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

[konpeito_aji]

Is the curiosity driving you to madness? [That would definitely make him a mi-go!!!]

Yes. Fetch us punch. I doubt they will notice, but if anyone does, I'll do a dare.

[astrogator]

To madness? If it got that bad I could just ask Klaus. I'm sure he's seen it all.

I'll be back very soon! [So off she goes to get the punch, smirking as she does, because all this amuses her a lot.]

[konpeito_aji]

Definitely could. He hasn't seen my soul, but Valdis has.

[astrogator]

[There's a bit of an eyeroll from her at the soul talk, but she doesn't comment on it, just goes out to get the drinks. The party's still busy - loud music, people dancing - and it doesn't seem like anyone's paying much attention to Ari and what she may or may not be doing with Nobunaga. She retrieves two large glasses of punch, and takes them back outside, handing Nobunaga his before she sits down with him again.]

There. Now it's alright for us to be out here. [She smiles.] Do you think you and Klaus will have a celebration like this someday?

[konpeito_aji]

Unless it's more scandalous, because we're drinking. [He just wants to be scandalous okay! But happily takes and sips his drink.]

Yeah! A candy-themed one. But it might be years or whatever. I don't really understand what weddings are like in his time. In my time, it's all political. Very annoying. My parents weren't married at first. It became a bigger deal when I started getting ambushed, I think. When I was six. Because it's all -- [Waves his free hand.] Bloodlines, hostages, what could be sacrificed to rescue me. My father wasn't nobleborn. He was one of the first ever. He was granted his position, because he was a general for the Emperor. But my mother was noble-born. So I don't think it fazed her right away, until she realized how much the children would be hostages and she wanted to use her own power to do what she wanted.

Anyway, in my time, marriage is political. It's all about castes and status. Politics. But in the future, in Klaus' time, it's just done to deepen relationships. Announce their love, like this, I guess. But Klaus has never done it before, his brother Luther did, but I think Klaus both wants it, and gets nervous about it. Maybe he's not sure he can live up to other's expectations of it.

But I told him, if it's just a party, there's no expectations, we're deciding for ourselves what it means, and it should be candy themed. Everyone brightly colored, all sweets, maybe candy games. Nothing that could upset him, just make him happy.

Normally I always feel like I'm racing a clock. There's so much to do, I can't live long enough, every moment I must make the most of. But with him, I think it's okay to take time. To let it stay like this.

But he proposed to me over garlic bread, and Crichton says he'll be my best man. So you have to be Klaus' best friend too. In my time, in Europe, that would mean you and Crichton would be in charge of kicking anyone's ass and dueling them for interrupting. In the future, I think it just means you help Klaus with making things look the way he wants.

[astrogator]

You know that if everyone starts to think I'm a very scandalous person, I might have to make it true. [Ari smirks.] Take you for an overnight after everyone's sure we already have. [She's teasing him! She takes a long drink from her glass.]

When you and Klaus have your contract, I need to be in charge of ass-kicking, not decorating. Play to people's strengths. [And don't invite the captain, she nearly adds, but no. Peace. Let's not start another argument.]

I only wondered if you'd do it the same way, or if you had different traditions to follow. Klaus shouldn't worry so much, because if it goes wrong you can just wait out the contract, or agree to dissolve it if it's that bad, but I can't imagine that with you two. If you wait years then who knows where you'll be? Probably in Delos.

[konpeito_aji]

[Nobunaga laughs!] You'll have to clear it with Klaus, that's part of my contract with him, but I'm not saying no! [Mwahahahah.]

Okay, you're in charge of negotiating for my side too.

A bit different. I don't have a Captain, and certainly not this one. So I wouldn't want him officiating it. Maybe we'll have you do it, since Klaus isn't able to officiate his own, even though as an ex-cult leader, he has that -- [What's the word here...] background. [Sure.]

You should tell him that. I've told him once, so I don't want him to think I'm trying to pressure him or rush it.

[astrogator]

You mean that you will have to clear it with Klaus. [More chuckles.]

I'll negotiate, and I suppose I could lead the ceremony, but wouldn't you want Yato to do it?

If it ever comes up, I'll tell him! You already have a contract with him, so it would only be changing the type of contract, and having a party. He likes parties.

[konpeito_aji]

You too. That's how it works with us.

Eh, not unless Klaus likes Yato more, I think. Maybe? I know in Japan, there's a belief that gods can match people? I just never really believed in them, or thought about it before.

He does like parties. Maybe it would reassure him if you remind him, things can always get negotiated to a new position if he doesn't like where they are.

[astrogator]

It's in your contract with Klaus, not mine. Besides, having to ask someone else's permission before I go for an overnight is one of the least sexy things I can think of. I wouldn't do it. [Another smirk.] I guess you and I won't cause any scandal after all.

I suppose you won't want to make it religious. That would get weird. Alright, I'll see if I can find an excuse to mention it to Klaus. There's no reason for him to be nervous, it's so obvious how close you are!

[konpeito_aji]

Guess not. [Tongue out.] And it's less permission, more everyone being on the same page. I don't always understand it, but he says I have to tell him everything. And if someone wanted to be with Klaus, it'd be better if they talked to me too, not only him. I mean, they don't have to. No one has to, it's just... [SHRUG!]

