escordvi | the hideaway ➞ a time for celebrations

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the hideaway ➞ a time for celebrations

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

code by efrynidel

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Aye. He and I share an interest in magitech. He was quite helpful - dare I say, instrumental - in helping me complete the Enterprise.

[ He bears her own scrutiny easily, idly wondering what she gleans from it. He casually portions out a forkful of some mashed potato on his plate and dabs it on to a slice of meat he had carved out earlier. ]

I hope to continue our partnership. Truth be told, he has something of an advantage over me when it comes to innovation. Ah - but don't tell him I said that.

[ He winks at Benedikta and promptly puts the forkful of food in his mouth. ]

[She nibbles on that little piece of cheese, a brow arching up.]

No need to fret. I do not need to stoke his ego any further than I already have.

[A little snort, but now she is curious.]

Might I ask what sort of advantage? He has told me much about the work you and him have done, and it would seem he admires your knowledge quite a bit.

My knowledge comes purely from being immeasurably old compared to the majority of you.

[ He makes a gesture towards the room at large. "All you mortals," it basically seems to say. ]

I make use of whatever man invents. Learn the inner workings of it, if I can. Apply it elsewhere. I couldn't possibly lay claim to anything I know because it is the product of a long line of far brighter minds.

[ Is it her imagination or is there a tinge of melancholy behind his words and manner? ]

Old? You do not look a day older than he does.

[She notably does not include herself in the lump of "the majority".

But Benedikta prides herself on being able to read people—it was all part of the job before, a skill that she had picked up young, and while she does notice that hint, she does not pry. Not so obviously, of course.]

There are many of those where you are from? The sciences were something of a new development in our world. I admit, I know very little of them myself.

[ One corner of his lips twitches upwards. ]

Oh yes. In the course of some, oh, twelve thousand years or so, one does see quite the development in technology and science - and that is only mortal man's history. Ah, but to say more would spoil its natural course here.

Edited 2025-01-07 03:33 (UTC)

[She nearly spits out her drink.]

I beg your pardon—you said twelve thousand years?

[ He watches her reaction keenly, clearly enjoying her spluttering. It's perhaps his first genuine expression of humour that she's seen. ]

Oh, I'm a little older than that actually. But one doesn't usually bother to keep track after the first millenium. Frankly, the only reason I know it's been twelve thousand years is due to some excellent timekeeping by a now-fallen empire.

[ He chuckles and takes advantage of her shock to sneak another mouthful of food. ]

[She is going to drown out that coughing with another sip of her drink, and he'll find her staring at him in disbelief, almost like she is trying to gauge exactly how old he is, or if he is even telling the truth.]

So, you are immortal? What does one even do for that many years?

[She has so many questions, Emet!!! He's popped open this can of worms.]

[ Now he shrugs, leaning on the table now with fork dangling idly between his fingers. ]

Sleep, mostly. I had a purpose, of course. That kept me busy for the most part. Oh, and I suppose the inconsistency of time kept between the shards of our world did help to pass some of the centuries.

[ He thinks about the centuries and millennia past. All hazy memories. Some few bright sparks of joy, but mostly a cloud of pain and anguish and loneliness. ]

...I wouldn't recommend it, by the way. Eternity is too bleak to spend on one's own.

It does sound terribly dull...

[As much as she loves sleep, she does not think that she could sleep away an eternity like that. And while there are many questions that still remain, she watches him with careful eyes. Watches how his gaze seems to go distant for a moment, or perhaps she imagined the way that it did. While she may not say it or point it out, she is awfully observant.]

And now you are here. I don't suppose that has changed your outlook on things?

[ His gaze flicks towards the rest of the partygoers. The regard with which he favours them seems wistful. ]

Coming here? No. I don't see it much more differently to visiting another shard. But dying? Aye, that changed some things.

[ He waves a hand before she can exclaim much. ] I was killed by...a hero, shall we say? I've no duties or obligations to anyone any more.

[She rolls her eyes, though not out of exasperation. Well, perhaps a little, though not directed at Emet. He just so happens to be the one sitting next to her.]

That makes two of us.

[She lifts her glass to him.

Somehow, it feels more freeing to talk about it than she is used to. It could be because she has finally accepted that part of her and has started to move past it. It only took a year and then some, but it was a hard fought battle. She's earned this.]

The only person I owe anything to now is myself.

[ He picks up his own and wryly toasts her, taking a polite sip afterwards. Emet-Selch, for his part, is still finding fresh purpose. He thinks he may have found something like it in his new endeavour: the Adamantine Forge, which he never expected to continue beyond building the magitech ship. It's just that...is that what he wants to do for the foreseeable future? With his endless lifespan?

(Can he bear to continue making friends and lose them again?) ]

...I have been wondering, ever since I glimpsed you in the distance several moons ago, and after some brief discussion with Cid himself: you inherited the power of Garuda, aye?

[She almost chokes on her wine when she stiffens and instead coughs quietly behind tightly closed lips. Her stomach might as well have dropped to the floor in her surprise and her dread—it is not something that she goes around openly telling people, and it is more a secret these days, but...]

How do you know that?

[Her voice is hoarse, her eyes widening just a touch with wariness. It's certainly not a denial—there is no sense in trying, considering that he had been there the day they had all defeated Ultima, but still...]

Oh. Was that meant to be a secret? I apologise.

