come_sailaway | 10th Contraption: Mawwiage

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10th Contraption: Mawwiage

Who: John Watson, Johnny Summer, and César Salazar with Rich Goranski, Fio, and Honoria Crabb AND YOU Oh god why are weddings like this
What: The throuple getting married by... the Captain?!
When: December 11th at 7pm
Where: John's
Warnings: I believe in us! But for now, nothing.

SEATING

John's has been transformed, the seating up front rearranged in rows towards the center dias with an aisle down the middle, the piano moved off to one side. The buffet for later can be seen off to the other. Decorations taken from Spirit Halloween appear here and there–flowers taken from cavalera flower crowns, sun and moon candlestick holders from the tarot collection, festively colored tablecloths draped down the walls like curtains or banners. A sign near the entrance says "seat yourself", although the front row on one side is reserved with a ribbon across the backs.

What can't be seen is who is officiating. Or the husbands, but at least that part makes sense. The dais is empty.

THE CEREMONY

As one of the few traditions in this wedding, music announces the start of the ceremony. Rich strolls in first, trying to look professional even if he’s clearly shaking a bit as he holds the small pillow with the rings laid on it. At least he’s dressed quite smartly, Johnny ensuring his red suit is wrinkle free and his cuff links are set in place. Fio, in a winged black dress and flowery headdress, follows after the ring bearer, adorning the path with paper petals as she moves along.

The first husband to be down the aisle is none other than Johnny, in a smart charcoal grey suit with a goldenrod pocketsquare, gold jewelry, and a wreath of orange blossoms on his head; and accompanied by Honoria Crabb in her perfectly tailored black tuxedo, worn with black gloves and a white bow tie. Watson and César take up the rear, arms linked together. César is wearing an equally fancy suitcoat with his tie held in place with a ruby and silver tie pin, and Watson is wearing an officer’s dress uniform, with the sword and without the helmet, and also his good cane. All three husbands-to-be are wearing green carnation boutonnières.

AFTER PARTY

It's time to eat, dance, and party!

The seating has been rearranged for sitting at tables around the "dance" floor. Food from Windjammer has been placed on some tables for a buffet. There’s a selection of fancy cheeses and crackers, sushi, premade sandwiches, and salad with dressings on the side. For dessert, to one side there’s a table with cupcakes, cookies, and chocolates arranged in a heart. On the bar are a couple bowls of punch (including one explicitly labeled as non-alcoholic) made by Johnny ahead of time, because he's been forbidden to bartend his own wedding, much to his deep chagrin.

There’s a space set just off the dancefloor for musicians who wish to perform, the usual John’s piano (bribed into behaving with a whole pan of beef brisket from the buffet) off to one side.

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Nobunaga just nods, and resists the urge to loosen his tie. "And yet idiots survive by the grace if gods and pity from the strong." Sometimes. The truly smart ones learn.

"It's not even like armor always helps either. Siffleur knew to go straight for my weak spots, employing true Sun Tzu tactics," he sounds proud of that? "Pollux, Yuuki, and so many others are faster than I can see much less react to. And even though it shielded me from an explosion, it probably helped crush me when the deck collpased." He talks about his own deaths and defeats like its nothing.

"But it's psychological too. It says you'll have to at least use magic and contend with my blade. I won't simply roll over from you. And when I come back, I'll be twice as strong, and the same technique won't work twice."

A shrug. "Are you looking to dress me up? Make it interesting and I'll consider."

"Luckily I can do both magic and contend with your blade. You have not crossed Revelations yet, but I assure you, you don't want to."

She's also fast and strong. But also in a very fancy dress so none of that applies here. Klaus might cry if she ruins it.

"You could take a note from Critchon's book and go for action hero. Or perhaps woo Klaus with a nice suit and tie."

He has the tie down, but it doesn't really fit with his armor.