It's something he's never done before, and he probably has a lot of ideas about what it means, and there might be some level of feeling like he's betraying Dave.

[astrogator]

[She looks faintly troubled by all this.] It's not that serious for me. Overnights. Just one night of fun, nothing more to it. I see why the two of you would want to tell each other about that kind of thing, but you don't have to tell him everything. Not generally. You're an individual and you're still allowed your privacy. It's fine if you don't want it, but don't feel like you have to give it up just because he says so.

He did love Dave, but Dave would hardly want him to be alone for the rest of his life.

[konpeito_aji]

Yare yare... Neither of us had much privacy back home, Teyrey. Me, as demon king, there was nothing I did that wasn't public. And if it wasn't, then I still had to contend with ninjas and spies. I couldn't even sleep without it being guarded because that was when assassins strike. To some extent I could keep my maneuvers to just my army, but a lot of times I had to assume it would be known, and plan accordingly. And Klaus was harassed by ghosts in the bathtub, and as a child, his superhero exploits were pretty well known.

Even beyond privacy... [A head tilt.] My hands are full of Klaus. I can't even split my focus. I never want him to think he's not enough for me. He's more than I can add anyone else to. He said he was okay with me having sex with others, but I don't want that at all. I don't know how to tell him it's okay for him to be with others, but I can't.

I know that about Dave, but even if his head knows it, his heart might not accept it still. So he has to be told by others too, I think.

[astrogator]

I know that! That's why I said it's different if you don't want privacy, or care about it. But here you have the choice. And you get to decide for yourself, not just let Klaus do it.

[Ari shrugs.] All this is telling me is that if we're ever in a situation where it wouldn't be a terrible idea for me to have an overnight, you or Klaus should be the last people I try to pick. It's only one night for me, but I want to matter for that one night.

[She leans over and gives him a very innocent little kiss on the cheek.] So I'll behave properly instead.

[konpeito_aji]

[He just laughs! But at the cheek kiss he blushes and flails a little!] Oi oi! I'm not a kid!

But yeah, exactly. I wouldn't want to give someone anything less than my best, and I can't. Not until I put Klaus down, and so far... I don't want to.

[astrogator]

[That was wrong? Yes, that was wrong. That's what Ari gets for not maintaining proper protocol.

Does that mean he's treating her like a child when he kisses her? She won't have that. She'll dodge next time.]

Of course you're not. I apologise.

[And she's just going to drink some more because she really can't figure him out.]

There's no such thing as a perfect couple, but you and Klaus come close.

[konpeito_aji]

[Just for that, he's going to gently poke her cheeks!]

[It wasn't the kiss, it was the words, and that he feels all gooey and softened which he hates.] Never apologize for that.

Ah....

[FUCK HE IS MORE RED NOW AND JUST HIDES BEHIND HIS FAN!!!] You think so?

[astrogator]

[She squirms a bit as he pokes her.]No, I should apologise, if you didn't like it! It mean I'm not being proper enough about it.

[And then her own hand goes up to hide her mouth, because she shouldn't be laughing at his embarrassment.] I know so. I spend enough time with you both, don't I? It's why I'm not bothered that you'd never even think of me for an overnight while you have him!

[konpeito_aji]

No! I'm proud of you. [FERAL GRIN!] This is part of being stronger than me. And if it's you, it's okay, but I'll bite anyone else!

[Oh no so cute.]

[And he just laughs.] Ahhh... thank you, Lieutenant. I'm glad. [IF HE COULD JUST STOP BLUSHING THOUGH!]

[astrogator]

Good, because I don't want you to bite me. [She is just so confused right now and thinks it's probably much more sensible never to try that again.]

Me too. Besides, Klaus is much more your type than I am. Probably even if we did try an overnight we'd just annoy each other. Much better this way.

If you tell any gossipy person the tentacle story and they doubt you, you can say you've seen my tattoo. It's not even a lie!

[konpeito_aji]

[It's because it's pure and chaste, and he doesn't want to be seen as non-threatening!]

[And a small laugh.]

I'm not always annoying, am I? [EH MAYBE HE IS.] On second thought, it's why I'm so glad Klaus is a masochist.

[More laughs.] Very true. I should brag to Klaus. Oh, I have another mark, of my name to Yato, want to see?

[astrogator]

No, you're hardly ever annoying! [There's that Tradeline honesty.] But I'm... really not like Klaus. I know what I like and apparently I can get a little bossy.

[Another drink, because that admission seems to merit one.] Yes, show me the mark! What's your new name?

[konpeito_aji]

Hardly ever... [Laughs.] Ah yes, I don't handle orders very well. Even though I'm incredibly tyrannical myself.

[Shows the Japanese script mark on his left shoulder back.] Mizune. Means water. Even though I can do fire. And the water feels itchy.

[astrogator]

[Ari hates tyrants. Ari likes Nobunaga a lot. Therefore, Nobunaga is not a tyrant. There's the logic - but she decides against picking up the old argument when he shows her the mark.]

I'd say you're more like fire than water, sure. It's - did it hurt?

[konpeito_aji]

Not even a little.

It's not needled in like my 4. Or even like a normal weapon branding. It's something he can track. Like from the inside.