the hideaway ➞ a time for celebrations

[ramuhs]

Who: The Hideaway Crew and friends
Status: Semi-Open to anyone who knows a crew member and could have gotten an invite
Where: On their island, "The Roost"
What: A giant party to celebrate killing off a parasite god, a special daughter's birthday, and holidays in general
Warnings: Well there's the mistletoe and alcohol and just stares at all of you

I. FEAST FOR KINGS

Although Ultima had been rid of once and for all back in October, the situation with the Farplane and other circumstances had delayed a proper victory celebration. Now, with everyone fully rested and the holiday season in full swing, it seemed a fitting time to have a long overdue party at the Roost. Even more so with snow starting to fall on the island, much to everyone's surprise as it was their first winter on the island.

Deep within the cavern halls where everyone resides, large tables have been set up on the main floor, sunlight streaming through the large skylights high above, their openings closed by glass windows to prevent snowfall and cold drafts from entering. On these tables, one will find a veritable feast made up of many assortments of meats, fruits, salads, sandwiches, kebabs—and of course a line of open kegs, free for anyone to drink their fill of ales, ciders, beers, and wines. Juices and other non-alcoholic drinks are also available. Desserts are also available in the form of pies, cobblers...

II. BIRTHDAY GIRL

And a birthday cake!

It had been debated if they should cram everything in, but in the end it was decided that they would take this as an opportunity to celebrate Mid's 17th birthday during this time as well. A large cake is situated right at the center of the dessert table with the words, Happy Birthday Mid at the center. And of course, as her father, Cid could not resist but go ahead and have part of her gift set up early.

And that would be her original Orchestrion. The music it plays can be heard throughout the cavern, all an upbeat, festive theme, but there are other selections available for those who may want to poke around.

III. FUN ACTIVITIES

While around the Roost, there are a few other things one could enjoy.

🔥 There is nice, large bonfire situated in a large space of the hall that anyone can gather around to sit on blankets and pillows with warm drinks and use its flames to toast or roast anything from the food tables.
🎁 Although not required, should anyone have brought gifts either for Mid or for friends and acquaintances of the Hideaway they are free to exchange them at any time!
🌿 To celebrate a few of the seasonal customs, there are sprigs of mistletoe hung around various parts of the Roost. These aren't enchanted (as far as Cid is aware, anyway), so completely optional. But who knows, maybe some moogles decided to put a little prank...
🍬 Kaveh has created a special candy tower pinata in the shape of a gryphon that guests are free to bash. Break it open for a treasure trove of candy!

Outside, it's snowing quite a bit and for those who wish to cool off from the warm caverns, they can follow a well lit and decorated path right outside.

☃️ Build some snowmen, or snow moogles! Or just general snow fun.
🦅 The Roost has gryphons and they are going to have some fun throwing garlands at anyone, especially at pairs of people. Have fun getting out! If treated with respect (and bribed with some meat from the feast) they may give a short flight around the island.
🐤 The chocobos have grown and a few are available harnessed to a sleigh to ride around the hills and fields around the island. Feed them some gysahl greens and they will work even harder!

Should anyone find themselves too inebriated or just wanting to spend the night, there are extra lodgings available so anyone is welcome to stay the night! Or perhaps if one wants to join permanently...

IV. WILDCARD

YAY THE WITCH IS DEAD AND DAUGHTER HAS BIRTHDAY AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE??? Giant party log have fun. Keeping it light since the Winterstide event is also happening soon. For those who may be interested in the crew, you can refer to Hideaway info page here.

The log is set for December 12th and as mentioned in the log, if anyone needs to stay the night they are welcome to do so! Below are some reference images for the island in general. Note: the main residence is situated inside a large cavern spacious enough to have an entire town inside. There are numerous buildings and smaller caves that serve as functioning nooks like forge, library, etc. It's warm and comfortable inside despite the cold outside.

GALLERY

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code by efrynidel

Comments

[ramuhs]

Then Emet-Selch likely won't mind a familiar face sliding right next to him, a tankard of ale in hand as he grins.

"Looks like you're enjoying yourself. And it's been some times since I've seen this fellow."

Cid reaches over to feed the chocobo a gysahl green before giving it a friendly pat on the beak.

"Might be having more of a feast than we are."

[emet_sulk]

The white chocobo lets out a cheerful 'kweh!' before snatching up the vegetable and gulping it down. Emet-Selch smiles faintly behind the rim of his own glass.

"Aye, he's got quite the appetite now. I already knew these birds do, of course, but I think I will have to prevail upon your crew for a steady supply of those greens."

