Video 🔥❄️ A Special Announcement

[gruffier]

Type: Video
Sender ID: Clive Rosfield (gruffier) and Jill Warrick (tilfrosset)
To: Public to everyone!
Subject: The two lovebirds have something important they'd like to say.
Warnings: They're being disgusting. Seriously.

[The feed opens to a blurry image of poorly jostled movements. Sounds of rattling scraping against the speaker of the shellphone indicates an attempt to prop it against something solid. Finally, after a few more moments (got to get the angle just right!) the image clears, revealing not one- but two faces on the other side of the screen.

Clive and Jill, at your service!]

Good day, everyone. [Clive begins, his back straight and voice almost mirroring an authoritative tone. However, despite how rigid he looks, the man was smiling. His scarred face wrinkled with creases of a genuine gleam as he looks to Jill before finally returning to address the camera.] We thought it proper to give a formal announcement…

[ He’s not the only one who’s smiling. Jill is too, though much less rigid in her posture. Her shoulders are relaxed, looking as if someone has taken a large load off of them for one and together the pair make a picture of two giddy schoolkids up to no good. She reaches out for his hand, taking it into hers, and clasping it tightly before addressing the camera as well. The measure of support they give one another is obvious and what they have to say shouldn’t come as much of a surprise if given a little thought to how much they mean to each other.. ]

Not only proper, but more… efficient in this manner. Rather than leave it to the winds to carry the message, we want to tell all that we know at once.

[ She glances back over at Clive with expectant eyes, wondering if she should say it or if he should. But on second thought, she shakes her head and decides not to force the man of few words to come up with the entire message. ]

We would like to officially announce our betrothment.

[ Now that the main message is out there for all and sundry, she gives the floor back to Clive. ]

Yes. [Clive listens and nods along with a fondness on his face to that of a beggar receiving an abundance of gil. He holds Jill’s hand tightly in return, giving a look of a man clearly in love, before eventually offering the camera a half glance.]

Thank you for the kindness you have shown Jill and I. We pray that you will continue to support us as we take our next steps— [Annnd just like that his gaze leaves the camera completely and back onto Jill, dripping his head slightly.] —together.

Yes… Together.

[ Because that’s how they always do things, isn’t it? That much is certain with how she shifts to face him fully, to take in the man she loves with every bit of her soul. Apologies to anyone having to suffer through this. The shellphone and whoever is watching this broadcast no longer exist in her world; just the two of them remain at this moment. A moment more than well earned in two lives that were once full of nothing but strife and pain.]

Comments

[tilfrosset]

You say you've gotten used to it, but yet, it still concerns you enough to follow you here.

[Sorry, not sorry, Darin, but she's going to call you out. Jill isn't one for lying to people's faces. Unless necessary, anyway.]

Then continue on as you have been doing here. They've already formed their thoughts on who you are and they—she hasn't turned aside yet, has she? Your actions, whatever they are, have been speaking for you. You just didn't notice that.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

... ... ...

[Honestly, if there's one thing Darin prefers it's plain honesty. He'd rather someone call him out to his face than delicately walk on eggshells around him.]

[So, emboldened by Jill's words, he replies in kind.]

What if I hurt her?

[tilfrosset]

How so?

[A simple question to answer his question. Solely so she knows what kind of worries she's working with here.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin scoffs as if to laugh at how many ways it's possible for him to hurt someone.]

I...have abilities. Powers I've specifically never trained because I hated how everyone was so afraid of me. If I showed them what I could really do...I'd be hunted down or...turned into a weapon.

Recently, I decided that it was time I start to learn what I really can do. Train myself. But...I'm still scared. I'm scared of becoming something she'll hate or worse...

Something she'll have to stop.

[There's a pause before he seems to come out of his own thoughts.]

A-Ah, I'm...I'm sorry. I should be congratulating you both not bring the whole damn mood down!

[tilfrosset]

Then tell her. Tell her this as easily as you told me. Tell her your fears and your worries. That you're training to not only learn what you can do, but how to control it as well. You must be honest with her in order to give her the chance to form her own opinion of you. Everybody has that right.

And if it turns out that she has to stop you, don't you want her to have a fighting chance at doing so?

[As for that last part of his, she'll just shake her head. They're already thick into the conversation about him. There's no going back.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Darin laughs softly because...well, he knows Jill is right.]

