hugtopia_logs | much wedding such wow

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much wedding such wow

♥ Who: Era & Ardbert & OTA
♥ Where: Lup's Fabulous Mansion
♥ When: Evening of December 12th
♥ What: Wedding Ceremony (invitees only) & Reception (OTA)
♥ Rating: PG-13

☘
INVITEES

{all invitees can bring a +1 if they choose}
• Lup
• Honerva
• Emet-Selch
• Ardyn
• Regis
• Noctis
• Prompto
• Ignis
• Lunafreya
• Lance

The mansion will open to all offworlders who wish to attend the reception — no invites needed for that!

THE CEREMONY (INVITEES ONLY)

Takes place in a cozy outdoor garden beneath a starry night sky. There are comfortable benches set up with enough space for everyone invited, as well as a not-insignificant number of reserved seating for people who cannot attend. The aisle is bordered by thistles, and lit by warm lanterns. At the end of the aisle is a small platform beneath an elf tree decorated with fairy lights.

Carbuncle leads the procession, acting as the 'flower girl' by shaking a basket of petals around as it trots along. It is followed by Era, who is walked down the aisle by Regis, and waiting for her at the end is Ardbert, flanked by her chocobo and his amaro, all looking very dapper in their tailored coattails and ties. She wears a long robe so deep a grey it looks almost black, and her face is obscured by a mask. She carries a artichoke bouquet.

When she steps up to meet her betrothed he lowers her hood and removes her mask. They're both smiling, clearly head-over-heels for each other. Her bouquet is handed over to Seto for safekeeping, knowing Peki would simply eat it (though Peki reaches over with his long neck and promptly eats it anyway).

There is a priest (grabbed at the last minute from the nearest temple) ready to begin the ceremony. It goes quickly and with hardly any fuss. There is no mention of gods or religion—just loyalty, commitment, and love. Hythlo, their amaro chick, is the ring bearer, and does an admirable job (even if he does run to Noctis instead of Ardbert at first).

In the end Era's vows are very simple: "I love you."

Ardbert abandons the vows he came up with earlier, following his wife's lead with an equally simple: "I love you, too."

Their first kiss is short and sweet. Ardbert has his fingers twined with hers and she can't stop blushing, looking shyly down at the ring on her finger. Familiar with her discomfort in being at the center of attention, Ardbert jovially ~~pulls the aggro~~ calls out:

"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go eat!"

THE DINNER (INVITEES)

The meal will be held place in a second room made to look like another section of the garden from the ceremony. The dining tables are rustic picnic benches lit by warm candles in crystalline cups. Overhead is a balcony of arched branches, decorated with fairly lights and strings of crystalline beads (1).

Now devoid of her robe, Era wears a dress with flowing skirts that glitter like the night sky and a top as white as the Light that joined her and her husband together as one. Her hair is loose for once, and her auracite pendant hangs openly from her neck for all to see, as well as the scars on her back she rarely reveals.

The meal is largely made up of hearty, traditional foods like creamy lamb stew, potatoes of all kinds, myriad other vegetables, warm and buttery dinner rolls, various beverages (including both pomegranate and caelumfruit wines), etc., though if there's nothing that tickles your fancy available one of the moogle attendants will do their best to fulfill specific requests. The dinner will be served up to a maximum of nine courses, so hopefully you brought an appetite. Era sure did, and can be found stuffing her face alongside Ardbert in a way most unbefitting a bride, but very fitting for a Warrior or Light.

At the end of the meal they cut their two cakes (one apple-pomegranate and one ice cream), and when Ardbert smashes a slice of cake in Era's face he smartly chooses the non-frozen one. Despite having agreed to smashing cake in each other's faces Era is so excited to eat cake that it completely slips her mind, leaving her blinking up at Ardbert in utter confusion as bits of cake fall on top of her plated slice. (She finds it all very funny once she clues in, as does Ardbert).

**note: invitees will have their dinner first, but there will be food available throughout the reception! it just will be more of a buffet than a proper dinner.

THE RECEPTION

The main reception hall is a recreation of the main hall of Fortemps Manor, albeit a little smaller (1, 2, 3, 4). There is plenty of seating for those who wish to relax in a comfortable chair, or some peace and quiet to snack on finger-foods.

