Dreadlords A very Anirian Wedding/ Nilofer and Grendel's big BIG day!

[Grendel Strand]

Grendel Strand, Heir to the House and bearer of the Mark of the Talon looked at himself in the mirror and felt like a beast in a person suit.
The Colours of Strand were Black and Gold so to honour their patrons in House Sirl.
His wedding clothes as such were black but Nilofer was left to design her own as long as they were not white. His mother insisted on helping with that, her way of trying to be close to his fiance. From toe to hair tip he felt a complete fool.

The ceremony weighed heavy on his mind.
House Sirl had a ceremony where they walked through fire so he was glad that theirs was not quite so dramatic, though it unnerved him all the same. The traditional Wedding Gauntlet was far more tame but involved the bride being led to the ceremony at swordpoint, by the groom no less, flanked by armed guards who held their own weapons in arch above them.
He disliked the idea of holding a weapon to Nilofer, even in a strictly symbolic context and so soon after her attempted kidnapping, it left a foul taste in his mouth and rang to him of a time before the ancestors of House Strand crawled out of the darkness of the past before they were taken into the dignity of The Anirian Empire. When wives were considered property.
He had asked what his mother had thought of the ceremony and she had confessed a disdain for it as well but insisted that tradition had purpose beyond the action.
Try as he might he could not see anything worth keeping about such symbolism.
Flexing his hand had become a slight habit of his since the night in question and though it healed well he sometimes felt a cramp in the palm where the cut had been. Nilofer had made him promise to tell her if it began to itch or feel irritated in the days after but it was calm. Just stiff sometimes.

The second part of the ceremony was much more civilized. It involved tea making, another tradition adopted from House Sirl but kept more or less intact. Each one made a tea for the other. Grendel was learned enough but botany was never his strong suit so the desired effect of the symbolism of the tea was a bit lost on him. He hoped orange for life and ginger for vitality could suffice. It was simple but he had to admit he was a pretty simple fellow himself.
It was already brewing at the tabernackle along with whatever Nilofer had chosen. The building was the Town Hall and it was teeming with the great and good of Anirian Society.

Nilofer, the thought of her now made his spin feel cold. Apprehension was avoided for the most part with business the last few weeks but today was the day. In a few short hours they would be married, with all that came with that.
He knew how he looked, his size, all of it. The Strand men seemed to be blessed with mass and while his brother had been broad Grendel for all his height had wideness to contend with. His scarred lip also left a lot to be desired and he was suddenly sorry for Nilofer that he was not, something else. In an attempt to make himself feel better he straightened his sleeves and broche. Which was a golden beetle. He liked beetles for their practicality. They protected their wings with hard shells so he tried to dress himself in his own mental shell and found himself wishing only that his brother and father could be with him.

Anirian's did not prey, much, but Grendel looked out the window west anyways out towards the underground memorial for his kin and the others whose names were etched onto the stone.
"Be with me today. Please."

The door knock startled him into a hurried awareness.
"Come in. Please, blood of the good come in."

It was Maggreska, his sister, looking lovely in her maidens gown. She said nothing but entered and took a seat behind him, he could see her in the mirror.

"Tell me the truth. Do I look as terrible as I feel?"

Maggreska observed him and gave him a look up and down. Then she raised her and palm flat and shook it a bit grinning.
"Thank you for that little sister. I knew I could count on you."
He said with a smirk back at her before sticking out his tongue which earned him as good in return.
Maggreska still was not speaking much but that did not mean she was not communicating and over the years a certain vocabulary had been reached in her carefully chosen gestures.
"Is everyone gathered?"
He took up his coat and began to pull himself away from the miror.
Maggreska nodded.
"Good, and security is ready? The guest list has been triple checked?"
There absolutely would NOT be a repeat of the Engagement Party today. Unknown guests were to be apprehended on sight with prejudice.
Another nod and a smile.
"You like checking up on people don't you?"
Her smile widened and her chest puffed out.
"Good, well then, as my personal chief of security would you say that it's now or never?"
Maggreska hopped up from her seat and gave a smart salute which Grendel mirrored.
"Watch my back out there okay?"
Giving her a final wink he made for the door with his little sister in tow. The door closed behind him and then opened a moment later, Grendel strode across the room and picked up a turquoise dyed rose, affixing it to his chest with a pin next to his broche before leaving again, his sister at the door stomping her foot expectantly.
"I'm coming I'm coming."
And the door closed again behind them.

He made his way downstairs at his ease. Nilofer and him would meet in the Hall entrance, they would conduct this insulting symbolic gesture and then drink the tea. Then simple vows, the last part of the ceremony and signing the Official Marriage document which their parents had agreed to. He did not look it over as he feared some of the details may cause him to fly into a fit of rage.

As he waited he looked for familiar faces, the sword of ceremony was his own, a short heavy thing made for its purpose to penetrate armour and kill so he made sure it was blunted himself the night before. It could not part butter in its condition and despite the smithy telling him it would be ruined he insisted. Bad enough he had to hold it towards his fiance he would not see harm come even by accident if he could help it.

(Yo, it's the day at last.
All Dreadlords and those of standing are welcome to attend in whatever fashion they decide is best. Feel free to let the rumour mills turn and the worst suspicions be cast. Have fun and yes, there will be a giant truffle cake afterwards.)