He has been feeding his bird standard vegetable fare instead. Which, to be fair, it seems happy enough about. But the chocobo seems happier when fed a gysahl green.

[ramuhs]

A quiet laugh at that as he sits back so he can more properly converse with Emet-Selch.

"Not a problem. However we may have to charge a small fee," he adds with a friendly wink. "Have a number of chocobos after all."

[emet_sulk]

He chuckles and props his elbow on the table, resting his chin on the back of his hand.

"Of course. I wouldn't dream of short-changing an honest worker," he drawls. "Even if he is my competitor in business."

A light jest. Emet-Selch's does not plan for the Forge to compete directly with Cid's own business.

[ramuhs]

He can't help but grin at that.

"You know, we could always partner together more officially."

[emet_sulk]

"Oh?" He raises an eyebrow. After a moment, he flashes a smirk. "I didn't realise you had a preference for other men."

Let him have this one joke.

[ramuhs]

There's a small raise of his own brows before he laughs. Yes, he can let Emet-Selch have this joke and just flashes him a charming grin in return as Cid leans towards him.

"Man, woman, does it truly matter so long as one can create a meaningful connection?"

Emet-Selch just better hope Benedikta doesn't see this.

[emet_sulk]

He chuckles, propping an elbow on the table so he can rest his chin on his hand. Tempting as it is to carry the joke further, his heart is not fully in it. There is too much grief in him for a random dalliance.

So, while his words match Cid's tone, he is careful to create an emotional distance. "I would not mind deepening our partnership. Since I'm trapped here I may as well do something with my time."

[ramuhs]

It's all well and good since Cid was just teasing and playing along. Sensing that pull back, he does the same with a light chuckle.

"Besides the engine, what else are you thinking of?"

[emet_sulk]

He gestures airily. "Well, a young man was pestering me some moons ago for a means to watch one of his 'movies'. Something called a 'television' in his world, which I have surmised is a larger version of the shellphones we have. It took him a while to obtain the disc his movie is stored on but I have it now. That is my next project."

[ramuhs]

Cid arches a brow at that.

"So a larger screen to display videos and pictures and such? Intriguing... Do you not have anything like it in your world?"

[emet_sulk]

"Hah! On the contrary. I know how to design a screen. I can even design a way to power it with magitech or a crystal. The issue is that the technology I'm familiar with isn't compatible with the boy's storage format."

He traces a circle on the table with his free hand. "A circular disc made of some material that isn't glass. Microscopic marks which suggest they use a system of binary. It is no easy feat reverse engineering another world's technology, you know, let alone adapting it to what is available here. First, I need to find a way to read the information. Then I need to find a way to display it in a comprehensible and recognisable manner."

[ramuhs]

All of this will of course be far more than Cid can comprehend at this point in time, however that does not mean he is no less intrigued.

"And even if he were to bring something that could read the data from his world and also work, you're still left with that same problem of adapting it to what's available to this world. Quite the puzzle you have, and one you must find worth doing if you're taking the time for it."

[emet_sulk]

He scoffs and props his elbow on the table in a mulish display but it seems half-hearted.

"He was just so very eager. And 'tis not as though I have anything better to do with my endless time. I only worry that this will push magitech's progress faster than the natives can keep up with. They barely understand what we currently have. It won't be long before we have a deadly accident."

[ramuhs]

A low hum.

"I suppose that's a valid worry." And something that he knows is always on Emet-Selch's mind. "The phones already seem far more than what they have in general. However, if it's just something that can play videos, would it really be such a problem?"

[emet_sulk]

A short sigh.

"No, of course not. I mean that ordinarily the natural progression of technology means that men have time to spend with it and learn both its advantages and its dangers. But what I'm doing is accelerating the process. I can warn someone until I'm blue in the face of the dangers of, say, touching exposed wires to bare skin, but the lesson won't stick unless they see a man get electrocuted. You see?"

The danger is indirect this time. Which is worse. But of course, Emet-Selch probably worries about these things more than...well, most people, since he has the benefit of experience and hindsight. He has a tendency to catastrophise.

"From my examination of the boy's disc, I think I shall need to build a very fine laser. You may not have seen one before, Cid - they are a concentrated, narrow beam of light and pointing one thoughtlessly into an eye can blind a man from many malms away. They have to be banned in a certain radius around any aeronautic buildings or watchtowers. Can you imagine how disruptive they would be to ships coming into port or sailing near cliffs?"

