[He should be glad he wasn't in bed with Benedikta at that time—
Instead he's actually out in the underground "city" in the Roost. "City" when it's more like a small town or village with the stone buildings filling the expansive underground cavern, sunlight streaming through the open "skylights" high above so despite being underground, it's quite bright as if it wasn't underground at all. Helps they have some additional lighting installed, but mostly the sun for now.
So Cid will look up from the well they had repaired and stares at Daqiang surprised.]
[Daqiang had not seen the full Roost before in his last visit. Cid had been outside it so he had not lingered or cared much about it. As well lit as the place was with the sun coming through, he had an excellent view of the small town getting back up and running. As he had not seen it before the damage, he could not say if the repairs were going well, but he assumed they were.
Once Cid had answered him, Daqiang hurried over in something slightly faster than a jog, but not quite a run. He shook his head as he came to a stop, looking... well, excited. Happy, even.]
Nothing is wrong. This venerable one wished to share news with you.
[He took a moment to reach up and pat his cheeks.]
Is this venerable one smiling?
[(He was. Not quite enough to puff up his cheeks, but he was.)]
[Daqaing leaned over to examine his reflection. As he did, he moved one finger from each hand to the corners of his mouth and pushed upward. Trying to make his smile bigger. So that his cheeks puffed up properly with the motion.
Why was smiling so hard to do on purpose?
He grew frustrated after a moment and shook his head.]
Forget it. This venerable one can practice later. He has news to share.
[He straightened up and the excitement was back in his eyes. His smile growing despite his conscious ability to do so.]
You remember Orchid. She is difficult to forget, so you must remember her. She has agreed to marry this venerable one!
[Oh this is so amusing as he sits against the edge of the well. Really the one he had was natural enough. But his brows will raise sky high at that as he stares at him. In fact he was so surprised he almost leans to the side far enough to almost topple right in the well, BUT HE RECOVERED.]
Marriage? You and Orchid?
[Though he is still trying to process this because whoa.]
[Cid's reaction is... not as enthusiastic as he'd thought it would be. Like he's confused about it. What is there to be confused about? It wasn't like Orchid had anyone else she liked-
Unless... Cid had been interested in her?
Daqaing's smile receded entirely, replaced with a frown and a suspicious narrowing of his eyes.]
[Oh if Cid had any idea what Dongfang was thinking—but Cid just continues to stare at him for a moment as if lost in thought.]
No, sorry, it was just so sudden it caught me off guard.
[And then a laugh because he knows how this must look and he feels a bit sorry for confusing him. So with a wider, genuine smile he stands to clap Dongfang on the shoulder in that overly familiar and friendly manner of his.]
But congratulations! Have you set a date? How did it even happen?
[The frown stays, but it lessens in intensity and becomes the more familiar grumpy face Daqiang had developed across the last several months that meant he was probably in a good mood overall... just put out a bit by thinking someone was making fun of him.
That he doesn't react to Cid's shoulder clap beyond a quick side-eye said a lot about how comfortable he'd become with Cid's familiar and friendly manner.]
We have not set a date. The stars in this world are changing. Picking an auspicious date will be difficult when they cannot be read. Other methods will have to be employed and we are preparing for an expedition. There is no rush, so time can be taken.
And how it happened--
[His lips pursed and he frowned again, but this time in thought.]
Do you recall the announcement of Kaveh and Alhaitham's wedding? They were discussing what was expected of their guests and this venerable one was informed of several differences in how marriages and the planning of families in their world is conducted. This included the fact that they are not planning on continuing their line with children. It made this venerable one wonder if the reason Orchid was upset at him and continued to reject the idea of being a couple with him was because she did not want his children.
[He looked over at Cid.]
So this venerable one asked her. About children. And she asked why this venerable one was asking about children when we 'aren't even married yet'.
[He listens with interest, especially hearing they would use the stars to determine an auspicious date...wasn't there a posting about learning about the constellations?
But then he speaks of Kaveh and Alhaitham's wedding announcement, and he can't help but grin wryly......and then just stare at him incredulously. Oh...the things...he wants to say......... But just keeps mum because it...somehow worked out???
Yes. This venerable one did not propose properly, so he is planning on gathering the appropriate gifts. He does not have the resources to present a full twelve chests to Orchid at this time, but he believes he can provide six by the end of the month.
[Not because Orchid asked for them, but because she deserved to have them.]
After he has done so and an auspicious date has been found, we will begin preparations for a wedding and Orchid's coronation.
[Unless Orchid decided they didn't need to wait on a date and do all the traditional stuff. He didn't care about it himself. Just as with the betrothal gifts, he simply wanted to give Orchid everything she deserved.]
Only six. The other six will have to be obtained whenever we are both able to return to the Three Realms. It does mean that this venerable one will have less leeway in what is included in the betrothal gifts. Tradition has it's demands and Orchid should be honored the same as any other intended bride of the Moon Supreme would be.
[But less leeway just meant he would be much pickier about what was included.]
And yes, a coronation. This venerable one has told you. He is Moon Supreme of the Moon Tribe, ruler of Cangyanhai. As his wife, Orchid will be crowned as Moon Queen. It will have to be a much smaller ceremony. As the only two known to be from Cangyanhai in this world, there is no one else to witness it but us.
[A small sigh, because Orchid certainly deserved all the pomp and circumstance he could muster, but the realities of their situation was, well, the realities.]
