Welcome to Adventu, your final fantasy rp haven. adventu focuses on both canon and original characters from different worlds and timelines that have all been pulled to the world of zephon: a familiar final fantasy-styled land where all adventurers will fight, explore, and make new personal connections.
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year 5, quarter 3
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Post by Princess Sarah on Jan 8, 2023 22:04:16 GMT -6
She couldn't help but nod when Caius echoed hope. "I'm familiar with her story but discretion is always appreciated. Children are remarkably adaptable but in their adaptation, they make something for them self. A new beginning perhaps. It is a sight to behold because I'm certain I could not do what Claire does or even the other children at the orphanage. To have one's life upheaved and faced with an uncertain future, it takes a certain amount of bravery but also a...desire." Sarah would explain, to the best of her abilities given how abstract and philosophical it was.
Hope in general, was something she was quite familiar with. As was she familiar with the busy schedules of those who were within court. Just imagining it, left her feeling a tad dizzy. Contrasted to his tale about blind dating, that was easier to digest and quite fun. Sarah was taken by the recollection, right to the end. "I think it counts as experience in many ways but I would not hold it to my record." Sarah admits with a shy smile.
"You made it clear the date was platonic, friends go on dates all the time but it has a different meaning compared to the term that would be used in Cornelia; courtship." making sure to enunciate the last word, for great emphasis, her smile widens and has more confidence.
"Imagine the nervousness you felt of doing that date, without the safety of it being a friend who you've built a lot of trust with. In her place, it is someone who you have budding affections for, that you desire to know more about, a pursuit. The stakes are different when you're desperate and head over heels, you see?" there was a twinkle of nostalgia in her eyes now before a pleasant gasp of surprise.
"...I should amend an earlier statement. Perhaps I have been on a date, several really. It's just because I viewed them as a friend, I didn't consider them on my record." sadly, the pleasantness was laced with mixed feelings. Memories that she didn't recollect surfacing one after the other. Feeling conflicted, she felt it best to be brave and not allow such unpleasant feelings to ruin this.
"It's still different from the pursuit so I guess, following my own rules~? Doesn't count." she concluded firmly and bravely. "I do wonder, what a fast love, is like. A whirlwind romance like in stories and songs~"
Post by Caius Dragelion on Jan 9, 2023 12:33:27 GMT -6
The Dragonblades
So Sarah knew, apparently. How much she knew, he didn't know, so he wouldn't get too much into it without first inquiring with either Claire or Serah. But her analysis of Claire was spot on. Claire was very adaptable, and Caius smiled slightly in definite agreement. "Claire is strong. The whole family is" he agreed at that. "I know what it's like to have my life uprooted. Twice over, even. I know it is not easy, and I am sure that for a child, it is even more difficult to handle how many times her life has been thrown asunder. I just hope that this time, she can find the happiness that she deserves. All of them do. Claire, Serah, Lumina. The whole lot."
When it came to his first "date" however. It was a bit of an embarrassing story to tell, Caius had to admit. But it was kind of nice to be able to talk about it in a lighter form. It was clear that he held no resentment towards Celes for her means of "stopping" him, even if it had come off a little harsh. Caius understood that he had been the one to give the wrong impression, and the time spent after the fact had been nice so he looked on the affair fondly, even if he was still a little embarrassed at his decorum throughout. It was a lesson learned and he had applied that in this affair with Sarah.
"Suppose this makes this my first, then" Caius brought up when Sarah indicated that the clearly platonic nature of his previous date likely meant that it wouldn't go on the "record", so to speak. So platonic "dates" were normal? How were they dates if they didn't count? Caius wasn't sure if he understood, but he kept his stride and went along with it. However, Sarah did in fact elaborate in a way that made it easier for Caius to understand her meaning. There was a difference between a friend date and of someone that you were in pursuit of romance with...
Courtship, she called it. "Court-ship" Caius echoed. "I'll remember that one."
