Telgar-Igen Wedding (all are welcome)

For Eolyn, the journey had been easy. There was no trouble the entire trip from Igen to Telgar and everyone seemed to be in good spirits. There were very few things to concern herself with. Her arrival at Telgar River Hold had been much anticipated as was clear by the reception she received. Only one thing nagged at the back of her mind and that was how Rihan was going to handle the situation with Courisse. The young lady would not allow this to overshadow her wedding day.

Her arrival only two days prior to the Wedding left her little time to see her betrothed. She'd really only been able to talk to him at all when they had first arrived. She did not find anything strange about this since it was customary for them to keep a certain distance before the wedding. Besides, they were both busy preparing.

Now the day was upon them and she felt she could not contain her excitement and nerves. She was at once looking forward to her future and concerned that she might not be able to fill the shoes of a Lady Holder. Men were not given Holds till they were older, women it seemed were supposed to be adept to run things at a much younger age. She would be the one to think of all the things that could go wrong. She was thankful the Wedding was being held int he morning. Less time for her to become anxious.

Even if it might be that she seemed young and naive, she would learn how to earn the respect of the people here. Her mother reassured her of this as she began to urge the drudges to prepare the young woman's bath. It was important the young lady be clean and smell lovely. When it came time to prepare herself for the wedding she felt her body start to shake in anticipation. Her maid and her mother's maid helped her bathe in rose water, careful to clean her without getting her hair wet. The young woman's hair was washed the evening before so that it would be manageable in the morning.

When she was finished, she was dried and taken to her gown. Eolyn was always concerned with her fashion so her dress was one of the most important items at the Wedding. The white gown was trimmed with gold and silver thread. The gown had been made of the finest fabrics and fit her form closely in the bodice of the gown and flowed out from her waist to create a look that she was walking through clouds. Her hair was half up in a pearl and diamond gold hair net. Under the net, the veil was attached to cover, the young woman's face as she walked towards her new life.

She stepped into the gown, enjoying the feel of the fabric against her soft skin. She looked to her mother and her maid for approval. Even her younger sister who was not as enamored of her as the others were seemed a bit awestruck. She stood in front of the looking glass admiring the way she looked. Her mother reminded her to smile. Eolyn had been so concerned that everything should run perfectly that she was forgetting to enjoy the moment.

The men were preparing in a different part of the Hold. The Hold's flowers were blooming all over creating a fairy like feel to the outdoors of the Hold. She had flowers plucked from the Garden that morning to be sure they would be fresh for her bouquet. The colors of the flowers ranged from bluish purple, to a golden yellow to bright pink.

Breathing deeply, she began to create a confidence in her air that she did not truly possess. Why was she so worried? Her duties were not going to change all that much. Perhaps it was the idea of not having her family with her. All the more reason for Courisse to remain with her. She was slightly comforted by that thought for a brief moment before allowing herself to worry over other details. Her hands were busy cracking her knuckles over and over as she began to pace the room.

Her mother knew she was concerning herself over silly details, it was how Eolyn was. She worried when she had to wait and became anxious. Then there was her perfectionist problem, where everything had to be just right to please her. This was one of the main reasons she had not been in charge of her own wedding. The less she had to worry about, the better.

"Listen." Lady Luaya said softly. "It's almost time."

Eolyn could hear her heart beating in her ears. All at once she wanted the wedding to begin and she wanted it not to. There were reasons for both which she should have examined before now. What did she know about being married? And when had she decided she had a choice? She was worrying for no reason. Neither she nor Rihan were going to back out of this. It would make her feel better to see him, she could draw on his strength and be strong herself.

"Your father is here to take you in. I'm right behind you with your sister." Her mother reassured her. She could see the confusion, the inner struggle with what was going on and knew Eolyn would be just fine. She was simply finally dealing with all the thoughts and emotions that went into changing her life. It would all seem simpler by the time the wedding was over.

Eolyn looked back at her mother once, then opened the door to greet her father, who took her arm. "You look beautiful." He smiled warmly. Her father was wearing Gold and black that were Igen Hold's colors. Her mother was in a gold gown with black trim. Her sister wore a lavender colored gown with an empire waist and long sleeves.

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I love weddings.
That makes one of us.
I don't see why you have any reason to dislike them...
Of course you would not. I however have seen what happens to young ladies when they are married. Some marriages are good and some are not. I personally don't like them because women of my former rank have no choice in the matter. If you didn't get to choose your Bronzes you'd be pretty miffed my dear.
I'd let you choose if you cared for any of them... The dragon grumbled. She wanted her rider to want one of them or even maybe two but as it was, her rider was not satisfied with any of the riders of the Bronze dragons.

"At least I'll have a chance to ruffle some Holder feathers at the Feasting. Fort Riders are allowed to attend after the actual Wedding but you and I must arrive in time for the actual deal."

Funny wording... deal.
"It is a deal. I was there when it was made and no young Lady was present to give her consent on the matter, not that she would refuse. They are all brainwashed to believe that they will marry for the good of the Hold etc etc. I don't buy into any of that. The Holds would survive if they let their young ladies have some say in who they married and when. Lady Eolyn is young but her father did wait till a more acceptable age in my opinion. I feel the same way when young men and women Impress. I don't like the idea of forcing them to mature before they are ready."

You put too much thought into it all, love. Just go, have fun and enjoy.

"I will try." The Goldrider said, though the real reason she was attending this was to improve relations between the Holds of Igen and Telgar so that they might be more ready to support the re-build of Igen Weyr. The other Holds would follow suit eventually. At least that was her plan.

She stood in front of her long looking glass, catching her full figure in the floor length royal blue gown she was wearing. The color complemented her skin and brought out the color of her eyes and hair. The chiffon fabric type gown had cap sleeves, a sweetheart neckline, natural waistline and ruched bodice. Her hair she had swept up out of her face in a beautiful silver clip. She wore two bracelets, a ring of deep blue and a silver necklace with blue gems. Some moments it was nice to be the Senior Weyrwoman.

And some moments it wasn't. Aren't you forgetting someone?
"It's not forgetting if I haven't left yet!"

The Weyrleader was... not her favorite person in the world. They butted heads all the time and while she tried to live free from his control, events like these required his presence as much as hers. There never seemed to be any man good enough to hold the position, with a dragon that pleased her Queen, and a personality that could mesh with her own. It was why she had given up on Bronzeriders. She sighed, Did you tell him to meet us here?
He comes.

It wasn't long before they were on their way to Telgar River Hold. The Gold dragon landed gracefully in the main courtyard which was resplendent with flowers of variety and color that she had rarely seen. They had gone all out for the young couple's wedding day.

Karene's arm was taken in to the man next to hers. He gave her a nod, time to play the part of being happy in eachother's company. Something they were both convincingly good at. They were not seated very close to the front, which was reserved for family and very close friends. Karene recognized many of the people there and felt herself snarling on the inside. Holders had that effect on her.

(These dresses are similar to what my characters are wearing but not exact. As close as I could find

Now you don't have to know the terminology Marc...

Eolyn's Wedding Gown
Karene's Gown

Rihan had spent nearly a turn preparing for this very day. Telgar River Hold and all its inhabitants had been busy working night and day to complete the hold for their Lady's arrival and to prepare a gorgeous wedding ceremony for the new couple. The entire Hold seemed to be a buzz with activity while they all their breath for the wedding to finally take place. It was so greatly anticipated, it couldn't have been out-shined by any other festival or gather day.

The entire Hold had been decorated in streamers of ribbons and flowers in all the colours that were blooming on the many trees Rihan had ordered to be planted for his bride. The colours were soft and the flowers delicate as she. For the bride herself, a red carpet had been rolled out, that would lead her all the way down the aisle to where Rihan would finally be able to take her hand. Chairs for friends and family were all decorated in large satin bows on the back side.

Banners were flown high in the wind for the weekend of celebration and the final touches were being set out on the white linen-covered tables for feasting after the ceremony. Anyone in Telgar was welcome to attend, there would be food and drink enough for everyone; but a certain section of seating had been prepared for the feast where the bride and groom would take their places at the head and their respective families beside them. These tables in particular were adorned in spectacular array of crystal and china. The dishes were all beautiful white and Telgar blue with the crest of Telgar's House being painted at the center of each plate, a single trimming of gold surrounding the outer edge of each dish. The pitchers of various drinks that would be served to them were a sight to behold in and of themselves; the crystal containers used to serve non alcoholic drinks each had a handful of large, finely cut and polished sapphire and ruby stones set in the base of them so that they would catch the light and reflect beautifully through the water. Similarly, all of the alcoholic beverages had flecks of gold left in it, so that as alcohol was poured or cocktails mixed, the gold would float through it almost like glitter, and could then be consumed.

The entire setting for the Holder's tables was as lavished for the occasion.




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Knocking softly at Ariadne's door, Jungi awaited her outside, having traveled the distance to her home in one of the Holder's carriages. The body was painted in Telgar blue, trimmed in gold, the inside of it furnished in slightly paler hues, each of the cushions inside of it embroidered in the Telgar crest. The outside was unmarked but obviously spectacular enough to that it could only have belonged to someone of noble birth.

And Rihan wouldn't be using it today, because the grounds where the wedding would be held were close enough to the hold he would be walking through the gardens to get there.

The runners drawing the carriage also, were matched in their likeness of colour and were ornamented appropriately for a fine occasion.

Jungi's own attire for the wedding would first have to be in that of the Guard. He wore the formal uniform for the occasion, which was deep crimson in hue, with the definition of his honourary rank embroidered down the length of the double breasted lapel of the outter robe layer, belted around his waist with the customary weapons of the Guard sheathed at his hip. His usual silver earrings were donned and his hair was styled in straight layers around his neck and face using light wax to hold its place. The cords of rank on his shoulder were two-fold; there were Trader's knots and there were Guard knots of honourary rank.

