[ME] till forever falls apart

we've been living on a fault line
and for a while, you were all mine

Silence overcomes the temple as their flames meet, curling toward one another, intertwining delicately and yet still with so much purpose that she isn’t surprised when it leaps skyward. If anything, she’s in awe, watching the golden flames erupt into fireworks - thinking briefly of her mother (and unaware for the moment she’s in the very audience), before it calms and quells into the tethered and bound flame that represented them so perfectly, she couldn’t have asked for a better person to officiate.

Unable to take her eyes off of Fox, the silver that lines her eyes is glittering as she feels the gentle touch of their priestess lifting their hands and clasps their shoulders. Her words bright as they are beautiful. “Thanks, Charlie.” Kiada’s voice is soft briefly before Fox’s words break out - allowing herself a small and soft laugh because she knew he’d say that. Her arms immediately wrap around his shoulders as she’s swept into the embrace, surging up into the kiss as the bouquet hangs from one hand to face the crowd, one of the scorchblooms singing the edge of Fox’s collar though she doesn’t seem to notice.

She dives into the kiss with an eagerness, though not too much - saving some for later, this is enough to seal it completely. And when she pulls away, she’s flushed and openly in adoration, snaking her arm around his middle to turn them toward the crowd gathered with a bright smile, her bouquet tucking back in as she finally gets a chance to see everyone. And that’s when she spots Rexanna among the crowd, straightening up immediately with a bright and vibrant smile. “Mom!” She laughs, more tears bloom, suddenly urging Fox to come with her to go and officially meet her mother, while stealing a glance toward Deimos for the same, before fully intending to thank Remi for such a beautiful gift.

KIADA

i've spent a lifetime giving you my heart,
i swear that i'll be yours forever, till forever falls apart

Deimos

Whatever here that's left of me
Is yours just as it was

Deimos would’ve been content to stand amidst the shadows and witness the ceremony, holding himself together by sheer willpower and pride. Rexanna presented her own distraction though, for as soon as he’d dared to glance at the crowd, and especially at his own family tucked within, his eye caught the Penumbra’s. Gaze widening slightly at the ghostly presence of his friend, he took a deep breath, stare flickering briefly back to Remi, before settling in for a wink of his own in Rexanna’s direction, comforted that she could join in her daughter’s matrimonial pursuits.

Then he listened, to the sounds of their confessions and rites, amused, reminded of his and Evie’s own, before casually looking away as they sealed the deal. There was no surprise thereafter at Kiada’s sudden glee, or seeing her family, waiting for both of them in the wings. Deimos opted for the opportunity to start off the round of applause, or the hoots and hollers, cupping his hands together to bestow a hardy “Congratulations,” into the mass and swell of people.

I'm set alight
And I blink inside your blinding light

i'm tired of the weight of mortality, i want to tear it from my veins

until i bleed silver and gold

There’s no qualms in Rexanna’s face as she listens to the vows and watches as they seal the deal. It’s sweet in a way that reminds her of her own marriage, one that had been built purely by love and adoration of each other. So much that she fights the overwhelming urge to let the silver line her eyes to see her daughter get to experience something so beautiful as well.

She realizes that she’s glad, though, because while she hadn’t fully been there to understand everything Kiada had gone through, she couldn’t be happier that her daughter had found someone that knew her in and out. Knew her powerful and sometimes stubborn tendencies. Knew her penchant for fire from getting burned again and again. And ultimately, she ends up watching Fox, finding confidence in her that he would be able to protect her.

That’s all the comfort she could ever need.

Her smile is vibrant and bright as the couple turns to face the crowd, and when Kiada spots her, she feels it appropriate enough to join in the excitement of the crowd with clapping as she hurries from the pew to greet her and Fox, intending on meeting the man that had stolen her daughter’s heart. “Hi sweetheart.” Comes the soft and delighted hum. “Congratulations!” Squeezing Kiada’s hands, she turns her attention now to Fox - her sapphire gaze calculating in a way he might recognize that Kiada gets it from - but it doesn’t stop her from reaching out to give him a hug after her initial scan is over. “It’s good to meet you, Fox. Thank you for helping her find her way.” This is said a bit quieter, for his ears only, before she’s withdrawing with a nose crinkling smile and pure adoration for the two of them, before rushing them on. She’d see them shortly once they’ve done their walk back to the wings.

maybe one day they'll chant our names

and name galaxies after us, and we too shall be eternal

REXANNA

'cause you've got me and you know, that I've got you and I know
if the tide takes california, i'm so glad i got to hold ya

Oblivious both to his scorched collar and to the celebrations of the crowd all around them, for those few blissful seconds, the only person in existence is Kiada, and if Fox could have it that way forever he'd have died a happy man. That doesn't mean he's adverse to celebration, of course, especially now that the hard part is over (that part being the centre of attention, however briefly, before very happily handing over those reins to his bride), and as he parts from Kia to gaze out at the crowd, apparently there's something very special to celebrate indeed.

His eyes widen as Kiada calls to her mother - her mother, there in the flesh - and he steps quickly along with her without complaint, happy to be ushered forward even if his tongue is trying to tie itself in knots for the right thing to say. He settles on blurting out "Nice to meet you," and then kicking himself for it internally, too stunned to be nervous at the once-over Rexanna gives him. Apparently whatever she sees is enough, though, and he breathes a sigh of relief that comes out as a laugh as her arms find their way around him.

