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[gruffier]

please he doesn't know how the shellphone works-

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< action: first night in nogard >

[ramuhs]

[Cid had been notably absent the night before and during the last day of the Stormbringer's approach to the Corsair's dock. And when the ship lands and Clive steps off the ramp, the former leader of the Hideaway is still nowhere to be found or seen. Any messages sent will be unread and unanswered.

So, should Clive try to find the old fool, Torgal will be the one to sniff him out in an older, smaller pub tucked away in a back alley at the edge of the city. The "Dragon's Shithole" they call it, not only because it's right near Nogard's tailbone, but because it's rumored to be "the shits."

As in, a place where the drinks are so hard, so potent that one sip and the weak-willed are out. A place where some of the worst gather and not unusual to see a body dragged out to be picked up by another. No one asks if they are alive or dead, no one cares. Ironically, because of how potent the drinks are, fights are not as common because patrons are too wasted and too busy groaning, crying, or passed out to care. But when they do happen, it's a toss up on whether it ends quickly because they can barely stand on their feet, or drags out because someone's temper is able to keep them going.

And somewhere in a dark corner, Clive will find Cid at a lone table with three empty bottles and his head down against the table, a fourth slightly tilted in his hand. Smoke trailed from the half finished cigar resting on the ash tray where a few others already rested, snuffed out. It's clear he's been here for a while.]

[gruffier]

[ Clive was nowhere near Cid's keeper, but after their touching (and intoxicated) reunion, it was hard for the man to not at least want to keep tabs on him. He was alive again, after all, so forging a renewed relationship was somewhat of a goal.

... But in this shithole? Seriously, what the fuck— ]

Cid? [ Clive would address him. Both with a stern yet worried twinge behind his words as he leans over the man, roughly shaking his shoulder. He can't help but reluctantly scrunch his nose at the sudden waft of alcohol and smoke that protrudes over the immediate area and frowns deeply as a result. Founder, what was going on...?

He was thankful for Torgal's nose, though. There was no way in hell that he was going to find the older man otherwise. The wolf, too, seems to be greatly concerned as he nudges his head against Cid's leg in an attempt to pull him out of his stupor. ]

What the hell happened to you?

[ramuhs]

[All Clive is going to get is a very drunk, very slow groaning drawl.]

Fuck. Off.

» text | un: tilfrosset

[tilfrosset]

[She knows full well he would rarely refuse her his presence, but still, Jill feels the need to respect the possibility of a no, especially if he's preoccupied. Thus, the way she leads into her request is a bit formal:]

I hope I'm not interrupting you, but I wanted to ask you something.

[gruffier]

You wouldn't be interrupting even if there was. What was it?

[tilfrosset]

I wanted to see if you'd like to come over for a cup of tea.

Just you and me.

< winterstide gift >

[ramuhs]

[HAPPY WINTERSTIDE CLIVE.

He will find two packages in front of his door, one for himself and one for Torgal.

For Clive, there will be a nice new shirt that will fit him better for his current...physique. And a set of "replacement" laces. But there is also a journal and quill and set so that he can chronicle his days here in Escordvi. Just be glad he didn't go through with his thought of sending more "love advice" material—

As for Torgal, there will be a nice, juicy bone and some treats for the goodest boy.

A note is also included:]

Clive,

I couldn't have asked for a better man to follow in my footsteps, but it's high time you started making your own without my name attached. Live your life, and don't regret it.

Now get back to training. I'll see you in the morning sharp.

Cid

P.S. These laces are said to be "flexible" and adjust should they need to stretch out.

[Of course there's one for Torgal, though it's much shorter—]

To the best wolfhound a man could ever have. Feel free to come over when you need a little escape from their "antics."

[Wink wink, Clive.]

[ramuhs]

[No context, just a little something that Cid was gifted and is going to share with everyone. Thank Cloud for this.]

IM LITERALLY SITTING IN A PARKING LOT RN

[gruffier]

[gruffier]

what the fuck

[ramuhs]

You're welcome.

text;

[phoenixdominant]

Brother?

[That's it that's the text!!!]

[gruffier]

[ okay but give him a little more than that SHOULD HE BE WORRIED? ]

Joshua? Is everything alright?

[phoenixdominant]

[Sorry, he's in a little bit of a panic!]

Yes. Everything is alright. Everything is quite alright. Very alright, actually.

There's something I have to tell you. Or ask you? One of the two.

action/delivery

[maiestas]

Hey Clive. I made you some clothes to remind you of the fact that we met when you were just in a towel.