A Guards ensemble was not typical of him but of course the highly cultivated trader, who seemed more and more to be a man of many faces, wore the uniform divinely.


As soon as Ariadne was ready, they would be on their way. He would have time to lead her to the friends and family seating area just before the time that he would have to be walk down the aisle with Eolyn's Maid of Honour.


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From beneath the pitch embrace of sable follicles, tritely vital oculars of silvery grey peered into the floor length mirror set before him. Those eyes seemed even more efficacious this morning than usual while the young Lord's retainers and various assistants rushed around him to prepare him for the long day ahead. Though he was certainly the most excited and perhaps the most nervous amoungst them, as always, Rihan was a constant and immovable core, that all other activity seemed to revolve around. Such a calm countenance was he -but those silvery orbs of his danced.


Standing before the floor length mirror, Rihan turned to appreciate the look of the wedding suit made for the occasion as two or three sets of hands at a time dressed him. His smooth lacquered flesh was embraced by plentiful folds of costly fabrics in adductive blues, the lining of each layer done in red. The style of that supple suit was appropriately more traditional of Telgar, and it fit snugly about his masculine frame like a uniformed coat, with each of the appropriate accouterments to accompany it fastened into place with shoulder knots and identifying rings and such. The appearance was immaculate and regal.

When everything had been made ready, the steward of Telgar River Hold gave a rap at the door, notifying Rihan that the time was almost upon them. Glancing at himself in the mirror for one last measure of approval, Rihan couldn't help but begin to feel even more overwhelmed by the surge of feelings elicited by the day's events about to take place. Not only would he be taking a beautiful and worthy woman into union with him that would last the rest of their lives, but he would be taking hold of even greater power.

Briskly turning from his thoughts and away from his own reflection, Rihan went to the door, greeted just outside by both Squad Division Captains and Drien, his cousin and Steward.


The group of them went to the ceremony grounds, taking up their respective places and then it was at the head of the crowds that Rihan waited for his true love to come to him.



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Courisse's hands were clasped together as she admired the gown Eolyn had had made for the wedding. She looked absolutely stunning! Radiant! Angelic! Courisse was in just as much awe as everyone else in the room.

Her stare broke away from her Lady as soon as Lady Luaya urged them all to be on their way, sending Eolyn to the door to be escorted by her father. As the Maid of Honour, Courisse would have to make her way down first, and be accompanied by the man that Rihan had selected as his Best man.

Courisse herself, was dressed in pink similarly to Eolyn's sister. The style was like that of Eolyn's wedding gown, but lacking a train and as much detail in the beading and bejewelment. Her hair done up in elegant twists, pinned into place with a pearl hair net, she wore a pearl necklace and pearl drop earrings to match.

The young woman was smiling and trying not to become all teary-eyed as Eolyn took her father's hand to be taken to the ceremony so that he could give her away. This was turning out to be such a wonderful day! Nothing could disturb the happiness and beauty of the ceremony they were about to take part in. It all just seemed so perfect.

Courisse took her own smaller bouquet of flowers in hand so that she could find where the Best Man of the wedding since it was getting close to time for the ceremony to begin.


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Though he was working for part of the day, Toshiro and the other ranking officers were allowed to dress in formal non-uniform attire once the wedding itself was over. For now, they were garbed like the rest of their squads who would be rotating their duties throughout the weekend for the gather-like event, wearing formal Guard uniform, which was primarily dark red instead of dark blue.

From early in the morning Toshiro'd been preparing, double checking security measures set in place between both Squad Divisions. Once plans were finalized he could be keeping things in check from afar, while he enjoyed the wedding and festivities -even if that meant not involving himself too much. With standard issue Guard armaments tucked into place at his left hip, Toshiro would be safeguarding the bride and groom along side the other captain, standing up front near the couple to be married.


Arriving early to the place where he would be accompanying Rihan to the ceremony grounds for them to take their places just ahead of Eolyn's arrival with her family, Toshiro waited. And when Rihan gave the OK, both captains went in his company to take their places.

She had helped with setting up the Wedding Ceremony, the chairs were all in place for the spectators, the aisle lined with flowers, the scene was already beautiful before any of the wealthy, well groomed people showed up to make everything more like a dream. She’d hurried home and changed, giving her daughter some time to help with her hair. She had the messy blonde hair up, away from her face but the frizzy strands near her face, never seemed to stay back no matter what she did. The dress Jungi had bought her felt just as nice on her as it had the first time she had worn it.

Her parents did not give her too hard a time about being accompanied to the actual wedding though they had a feeling Ariadne was entering a world she would never be free of again. She might only be a drudge but she was making them see that even drudges could be whisked off to beautiful events with high class people and meld into society as if they belonged there.

At Jungi’s knock, she called, “Be right there.” Before she could leave, she hugged her daughter tightly and told her parents not to let the little girl eat too many sweets at the feast later. She had a friend who was a seamstress make her daughter something pretty to wear. The fabric was not nearly so fine as her own dress but the little girl would look pretty nonetheless. Her parents would meet her at the Feast later to check in with Thessaly.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” She said, as she opened the door and walked out to the carriage. He looked rather dashing in the Guard uniform, though she wondered if wearing such a formal garment made him uncomfortable at all. He show4ed no discomfort though. After arriving and being led to her seat she took in the beautiful scene a moment, not really focusing on the people. That was until everyone began to stand up. She, like everyone else was anxious to see the Lady Eolyn.


“Left foot first father.” She said kindly, knowing he had done this twice before made no difference. She had to tell him what direction to start in. With Courisse and Jungi in front of them, her mother and sister followed, so that Eolyn and her father would be the last to enter. She trembled a little from the anticipation of it all, though her father was steady at her side. She wished she had his confidence going in front of all the people gathered and knowing they would all be staring at her, made her more uncomfortable.

“It will be fine, you’ll see. “ Her father said, lifting her hand to his mouth, where he kissed it. The music changed, and everyone stood up. “Left foot.” He repeated to her and proceeded to start on his right, which Eolyn, luckily notice before she walked with the wrong foot first. She could feel butterflies in her stomach, her throat tightened, she remembered her mother telling her to smile, so she did. Everything was so beautiful and distracting, she couldn’t focus on where she was headed. When she finally saw Rihan and her eyes met his, she instantly felt a calm come over her. She let go of her anxiety completely and her smile came without her telling it to do so.

Everything was PERFECT.

Galaeanyss had seen little point in showing up early to the wedding. She had better things to do that await someone’s pleasure. She was a very important person and important people could not be seen loitering about indefinitely. And so she arrived a scant half-hour prior to the event. She had come via dragonback, her station allowing her the occasional privilege of summoning herself a flying chariot. Such as dragons were, in her opinion. She was still cold from that trip, her skin showing the telltale sighs by way of goosebumps. She rubbed a hand down her arm to smooth them away.

Galaeanyss stood next to one of the decorative pillars outside of Telgar Hold only until her handmaiden joined her. Then the pair walked toward the gathering of guests together. Tlina did not bother to look at her Lady’s outfit. She kept her eyes on the path ahead as said, “Just so you know, I’m going to vanish the instant your parents see that.”

Nyssa’s expression was as amused as it was arrogant. She had had her dress -if it could be called that- custom made just for this event. It was a deep, almost coppery gold in color. The front began at her neck and ended just beyond her all-but-nonexistent bosom leaving her waistline bare. There was no back to it save for a small loop about her neck to hold the top on. Only Galaeanyss’s sides were fully covered. Those melded down in to a skirt, which itself stretched barely halfway down her thighs. Then, of course, came her standard knee-high boots. It was all rounded out by a new cloak, one in Crom’s pale blue and made completely of sheer material. Scandalous? She certainly hoped so.

“I’m not concerned,” Nyssa replied. “Its too late for them to do anything about it now. Oh, look: trees.” Her eyes lingered on one of the freshly planted things they swept past it and in to the wedding area. “I am sure the Weyrleaders will just ~love~ that.”

Galaeanyss lead the way to a row of seats set aside for people of her rank. She picked one in the middle of the row and dropped lazily in to it. Tlina tucked her drab, undecorated blue dress up again her knees before sitting alongside her mistress. Nyssa scowled at the lack of arms on her chair. That was going to make the seat uncomfortable. These people clearly were not thinking of their guests when they arranged the furniture. She was forced to settle for the next best thing: draping her leg over Tlina’s lap instead. It did not stay there long as the handmaid shoved it right back off. Nyssa’s foot made an audible clunk as it hit floor. She glared at her handmaiden. SHE clearly had not been considering her mistress’s comfort, either.

After assisting Ariadne into the carriage, he joined her, sitting across from her for the ride to where the ceremony would be held. The man watched out the window while they passed through streets teeming with festively dressed Telgar citizens making their way to view the wedding and enjoy the party afterward.

"Today it looks like our young Lord Rihan has a lot of people wishing him all the best."

Smiling at that, when they arrived at their destination, Jungi was the first to exit the carriage, offering Ariadne a hand down as she followed after. "I will take to to where you can sit until I join you after they give their vows." And indeed, while others were taking their seats so that the ceremony could begin, Jungi took her arm in gentlemanly fashion, leading Ariadne down the aisle to the section of chairs reserved on Rihan's side for friends and family, which is where Jungi would have sat if he wasn't going to be standing with the Groom.

Those that he sat her amoungst were his own family. Jungi's sister came immediately to be seated by Ariadne. "Kaeul, this is Ariadne. Please care for her during the ceremony. I'm sure you'll get along famously." Jungi smiled between his sister and Ariadne, the spritely girl in her early 20's wearing one of the dresses that Ariadne had helped Jungi model size for -so he hadn't been lying! Though it was all still a sly trick that he had pulled over on her to get Ari into a nice dress. But that was OK. Things worked out.