To the left of the main foyer is a medium-sized room with bright, focused lighting suitable for excellent photographs. The garden area is where one might go for that sort of background, but in this room guests can choose from a number of options - a few spots somewhere in Havenwell if they want a more grounded picture, or a different city entirely, an ocean view, a crowded party scene... plenty to choose from. Whatever is selected will be magically projected onto the opposite wall and floor where anyone can pose.

Prompto has been asked to act as the wedding photographer, though he won't be constrained to this room, so guests may have to find him or someone else to help. If they do not have a photographer handy, they can pass their camera or communicator over to one of the mansion servants who is standing by at the door, a semi-translucent floating moogle. The moogle will politely take any photo that the guests ask for until they're satisfied.

On the opposite side of the foyer is a large square area with a beautifully patterned floor, tiled and sturdy, well-suited for dancing or moving about, if guests wish to spend a little time prancing in their lovely outfits. Small cocktail tables and comfortable chairs line the outside area for when you need to rest your feet, and one corner has a band of moogles playing music, switching instruments in and out as needed between songs depending on the mood they're going for. None of them are singing, but there is a microphone if anyone feels like getting... impromptu. Just don't ruin it for everyone else... the moogles also double as bouncers on command.

A small room off to the side of the garden acts as the combination restroom/powder room, with segmented areas for privacy as well as a space to freshen up, cool down, and escape the rest of the party for a bit. It's as fancy as the rest, all marble and gleaming tile, clean and softly-lit. Imagine the nicest hotel bathroom you've ever seen, and that's about what to expect from this room.

MANSION NOTES:

• anything taken out of the mansion that was created within it will dissipate into smoke once passing through the portal, so no food, furniture, or servants can be stolen. (go ahead and try, though.)

• though only a handful will be visible and working at any given time, there are 100 servants hiding in the woodwork somewhere. anyone who causes enough of a ruckus that the bride and groom wish them to be removed will immediately be swarmed by moogles and tossed out the door.

• the mansion is active for 24 hours or until dispelled, so feel free to party as long as you want, unless the happy couple (or Lup) decides it's time for you to go the heck home already.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Hell, he'll take that turn. Rather than tug her in normally, he lifts their joined hands and uses the connection to wind her arm around his neck, unfurling the tie but not letting go so he can hold her arm there, with the material and her hand across the back of his neck, keep her close as he leans in to capture her lips with his own.]

[ Her lips linger upon his, the kiss more sensual and indulgent than before. With one hand held by his around his neck, she brings her others hand up to his cheek, keeping his face steady against hers. He tastes faintly of wine— so too does she, his upon his lips the flavor is all the sweeter, like nectar fresh from the plums of Urayan trees, reminding her of that inexplicable, magical effect he has on all that he does. That is, he makes things more wonderful than they are already.

Quietly, she hopes this suffices to lift his spirit, if not distract him and keep his mind and heart off of any aches that might resurface from his past— which she’s assumed had happened during the ceremony. Architect, does she want to do something good for him, and to provide peace to someone who is so burdened with the world, and has every right to withdraw into complicated melancholy. Weddings can be wonderful, they can be fun and not weighed by the past, although she can certainly relate to the latter, just better at hiding it. They can be filled with happiness, dancing, joy, and secret games with stolen kisses in the garden...

When she stops the kiss, her eyes remain closed and their noses touch. She smiles, a movement that can still be felt upon his lips. ]

Oh, no, [ She whispers, amused. ] I think this game is too easy. We’ve both won again.

"Oh no," she says. You want to stop playing?

[He smirks faintly, his tone musing. He doesn't sound or look as if he wants to stop; as a matter of fact, his expression shifts into a mock-pout.

He definitely looks like he's in better spirits than he was before she approached him, though. He's all but forgotten where they even are or that others are around them; his focus is on her and nothing else. Maybe he'll be flustered later when he realizes it, but right now he's content, enchanted by the look in her eyes.]

[ This is just the look from him she had been hoping for, and goodness does he wear any sort of smile well, even smirks. That confidence, that pride-- she enjoys that look on him. It's far better than knowing that he doesn't think he's enough--

"I didn't save anyone."