Just kidding. I thought I'd make you some clothes to wander around Eltrut in. It should be comfortable enough to walk around in, and if you need any adjustments let me know, and I'll do that right away.

But. It shouldn't need any. My accuracy is pretty on point. :)

- Rin

[gruffier]

[ Well this was... certainly a surprise. Clive didn't know how to react at first. It was something so simple yet somehow meant so much to him. A gift from someone who, in many ways, did more for him than his own mother.

There's a tight smile across his face when he replies back a few minutes later: ]

Am I to be concerned how well this shirt fits? I had not thought our time together would give you such an accurate measurement... but perhaps I was wrong.

Still. Thank you for this. I am grateful for your kindness.

< text >

[ramuhs]

[Happening while he's conversing with Jill—]

Clive, is Jill up to something?

[gruffier]

[ Oh well hello to you, too-

But he always gets a bit more attentive when Jill is mentioned, so he’ll quickly respond back ]

Pardon? Did something happen with you and Jill?

Sometime during Winterstide

[astudyinviolet]

[ A neatly wrapped package with Torgal's name on it is left at his residence. There isn't any name to hint who it was from as if the sender didn't want to pressure him into feeling he needed to give a gift in return.

Inside is a nice, big bone-shaped dog treat. ]

[lucky_e]

To Clive,

Hello, I do hope that this chilly season hasn't been too uncomfortable for you! I know the chill can be a bit much. Anyway, I hope that you enjoy this gift and have a very merry winter!

Happy Holidays,

Santa Claus

[Clive gets a box that has a pair of fuzzy, cozy slippers inside! And also, a very soft, very huggable toy doll.]

A Winterstide Gift!

[apothecarry]

[Inside a box wrapped in red paper, Clive will find a set of jars containing various medicines: a balm for bruises, a disinfectant for cuts, a powder to mix into water and drink for his aether - and don't worry, Alfyn always has clear labels and instructions for such things. There is a separate box, for Torgal, with a nice collection of dried meat inside for treats. And there's a note!

Is it strange to say I hope you never find much of a use for most of this? But I do always hope you have enough on hand to help you if you need it. So, when you need more, just let me know. That goes for Torgal, too! -Alfyn]

text; id: ramuhs

[ramuhs]

[Sometime on the evening of the 25th...]

Clive, I have something to show you at my workshop. Think you can stop by?

[gruffier]

Haven't gotten much else planned for today. Sure.

Anything urgent?

» action

[tilfrosset]

[While it has been a few months since their much needed talk, Jill has been showing quite a bit of restraint. There's something to be spoken of about being told you're still wanted, still very much loved in a way she never expected to be loved, that soothes the soul and hushes any immediate worries.

But she is just a human and cracks in her patience are inevitable. Luckily, she's quiet about her excitement over the future. The problem is that she doesn't know if said future is near or far, later rather than sooner. It makes things like the bridal catalog propped up in her lap difficult to ignore and after denying herself the opportunity to flip through it for a long minute or two, she finally caves.

First she looks at all the ads for the local florists, ones that have special discounts on bridal bouquets and other decorations, but her attention is mostly paid to the dress section. There are so many gowns, so many different designs—low collars, high collars, short and long skirts—that it should be overwhelming. Yet Jill is sighing wistfully as she turns the pages, feeling like with Clive's deep dislike of social events, there's probably not much point in dreaming of the perfect dress.]

[gruffier]

[ There was little in this world and the next that Clive wouldn't do for Jill- he'd give her the entire universe if he was able to. With the countless trials that had been placed before them, the resolve he had to protect her was more than his life itself, yet that resolved had wavered upon his departure from this star. It was a horrid, terrible realization about how little control he had over this life, and to leave Jill again would be more than he could ever bare. So how she, above anything else, still clung gave him the courage to continue on was just yet another reason why he couldn't spend his life- whether here or back home- without her.

She had picked up the broken pieces of his doubts and worries and put them back together, making him whole once again. Through every doubt and fear she was will there, allowing him to lean on her as she always had. Yet no more did he wish to be a burden to her. He resolved in himself a willingness to be better, to communicate more, and to be the best suitor he could possibly be to Jill.

He was... still learning how to do that, though...

So while she was lost in her reading there is a small creaking of the door as Clive unlocks it from the other side, prying the rest open with his shoulder. Torgal leaps in before him, wagging his tail and greeting Jill with a soft pant. ]

I've returned. And with enough bread to feed an entire army, from the look of it.

[ He notes, presenting the bundle of different pastries from their local bakery.

The book in her arms does catch his attention though, and with a small raise of his eyebrow does Clive inquire: ]

My apologies. Was I interrupting?