Kaeul seemed eager to have Ariadne sitting next to her as Jungi released Ari's arm so that she could be seated. "My brother told me about his lovely date, but I didn't think you'd be this pretty. I can't believe he made you go shopping with him." She was rolling her eyes but winked at her brother just after. "He always knows how to keep a girl happy -if he wants to. So I guess we can't complain about being on the receiving end." The girl was already taking Ariadne's hand, ushering her to her seat.

And before Kaeul could go on, the trader went about further introductions quickly so that he could take his place. "Ariadne, on the other side of Kaeul is my mother Iniel, father Kuchiki, and brothers Shuhei and Ukiora. Enjoy yourselves." The trader's smile borderlined on mischievous intent as he shot Ari a wink.

"I will retrieve you afterward and then we'll be able to sit together for the feast."

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Courisse and Jungi had paired up and soon they were walking in a slow waltz down the aisle. Each taking their respective places behind the position of bride and groom, Courisse waited until her Lady was standing beside Rihan to adjust the train of her wedding dress so that the beautiful white lace splayed in a perfect circle out behind her. Taking Eolyn's bouquet from her for the exchange of rings and vows, she had a hard time resisting the sentimental tears that lined her eyes.

Rihan was stunned by the shining beauty before him as Eolyn walked down the aisle. He'd waited for this very moment for a very long time and had worked so diligently and hard to make this dream come true for both of them. No matter how many people watching them might believe that they only married out of necessity for power and gain, Rihan would not deny the accusation...but if they wanted to be accusing, then he would also require that they not deny the belief in the love he felt for the Lady Eolyn. Even if no attraction had been there from the start, Rihan would learn to love her. He would love her more and more with every day and be devoted to her. He would protect her and guide her and provide for her. Rihan would love her in every way as best he could.

As Lord Qisbon passed Eolyn's hand into Rihan's, the Heir's throat tightened. Feeling Eolyn's hand tremble, he wanted to reach out and embrace her and steady her and holder her. He felt as though he himself could have cried. Swallowing hard against the threat of tears, Rihan took a deep breath and smiled gently to the woman he was going to be married to.

Glancing back up into Lord Qisbon's own gaze, he spoke with firm reassurance out of the depths of his heart, "Lady Eolyn is my responsibility now. I will care for her and protect everything of hers. More importantly father, I will love her, so that you never have to worry over her." Since they would be married, he could call the Igen Lord in a more familial way, so he did. In truth, he really liked Eolyn's family and respected them greatly. He was very happy to be marrying into their family and hoped that Eolyn would meet all of his family today and feel the same way.



When vows had been spoken, rings exchanged, Eolyn's own, was a dainty white gold band with a respectably sized diamond nearly as wide as her ring finger. The setting itself was crafted so that the diamond appeared to be sitting at the center of a golden flower, little petal patterns further catching the light, causing the entire ring, not only the stones, to shine warmly in the light. There were two smaller stones set on either side of the largest one, and each diamond was reduced in size, along with the little flower etchings in the gold made smaller as each one wrapped further around the finger. The entire ring was so delicate and stunning, it must have taken a very finely tuned eye and a magical touch of the hand to create such a work of art.

Rihan was all too eager perhaps, when it came to exchanging what came next: the kiss. After lifting the veil, it was folded gently back behind Eolyn's head. His left hand lowered to her waist where he could draw her in to him, his right hand supporting just behind her neck as he leaned in to meet her lovely cherry lips.

"Oh, isn't this lovely?" Naryssa fairly gushed, giving a little sigh of delight as N'kyr and his father helped her down from Ramirath's neck.

"Hmph," Kanton grunted in response, though N'kyr himself said nothing.

The bronzerider had never seen what was so exciting about flowers and fabric and all of the little details that went into decorating for such special occasions, but he did note that the items on display were clearly quality goods, as befitting a major Hold, and the celebration of a wedding.

His mother, on the other hand, simply adored everything about it, and lamented that none of her own children had given her cause to decorate Crom in such a manner. N'kyr, of course, was an exception, given he'd Impressed the fine bronze dragon that had brought them (and where were his brothers and sister(s) anyway? Surely their dragons hadn't gotten lost during the trip...) and it was quite unfortunately impossible for him to marry now... or at least unnecessary, unless he found himself a lovely goldrider-- because of course a son of Crom would attract only the most beautiful and the strongest of the women at the Weyr.

While Naryssa prattled on, N'kyr straightened his clothing and took her arm, leading his mother into the area designated for the wedding itself. Pleasantries were exchanged with all of those befitting of the honor (mostly those with rank of some type or other) and their seats were found. Which, of course, meant so were N'kyr's siblings, even though most of them arrived rather late.

It was fairly clear, judging by his mussed hair and shirt, just what one of his brothers had been doing-- which, of course, his mother failed to realize and simply reached across Kanton to smooth her older son's hair and vest-- much to the young man's embarrassment, and N'kyr's amusement.

And then, of course, there was Nyssa. And when Naryssa saw her daughter, Crom's Lady had to fan herself and murmured, "Oh... oh dear." Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes to settle her nerves, the woman released the catch on her own cloak and lifted it gingerly, moving down the seats passed her husband and a couple of her sons. She offered the cloak to Nyssa, gasping a bit as her daughter attempted to sit in a quite unladylike fashion. "Nyssa, my love, what... did your skirt tear? Surely you could have found someone in the Hold to help you mend it before the ceremony... Did you leave the rest of the fabric with the dragon that brought you?" Glancing around as if she could find said beast and it's rider, she then offered a hand to Nyssa. "Here, why don't you come with me and let's see what we can do to fix it..."

((Hmm. Ceremony's already started... And over? lol feel free to have Nyssa react as she would and take them through the ceremony, if you want, Marc! Naryssa can go back to her seat (with or without her cloak), or I can play that out if you have Nyssa react, or whatever! It was just too amusing to not have her be the scandalized mother hen she is ))

Tlina eyed her home’s Lord and Lady as they shuffled through the line of seats. It held as but a brief glance for she was quick to return her eyes to the ceremony ahead. She kept her back straight, her eyes forward and did her best to blend in with the background. She had no desire to be associated with her little mistress just this then.

Galaeanyss noticed her handmaiden’s behavior suddenly switch from obstinate to proper. She retraced Tlina’s former gaze. At the far end were her parents. “Father. Mother,” she greeted in an emotionless voice. Her cool brown eyes shifted N’kyr. “Dear Sister.”

Nyssa’s attention move quickly returned to her mother, who was now invading her personal space. The Junior Lady pushed the offered cloak away as if the mere thought of it touching her were a grave offense. “I have one of own,” she said. Her voice was just shy of being snappish. Nyssa squirmed in her own cloak which hung about her shoulders, its sheer material doing little to conceal her overly-exposed body.

“And my gown is perfectly intact,” Galaeanyss added. “Now sit down, Mother, before you cause a scene.”



((Wouldn't it be nice if weddings truly went by so fast?))

N'kyr's gray eyes narrowed at Galaeanyss' jibe. He knew better than to react otherwise in public-- and truly in private, as well, though his siblings would usually deliberately push until they got some sort of reaction from him. His mother was present, and so, for her sake, he would ignore his sister's words.

He only had to tolerate her until she found a different way to amuse herself, after all.

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Naryssa blinked and tried to conceal her surprise at her daughter's attitude. Her gray eyes-- smoky where her son's were more like steel-- revealed the hurt she felt at Nyssa's rejection. "But, Nyssa, my love, surely that cloak isn't going to keep you warm enough. Are you sure you do not want mine?"

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

((And just because I don't want to do two posts... and the gap can be bridged later, or by someone else!

A bit later, after the ceremony.....))

N'kyr straightened and bowed to Karene in greeting, expressing the proper amount of respect for her station (again, his mother was present, and no matter how he might feel otherwise, or at other times, he would do nothing to displease her.) Then again, part of him wanted to tell her he wasn't here by choice, but because it was expected of him, and his mother had specifically requested that he transport her and his father. Mostly so she could show off just what sort of strong, handsome, bronzerider son she'd raised. And because she'd wanted the excuse to spend time with him, when she so rarely got to see him.

Kanton, much like his son, stayed silent, though Naryssa smiled fairly warmly at the goldrider. Crom's Lady might not completely agree with how dragonriders lived, but Karene was Holdbred, and that made all the difference. Plus, from what Naryssa had been told, Fort's Weyrwoman clearly saw what a capable young man N'kyr was, and on that, they both agreed. "And you, as well, Weyrwoman Karene. Weyrleader. I hope your dragons are well?"

At the comment on her daughter's dress, Naryssa laughed a bit nervously, covering with, "Of course she will. My daughter has always been quite... fashion forward."

Galaeanyss push her mother’s cloak away once more. She had expected this sort of behavior for the old bitty. This or something worse. Either way, she was not being let down. “That would defeat the purpose,” Nyssa stated. Some people simply did not see the genius in her choice of attire. “If I had wanted a thick cloak then I would brought my usual one.”

Tlina glanced sidelong at Lady Naryssa. “I told her to dress appropriately,” she tattled. “But you know how well she listens to reason. A grunt, a sneer, some inane prattling on that we all just blank out during.” That earned the handmaiden a quick backhand across the gut from Galaeanyss.

Tlina hopped to feet. She twirled around Lady Naryssa, the hem of her blue dress fluttering lightly against the Lady Holder’s own. She threw herself against N’kyr. Tlina wrapped her arms about the Bronzerider’s neck. Her face rested against her right arm, her nose pressed gently against N’kyr jawline. “Oh, Nykyr,” Tlina whined in a melodramatic fashion. Her breath was warm against his face. “When will you whisk me away to the Weyr and save me from this wretched herdbeast. She’s so cruel and abusive.”

“Never,” came Nyssa’s reply. “You were born to serve me and so you shall until the die that you. It is called ‘job security’. Be thankful.”

Galaeanyss had intended to say more, somewhat less kind words, but the arrival of the Weyrwoman cut her speech short. Nyssa got to her feet. She made a passably decent curtsey. It was the best that she could manage in such a short skirt. “Weyrwoman, you do me honor with your kind words.”

