Swing Me On Your Trapeze

[pinprick]

WHO: Friends of Nathaniel Howe and Anders.
WHAT: An informal Wintersend wedding
WHEN: Wintersend Day
WHERE: Camp Shady
NOTES: Open invitation to all Wardens and anyone who considers themselves a close enough friend of one of the grooms. We're not policing the invite list.

There's scarcely an announcement, though the men have had their minds made up for a while. It's assuredly not formal, invitation spread only by word of mouth. It is, due to the people involved, tactfully swept into Wintersend where it will be camouflaged by a number of other Wintersend celebrations.

No it's not a surprise. No it doesn't really make sense. But Anders and Nathaniel are getting married anyway.

Decorations are simple, mainly winter flowers and evergreen, whatever is colorful at this altitude. Those same winter flowers are made into crowns for the grooms, which is a tradition from the Anderfels. Nathaniel wears his dress uniform, a tradition everywhere. Anders wears a striking set of blue robes to match, though mages have no marriage traditions. Miraculously, a priest has agreed to perform the ceremony. She is content not to make this more or less than what it is: a celebration of the love of two people.

Vows are spoken, the ceremony kept short, and soon enough the grooms take hands and jump over a broom together--a tradition from Amaranthine which puzzles people to this day. And so they are now married, and the party can begin.

The party has simple but abundant fare--mostly meat and bread and plenty to drink, none of it nonalcoholic. There are fires and torches and lanterns casting their warm glow. A couple of Wardens provide the music for dancing on drum and fiddle. Anyone who pleases (Kaisa) is welcome to stand (if they still can) (Kaisa) and propose a toast to the husbands, to the Maker, to the Grey Wardens, to their right buttcheek that's gone numb from sitting (Kaisa), anything they wish. The drunker people get, the funnier everything is. No fighting is allowed, however (Kaisa).

Tonight, the moon is high and the stars are bright and the music is merry. It's easy to forget, for a short time, that the world is in such peril. It's easy to believe all will be well when you're celebrating a wedding.

Comments

Anders, open

[justice_is_blond]

He'd been nervous, truth be told. Not because of the commitment the pledge meant, or the thought of binding his life to Nate's, but simply because he was reaching for something he hadn't thought he'd ever be free to have. It feels like an invitation for something to go horribly wrong, but he wants to pledge his love and devotion. And so in defiance of his nerves, of knowing how things tend to go for him, Anders has gone all out with his peacock-colored robes with feathered adornments. Purrelden even has a tiny blue-and-green vest to match that she's valiantly trying to take off at every opportunity.

Once the vows are made, though, and the Maker doesn't smite him and demons don't come spilling out of a rift, Anders is breathing and horribly giddy. He may even be close to tears a few times, which is why he's not drinking too heavily as he circulates among the guests between times of hunting down Nate and squeezing his new husband's hand.

Inessa (Open)

[circleprodigy]

Inessa and Garahel are in attendance, having caught the news at some point. Since it's a Grey Warden wedding, she doesn't think twice about wearing her usual attire, at least for the ceremony itself. Later on, in the festive aftermath, she will leave an immaculate Garahel in someone's care, with orders not to let him roll in anything he shouldn't. It's not long before she returns in civilian clothing, much more comfortable for celebrating.

Minding her manners, she will try to find both men when they're not being swamped, to offer her congratulations. Her mabari companion is on his best behavior, mostly. There's no jumping or excessive barking, though expecting him not to beg might just be asking too much. If Inessa's attention is elsewhere, there's a good chance he's directing his pleading eyes at someone with a plate.

Inessa had serious intentions about not imbibing much, but the day has taken its toll and her small frame can't handle much alcohol, anyway. As the wine settles in, and of course she has to join all the toasts to be polite, Inessa will become increasingly relaxed and less concerned with personal space bubbles. Intruding on anyone else's is unlikely unless she knows them well, but if they come to her? She won't fuss over it.

Nathaniel, open

[pinprick]

Nathaniel hates formal parties. Growing up, he'd thought his wedding would be completely different from this one. Then the Howes were disgraced and he'd thought he'd never have to have a wedding. Now he feels like he gets to have a wedding. He didn't need one, but it feels so good that one thing in his life can be everything the poetry claims it is, one traditional goodness that wasn't soured for him, one lovely thing that really is lovely and not just something he's told to pretend he enjoys. He gets to celebrate his love and share it with good friends (and random wedding crashers who just want to take advantage of free booze).

