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

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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."

"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."

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."

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."

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."

"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."

"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."

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."

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

"As the name suggests, they are pearls enchanted with the ability to communicate to others they are attuned to. A simple, primitive method but effective."

He holds thumb and forefinger close together, indicating the general size of a linkpearl.

"They are also something I daresay only a magically-inclined people would invent."

They were that small? Fascinating...

"But no doubt useful. Were these common place in your world, then? Or only used by those who could 'afford' such a service?"

"Oh, they are abundant. They aren't terribly hard to produce. Unlike one of these." He taps his shellphone. "Or the device I examined with all its fine circuits and delicate innards. 'Twould be terrible to have an expedient method of communication limited to a wealthy few, aye?"

And the best part is that they're not beholden to infrastructure being destroyed! Mostly. The linkpearls and the linkshell they come from can still be broken of course.

That was actually quite refreshing to hear, because he could see something like that limited to the wealthy.

"And were these just normal pearls or did they have to a particular kind? Just curious if such a method could be replicated should our phones ever fail."

There were times when connection seemed a bit dodgy, though how these things worked over long distances is still beyond him (and probably everyone else).

"It could. I know the method and can teach it. But as you saw, they are rather limited in function. You may receive and transmit voiced messages - that's it."

No creative videos, no advanced privacy functions, etc. It's just a pearl after all.

"'Twould suffice as an emergency option however. Say, if the leviathans became embroiled in some sort of life-threatening event..."

"Aye, that's what I was thinking," he nodded as he leans back against the table. "I know the phones have some sort of SOS signal, but it's still quite limited. If you're in a pinch, being able to send more could be vital. Would be simple enough to have on ships as well, which would need them more should their other systems fail."

While the ships here seem to have better technology when it comes to navigational and communication systems, there are still limitations with range and location. And as Emet-Selch said, should something happen on the leviathans that could disrupt whatever system is keeping these shellphones together, a backup never hurts.

He considers the proposal. He can see no downside to implmenting the technology, should the people of this world be willing. The only problem is figuring out the logistics: how to craft the network such that it could save lives in an emergency without messages clashing.

"Hmm... Then if there is a communications centre set up to receive distress calls, they can hold a linkshell and distribute a pearl to each captain and/or first officer of a ship. The captains may have their own separate linkshell from which they distribute those pearls to their crew. That way the crews may communicate freely with their leaders and the leaders in turn may contact the emergency workers without overwhelming the linkshell."

Cid nods along as he understands the concept. But as he does, a thought occurs to them.

"Would there be risk of a pearl going to the wrong hands? Such as someone trying to infiltrate a group for whatever reason, or even impersonate a member."

He cocks an eyebrow, lips twitching.

"Certainly, that is a risk. But I would argue 'tis no different to someone 'borrowing' another's shellphone. Or is it the lack of ability to identify the speaker which concerns you?"

He would think a crew would know its own members' voices well enough, surely.

It was a reasonable concern, but he just gives a wry chuckle.

"Mostly that inability to identify," he says with a half shrug. "But suppose you're right, it would be no different than if someone stole a shellphone to impersonate as someone else.

Regardless, I think this is an interesting idea that could have some merit, especially if the pearls can be limited to crew members. Something of a backup or even a more discreet method to communicate should they need it."

"Well, if it is to be used as an emergency point of contact, I rather think there are greater concerns than the speaker's identity. Ultimately, however, there is no foolproof system. They wouldn't replace the shellphones we use currently but serve as a contingency. The only problem I foresee is convincing the people of this world to adopt it."

He doubts everyone will want to bother keeping a linkshell and its pearls when they already have a convenient means of communication. People never understand the use of such things until it's too late.

"I suppose I shall be kept busy for the next few moons or so," he sighs. He doesn't seem that unhappy though.

There's just a wry grin at the question of concern. "Suppose when you're an outlaw, you can think of various uses for such a thing."

Sorry, Emet-Selch, he's a good buy but he also something of a criminal and can already think of a few ways he would use this to infiltrate ships and pose as a member of a crew. Which may or may not make the ancient feel any better.

"But at least you won't find yourself bored."

He lazily toasts Cid with his glass. Such considerations will be made when it comes to actually implementing the thing. Cid's concern is valid after all.

"Indeed. Here's to not being bored."

He takes a gulp before his intrusive thoughts can win over him again. It's nice to be able to enjoy some semblance of life again, he tells himself firmly.

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