[ME] till forever falls apart

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

The moment they’ve all been waiting for, right? Pushed off with the focus on ensuring everything was fine after LongNight, the night finally comes. Chosen at the end of Flowerbirth to ring in the warmth of Longheat, the jitters find Kiada in the stress of getting into her dress. Charlie has done a phenomenal job with the Temple - its warmth adorned in braziers full of warm flame - not too hot for those not Ancient - but the ambiance meant for quite the brilliant appearance against the dark stone walls of the Temple.

Dotting the pews, the lanterns have already been set out in their respective places - those gone but not forgotten from both Fox and hers sides, set out meticulously. Rexanna’s lantern sits next to Ru’in’s lantern, taking up a small portion in the front rows. There aren’t sides to this, either, for anyone in attendance can choose whatever side it was they wanted to sit on. Her family was becoming Fox’s, and he’d soon learn just how much strength and love would sit in the pews for the both of them.

Out of reach from the majority, on the sides nestled in beautiful bouquets reminiscent of Kiada’s own, those vibrant orange and red flowers from the Climb sit, offering a warm addition amongst the white, red, and black flowers. But Kiada won’t witness the full view of it until they’re ready to step down the aisle - with Deimos on her arm to guide her down.

Shimmying into her dress finally, its with relief that she has some help tying up the corset back, adjusting the pale feathery additions to the straps that held it up. It swoops in a low V from her neck, revealing that X with how her hair is swept up neatly from her face and shoulders, draping down her back which mirrors it in another V, showing the swirling burn scars and puncture scars left behind from lifetimes ago. The dress itself is of a mermaid style, fitting her curves perfectly, with the ends fading from white into orange, into a burnt red, then ending with a black chiffon.

Her goal is for her to come off like a phoenix, as she had so many times before. She thinks the point gets across.

Emerging from the side room to greet Deimos for the walk, Kiada beams him a bright smile as she plucks her bouquet from the vase it had been sat in, taking a moment in the mirror to make sure the golden pieces of dangling jewelry in her ears and the delicate chains along her horns are in place, tucked neatly behind a sheer veil made of similar ombre style to the fiery appearance the harpy gives off. “How do I look?”

---

ITS WEDDING TIME BABESSSS

Here’s her dress shape, just imagine it going into an ombre colored of fire and ash! here!

Deimos will be walking Kia down the aisle so there’s a round for everyone to filter in before she does ;D

KIADA

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

'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

Fox isn't nervous. Why, are you nervous? Would you be, in this situation? Hey, shut up.

It's a good thing that Ancients can't really sweat, because otherwise his palms would be clammy enough five times over and he'd have needed to change his shirt at least once in the time it's taken to stand himself at the end of the long, long aisle. Don't get him wrong, though - it isn't jitters about marrying Kiada that's troubling him (that's the one thing in all of this he's absolutely certain about), but rather being the centre of attention for the entire night.

Or at least for this part of the entire night, because he's sure that, when Kia does make her entrance, all eyes will be upon her - including his own.

Glancing around the Temple again at the flourishes and additions bathing it in a warm glow and setting off the flowers and other decorations, Fox takes a deep breath and lets it out again. Adjusting the deep red bowtie of his suit and tugging at the lapels, he'll never admit that he lowkey expects the thing to try and strangle him, but he's also very much looking forward to taking it off later.

(For someone else to take it off later, if he's honest).

And that thought alone has a flush rising to his cheeks and his mouth growing dry, so with a gentle clearing of his throat, he turns back to face the front, glancing fleetingly at Charlie as if for help.

FOX

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

REMI

the bastion

there's a light that you give me
when I'm in shadow

Remi doesn’t enter the Temple so much as he floats into it on a tide of unrestrained affection. It’s in his expression, warm and unguarded as he casts his gaze over the familiar space now remade into something beautiful rather than reminiscent of so many horrifying LongNight's spent huddled in the dark. The heat from the braziers is familiar, the scent of flame and flowers stirs memory like breath on embers, but it’s the hand wrapped securely in his that keeps him present.

He’s dressed as he always is when left unsupervised—dark clothes made finer only by the addition of a deep crimson boutonnière pinned near his heart (thanks Ronin), the shade unmistakably a nod to both the bride’s palette and the flush across his own cheeks when Ronin had pinned it on him.

"You look very kissable," Remi murmurs to his husband, his smile boyish and adoring as he bumps their shoulders together. "It's very distracting. I'd go so far as to say that we might need a quick make-out session so that you don't force me to ruin things if I'm made to wait."