The Junior Lady scowled at her mothers comment about her fashion sense. The words may have been nice but could the reproachful intent have been anymore obvious? “I am certain Weyrwoman Karene understands the importance of making a proper display,” she told Lady Naryssa.

To Karene she said, “Someone,” followed by a nod in her mother’s direction. “Has been doing a rather poor job of setting up proper betrothals for her children.” There a hint of scorn in Nyssa’s voice. “I have chosen to take the initiative myself. What better way to stand out from the crowd than this? I am willing to put on display what I have to offer. Let a taste of what the little Lord Heirs could have play about in their heads for a time. Surely this is enough to attract a bit of interest, would you not agree, Lady Weyrwoman?”



((Yea! No Jake's Allowed!))

As soon as Jungi had walked away to take his place for the start of the ceremony, Kaeul grinned knowingly in a lop-sided expression. “It’s unfair that Jungi always gets his way. He’s always goofing off and never takes anything seriously. I don’t know how he gets away with it! Anyway, don’t let him fool you. He’s nice to every girl and never up to any good.” Kaeul had to wink at that.

“Take it from someone who knows; you shouldn’t trust him so easily.” Nodding, Jungi’s younger sister was giggling as she sat beside Ariadne, waiting for the wedding to begin. “I’m glad he invited you though. ..At least you’re assured to have a good time. That’s one thing Jungi’s good at –having fun.”


By the end of the ceremony, Kaeul was in tears, unable to keep herself from being absolutely delighted over the newlywed couple. She only answered Ari’s comments in a dreamy tone of her own, “Oh, everything was perfect. Beautiful and perfect. And you’re absolutely right! Lady Eolyn is as absolutely stunning as rumour had it. Which, by the way, rumour has it that she’s ten years younger than Lord Rihan. That seems like such an age difference to me. I wonder how they’ll get along?”

With that thought, she couldn’t help but continue a bit conspiratorially, “Oh, we should ask Jungi to find out her age and fill us in later.” Kaeul was casting glances behind them then, searching for her brother as he had followed the bride and groom out with Courisse on his arm.

Of course it hadn’t taken long for Jungi to reappear in front of them, ready to escort Ariadne to the feast and after-party. He did well ignoring his little sister’s whispered requests for more information on the new Lady of the Hold, but they both knew better, and those things would be known soon enough. In any case, he took Ariadne quickly to join Rihan and Eolyn at the table set up for the wedding party: Rihan and Eolyn, Courisse, himself and Ariadne.




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Rihan and Eolyn were amoung the first to find their way to the tables laden with food for the feast. The table at the head of the feast was of course for the wedding party and the most spectacular in decor. Other tables were reserved appropriately close to them for the parents of the bride and groom as well as for other ranking guests. Each of these tables were monitored by servers with food and drink to bring and clear away plates as needed, and of course to make sure that drinks were kept topped off. It was a handful of servers refilling drinks carried the crystal pitchers and bottles with golden flecks and gem stones adding bright dashes of colour in the afternoon sun as they were poured.

Leading his bride to the head table for them, situated with food and flowers and great display of Telgar’s crest on the front of the table cloth and all the plates, Rihan drew Eolyn’s chair out for her so that she could be seated. After the meal, they would have a chance to walk the tables and mingle with each of the guests to thank them for coming. For now, they would have a few minutes to relax in eachother’s company.

With Eolyn hardly able to take her eyes off of him, Rihan enjoyed when he caught sight of her little glances in his periphery. The Heir Apparent couldn’t have been happier knowing that the woman he had married truly wanted to be at his side because she felt affectionate toward him. One day, he still planned on telling Eolyn just how much her love meant to him; and just how important her love was to him.

When they’d both been served their drinks, Rihan took some food onto his plate, watching his new wife with a bit of concern though he did not let it show in his features. “You aren’t too nervous to eat are you? Perhaps it won’t do to have you eat too much today anyway, but… “, he’d already gotten a bit of a feel for that particular habit of hers. Smiling ever so gently at her, he set a couple of things on her plate for her to take in, “what kind of husband would they think me to be if they saw you not eating?”

After that, Rihan was people watching with her. It only took a few scant minutes for Jungi to appear with Ariadne on his arm at their table –that’s who he’d been looking for. Rihan had been curious who his sworn brother had chosen to bring with him as his date.


Rihan glanced up at their approach from where he’d been gazing lovingly Eolyn’s direction. “Jungi, introduce Eolyn and I to the Lady you’ve brought to join us, before she considers us rude.” He did not stand, but motioned for them both to be seated.


Jungi obliged the request, “Here to join us is Ariadne. She is one of the Master Healer’s assistants and from what I hear, has been diligently seeing to the care of our injured Captain.”


Pleased by that, the Heir Apparent was grateful to know one of the people responsible for Captain Toshiro’s recovering health. “It’s not a wonder then that you are here with us. You have my most sincere gratitude for your hard work and your loving heart. It takes a special and very warm kind of heart to care for Captain Toshiro. Thank you; and please continue looking after him. It will take some time for him to recover his full strength and that is how I need him. I hope he hasn’t made your work too difficult. I know he can be terribly stubborn.” Rihan was laughing over the words while two drudges came to fill Jungi and Ari’s glasses, leaving them filled with floating gold.

Jungi in the mean time, had drawn out Ari’s chair for her and then seated himself between she and Rihan.

Eolyn found herself at the mercy of her stomach even as her new husband tried to convince her to eat for his sake. “Thank you, the food looks divine.” She said with a warm smile, though even as he placed the food on her plate she felt her appetite declining. She took up her fork and with a delicacy that was known from the upper echelon of society took a small portion of the food on her fork and then into her mouth. She found her mouth go dry even though the food was delicious and had trouble swallowing the small amount she had on her fork.

“I will be so hungry later…” She said frowning at the food on her plate. She wanted to eat but she could not, at least not without making it look like the food was awful, which it wasn’t. She thought it tasted wonderful. Thankfully she didn’t really have time to force herself to eat any more when Jungi and his escort arrived.

Ariadne actually found Kaeul’s admission that her
brother was never serious a bit of a relief. Then she would not feel as guilty for leading him on, albeit unintentionally. He was hard to refuse and she enjoyed being around people who were happy. Kaeul seemed to be the right sort of person to be sitting next to throughout the ceremony. She didn’t feel so out of place for crying. People were supposed to cry at Weddings right? When Kaeul spoke after the ceremony, Ariadne grinned, “Oh I don’t think she’s that young but it will still be interesting to see how they get along.”

Being married was not easy, especially when so many people watched your every move. No doubt both the bride and groom would be under immense amounts of pressure for some time after the festivities. She did not envy them as much as perhaps many people did. She enjoyed her more simple life most of the time much more than she would to live with so much expected of you. When Jungi arrived to take her to the feast, she thanked Kaeul and allowed herself to be led before the Lord and Lady.

If her face paled when the topic turned to Toshiro, she tried not to let on that anything was wrong otherwise. It was hard to think of what was appropriate to say in response. Lord Rihan knew him as a killer and he needed him to be one but she could not see him that way at all and it was perhaps her own foolish idea that made him out to be an entirely different person than he really was.

She curtsied properly before saying anything, “Lord Rihan, Lady Eolyn congratulations on your wedding. Thank you for the kind words my Lord. Yes, Captain Toshiro is quite stubborn but he will make a full recovery perhaps in spite of himself. He would recover more quickly if he did as the Healers ordered but we all know that Captain Toshiro is not one to make things easier on himself.” She sat as Jungi pulled the chair out for her.

Eolyn spoke softly, “Thank you Ariadne. You are indeed very kind.” Then Eolyn turned her attention back to Rihan.He was being so gracious to everyone here, it was something to be admired really. As she tried to eat another mouthful of food, she again found she was nearly unable to swallow it.

The harpers began to play as people made their way to the dance floor. Then they wouldn’t have to sit here on display much longer, she thought, as her fork began to move the food around on her plate. She dropped the act of trying to eat and sipped at her wine which she only drank a little of, mostly quenching her thirst with the water provided. She did not want to be foolish on a day like this and she had seen how foolish wine could make people.

“What would you like to do first, see to our guests or dance?” Her eyes hinting that although the first was more duty than fun, it might be better to get it out of the way so they could simply enjoy the rest of the evening.
Seeing as he was in agreement they began to mill around, greeting and talking with some of their friends and family and other important Holders.

Ariadne finished eating and drinking he glass of wine. She had not eaten a lot but enough to feel a bit too full for dancing. “I wonder what sort of games they have planned. I’d like to see them if you want to?”

“Oh yes, quite wel, thank you Lady Naryssa. I do believe we’re in for another flight soon. I’ll be sure to have N’kyr invite you to the Hatching.” Karene wanted to laugh and perhaps she was on the inside. If N’kyr had seen her eyes, he would know that she found his mother amusing and it would probably irritate him. Thankfully she had been looking at his sister, who seemed quite determined to make her mother feel bad.

To Galaeanyss she said, “Indeed, knowing when it is important to do so and when it is not makes all the difference. I don’t doubt that your parents have been trying to find you someone worthy of your rank and your capabilities. I think they would rather you were married to the Lord of a major Holding or an heir. Besides it is not your mother’s place to find you a husband. That is your father’s duty. My father had a hard time finidng anyone who would take me because I was a bit too bold and brazen which is why I found a better use for my life. If you’re ever interested in coming to the Weyr Galaeanyss, I’m sure N’kyr would love to see family there.” She was not admonishing Galaeanyss as much as warning her about what could happen if she should go down that path.

Once she was finished, she didn’t wait for the teenager to respond, “Lord Kanton, Lady Naryssa, it was a pleasure but I must do my duty to Lord Rihan before my appetite gets the better of me.” She made a small cursty, the Weyrleader, who hadn’t said much but was staring at Galaeanyss like a piece of meat, bowed after the Weyrwoman.

