The Ceremony of Handfasting - Chryil 22nd Early ET

[Rosalie Marcada]

Rosalie willed her cynicism not to show on her face, though the rather direct methods of dwarves appealed to her merchant instincts. Yes, value your partner in monetary terms. So logical, so simple, and yet .. a statue of gold.. it was still romantic.

They wanted till it was their turn and Rosalie politely offered the couple a box of Roque red wine to drink on their continued health. "You looked absolutely dashing, milady," she assured Elaine, feeling slightly guilty she and Jolanda had caused the jelly blob to flee away from the scene in the Dival, no matter how relieved she had been then. She presumed the woman couldn't remember "A dress from Audrey's I presume?"

Her eyes wandered over the crowd, noticing the myriad of guests, briefly resting on the Caesar who like a true politician revealed nothing. She could only admire him for his affability. When it was timely to do so she told Illish "Escort me home please. I'm horribly tired. Must be all the tension for tomorrow." She had to get out of here, where ghosts hunted her. Back in the Embassy she'd be save.

[Andolin]

It seemed that a pretty young thing approached Andolin, bearing a tray of cupcakes. Being a paranoid man by nature, he flashed his guard a glance that all but instructed them to assume that no one was as inncent as they appeared. Yet, he did nothing to prevent Claire from approaching more closely. He merely tensed his body, ready for action.

"Cupcake, Lord Caesar?" she murmured, sidling up to Andolin, wide-eyed and innocent. "I kept this one for you, since it's the pwettiest." She smile sweetly. "And it comes specially laced with ultewior motives."


"Why thank you," he replied politely, signaling the sargent to take it. It might well be full of poison. "I am not Caesar yet," he confessed.

"I will keep the cupcake for later ... but I will have the ulterior motive now," he challenged with a smile.

[Grey Wolf]

"Of course I am here. You think I would have missed the day Ulder gers married? Not bloody likely." There was a tinge of pride in Sosa's voice, and a hint of something else, almost undetectable, making her voice waver almost imperceptably. The smile on her face did not waver and she moved aside to allow others to greet the couple as well. Unlike Luther and his dwarves, the rest of the gifts were simpler and not so lavish. A necklace here, simple household item there, they kept coming as was the custom. To Rosalie's case of wine, Illish added a gift of his own. "I have heard you were a horseman at one time, Captain. I did not think horses would fit through that passage, but I have a pair of mounts for you two. I chose Lady Bannon's horse myself and it should serve her well." Staying at Rosalie's side he moved away as well and simply nodded at her words, covering her hand with his. "Quite understandable my dear. One more day and then it is over." He smiled encouragingly and added. "Then new troubles begin. But, we shall weather them together."

OOC: Name the horsies and I shall add them to your inventories. PM me the names.

[Ulder]

Ulder took in each of the gifts with a renewed and fresh sense of appreciation for all of them. He was genuinely touched by the people's enthusiasm and generosity, and each time something new was presented, he found himself more and more at a loss for words.

He and his new bride then found themselves face to face with the betrothed Baron Marcada and Ambassador LoRusso.

"Ambassador LoRusso. You are looking as lovely as ever. Thank you both very much for coming today. We shall of course be very happy to return the favor upon the morrow."

He smiled as he kissed the Ambassador's hand in a polite manner. The wine was a beautiful gift, and sure to give Elaine and Ulder many nights of enjoyment with meals as they drank it.

"We will be sure that the first toast goes to you and your soon to be husband."

As Illish spoke, he replied to the Lord's comment.

"I still am a horseman my lord. My love of horses is much like my being left handed. I don't think about it being a part of me, it just is."

The Baron's gift brought the former Captain to a different level of appreciation for receiving a gift.

"You... Your...uh... This... Thank you very much. I don't know how to repay such kindness and thoughtfulness. Perhaps one day, the four of us can take a day away and go ride them together. I... uh... Thank you muy Lord and Lady. Thank you very much."

[Claire Owens]

"Ah... well," the young achadiel tilted her head at the man who would be Caesar. "I hoped to persuade you to declare this the best cupcake you've ever eaten and to order a fwesh batch fwom my coffeeshop, the Simple Pleasures, evewy morningtide for the west of your life and to ban all our competition fwom the Empire for the next hundwed yahwen... but if you are not Caesar I guess I'll have to twy elsewhere..." Claire sighed a bit dramatically.

"Sowwy sir," she continued more earnestly. "All I weally want is to be able to tell our customers the twuth when I say that our food is fit to be enjoyed by both noble and peasant alike. Some people don't think so, given our... humble owigins. We're lucky to have classy customers like Lady lo Wusso who don't make a fuss over such things."

"Anyway, I hope you like the cupcake, my lord. If you ever wish for another, we'll be delighted to send you some more." She flashed another gap-toothed smile at Andolin and offered more of the cakes to the rest of his bodyguards.

[Elaine]

The mood did not fit the words, yet this was not a time to be delving into other people's business. As such Elaine smiled in Rosalie's direction, giving a small curtsey. After all: the lady was higher up on the social ladder and it would not do to be impolite, not even on her wedding day.

"Indeed, it is an Audrey's." The blind woman chuckled. "I fear I was highly unoriginal, but after a first visit some months ago I could hardly go elsewhere."