His gaze slips toward the front, to where lanterns flicker and a hundred lives seem to hold their breath for Kiada. "Rexanna would be proud," he says quietly, the weight of her memory tugging the corners of his smile down somewhat and yet making him look all the happier for it.

there's a feeling you give me, an everglow

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

RONIN

the white knight

"Things are sweeter when you wait for them, husband," Ronin croons as he sweeps into the Temple alongside Remi, his fingers laced with the Bastion's as if he is a kite that might fly away if someone isn't there to tether him to the ground. "For the record, though, you also look particularly kissable. Maybe it's all the love in the air." Grinning and bumping his shoulder back against Remi's, the Knight gestures for a couple of free seats so they might settle and await the bride's grand entrance.

Unlike his husband, Ronin's outfit has been planned meticulously, and yet the result is that the two men look nearly identical in their dark clothes and their scarlet boutonnières, especially as they sit down beside one another. Keeping his hand in Remi's and offering it a warm squeeze as Rexanna's name spills from his lips, he leans in to sneak a kiss to his cheek. "She would be," he agrees, his voice warm and affectionate, before he glances back towards the aisle. "And he looks about as nervous as I did waiting for you on our wedding day."

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

Deimos

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

Off to the side, waiting in his perpetual patience, Deimos did his best to remain composed as well. The apprehension curled and contorted in waves, but he sunk it inward, as if to soften the long, slow breaths unfurling from his lungs. Done up in his own suit to match the hues and colors of the arranged nuptials, his eyes ran up and down the Temple interior more than once; studying, analyzing, nodding his head to others he recognized and knew, before skittering off into the shadows. Long limbs would often settle into a back-and-forth pace, and then pausing to ascertain the situation, listening all the while, thoughts contemplating a thousand different things.

Kiada marrying - which had taken him a lengthy time to digest, but accept nonetheless – and Fox, who seemed kind and genuine and good – someone the Harpy needed after cycles and denizens of resurrection. What she had managed to snag, claim, and grab hold for herself (something he couldn't help but be pride of her for). New lives and futures forged out of unions. Rexanna, who would have loved to see and be a part of the festivities, perhaps looking on somewhere from Mort’s realm. He’d like to think she mingled amidst the ashes and petals, with easygoing smiles and idle chatter.

When she did finally emerge, he greeted her with a warm, kind smile, extending his arm outwards immediately for her to take. “Perfect,” he whispered in response, nose wrinkling in juvenile gestures; perhaps to give both of them some familiarity amidst the new foundations. Restlessly, he adjusted one of the portions of her bouquet, then took another long inhale. “Are you ready?”

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

charlie

Of course Charlie sees him.

She’s been fluttering around the Temple all day, a crimson-and-gold whirlwind of fire and finesse, ensuring every tiny detail is pure perfection—and maybe a little chaos. Lanterns placed just so, bouquets arranged like explosive little riots of colour, and braziers glowing bright enough to put Dygra herself to shame. But even amidst greeting guests and scattering compliments like sparks, she’s had one sharp blue eye on Fox.

Who, bless him, looks like he might actually combust before Kiada even gets down the aisle.

In a blink—quite literally—Charlie darts! to Fox’s side, the red silk of her dress rippling as she comes to a stop, her ruby horns glittering fiercely in the amber glow. Immediately, she reaches up and gently straightens his bowtie, her heels giving her enough height to manage it without needing to climb him like a tree (tempting as it might be).

"Deep breaths, babe!" she purrs warmly, flashing him a playful, fanged smile. "You look fantastic, but if you grip your jacket any tighter, you'll shred it." She lifts one perfect eyebrow, a mischievous gleam sparking to life in her vivid eyes. [sa]y"Although I’m sure Kiada wouldn’t mind the view."

She releases his tie, stepping back just enough to look him up and down, her tail flicking cheerfully around her ankles. "Seriously, Foxy, you’re fine. Everyone here is so busy ogling the décor and dying to see Kiada that they’ll barely even remember you’re up here." She winks, voice dipping into a conspiratorial whisper. "Just stand there looking handsome—and try not to faint."

With a gentle tap of her manicured nails against his chest, Charlie leans back, softening her teasing into something genuinely reassuring. "Trust me. The second you see her, nothing else is gonna matter. And if all else fails, I’ve hidden some strong liquor behind that pillar." She tilts her head toward the side with a conspiratorial grin.

you make me wanna
make you fall in love

Code blatently stolen from queen of codes, Sky!

