tidesin | 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?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"All right." He nods once in agreement. He stops walking and faces Ursula, putting his hands on her arms and indulging in studying her. Never gets old. Ceodore leans in and kisses her on the forehead. "Love you." Just a reminder in case she's forgotten in the last hour.

"What if... your parents' names? For middle names." It was something of a dicey topic to bring up, knowing that she was separated from them forever, but they were good people and it seemed fitting to give their child that tie to his or her heritage.

That moment of tenderness makes Ursula smile, and it certainly does reminder her that what she's gained with him far outweighs any minor annoyances. She wouldn't trade this life for anything, not now. But of course, she had made that choice over a year ago.

That question brings a nostalgic look to Ursula's eyes, her parents never that far from her thoughts. She slowly nods, wanting to do something to keep them in her lives, even if it's just a name. "...it's a good idea. I think they would appreciate that."

That nostalgic look smites Ceodore in the heart. He's seen it before and knows there is nothing he can do for it. It's a helpless feeling and it hurts. So he reaches to pull Ursula into a full-embrace. "I think they would too."

For a long moment, he does nothing more than simply hold Ursula, cherishing her being there and knowing for a while this life, their life, seemed impossible. It came with a price, one they had not bargained on at the outset. "You'll have a big job. I want our baby to know everything about them, about his heritage." Yes, already assuming it's a boy. "Not just Fabul. Baron, and the Lunarians too. How we got here." And no versions of History Lite.

Being held does help, and Ursula's content to stay like that for a little bit, holding him in turn. "They will, all of it. You'll have to help with the parts I don't know as well. And it could be a girl, you know." Or both, though she hoped not. One would be more than enough for this first time.

"I'll help, however I can. Always." He's still just as earnest as ever. Ceodore kisses the top of her head. "If it's a girl, she'll have to become an Epopt." Because no boy will ever be good enough for her and he knows how they are. No one is touching his daughters. Ever.

Okay, Ursula rolls her eyes at that. "Or a monk, or whatever she wants to be. It's too early to start with that, Ceodore." Not that she doesn't have mama bear instincts, but if Ceodore's going to take that role, someone has to balance him out.

"Well sure, all our sons can be monks, paladins, whatever they want. But boys are trouble. I should know. If our daughters are Epopts, nobody will be touching them." Ceodore nods emphatically. He's quite made up his mind on this point. Despite his chauvenist determination about any little girls though, he's very much in support of letting all the children determine their own paths. Just that protectiveness is overriding commonsense, a little.

Just a little? Ursula shakes her head, not about to let his overprotectiveness get out of control. "Any daughters of ours will no doubt be able to take care of themselves, I'm sure. Unless you're implying that I couldn't handle you...?" Do you really want to go there, Ceodore?

No, no he really doesn't. Ursula's temper isn't something he likes to stir up. But he's still missing a mouth filter, unfortunately. "That's different." At least, to him it's different. Ursula is strong and amazing and he admires her for it. But these are daughters they're talking about. In the spirit of compromise (and not going home with a cranky wife), he offers a reasonable solution. "Fine. Our daughters can do what they want. But anyone who touches them gets their hands removed."

Considering the beating he delivered to those men at the tavern for just talking about Ursula's legs? That's more of a promise than a threat.

"I think that would undermine our reputation as leaders of the Skysea, just a little bit. So, no." Sorry, Ceodore, you're not winning this one. But she does lean up to kiss his cheek to soften the blow. "Let's focus on what comes first, instead of worrying about what might happen far down the road. One thing at a time, okay?"

She's right and he knows it. Ceodore makes a sour face and then nods in very reluctant agreement. "One thing at a time."

Aw, that face. Ursula leans in to kiss him in an attempt to get that expression to disappear. It's too bad that kiss can't be as intense as she'd like, given that they're in public, but it will have to do for now.

"Love you...."

"Love you too."

It's too hard to stay even remotely put out when Ursula is there and beautiful and tempting with the kisses. Ceodore's mind immediately jumps to wanting to slip off somewhere more private with her but knows that's not why they're here, so not likely to happen.

But she's here and she's with him. Just a year and a half ago, they were facing having to let each other go; Ceodore recognizes just how blessed he is. "You are the best thing to ever happen to me."

Ursula doesn't blush often, but she does now. Ceodore, why do you have to be so unreasonable one moment and so sweet the next? She doesn't let herself linger on thoughts of the past and what could have happened, finding those moments too painful. Instead, she squeezes him gently, resting her head on his shoulder. "You know it's the same way for me, right?"

Yes, now this is ideal. Ursula snuggling, no bickering over things Ceodore knows full well they cannot control, no looming threats to the peace. He runs one hand up and down her back while resting the other on her head. "I do now."

For all that he's come great strides in making his own peace with himself and shaping his own destiny, sometimes there are still twinges of the latent inferiority. Hearing a reminder certainly goes a long way to banish them again.

Ursula smiles fondly, giving him a gentle nudge. "Well, if you need reminders, I'll always be here to give them." That's a promise, and he should know full well how Ursula sticks to those. She has enough of her mother's stubbornness to outlast anything.

The Gathering

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they are ridiculously cute

Sob, yes.

OTP forever, seriously.

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