10th Contraption: Mawwiage

[pineapplesalmon]

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.

Comments

[decohere]

I hope it ends in some sort of happy way. And we'll always have each other.

It's okay if you're not happy about it, Fio. To see them together... [a small glance around confirms a whole range of confusion and disgust and anger.] But Duggy doesn't love you any less, I promise you're still the most important to either of us. [her back slides down the wall until she's sitting upon the floor, setting her wine glass aside.]

[sabigoe]

[ Normally those words would ease her fears, a reminder that she's still loved. Yet she doesn't feel the slightest bit reassured. The news is too sudden, too much for her that it's affecting her ability to cope. ]

...I wanna be happy for him. [ Skulduggery does look like he's having a nice time. She's happy if he's happy, which is what she always likes to say... ] But I'm... [ A pause, as she thinks. She's not sure. ] Scared. And confused?

[decohere]

You want to know the truth? It annoyed me at first. When I started to realize, because I felt like Duggy giving so much attention to the Captain meant that was less time he'd want to spend with me. And even the time he spent with me, that's all he would care about.

[reaches for Fio's hand, but doesn't take it, wants to allow her the choice.] But that's a pretty big secret, huh. I think in some ways he might be a little scared too.

[sabigoe]

[ Her fingers remain wrapped around her cup. She doesn't notice the outstretched hand, eyes still on the liquid. She's not in the mood. ]

...How long did you know about them? How come no one told me?

[ Although, she can kind of... guess why. Fear and all. ]

[decohere]

[after lingering a few moments, her hand fades away. she's careful not to take it as rejection, that she's inadequate or failing to be properly supportive. she can't magically change how Fio is feeling, just let her know it's okay to struggle with it. just like she's struggling right now, pushing through her own worries.]

I suspected for awhile... But it wasn't my secret to tell. Don't think this was how he wanted to tell you... But when you're ready to talk to Duggy about it, I'm sure he'll have more answers.

I'm sorry, Fio. I know it must not feel right or fair.

[sabigoe]

[ She wonders if she should have been able to notice any hints earlier or if she had been too distracted. Conversations regarding the Captain though, especially when spoken around her, were usually kept to a minimum. Most people seem to pick up on how terrified she gets. ]

...I really don't know. [ A step backwards, pressing her back against the wall. ] I'll talk to him later.

[decohere]

[draws her legs up to rest her chin upon her knees, quietly watching the reactions around them, a bit relieved there's at least nobody attempting to attack...]

I love Peter a lot. But he's friends with somebody that makes me upset. And Maximilien is my best friend. But Peter and him don't get along at all. Sometimes feelings can be really confusing, it's okay to not know.

... Do you want to go back to your room?

[sabigoe]

[ She has to pause for a moment, but Ava's relationship with Number 6 doesn't come off as too much of a surprise. She may have picked up on the hints watching the two. And when dinners together with him and Undine became a regular thing. ]

Mr. Smith doesn't get along with Max? ...Why?

[ Then she shakes her head in response to Ava's question. ]

And I'm... I'm gonna be okay. I'm the flower girl. [ The job of throwing petals is done, but still. ] This is an important day. It'd be rude to leave...

[decohere]

Hm. You know. Sometimes I think men are just like that. When they're used to being the best. And then another man shows up who is also the best. So they get competitive thinking they have to prove that they're better than each other. [sounds amused but slightly exasperated.] But they both know that I care about them, that's the important thing.

[a glance over, smiling softly.] You did a wonderful job being a flower girl, and your dress is very lovely. But I don't think it'd be too rude to leave when you feel ready to go.

... You want to dance? We can do that instead. [though she expects the answer will be just staying by this wall. which is fine, but she wants to at least offer.]

[sabigoe]

[ She never realized the two didn't get along. She had fun riding the hover car in the desert and innocently waving at Number 6 from the passenger window. ...Was Max just antagonizing him then?

There's a long silence, then Fio backs away from the wall, setting down the untouched cup of punch off to the side. Finally, she looks over in Ava's direction, still with a sullen look in her eyes. ]

...We can dance a little. [ Maybe it'll shake off some of the anxiousness. ] Max taught you, right? I remember you telling me.

[decohere]

He did, back at camp. [and Skulduggery was there offering audience and a rendition of Careless Whisper... but she keeps that part quiet. her wine glass is set aside as well, and she stands, brushing off any invisible dust that might be clinging to her white suit.

Ava holds out her hands in offering.] I was really nervous about the dance, but good friends help get you through those sorts of things.