// there's shadows on the walls //

Kiada isn't here yet, and apparently it's good practice not to shove your hand down the front of your date's pants because they look so fuckable, so Danta is left to ogle Charlie as he sits on his hands in his chair, pointedly not glancing in Astaroth's direction. The Temple is as good as it has ever looked and then some, even more so given all of the people in attendance and their ever-so-deliciously-Dygra themed outfits, but given that the Maverick is basically like ADHD on legs, things ought to start happening soon lest he find his own mischief to make.

At least he looks good, or so he has been assured - his suit is dark enough to almost seem black until the light hits it, giving it a sheen of dark crimson, and the rose pinned to his lapel is of a similar velvety hue. His blonde hair is swept neatly back out of his face and tied with a scarlet ribbon, his horns adorned with chiming silver decorations, and he resists the urge to loosen his tie lest he start to take all of his clothes off entirely.

"We are never getting married," he announces under his breath, though based on the next few minutes and how they make him feel, that could arguably change.

Dantalion

// of moments far too troubling to recall //

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

It had taken a bit of time to get the squirrelly man he’s in love with, into the fine suit without all of the fidgeting. But as far as Astaroth is concerned, Danta looks perfect, in the dark hue of the suit that flares red when the flames flicker brightly toward them. So busy is he, in fact, that he’s watching Danta rather than taking in the interior (Kiada isn’t here to steal the show just yet, and he’s sure based off his meeting with Fox that the hunter would like nothing more than to not have the butcher’s attention).

So Danta will do. And he does very well, up until the comment leaves him that has the butcher perking up with a brief and low thrum of a laugh. “No?” He purrs a little playfully, simply to be annoying. He, himself, has chosen a matching hue to Danta’s own. The deep dark suit adorned with an equally crimson sheened dark shirt. His waistcoat, however, is blood red with silver flares akin to flames (he’d helped Kiada pick the flame whirls in her dress, so he had to go with something similarly). His hair is back neatly and his antlers boast golden chains and trinkets that dangle from them, moving and capturing the light with each twist of his head. “And why might that be?” He probes.

Marriage had never been on his mind, but given that Danta seems so against it at this moment, he can’t help but to lean toward it purely from the amusement factor. Regardless of whether or not he gets his answer, Asta doesn’t mind, happy to take in the moment the second that the harpy arrives.

Astaroth

i'm a waking hell and the gods grow tired

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

Choosing a seat further back in the Temple, a certain pale-haired ancient did what she could do avoid drawing attention to herself. Her disputes with many an Ancient did not extend to Kiada, and while they were not close, she thought of the woman as a friend. One who had been through much over the years, facing losses, death and revival without losing sight of who she was. If there was anyone she would like to emulate in life, it would be the Harpy, for she was so utterly herself in all she did that one couldn't help but respect her.

Feeling almost as jittery as the groom looked, Maea arranged velvety cloth around her knees, glad to have chosen her black dress and even gladder still for the simple yet elegant gold jewelry she had slipped onto her horns and tail. With little to do but wait, she kept her eyes too herself, more listening than watching for the arrival of the bride.

Maea

// May the wind be at your back //

i will march down an empty street like a ship into the storm, no surrender, no retreat
i will tear down every wall, just to keep you warm, just to bring you home

He’s only ever had minimal interactions with Kiada, and admittedly hasn’t met Fox before. But the Flood is here to support Hotaru and her excitement – given that the girl is her niece. And a wedding was a wedding, he could certainly be happy to partake in any festivities. So, Sunjata arrives with Hotaru on his arm, dressed neatly in a suit with muted earthy tones – opting not to wear the navy blue he was familiar with and prone to.

Mostly because he was sure that Hotaru would have killed him if he clashed so hard with the general aesthetic of the wedding. And given that he doesn’t want to go out that way, Sunjata’s quite happy to oblige his fiancée as they approach the Temple. The last time he was here, he’d spent a night with Charlie in their rage room, and as he drifts in to take a seat with Hotaru somewhat near the front, he flashes a smile and a nod to those he knows in attendance, though his playful wink is reserved for Charlie at the front.

Settling in easily, he leans in toward Hotaru with a small, crooked smile. “Excited?” He asks her quietly, focusing his steel gaze away from the beauty of the Temple and the interior of the wedding to his fiancée with all the adoration and appreciation he has, flooding his side of the attuned bond with it to hopefully soothe the buzzing electric excitement he’s sure she has.

