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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Eat
It may be noted that even though the piano's already been bribed once, Johnny brings a platter of sushi over to it. Though it seems he's planning on sharing with the wayward instrument, sneaking a piece of the salmon nigiri between dropping other morsels into the body of the piano. Look, he's taking every possible precaution against trouble tonight

Did you want a piece as well? Come catch Johnny, grinning like a hatter as he watches the room.

Drink
Despite having prepared the punches, Johnny's drink of choice tonight is champagne. As he receives a glass from the ghost behind the bar, he lifts it in a warm salute to the person beside him.

"Glad you came. Your outfit is impeccable."

And Be Married
While yes, his husbands (shit, he has husbands now!) have first dibs, absolutely anyone who seems like they're willing to dance will get an invitation to cut a rug with Johnny. His golden eyes gleam (...quite literally, almost like a wolf's or a cat's eyes...) with amusement as he looks around the room for his next ~~victim~~ dance partner.

Don't worry, even though he's short, he's still a capable lead, though he's also willing to follow if-and-only-if someone seems to know what they're doing. Of course, when it comes to modern dances, he may need to be taught the basics, but he picks them up quickly.

Wildcard
Fuck yeah, do your thing at the beep.

[first, the dais was empty. then, the wedding party arrived.

ten minutes pass before the officiant arrives as well. dressed pretty much exactly the same as he always is, except he is, for some inscrutable reason, wearing a small, rounded pair of reading glasses. he looks over those gathered with his usual impassive expression, and speaks with his usual monotone.]

Assalam Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh.

[he shakes his hand, a sheet of paper appearing from the ether. he pushes the glasses further up onto his nose, and begins to recite,

and recite,

oh wow he's still going.

at some seemingly random moment, he clears his throat:] To proceed...

[he nods at the grooms.]

The intended shall now recite whatever vows they may have. Make some sort of hand gesture when you've finished; I will have my hands over my ears for the entire time this is happening.

[and then he does so. so. go on, you three.]

Erin catches Johnny during a slow song, eager to hear his reaction to the debut of her new look and, frankly, to have a good friend after...recent events. She flashes a sharp smile. "Got anything from Gallery to teach me, Johnny?"

Ten minutes. Ten whole minutes. Oh, Watson thought he wasn't going to show up, and that was both embarrassing and relieving. He lifts an eyebrow at what seems to him to be Arabic -- he doesn't speak a word of it, but he thinks he recognises the sound, and that's... a surprise, in its way. Still, interrupting seems unwise. And he waits.

Given the chance to speak, though, Watson glances between César and Johnny, and pulls a little piece of notepaper out of his pocket. He was not sure if he'd have the chance for this, but he is prepared.

He clears his throat.

"Johnny, César, I have been so very honoured to have the attention of two so extraordinary men, and for you I am standing here in front of everyone making a declaration that would have seemed impossible, less than a year ago, for a number of reasons. You both came into my life at a time when I thought I might be alone for all my days, and I will endeavour to be as worthy of you as I can be. I will be a pillar of strength when you need me to be, because I know you will do the same in turn. None of us can say what will come of us here," his gaze flicks to the Captain, automatically, "but I will be as true to you as ever a man can be. I, John H. Watson, love you both, and I devote myself to you for all my days, whatever trials we may face. I will be a husband that you can be proud of; this I vow to you here, on this day, before witnesses."

By the end, his eyes are shining, and his face is very pink.

"Erin, you're a feast for the eyes." He moves in closer, offering her his hand. "While there's really no Gallerian native dances to speak of, the tango's made its way to our humble city."

"I tried writing vows three or four times, and always ended up with something too twee, too trite or too...fussy for what it is I have with you two. And our love is none of that. It is so easy for me to be myself in my fullness with you, my loves." He runs a hand over his hair, dislodging a single lock that dangles down onto his forehead.

"I want to build a home with you. It's not going to be a house with a pretty fence and a dog in the yard. It's not going to be an apartment in the Margrave building. But a home is where a family is, and you are my family. So let's tend our garden on the sea and treasure the life we have together, as strange as wondrous as it continues to be. In all the richness and magic the future brings, and all the horrors it's bound to contain..." a brief glance toward the Captain, because look "...I, Johnny Estival Summer, will be by your side, facing it as your partner and husband. I love you both so dearly."

A wedding on this hellship certainly isn't something she ever expected to be attending, even though all the passengers knew in advance, it still felt out of place. Though nothing involving death had been triggered by the Captain yet, and the wedding had seemingly gone off without a hitch. She's here, accompanied by a well-dressed man who is new to the ship. The dress that Klaus convinced her to wear isn't the fanciest outfit at the party, which is a relief, and the scars from her fight had faded completely. She's mostly holding back and keeping her distance from everyone, not trusting the situation in the slightest and watching everyone with an evaluating eye.