Of course, he had left out the fact that he had some semblance of a crush on Celes at the time, and that had not helped his nerves. He did in fact understand what she meant, and how hard it was. Even if his circumstances were... A touch unique. The change between when it was viewed as a romantic affair, and when it was not, though, now made a bit more sense to Caius. There was a sense of pressure when there was "courtship" involved. Hadn't he been nervous still when he had arrived at Sarah's door, compared to the sheer lack of nerves when he and Celes agreed to call it platonic?
Though this was still different, even then, from what Sarah had described. A desperate desire to get to know someone, head over heels was the phrase she used... A desperate desire for courtship? Caius wasn't sure if he understood. How could you know if someone was right for courtship if you didn't already know them well? That was how he had come to realize his feelings for Celes might not be romantic love on that deep of a level, but instead were possibly something else. How could he want for someone romantically, wanting to be with someone as a partner for life when he didn't know much at all about them? All that Celes had revealed that day had been a surprise. The love for flowers, the softer sides of her personality, the desire for a garden of her own. The want to see the world and find and define herself her own way. He hadn't known any of these core things about her, and yet had thought he felt some sort of deep romantic love after hearing what Yuna had said about what his feelings sounded like. It sounded ridiculous in his head that he had thought that, when he hadn't known her at all.
It told him that the stories he had read were just that. Stories. So what was the balance then? When did you know that you knew enough to want to pursue someone romantically, or to attempt courtship? Was the bits of a crush he had felt before just that? The "budding affection" she referred to?
Maybe he was overthinking it. It made his head hurt to try. Luckily the tender came and asked if they wanted anything to eat and drink, which came as a relief for Caius. He let Sarah go first, after Caius gave her a few ideas of what could be ate and drank here. Were alcoholic drinks okay on a proper date? He didn't know. So he'd let her go first, both to be courteous, and so he didn't make a mistake.
Once that was sorted, he listened as she talked about her previous dates, and her being unsure as to if they counted. There was a vibe that came from it that Caius wasn't quite sure if he understood. Was she sad about it? He didn't know. But she talked then about a fast love. Like the stories.
"I've read some of the stories" Caius would admit. "At one point I had thought that was what love always was. But love and... Court-ship, as you call it. It is a far more complex and in-depth matter than what can be easily described by books. I don't know if it can be done justice in such a short, whirlwind time. But... Perhaps I am wrong. Perhaps some find the right person quickly, and just know it to be right."
He shrugged at that. "It's a realm of possibility that I am still learning the ins and outs of. It is only now, in this world, that I have found myself with more time than I ever imagined having, enough to even begin to look at this sort of thing. Sometimes, I don't know what to do with it. Though I am trying. Fishing is... A relatively new pastime. There wasn't much fishing to be had where I came from."
Post by Princess Sarah on Jan 9, 2023 16:57:52 GMT -6
"I haven't actually met the entire family myself. The idea of meeting someone with a very similar name to me, is exciting~" Sarah admits, as she had heard a fair bit about the "big LITTLE sis". "So you are familiar with Claire's twin sister?" Sarah admits, given he'd called her by name. Prior, Sarah had omitted her name but referred to her in kind. The twins had done a lot for her and the orphanage in tandem. Sarah had mentioned earlier that one could tell the twins apart but there was a bit more to it.
"There is something...mystifying when you speak with Lumina for a prolonged period of time. I know about some being mature for their age but...That's not quite apt to say about her. It's better to say...mmm, let me think..." in her mind it felt as if the word was just eluding her, even though it was quite clear due to her interactions with Lumina. "Speaking with her, is no different to speaking with friends around my own age." at last, she'd grasp the concept in a clear and concise way, relative to her life experiences.
Needless to say, having met two of the three Farron sisters, she agreed wholeheartedly with Caius' assessment, the family was amazing. The opportunity to meet such people, Outlanders, Claire called them, secretly excited Sarah the most. It was like encounters with mythical heroes from far off lands! A different kind of romanticism but also very enjoyable.
On the subject of dates, things had expanded wonderfully. That this was both their first dates made this feel magical to Sarah. She couldn't help but look about for a moment, taking in the atmosphere, noting a few patrons at their own tables. The setting was just right, down to Caius' parroting of courtship. "Courtship, yes." she'd reply, coyly this time but she found his enunciation of the word adorable. Until now, he had this air of maturity, a...Fatherly aura. In this moment, as he had told her about his first date and his charming yet boyish reaction? Now, it felt like a date and with someone her age at that! Sarah stifled her giggle, as it wasn't meant to be laughing at him but more with him. As adorable as she found him though, she thought it'd be offensive either way.