This venerable one will see her recognized regardless.
However, he can tell that Daqiang is being genuine in his efforts and it's all for that love and care for her that he is going through such lengths. How can he not respect that? So as overwhelming as it all sounds, he still smiles.]
Is it possible to not have both the coronation and the wedding at the same time? Perhaps it's too forward to ask and I do not want to disrespect your culture, but if you already need to make adjustments, then merging the two ceremonies may work in your favor.
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Instead he's actually out in the underground "city" in the Roost. "City" when it's more like a small town or village with the stone buildings filling the expansive underground cavern, sunlight streaming through the open "skylights" high above so despite being underground, it's quite bright as if it wasn't underground at all. Helps they have some additional lighting installed, but mostly the sun for now.
So Cid will look up from the well they had repaired and stares at Daqiang surprised.]
...Dongfang? Something the matter?
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Once Cid had answered him, Daqiang hurried over in something slightly faster than a jog, but not quite a run. He shook his head as he came to a stop, looking... well, excited. Happy, even.]
Nothing is wrong. This venerable one wished to share news with you.
[He took a moment to reach up and pat his cheeks.]
Is this venerable one smiling?
[(He was. Not quite enough to puff up his cheeks, but he was.)]
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And at his question, he can't help but laugh.]
Think it's the first time I've seen you smiling, but if you want proof—
[He scoops out some fresh water into the bowl that happened to be there and holds it out to him.]
See for yourself.
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Why was smiling so hard to do on purpose?
He grew frustrated after a moment and shook his head.]
Forget it. This venerable one can practice later. He has news to share.
[He straightened up and the excitement was back in his eyes. His smile growing despite his conscious ability to do so.]
You remember Orchid. She is difficult to forget, so you must remember her. She has agreed to marry this venerable one!
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Marriage? You and Orchid?
[Though he is still trying to process this because whoa.]
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[Cid's reaction is... not as enthusiastic as he'd thought it would be. Like he's confused about it. What is there to be confused about? It wasn't like Orchid had anyone else she liked-
Unless... Cid had been interested in her?
Daqaing's smile receded entirely, replaced with a frown and a suspicious narrowing of his eyes.]
What is it that makes you question it?
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No, sorry, it was just so sudden it caught me off guard.
[And then a laugh because he knows how this must look and he feels a bit sorry for confusing him. So with a wider, genuine smile he stands to clap Dongfang on the shoulder in that overly familiar and friendly manner of his.]
But congratulations! Have you set a date? How did it even happen?
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That he doesn't react to Cid's shoulder clap beyond a quick side-eye said a lot about how comfortable he'd become with Cid's familiar and friendly manner.]
We have not set a date. The stars in this world are changing. Picking an auspicious date will be difficult when they cannot be read. Other methods will have to be employed and we are preparing for an expedition. There is no rush, so time can be taken.
And how it happened--
[His lips pursed and he frowned again, but this time in thought.]
Do you recall the announcement of Kaveh and Alhaitham's wedding? They were discussing what was expected of their guests and this venerable one was informed of several differences in how marriages and the planning of families in their world is conducted. This included the fact that they are not planning on continuing their line with children. It made this venerable one wonder if the reason Orchid was upset at him and continued to reject the idea of being a couple with him was because she did not want his children.
[He looked over at Cid.]
So this venerable one asked her. About children. And she asked why this venerable one was asking about children when we 'aren't even married yet'.
no subject
But then he speaks of Kaveh and Alhaitham's wedding announcement, and he can't help but grin wryly......and then just stare at him incredulously. Oh...the things...he wants to say......... But just keeps mum because it...somehow worked out???
But good lord—]
So...you proposed after all that?
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[There was some crying involved, too, but the less that was spoken of, the better.]
She said that she loved this venerable one and wanted to marry him.
[He's back to being all smiles again.
...and looking more than a little smug about it, too.]
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Then that's all that matters. Congratulations again.
[And then another friendly shake of his shoulders. Possibly in answer to that smug look you bastard—]
And soon you'll be a married man! You'll have a lot of planning ahead of you.
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[Not because Orchid asked for them, but because she deserved to have them.]
After he has done so and an auspicious date has been found, we will begin preparations for a wedding and Orchid's coronation.
[Unless Orchid decided they didn't need to wait on a date and do all the traditional stuff. He didn't care about it himself. Just as with the betrothal gifts, he simply wanted to give Orchid everything she deserved.]
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Twelve chests? Of—gifts? [He's just going to stare at him wide-eyed.] And a coronation?
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[But less leeway just meant he would be much pickier about what was included.]
And yes, a coronation. This venerable one has told you. He is Moon Supreme of the Moon Tribe, ruler of Cangyanhai. As his wife, Orchid will be crowned as Moon Queen. It will have to be a much smaller ceremony. As the only two known to be from Cangyanhai in this world, there is no one else to witness it but us.
[A small sigh, because Orchid certainly deserved all the pomp and circumstance he could muster, but the realities of their situation was, well, the realities.]
This venerable one will see her recognized regardless.
no subject
However, he can tell that Daqiang is being genuine in his efforts and it's all for that love and care for her that he is going through such lengths. How can he not respect that? So as overwhelming as it all sounds, he still smiles.]
Is it possible to not have both the coronation and the wedding at the same time? Perhaps it's too forward to ask and I do not want to disrespect your culture, but if you already need to make adjustments, then merging the two ceremonies may work in your favor.