faderift | [Open] I Look At You

WHO: Aleron Darton and Bethany Hawke, Malcolm Reed, Nathaniel Howe, The Grey Warden 2LiveCrew (even you Teren), The Seeker Trio, and YOU.
WHAT: A Noble Wedding Between Two Great Houses.
WHEN: Backdated to the first of Bloomingtide
WHERE: Endridge, outside of Kaiten in the Free Marches.
NOTES: Warnings for Exceeding Sappiness and Happiness. What is that? Why is this in this game? That's just weird.EDIT: I've put in headers if you want to tag under those, but please feel free to put in your own top levels!

It's a far distance to Endridge from most anywhere, situated five miles outside Kaiten. But the destination is well worth the journey. The roads are even and in good repair as they stretch out through gently rolling hills of green. Picturesque. Tranquil. This is precisely what Bethany had wanted for her wedding: somewhere outdoors under the Maker's sky.

The pastoral setting truly is breathtaking for anyone moved by nature. Lush pastures stretch out almost to the horizon, dotted with fleecy ewes and their bouncing new lambs. Gentle breezes dance through the trees, the rustling sending gusts of fruit blossom petals scattering to the winds. Within those branches, twittering birds in joyous song cover the backdrop of baaaaaahs arising from the sheep. Behind the birdsong, the burbling of the creek sings out as it trips along its way to the lake. The warming new summer air coaxes perfumes out of the flowers, filling the air with their mingled scent. Behind the bounteous gifts of nature looms a stone edifice, seat of the Darton family, an imposing but not ungainly castle. The house is the work of the first baron, built to be a stronghold against further Nevarran incursions and a sign to legitimize the new title.

Never let it be said that Ravonild does not know how to throw a party. She's graciously offered the house and the grounds for the wedding, but has had her hand in all the preparations. Every inch of the ballroom has been polished and shined. The great hall transformed into a banqueting hall large enough to accommodate the guests, which includes every far-flung Darton relative crawled out of the woodwork. Where she has not worked her magic as a hostess is in the location of the ceremony proper. It is arranged within the formal gardens, which were a gift from Aleron's father to his new bride on her arrival from Orlais. Holding the wedding there, instead of in the wilder walled garden with its riot of variety and colors was a conciliatory gesture to appease Mama for not having the wedding in Orlais. Regardless of the behind-the-scenes bickering beforehand, everything is now the very picture of hospitality and celebration. The music is unending, the wine is free-flowing, and the dancing will last until dawn.

The simplest portion of the wedding is the ceremony itself. The Darton and Hawke coat of arms have been placed on display within the gardens, but that is the extend of excess and showmanship. Nathaniel Howe gives the bride away, Aleron's sisters are the bridal attendants, Malcolm Reed standing guard as a groomsman. In a break from tradition, youngest sister Layla carries a bouquet in one hand and her newborn baby in the other arm. (The tiny one was fussy, you see.) Oh, and yes, the bride's maiden of honor is an elf - but considering it is Merrill of the Champion's Tale? It is given a pass for the excitement of seeing one of Varric Tethras's heroes in the flesh, next to the bride.

Beyond that, it is a traditional ceremony performed by the Revered Mother who blessed all the Darton children as babes. Portions of the Chant are sung. Vows and rings are exchanged. Though behind the flowers Aleron and Bethany are holding hands and making eyes at each other. In fact, it seems miraculous that they're able to respond as required since they appear already lost in each other and not at all attentive to the ritual they are engaged in.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

His last fancy outfit ended up with some holes, slashes, and blood on it. Orlesians really know how to party (when third parties come crashing). It was a last minute job to pay a skilled seamstress within Skyhold's walls to repair the damage as well as she could, and otherwise? Black hides blood well, what couldn't get taken out. A few alterations had to be made, missing a few key pieces of the outfit for makeshift shields and whatnot, but despite the otherwise imposing black figure Malcolm makes, he was sure to add in a few dashes of colour, to keep things lively.

Let it never be said he has no sense of taste. There's a reason Aleron had his groomsman delegate and debate with the ladies of the family over colours. (And other arrangements. "Ravonild's idea" indeed.)

His part done, Malcolm realizes his part is never really done. He'll assist in keeping the peace as best he can, while also attempting to enjoy himself. Truly, he's ecstatic that Aleron has found someone he is blessedly happy with. For the moment, his eyes are peeled around the dance floor, not looking for a partner but soaking in the atmosphere of merriment. And seeing if the sisters are around, because the last thing anyone needs is an argument in public.

He will feel a tap on his shoulder, and there is the bride herself, brown eyes bright with humor and joy, as she holds out one gloved hand to him. Her smile has a touch of mischeviousness, but mostly, it is affection. She loves the world tonight - well almost all of it. Malcolm is most definitely in the 'love' category.

"The bride would like a spin around the room with the best man, if he is available?" She states with a mock primness, dimples flashing. "Would you do me the honor, serah?"

Malcolm is a gentleman raised with manners. He's less certain about anyone in the Hawke family, honestly, given the stories, but of course he won't treat the bride any differently than he would any other bride. He bows over her hand and presses his lips to the back of it.

"My dear Lady Darton, it would be my honour."

Someone somewhere is thanking a higher power that this is a world wherein Malcolm can dance. It might be formal, and he's hardly up to date with the latest crazes--too busy saving the world, you see--but he's most certainly acceptable when spinning someone around the dancefloor.

She dips down into a curtsey, and lets him lead her onto the dance floor. She is someone who loves to dance - who knows all the dances they can muster. Although she prefers the country dances, the ones they do around the Warden camp, she can hold her own here.

She dips, and swirls, and then says with more seriousness than she has with anyone else, "I will take care of him, Malcolm. I promise. Nothing will bad will ever come from him marrying a mage."

She is a delight on her feet, and for someone whose name is Hawke, it seems a blessing. Not much dancing in Kirkwall, he should think.

Though she does bring up a point. "I admit, your status as mage is not the part that's ever given me concern." Unless she turns out to be a blood mage. Then there will be obvious issues. Sure, mages, Circles, all that...he's not always the most stalwart defender of the old ways. Time will tell. "If he's found it in him to give marriage another shot, then truly you must be a singularly loyal individual to have captured his heart so."

Well, Bethany tended to get asked to more of the small village dances than her older sister surprisingly enough. Carver and she had always been popular - just not as bright as Marian.

She twirled around him, before she smiled again, but this one was softer. More gentle, "It's easy to be loyal to Aleron -- he just radiates trust. Honor. Integrity. He has always been a source of strength to me, as long as we have known one another. I hope I can only be a comfort to him in turn."

"I don't think that's going to be a problem for you." He's oh so very fond of Aleron--and of course the other way around must be true, or he wouldn't have been so integral to the wedding. "He's not easy to get to know, and yet...somehow also easy, does that make sense? Sometimes I envy him, admittedly, but we should all be so blessed to know a man like him."

"When he shows you what's under the mask, he shows you everything. It's a moment of absolute trust." She tipped her chin, to show she understood what he's talking about. "I think we all are - I know he feels the same about you, though. You're his dearest friend."

[Open] I Look At You

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