The Gathering

[bladeoflight]

IC
Characters: EVERYBODY
Summary: It's been a year since Chaos was defeated and the world was saved. So, naturally, it's time for a reunion party, right?
Location: Lindblum Grand Castle
Date: November 1st, 1806
Style: Up to you!

About two weeks ago, an invitation was sent out via skyphone to all of the sky people of Gaia- and a select few natives, too. It invited everyone to Lindblum, for a one year anniversary celebration of Garland's defeat. Such an event couldn't pass by without a celebration, after all. Yesterday, airships had been sent out to the far corners of the world to pick up everyone and bring them to Lindblum. Even the most reticent and party-hating of adventurers won't be able to avoid this. It is a worldwide celebration. Besides, it's best to celebrate with friends.

The Lindblum castle is covered in decorations for the occasion. Most are plain and themed for the upcoming winter, though for some reason, moogles feature rather prominently. Tables set around the ballroom are covered with snacks and foods, from snowmen to more moogles to- are those cookies shaped like Garland on a chobobo? ... Maybe it's best not to ask.

In the center of the ballroom is a clear space for dancing, and musicians sit off to the side and play for those who want to dance. To the side, there are tables for those who are looking for a simple conversation or who are taking time to eat. And, of course, for those who want to get away from everything for a while, there are always places in Lindblum to slip away to. But why would you want to do that, when everyone is here?

Comments

[redthespian]

"The Skysea it is then." No doubt the beautiful location would get the creative juices flowing and kick-start his inspiration. And if not? Well then, at least he was with his favourite girl.

[summonerqueen]

Between the two summoners, there was no such thing as 'decorum'. As soon as Dagger had seen that distinct flash of green crossing the room toward her, she rose to meet the affectionate, long overdue embrace.

"It's so good to see you again!" said Dagger. "I'm sorry I haven't been able to visit!"

[holycross]

Rosa beams at the sight of Kain, glad she didn't have to be the one to go hunting for him. She's glad he's been able to relax and find peace now that he has Reis and that they have a strong friendship once more.

"Kain. I'm so glad you made it. How have you been?"

If he'll let her, she wants to hug him, but she'll only do it if he's comfortable with the embrace.

[holycross]

At the sound of her name, Rosa immediately turned, a warm smile crossing her lips as she spotted Garnet. She was so glad to see her friend again and didn't care enough about propriety between royals that the moment they were close enough, she reached out to carefully give Garnet a hug. She avoided squishing the little one, but she had to offer that much to her friend.

"Of course! I had to. It's been too long since I saw most of the people here."

And of course, the little girl got her attention as well, Rosa smiling at her and reaching to make the girl beam in some way.

[summonerqueen]

Dagger and Hope had never been close. Honestly, they were barely acquaintances; she knew him only from one instance, but when Alexander summons someone, a Summoner remembers. That, and Cid was always on the look out for up-and-coming engineers, and the young boy's name had come up a few times.

"Not much for Social Gatherings?" she asked softly.

[holycross]

Rosa was, of course, being a social butterfly as well, seeking out everyone she had spoken with at some point during the time they had lived in this world. Eventually, however, she made her way back to wherever her husband was. They could never have enough time to themselves. Smiling as she approached, she finally stopped by his side and reached up to wrap her arms around him, leaning her head against his shoulder.

"I'm so glad we came, Cecil. Everyone is celebrating. I can hardly believe a year has passed."

[lastoftheredwings]

Yes yes, Rosa can have her hug, but no clinging. Although strangely enough, he understands more now why she would. He's not even making an obnoxious stink about his parents being affectionate themselves. One of those teen things he's finally grown out of. Cecil gets one of those masculine backpat greetings and a quirky grin, instead of the eyerolling for the fluff.

"I might catch up to Uncle yet." Unlikely but one can dream, right? "And I'm fine. Busy. Tourists are starting to pile in for the winter." Funny thing about living in an area whose economy is based on the tourism trade is that one gets a feel for the ebb and flow of the seasons, even if it's always summer there.

He holds out a hand to Ursula, a clear invite for them to come and join them. She's part of the family now. "We were actually hoping to talk to you both."

[withthewood]

Jote turns at the sound of the familiar voice, what could pass as a smile on her face as she stops. "And you as well. The Wood saw fit to allow me to attend, though the Hume voices are as always, pain to my ears."

She always had to throw in something relatively negative, though all things considering complaining about how Hume voices hurt her ears is pretty normal and not nearly as bad as it could be.

[summonerqueen]

It didn't take much to get Amber's attention -- she was curious, and full of life, and at a glance, the spitting image of her papa. Gold tufts of hair, and a matching fuzz-covered tail that thrashed playfully from under the hem of her fluffy little dress (which she seemed not to like very much). It was her warm-colored eyes, heart-shaped face, and tiny pearl bump on her forehead that distinguished her as Dagger's.

"I know what you mean," replied Dagger, even as Amber gave Rosa her best smile, and waved her hands to grasp Rosa's fingers. "I just can't seem to get away anymore, especially with Amber... I just hate leaving her behind."

[holycross]

Amber was one of the most adorable children Rosa had ever seen, second only to her own son of course. She smiled, reaching up to allow the child to grasp fingers on both of her hands, gently waving them around to keep her occupied.