The timing of the tender then was godsend, it allowed her to compose herself with a royal flourish. "I'd like some honey hops then, no alcohol please. As for an appetizer...Hmm." going through the menu with the guidance Caius provided, she'd come to a decision. A platter of roasted veggies with some choice dips, with a side of crisp potato wedges. Finger foods, essentially and the kind she'd certainly not get to eat back home. "This should be fun, a night of firsts." Sarah remarked with some contained excitement.
Listening to his remark about love and the kind described in books was quite profound. She could feel his skepticism but noted his openness to the possibility of it. That time had been against him in his pursuit. Something she understood by proximity. "Zephon does seem to be a world of opportunity." with a hum, she muses on something before continuing.
"Regarding the love in books, it certainly exists. There is the temptation to look at them in the way a Bard might engage in showmanship. Certainly, aspects are embellished at times, so when I asked my tutors about it, this is what they explained to me." Sarah begins, setting the stage as she pauses, to clear her throat and make a show of it~
"I was given opportunities to have real lovers make accounts of their own stories. What I learned was no matter how fast or slow, there's a moment where the two realize they're in love and that's where the whirlwind comes from."
Post by Caius Dragelion on Jan 15, 2023 19:47:18 GMT -6
The Dragonblades
“Sarah and Serah. I don’t know how there have not been more mix-ups already” Caius brought up with a small chuckle when Sarah noted the name similarities. Josh definitely hadn’t already needed to correct posts a few times when it came to those names. Sarah would go on to speak of Lumina, the other other OTHER sister. As Caius had not yet met Lumina at this point in time, he simply smiled and nodded along. “Claire wishes me to meet her. Tomorrow, actually. She has decided to take hold of my schedule and doesn’t appear to hold plans to let go anytime soon” he admitted with a light laugh. Though it was interesting that Sarah considered talking to Lumina akin to speaking to people of her own age. Considering Sarah herself was likely around Caius’ age as well, as far as he could tell. Though the beard made some people think he was older. Had he corrected Celes on that yet? Questions for later.
Regardless, it seemed that his meeting with Lumina would be quite interesting. Not that this date hadn’t been. It had certainly gone far differently from how he had imagined it. “Court-shhhhip” Caius echoed again when Sarah said it again, clearly trying to get it right but still had some difficulty with keeping from separating the words. While he had learned a fair bit of language from the palace’s archives in Insomnia, Caius still had a ways to go.
Though unlike his last “date”, it seemed Caius wouldn’t have the aid of the magic fruit drink this time around. Caius ordered some potato wedges and a bit of meat cut into smaller pieces to mirror her finger foods mentality in his own way. Caius lacked a sweet tooth for obvious reasons, so he didn’t know enough about things like honey to try them for himself. Speaking of dates, Caius knew he wasn’t exactly subtle about his doubts. So he was glad that Sarah seemed to take that in stride. She spoke a phrase that pretty much encapsulated his entire life here in Zephon.
Zephon seems to be the world of opportunity.
He couldn’t help but laugh.
“You have no idea how true that is” Caius spoke softly at that. “The world I left. There wasn’t much world left to live in. It has been a very long time since I’ve seen bustling civilizations like this. Or were able to go out to eat like we are now. Not since I was a boy have I had anything remotely even close to these opportunities. Even things that may be simple to most like green grass and lush trees still seem like a dream to me. Most days I still think I may wake up sooner or later.”
He frowned a moment as he reflected on that fact. It was still painful to think about sometimes, though he tried to keep those intrusive thoughts at bay. There were other times where he couldn’t help the thought that this was an afterlife. He had died, hadn’t he? He certainly felt like he was dying, anyway. Was he in limbo, living through some form of the life that he had deep down wished he could have lived?
Sarah’s phrase though, was a curious one: No matter how fast or slow, there is a moment where the two realize they’re in love.
