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

[midifications]

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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Comments

[yuezun]

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.

[ramuhs]

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."

[yuezun]

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."

[ramuhs]

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."

[yuezun]

"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?"

[ramuhs]

Cid continued to study him for a moment, and he briefly wondered if he should ask... But considering they're about to drink some wine, maybe not. Instead, there was a slight quirk of his lips before he stops just a few paces after the question.

"Actually, we just arrived."

This time he just fishes out a set of keys that he always keeps on hand to unlock the door, and after opening it he flips on the light switch, the hanging lanterns lightning up the room. It's nothing too extravagant, but it is a spacious room, clearly meant for an officer or someone of higher rank. A work desk is already set to the side, and it has a small partition to separate the lounge area and the bed area. It's just a partial wall so the back section is still visible, but easy to customize a curtain or something else for more privacy should they wish it. Otherwise it just has some basic furnishing for any future occupant to just move right in.

Cid will go to the round table that's right off to the side, setting down the bottle and glasses before pulling out the chair.

"This is meant to be an officer's room, but I've made it so it can double as another meeting space in the event my quarters are unavailable. Such as now," he added with a light grin before gesturing for Daqiang to sit wherever he wishes.

[yuezun]

Daqiang moved to sit on the bed. Then, after a moment of consideration, lay back on it with his hands tucked under his head. Feet kicked up and crossed at the ankle.

"This is not terrible," he granted after a moment, then sat back up, one knee up to rest an arm on and the other dangling off the side of the bed. "This venerable one could use it as a closet."

[ramuhs]

Well just make yourself right at home, Daqiang—

Cid will watch with an arched brow before snorting with a chuckle.

"I take it you are used to much more spacious accommodations."

[yuezun]

"This venerable one lived in a palace before coming to this world," he said, looking over at Cid as if that should have been obvious. "This venerable one's current cabin is about half the size of his chambers in Silent Moon Palace."

And his cabin was very large with expansive windows that made it seem much larger.

"We will be refitting the ship soon to have the interior space magically expanded," he added on after a moment. "So that the crew have more room in their own chambers. It will take some time for the mage-carpenters to do, and is costly, but it will make the ship more comfortable for those who sail with us. And bring this venerable one's chambers to a proper size."

He shrugged a shoulder, "We have not found an island that calls to us as your 'Hideaway' did you."

[ramuhs]

Cid arched a brow as he poured Daqiang's share of wine into the glass before bringing it over to him, holding it out.

"Magic to have the rooms expanded...and without altering the ship itself?" Cid couldn't help but voice his amazement. "That's quite impressive. If we used the ship more as a residence we could have also considered.

But if you do find an island, I hope I get to visit."

[yuezun]

"We have been looking," he admitted, taking the wine. He brought it to his nose to smell carefully and then held it as he finished. "This venerable one should say that he has been looking. No one has asked it, but the sailors that crew the Phantom Moon continue to make comments about how it would be easier to resupply if we did not have to follow Nogard. This venerable one has led soldiers before. Even the most loyal becomes unruly if the supply lines are not stable and they don't believe their general is listening."

The actual research team and the ones that led the work for study and exploration had their preferences as well, but they seemed content to let the matter be until something sparked their interest. But he knew they, too, would be more comfortable with a stable place to rest every now and then.

[ramuhs]

Now seated in a chair across from him, Cid hummed as he sipped the wine.

"Aye, having a stable location does wonders. Also better to have a place of your own in case you have to take shelter or hide somewhere. Does make things a bit harder with the leviathans roaming as they are, so make sure everyone has a fully leveled Ring of Returning to make traveling and transporting supplies easier."

[yuezun]

He was also aware of the sailing crew, those who had been on the ship since the Phantom Moon first sailed, talking occasionally of finding a place their families could move to. Many of them had similar small apartments to the ones the riftfarers were assigned and getting a larger home in the already crowded port towns was difficult. A place where they could claim land and build their own was very appealing to some. Daqiang would prefer not to have to put in the work of building anew, himself. But Cid was correct that a place to shelter in that wasn't at the whim of the God-Beasts was also worth having.

"This venerable one only requires the most basic of rings for joining," he admitted. And now that Cid had sipped at his wine, Daqiang finally lifted his cup to his lips and took a drink. It had not smelled poisoned, but old habits died hard. "It's a good vintage."

[ramuhs]

Cid nodded, unaware of the reason of Daqiang's slower drinking.

"Aye, and that's fine for now. But the higher the grade the more effective it will, even more so as it allows multiple locations."

He then counts off with his hand.

"Island, ship—that's already two. Then if they have any of their own personal domiciles or places they frequent, that's three. Better to be prepared than unable to quickly return a safe place."

[yuezun]

"You do not need to lecture this venerable one as if he is part of your crew," Daqiang shot a half-hearted glare at Cid for his continued pestering. "This venerable one knows how to run a ship!"

He took another drink and then leaned forward, "He could run his ship around yours."

[ramuhs]

There was just a slight arch of the brow before he laughed and waved his hand.

"Apologies, I meant no offense. Just thought to share some advice from what I've learned so far."