--whether as hero, king, or chosen. He deserves to have these sorts of smiles, too. He's beautiful, and she fancies that the decision between looking at that smile or kissing him is much like the dilemma of having a cake versus eating it.

Pyra allows her hand to drift from his cheek to his opposite shoulder, reaching for his end of the tie. ]

Would it be cheating-- [ Tugging on both her and his along the back of his neck, she's able to pull him towards her again, a force that is met with the press of her chest now against him. ] to forgo the tugging part of the game [ She says, as she pulls him in a little more. ] and just go for the kiss?

[ And if there are no objections, she'll once again take his lips with hers. A good decision. Eating that cake is always better. ]

[He's laughing faintly as their lips meet, a brief gasp of air on her chin before their joined mouths swallow it, replaced by the sweet sound of a kiss. He's pulled in by her hold, and with both of her hands occupied by the tie, his own drift to her waist, fingers braced at her hips to do a little pulling of his own. While they enjoy their "cake", his hands brush upwards to catch her back, holding her body close to his as if they're matched up for a slow dance.

When he draws back, he doesn't go far; he kisses the corner of her mouth, then her cheek, his head leaning against hers as he lingers close to her ear.]

Thank you, [is what he murmurs, after a self-indulgent pause of simply feeling her warmth against him.] You're amazing.

[He knows what she's doing; he can feel her sincerity, the behaviour not forced in any way, but he can read between the lines. If anything, that makes it better- knowing that she doesn't have to do anything special to distract him from his melancholy, that she can just be herself and he feels an immediate relief. The thought of attending a wedding had filled him with a quiet dread for how he'd feel in the midst of it, but something so simple as a tie around his wrist and a kiss on his lips is enough to make him laugh. It's nothing short of incredible that she has that power, and he's truly grateful.]

[ Ah, she's been found out. Her clever plan, overturned!

He embraces her further, kissing her up to her cheek, and she giggles softly against the side of his head as she leans against him. Perhaps he doesn't know, or perhaps he does, but he's done something like this with her before. That, he's shown her... what she herself is wary about isn't as bad, or as painful, when she's able to experience it with those she loves. ]

It's the least I can do. [ She lets the tie unravel from her hands, forgotten, as she opts to lock her fingers together behind his neck. If they were dancing, she would be swaying with him, much like that summer night which they shared a dance together... ]

Reclaiming your happiness... you deserve that. You deserve all of that.

I don't know what I deserve.

[He never has, really. Always caught up in what needs doing, how to please the people around him, how to live up to the expectations of the whole world and make his family proud. He's been selfish - not for love, he's trying not to call that selfish anymore, but real selfishness - satisfying his own pointless desires at the expense of those around him, too. But is it what he's deserved?

He doesn't know. Maybe he doesn't really need to. His own fingers lace together at her back, and he leans in to rest his forehead to hers, eyes closed.]

You've given it to me, though. So... I'm good with that.

[ As much as she doesn't mind him saying he's content, to her it sounds awfully like he's-- ]

Don't settle with the bare minimum, Noct. [ Not that she has any authority to say what he deserves and doesn't deserve. Perhaps insidiously, because she does not realize it herself, she's calling herself the bare minimum. On the other hand, she has no doubt that what little happiness he finally allows for himself is not at all any threshold of normal.

That, or she's projecting because they are rather alike. ]

But if the word "deserve" bothers you... then. [ She bumps her forehead against his in return, as if she could physically knock back any doubts in his mind. ] I'm telling you that you walking that path towards happiness... is worth it.

[He pauses then, pursing his lips and really considering his words, to avoid making her feel potentially worse about her attempt to cheer him up.]

Don't know if I've established it, but I'm not super great at, like... talking about my dumb hang-ups, if you get me. [Gods, even when he's trying to be earnest it sounds too negative.] I mean- the idea is that it shouldn't be about what I deserve, right? I dunno if I'll ever feel deserving of this. There's nothing minimum about it. [He opens his eyes to focus on her, shifting one hand from her back to brush over her cheek, soft and tender.] I still want it, though. The, um. The happiness you give me. That's what I mean.