"Oh believe me, I know," he smirks. "I've no doubt just touching it could evaporate me. In this state. Wielded by my God though?" His eyes glitter with amusement. But both hands go up. "Not a threat, just part of our dance, you and I."

A laugh. "The Peacekeeper outfit is so cool! All leather... we barely have any leather in hell. No cows, and leatherworking is untouchable. Ahhhhh. Stupid space demons. I would go for a suit like Max," robot not wolf or deer, "But we don't have them here. And the leather jacket I got from Tommy Bahamas is not formal wear. Maybe I'll just let Klaus go through his own wardrobe."

"Revelations was designed to kill that which cannot be killed. From what I know of Yato's world, even gods can die." She laughs though, "Perhaps we should refrain from finding out on the Serena Eterna though, I'd hate to see what kind of damage we might do."

Poor Friday and the Captain.

"It is very cool. He looks like just stepped out of a tv show or book."

A pause.

"Maybe Friday will find you something."

"Yes." A handwave. "But I'm already dead as a shinki, so maybe it wouldn't be so bad."

As for Crichton... "Ehhh? What kind? Space samurai... no no, Japan would make it all metal and giant robots. Like Bastion but stupid looking." He knows his country even centuries later.

"Eh, I don't want to play dress up for her, that's weird. Only you and Klaus. Everyone else can go to hell." Not literally. He cares about many others, obviously, just not in regards to what he's wearing.

"I meant maybe you'll end up with a box of clothes suited to you. I got some of mine from home and this dress, which is quite suited to me.

Even if it had taken some convincing to wear it.

"And the jury is still out on how the Shinki thing works here since no one stays dead."

As for Critchon. "And Critchon looks like he stepped out of a western science fiction novel."

Add 'romance' to that description and it's even more accurate.

"Bleh, stuff from home," Nobunaga makes a face. "I'd rather try my luck with the costumes and Tommy Bahamas. Although I do get a lot of things from after my time. But I'll leave it to chance."

Nobunaga turns his back to her, but only to shift his armor enough and beckon her close to see the shining new mark on his left shoulder. "Mizune. Means water." Back to covering it up. "I am officially his weapon. His first gun, but still a sword too." Indeed, the Souza Samonji was now in Yato's hands. Conqueror's blade, supposed curse (not real!) and all. "But I'll let you in on a secret," Nobunaga's track record with secrets is pretty 50/50 on whether they are actually secret or just something obvious. "Holy water feels so damn annoying!" He laughs and rubs his arms , stretching them out as if to shake off even the memory of the feeling. "I got baptized and everything!" almost a whine about it, but he's laughing again, and shakes his head. "Ah! But I'm still here, so that must means I am the strongest maou of all time!" That means he's not a maou at all, but whatever.

"I like westerns. What is... science fiction is like Jurassic Park, yes?"

If he likes florals and Hawaiian prints more than leather, he needs to refocus his priorities. She watches him show her the mark, unimpressed with both the mark and the secret.

"More like the Star Wars vein of Science Fiction. Space Fantasy. And unless the Holy Water is blessed by a God, it's probably not going to do much to anything. But it generally doesn't affect humans anyway."

She might call him Demon King, but he's still not a demon in her eyes.

There is NO leather in hell! Now cows, and leather working is untouchable! Although he did get a leather jacket from Tommy Bahamas, but it's not full length like Crichton's.

"Still might affect you," an evil sidelong grin! "What's Star Wars? Sounds cool."

There's no rule that what Friday gives them has to be from their home world, Nobunaga.

"It might, care to see what happens if you test that theory?" She tips her head, a teasing glint in her eyes. Then she waves a hand, "I'm not explaining Star Wars to you, go ask Critchon."

He probably knows.

Indeed, he did get a coilgun and squirt guns, but still!

"Okay, I will!"

As for testing him, Nobunaga grins. "Right now in front of everyone? Kinky." But it's not like he can transform without Yato calling him. "I do need to come up with a better way to help Yato shoot. He's only ever used blades before. Though I have some ideas. And apparently I can shoot myself, but it uses up soul energy."