I think she already has an opinion of me. I'm just...scared of proving her wrong. Scared that the monster inside of me will wind up disappointing her.

Being honest really is the scariest thing in the world, isn't it?

[tilfrosset]

It is, but it's also the most honorable thing. To truly be honest with someone else, it means you respect them, that you care for them, and that even if their opinion changes, you thought enough of them to bring them the truth.

I've had to tell Clive things he possibly didn't care to hear, but I told him regardless. He didn't think any less of me.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

... ... ...

Yeah, that...that sounds like her alright.

[Gods he still remembers that night weeks ago. She really let him have it and boy did he deserve it. He's still ashamed of how he acted.]

Thanks for the perspective, Jill. I hope I can make it up to you sometime soon.

[tilfrosset]

[She's tempted to ask who this woman is, but Jill won't. Being nosy doesn't mean she gets to be impolite.]

You're welcome. And really, no need. It didn't take much out of me to have a conversation.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[Oh don't worry, Jill. It'll become obvious with time. Either way, he's gushed about his complicated feelings long enough. This announcement isn't about him!]

So, what are your plans with Clive? Thinking of doing a ceremony or just...taking things one adventure at a time?

[tilfrosset]

There aren't any plans set in stone just yet, but we're considering something small and private to keep it simple.

[And to keep Clive from having a heart attack from how many people will inevitably show up.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You know, nothing wrong with a special day just for the two of you! If there's anything I can do to make sure it's perfect, you just need to ask!

I may be a Master Blacksmith, but I've got plenty of other skills!

[tilfrosset]

Do those skills involve anything to do with handkerchiefs? I believe one of our friends may end up crying over us as much as he cried during his own wedding and honestly, I just can't take it.

[Only because Kaveh crying made her cry and it was just a mess.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I can do some patch work here and there but if you want someone to sew you favors from scratch, I might know someone you can ask...

...When she wakes up.

[tilfrosset]

When she wakes up?

Is this person in one of those long sleeps I've heard about?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...Long sleeps that you've heard about?

This has happened to other people before??

[The urgency in his voice is...well, this might be the first bit of good news he's had in weeks. It's hopeful.]

Jill, other people have fallen asleep like this?? Did they wake up?

[tilfrosset]

Yes, it happened to someone I know. And she's been awake since, as talkative as ever. No worse for the wear.

[Mid is still kicking indeed and while Jill didn't ask the girl if she had any strange dreams during her sleep, Mid didn't seem to be too bothered about it aside from missing all the fun.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Jill...

[Darin literally seems to melt as relief washes over him.]

Gods above you have no idea how much of a relief that is to hear. I was so worried I'd never get to talk to her again!

[tilfrosset]

Darin... did it not occur to you to ask about the long sleep before now?

[Obviously not, but Jill still has to ask.]

Surely, someone around here could have soothed your worries long ago.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I...well...no...?

[He laughs bashfully and runs a hand nervously through his hair.]

She...Apparently she'd done something like this before in her world so I just thought it was...something she did? Or could happen to her?

L-Listen, sometimes when someone you care about is in trouble, rational thought doesn't always come easy!

[tilfrosset]

So you thought it was something that could just happen to her at any time, but you still panicked?

[Now she's just teasing him because nothing he is saying is truly making sense. Well, none of it except the last part about someone you care about being in trouble.]

Is this the same person you mentioned earlier?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I-I said I was being irrational! I don't always think before I act! You don't have to rub it in, Jill!

[He huffs and...yes, he is pouting.]

...Yeah, she is.

[tilfrosset]

What's her name?

[Now she's just being nosy. How unbecoming of a lady.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Zelda. She's...She's a researcher. Kinda petite. Short, blond hair. Cute, pointy ears. You may have crossed paths with her.

[Darin clears his throat.]

She's been here for a few months at least. ...Hell, I think I've been here for half a year at this point.

[tilfrosset]

I've been here for over a year now, but unfortunately, I don't think I've made her acquaintance yet.

[That's such an unusual name and unique description that Jill would have definitely remembered if they met. Maybe she'll keep an eye and ear out for Zelda, just for curiosity's sake.]

I do hope she wakes up soon, if not for her health, then your peace of mind.