She addressed N’kyr separately, her words not very loud so as not to draw attention to the issue. “N’kyr, I hope you enjoy the celebrations and this time with your lovely family. Also, think about what I said in the meeting. I really think this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.” She curtsied slightly to him and ushered the Weyrleader far from the young Galaeanyss.


The Weyrleader was a known womanizer at the Weyr but here in the Holder’s realm not much was known about him other than he was the Weyrleader. Honestly she didn’t mind much as she preferred men who didn’t outshine her. “Don’t even think about.” She whispered to the man. He was already thinking about it. Ugh. It had to be wrong for him to be interested in a girl that young but then what did she know. She was not an expert on relationships and hers were often failing before they began. She simply didn’t want to make an enemy of Crom or N’kyr. “Promise you’ll leave Lady Galaeanyss alone.” She said the man, who promptly swore to it.

She approached Lord Rihan and his bride just as they finished speaking with some holder or other. She didn’t really care as they were not the reason for her being there. “Lord Rihan, Lady Eolyn, my congratulations to you both. I hope you have a long, happy marriage.” She said as nicely as she could manage. The word marriage not being one of her favorites, it was a bit hard to get it out pleasantly. “The grounds are beautifully done.” She said, although in the back of her mind the little voice there was venting about how much greenery was near the Hold and how dangerous that would be should Thread fall again.

The meal had been delicious and dessert was not served just yet, but would be set out on the tables after drudges had had a chance to clear them first of dishes that guests were still finishing with. For it being early in the day still, a candlemark or two past lunch hour, for the time of year, it was mercifully not hold enough to cause much discomfort, so children began rushing from their tables to the game booths and adults slowly trickled away after them while harpers began playing music on the dance square, beginning to draw guests their direction. Of course, eventually, the Bride and Groom would have to have their first dance as a married couple and the Bride would have to have a father-daughter dance, but for now, it looked as though that would be put off for a bit longer.

Jungi turned his head to Rihan, clapping Rihan on the shoulder with he left hand. "Rihan, do you mind if I take Ariadne to enjoy the games? We'll be back in time to see your dance later." Jungi was one of the few people who could call Rihan in a familiar way without it being taken offensively as improperly informal, so he rarely called the Heir Apparent in a formal way. If anything, it only supported the idea that he was 'never serious about anything' and continued to live care-free.


Nodding his acquiescence, Rihan dismissed them, unable to show the displeasure it caused him knowing that he himself would be spending most of the rest of his time at the wedding festivities mingling for political appearances. And Rihan truly disliked making small talk; but as he'd grown older it was something he'd forced himself to learn how to do. Seeing as though he tended to be rather stoic about his expressions most of the time anyway, he wouldn't have to fake smiles that others would possibly see through, he could just go about it in his own way, knowing that everyone who was anyone likely knew he had no real choice about it anyway, but at least he was being honestly cordial, not fake.

"Of course. Enjoy yourselves. We'll see you on the dance floor after."






As Jungi and Ariadne were taking their leave, Rihan turned his attention back to his wife, "Shall we greet before everyone disperses? Better to catch them close to their seats." Rihan reached to take Eolyn's hand, giving it a squeeze under the table. "You'll let me know if you are too tired or don't feel well? It will be a long day for everyone, but especially you."

After all, it was Eolyn who was moving away from home as of today. It was she, the bride, who would only on rare occasion get to see her family in the future. Emotionally, she would be going through so much at this time in her life, and certainly there would be other unforeseen troubles as she was becoming acclimated to life in Telgar. So, Rihan didn't want her to push herself too hard all at once. He would be glad for an excuse for them to retire early and be alone for once, in eachother's company.


When Eolyn was ready, Rihan stood, leaving his empty glasses and plates for the drudges to clean after, offering a hand to assist Eolyn as she got up.

Taking his Lady's arm then, Rihan led them onto the floor amoungst the tables, stopping at each one to visit with guests in appropriate fashion according to their station. It would take enough time to visit the Holders and Weyrleaders and crafts masters who'd come that they would probably not get much time to enjoy a lot of the festivities outside of the dances later. But Rihan would ensure that they could enjoy at least a couple. It was their own wedding after all.

Having just visited the Fort Holders, Rihan paused to consider Weyrwoman Karene. Somehow he hadn't expected her to show up; she didn't seem the type to enjoy mushy things like weddings in his eyes, given her hard nature, so his eyes found her with a measure of appreciation he hoped she would understand. "Weyrwoman Karene. If the two of you haven't met formally yet, then please meet my precious wife Eolyn. I'm sure you remember the day you were able to help arrange our union." The Heir Apparent couldn't help but allow a whit of a smile come over his features just then. "It is in part because of you that we have found this happiness, so I need to thank you. Are you enjoying your visit to Telgar River Hold? It is your first time seeing it since its relative completion, am I correct?"





Linking his arm through Ariadne's, Jungi took off toward the booths set up for games and festive party memorabilia for purchase. Glancing back at Ari, he seemed just as excited as any of the children present to be free to run amok -though he had to behave a little because it WAS his best friend's wedding day. Nevertheless, he was eager to instigate some sort of ruckus even if it was minor,...and of course all in good fun.

"Ah. Look here. These are perfect for the occasion, don't you think?" A vendor had crafted pretty woven flower bracelets and wreaths for the head with colourful ribbons streaming down the back.

Tossing a fraction of a mark on the table, Jungi was eyeing the prettiest ones, wondering which one Ariadne might choose. "Well this time, there's no reason to buy my sister anything so it's all you." The Trader grinned infectiously over at her, letting her take her time in choosing.


As they'd left from the flower vendor, there were several other stands they went by of minor interest until they came across a kissing booth! "Ah! Hahah. A kissing booth! Look at all the girls in line!" And suddenly Jungi knew he could do better than that -collecting more kisses than the guy in the booth currently.

Of course such an attraction would be of interest to him. Except for the fact that all of the girls in line were under the age of 16. No matter, Jungi found his sister nearby, and went to prod her side with his elbow, speaking something to her in a low voice. Rolling her eyes at him, she watched Jungi go to the young man in the booth trying to make a few marks though he wasn't all that handsome -not in light of the dashing Jungi. So, Jungi spoke to him and slipped him a mark under the counter, going to take his place for a while.


As soon as he'd done so, Kaeul turned around and began shamlelessly advertising her handsome brother's presence in the kissing booth. Of course such an attraction only had appeal to the very young typically. The very young whose parents had dolled them up and given them powder for their faces and rouge for their cheeks and lips for the festive occasion. One after the other, they grew in number as first the slightly older girls came to kiss him on the cheek one or two at a time; perhaps one on each cheek. Then, with the encouragement and feeding off the excitement of the slightly older girls, the younger ones came too.

Those who were of an age to be thinking about men thought he was incredibly handsome and went away in giggles or perhaps stood around in a crowd watching, but before long, the girls were young enough to need a stool to stand on to reach over the booth to kiss his face. Jungi was becoming covered in little red lipstick marks across both sides of his face, one on his chin and several on his forehead. Only one managed to be bold enough to catch him on the lips. All of the little girls were laughing at him and tittering in little gossiping voices gleefully at the fun of it; some of them went up a second time to try and corner him into kissing them on the lips. Somehow he was rather skilled at evading them...which might seem oddly opposite of what one would expect. He was a magnet for them.

Finally, his sister came over with a little girl who could be no more than three turns in age, and holding her up, let the child kiss him too. For free.

An adorably goofy grin spread across his face, "Ohh, that does it. That was the best kiss of all, so I guess I'll have to stop there, pretty Miss." Of course, at the same time, he'd seen that some women he knew, whom he'd had 'relationships' with in the past were coming, so he quickly made the excuse to remove himself from the danger zone -the kissing booth- lest they direct their attention his way. He'd only hoped to be help the kids have fun; he didn't need to invite the complication of old relationships when he was here with a beautiful date already.

Naryssa reached out to lay a hand on Tlina's shoulder in thanks, giving the handmaiden a look that said she understood it wasn't Tlina's fault. "Nyssa," she hissed lowly at her daughter's reaction, glancing around out of the corner of her eye to see if anyone had noticed.

Tlina seemed no worse for the wear, though, thankfully.

N'kyr stiffened when the handmaiden threw herself at him. His hands came up to make sure she didn't fall-- he was a well-trained gentleman afterall-- but he didn't touch her. Torn between amusement at her calling his sister a wretched herdbeast and confusion at the rest of what Tlina had said-- was it a joke? Or was she serious?-- he was thankful he didn't have to answer. He gently disengaged from Tlina when the Weyrwoman arrived.

----

Naryssa raised a hand to her chest and swallowed hard at the thought of her daughter considering what she was wearing as putting herself on display to stand out from the crowd and attract potential suitors. She was putting herself on display all right, like some... some common floozy! And she was the daughter of the Lord and Lady of Crom! The only... suitors she was going to attract were those who would take advantage of her! And Naryssa was not going to stand for any young men (or the Red Star forbid, women) to hurt her baby.

Of course, stuck on that thought, Crom's Lady's mind didn't quite stay in the appropriate range at Karene's comment about flights and Hatchings... And she found herself needing to fan herself. Her children were grown, and N'kyr was a dragonrider, and of course to become Weyrleader he would have to... No, her mind wasn't going there!

Kanton just grunted in response to Karene's comments about finding his daughter a husband. A bit too bold and brazen didn't cover it. And he was far too busy for such women's work.

N'kyr, of course, was horrified at the thought of his sister at the Weyr. Was Karene, like Tlina, simply playing a joke? His eyes narrowed at the thought, because surely, she had to be.

Naryssa managed to pull herself together enough to nod express her own goodbye to the Weyrwoman and Weyrleader before they moved on. Kanton, once again, grunted and nodded slightly.

