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

"I'll heed that reminder. The last thing I need is an awkward interaction... or worse, to be asked to join in. I haven't had nearly enough to drink for regrettable actions, just yet." Not that he actually would, not being one for quite that level of casual flings.

Ah, well. This is supposed to be about celebration, even if he's not doing a very good job of it. Mostly he just wants to stay away from random people who recognize who he is and are a little too curious... and Anders. He's the other priority to avoid. This is too important an occasion to Bethany for them to spoil it with the usual squabbling.

"Are you enjoying the festivities, Inessa?"

Inessa's lips twitch as Garahel leans on Fenris lightly, crossing her arms. "None that I have found have paid enough attention to present such an offer, so you may be in luck. As for the festivities, both of us are enjoying them considerably. A Grey Warden wedding...that's not something you see often. We'll remember this night for a long time to come."

Grey Wardens aren't usually the marrying kind, let alone mages. Bethany's breaking all sorts of barriers today, and it has Inessa wondering if the future is less set in stone than she had thought. It's still early to tell, but tonight, she is optimistic.

Well, he can't ignore the mabari leaning on him, now can he? Fenris looks amused as he gives him some much needed petting, glad to oblige. At least it seems like Garahel can get along in most any situation. Any situation with food, undoubtedly.

"I'm glad you're enjoying it. This is... certainly a unique occasion." Perhaps only the first of many to come. He's still getting used to this notion of mages being part of society here in such a way. He's not sure how he feels about it on some level, but... he wants the people he cares for to be happy. The Grey Warden topic is perhaps a bit easier to bring up, comparatively. "It must mean a great deal to you to see that happen, as a Warden."

She nods, smiling as Garahel gets some much-wanted attention. "Grey Wardens by nature of what we do are required to live a life apart, outside of society's rules. Our goal must first be the eradication of darkspawn, always. There is little room for anything else...but we are not automatons. We need connections, as much as anyone else. Our lives may be brief, but we ought to cherish those moments, nonetheless."

She stares off, in the general direction of the bride and groom. "I wonder if he truly realizes what marrying a Grey Warden entails. One does not stop being a Grey Warden; we're bound for life." No children, and sooner or later Bethany will have her Calling. It's still not a reason to avoid life or love, but the price is a high one.

"I don't know him all that well, but he seems like a serious person, someone capable of handling the world's harsh realities. As for Bethany... well..." It's hard to really imagine that Bethany has been through so much, considering how upbeat her atitude usually is. She'd lost her father... then much later, her mother in a particularly awful way... She'd nearly died herself of the taint, to be given the only possible solution at the time. She's no stranger to loss, to how cruel the world can be. "She may have told him already, considering its importance. Even then... I doubt she would dwell on it. She hasn't let it stop her so far, after all."

He glances in the same direction as Inessa, watching the both of them as well. "That's her strength, and an admirable one, being able to keep living a full life despite all of that."

"I haven't asked her; it's not my place. But for myself, I don't know that I could share such a burden with someone not already bound to it." It would seem cruel, when they could otherwise have a full life with someone else. Inessa shakes her head as though to clear it. It isn't applicable to her, either way.

"I don't mean to sound judgmental. If they can live with the taint and its restrictions, that's all that matters. I wish them well."

"It's hardly judgmental at all... this is a realistic consideration, something which they have to face, whether or not they like it. The same for anyone in your position..." He doesn't mind having these intense, overly serious conversations, anyway... even at a wedding of all occasions. "But I don't think you'll have a choice in the matter, if someone should come along. Those feelings can't be controlled so easily."

That sort of thing just... happens. Attraction intensifies, flirtations are exchanged, and suddenly you're having the odd fling with a certain pirate lady. He doesn't think what he had with Isabela was quite what Bethany and Aleron have, though. In fact, he questions now if he's ever truly been in love.

"...but it is possible, difficult though it might be. I was taught the importance of self-discipline, especially for a mage. If I had to draw upon that to spare another, I would." It wouldn't be easy, but 'easy' never deters Inessa from doing the right thing.

Then she raises an eyebrow, curious. "You speak as though you have experience in that area?"

He doesn't doubt that at all about her. It was why he'd found it easy enough to get along with her initially, despite her being a mage. Her continued evidence of being so disciplined has always been admirable. Even so... "I would consider it harder to repress than an urge to give in to demons. But then again... if anyone could manage it, you could."

He shrugs then, not one to... talk too openly about such topics. He's a bit touchy on the matter as a whole, not sure he's ready and willing to deal with this sort of thing. "Not quite to the extent that you might think. Still, I've... wondered about it."

Sensing when she might have inquired too much, Inessa nods and takes a moment to sip at her wine. He won't get further prodding from her on that, she's far too insistent on boundaries being respected. "It would be a rare person who did not, whatever the circumstances or inclination."

Garahel grunts at them both, being so serious, and she smiles, leaning over to pet him. "I know, not enough fetch for your liking. I can accompany you back to the kennel, if you like." That prompts a soft whine from the mabari, who's not at all interested in being away from the action.

"Very rare indeed." He's not so sure he'd be able to... quite hold back if he found someone like that. But at the same time, making that much of a connection intimidates him a little. It's one thing to have a casual arrangement like with Isabela. Another thing entirely to... commit to someone so closely.

"It seems he's enjoying himself here." Well. Despite their serious moment. Fenris takes another sip of his wine. "I can't blame him... the wine and company are both worth it."

[Open] I Look At You

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