tidesin | The Gathering

Entry tags:

The Gathering

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?

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Kain isn't one for celebrations, but he'll gladly take Reis there if she insists on it... she's always one to tell him he deserves this sort of thing. They arrive on Zephyr, of course, and once the dragon is settled on the roof, inside they go.

He's in his armor of course, never one to go anywhere without it. He spends most of the evening on the fringes of the party, leaning against the wall with his arms folded. He's brooding about all that they've been through, the war in the foreign land and also this one. Occasionally he does move away from his spot, to get refreshments.

Hume gatherings are still as overwhelming for Reis as always, still she recognizes that her husband needs encouragement to spend time among his own. Ultimately, it is good for him, and a small burden she's willing to bear for his sake. Still, brooding isn't a good sign, so she slips up behind him, arms around Kain's waist. "It is good to see your friends once more, beloved." Part of the purpose in coming is to celebrate, and that includes his part in bringing peace and stability. Another part is taking the time to see others they know.

Brooding is just one of those things Kain can't help doing once in a while, especially in a large gathering. Although he doesn't brood nearly as much as he used to- the woman who's now holding him has something to do with that. He leans back and turns his head a little, so he can steal a quick kiss.

"...you're right. It's been a very long time since we've all been gathered like this."

Although some of them, they've seen here and there at random times during that part year, but not all at once, and... this event does have an important purpose behind it, even if Kain doesn't like the "party" aspect.

"And it is important, that we're here, I see that now. Remembering is important."

Reis nods once in silent agreement with that statement. It is very important to remember, for in remembering, there is appreciation for what has been and what now is. "May we never forget, nor take for granted, how precious these days of peace are." She slides around Kain without letting go of him and sneaks in a tiny kiss of her own. "I am grateful for those days, hard though they were."

Kain wraps arms around her and nods agreement. "For all that we went through, all of the pain of the past... I'd change nothing. All that I endured led me ultimately to you."

Even the Lucavi stone, and dying, and disappearing to fight that offworld war... All of it. It doesn't matter that the past has scarred him irreversibly. He has his soulmate, which means everything.

"Nor would I, save that I would have seen what lay before my eyes sooner." If she had any regret, it was that she was so lost in her grief that it made her blind to the good waiting for her, and that indirectly it had caused Kain any suffering at all.

She reaches up and rests a hand on Kain's face, while a knowing smile flits around on her lips. "Though I would repay that debt however I may." They're in public, and she intended all along that he should go and be recognized as he deserved, but it cannot hurt to leave promises for later.

Kain knows all too well how very close it had come to not happening for them- she'd been so dreadfully close to leaving that it's almost frightening to think about. But that's what could have been, only. Not what actually did happen.

As she smiles and touches him, a subtle but suggestive look crosses his face.

"I'm as much in debt to you, if that's so... We may have to spend a long while repaying one another."

Perhaps less close than he believes. Certainly Reis had gone to the portal, but she never intended to cross over, no matter how great the temptation. The greater threat always was that she would grieve herself to her death. A fate Kain saved her from. But that dreary fate wasn't to be, this was and it is full of joy.

Her voice drops into a low purr. "I would welcome it, no matter how long." It's taking a remarkable amount of restraint to refrain from starting immediately too.

The way she says that really tempts him to rush with her to the nearest private chambers, who cares if there's a party going on. But he attempts to keep his own restraint in place. He came here to celebrate with everyone, after all. Besides, he had little doubt they'd be overheard if they were to try anything around here. There would be time soon to be alone with his dragonlady...

"A very long time, then. It only seems fair."

"Then I shall hold you to your word, my love." She rises to her tiptoes, lightly nipping at Kain's ear, before rocking back to her heels leaving the scent of perfume in her wake. It's done so artfully it would look as if she's simply whispered something and naught else. "Whom shall we seek first? I would see Zephyr's children, those which are here, when opportunity so arises." Not all of them are around for the dragoon rebuilding, sadly.

Ah, she's so good at that. Kain is very distracted at the moment, and it takes a moment for him to process that thought. He's too busy thinking about what's to come later. "Ah... right... of course. Zephyr's children..." Returning his thoughts back to the present now. "I'm unsure. Let's see who's here and available right now..."

She nods and scans the room herself, although the sheer number of people unknown is enough to drive her to press against Kain for comfort. One face she's eager to see isn't readily in view. Hmm. "I cannot find Edgar in this crowd. Should he not be here?" Although his wife was close to her time now wasn't she?

