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

un: garudas; private to both.

[garudas]

[While Benedikta is less inclined to use the network for anything, given that she is still trying to keep her identity a secret, and because it is a hassle to use, this does have her getting out her phone. And, with the help of Cid, she manages to make it a private video to them both.

Consider this a great honour that she deigns to grace you both with her presence over shellphone.]

I had heard the news, but I thought I should tell you both from my own lips: it certainly took you long enough, did it not?

[gruffier]

[ THE Warden of the Wind herself on the shellphone!? Now that's reason enough to feel honored. ]

I'll take that as a "congratulations".

[garudas]

Take it however you like.

[And, because she is secretly the hopeless romantic at heart...]

How did you wind up breaking the question to her? I do hope Cidolfus did not help you with any of it.

[gruffier]

I believe he is saving most of his tricks for you.

[ Giving her a knowing look before his shoulders begin to visibly relax. His attention turns briefly to the lady at his side, before ducking it down to speak. ]

... It came together naturally. No more than a few suns ago when the moon was at its fullest, we had taken a trip together to see it— a promise we had made to each other back in Valisthea. Seeing that moon... I knew I couldn't gaze upon another unless we were truly bonded.

[garudas]

[Oh, trust her. He's already tried several tricks...

But the mention of the moon has her flitting her gaze away, her own thoughts drifting for a moment to a certain fateful night before everything changed for her. Funny how things like that tend to spread throughout an entire world...]

You really are a hopeless romantic, aren't you...

[gruffier]

Guilty as charged.

[ He admits with an airy chuckle. Just simply recalling the night has his face brightening with a flesh blush, his eyes soft and full of admiration. This is a man clearly in love. ]

The fates— gods, whatever the hell they are— sought to put us here for a reason. I am at least grateful for that.

[garudas]

[She really should be disgusted by such a blatant show of it and for all that it is worth, she does try to be... but a certain someone has made her far too soft as of late. More than she would care to admit.]

This is not something you were able to do back home?

[Clearly not, but there is an unasked question in there.]

[gruffier]

Certain priorities made it difficult to focus on ourselves— freeing Bearers and stopping a god, for starters. [ But she knew some of it, maybe most from what information was already spread amongst them. But he's grateful for the questions, and maybe even more so that she reached out at all.

Cid was certainly doing a number on her, wasn't he? ]

And once we are through him with again... then we can finally be together without worry.

[garudas]

[Don't you dare say a word about it, Clive—]

You and your selfless deeds.

[There's just the slightest roll of her eyes.]

Finding freedom, killing gods... You could have done all of that together, no?

[This is coming from a woman who has a very hard time not taking things for herself.]

[gruffier]

I am no perfect man. I will be the first to say that my thoughts and actions were clouded by expectations.

[ He sounds a bit deflated in his reminiscing, but won't elaborate too much. ]

But I was still committed to her, just as she was to me. She stood by my side through all my shortcomings, and shouldered more strength than I.

[garudas]

[Oh, they are getting into too-sentimental territory here.]

She must have very broad, strong shoulders to carry all of that, then.

[Something of a "playful" remark to disperse some of that... tension. She isn't quite sure what to do with herself when people start getting emotional, and least of all when it is Clive Rosfield. That, and it makes her reflect too much on her own situation.

A clear of her throat, and she shifts.]

So. What date have you set?

[gruffier]

[ The remark does certainly help to dispel the fog that had come over Clive, settling himself back into the world in front of him. A world where he and Jill are finally living happily... and others could, too.

He half chuckles at that, offering the woman a smile before promptly shaking his head. ]

It won't likely be for another moon or two, but we thought to get the announcement out before others caught wind. Cid primarily.

[garudas]

[She cants her head, eyes narrowing.]

Why Cidolfus? What sort of mischief has he been up to that I am not aware of?

[tilfrosset]

[Honestly, Jill can't really say she was expecting the word 'congratulations' to leave Benedikta's lips and when it doesn't happen, there's no surprise. Her actual response is much more the usual for her and thus, Jill shrugs lightly.]

So I've heard. There's not much consideration in thinking there were more important things to be dealt with beforehand, is there?

[garudas]

There might have been the smallest cock to her brow at that.

... Like what?

[The answer is no.]

[tilfrosset]

Like rebuilding the Hideaway? Making sure people had somewhere to rest and recuperate? Ultima?

[Jill, things at home have no bearing on things at here. Well, at least two out of three of them.]

[garudas]

[Jill. Jill, please.]

And which one of those things have happened here besides the latter? And only recently, too.

[At this point, she's just here to give her a hard time.]

[tilfrosset]

We had discussed our future together once everything was said and done. It just did not feel said and done then.

[It isn't really now, but still!]

Besides, wouldn't it be more pertinent to consider you and Cid's life together rather than someone else's?

[Yes, when are you two getting hitched for real?]

[garudas]

Not really. Cidolfus seems in a rush, but I am not.

[She shrugs, but the look she gives Jill screams don't you dare try to spin this around and make this announcement about her now!]

Have you thought about how you might go about it? I am sure the rest of the crew will be eager to celebrate.

[tilfrosset]

Neither were Clive and I, but that didn't stop anyone from inserting themselves. I'm sure they are doing the same for you. Perhaps you can consider it.

[That look is ignored to the fullest extent. Jill isn't letting her off that easily.]

They may be a bit disappointed. Clive has never been fond of grand affairs, so something small, perhaps. Quiet. Close ones, only.

[Which oddly includes Benedikta, but Jill doesn't know if she should say that out loud.]

[garudas]

[She definitely is not thinking to include herself in that.]

Well, at least he and I have some things in common in that regard. Lavish parties were never quite my thing.

[Fortunately, she didn't have to attend them often.

But now there is an awkward pause, because there was something else that she had come here to say. It was just a matter of actually saying it to Jill, of all people. So, she clears her throat, averting her eyes away from her phone, and Jill will get a nice, clean shot up her nostrils.]

... Anyway. I know a place that make decent dresses, if you are looking.

[Uggghhh.]

[tilfrosset]

[She has to at least show up as Cid's plus one if he's going to officiate things.

And here goes someone else's nose. Jill really wishes the camera would auto-focus on another body part.]

I am looking.

[Then it's time for silence on her part, for she doesn't quite know how this next part will be received. But nothing venture, nothing gained.]

If you wish to come along, I will consider your opinion.

[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.]