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

[garudas]

[The silence that follows after that feels like it goes on for far longer than it does, if only because Benedikta has a feeling she knows what's coming next. And knowing does not prepare her for the visible wince that she gives at being asked. Were this anyone else, she would not have hesitated for a beat, never passing up the opportunity to look at and try on dresses, but it is different with those from home...

More awkward, tense silence...]

The seamstress that I know of is the girl that I brought back to Eltrut from that slaver. She opened up her own boutique.

[That is neither a confirmation or denial.]

[tilfrosset]

[The wince seems to tell Jill all she needs to know. Perhaps she should have kept that extending of the proverbial olive branch to herself, but hey, she tried. The least she can do is try and she did.

So Jill is going to pretend she never offered and goes onto nodding, reaching out for a piece of parchment and writing utensil she has nearby. Her fashion advice will just have to come from someone else.]

Good for her. I'm always glad to hear someone making their own way in life after facing adversity. I'll give her a visit if you give me her shop's location.

[garudas]

[Avoiding all eye contact with her now, finding someplace off in the distance of her home very, very interesting.

As she cannot believe that she is about to say this...]

Well, I would be taking you there, so no need for that.

[A clear of her throat.]

It has been some time since I've paid her a visit. And I will need something to wear too, won't I?

[Because whether any of them like it or not, no matter how much she dislikes big parties, Cid is going to be dragging her with him come hell or high water.]

[tilfrosset]

[Jill only realizes now that getting a straight and direct answer from Benedikta will not only happen today, but will never happen. The woman can't even look her in the eye to accept the invite, but it is what it is. It's something Jill's going to accept is the way if she is to try dealing with the woman.

She sighs and rubs at the bridge of her nose. How does Cid's patience deal with Benedikta, she will never know.]

Well, yes, if you want something new. I don't think we'll require any of our guests to wear anything they are uncomfortable in.

[She's not going to say it out right that Benedikta was already invited to this 'friends and family only' shindig, especially when Benedikta can't quite be counted as either, but the implication is there in the air and Jill will leave it there.]

[garudas]

[She doesn't need to say it. Benedikta already knows that it's there, which is what is making this awkward for her, because she does not see herself as neither as well. It's easier to use Cidolfus as an excuse whenever she can for these sorts of things, and this is one of those times.]

And what of you?

[Also easier to keep the conversation away from herself.]

What sort of dress might you be looking for?

[tilfrosset]

[One of these days, Jill will get to turn the conversation right back on Benedikta and it will stick. Unfortunately, this is her engagement announcement so the other woman does have the upper hand for now.]

I haven't given it much thought to be honest... something simple, I think? I expect it to be white for obvious reasons, but the design, I'm truly unsure of.

[garudas]

Mm, simple is best.

[At least this she can address without it feeling too awkward. And it is something that she's found she's come to enjoy a little in her time here. As someone who never got to wear nice things growing up, she feels as though she could be making up for lost time, in a silly, stupid way.]

I do not think a big, elaborate dress would suit you.

[She genuinely does not mean that as some kind of insult.]

[tilfrosset]

[Jill pauses and takes in that statement. Would anybody blame her for having the kneejerk reaction of being insulted? Considering who it came from, maybe not. But Jill's learning that Benedikta's has a way with words and tone, so both need to be listened to and thought over before she responds.

And to be honest, insult or not, Benedikta is right. Jill isn't too crazy about big showy clothing. She never had the opportunity to wear any of that either and picking her wedding day to get used to it sounds like a terrible idea].

That is correct. Something elaborate wouldn't fit our idea of a small, modest ceremony anyway.

[garudas]

Something fitting to your form. With lace, perhaps...

[And now she seems to have drifted off into her own world, trying to imagine what this might look like.]

With light blue accents to give it character.

[tilfrosset]

[Jill is nodding along with Benedikta's suggestion, acquiescing to the other woman's much more thorough knowledge of fashion.

Except... light blue? That pulls her out of her automatic nods.]

Aren't wedding dress supposed to be white?

[Not that she's arguing, but Jill is still such a traditional noble in some ways, that it never occurred to her that these kind of dresses can have color on them.]

[garudas]

Yes, as it should be.

[A wave of her hand. Jill truly is a traditional girl. Time to learn the ways of modern fashion!!!]

But there is nothing wrong with adding a blue sash or beading to it to add a hint of personal touch.

[tilfrosset]

If you say so, I'll concede to your knowledge. It seems you have far more experience in these things than I do.

[A pause.]

Dresses in general, I mean. Not wedding ones in particular.

[Founder knows the day Cid and Benedikta get married, they'll probably all be old and grey by then.]

[garudas]

[She might find herself surprised—]

Correct.

[She's not even going to deny it, but there is a sense of finality to her tone.]

Well, simply say the word and I will show you to the seamstress. Best to do it early, too.

[tilfrosset]

Should we not have a date set before we go? I would need to discuss it with Clive first, of course, but I assume this is more about giving her enough time to work on it rather than anything else?

[Though Jill isn't against going earlier than she would expect, she doubts anything in her slim frame would change much from now and her wedding day.]

[garudas]

What exactly do you need to discuss with Clive?

[What does he have to do with it!!!]

Surely you do not want him to see your dress before then? Is it not bad luck, or so those on Latrommi had claimed.

[tilfrosset]

The date. We should at least agree on what day we hold the wedding.

[This isn't about the dress, Benedikta! She's moved onto another topic!]

No, but he should know when to show up at the ceremony so he can see it when the time is right.

[garudas]

[She doesn't care about the date! The dress is more interesting!!!]

Oh.

[Disappointment draws her brows together into a frown.]

I don't think the date will be much of an issue.

[tilfrosset]

[Yeah, but without a date, there'll be no reason for Benedikta to wear her dress!]

Well, if that's so, then I won't worry about it. We'll go as early as you suggest. I'll reach out to you to agree on a day to go.

[garudas]

Very well. Then I will await your call.

[...

....

Why is there an awkward pause? The phone shuffles in her hands, and Benedikta bristles a bit, glancing away from the camera, before she mutters under her breath.]

Congratulations.

[tilfrosset]

[She expects the other woman to hang up as soon as possible, but then there's some murmuring that leaves Jill asking:]

Excuse me? Did you say something?

[Jill isn't the type to passive aggressively call someone out. She honestly did not hear what Benedikta said.]

[garudas]

[She clears her throat, eyes darting to the phone, before she says with a louder, clearer voice.]

Congratulations.




[And hangs up before Jill can see the tint in her cheeks—]