Gh6st Wedding

[be_seeing_you]

Who: Number 6, Ava Starr & Wedding Guests
What: Number 6 and Ava are getting married!
When: Saturday, August 19, Sunset
Where: Pool Deck
Warnings: Post is open to all but any characters who initiate conflict will be thrown out of the party immediately

Setting The Scene

A package had arrived for Number 6 a few days prior. Inside was a note explaining that an appropriate backdrop for their wedding would appear for the event. The note did not lie. A few hours before the appointed time, a stunning arch of flowers and opalescent crystals appears at the end of a white aisle runner on the pool deck. The various lounges and deck chairs already present have been arranged on either side of the runner, facing the new archway. Aside from that stunning centerpiece, the rest of the decorations appear makeshift upon inspection but are arranged with plenty of care--with soft and gauzy fabrics draped over key tables, such as where the gifts and the wedding cake sit, and improvised cloth flowers for most of the centerpieces and railings. All that’s missing now are the guests.

Ceremony

It begins at sunset, the sky painted with a warm ombre above the pool deck. The railings leading up to the deck are draped with repurposed curtains woven with dozens of flowers sewn from the fabric of Tommy Bahama apparel; they mark the way. As guests choose their seats (on either side, no one is being picky) they will find a cloth flower waiting for them as a party favor.

The whole ceremony is a compromise between traditional and simplistic. Klaus is officiating, but they’ve been asked to keep the ceremony itself short and sweet. Number 6 is standing beside them at the end of the aisle decked out in white himself in the form of a white tuxedo with coat tails (it even has wing holes built-in.) His fingers dance anxiously in front of him like he’s frantically playing an invisible keyboard. And, then, the processional music begins, provided by their very own pianist, Phil.

Number 6 turns his full attention to the center aisle. The first down is Fio, playing the lovely role of flower girl once more, with even more of those specially crafted fabric flowers. Then the best man, Skulduggery, and maid of honor, Valdis. Number 6 barely notices either. He’s waiting for... yes, there’s the music change.

His eyes go wide with awe as he beholds the sight of his gorgeous bride being led down the middle of the aisle on Maximilien’s arm. Not even the sight of that omnic can spoil it for Number 6. He’s never seen anything so stunningly, fabulously, beautiful as Ava looks right now. Even the jittering of his hands has stopped. He can scarcely do more than stare. This is really happening. He almost wants to ask Skulduggery to pinch him.

Ava’s glad for Maximilien’s steadying presence by her side, to hold onto so she doesn’t dissolve away into nervous static in anticipation of her turn down the aisle. But once the music transitions to her song, there’s no hesitation as she gracefully makes her way through the parted crowd of their gathered friends toward the man she’ll so soon be able to call her husband.

Valdis helped style her hair just hours before, with a flower crown, adorned by shimmery feathers that match the patch of blue of the groom’s own wings and the borrowed sapphire necklace to complete the tradition. Her gown is a gauzy chiffon, constructed over the last few months with the help of Okie and Siffleur. The fabric flower bouquet she carries is constructed with the pearls gifted to her by Helena.

She can feel eyes on her; that typically might inspire her to flicker away. But hers remain ahead, looking to her future husband. Their gazes catch, and so does her breath as the moment overwhelms her, and then Ava’s smile brightens-- an expression so rare, so uncomplicated. This is the happiest she’s ever been, taking her place by his side. She gives Maximilien one last squeeze of his arm in appreciation of his support, passes the bouquet off to Valdis, acknowledges Skulduggery with a tiny nod, and then steps in to take Number 6’s hands in her trembling own.

Number 6’s own smile is bright as he takes her by the hand, yet somehow soft. In this light, he almost looks like he’s aged backward, as if the man standing before her is in his twenties now, fresh-faced and free of the weight of worries that have weathered him in the past decade. This is an end and a beginning. A beautiful beginning.

Vows

The vows begin with a traditional exchange, each of them repeating their promise to love and cherish one another through sickness and through health, for richer or for poorer, until their final deaths do they part. Then come the rings, discretely handed over by Skulduggery.

“With this ring, I pledge myself to you,” Number 6 recites, as he slips a stunning opal and diamond ring onto Ava’s finger. She does the same for him, slipping a simple and elegant golden band upon his finger. This one holds a secret, but he won’t discover it until later.

With the official vows and rings exchanged, there are only personal vows left to give. Number 6 slips a small sheet of paper out of his breast pocket, but he has read and re-read the words so many times, he hardly needs to glance at it. In front of the whole room, he declares his unending love for her and promises to be her first and best supporter, to be the one that lifts her up, always, to help her see herself as the shining light that she is. Theirs will be a partnership built on mutual respect and unending love. He also promises to withhold no part of himself from her, that she will know him more fully than any other in the world. “I put my heart in your hands, forever more, for no one else in all the world has made me believe in a future like you have. No matter what that future holds, these will be the most rewarding days of my life, because I will share them with you.” He starts to lean in like he means to kiss her but has to stop himself. Not yet. Not quite time.