Kain is patient with her, holding her close. After all, he isn't too fond of people, himself, and he knows she doesn't like crowds much, either. Were it not for the importance of the event, he'd have said they should skip it.

"Yes... I believe he should..." Kain glanced around, pondering that for a moment.

Now there's someone Ceodore's been looking forward to seeing again. Sometimes it's still hard for him to reconcile that Kain isn't quite the same as he'd come to know him at home. Even so, the sense of respect and gratitude hasn't faded away. It's almost a shame that their respective lives keep them too busy for more frequent contact.

Brooding on the wall though? Some things never change.

"Hey." C'mon, man. You're at a party. Did you take lessons from Uncle or something?

Lessons from Golbez? You have no idea. Uh. Right, that's in the past though, no thinking of the bad things.

It's still strange for Kain too- that his best friends are much older than he is now, and that their son is only a few years younger than he is. But by now at least Kain is used to Ceodore enough that he tolerates... and even likes him.

He unfolds his arms as Ceodore approaches.

"I've never been much for parties... Are you enjoying the event, Ceodore?"

"Yeah." He nods crisply and steals a glance over at Ursula. "More important, she is." Because there's something to be said about the peace in the house of having a non-cranky wife. Something Ceodore would do well to remember when he starts his hovering. But he does enjoy the chance to get out and socialize, not having the aversion to parties that Kain does.

"It's been a while. How's the rebuilding going?" He at least has a fair idea of what most of his friends have been up to, even if he doesn't get to see them all that often.

Kain realizes that it really has been quite a while. He's been so busy and is bad at keeping in touch. Although he does like to see his comrades from time to time, Ceodore included.

"It's going very well. Of course, it helps that we have my father involved. He's still the greatest dragoon there's ever been."

Even now, he still looks to him as the best among them.

Ceodore smiles at that and nods. He's pleased for Kain's sake that his friend has had this chance with his father. Something he wishes could have been for Ursula. He knows she still misses her family, even after all this time. But tonight is a celebration, not time for brooding on those tough truths.

"I'll be sure to say hello to him later." He quirks a grin and tilts his head toward the door. "I could use a challenge if you're game. Not a lot of monsters at the Skysea. I might be getting rusty." Ceodore trains some on a daily basis, but it's not needed, just a hard habit to break.

Kain gives him a wry look. "I hope it's a challenge, and you're not implying that you're growing soft." As always, he just can't resist picking on him. He knows better than to think that he'd lapse that terribly in his training.

"You know well I'd give anything for a break from this." Not that he's doing a whole lot of socializing, but he's taking it at a pace that works for him. He nods. "I'm ready when you are."

Growing soft? "As if." Strangely though, being picked on feels entirely normal. "I'll have to whip on you quick before our wives catch us." Because a spar is not a scary prospect. Two fussy women about them coming back sweaty and banged up? Terrifying. "I'll go easy on you."

Yes, Kain is terrified of his wife scolding him ~~and getting angry enough to withhold sex~~. Everyone knows who tops in these marriages. He nods, his expression showing it all.

"We'll be quick... but you'd better not go easy. Give me your full strength or I may become bored."

He can't stop picking on him, it seems. It's just so amusing and easy to do.

Ceodore promptly rolls his eyes then starts to chuckle. "Not worried about you being bored. Worried about explaining it to Father when I drag you back in a bloody mess." More like his Mother. Both of their ears would get blistered for it. But admitting that obvious truth isn't at all manly. It's all good natured banter though and followed up with an amiable slap on the shoulder. "C'mon let's go."

Although something's up because instead of moving, he's rather rooted in place watching Ursula. Someone's come by his mother's overprotective streak honestly, it seems.

"Clearly you've forgotten who you're dealing with. I'll have to give you a reminder." Kain does enjoy that manly banter. Of course, banter is nothing if you can't back it up, and he intended to do that. He turns and begins heading out, looking forward to this...

...and then he realizes Ceodore has stopped. He follows his gaze.

"There'll be time for that later."

Look. He knows the feeling. Really. He thinks about sex more than average. But really, right now, this moment?

"Huh?"

It takes Ceodore more than a spare moment to realize just what Kain's implying with that statement, and just one more beyond that to drag his attention away from Ursula.

"Sorry about that. I needed to be sure she was okay."

Now why does that seem rather suspiciously like something his mother would say?

Kain rolls his eyes. Perhaps it's because he's used to a woman who more than proves her strength on a regular basis. He knows well that they might appear all pretty and gentle, but they're really anything but that.

"I'm sure she can take care of herself, Ceodore."

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The Gathering

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