[ With his touch upon her cheek, she blinks at him then smiles, leaning into his palm. His explanation clarifies his feelings a little more for her.

(...Even if she still disagrees that he totally should feel that he has a right to be happy!!)

But this. This is still good. She'll accept it... until she's able to lavish him with more happiness, if she can. ] Then, I'll continue to do my best, giving you that happiness.

[ Architect, but what if he could live here long enough to have a wedding of his own in the future. If not with her, than someone else, of course, and have that wedding be full of everything he enjoys and likes, that instead of any melancholy, it would simply be reflection of how far he's come.

Can't he have that? She thinks he can, and only if he wants that, of course. ]

Here, and in the future. [ She takes his hand from her cheek, bringing the back of his fingers to her lips for a tender, meaningful kiss. ]

[Both her kiss and her words tug his lips back up into a smile, genuine and content. Since her lips are momentarily occupied by his own hand, he kisses her forehead instead, tugging her in to embrace her with his cheek pressed to her hair. Now he does sway a little, a subtle invitation to dance.]

I didn't really think about having a future until you, you know? I thought... [Well, she knows what he thought.] ...I hope I can keep making you happy, too. You deserve that and more.

[ And he knows her, that she has felt she's only started living. Like two sides of the same coin.

"You deserve that and more." ...It would be hypocritical for her to say "that kind of you to say" and move on, wouldn't it?

And this makes her realize, he truly doesn't know-- ]

Noct... [ With his sway, she looks up at him with a smile, one that slowly grows into radiant beam. As if she'd ever say no to a dance. She rises with him, one hand going to his shoulder, the other tugging at his hand, already pulling him into a dance, suddenly overcome with happiness. ]

You give me everything I've ever dreamed of already!

Everything?

[He laughs lightly, helpless, and allows himself to be properly dragged into the movement, working his way through the first few steps. It's been a while, but he remembers it better every time.]

You set the bar way too low. What am I supposed to work towards if I've already done it all? We haven't even managed an anniversary yet.

[Yet. Even as the word leaves his lips, his eyes are widening at the implications. While it's true that there are no guarantees here, so no promises to be made, that yet hangs as halfway a promise by itself- a vow to stay, to be with her that long and more, should this world allow it. That they might reach a full year to celebrate, like this wedding and the family they saw be joined together today, a new starting line towards the future. The one he didn't think he'd ever have, not too long ago.

Yet. What a thing to consider. It spreads a warmth through his body head to toe, love and joy and nerves and hope.]

[ She hears it, too, that subtle (and not at all subtle) yet, an unspoken promise that both know neither of them can keep, but look forward to all the same. But isn't that a part of hope?

She had once told him that his future was bright, that she had been excited for his future-- hopelessly ignorant of his own circumstances at the time. She's been careful to speak of it, or any far-fetched plans, since she's found out the truth of his prophecy. But this is the first time that...

She pulls him into a wide, improvised spin, following not any rules to the dance or song, but to their own harmony. An anniversary? It sounds so normal, him saying it makes it sound normal, as if this is a normal thing that couples do without any thought to any doom they might encounter with their fates, which would be hideously abnormal, and-- ]

Noct!

[ She says his name as she collides back to him, her arms draping over his shoulders. ]

That. That future, let's look towards that one, together.

Whoa!

[Around they go! He stumbles as they crash, catching her around the waist, lips curved in a silent laugh. He'd said it entirely as an impulse, but it seems it was the right thing to say after all. He shifts the spin back into a more casual turn, wrestling with the rhythm of their dance until he finds it again.]

Having a future again, huh... might take some getting used to.

[There's no objection in his tone, though. He's kind of excited at the prospect. And he can't let himself get too hopeful- that's how life has let him down time and time again, before, and there's no reason for this place to be so kind to him. Pyra, though... he can depend on her word.]

[ Getting used to-- as if he hadn't ever had the chance to do so in the first place?