Hugging her in return, however briefly before they are moved on, he at least has time to murmur something back to her as they part. "She already knew her way. I'm just forever grateful that she chose to take me with her."

FOX

and if the sky falls from heaven above,
oh i know i had the best time falling into love

RONIN

the white knight

Having been appropriately scooted to make room for Rexanna's entrance, Ronin barely has time to register that the Penumbra has arrived (offering her a delighted smile that promises a proper catch up later on) before the wedding proceeds, and he schools himself into silence and decorum. Not trying to fight the way his eyes sting at the corners as the couple exchange their vows, the Knight watches the fire leap high into the air with a soft smile on his face, his hand finding its way back into Remi's quite without his permission.

He'd never expected to attend another wedding in the Hollowed Grounds - the place has changed and changed again since the barrier and all that had happened behind it, but some wounds run so deep that even the scars still ache. This, though? This feels like permission to see the region as a clean slate, and it's with a squeeze to Remi's hand that he rises to his feet to celebrate the nuptials with the rest of the gathered crowd.

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

// there's shadows on the walls //

Danta's expression is somewhat unreadable as they take their seats to watch the ceremony progress; he leans into the arm that slips around him, his hand dropping to rest atop Astaroth's knee. If nothing else, clearly whatever is happening between Kiada and Fox has stilled his urge to fidget, the Maverick quiet and attentive in a way rarely seen to those who know him.

"How many weddings do you suppose Charlie has officiated?" he whispers, only once things are tied neatly in a bow, Danta rising to his feet to offer his congratulations for the couple stepping down into the Temple proper.

Speaking of their little priestess, he offers a fanged grin and a wink to Charlie as if congratulate her as well; for a job well done and for allowing the celebration to be one that involves their dark goddess as well as the happy couple. Turning to glance up to Asta, he can't help the next question that spills from his lips, leaning in to almost whisper it to the butcher. "This is the part where we can get drunk, right?"

Dantalion

// of moments far too troubling to recall //

// May the road rise up to meet you //

She was glad she came. Glad to have witnessed a moment of joy and renewal in a hall that had seen far too much grief. Kiada was radiant and Fox dashing - especially when he seemed to forget about being nervous - and as they exchanged their vows, Maea's vision blurred with unshed tears.

She lingered for a while to watch as family and friends converged upon the newlyweds, quiet in her contemplation and content to keep her own company. Seeing Rexanna in the crowd made her do a doubletake - smiling in fond recognition she waved in case the ghostly woman happened to look her way.

Unwilling to cause a scene or draw attention away from the main characters of this event, Maea ended up leaving early. Slipping quietly from the Temple, she made a beeline for the reception to place a gift to the married couple - a windchime of glass, among the first things she had made - along with a letter to wish them all the best.

----

Maea out <3

Maea

// May the wind be at your back //

my, my, those eyes like fire, i'm a winged insect, you're a funeral pyre
come now, bite through these wires,

The ceremony is stunning and even the butcher finds himself speechless as single flames become one, enough that he’s captivated by everything that’s going on. This Dygra approved wedding is nothing like Astaroth has seen, but it embodies perfection in such a way that the butcher will have to compliment Charlie later.

As it stands, Danta’s question is met with a soft whisper of “I would imagine many given how beautifully she has done.” Captivated even still, it’s only when the main portion of the event comes to a close before Fox and Kiada begin to step down the aisle to greet everyone, does Asta catch Danta’s gaze. His honey dark eyes are impossibly warm, lighter somehow as he hunches just enough to catch the other Ancient’s words, watching as Maea departs. “Yes, darling. Shall we?” He asks with a wink, hooking his arm through Danta’s to tug him out of the pew to head toward the main section of the Temple where they can give their compliments and adoration to the couple and to Charlie, and greet anyone else that has arrived, such as Deimos and his family (whom Asta already knows Danta considers the Sword to be a good friend).

Astaroth

i'm a waking hell and the gods grow tired

we've been living on a fault line
and for a while, you were all mine

Beaming to see her mother as she ushers her new husband over to meet her, the Harpy gladly embraces her tightly and commits it to memory before withdrawing and accepting the squeeze of her hands briefly before she’s watching with an almost hawk-eyed focus on how Rexanna leans toward Fox. Taking in the calculating gaze, then the hug, something in her settles completely.

Like all the pieces have sat just right - that the person she’d much rather have as a father than her own had walked her down the aisle to this very moment, while her mother had offered her own approval. It’s a bittersweet beauty that Kiada settles in for, and she carefully wipes away the tears that have fallen, warm and joyous onto her cheeks.

Content to drag her mother away with her and Fox for a few moments to continue to talk and absorb as much time as she can, she makes a mental note to send Remi a letter thanking him profusely for this opportunity, before the true shenanigans of their wedding can begin.

And for the first time in a very long time, the Harpy feels whole.

- FIN

KIADA

i've spent a lifetime giving you my heart,
i swear that i'll be yours forever, till forever falls apart