[ He raises a hand in an attempt to placate her. ]

I mean, 'tis abundantly clear to anyone with my sight: your soul is bound tightly to the wind and I did see your eikon - ah, pardon me, I never heard what you call them. You destroyed a fair bit of land as Garuda. Young Joshua has already told me about the Phoenix he possesses. And Cid had levin coursing through his soul so I can only presume he manifests Ramuh. Am I wrong?

Well... It is not much of a secret around here.

[And Emet had likely seen her with Garuda's wings when they had destroyed Ulltima, so... she should not be surprised. But it always is a little jarring when people point it out to her.]

But no, you are not wrong. I am indeed the Dominant of Garuda... [An arch of her brow. Whatever did he mean by his sight? Well, first things first...] I am merely not interested in the world knowing who I am, or who it was that destroyed half a Leviathan that day. Surely you can understand my need for secrecy.

[There might be a threat or a warning edging into her tone.]

Yes, yes. My lips are sealed.

[ He waves a hand flippantly. He has nothing to gain from broadcasting that little tidbit of knowledge. Drama stirred for drama's sake is terribly boring. ]

Your conditions are terribly fascinating to me, however. Eikons are not hereditary in my world.

But you know of Garuda. Or speak with a familiarity of her.

[Because she knows that Cid would not spread that secret on her behalf. So, that is the only conclusion to draw.

But her words are posed as a question without being a question, and that is... how?]

Well...

[ He decides this is important enough to stop eating for. A trifling bit of magic and a wave of his hand creates a miniature illusion of the Garuda from his world which hovers in the space between them. ]

This is the current manifestation of the primal known as Garuda. She has changed somewhat since her initial concept. She is worshipped as a goddess by a race of flightless, birdlike beastmen known as Ixal.

[A sudden realization dawns on her.]

You and G'raha are from the same world...?

[Not quite a question so much as an observation. She had heard of these flightless bird beastmen before when he had explained it to her. Though this is the first time that she is seeing Garuda in this form, and she stares at the illusion in rapt awe.]

I have heard that she has a similar penchant for destruction.

She does, but only because the Ixal which summon her are particularly devoted to her worship. They encroach frequently upon the neighbouring Twelveswood, whose people naturally defend themselves - as do the elementals which reside there. So, naturally, their goddess must be a ferocious protector of their interests.

[ He flicks a finger and an example of an Ixal joins Garuda. ]

And yes. That boy and I are from the same world. Regrettably.

[She snorts, trying to imagine what the two of them might be like as friends.]

Do these Ixals and their worship affect how she might act?

[Her gaze casts away for a moment, thoughtful and a touch distant.]

It is said that they choose their Dominants for a reason, each one suited to their Eikon.

[ He favours her with a lingering look. He doesn't quite know the full details behind the Dominants beyond that it is inherited via bloodline and that using the power shortens their life. It's almost as if they're living catalysts. What purpose does it serve? ]

Aye. The mood and deepest desires of those who summon a primal heavily influence its form. By the same token, the primal will cast its influence over those who summoned it, enslaving them to its will. Even should the primal be cast down, their fervour will lead them to summon it again: a cycle which usually only ends with complete annihilation of the primal and its worshippers.

The Ixal dream of regaining their wings and reaching their home of 'Ayatlan'. They are also particularly skilled at manipulating the wind. So, naturally, their deity takes the form of a goddess of the wind.

[That information pulls at Benedikta's expression, tightening the thoughtful look on her face with a bit of... anger? She doesn't quite know what she's feeling right now. It's not as if she has the best relationship with her Eikon at the moment given everything that's happened, but she cannot imagine being summoned every time the people wished for something.

But that is not the part that bothers her most, because is that not partly what the Dominants are? Slaves to the wills of the Eikons and the gods? It had taken her a long, long time to see that for herself, once blinded by power until it was stripped from her and left her with nothing. She'd like to think that it were different, but in a way... it is also very similar.

There's a moment of silence where she sits with furrowed brows before she speaks again, shaking her head as if that will shake the thought away completely.]

Why is it so difficult for them to return home that they need their goddess to help? Or perhaps she keeps them there to maintain their worship and loyalty... I would not put it past Garuda to do so.

[ He waits patiently for her to process his words, taking the opportunity to pick at his meal and take a sip of wine. Once she speaks up again, he gives her his attention. ]

--Mm, well, they cannot fly as I said. The dirigibles that they build can only ascend so far before the atmospheric winds tear them apart. Furthermore... Well, I suppose there's no harm in telling you. You look like a woman who knows how to be discreet.

[ He leans in slightly as if imparting a secret. ]

Truth be told, their origins are artificial. They were created in a laboratory by some of the keenest minds of the Allagan Empire, bred to be expendable soldiers. When the empire fell and their ancestors escaped their handlers, the story of their origins became twisted over time. Now they worship a goddess who never truly existed, and seek a homeland that is nothing like the paradise they imagine.

[ He sits back, shrugging ruefully. ]

So when they summon 'Garuda', they bind themselves to an idea of their own making. A false dream. One they can only be free of in death.

Edited 2025-02-27 01:50 (UTC)

the hideaway ➞ a time for celebrations

hope you had a restful xmas!

i did, thank you!! i hope you did too 💚💚

<3

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this feels like a good place to start wrapping? 💚

yes! <3