Edited 2022-12-12 01:53 (UTC)

Ten whole minutes. César hopes the Captain wouldn't stand them up. But he finally arrives, reciting some sort of wedding ceremony(?) in Arabic.

"Leave it to the author to leave us both in the dust." He teases, blinking back tears. "I gave up and just applied the KISS principle to mine, and then a coin toss to the last part."

César has memorized his vows. Because he needs to take both Johnny's and Watson's hands, looking between them.

"Never did I think I'd be standing here at this moment. ... Nor did I expect there to be two people that were willing to marry me." César laughs, a bit nervous. "But here we are, standing here. And here I am, standing before you."

He squeezes their hands. "I don't know what lies in store for us, but I will stand with you always, through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, so long as we exist. And all I ask is that you do the same for me... even if the question is rhetorical."

César blinks back tears, and it takes him a moment to collect himself before continuing, hands faintly shaking. "And thank you for saving me. For helping me be myself again. I-I never thought I'd be this happy again, especially in a place like this."

He lets go of both of their hands and takes Watson's first, looking into his eyes for a long moment. "Te amo, John."

Slowly, he lets go of his hands, and then takes Johnny's, looking into his eyes for that same long moment. "Te amo, Johnny."

A long breath, a nervous laugh, and then he lets go of Johnny's hands, looking between them nervously as if to say what's next?

Dancing

Afterwards, alight with love and flushed with excitement, Watson has a mission, which is Dance With As Many People As Possible. Throughout the evening, he approaches various people -- mostly women, admittedly, because he's a little more cautious about asking a man he doesn't know very well to dance with him, but not entirely women -- and gives them a bow with a little flourish.

"May I have this dance?"

Drinks

He can't dance forever, however, and in between rounds, he lingers to one side with a glass of champagne or punch in his hand. He can't seem to stop smiling. It all seems very, very foolish, but he can't seem to regret a moment of it. And he's quick to smile should anyone approach him.

Edited 2022-12-12 02:09 (UTC)

"I think it's my turn, surely."

Not that Watson isn't dancing with all sorts of other people himself, but eventually he is going to have to circle back around to one of his new husbands.
Feeling exceptionally daring (and yes, it's silly, after getting married in front of everyone), he steps close enough to give Johnny a brief kiss. "Do you want to lead, or shall I?"

after party.

It had been a busy day, helping with the wedding decorations and then going out to attend the whole affair, Helena excited enough that it radiates from her in a cloud. To celebrate love is a wondrous thing, and to be allowed to witness it is magnificent. Through it all, she's practically on the edge of her seat for the vows, the ceremony, the happiness that seems to come from some endless well for everyone. In her heart, she wishes above all else - let them be happy. Let this day of peace be enough, even in a place that no one truly wishes to be bound to.

So, when it's over and they're married, they're getting some measure of applause, and now it's time for everyone to cut loose. Dressed in white and blue, Helena is full of the most joy to get to dance, even if she has to be careful about it. She's more accustomed to older music, but newer is welcome, and should anyone ask for a partner, she's happy to lay her cane aside and join them.

At a point, she does partake of refreshments, more inclined towards the sweets, and staying safe with nonalcoholic drinks. That's when you can catch her sitting down, or perhaps when she needs a break from the floor. But her smile is undimmed, and she's content to just be surrounded by the energy and feeling, everything one can hear falling on her ears like a welcome rain. Of course, if someone needs her for something else, she's happy to help out - she did tell Johnny that she was willing to assist with anything for the wedding.

SEATING
Maeve is taking a seat in the middlish part of the set up. She's anxiously waiting to see who else is coming and who is doing the vows part of the wedding. She has a matching purse which is actually filled with little tissue packs because she's pretty sure everyone is going to need them by the end of it.

THE CEREMONY

There is absolutely no way that Maeve is staying in this ceremony with dry eyes. You cannot stop her. The vows, the way the boys look (both in their outfits and at each other). She's just going to carefully sniffle and dab at her eyes. If anyone needs a tissue, she'll just pass out the little packs from sundries that she got.

THE AFTERPARTY

Maeve's certainly going to try a couple of the things on the table, but mostly sticks to the punch and dancing. She has more than enough people to hit up for dances while she's there.

Honestly, after what had happened with Omori and then Salazar's contemplation of trading Six's body to have one of his husbands back, Six had decided that he wasn't going to the wedding. He wanted as little to do with Salazar and his adopted ship family as possible. He'd nearly bought Salazar's claims that he was a friend when that pause after Holmes had made his offer had proven to Six that it had all been just words. The three men liked having him on hand for when they needed a tool; nothing more, nothing less.

Fool Six once, shame on you; fool Six twice, shame on him.

But then Salazar had had the nerve to leave him a note stating that the Captain would be officiating the ceremony. And as much as it would've been sweet justice for everything to go straight to the tenth level of Hell in the middle of the ceremony while he was elsewhere, Six had come to get eyes on the Captain. The man(?) might be a shapeshifter, but it had been useful to get the measure of him by seeing him in person and watching his interactions with the grooms.