N'kyr bowed as was proper, though he did not speak.

((And... I can add later if necessary... hope that's enough to move things along!! I will be back in a bit!))

Galaeanyss recoiled slightly from her mother’s singular rebuke. A sneer for personal disdain for Lady Naryssa’s intervention flickered briefly across the teenager’s face. “Impudence must be punished,” Nyssa informed her mother. “Lest it take root. She ought to be thankful that I am so forgiving.”

“And this,” Tlina said to N’kyr. “Is my poor cursed life: beatings and reprimands.”

“Quiet,” Nyssa barked. “Or I shall reprimand you again.”

Tlina withered against the Bronzerider. She buried her face in to N’kyr shirt. A series of questionable sobs came from the young woman.

Galaeanyss stood from her seat. Before she could get a chance to fulfill her promise, the Junior Lady was addressed by Karene. A woman of such rank deserved her full attention and so Nyssa chose to forgo extracting her vengeance upon Tlina in favor of giving the Weyrwoman her proper due. What came was a good amount of advice that Nyssa frankly did not understand. Her confusion played out plainly upon her face. “I...” Galaeanyss did not know what to say. Was Karene saying that it was not just her mother that was useless but her father as well? The more that she toyed with the Weyrwoman’s words, the more that she was certain that was the point that Karene was trying to make: that her parents were idiots and that she should not count on them Maybe the Weyrwoman was trying to tell her that she should only have faith in herself. Or perhaps Karene was telling that’s her that she ought to kill her family while they still suspected nothing and take Crom for herself.

“You are very wise,” the little Lady conceded. “I shall take your words to heart.” It would take some planning, but it worth considering. A Hold of her very own and one that had been right under nose the entire time. Others would protest for certain, but if the Weyrs were backing her ascension... Galaeanyss would have to consider this more fully when she had the time. It was such a deviously intriguing idea.

Galaeanyss was too busy rolling Karene’s suggestion around in her head to take note of the offer to visit the Weyr. Tlina however did. She raised her tearless face from the Bronzerider’s chest. “Do you hear that?” she asked N’kyr. “The Weyrwoman said that should free me and me with you.” She smiled broadly, nodding encouragingly.

Ariadne found Jungi’s energy contagious. So when they stopped at the shop she did not protest that he buy her anything. She would never have allowed it normally but he was being so sweet and had invited her to be light hearted and jovial. She could manage that today. Picking out a bracelet, she put it around her wrist, thanking Jungi for the gift before they were off again. This was going to be a fun day, she thought as they walked by some of the games. When they came across the kissing booth, she found Jungi lighting up over the idea of being the man in the kissing booth. He was bolder than she thought.

While he was enjoying himself was found by her parents who had Thessaly with them. “Mommy!” The little girl reached for her mother and was quickly scooped up into her embrace. Ari spun the little girl around so that their dresses spun out away from their bodies, causing squeals of laughter from the girl.
“Do you like it Thess?” She showed the little girl the bracelet and slipped it around the little girl’s wrist, then wrapping it around a second time so it would stay there.

“Pretty. Pretty. Pretty. Thank you mommy.”

Keaul was advertising the kissing booth until there were enough girls in line. “Do you think Thessaly could get one?” She asked the woman who took the little girl to Jungi to kiss him. Giggling when Jungi was done, she was brought back to her mother. “So, how was sweetie?”

“Soft.”

Laughing, Ariadne took the little girl’s hand. “I was best.”

“You were? Well you get that from me. You father never kissed another girl after he met me.” She smiled and kissed the little girl on the cheek. She looked a little confused for a moment but Ariadne figured she was just thinking. “You miss daddy.” It was a statement and required no answer but Ariadne, hugged the little girl to her chest. “I miss him.”

She set the little girl back in her grandmother’s arms. “No candy…” She said, as her mother waved her off. “I know how to take care of children, you’re still alive..”
Meeting back up with Jungi she put her arm in his. “Where to next?”

--

A thought popped into her head as he stated his concern for her well-being… if she were to get tired, would they excuse the couple early. If that happened would Rihan see through the façade and know she was feigning being tired in order to be alone with him longer? That kind of thinking would have gotten her in trouble before but now she figured there had to be some leniency. She’d waited a long time to be married and now she was and the wedding ceremony was over, she wanted to celebrate then go off somewhere with Rihan where they could just be together with no one watching or listening to them.

“I will let you know the moment I feel tired.” She looked directly at him when she said the next bit, “I know you are worried about this being a big change for me but I don’t want you to worry. I’m happy to be with you, wherever you are.” She didn’t want him to worry. Everything was going to be fine because they had already begun to fall in love with each other and love could conquer everything.

She greeted the Weyrwoman of Fort and felt a little intimidated by her stare. Eolyn was not sure what she expected Weyrwoman Karene to look like but she hadn’t expected her to look so refined and Lady-like nor ot have such manners. Her parents had not painted a nice picture of the Weyrwoman of Fort. Everyone seemed to be concerned about the way Fort Weyr was run. Not because it was not run well but because Karene was known to change WEyrleaders frequently. And no wonder. Eolyn saw the man next to the Weyrwoman and saw no leadership in him whatsoever and he seemed preoccupied looking at the women. Ewww.

Karene took Rihan’s words in good humor. She had no reason to start anything with the young Holder on his wedding day. “Who knew you would be marrying one of the most kind and beautiful ladies on Pern? Eolyn, your reputation precedes you and you do not disappoint. I am pleased to make your acquaintance.” Looking around her for a moment, she decided to avoid mentioning how there was way too much greenery near the main Hold for her liking. She would be here to destroy these lovely gardens when there were signs of Threadfall. Until then, they could enjoy their Eden. “Telgar River Hold is almost as beautiful as your new bride, Lord Rihan. I’m enjoying myself immensely. I better not keep you long though, you have so many guests and I know you must be anxious to be done talking with us all so you can enjoy yourselves.”

“Weyrwoman Karene you do us a great honor. I thank you for your kind words.” Eolyn said as the Weyrwoman took a moment to depart.

The more they mingled with people the more bored she became. How long they had been speaking with people upon people, she wasn’t sure but she was starting to think they knew too many important people. It probably had not been as long as it felt. “Would you mind if we took a break Rihan? I would like some water and a rest for my feet…”

Quickly turning his back to the women advancing gradually in their direction whom he'd rather avoid, Jungi was as jovial as always, making a silly grin at her little girl now held in her grandmother's arms. The trader figured that as long as he didn't face them, the other girls wouldn't recognize him from behind because he so rarely wore a Guard uniform in the presence of the many women he spent time with. Well, he rarely wore one at any time.

Pausing, he looked between Ari and her mother then, deciding he should properly introduce himself. He didn't know the woman was Ariadne's mother, but since she was holding Thessaly, then it was a good guess. "I'm sorry. I don't think we've met, madam."

Jungi didn't try to hide the faint smile spreading across his lips as he just remembered that his own face had become a rather cluttered collection of lip-sticky kisses. "My name is Jungi. Might I ask whose presence are the Lady Ariadne and I honoured by?"

Refined as always.. if it weren't for the red marks all over his face.




When they'd been introduced, Jungi took Ariadne's arm again, leading them down the street to peruse more of the vendor's stalls.

All of a sudden, they could hear a voice proclaiming over the bustle, "Hit the heart true and win! Try your luck with love here and walk away with a stuffed animal!"=


At last they came across one that suited Jungi's fancy! Nodding in the direction of the man advertising for his game, Jungi guided them to the game booth.

The trader slid a few fraction marks to the man in charge of the stall that was lined up on one side with stuffed animal toys, and on the furthest wall, a number of small, fixed targets painted with an apple-sized heart at their center. Those with payment would be able to take a child-sized bow painted festively in flowery colours, and the arrows that went with it in order to try and hit the target.

Jungi handed Ariadne a bow and the five arrows for five tries granted to hit the target at its center. "Do you want to try first?" Taking his own bow and arrows from the vendor, they went to stand before a pair of the targets. "Have you ever used a bow before?"


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Rihan


If Eolyn was nervous around as imposing a presence as the Weyrwoman of Fort, he would let her borrow from his strength. Setting his right hand on her own a bit absently, where she had taken his arm so that they could walk together, his purpose was to offer reassurance. Rihan had grown up learning from his father and retainers how to command an impenetrable presence that was necessary in a strong leader that others could choose to follow. No one followed a man who could not demonstrate confidence and strength.

Indeed, Rihan did his best never to let his own strength of presence falter or weaken next to that of another. Because the Weyrwoman was several turns older than he and commanded a powerful presence herself, he found himself very mindful of this. But momentarily, with a soft smile as the woman took his words kindly, he could become comfortable next to her; Karene could not intimidate him as she did others. No matter how easily the Bronzeriders might allow themselves to be dismissed, Rihan was not that sort.

In light of that, he appreciated Karene's strength. Every time he met her in person she intrigued him a little more and he became more impressed by her ambitious nature -through getting to know her, he was also beginning to understand how a man could find such a strong and cunning nature attractive in a woman. Any man able to conquer that in bed without the help of a mating flight would certainly be worthy of respect. Such a man would have to be dangerously cunning in his own right.

Later, Rihan could laugh at the poor bastards caught under her thumb out of dumb luck because of a dragon. In a way, he thought it a little humiliating for them to have to suffer her, because hearsay had it, none had shown themselves capable of working with her on a level playing field. Wouldn't that be called 'all dragon and no real bronze?' -a man possessing position due to his dragon alone and not his own great merit..and unable to otherwise prove himself. Unfortunate.


"I am indeed fortunate to have Eolyn as my wife, and not quite sure what good thing I have done in my life to be so deserving of it." As they spoke, Rihan met her eyes with a steady gaze, smiling genuinely before they departed, "I made sure that Telgar River Hold was designed with Eolyn in mind. I'm glad to hear that you appreciate the beauty. Please, stay and enjoy the party as long as you like."