Perhaps that was why he had been skeptical. He had been looking at love as a base concept.
“So love is less a thing that exists and can be grasped in the same way as anyone else. It is, instead, more like a spectrum” Caius mused aloud as he considered these “real lover” accounts of hers. The whirlwind comparison was interesting, but it made sense. “That’s why you compared it to a whirlwind romance, right? A whirlwind is unpredictable. It goes where it wishes at the pace that it desires. And nothing can create nor stop it. At least in terms of natural, non-magic whirlwinds, its creation, movements and when they cease to be, are as nature dictates. That is why love is spontaneous, unpredictable, and very confusing.”
At the very end there was a break in the analystic side of Caius, giving way to his true feelings on love.
Something very, very confusing that he still struggled to understand.
“I say this as someone who has been caught in two magic tornadoes. Which isn’t a lot, but it is funny that it happened twice.”
Post by Princess Sarah on Feb 28, 2023 20:27:47 GMT -6
Sarah had a knowing look, a nervous smile, a bead of sweat forming along her brow. Claire had indeed seized Caius schedule, which meant he was in for quite a bit of chaos... Maybe she'd speak with Claire at some point, in hopes of having her go easy on him. Yet as she looked at Caius, she had the distinct impression that this was likely good for him. In which case, it was not unlike taking strong medicine. He needed to take a full dose, no watering it down. No adding sugar.
That made her smile less nervous and more wise. "I think you're in for a treat then~" she admits, not at all bothered by this. She wasn't sure how compatible the two would be from her own experiences. Though she wouldn't begrudge them if it turned out to be a better fit. What mattered was meeting new people and making connections from that. With the added bonus of teaching something new, "Keep practicing, it is a bit of a formal word." Sarah admits, as she couldn't help but look at Caius very much like one of the knights in court. She sometimes wondered why there was a difference in words due to class.
Sarah could only imagine from Caius words the kind of place he'd come from. A world, no...a turn of fate that she desperately tried to avert for her own world. Wait...she'd seen such, hadn't she? An...end, so many times... Sarah had practically frozen up for a moment. "Does...that make this place an...after life...or?" she couldn't tell, not with memories intertwining in ways that didn't make sense. Things she saw...of herself, actions she didn't remember taking, words she didn't remember saying.
Fragmented.
Her brows furrowed in thought as Caius analyzed the nature of love and broke it down. He'd certainly gotten it towards the end, even if she was left speechless for a moment. At the very least, hearing he'd been caught up in a magical tornado, twice, certainly got quite the expression of awe from her.
"It's certainly good that you live to tell the tale of such." Sarah admits, trying to get her bearings on the matter. "For the parts where love is confusing. It might help to think of it as guiding a ship through a storm. A sailor or even a pirate, knows what they desire and where they want to go. The hard part is navigating, the tides that hit the ship, can spin someone around so completely. That's why, we need a compass. Oh and an anchor, couldn't hurt either~" she admits, beaming now before continuing.
"The compass and the anchor, are friends and family."
Post by Caius Dragelion on Mar 4, 2023 20:34:20 GMT -6
The Dragonblades
“In for a treat?” Caius echoed, blinking a few times as he tilted his head. “I suppose I shall have to find out, then.”
To be fair, Caius had never specifically stated that he was taking Lumina on a date. In fact, Caius had also not been under the impression it was a date until Lumina herself had decided it was one on the spot. As far as he knew at this current moment however, he was just visiting so any resigned expressions or body language went over the mercenary’s head. Even if it probably would have anyway. Caius was not socially cultured.
As for court-ship, Caius tried again a few more times, but still wasn’t quite able to get it for the time being. “I tutored myself on language using the palace’s archives while I was a kingsglaive. But court-ship is not a word I learned there” Caius admitted sheepishly, as even Sarah admitted it was a fairly formal word. Though his expression immediately turned when she brought up the subject of an afterlife…
Why would she ask that? Did that mean she-
“No. I don’t believe so” Caius responded then, scratching his head as he tried to figure out how to explain his theory. “I mean, I thought so at first. Since I’m dead. Or well, supposed to be dead.”