Valdis shakes her head and takes a deep, patient breath.

"There are many things wrong with your response, so I will go through them one by one. Firstly. I slept with you once, while I was severely morally compromised I might add. You don't get to make 'kinky' jokes at me while we are in pleasant company until that count goes up by 2 at the very least. Secondly, I was talking about the holy water. Thirdly, why would you want to shoot yourself?"

The last one is the most upsetting.

Nobunaga's eyebrows raise. And moving oh so close so that his voice is just by her ear, though once again, no touching. "And don't assume you can read my mind, because you keep getting tripped up by simple words."

Leaning back, "I can do the shooting without him pulling the trigger. I have experienced the holy water myself. Once again, you always think I'm making threats at you when I'm talking about myself. You should get used to that, without needing to burn off energy or a physical confidence booster. You know you're gorgeous, do you need me to remind you?" Amused, but it is what it is. "Can you feel my mood right now?" It's all play. So that should set her mind at ease, because there's not much of a power struggle, or the lust obsession that takes over around Klaus, or anxiety or threat.

"Care to dance?"

Another patient sigh. "Sometimes I don't know what to do with you. I see no threat tonight, I was simply teasing. Though, I do really want the test the Holy Water. I'm not sure the real stuff even works on Hellhounds."

Then she laughs, "Can I sense your emotions over your silly antics? Always. I'm just not impressed by them at the moment. And, if you remember, I have a date tonight, so unless you can dance the waltz, I suggest you go find Klaus."

She's still not happy about him becoming Yato's weapon, but she actually likes Yato, so she's trying to do her best and not comment too deeply on it.

"Of course I can waltz."

An annoyed flicker. He knows she's annoyed about him being Yato's weapon, but apparently she could't joke about it yet either. Well, she'd see for herself in action. "I can't purify the water, that's all Yato. He--" Nobunaga's shoulders prickle all over again and he shakes it out like a wet dog. Quietly and leaning in again to a near whisper, "You know my neck, right?" Leaning back, "It's like that. The energy in order to cut through things, but leave other things in tact. It was driving me crazy, the feeling, so he thought a rinse would help." A shrug. "It did not."

"So, what I'm hearing is that you now experience the same tingling feeling as when I kiss your neck, except now at random. That doesn't sound dangerous at all."

Who knows whether that would put anyone in danger at an inopportune time.

"Can you actually waltz? Or are you just saying that so I'll dance with you?"

Edited 2022-12-15 17:59 (UTC)

"It's not random. It's from soul energy. And there's a little more to it than just tingling." So she didn't completely understand it, and that was just as well, because like hell would Nobunaga explain it!

The fastest, most direct way to get Nobunaga to do something is challenge him. Sort of like telling him not to do it -- he will definitely do it!

He just instantly falls into a waltz, ready to a little forcefully guide her. "For the record," a low, very irritated growl, though he half expects, maybe even hopes, that it will make her laugh. "I may be the only man in all of Japan who cares about such things, in my time, but I have giant white eagle from the court of Austria as a present. I named him Vienna. I know how to waltz. Next you will act like I do not know how to handle horses." The bright side is that insulting him also overrode his usual embarrassment about dancing with others; so intimate (though singing is worse!)

Stepping in exceptionally close, he gives her a dangerous grin again, dropping his voice to her ear only. "I will tell you another thing. I know how to improvise too."

Because Nobunaga was nothing if not constantly trying to challenge humanity's concepts of propriety. To whit: he holds Valdis against him (VERY not traditional for a waltz!) and slips one hand down to her ass. This is the other reason he's not married in his time. It would take an insanely strong will, or time traveler, to deal with him.