The woman was quickly taken away through her own admittance of being tired. "Be well, lady Lo Russo. May your day tomorrow be everything you wished it would be." Elaine smiled and focussed on the next voice.

She gasped once the meaning of those words dawned on her. More horses? Oh my! Ulder is going to be ecstatic! Yet I doubt anyone will change my mind from Guider...oh goodness...can't turn down a wedding gift -a hand picked one at that! I will have to ride two horses for a while at least...yaiks. Jonah is going to laugh his head of. Be careful what you wish for, indeed.

Ulder's voice made her smile again. He was taken aback! It was rather funny to hear him stutter. Quickly she put her hand on his. "Lord, lady, a most thoughtful gift. You amaze us with your insight." She tilted her head towards the good lord. "I can't wait to meet them!"

The woman made sure to let her enthusiasm shine through. It was no act. After all: there was nothing that would make her beloved more happy than to care for his favourite fourhooves in his spare time!

"May tomorrow prove to be your greatest gift, dear lord." Elaine curtsied again when the lord and lady moved away, the grabbed Ulder's arm with both hands. "I can't believe this! Such kindness and...it's so sweet!"

[Ulder]

Ulder watched the pair recede and both felt and shared his love's excitement.

"I can't believe it. I never dared hope for so much."

He leaned in and kissed her gently. Then held her close enough to hear and feel his heart beating.

"It's all for you my love. This day, the gifts, our friends, the warmth, the generosity. It's the Mother showering you with her love. You have helped heal this island and it's people, and now it comes back to you tenfold. It's all for you!"

[Raevyn D`Altamooriana]

Raevyn had left the company of the two newlyweds for a brief moment so that other gift bearers could have a chance to give their gifts to the couple. This left her with a little time to meander about throughout the crowd.

It wasn't long before the assassin spotted Claire offering her baked goods to someone who was obviously very important. Raevyn had no way of knowing that the man was the Caesar so she didn't bother to acknowledge him as so when she approached them.

"Do you mind," Raevyn asked of Claire, inquiring if she may have one of the cupcakes. "They do look really good."

[Claire Owens]

"O' course ma'am." Claire practically twinkled as she held the tray out to Raevyn for her to pick whichever cake took her fancy. As she cast her eyes over the dark adhiel once more, recognition sparked in her memory.

"Oh. I wondered where I saw you before. You spoke with Jadmai this mornin' didn't you?" She cocked her head to one side as she spoke. Dark adhiel.... how could I have missed it?

[Rosalie Marcada]

Rosalie did not bat an eyelash at the Baron's gift. It was appropriate, for it showed his wealth and she quickly guessed it was well appreciated for other reasons too. Good. It was always wise to bind people to you. It warned her once again that Carloni had been right. Marcada was capable of amazing insights which served him well in politics. "That sounds delightful,"Rosalie beamed at Ulder's invitation, knowing she'd never ridden a horse in her life. I guess that is part of the aristocratic lifestyle.

Then Rose leaned on Illish to show him she really was tired, and waited for him to wisk her away.

[Elvin Motricé]

The Adhiel stood quietly to the side, looking for Simon Ginneke. He had still much to discuss with the mage and now was as good a time as ever. He sighed: "Too bad I don't get paid for everything I do. I have a feeling I'll be needing the money soon..."

When he spotted the mage, he approached him, waiting from a respectable distance until the master mage had time for him.

[Grey Wolf]

It was rather dificult to miss the quartet of guards in white and black of the Imperial Guard and Raevyn found her way politely barred by one of the men, his eyes resting on the dark adhiel's face, a polite smile on the man's lips. "A moment, milady. What is your business with His Majesty?" He was a tall man, slightly muscular and with olive cast to his skin, clean shaven except for a thin pair of mustaches he sported. The moment Claire spoke, the man glanced over his shoulder, moving away so the girls could speak, but the way to Andolin remained barred. The only thing that allowed Claire to approach the Caesar was the knowledge that who she was and what her function at the wedding would be. Her cupcakes were taken, but none of the guards partook of them, following Andolin's example.

[Raevyn D`Altamooriana]

"His majesty," Raevyn repeated. The weight of who this person was hit her with full force, yet she was undaunted. He was just a man after all, and what was a mere mortal man to a girl who had mingled with the very gods themselves.

"He is shorter than I had imagined one to be," she then answered coyly as she turned away from the Caesar. "I have no business with him whatsoever, I am just here for a cupcake."

Raevyn took a deep bite into the cupcake that was offered her and smiled. She enjoyed the rich flavor and moist texture of it. Truth be told she had never had a cupcake before and was pleasantly surprised by the rush of flavor, and quite satisfied.

"This... is very... good," she said after swallowing the moist delicacy. "If his majesty does not want his, I will be happy to take his as well." A big, knowing grin parted her lips.

[Tristam]

Declaring this thread Fin.

[Turi]

Ulder - * to etiquette, public speaking, native craft [begging hot chick]
Elaine - * to etiquette, public speaking, repartee
Andolin - no stars awarded (overachiever)
Becca - * to beautification, conversation
Claire - * to conversation
Morgan - * to conversation
Raevyn - * to etiquette, language [human]
Rosalie - * to knowledge [imperial wedding customs]