He's an excellent dancer, a closely guarded secret that's quickly brought into the light. He mingles and makes conversation but he is still an introvert by nature, and so spends most of the evening simply smiling and soaking everything in, never far from Anders' side.

Re: Anders, open

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Bethany floated up to him, silver ribbons in her hair and a warm cloak covering her very best polished Warden armor. She beamed at him as she threw her arms around him, brown eyes bright and shining.

"Congratulations, Anders! Or should I call you Anders Howe, now?" She smiles, brilliantly. "You look amazing, do you feel amazing?"

Re: Nathaniel, open

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Bethany isn't going to let Nathaniel go without a dance, oh no. Not on the day of his wedding, not when he is actually smiling and looking like he's soaking in all the good feelings. So she's going to take advantage of that and grab him by the hands, to pull him out to the dance floor.

"Come with me! It's time to take your sister out for a spin!"

[justice_is_blond]

"Inessa," he says warmly when she gets to him. He's had a glass of wine already and Anders is regularly emotional, which means his grin is a little watery. The cat in his arms leans forward, clearly wanting to drop down and play with her friend. Anders lets her so he can hold out a hand to Inessa as Purrelden weaves around Garahel's feet.

"Thank you. For coming, for being there for us, for... all of it."

Bethany - Open

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Bethany has never been happier - well, she has been fairly happy for a good portion of her life. However to watch two of the people who mean everything to her. Brothers, sisters, even lovers. She looked over at Aleron, her smile gentling, taking his hand in hers and squeezing lightly during the ceremony. She might have cried a little, but yes, it's all joyful tears.

After the ceremony, she'll dance with whomever ask, silver ribbons in her hair, spinning around with a laugh. She'll sip drinks, and lightly eat, but mostly she is here to take a good moment from the darkness.

[justice_is_blond]

"How Anders what?" He beams back, holding her in return. Now the bad jokes are about his own name too, and he couldn't be happier. He has a name. Not just something used to refer to him, a name that belongs to him and the man he loves.

"Yes. To all of it." And terrified. Amazing and terrified. "Here's hoping he never recovers from whatever hit him on the head hard enough to think this was a good idea."

[pinprick]

Nathaniel chuckles and gives her a peck on the cheek, feeling warm and happy tonight, and not fighting his 'sister' especially since Delilah could not be here. Anders has filled him to the brim with anti-inflammatory herbs so the dancing is quite bearable tonight.

Country dancing isn't smooth, courtly minuets. It's energetic and fun and occasionally goofy. Part of the fun is in seeing whether you can get your partner to laugh.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" he asks, knowing a little secret of what is to come from Aleron later.

[circleprodigy]

Inessa is less inclined towards dancing, but she's happy to mingle on the sidelines and have some refreshments. Her mabari is at her side as usual, ever so politely awaiting tasty morsels from her or anyone else. Upon spotting Bethany, his tail wags.

"Hello, Bethany. You look well." Her gaze goes to the silver ribbons and she smiles.

[circleprodigy]

Her first glass about half-empty at this point, Inessa's slightly lightheaded when she's finally able to speak with Anders but still coherent. Sleepy stupor will come later -and a nice hangover, afterward- but for now, her smile is bright as she clasps his hand.

"Thank you for having us, Anders, and congratulations to you both. I must ask; does this mean we now have an additional Warden Howe in the ranks?"

Garahel barks a happy greeting as Purrelden joins him, nuzzling away and sniffing at his attire.

[pinprick]

Nathaniel is over with an offering of a pour of his favorite peat whisky into Inessa's empty cup. He raises his own cup to her. His cheeks are flushed, but he's still in control of himself. Mostly.

"Thank you for coming."

[circleprodigy]

Well, how can she refuse such an offering? It's not possible, not when spirits are high and there's a wedding to celebrate. So, she smiles and raises her cup in turn as Garahel continues hanging out with Purrelden in the background.

"I wouldn't have missed it for anything. Congratulations, Nathaniel. You both deserve this moment."

[eolasemah]

Sina sits toward the back, smiling the whole time, a jar of something clutched in her thin hands.

She finds Anders after the ceremony and holds it out to him, announcing, "elderberry jam," in a tone that indicates she is both a) proud and b) nervous to be giving it to him. "I made it," she explains, "it was my first time doing this sort of thing, so-- so I hope it's good. And gifts are... this is appropriate, for a human wedding? I'm amazed at how similar it was to a Dalish bonding, and--" She realizes she's rambling, and quietly touches her fingers to her own mouth.

"Happy..." she begins, trying to find the right word, "...marry?"