Once it’s Ava’s turn to share her vows, she freezes up. It’s not that she can’t remember. She’s practiced the words over and over, committing them to heart. But she gives Number 6 a quietly worried look that he luckily recognizes, and as she steps in even closer he brings up a wing to shield them from view and save her from embarrassment. It’s not how it was planned, but Ava draws him down toward her, to lovingly whisper the vows into his ear. Promises of devotion and loyalty, of unconditional trust that no spy should ever have in another. She looks forward to cherishing each day that they’ll have together. To strive for a shared future no matter what horrors they face, that waking up next to him will always make it worth it. “I love you” she finishes and allows him to wipe the stray tear from her cheek, laughing lightly in relief.

“I liked it better this way,” Number 6 whispers back, still cupping her face with his hand. “Words only for me to know and cherish.” He cannot resist any longer. Vaguely, he has the sense that Klaus may have declared them husband and wife, and that they now may kiss. But he’s already leaning in, behind the shield of his wing, to claim his very first kiss with his new wife.

Reception

They are introduced to the room now as Mr. and Mrs. Peter and Ava Starr. Since the reception is happening right here on the pool deck, they don’t have much in the way of formalities. The wedding party simply walks back down the aisle and then disperses, as some of them set to the task of clearing the chairs. The newly wedded couple makes their first stop the cake table.

Grinning like school children, the bride and groom cut the first slice of cake and feed each other a bite before the rest is served up. After that is their first dance to At Last. The two of them sway to the ballad, lost in each other’s loving gazes as if all the world has melted away and only the two of them exist in this moment.

Once the first dance finishes, Sharky takes over the party as DJ to provide a mixture of upbeat and romantic dance hits for all to enjoy. Ava takes turns dancing with each of the requesting guests, as does Number 6, although he is not likely to be in nearly as high demand for partners. As it should be, for who would want to miss their chance to dance with the loveliest woman aboard this ship (in his shamelessly biased opinion?)

There's time for speeches, planned and impromptu. The food spread was prepared by Darcy, and though there are a few bottles of champagne, the drinking isn't overly in abundance.

Bride and groom stick around for long enough to mingle, but eventually Mr. and Mrs. Starr sneak away from the crowd for their own private after-party.

Comments

Cuttlefish [OTA]

[moonlesstides]

Grace isn't certain what to do at the reception to a wedding, another of those life firsts for her that she's only observed from a distance. This party is not like the rural ones from her village, not that she was invited to those either, and recent events have her shy. The only people she feels like she's comfortable around are the bride, the groom, and some of the gentlemen, and, well...

...You know that little voice in your head that tells you not to bother people? That voice is currently behind the wheel.

And yet she's not leaving.

Catch Grace hovering nervously near the food, or if you're someone she sort-of-knows, or visually odd, she may be failing to covertly stare at you.

[decohere]

Aw, she can tell Grace is quite nervous. Suspects it's because she doesn't know much of anyone. So she makes a point to stop by to help her feel welcome. "Did you try the cake?"

[moonlesstides]

Grace lights up. Ava is safe. The magic stuffed woman is very safe to be around. ~Not yet. I am finding my courage - I - have difficulties with many kinds of food. The gentleman Max Maximum, Lord of the Limit, has been assisting me in this, but...well, not for long as of yet.~ She gives Ava a deep bow with a playful smile on her face. ~Congratulations on your marriage, magic stuffed woman. The two of you were radiant.~

[decohere]

Of the Limit? Ava has absolutely no idea what that might mean, but she nods along anyway. "What sorts of foods can you have?" she asks, hoping there's at least something amongst the spread that she can enjoy. But given her own recent difficulty with food, she doesn't want to push Grace into anything she isn't ready for either.

She's reminded of the fact she probably should tell Grace the truth... "Thank you. He is my true love. Even if I..." an apologetic falter to her smile. "Am not really stuffed."

[moonlesstides]

~Of course not, we broke the -~

There is a Face Journey, from confusion, to realization, to anger, back to confusion, and finally to a miserable, petulant sadness. ~You made a fool of me. Why?~

[decohere]

"I... you're not a fool, Grace. You were sad, and I wanted to bring you some enjoyment."

[moonlesstides]

~...I...think I understand...though it went on for some time. Your husband the duck man continued it in your absence, though he too has been very kind...~

Yeah so Ava bad news. Grace was 'raised' slightly less than you were, no one's ever told her little white lies before (that she knows of).

