The Observatory grounds were decked out in acres of crimson, white and gold, with a red and gold brocade runner leading to a gazebo hung in red banners with golden dragons embroidered along their length. The gazebo itself was left open at the top, so that the blazing sunset flooded into it. Lines of golden chairs wrapped with white and red bunting were arranged for the attendees, and just beyond was a white tent, decorated in the same colors,and large enough to hold all manner of delights. Given the time of year, accommodations had been made to keep the temperature pleasant. From some unseen corner, a string quartet played, drawing those attending to take their seats. The bride was as yet unseen, but the groom and his "best man", or in this case equally-roguish half elf, could be seen making small talk as they waited by the officiant.
Rand gave the jacket of his tux a little tug to make sure it was straight and stared toward the curtain as if attempting to see through it. He was happy to have Kalamere, his long time friend, standing up here with him. In a whisper he asked "Isn't it past time" I wonder if something is wrong." Everyone was seated, the music flowed through the Observatory, and yet the curtain was still.
"Afraid she wised up and ran for the hills?" asked Kal as he turned a glance towards the curtains. "I've been waiting for one of you to. Not too late you know. There's a back door out of this place and only one guard on it that I saw. I can take him while you make a break for it." Naturally he was kidding. Probably. There was some chance that he was not entirely serious. "'course you'd owe me, Jewell would be really unhappy with me."
He turned with a chuckle and sent a wry grin toward Kalamere, missing his bride-to-be peeking from the curtain. "Maybe I'll be standing by you some day. Elves and Fairies live a long time." Rand stood straight and looked to the curtain once more at the musical cue. He smiled and his eyes shone as he waited to behold her.
Back behind the curtain both men had their eyes on, Jewell fussed over Val. Although not so keen on getting married herself ever ever again, she made a fantastic bridesmaid (having performed a similar service numerous times for her bestie Tara). She shifted her flowers to her left hand so she could lean down and fix the bride's skirt. "Well darling, you look absolutely fabulous. If Kal doesn't convince him to run, which he better not," she mumbled that last part out of the corner of her mouth, "Rand might just faint at the sight of you! Or at least drool."
"I hope you are right...not about the running away...he has not actually seen the dress, as yet. And Kal would never...well he would, but I do not think he will sway Rand from his course..." The garment in question, a soft gold with delicate embroidery, had been made for her by the adepts of Eglantine, a parting gift to one of their own. Modest enough in the front, it dipped low enough in the back to show the entirety of her marque - pink petals swirling from the nape of her neck to the base of her spine, ending with a golden dragon wrapped around twinned silver fish, symbolizing both their houses.
"I'm almost always right," the faerie flapped her hand a little to brush off her friend's concerns, "even when I'm wrong."
Shifting the cascading bouquet of roses to one hand, she gave Jewell a grateful hug. "And you, dearest, look stunning as a blonde, if I have not already said so?"
She returned the hug carefully, not because she didn't appreciate the sentiment and care for Val but because fashion must come first today! "Thank you, darling. I know at least one person who agrees with you." Jewell laughed quietly as she stepped back. This was one of the few times when the choice to go blonde had absolutely nothing to do with Kal. The golden color went perfectly with her long, backless, red dress. There was even a red flower tucked into the low, loose coif to match the ones in her hand.
Releasing her friend with a smile, she glanced through the curtain toward the gazebo, her eyes resting on the rusty-haired figure standing there. A little impatient' Perhaps. "Is it time, do you think?"
As if they'd heard her, the musicians flowed seamlessly into a familiar piece of music, one which had prefaced a thousand moments similar to this one.
Her heart gave a little jump at the sound of the music. "Oh dear, here we go. Do I have lipstick on my teeth?" She flashed a quick, bright smile at Val for her to check. Red lipstick was so difficult sometimes! "No' Good. Okay." She brushed a stray bit of gold hair out of her face, checked her flowers, her dress, and took a deep breath. Then she was ready for her bridesmaid duties. Jewell smiled reassuringly at Val, the bit of glamour always lurking at the corners of her lips was meant to make her feel calm. "You'll be fine. I'll just be waiting right up there for you."
Val gave Jewell a last squeeze of the hand, subtly twitching a pleat on the back of her dress as the faerie turned to begin her journey down the aisle. Then she clasped her bouquet in both hands, and took a deep breath, counting measures.
The Empress Overlady bridesmaid stepped out of the curtain. As she walked down the aisle—steps slow and well timed as if she had done this on several other occasions before (she had!)—she kept her eyes trained on the handsome fellas up ahead. Rand was on the receiving end of a sweet and happy smile. Kal got a warning look. It clearly said, "I know what you've been encouraging him to do! Knock it off."
The smile was already on his face and it followed a blonde Jewell as she took measured steps toward them. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed his friend paying particular attention to the faerie and his smile grew.
The tall half-elf caught the look from Jewell and gave his best innocent smile in return. Obviously he'd been on his best behavior. "Last chance, lad." he whispered to Rand, turning his head a bit so Jewell couldn't see him speak and covering the act by straightening his tie.
Just as Jewell reached the halfway point, Valentina emerged from behind the curtain, looking every inch as radiant as the angels whose blood ran through her veins. She was D"Angeline, and to look less than breathtaking, especially today of all days, was simply not an option. Skirts whispering along the runner, she seemed to float, making her way closer as if she and the music were one entity.
As his fiancee emerged he felt his heart beat faster even as time seemed to slow. Floating toward him was the same angelic beauty he had glimpsed and pursued in the Marketplace now seemingly so long ago. Those silk skirts were now soft gold cloth, the vendors now witnesses, but Valentina was Valentina and his entire being thrummed with the life they would share together.
Rand's entire demeanor changed as his eyes landed on Val. A small grin spread across Kal's face as he saw it. His friend was done for and there was obviously no escape. This probably meant he couldn't make off with the rings and hock them either. Ahh well, opportunities lost. "She's beautiful, m"friend." he whispered.
The blonde faerie came to a stop, taking her place opposite the gentlemen. She spared a moment to check them out, eyes lingering on the half-elf naturally, before turning to watch Val proceed the rest of the way down the aisle.
Reaching the gazebo, Val hardly had eyes for anyone but Rand, although she managed to hand her bouquet to Jewell, with another brilliant smile, and flash a brief, amused smile at Kal, before turning to join hands with her beloved, lips forming a silent "je t'aime?" as the officiant began to speak.
He clasped his hands on hers and smiled, eyes shining as he looked at her. "I love you," he mouthed, before glancing to the officiant to begin the ceremony.
The ceremony itself was short, but sweet, with vows the couple had written themselves. As the officiant presented them to those assembled while they indulged in their first kiss as man and wife, the tent behind the gazebo opened to reveal a space bedecked in crimson, gold and white, and "open" (magic fabric is a beautiful thing) to the sky so that the newlyweds and their guests could celebrate beneath the stars while safe from winter's chill.