 

[Nilofer Saladin]

Nilofer stood in front of her mirror and could not recognize her reflection. Her mother and Grendel's mother had helped her get ready. Her dress was obscenely heavy and so were her jewelry and veil. She thought it'd be a miracle if she could just make it down the aisle. Her wedding ensemble was a combination of Anirian and Kaliti cultures, though the ceremony itself would be Anirian, of House Strand specifically. Her dress was in the style of her home, but in one of the colors of House Strand. Her hair and makeup were in the Anirian style, as were her jewelry.

"You look stunning," Nilofer's mother, Raha said; even as she made a few minor adjustments. Grendel's mother, Mrinnaleth, nodded approvingly from a few steps back. Mrinnaleth had helped Nilofer pick out her wedding ensemble, something Raha had been excluded from and was not happy about.

Nilofer did not smile- her face felt very tight, and she heard the pounding of her heart in her ears. Mrinnaleth had told her of what the ceremony consisted of, and it certainly didn't help her nerves any. She was to be led down the aisle at sword point, with Grendel himself holding the sword, and then they'd share symbolic tea, before finally saying the vows and signing the contract. And then... Nilofer was not sure she was ready to think of what else was to come later that night. One thing at a time. Now, she ought to go down and meet Grendel.

Mrinnaleth reminded them it was time and the three women moved to leave the room. She descended the stairs and made her way to the entrance of the hall. She did not rush; could not have even if she'd wanted to. But her shoulders did not sag and she held her head high, purpose in each of her steps.

She stopped by Grendel, her eyes immediately landing on the sword in his hand. She did not have long to look at it before her father emerged from the hall to collect her mother. Nilofer and her mother shared one last look before her parents disappeared into the hall.

The ceremony would begin at any moment.

Grendel Strand

 

[Elise Virak]

Elise sat perfectly prim and proper in her assigned seat, a small smile on her face as she carried on the conversation with those around her.

She had never much liked weddings, not her own nor others. They were droll and boring things, though in Vel Anir at least the ceremonies varied enough to make them not all feel the same. Still, attendance was all but required if you wanted to play your part within the Great Game.

Although the Republic was now here to stay, it meant very little to those who pulled the strings of politics.

People like her.

"Oh it simply is delightful. Two young people in love, bounding over the borders of nations who have nearly fallen into war a dozen times over?" Elise said to Lady Charr sitting to her right. The smile on her face genuine. "A lovely tale."

"Are you jealous, Lady Virak? That you had not thought of creating such a union?"​

A small chuckle escaped Elise's lips, her head shaking as she looked toward her companion. "I do not think Liliana would have been receptive to my breaking her away from the man she loves."

The lie slid from her tongue with all the ease in the world.

"And I so wish to treat my cousins better than I was treated." She said, her smile tightening for just a brief moment. "But there is room to maneuver yet. My little Cousin Vittoria is exceptionally ambitious. Perhaps she will ask me to make her a proper match."

Elise said, a wicked grinning drawing upon her lips as Lady Charr laughed. The two continuing their conversation as the rest of the guests found their places.

 

[Alistair Krixus]

Alistair took his assigned seat, using the assistance of his cane and his sister to find it. While the population for this wedding had far more magical people compared to anywhere else, it was still slightly embarrassing that Alistair struggled to spot everyday furniture without using magic now.

He once again checked that his outfit and jewelry were exact in their positioning, while worriedly looking to his sister.

Al was here in a two-fold position, as Head of House Krixus and as a Dreadlord. The much easier role was as a Dreadlord here to simply support a fellow Dreadlord in their marriage-to-be. However, on the political side, House Strand was a noble family with strong connections to the Sirl. He would not be doing his duties well if he did not show up to at least try and play the game.

Ever so slightly, he leaned over and whispered into his sister's ear.

"Remember, please let's refrain from any antics tonight. We are here to be polite and friendly, this is a special day that should not be ruined by...chaos. Understood?"

Marianna had insisted she accompany him and his mother had concurred. In honesty, Al had felt a little bad that he had not had the chance to spend as much time with Mari as he should have, but he had been very busy as of late. This would have to serve as recompense.

Alistair then turned to offer greetings to other attendance of note sitting next to him, before he cast his magical vision over the room.

Mariana

 

[Mariana]

While the cane and Alistair's trouble at finding a seat may have fooled others, it certainly didn't fool his sister. She knew how deadly her brother could be. Without normal sight. Still. A frown tugged on the corner of her mouth. While she'd visited the Academy she'd never been forced to go. Never had the upbringing her brother had.

Was Vel Anir worth that kind of cost?

She was dressed in a long, dark-blue gown with a sleeve winding along one shoulder. Her inked arms with varying designs of small creatures and some weapons on full display. Her nails were painted black with tiny flecks of brighter, neon colors. Krixus blue eyes glanced around, pausing on the beautiful blonde with ruby lips.

Was that Elise Virak?

Her fingers twitched, wanting to paint her.

A light sniff at her brother's comment. "It wasn't my fault they put those curtains so close to the fire at the royal banquet. I didn't start it!"