Now, however, it was time to take his leave. He'd never had much interest in parties to begin with. Always too many people in too small a space. A perfect place to get killed and for the killer to slip away in the confusion or blend in with the crowd.

So after spending fifteen minutes lurking in the back being generally unsettling, he made for the door to leave. He wasn't trying to be stealthy, so anyone would be able to spot him going so early in the evening.

[ Okay, she was much calmer earlier while walking down the aisle, but now...

Maybe she should be paying attention to the loving vows being exchanged, but she's entirely distracted by the Captain's presence. Completely tense and just... staring at him from where she's seated. Still afraid, of course! ]

[has started quietly humming blondie songs]

Watson tries not to smirk. Biting his lip, he gives the Captain a little wave.

César wasn't going to bother Six. He really had only meant to let Six know it was a chance for reconnaissance. But luck is not with him today.

He happens to be getting something from his bag he brought when the cross paths near the exit. It's not a collision so much as César makes eye contact with Six. Or thinks he did, anyway.

"Ah. Uhm. Learned anything useful?" César's not expecting a congratulations at all; that'd be weird, and Six is back to full hating him because of a misconception that César can't dispell.

[ Darcy's keeping an eye on everything from where she's seated, just in case some genius tries to take potshots at the Captain while he's up there. Fio- tense with terror and unblinking- gets her attention right away, and she swallows her discomfort to reach a hand out, resting it gently on her shoulder. ]

Hey- you okay? [ Keeping her voice low to not interrupt the ceremony, ]

Oh, thank God. [uncovers ears] By the power vested in me by literally no one ever, at all, in any sense of the word, I now declare thee wed. [a pause] And those who say: "Oh Lord, give us comfort in our spouses and children, and make us paragons of those who follow the straight path."

[another pause]

Cool, glad that's over. I'll be over there while you do the rest of... that. Have fun.

[and then he just. doesn't even vanish or anything. just straight up walks off to the side to stare pointedly at a wall for about five minutes.]

"I will respectfully pass on the tango, had a recent experience with it that I'm still unpacking, but," Erin offers a hand, "if you lead, I'll follow."

Maeve grins as he comes over, delighted to see him and amused by the bow. "You may," she says with a small laugh. "You look wonderful, darling. How are you feeling?"

[seating]
[Skulduggery finds a seat that won't lead to him being the Tall Guy In Front, most likely near his close friends, and looks prim and proper in his burgandy suit. It's good luck in some cultures and tasteless in others, which is exactly the sort of line he likes to straddle.

This is a great time to place bets and make subtle digs at the decor -- all in good fun, of course. It's really quite nice, and he's pleased to see it coming together. And he's quite confident that the ceremony will go off without a hitch; it's the reception you usually have to watch out for.]

[ceremony]
[You won't be taking his attention away from the ceremony for anything, but it's worth noting that he's apparently completely engrossed. He is, in fact, enjoying those dumb little glasses... while also keeping an eye out for anyone who might think this is a good opportunity to start something. If you so much as sneeze during the vows (or the extended officiating), he knows.]

[reception]
[So far, this is the least violent wedding Skulduggery has ever been to. This means he's feeling pretty good right now. He can't eat or drink, but he can enjoy the hell out of live music and, if so inclined, he may even be willing to dance. If any drama unfolds, he will remain happily on the sidelines, enjoying the nostalgia of people getting punch thrown on their expensive gowns. He can't even say that there's a reduced chance of fireballs being thrown, despite the lack of sorcerers...

All in all, a great event. Ten out of ten, would go to an Eterna wedding again. (So help whoever comes over to him with the intention of trash-talking the Captain's role in all this!)]

[ César informed her in advance who would be officiating. She was overjoyed being asked by Rich to be the flower girl. She thought that having familiar people around would be reassuring enough...

Flinching, the touch on her shoulder takes her by surprise. She holds back a frightened squeak. ]

Uh... I... [ It's too difficult for her to lie. She speaks in a whisper: ] No, I don't think so.

[ Maybe she'll feel better during the actual partying... ]

Luck -- or maybe just the Captain -- really wasn't on his side, was it?

It was pointless to pretend he hadn't noticed the other man.

"That either the man is a Muslim or just using their prayers to see how many people he can annoy," Six stated flatly. "Given how he covered his ears for all three of your vows, I'm leaning towards the latter."

Klaus is showing up, grinning widely. "Nice dress. Who helped you pick that out?" Oooookay. So he's fishing for compliments, but it's only cause it's funny and he's happy to see her. "Come on, then. You owe me a dance. I mean, since I missed out the last time."

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10th Contraption: Mawwiage

After Party OTA

love. true love.

Re: After Party OTA

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After Party | Max M and OTA

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After party OTA

And Be Married

ota.

OTA

After Party - OTA

off to the side somewhere i guess

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Even me? :D

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dancing~

[ota] goes together like a horse & carriage

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