Karene would just have to suffer the greenery for the remainder of the wedding. And if Karene wanted to make any complaints about it later, it wasn't her place. Rihan had Telgar's own Weyrleaders hounding on him over it already. He'd been so focused on lavishing the place for his new bride that some ...traditions...were set aside for Lady Eolyn's sake.


The Weyrwoman taking her leave to allow them to visit with other guests, Rihan was also tiring -more quickly than normal- of the idle chatter. Though he did everything he could to keep it pleasant and light hearted, steering away from political banter.

Gazing down into Eolyn's crystaline eyes, he nodded once, leading them back to their table. Drudges immediately refilled their glasses as Rihan gestured to them, wondering if they shouldn't retire already, if she was tired. But.. she should take at least time to dance with her father on the dance square.

"Please, dance with your father after a while and then, asking nothing else, we can retire." Rihan knew that Lord Qisbon likely would not forgive him if he took his daughter away without even giving him a father daughter dance.

“I’m Arinda. Ariadne’s mother. So nice of you to invite Ari to the wedding, we hope you both have a good time.” Ari’s mother said nicely. She was nice when the occasion called for it. As for Ariadne,s he shot her a look which was not easily discerned by people who were not familiar with the family dynamics. Ariadne took as little notice as she could, and as Jungi led them on, she didn’t think much about it.

The vendors for the games were all very enticing but she didn’t really believe people actually won anything. The games were meant to cheat you out of your marks. She saw the vendor of the stall Jungi wanted to try and went along. The game seemed simple enough but then, that was the point. They seemed so simple that anyone should be able to win yet very few were actually able to do so.

“Oh, okay.” She said, she could try. “I’ve never shot a bow before, held one a couple times but never shot with one. Can you show me the proper way to do this?.” She looked lost. Weapons were not something she had ever taken much interest in. She was much more interested in men who wielded weapons than wielding one herself.


Eolyn smiled up at her new husband, “I’m not so tired that I cannot dance. I was just tired of standing in one place and moving then standing in one place. It wears on one’s feet and we can talk to any one of these people another time. For the rest of the day we should be pleasing ourselves not everyone else.”

Maybe she sounded a mite selfish now but she really wanted to spend time with Rihan without worrying over who they had not talked to and what they should have said to another person. It was stressful and today was their wedding day they should not be stressing over other people. They needed to focus on them, having a good time.

“I’ll dance with my father and then I want a dance with you… and then I think I’ll be too tired to stay out here on display.” It was her naughtier side which was talking. It was more forceful and not at all demure or shy about anything. She wanted to hurry the dancing now too, even though she enjoyed dancing. Everything seemed a hindrance to her having her time with Rihan alone.
She made it clear that she wasn’t taking no from him on the dancing and left the table to find her father,

whom she led to the dance floor. The Harpers played a slow song for them and although Qisbon did not enjoy dancing, he took the time they were on the floor to tell her he wished her to be happy and if she ever needed him for anything he would come to her aid. He knew Rihan would be a good husband but things that could not be foreseen could happen and often did.

When her dance with her father was over, she walked back to Rihan. “Now, you need to dance with me and while everyone is out there dancing, we can slip out without anyone noticing or trying to talk to us before we leave, cause they will and we will be stuck trying to leave for candlemarks on end.”

Jungi didn't possess pro bowman skills by any means, but he at least knew the basics of how to use one. So, setting his own bow and arrows down on the stall counter, he stepped up close behind Ariadne, guiding and positioning her hands and arms so that she could get the feel for it. Jungi assisted her in knocking an arrow with her right hand against the taut bowstring before she could draw it back in her aim and release.

"There. That's right. You've got it." Stepping aside from Ariadne so that she could do the rest herself, he took up his own bow again as he watched, grinning broadly. "No pressure, because you've only got five tries. And if we have to leave it up to me to win a stuffed animal, we're probably even worse off."

Jungi laughed, poking fun at his own bow skills.



----------------------------------------------------------------


Rihan had smiled, watching Eolyn prance off to take her father's hand and drag him onto the dance floor. It was a beautifully touching scene to him as the two turned circles on a floor that was cleared for them before the harpers began to play a song fitting for them. To watch them began to fill his heart with something akin to guilt for being the one to take Lord Qisbon's daughter away from him -but at least the Lord of Igen could be assured that she was well taken care of. He would certainly not disappoint the Lord Holder by not loving her.

Considering his lovely bride in that moment, he thought that Eolyn seemed easy to love, and he wondered how she would change, being married to him now.


Eolyn came to retrieve him for their own first dance as husband and wife, taking her hand in a courtley manner as he led her to the dance floor once again, his fingers lain over the top of her hand with thumb pressed into her palm in order to lead her into the next slow dance. The soft listening music rose through the air with low booted feet ushering them through an elegant waltz. He held her closely, using the gentle tension of his whole body to feel her every movement and respond to her.

Rihan used the entire dance floor to their advantage, guiding her through many beautiful spins typically involving quite fanciful footwork. He made certain that their single dance together would be the most memorable that evening, to all who were there to see.

When their song had reached its coda, the young Lord of Telgar dipped his wife nearly to the floor, lifting her back up to execute one final turn before him. And on the very final note, Rihan dipped her to the opposite side in a dramatic sweep, with his right arm wraped around her low back to supportively. There, as the music trailed off, he leaned over, gently laying a kiss along the side of her exposed neck.

In case his budding bride had not blushed just yet, he added a heated whisper into her ear, "I told you once I am the master of illusions. If you put on a tired act, I can make us both disappear. But that would leave us alone together. Do you really think you're ready to receive me?"

(("Now go away, or I shall taunt you a second time." is completely what I was thinking at Nyssa's "Quiet. Or I shall reprimand you again." Though I don't quite think the French Taunter had quite the same bloodthirstyness... lol))

N'kyr looked down at Tlina in confusion, his mind flitting between the Weyrwoman's last words. The reminder concerning the potential for him to change Weyrs, and his current station in doing so, was at least semi-welcome, though the thought of spending more time with his 'lovely' family was not at all. Especially considering his siblings were here-- siblings who never failed to taunt him and jeer at him at every opportunity. "What? What will free you?" the young bronzerider finally asked the handmaiden still clinging to him. "Free yourself. And I ask that you let go of me. Please." He'd almost told her to free him, but thought better of it and asked more politely. Even if the 'please' was more of an afterthought.

Naryssa was still fretting over the impression her daughter had surely left on the Weyrwoman. Even though the goldrider had invited Galaeanyss to come to the Weyr at some point, and it had sounded sincere, the woman had surely seen that her daughter was not at all behaving like a proper young lady. Karene was Holdbred herself, so of course she understood! "Nyssa, my love, would you mind... helping me to freshen up?" She didn't really need it-- she really just wanted the opportunity to talk to her daughter in private. Somehow, though, she was guessing Nyssa would wave the idea away, anyway.

((Heh. The intent was probably the same, although I have never seen the film.))



“Ooooh!” Tlina cried. She drew in a blatantly false ragged breath. “You fly in proclaiming yourself to be the valiant dragon knight but, woe, you turn a stone heart upon the poor captive maid leaving her grip of the vile beast!”

Tlina pushed herself from N’kyr. She flowed with the momentum, twirling once, twice, and dropping in to a nearby empty seat. Her head flopped back, honey hair falling heavily to nearly touch the stone floor. Tlina draped her right arm across her head. Her nose nestled comfortably in the crook of her elbow giving her voice a slight shift in pitch. “When shall my hero of yore swoop in to rescue poor little me?”

Galaeanyss rolled her roll her eyes at her handmaid’s behavior. Was it asking too much for the woman to act appropriately to her situation? Some people had no sense of where they were.

When Lady Naryssa spoke, Galaeanyss’s eyes drifted from the carved wall of the Hold that stood before her to her mother. “Of course.” Nyssa twisted in her seat. She drew her left leg up on to the chair. She hooked her ankle behind the knee of her other leg. “Tlina,” the Junior Lady said. “My mother requires assistance using the privy. Aid her.”

Tlina uncovered her face, a sour expression replacing the jovial one that she had been wearing. “Um: No,” the handmaiden answered. “She asked for you.”

“And ~I~,” Nyssa countered. “Delegated the task to you. So do it.”

“Nuh-uh,” Tlina responded equally as indignant. “She asked for you and our beloved Lady outranks you. SO ~you~ do it. Besides, I doubt that that the problem that she is having is one that I can fix.”

Galaeanyss glared at the girl. Tlina did have a point about rank. “Very well,” Nyssa growled. She could argue all day but once Tlina found a loophole that allowed her to get out of having to work, it was unlikely that she would be persuaded otherwise. The little Lady would fine some other way to punish her later.

Nyssa rose from her chair. She ran her hands down what little skirt that she had to smooth out any unsightly wrinkles. “But do make it quick, Mother. I have yet to get to speak to our gracious hostess. Etiquette and all.”

The dance with Rihan was perfect, beautiful and exhilarating at the same time. They had found out before they were bother very skilled dancers and she rather enjoyed the fact that the other ladies were looking on in envy. Where his body touched her body, she felt on fire. She had never desired anyone so much in her life and perhaps that made this marriage all the more wonderful. She wanted to be with Rihan above all other men and it just so happened that he was now hers and she didn’t have to concern herself with whether he would marry someone else. That would have been awful almost cruel. She felt very lucky to have these feelings going in to her marriage.

Her cheeks were flushed from exertion already when Rihan whispered to her, causing her blush to be redder than ever before. Eolyn was a maid. She had no knowledge of men but she had been well informed by her mother… more than once. And she had eyes, she could see the way men and women who were intimate acted together. Obviously she even understood innuendo which made her a little better prepared than most ladies.