[ramuhs]

There's a sharp rise of his brows at that because yes—that went a lot farther than he would have expected. And after some thought, he can see where the man is coming from. He knows of the dangers, the risks, the potentials—he's seen it all. And it's true of any technological advancement. It starts with one small thing, then it progresses further and further until what is an innovation becomes one's downfall. Even he's seen it to some degree, be it the remnants of the Fallen or of his own world steadily progressing forward. He may even have a hand in it.

And really, there is nothing he could say that would give any kind of reassurance. Does he even have a place to? So after mulling it over with his ale, he just shrugs and sets down the mug.

"Then you only have two options—devise something else that could recreate the product without this laser, or just tell Denji it's not possible."

Things he likely already considered, but is said, anyway.

"There's no reason to push yourself against your own morals, and if you truly believe that creating this laser would be the rock that causes the landslide, then don't do it."

[emet_sulk]

"I can't abandon this project," he says immediately. Denji's pleading face flashes before his eyes. He's always been weak to earnest requests. "I already promised I would try."

And honestly? It's a compelling challenge. Something he needs right now, even if his logical mind frets incessantly over how it can be misused. Without this work, what would he do? He'd lapse into ennui again and something in him rebels at the thought.

After a moment, he leans on the table and rubs a knuckle against his forehead, grimacing. "I apologise. I shouldn't be ruining the festive mood by bringing this up again. 'Tis not that it goes against my morals exactly... But sometimes I wish I could build in ignorance as you do."

[ramuhs]

He is actually a little surprised at how quick Emet-Selch refuted the idea, but he also isn't at the same time. Through their interactions, he can tell that the man is resolute and not one to shirk away from a promise so easily. And it does speak to his character that he would uphold a promise to a young boy so fiercely. So there's a wry grin as Cid takes another sip of his ale before waving a hand the apology.

"Come now, as if you will be the only one will bemoan their troubles after the ale sinks in."

A teasing wink at that since Emet-Selch is clearly not drunk.

"If anything I feel honored you'd feel comfortable enough to even share such worries, of which I have no qualms in listening. I only wish I could provide better comfort or advice, but perhaps just 'venting' as they say is remedy enough.

Regardless, I believe knowing the consequences is better. Whether or not you can design something that could be safer or teach the warnings, you also have the knowledge on how to prepare for such."

He then nudges Emet-Selch with his elbow.

"Just remember what I said before—there's no need for you to carry such worries and burdens alone."

[emet_sulk]

He grimaces. It's still hard for him to accept. He practically isolates himself in the workshop for the most part. It's no different to before when he would work alone to bring calamities to the various shards of his broken star. It used to be different. He used to have many more colleagues he could consult.

"I...appreciate your perspective," he forces out. "I truly do. Odd as it may seem coming from someone as old as I."

Eternity had never felt like a curse before now.

"...I may need to borrow some of your levin aether for the screen later." He makes a slight face. "I need it as dense as possible and you've a surfeit of it."

[ramuhs]

Cid only smiles softly because he can see and understand Emet-Selch's perspective. So he won't say anything more on that, already feeling he might have stepped a touch too far. Still, his words and intents are sincere, and he hopes the older man will be able to find solace somehow.

But at his request, there's a slight arch of the brow.

"My levin? Suppose I can help with that."

[emet_sulk]

"Aye. I could do it myself but why exhaust myself when I have the Lord of Levin within reach?"

He offers a mock toast to Cid. Takes a gulp and sets the cup back down with a sharp clack. Sighs. He does feel a tiny bit better for having spoken of his worries though. (The alcohol helps.)

"It is rather odd though, don't you think, that we have these 'shellphones' and yet there is no sign of the precursor technology to them. No radio or home telescreens. And none of the communication towers required for these devices to function."

[ramuhs]

"Just know I have my own limits," said with a wry look, but he does quite like that title— Add to it all the others he's acquired so far.

"But I've wondered the same, actually," he muses, swirling his mug a bit before pulling out the device in question. "I never did ask about it, but I wager these were developed by a riftfarer not unlike ourselves. A marvel, really."

[emet_sulk]

Don't worry, he's exaggerating about the amount of levin needed. Maybe.

He glances at Cid's shellphone. "I had the opportunity to look at a similar device owned by one of my crewmates. 'Twas of like design yet could not contact anyone like the shellphone could. I can only presume that, in its home environment, it would have similar functionality."

Emet-Selch sets his own on the table. "...I suppose I cannot rule out the possibility that they function like linkpearls. But that would require some level of attuning by every device to every other and this was simply handed to me."

[ramuhs]

"Linkpearls?" Cid looked at him curiously. "I take it that's something similar in your world."