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

[redlightgreenlight]

"My state without extra soul energy is indeed weaker than when I have excess, but I do not grow weaker if I do not continually take it, I just do not grow stronger nor can I replenish what I have used. I can use the energy to heal myself, to increase my strength and speed, to go without sleeping or eating."

She picks up where he falters once again, knowing she is challenging his ability to serve himself.

"That's really all I can ask. I'm not going to demand anything of you."

[maximumcake]

"I know. You've been really careful not to make any demands." He has noticed. He notices more than he lets on sometimes.

"But if you ever need some energy, if you're in trouble or if you need to get stronger, you can take some from me. I won't mind."

[redlightgreenlight]

She's been as careful as possible, knowing from the moment she told him to sit that he would probably do anything she demanded. In a past life, she might have taken advantage of that, it's a disgusting thought, using other people like that. Bold, powerful people she has no qualms about manipulating, to a lesser extent, if she needs something she might manipulate people who don't deserve it. But people who have no sense of self? No. Never. It feels too much like the lack of choice.

His offer isn't unexpected, but it's genuine. Skulduggery would think it strange that she's managed to collect yet another person willing to offer her their soul. How many of her friends back home would have done the same? She'd been under the impression that they would be afraid and shun her.

"I appreciate that Max. I'm glad you aren't afraid of me."

[maximumcake]

"Afraid? No. Why would I be? You've been so kind and protective of me." And so careful, sometimes to the point where he feels like she thinks he might be made of china. But still, it's touching the lengths she's already gone to to make him feel welcome.

"I'm sorry if I'm being too clingy. You just make me feel safe."

[redlightgreenlight]

"Well, I think most people would be slightly concerned to be dancing with a creature of death who can consume their soul and cast it into oblivion. But that seems to not be a huge deal here. I'm sure I'm not the worst monster you'll come across on the Serena Eterna."

He's not being too clingy, but she's worried about falling for such kindness again. He reminds her of someone. Someone from too long ago to really recall the details.

"I'm glad you feel safe."

might be a nice place to wrap this one?

[maximumcake]

"I'd be concerned if I thought you were going to kill me without a good reason. But, I live with vampires, remember? Lots of people look at them like monsters too. I know better." He shrugs lightly. Maybe his perspective is just a little skewed, or maybe he's good at looking beyond the surface in cases like these. Either way, he doesn't see a monster when he looks at her; he sees a friend.

"You're safe with me too. Just... so you know."

Yes

[redlightgreenlight]

Without a good reason. Valdis knows that at some point on this voyage, there might be a good enough reason for them to turn against each other. But it would be manufactured, and therefore not very fair.

"I appreciate that too."