[sabigoe]

[ Fio puts her full attention on Ava now, closing both her hands around hers. Despite all the shock a moment ago, she attempts to crack a tiny smile. Though it does still seem a bit nervous and shaky as it lasts for a few seconds. ]

...You're gonna have to show me now. [ A small shrug. She never got to dance during the camp excursion... Skulduggery had carried her off to sleep to her cabin that night. ] You know I mostly know ballet.

[decohere]

[and Ava doesn't know any ballet at all, though plenty of the spins and movements that she's watched Fio performing and practices aren't too dissimilar to some of Ava's fighting style. she grins encouragingly.] Different steps and form, but I think knowing some dance already should help. [straightens her own usually slouched posture, and guides Fio's hands into a hold. she takes the lead, though she's never actually had any practice in doing so.]

So you can hear the beat of the music, right? One, two, three... one, two, three... That's how we want to step. [she slowly guides Fio through the first steps, trying to figure it out herself since it's backwards from how she learned.]

[sabigoe]

'Kay.

[ She nods, listening to the beat of the music and allowing Ava to guide her steps as she moves along with the rhythm. Softly, she parrots the counts of three, in her own little way whenever she practices ballet: ]

One, two, three. One, two, three. Red flower, blue flower, white flower...

[decohere]

[letting Fio take over the count, she guides her through the steps until she seems to have them down. then Ava adds in a bit of rotation to get them moving... and realizes that might put Fio back into view of what's put her up against the wall in the first place. so instead she lifts her arm.]

And now you can twirl. Out and back in. [it's the most fun part, after all.]

[sabigoe]

[ She may have seen it done a couple times while observing others in previous parties where there was a dance floor. Following Ava's instruction, she does a spin outward, then back in.

Her smile returns as she laughs softly. At least it seems her mood's brightening up a bit, as she focuses on this dance... ]

Hee hee. That was fun...

[decohere]

[she watches the way the fabric of Fio's skirt flares and spins outward with the movement, it's such a pretty dress. the smile breaking through Fio's expression once more is immediately mirrored with a small one of Ava's own in relief.]

Do you want to twirl in the air? [she's never practiced flying with anyone... but she doesn't intend to lift them up too far.]

[sabigoe]

[ Today has been a perfect opportunity to show it off, for others to see. It's a special dress, a piece of her biological mother's memory. Fio's a little more focused on her dance steps, but at least Ava's able to admire the flow of her fluffy skirt.

She lifts her head, looking up with curious eyes. She's seen pictures of ballet dancer pairs able to raise the other up and spin in the air, but that's probably not what Ava means. ]

Twirl in the air? I wanna, but... how?

[decohere]

I learned how to fly, and I've been practicing. So if you hold tight, I can lift you with me. We won't go too high. [because she knows her ability to maintain both the happy thoughts required and control of her tangibility can be iffy, and all it takes is one to slip...]

[sabigoe]

...You can fly, like Duggy? [ The first thing that comes to mind is elemental magic. But it's probably... something else? Before she asks further questions, she decides to let Ava show her first. Her grip tightens. ] Hold tight... got it. I'm ready.

[decohere]

A bit like Duggy! Except more like... from this story, Peter Pan. Where you have to think happy thoughts. Like... cake, and weddings, and Catduggy, and [her feet lift off the ground, just a few inches.] See? [grips Fio under her shoulders and gives her a lift up.]

[sabigoe]

...Peter Pan? Oh! [ That's a story she's going to have to look into. Then she gasps, as she feels her feet suddenly lift upwards. The shock subsides and she looks down in amazement at their feet.

Happy thoughts... it's nice that it works for flying. Sometimes she'd think nothing but happy things, but it never staved away her nightmares. ] I see! It's... happy magic!

[decohere]

My friend Klaus has the movie, maybe we can watch sometime. [holds onto Fio and spins them both around in a slow twirl.]

It is! What's some of your happy things?

[sabigoe]

I'd like to watch more movies.

[ More people should share with her kid-friendly movies. She's still yet to watch those Pokémon episodes with Pratt too.. ]

My happy things? Well... my happy things are being with you, Duggy, everyone. All my friends, Mr. Monster, Carrie. [ Not being lonely. ] Eating snacks, reading books, dancing...

[ She could ramble on while they twirl. ]

[decohere]

We will. [she knows Klaus has talked about having all sorts of good ones, and she knows Steven does too. Maximilien has the complete collection of James Bond, but those seem better to skip. she doubts any of them would mind her asking to borrow.

encouragingly, she allows herself to lift just a bit higher as Fio lists off her own happy things, her smile widening as they continue to gracefully spin through the air across the dance floor before circling them back around.] Those are good ones.