She steps into the waltz with him, not quite surprised he's chosen this particular route. He's being very bold considering she was nice enough to warn him not moments earlier about his behavior. The moment his hand goes where it should not, she tips her head and a few steps later, she lifts herself into him arms, one leg flicking out of her dress to wrap around him like she might in a tango, making him hold her.

"What did I tell you about having permission to touch?" she whispers in his ear before kissing the side of his neck. Within a breath, Nobunaga will feel like he has had a few too many drinks as she draws a not insignificant portion of his lifeforce into her soul.

That was the exact fucking opposite of what he expected. Subtle violence, but violence at the bare minimum, was what he expected. He was even braced to try to withstand the most obvious forms, if she tried to hook his knees from behind, or throw him to the ground. Deftly maneuvered, of course. Blushing bright red, and it's a good thing she didn't drain even more of him or they wouldn't be standing, as it is, he can't even suppress the shiver! He wondered if she fully understood the weakness that was his neck. Maybe it didn't matter.

"All right, all right you win," shit has he ever been this dizzy? He hopes it doesn't give Yato a contact drunkenness! "Yare yare..." he definitely won't be doing it again. "I think I can manage a waltz..." a low growl, "If you leave my neck alone." A huff. "But no more shocking." He's just a little sulky! "Ahhhh you don't know what it's like..." His neck. At least the sides aren't as bad as the back but... "Have you ever heard of a cat's tongue sensitivity?"

"I always win," she replies with a smile, "Just remember that the rules apply to even you, Demon King."

She slides back down to support her own weight before he drops her. She's glad she stopped when she did, taking the energy that quickly could have gone badly. She picks up his hand and put it in the correct spot before taking his other.

"Now, if you are properly in your place, shall we dance?"

He gets even whinier and sulkier... "That's my line... I always win..." Except on the ship, he's lost A LOT, but still. "Rules are for breaking." Pout. Sulk.

"Proper place...." He's going to need a rescue from Klaus at this rate, because the idea of having to play nice, to be PROPER, and correct courtroom etiquette is just disgusting to him! Still, he's not about to touch, and there's no amount of wordplay he can duel with her without her twisting him up far more than physically.

Very carefully he leans on her for support, as he needs it now, but sings oh so gently for her ears alone. "Life is but a dream
From which all men must wake
A dream, a dream,
A gamble of high stakes.

You drink deeply from the soul's well
But how bittersweet is the taste?
A gentle dance, a dream, a dare
Don't let the moment go to waste."

And oh so sweetly at the end he smiles, "Don't think of me on your date tonight."

She's leading him through the steps now, because she overdid it a little bit.

"Of course not, Oda, I have more important things to think about tonight than the sound of your voice in my ear."

Like how she is going to address the Captain and Skulduggery, or what her game plan should be now that it has come to light. Or how she should address the information in the binder.

He laughs. "Ah excellent! Such a good soldier you are, obeying my orders."

She can say it's because he's unimportant, but that just means he has to double down that he's making it an order. Even more since she knows he doesn't really give orders. Especially not to her. But her rebellious nature is no less than his, and that's why he's doing it this way to remind her exactly of that.

She steps on his foot and twists, hard. Probably not hard enough to break toes, but definitely hard enough to cause pain.

"Oh, my dear Demon King," She replies, "Please forgive my klutziness. Perhaps someone else would be a better dance partner for you."

Ow.

That's what he was expecting before though, so in a sick way he's almost glad it got through eventually.

"No no!" Carnelian eyes glitter darkly! He's really going to need a rescue. "I'm sure I'm just drunk on how much you love me." He's going to die. "What soldier wouldn't get tripped up by the stars in their eyes at how dazzling their commander is?" Okay, even Nobunaga is almost jumping back, at least getting a little space, in case he's about to TRULY DIE.

A DEEP BOW!

"Forgive me my queen, I believe I'd better take the moment to go cool my head myself this time, if you'll excuse me."

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redlightgreenlight - 2022-12-16 19:55 (UTC) - Expand

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