Iskandar - Open

[conqueredhearts]

Weddings were something that he loved. Perhaps that was why he'd held such a mass wedding back when he'd married two women at once. Many were married that day along with him but it had been a joyous occasion, one that had ensured his hold over his new lands would be secure. Of course he hadn't been close to either woman but such was the way politics ran.

But this wasn't about politics at all and only about love. For that reason he made sure to be there for that celebration and was smiling the entire way through it until the vows were made and it was time to just enjoy the wonder of this couple now together. Then he was grinning.

One could either find him dancing or with drink in hand. Perhaps both. Given enough time and the large man was even singing songs of this world for those wanting to hear them, having been learning them during his times in the tavern. It was clear this large man with the big cloak that had the fur collar was very approachable and willing to talk to anyone who came along.

(Just be careful touching the fur collar. There might be a surprise tucked away there.)

[conqueredhearts]

When he had the chance to catch the man, he walked right up to him with drink in hand for offer. Even if Nathaniel already had one he couldn't possibly have enough as far as Iskandar was concerned. The large man had certainly been having his fair share already though he certainly didn't seem to be showing signs of intoxication from it. Then again, could one ever tell given how generally cheerful he was already.

"Congratulations, my friend! You have a fine man at your side!" Hopefully Nathaniel was ready for a clap to his shoulder because Iskandar was going to be giving him one. Right about...now.

[conqueredhearts]

Oh he remembered her well and he laughed when he heard that familiar voice. Going up to her, he held out his hand, ever pleased to be seeing her once more. And how could he not want to have another dance as well? She certainly was a delight to be doing that with!

"Shall I borrow you for a dance, my friend? It seems you are not too occupied right this moment."

[sunshinethroughgrey]

"Anders HOWe are you such a brat?" She smacked him lightly on the arm, before giving him another tight hug. "Anders, I am so happy for the two of you! And it's love, you silly fellow."

She beamed, spinning him around once, her brown eyes bright.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Well, someone had to stand in for the sister, and Bethany was happy to do so. Maker only knew that they needed moments of joy and utter relief. A wedding? Was definitely one of them.

Bethany twirls around him, the ribbons flashed through her hair as she took his hand and lead him through the first twist and turn and step.

"I am enjoying myself immensely - but much more so to see you smiling." She stated firmly.

[circleprodigy]

Relaxed and in civilian clothing for once, Inessa listens to Iskandar's songs with a smile as she sips her wine. Naturally, Garahel is at her side and plopped down on the ground after plenty of snacking. Which isn't to say he couldn't eat any more, just watch him. When there's a break in the songs, she hands over a fresh cup, of wine.

"You have a fine singing voice, Iskandar." Garahel barks in agreement, wagging his tail.

[sunshinethroughgrey]

Bethany came to the side of her fellow Warden, being as she tossed a juicy piece of meat to Gaharael. She strokes his fur, before beaming at Inessa.

"I'm feeling rather well. How about you, Inessa?"

[circleprodigy]

As Garahel pounces on the meat as though he were nothing but skin and bones, Inessa chuckles. "Among such a celebration, how can I not be well? It's a rare thing and I for one am enjoying a moment to just breathe." Glancing at the happy couple, she smiles. "It's still strange to me, to think of mages marrying. But I'm glad it became a reality for at least one of us."

It's something that wouldn't have been possible a few years ago, that's for certain. Not without every prospective mage taking the Malcolm Hawke route and going stealth. To live in the open as a married mage...it brings to mind new and wondrous possibilities.

[conqueredhearts]

He laughed softly at that. "Thank you for your words and the drink, my friend."

Taking a deep drink of the cup, he sighed. Yes, that was delicious after all that singing. Smiling, he savored the flavor on his tongue a little longer before looking over at her again. It had been a little bit since they'd last spoke so he was pleased to have the chance once more.

"How have you been these days?"

[justice_is_blond]

He takes the jar, smiling widely back at her.

"I've... I'm not entirely familiar with wedding ceremonies myself," Anders confesses. "I think sometimes gifts are involved, yes. But they don't typically invite mages around, and mages haven't been permitted relationships in the past, forget weddings. So anything you're doing is fine. And thank you." There's nervousness in his voice too, but through it all he's clearly happy.

"I think people say congratulations, but I'll gladly take Happy Marry too."

[circleprodigy]

Slowly and intermittently draining her own cup, Inessa shrugs lightly. "I've been well, spending more time with the griffons. They're growing fast, and their keeper thinks we might begin flight training soon." Despite her casual speech, her eyes spark with excitement on that. No one has flown a griffon in hundreds of years, and she'll be one of the first to remedy that.