Good job, Caius.
A breath, another moment to consider where to take this.
“I have met people here whom were alive when this world took them, and those who were dying when they were taken the same. Both appear as they were in life, as if nothing had happened. Save for memory issues for some. So I can conclude that this is not an afterlife, but more of a vortex that takes people seemingly without prejudice. Whether we can return or not, I do not yet know."
He did at least smile when she noted his fortune for surviving the tornadoes. "Yeah. The caster thought that was good too, considering she was on our side" he had to admit with a small laugh. And there it was. The tornado was cast by friendly fire. Twice. Caius listened as Sarah gave a more refined analogy of love. A ship in a storm.
The compass and anchor are friends and family.
"Hmm. Could you elaborate on the compass and anchor?"
Post by Princess Sarah on Mar 4, 2023 22:28:21 GMT -6
"Just be sure to let me know how your meeting goes, we can trade notes!" Sarah hadn't had much people to whom she could talk about the twins to or speculate on certain antics, after all. So whilst she didn't suspect a date, it didn't matter one way or the other for her purposes. What did matter was those first impressions and any fun tales he'd come back with. To which, she anticipated quite a bit!
Speaking of notes, she nodded when Caius mentioned tutoring himself on language through archives. She thought that was wonderful but was not at all surprised he didn't encounter the term. Her working theory was that such 'flowery' language was more reserved for colloquial banter among nobles, especially women of court. Depending on the Kingdom there might not even be room for such. It was something that Kingdoms in peace time could indulge.
Caius was indeed onto something but made a very tactful safe. For his part in that, Sarah seemed relieved but not entirely convinced. This was because people who had died showed up in this world, just as much as those who weren't. There didn't seem to be an explanation for either, nor was there information on the possibility of returning. For Sarah's part, she presumed she'd be unable to...given the memories floating about her subconscious mind. What she needed was a distraction and it came, playfully, at Caius expense. She picked up rather quickly on the friendly fire, though awkwardly, as she resisted with all her might not to laugh. Her right hand coming up to her mouth as she used the back of her hand to conceal her lips for a moment.
"...At least you were in...capable hands...ahem~" once she'd moved her hand she was smiling widely, her eyes were sparkling and it seemed even though she was trying to be polite, laughter was evident in her eyes at least. Fortunately, she could remain kind by elaborating on her metaphor of love~!
"I would say your family is your anchor. They will keep you at the docks if things are too chaotic in a relationship. Imagine a Father or Brother coming to catch you after that Tornado..." Sarah couldn't help herself.
"Your friends become the compass. They provide advice, try to reassure you when you have doubts, that helps for trying to navigate your relationship. Very much like a...moral compass, I believe is the phrase I heard?" in which Sarah could use one or the other, if not both to solve the puzzle pieces of memory in her mind. Unfortunately, she couldn't find the words to eloquently phrase her predicament for the moment.
Post by Caius Dragelion on Mar 10, 2023 17:08:31 GMT -6
The Dragonblades
"If the sisters think it is alright, then I don't mind trading notes" Caius expressed with a smile at that. It would be good to learn as much as he could about the lot of them. He didn't know much about Sarah's relationship with the others however, so he was being cautious for the time being, and he wasn't really hiding that fact. But he was sure that it would be fine if they ended up helping one another out in the whole note taking department.
As far as what he had learned went, Caius simply did not encounter that word. Amongst others. He only had two years to learn, between kingsglaive missions. And lacked a human tutor. It was all voice clips and written archives. He just had to make do with what he had, so there were still some flaws in his game unfortunately. But being here in Zephon and meeting people had helped him fill in the holes a bit.
Of course, there were plenty of holes in his knowledge of this world, or even how he had come to reside here. Nobody really seemed to know much, and could only share having experienced similar in that they had been sent here from their own worlds. Sometimes even in death. Though for her to ask if this was an afterlife... What exactly had happened to Sarah in Cornelia? Unfortunately, it did not seem like she intended to elaborate and instead changed focus more to the fact that Rem had unwittingly tried to ice him twice. Three times, actually.