Perhaps that's truly the case. His future had always been set for him, prophecy aside, with being royalty, and he's only been in this world long enough to just begin to consider doing what he wishes to do. Little things like working on a video game, training on what he wants to, giving his power to whom he wants, and enjoying his time outside of being a king or chosen go a long way in terms of choice. She couldn't be happier for him. ]

Oh, but knowing you... even going against such a daunting thing like having a future-- you'll breeze past all the top scores.

What do you suppose someone gets graded on when it comes to "future"? Like, how successful they are, how many friends they have? Or is it leading up to something like this?

[A wedding, an anniversary like he'd said before... the future can imply a lot of different things all at once. He'd always thought of the future as that irrefutable destiny, some vague fate that would involve him saving the world, alongside ruling his country and carrying on his family line. Only one of those is meant to come true back home, but here, none of it applies. He's just Noctis, and Noctis has something of a future, however long he stays here. What that actually means is up to him.]

I think---

[ They turn again, this time slower. She watches his expression and smile, the way his bangs fall back to frame his face as they finish the spin. ]

I think it means that it's what you make it, and...

[ Scary. Exciting. Both. Before, the frightening part of the future had been an inevitable fate, a sure doom. Now, that awesome feeling comes from how unknown it is-- but in a thrilling sense. With him, for him, she hopes to make it more of the latter, just. Just exciting, wonderful. ] ...how happy you are with it.

[He doesn't respond at first, just quietly looks at her, drinking in that smile she wears as he considers her words. Happiness, and what he makes of it. If those are the keys to his successful future, then...]

If I've got you- [He leans in, catching her lips with his own for a long moment, helpless and eager.] ...the future looks pretty great.

[His face is warm, cheeks flushed, embarrassed but pleased by his own conclusion. It's reckless to have his happiness rely on another person, he knows. He's not an idiot. But so much of his joy these days is because of her, her company and her smile and all the little things she does for him, the love she shows and shares, the way she's coaxed him gently into doing the same. She put in the work and she deserves credit for all she's done for him.]

[ Her lips catch his as she shares the kiss, teeth clinking against his own as she's unable to help her smile. Pulling away from the kiss, she admires him with rosy cheeks and wonder. ]

You-- you did it again. [ She laughs, breathless as she sways with him. ] Saying what I want to say first.

[ Perhaps in a better way than she ever could, because she can't quite voice what she always thinks or wants or hopes. He's still braver than her in that way, too.

Her hand lifts from his shoulder, fingers playing at the longer strands of his hair that just barely dust above the nape of his neck. A little more reflectively, ] ...The present is very nice, too, though.

[ "Too". And two good things, the present, and the future.

She's incredibly lucky to have this, to be with him, to dance and laugh and smile with him. (A thought that, for once, isn't majorly plagued by the guilt of all those she took that opportunity from.) ]

[He closes his eyes briefly, enjoying the feel of her fingers in his hair, and the warmth of her body against his as they turn together.]

You won't catch me complaining about it. [Far from it- he's very comfortable. His smile turns wry.] I once heard it said, "the present is a gift."

[It was probably Ignis, because puns.]

[ She giggles at the pun.

Similarly, ]

Oh, I'd go one step further:

Your presence is the gift.

[ Because it is. This party, this world, and her time here would not be the same without him, and she's sure others feel the same. ]

Sounds a little formal for me.

[He's still smiling anyway. It sounds much nicer coming from her than some stuffy noble asking about the Lucian prince.]

Though if this was a proper fancy party, there'd be some poor guy at the door making announcements like, "May I present the presence of the prince, who is present as your present."

[Yes, this is horribly silly, with an overly formal voice and all. But he's had wine and he's dancing with his beautiful girlfriend, who looks spectacular and is beaming at him just so. Maybe he's trying to make her laugh.]

[ He succeeds in making her laugh. ]

Oh nooo, [ She stammers between giggles, holding him. ] if that were the case and they knew you were here, that means I couldn't steal you away for myself.

[ That's probably the most 'selfish' thing she's said in a while, even jokingly. ]

[Yessss, victory. And he's proud of her! Stake your claim, girl, and steal him away from the anxiety-stress of having to talk to other people when he doesn't want to.]

You wouldn't have to. We'd show up together and everyone would be so intimidated by how good we look that they'd leave us alone.

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