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

Anders takes her hand and squeezes it as he glances back in Nate's direction. They're both mages and both Wardens; this was once an impossibility for either of them. They're also the safest for that combination. Other mages might be taken back in while being Wardens protects them. They have to keep working. They can't rest here.

...But this is a nice day for a break.

"May it become an option for all," he says quietly. If the people here don't know she's a mage, he's not about to voice it. For once he's not even wearing his staff. The usual need to be visibly a mage comes second to this event.

"I considered bringing a cat as a gift but I realized I wasn't sure you'd like that. Despite cats making a family whole." He's teasing. Partly.

She wasn't going to forget that comparatively,she and Anders were the fortunate ones. It had not been that way 12 years ago, but times had changed. So had they.

A laugh bubbled over, and her brown eyes brightened. "My first child, and before the wedding night? For shame, dear friend!"

Of course, Aleron's ears and neck turn bright at that implied innuendo. He's been married before, there aren't any mysteries left in that regard, but he's still terribly reserved. He clears his throat quietly and attempts to deflect his personal embarrassment with a question, "Would you like a cat, beloved?"

He's had no need for any pet beyond his personal mount since he was sent away from home, but there was a fondness for the mouser kept by Cook when he was a boy. The point is, if Bethany wants it, she may have it. Aleron will bend over backwards to provide whatever will assure her happiness.

He waggles his eyebrows. The blush is something he'd not expected to ever see on a Seeker, especially a previously married one. That he's blushing and not Bethany is even more amusing, but then again, Bethany's spent plenty of time with Isabela.

"I know where there are a few without homes, you could even pick if you wanted a boy or a girl. Most families don't get that lucky. And there's an added bonus in having a healer find one for you." As in, he'd take care of any issues the cat has before it gets to Bethany.

Bethany's had plenty of time with all of them - Isabella and Varric especially. Quite the education, honestly. Let us also not forget that most of the time, she sleeps in the tent nearest to Nathaniel and Anders. That's an education in itself.

Her lips parted to answer the other man, before she dimpled back at her husband, she took his hand. "Well, as long as it is a kitten that will get along with Gamlen, I would not object." She does have her puppy to consider after all. "But let us wait until we are settled in before we take on another mouth to feed."

Bethany's hand gets a small squeeze. "Agreed. I'd prefer to have you a home in which to lay your head first." Even if that means he has to go toe to toe with Viscount Bran and threaten to cut off his supply of luxury milk soap. Because that's the best he's got short of resorting to violence. Or moving in with Mama and that is not happening.

Maker if his mother makes good on the threat to take a home in the Free Marches to be nearer her grandchildren (with her pointed look at her son who is behind in providing them), Aleron just might make another escape with his wife back to Nevarra. Lovely country, open to mages in many ways, no female relatives to nag him to death.

Attention goes back to their guest and away from considerations of impending doom of the familial variety. "But your coming this great distance is all the gift we require, and we thank you heartily for it."

Aleron... seems to mean his words, and that surprises Anders. He's not surprised that the Seeker would be polite at his wedding, but he may be the very first person not on death's door to declare Anders' presence a gift. After the startled beat, Anders ducks his head in thanks.

"I'd hardly miss it. Bethany and her happiness mean a great deal to me. Shall I move on and let you address more guests?" There's quite the line, and he's fairly certain that they'd like to be done saying hello and thanks sometime today.

She dimples at her husband - very nicely said, darling - before she squeezes Anders hands again. Of all the people here, she is grateful that he risked so much to watch her be wed.

"You can move on - but only if you promise me a dance for later." She stated with a firm mock-solemnity. "A dance with a bride is your price that you must pay." Because she plans on dancing with all her friends, thank you very much.

"A dance is yours," he promised with a mischievous smile. "Let's hope we don't make so many people jealous of Aleron and Nate that we start a fight."

He wasn't serious, and he rather hoped the Seeker knew that. Bethany would, at least. Anders just didn't know many members of the Chantry who had sense of humor, which meant Aleron get a side glance before Anders bowed to Bethany and stepped out of the line. She'd reassure Aleron, no doubt, if he was worried.

[Open] I Look At You

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