Being mentally prepared for what would happen was not enough. She didn’t really know what she should do, or how to please him and it made her nervous. The young woman figured not thinking about it too much was for the best. It was a physical thing and perhaps, much like with dancing she would have to follow his lead and do what felt right.

To answer her very naughty husband, “We must get out of here if you are to find out.” She was going to let him toy with the idea that she might or might not be ready. Either way it would give him something to think about. While everyone seemed to be on the now crowded dance floor, she took Rihan’s hand and led him out from the throng of dancers. She arranged for a drudge to tell Courisse that she should take the night off and that Eolyn had retired early, she was tired.

“We better hurry before someone stops us…” She said with a sly grin. Eolyn was not tired. Anyone who looked upon her could see she was anything but tired. Once they were out of sight of most of the gathered guests, she allowed Rihan to lead her to the wing where his rooms were. She found herself excited, almost giddy. When they entered the room, she took in the lavishness of the place. The hearth had been going to keep the room comfortable and to make it more romantic. She could see how much thought her husband had put into this and was pleased.
“Oh Rihan, you are so thoughtful.” She said, turning to face him and hugging him in appreciation.


Ariadne appreciated Jungi’s help figuring out how to hold the bow. She anticipated her body being turned on by his touch but it never happened. She felt awful for that too. He was an attractive, strong, kind and upbeat person, someone she would have been glad to have some feeling for even a small desire for but she felt nothing. Ariadne didn’t understand it herself. She wanted to like him.

She didn’t let her thoughts on the matter distract her from the game. Ariadne lifted the bow as shown, “No pressure!” She laughed, and pulled the bow string back until it was tight, releasing the arrow and missing.
The bow was a piece of crap! She thought as she tried again. Once more missing her mark. “I think we’re going to have to rely on you to win Jungi.” She said with another light hearted laugh. She tried a third time and noticed she was improving but she still wasn’t making the target.

Stopping she took a deep breath, this time when she drew the string tight and let go, she thought maybe playing was just as fun without winning. Who was she kidding? Of course playing was more fun when you won something! And of course she missed a fourth time.

For her final shot, she was much closer but still, she failed. “See, now you are going to have to save the day…”

“We better hurry before someone stops us…” She said with a sly grin.

Matching her own sly grin, Rihan thought he might enjoy discovering this more daring side of Eolyn, clasping her hand tightly to take her away in a rush, as if they had to be so quick and secretive about it. Surely, none could blame them for going off to be alone.

Not easily disappearing into the throngs gathered for the wedding, being that Eolyn was the only maid at the gathering in a long brilliant white gown of glitter, Rihan was able to guide them through less frequently used entrances, hastily peering around each corner as they went, to make sure that they hadn't been caught! Of course most everyone was outside enjoying the festivities, and he'd strictly instructed that no one was to invade the privacy of his personal wing of the Hold the entire evening; not until nearly afternoon the next day.


Making sure the bedroom door was closed well behind them, Rihan found Eolyn's giddiness a whit infectious as she turned to embrace him. He couldn't help but smile softly down at her, at first allowing both of his arms wrap loosely about her shoulders.

After a moment's time loosely holding her there, his hands came up to remove the adornment of the veil upon her head, setting it carefully aside. The young Lord's pulse was beginning to quicken, being alone with Eolyn at last. Setting his wife back from him just a bit, smouldering, smoky grey eyes fixed upon her, taking time to appreciate and memorize each part of her that he gazed upon. They followed where his fingertips strolled, stroking tentatively from her hair along the side of her neck, so lightly that the touch probably almost tickled.

Swallowing to suppress the eagerness that shown clearly through those eyes, he was decided on taking things slow. Rihan didn't want to scare Eolyn being that she was probably nervous enough, and they'd waited this long, so they should both be able to enjoy themselves; rushing things would only diminish their pleasure in each other. Of course, he wasn't going to sit around and put off the most anticipated part of their wedding day. Hopefully though, Eolyn wouldn't see that as rushing.


Slowly, Rihan stepped around his new bride, letting his hands handle the lacing up the back of her dress. As the gown was loosened enough that he he could remove it, he began by sliding the lace sleeves from her shoulders, exposing her delicate skin.
While his left hand sat on her hip, his right came up, tracing gently along the contour of that shoulder until his fingers reached the fabric of her sleeves about half way up her bicep.

Rihan's urge only growing stronger, his lips came to plant tender kisses all the way up her shoulder to her neck where he leaned in to her ear to whisper, "How about answering my question from earlier. Are you ready receive me yet?" Referring to his earlier query with an fluctuation in his tone, purely mischievous intentions were suggested.



==============================================================================


Jungi laughed when Ariadne laughed and he expressed rotten disappointment each time one of her arrows missed. "No good! No good!" Laughing again, he had to admit, but in a teasing manner, "I was depending on you to save me from having to embarrass myself by you having to witness my terrible bow skills."

Trading places with Ariadne to align himself with the same red and white target she'd shot at, he raised the shoddy blue and purple painted bow, shooting a bemused grin over his shoulder at her before he took aim. "If we don't walk away with a stuffed animal after this, you owe me for making me have to embarrass myself."

He was still grinning as he knocked an arrow and aligned his aim. Drawing the bow string back, his first arrow flew just wide of the target. The following three arrows hit, but only on the white, outside edges.

Taking his time then, his manner shifted as his focus sharpened, releasing a gradual breath as he aligned his sights on the target with the final arrow in his possession. Letting the arrow fly, it struck the target...and though it hit the target much closer to the center, it struck barely outside the bright red edge of the target's heart-shaped center mark.

"Ah! Shards!"

Setting his bow on the counter for the vendor to collect, he nodded his thanks to the man before glancing back at Ariadne.

"If you want to play again we can. Either way, you still owe me. So what'll it be? How are you going to repay me for having to witness my failure?" Ever teasing in his tone, the trader was eager to hear just what Ariadne would come up with in response.

((So sad for you, Marc. Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a must-see! Unless you don't 'get' the British humor like a friend of mine...))

N'kyr was clearly unmoved by Tlina's display. The young bronzerider truthfully wanted to leave, but had yet to come up with a graceful way to exit the current situation. His mother would expect him to remain with his family in the absence of those she would consider his friends, especially when he had been his parents' ride to the wedding in the first place. Plus, he hadn't greeted their hosts, either. So, for now, he was stuck.

Hopefully his siblings would find amusement elsewhere soon.

----------

Naryssa fought the urge to reach out and tug her daughter's skirt lower-- it wasn't proper to show so much leg! But surely her doing so would draw even more attention to Galaeanyss' attire. And that wouldn't do, either.

The reminder that she and her husband had not had the chance to greet their hosts either wasn't lost on Crom's Lady, though. As Nyssa had said, etiquette required that they join the line of those waiting to congratulate the newly wedded couple. And so she was completely torn-- take the time to speak with her daughter, or move to greet Rihan and Eolyn as a united family, before her sons got distracted and wandered off...

Biting her lip-- and almost immediately catching herself at it and composing her features as best she could-- Naryssa shook her head and reached out to resettle her daughter's cloak more firmly about Galaeanyss' shoulders, as if that would hide more of the skin she was showing. "No, I... nevermind, love. It will have to wait a little longer. You are right-- we need to congratulate our hosts first. It was such a lovely ceremony, and it would be remiss of us to wander off as if we were not coming back." For appearances' sake. Even if she wondered just what their hosts would think of her daughter's dress.

Eolyn’s eyes were on him as he took the veil from her head and moved her back a little from him. She wasn’t used to being looked at the way he was looking at her. Her cheeks flushed pink again. If she weren’t so completely disarmed by him she might have said something but as it was, she had nothing to say. His touch was so light that it felt as if he were stroking her with a feather. Eolyn wondered for a moment, a very brief and fleeting moment, how many women Rihan had looked at in this way. Whoever they were, they were lucky and she was luckiest of all for he was hers to keep.

She didn’t think about what was happening much because she knew it was normal and she knew that he would want to do this before they did anything else and also because she wanted to do this as well. She might be a maid but she had no intention of remaining one past tonight. She didn’t have some old, fat ugly man trying to bed her either. Rihan was attractive, young and fit. Eolyn could have done a lot worse for herself.
As he stepped behind her , her head turned just slightly to see what he might be up to, she moved her hair to the front of her body, using her left shoulder to keep it from falling back. His touch was as before when they were dancing and she felt herself wanting him to touch her more places and the more he touched her the more she wanted him to continue. When he leaned in to whisper to her, she did not blush so much as she had before.

A little breathless, “You are a rogue.” She admonished him with a giggle then she spun around slowly to face him. Words would not come out right not in this moment so she answered him with something infinitely more pleasing to her. She tilted her head so that her lips could meet his in a long and passionate kiss. She did not know if she had ever kissed like that before though surely she had practiced…but never on a man and certainly not on man she wanted to bed.

When the kiss broke, she caught her breath and hoped she had done the right thing. Being too forward could perhaps put a man off but maybe he understood that she had only done it in the moment and she had not ever kissed anyone else like that before. Her mother had told her to let him do all the leading but she could not allow him to do all the pleasing and surprising. She wanted him to be happy as much as he wanted the same for her.


“I take it you are not an archer then.” Ariadne said, watching him. “We both had our fair share of embarrassment. Although I have to say, the bow suited you just fine. These vendors should owe us. The games are designed to trick you into spending your marks with the very intention of having as few winners as possible. Every once in a while someone has to win though otherwise they can be called cheats.”

Of course they both lost miserably. These games were set up for failure of the participants. So Ariadne was not surprised not one bit. She hadn’t expected Jungi to want pay back and had brought very few marks with her but she wondered a moment exactly what he had in mind. Ariadne was laughing. “Oh and I suppose and I. O. U. won’t cut it.” She thought about what she might give him but then decided to let the imp have whatever he wanted.

“Two questions. If you could have anything in the world what would it be? And two, what would you like as payback because you and I both know my marks are quite limited…”