"Perhaps in the future you could leave her with a babysitter," Rosa suggested with a gentle glance at her friend. It always involved a certain amount of trust to leave one's child with someone else, but Rosa would never mind taking care of Amber. Really, any child would eventually worm their way into her heart, but especially children of close friends. They would be spoiled rotten if left in her care, but they would never want for anything.

[ursulafangleiden]

Ursula grows thoughtful, not having thought about it from his perspective before. At least, not like that. "I'd say you're doing plenty as you are right now, and you'll have more on your shoulders when I'm not as mobile as I am now. You don't need to go looking for more...though if I can think of something, I'll let you know." And it's not a moment later before she grins. "We haven't even thought of names yet, after all."

[ursulafangleiden]

Well, alright. Now that Cecil has joined them as well, Ursula steps in closer and takes Ceodore's hand. Hearing him, her cheeks brighten. It is a perfect opportunity, and they had meant to tell them right away upon arriving...though now Ursula has a rare moment of self-consciousness.

"Yes, that's right. Ceodore and I, we...we're expecting our first child."

[wishtolivefreely]

Mjrn's smile grows sympathetic. "I have no doubt of that...and I understand, to a degree. Raising Mistral has been rather interesting at times, as well." Zephyr's dragon eggs had hatched almost around this time, and much of Mjrn's year has been spent occupied by her new arrival. There is no regret, though, not in her tone or eyes.

[wishtolivefreely]

"I will ask Kain and Reis about Mistral. No doubt she would appreciate a visit with her mother." Mjrn's dragon hatchling is well-loved, but it would be nice to have a vacation just to them. Besides, a dragon of any size might be an issue to other tourists. A cockatrice is much easier to bring along, by comparison.

[wishtolivefreely]

Mjrn's widened eyes were likely enough response to that. "I...I have had no thought to such, not yet. Raising a dragon in this past year has been challenge enough. Are you so eager to be an aunt?" Unless being an aunt to a cockatrice and a dragon counted, which Mjrn totally thought it did.

[mistlegacy]

Hugs are always welcome, so Rydia has decreed. She smiles and shakes her head, understanding. "It's alright, really. We have been, too. That's the downside of so much responsibility, I suppose. But I'm glad to make up for it, now!"

[mistlegacy]

Leaning in, Rydia squeezes her friend gently in turn. "Good, good! As though you don't hear me tell you about it almost every week, anyway." Whether over the sky phone or in person, Rydia's adamant about keeping in touch. At least being on the same continent helps. "Cuore's with Theodore at the moment, but I'm sure she'd like to see you, too."

[summonerqueen]

That held Amber's attention for all of 30 seconds, before her eyes started wandering. Getting her attention was one thing -- holding it, was another.

"Oh, it's not that there aren't plenty of people to look after her -- I can't be with her all the time. But traveling is different. This is the first time we've really taken her very far from home, I wasn't sure she was old enough to handle such long trips yet."

Despite Dagger's worries, Amber seemed to be doing just fine. Dagger smiled. "You might call this, a test run."

[ursulafangleiden]

Seeing Ceodore constantly looking at her, Ursula decided to stop dividing his attention and just head over to join them. She smiles warmly at them both, linking arms with her husband. "Will you come visit us, perhaps? You would be welcome anytime you wish to do so."

And a brief, knowing glance at Ceodore. He can share the news now.

[summonerqueen]

"You're right... It's too bad not everyone could get together last Winterfest. Amber was still to small to make any long trips, and I couldn't imagine leaving her home during the holidays," Dagger mused. She and Zidane had been fairly stuck to Alexandria, with Dagger hosting her own small celebration for the locals, and Zidane flitting off very briefly to pay a visit to Blank in Lindblum. "I'm just glad things have turned into something... almost normal."

[mistlegacy]

"Me, too. The lack of world-threatening disaster or villain to constantly disrupt our lives is a nice change of pace. Ever since that all ended, it began to feel as though we could really live here...that this was now our home, too."

She glances around. "Zidane has Amber, then? I'll just have to find him later, so I can hold her."

[shatterhearted]

The Hume voices are grating even to Fran's ears, even after so long around them. Still, Fran appreciates the effort her sister has made to even be here - it means a lot to her. Their relationship has always been rocky at best and so the effort to embrace the Humes and their way is heart-warming.

"The Wood is well, I hope?" Fran may've cut ties with the Wood, but it didn't mean she didn't still think on her old life from time to time.

[shatterhearted]

Cockatrices and dragons totally counted, but it was so hard to train them as sky pirates... Another smile graced Fran. "I am in no hurry, I have time to wait. But do not take too long, I shall need a little one to follow in my footsteps should I retire."

[wishtolivefreely]

Relief. Mjrn still felt too young for such responsibility, beyond what she already had. There was time enough for such things, at least to her point of view. "An apprentice, then? Perhaps such a fate will be yours, one day. We shall see, Sister."

[shatterhearted]

As long as she doesn't leave it too long, Blank will be too old to chase after bitties if she does. Fran doesn't bring it up though. It's hard enough to love someone with a much shorter lifespan without people constantly drawing attention to it. Besides, it's a party! Time for celebrating.

"Perhaps. We shall see what fate brings our way."