[decohere]

"He perhaps indulges my silly fantasies," Ava agrees with a tiny laugh. "But I promise no harm was meant by it. Only fun."

[moonlesstides]

~I suppose I did have fun, at that. I must show you the friend for Jack that showed up in the mail, a plush form of my...assistants, in my previous line of work. I have not yet named him. I must contemplate it with the gravity it is due.~

[decohere]

Previous line of work always sounds a delicate way to put something less favorable. Ava knows, she uses the phrase quite often. But she simply raises a curious brow, if Grace wishes to share.

"Ah, Jack," she says with a hint of sadness, the way she found him humiliated and drinking far too much behind the Tommy Bahama bar still fresh in her memory. "Names are very important, it's good to give it proper deliberation. What sorts of assistants?"

[moonlesstides]

Thankfully Grace is talking about the plush frog Ava helped her acquire, which she named Jack.

~They are...difficult...to describe. They were called Patrollers, artificial creations to assist in the slaying of prey. They are skilled in the art of the chase, and in hindering the living, as well as, for reasons I do not understand, the safe delivery of dining trays laden with food.~

[decohere]

That's what men get for all having the same names.

But that description has Ava peering just a bit closer at Grace. She does carry a harpoon, which has a very obvious purpose. Hunting. "Ah. What sort of prey? Fish?" Because that's just the general vibe.

[moonlesstides]

She 'sighs', her face going through all the motions but her voice unable to make the sound, and gestures out at the guests. ~As I said: the living. But I beg you not to press me on this at your wedding; dark tales can wait for an unhappy day, yes? Perhaps on this upcoming trip, after the tournaments. I would much rather hear of your courtship - it is a topic that has caught my interest of late.~

[maximumcake]

Max approaches carrying two pieces of cake on a plate and two forks. He smiles warmly at her, especially when he sees how her harpoon has been decorated for the event.

"Would you like a slice of cake, Grace? I wasn't sure which flavor you might enjoy more so I got one of each."

[moonlesstides]

Grace peers at it in open curiosity. ~There were sweets, in the Manor, that Helena and I both enjoyed. I never learned the proper name, they were...akin to bread? They were not cake, but they were correct, and delicious. What are these flavors?~

[maximumcake]

"There are a lot of pastries like that. I can try asking Helena later what it was and make some for you."

For now, though, he motions with one of the forks to point as he explains the options, "This one with the red in it is lemon and raspberry. This other one is toffee. You can try a bite of both. If you don't like them, I'll eat them. I haven't had any yet."

[moonlesstides]

~LEMON!~ Grace snatches at it and realizes just after she does so that this may in fact be Rude. She gives Max an apologetic smile, cradling the cake close to herself like a well-loved plush. ~...I like lemon. Lemon is good. It also prevents the sailor's death, though if I should be such a thing to develop it in the first place I will be very surprised. Thank you, Consort Royal.~

[maximumcake]

He laughs, not at all offended by her snatching the cake up. He's so happy to see it's something she likes. He'll remember that.

"I like lemon too. You're very welcome. Help yourself to as much as you want. I made a lot."

He's just going to assume she means it prevents scurvy. That makes the most logical sense.

"Now that I know you like lemon, I'll start making more lemon desserts when I bake. You can always ask me for some, too, whenever you want."

[moonlesstides]

~I also enjoy the juice of lemon if that helps. And cut lemons and oranges and the like, just not as sailors prepare them. I tried that once and the vinegar flavor was...extremely unfortunate.~

Grace tries a bite of the cake; her eyes close in happiness, and she makes a small sound of pleasure.

[maximumcake]

"Oh, yes. That helps a lot. I already know some things I can make that I think you'll really love. Don't worry, it won't be like how the sailors did it." Because he's not sure he knows what that actually means. Vinegar??

"It makes me so happy that you enjoy my baking. That's what I always wanted to do when I got out of school."

[moonlesstides]

~The gentleman's virtue of generosity is strong in you, consort royal. It speaks well of you.~ That might be a touch of envy in Grace's 'voice', and it might be longing; she's not sure she knows herself. ~Though I confess I had thought schools were the province of doctors and inventors, men of the knife and the flask. I am unsure why I should think this.~

[maximumcake]

"Thank you..." he says as he inwardly sighs that she's really never going to just use his name, is she?

"You never got to go to school at all? Not even primary school?"

[moonlesstides]

Grace shakes her head. ~There would, at times, be traveling teachers who would come to the village, but none ever visited twice, and in any case they were not for a thing such as me. How could the god of the village ever learn things from mere mortals? To be instructed would mean that my parents would lose face and lesson the verminous idol they had raised up.~

[maximumcake]

"God of the village? Is that what they thought you were?"

[moonlesstides]

~...Yes. But I was never such a lowly thing as a god. I was only ever just a girl. And now I am whatever this is.~