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

[ 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.

[ Privately, she does enjoy matching him (because his is the superior style). And she likes wearing his small skull-button earring.

...Or maybe this is one of the few times she doesn't need to be private with her thoughts. Hm. ] Are you sure they wouldn't be swooning and fainting as soon as they see you?

[His brows lift at that. It's sort of amazing she can say it with a straight face, looking the way she does.]

Not sure we'd be able to tell who they're swooning over.

[ She knows she's biased.

She knows she's very biased.

That doesn't mean she's not going to stop teasing him. ]

"Oh, Noctis, you're so dazzling!" They'd sound just like that. [ With the title, even! ]

[In fairness, he's also biased. Though at least he knows they both look epic. He tugs back gently to spin her about, and before he pulls her back in again, he bends to formally kiss her hand, the other behind his back.]

"Ah, but her Ladyship is also brilliant in that gown."

[ He should know by now, even though he's making a caricature of it, this prince act still gets her. She's giggling, yes, but blushing and bringing her free hand to press at her cheek, feeling very much flustered.

Introspection would reveal that it's not him behaving princely, per se, that makes her blush, but that it's his confidence and smile as he does it, the way he seems to be having fun. The charisma, the cavalier smile-- that helps, too. He's too damn handsome for his own good, and she suspects he knows it. ]

N-Noct.... When you smile like that, you're dangerous.

[ She's smiling, too, but she's unable to continue any impersonation. ] I think I'm swooning for you. [ All over again! ]

[Oh, he knows. He wouldn't do it much if he wasn't aware of its effectiveness. Sometimes there are perks to growing up royalty.

He tugs her in against him once more, winding his arm behind her back, fingers curling around hers- and just like that, they're back into the dancing position.]

Uh-oh. I'd better be ready to catch you, then.

[ He’s so smooth.

And so they return to the dance. Like they’re supposed to be doing—

Not that they’re following what any dance is supposed to be like, and sharing this moment with him almost feels like the one dance they shared together during new year’s. That dance had been their own. ]

Like you always do?

[ She giggles. ]

I’ll have to become stronger on my own two feet, especially since I wish to lift you up, too!

Like you don't do that already.

[That just makes him want to show off. though, so after another turn he spins her out again, drawing her back in to lift her up by the waist and twist them both around, smirking up at her. Isn't she the one who last did this? Plus there's the whole emotional lifting she does as easily as breathing. She's done plenty of lifting already.]

[ He lifts her up, and her hands find their way to his shoulders for support. The room and other guests spin around them, but he alone stays in focus. His smile is as beautiful as the world itself, how could she not be breathless from that alone?

When she's placed back on the ground, she ends their dance with an embrace, a tender kiss upon his cheek, and a silly and completely smitten grin. Just like when she had first started to fall for him, she feels that same, familiar tightness within her chest, both gripping, painful, and wonderful at once.... ] I'll do that as many times as you need, maybe more.

[ Softly, she kisses him again-- this time on the lips. Parting from him, she whispers: ] Maybe if it's enough, it won't be so much as lifting, but you flying.

[He blinks a few times, so often caught off guard by her kiss- not because it's unexpected, but because of how good it feels to receive.]

Maybe someday.

[Wouldn't it be nice if the kings of Lucis got wings like their swords so often symbolized? Or like the statue of the Wise... for now, though, he'll settle for how weightless he feels when she's around him, or that fluttery feeling he gets in his heart when he's holding her.]

[ With the dance ended, she links her arm around his, beginning to lead him off the floor. Drink time! Which she'll fill for him, whether that be water or wine. As soon as their glasses are filled, her hand slips back to his.

Quietly, she lifts up her glass to the room. ]

Look at everyone, Noct. This is... most of your family. [ Ignis and even Luna is here. It feels a bit off without Gladio. ]

I'm looking. [He gives her hand a squeeze, lifting his glass as halfway a salute.] It's pretty crazy, seeing everyone in one place.

[He knows he's lucky. And with how often people come and go, he wonders how long it'll last. Still, he's so happy to see all of them here, and it shows in his expression. Even with the bittersweet knowledge of how temporary it all is, and that some are still missing.]

[ She knows it's even more important to him that he has something like this, when in his world he's... asleep, or something like it, within his crystal. ]

Everyone dancing. [ Like the one they just shared. ] Everyone together, happy.

[ Before she takes a small sip of her drink, her hand swings with his. ] It's lovely. And it feels-- [ She pauses, as if searching for a word. ] It was always real, what you have here. [ Friends, family, everyone. ]

But something like this, it truly makes it real.

[ And she adores that he has it. ]

What we have. Remember? [She's family, too. No takebacks!] You're right, though... we've been seriously spoiled to have so many familiar faces. Most people don't even have a fraction of this.

[He glances sidelong at her as he says it, curious and a little cautious. She's been here this long, but had no one she knew arrived... getting pulled into another family might not feel the same as gaining friends and family from one's own home. To bring it up so easily... how must she be feeling?]

[ "What we have."

Her expression, as she presses the drink to her lips, is content as she watches the rest of the party for a few more moment of reflective silence. Only a sliver of bittersweetness flickers in her eyes, gone like a firefly after summer ends. She catches his gaze, lowering the glass to smile easily at him. ]

...Mm?

Ah... no, just...

[Nothing, he wants to say, to not spoil the mood or pry into her thoughts when uninvited. But the look in her eyes, and her encouragement to always speak his mind, makes him reconsider.]

I was just wondering, uh. If anyone showed up from your world, who'd you want to see?

[Addam, maybe? Or her "father"?]

[ Her fingers interlace with his, as if she might gain strength to formulate an answer. ]

...I... [ She remains uncertain. Truly, there are people she misses. Addam, most of all. With losing them-- and knowing they are gone-- she's already grieved. Still mourns, in some respects. To have them here would be a second chance for them, not for her. ] Addam... He enjoyed weddings. Celebrating others, when he could. He liked seeing others happy. [ She smiles a bit at that, lifting her gaze to take in the company around them. He would have liked this, she's certain.

Her laugh is short and nostalgic. ]

I think he enjoyed his own wedding a little too much, long ago.

[ As Mythra, she hadn't enjoyed it at the time-- too new to the world, that she was, and far too apathetic. But now at this wedding, she supposes she may have her own moment of reflecting on how far she's come. It's a nice, simple thought. ]

Hah, did he get drunk or something?

[He lifts his glass a bit once more, smiling faintly.]

I wouldn't mind meeting the guy. Maybe see what he's all about.

[He'd... even be nice! Or try to be. He at least wouldn't ask about the whole buried-Pyra-for-centuries thing.]

[ It's okay, it was a mutual agreement-- ]

....I think he'd like you. You could talk about...

[ A pause. ] Princely things. And how you'd rather not be doing princely things, but then somehow end up being regal anyway.

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