason Rem chose to join you will not interfere with our joint research. We are still looking into what we can of the Ghost Ship and Rem was the one leading and directing that task."

Edited 2024-05-22 20:38 (UTC)

While he did not catch the full emotion Daqiang was experiencing, he did notice something felt a bit off. He could only glance over, and it did not help that he had no idea what their kind of relationship was. However, if he was asking about her to begin with, then he must have cared enough.

Even so, he won't pry. He knows the man is a private one and he can respect that.

"Aye, that won't be a problem. She's free to move wherever she wishes and I certainly won't impede on her projects."

"Good."

He took a deep breath, shutting his eyes as he did so to will further tears cease to be. To embraced that familiar cold feeling that was increasingly harder to find deep in his heart.

When he turned back at Cid, his face had gone blank and his tone empty. He did not attempt to raise his gaze or meet Cid's eyes. "Are we close to the room you wish to drink in?"

two 🔧 it's a pirate's (birthday) life for me

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