"Yes, quite capable" came dripping sarcasm as she claimed he was in such. "Three times she's nearly killed me. Twice by tornado. Once because she saw me turning green and smelling like rot from an undead spell and decided the best thing to do was to use life magic. It is genuinely a miracle that I am still alive."
His family is an anchor. Caius' eyes darted away throughout that. His family was gone for good, and the person he considered closest to family was not here right now either. He didn't have a response for that. He didn't like being reminded of that fact. Friends however, well, he supposed that at least he could work with. A moral compass, she called it. That at least got a small laugh out of him. "The last time a friend gave me love advice, it did not go very well. Despite her intentions, I don't know if I would call her a strong moral compass for love" he joked at that, doing his best to push away the whole family thing and focus on the here and now. "Gods, love is more complicated than I ever imagined it could be."
Post by Princess Sarah on Mar 10, 2023 19:42:59 GMT -6
Sarah gave a nod in agreement but suspected it'd be quite alright. The reason for that... "I've no doubt Claire at least, will be taking notes on us. Courtesy of her partner, Mog." though she left off the 'in crime' connotation, her expression strongly implied it (though playfully). Whilst she'd not been privy to witnessing their stunts, the kids may have gossiped about it once, twice, more than thrice really.
"Between the two of them, that's a rather good moral compass..." she paused, clearly thinking of a good compliment without expressing the obvious. "...at least, in matters of romance." Naturally, she was a bit interested in the friend that failed him. Given how complex he found love. Yet her mind was curious about something morbidly amusing first.
"I'm guessing this mage that has acted in 'friendly fire', is not the same friend that has given you advice on love?" though there was something potentially hilarious if they were one and the same. "Fortunately, there are multiple points on the compass, meaning having different friends to guide you, is very important. Through different intentions and experiences, they'll point you in all manner of directions. With some luck, one of them will always provide North." she could only imagine, that must have been how it was for Jack. Except...whenever she tried to think of him...the one she remembered felt hazy. No, she was avoiding the issue...there were two Jack's in her mind and their personalities couldn't be more different.
"Speaking of friends, at one point does an acquaintance become a friend? If one were to help out others on an arduous journey, would they, at the end of that journey, be friends instead...?" at this point, she couldn't square where the first set of four began and where the second set ended. What she felt she could be certain of, was something had been horribly wrong with her home world. She was missing a lot of pieces, talking about it with someone, might help to put some of them together.
Sarah just worried it wouldn't make any sense if she tried explaining it, how she currently saw it.
Post by Caius Dragelion on Mar 18, 2023 17:44:38 GMT -6
The Dragonblades
Courtesy of her partner, Mog, she said. Taking notes on them? Caius blinked a few times, unsure of her meaning. "I am aware that Claire and her moogle can get up to mischief. But I am unsure on why a moogle would want to take notes. What sort of mischief would they be up to when it comes to us?" Caius had to admit at that. What kind of shenanigans were these two up to on a regular basis? It was true he didn't know Claire for as long as Sarah likely had, though. So perhaps she would be able to shed some light on the subject. "Well, besides putting us together in the first place knowing I was a knight and you were a princess. Clever, I have to give it to them."
Sarah called Yuna and Rem a "good moral compass for romance" between the two of them, and Caius made a face at that. She then asked if they were the same friend or a different one. “Different people" he clarified at that. "One makes me confused with love direction. The other unwittingly tries to kill me."
The mercenary smiled sheepishly at that. "Honestly, I think I almost prefer the latter" he had to admit. "I can probably survive a tornado, but I don't know if I would take love advice from the tornado thrower either."
Having different friends to guide him was important? He supposed normally having different perspectives would be practical in any situation. Though some people's advice could be... Problematic. But that appeared to be the point she was making. Sure, some would be disasters. But eventually, one was bound to point you in the right direction.
Though speaking of friends, she asked a strange question. Caius took a moment to think about it, studying her expression to gain some indication of her intentions. "Well, I suppose I could ask you a related question" he brought up then. "At what point does someone you are engaging in dates with, become a lover? A partner? How does it happen? What brings you across that threshold from one to the other?"