SUNJATA

Hotaru

Excitement is an understatement. Hotaru practically vibrates beside her fiance, filled to the brim with love and happiness for her niece. It eases the ever-present, quiet hum of missing Rexanna and wishing the woman was here for this momentous day, no matter the difficulties mother and daughter had gone through. Still, her sister's lantern holds presence and gravitas enough, and the memory of the two embracing by Ludo's grace holds those yearning, aching feelings at bay. It paves the way for the waves of endless pride and glowing joy to be here - to witness this kind of love for someone she holds so dear - and to feel it reflected all around by those gathered here. She hopes Ru'in is seeing it too in Mort's arms, that he is equally happy for Kiada's happiness.

Dressed in dark clay-toned reds and gold accents of her own creation, Hotaru matches Sunjata's muted tones beautifully. She'd only needed to utter implied threats once to sway him from his cool-toned preferences - her fiance is a smart man after all - and though he'll surely never willingly reach for it again, he looks wonderful in it, and she revels in their joint beauty and the way they blend with the rest of the ceremony and its attendees.

Briefly looking away as her beloved leans in, Hotaru inhales roughly and realizes she isn't sure when she started holding her breath. Was that why he'd drawn her out of her fixation? The idea makes her smile - instinctive the second she'd turned to him - soften into a molten puddle of love that combines seamlessly with the seemingly overbearingly present love she is feeling for Kiada in this moment. "More than the word can express," the shaky exhale whistles through her grinning teeth, squeezing him tighter to give the feeling an outlet lest it vibrate her apart. The anticipation of Kiada emerging trembles in her bones, but Sunjata keeps her firmly rooted as he always does, steering her steady through yet another overwhelming experience. This time, blessedly, it's a moment that is soaked in positivity and collective support - exactly as Kiada deserves.

a princess with lips made of glass
and a voice cut from steel

Evie

Evie has not had personal moments to share with Kiada to forge a deep connection with the woman, but she has been a regular fixture not only in Deimos' life - and therefore her own - but in the Ignatius home. Enough to consider her family all the same, and to rejoice in the love and happiness she has found in Fox. Evie sits beaming with Erebos on her lap in the rows of others joined here today in support of Kiada's happiness and the hope for years more of it, glowing with pride to know Deimos will be safely shepherding the woman to her forever joy.

Maea's presence is unmistakable - and confusing, but the woman has died and vanished and returned evermore so many times Evie has ceased to be flummoxed by it - but the rest of the gathered guests have familiar faces that she is happy to see again even from a distance. And all of them glow with affection that is positively infectious. Evie bounces Erebos on her knee (though he's perfectly behaved) and waits anxiously for Kiada to emerge, smile everpresent.

if this love does not call itself a wildfire
then I don't want it at all

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

Fox is the good Kiada needed after everything in her life. And she’s absolutely looking forward to each and every moment after the nuptials, of feeling the light delicate weight of the ring on her finger, of knowing that - more than before - that they were each others through and through. Something she can stuff her possessiveness into in a healthy way, though she’s confident that Fox wouldn’t mind one way or another.

But it’s Deimos’ warm smile as she looks up to him to ask for his approval or disproval settles any lingering nerves that shoot like lightning through her veins, and she gladly takes his arm and peers up at him, her bouquet angled carefully so as to not singe him with the burning flowers, and nods - her delicate chains clinking lightly against her horns. “More than ready.” She murmurs softly, her voice full of swallowed down excitement.

The music starts, a gentle swell that hushes the crowd in the Temple, and she twists them around to head toward the entrance so that they might begin the walk. A few beats of the music later and she’s got her arm wound tightly in Deimos’ as they emerge, all fiery tinged edges of her dress weaving with the air of their walk, the sheer veil making it easy to spot Fox and his handsome nervousness from this distance. She smiles to him brightly, trying to give him some of her confidence as they get closer, a slow walk through the center aisle until Deimos can give her to her soon to be husband.

So alight in her adoration and love for Fox she’s hardly noticed everyone that’s come to witness it - though, she supposes, that’s what the party afterward is for, right?

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

With her acceptance came the inevitable, and he’d ensure she’d make it down the ramparts to a new foundation. Perhaps Fox’s presence made it easier; Deimos didn’t have to unfurl warnings or issue potential vehemence. The man was a trustworthy individual, and the Sword wouldn’t believe Kiada capable of picking someone she couldn’t forge onward with. So he took her excitement and dashed away a stray tear from the corner of his eye, extending his arm outwards. “All right, here we go,” on a promise and a wink.

Beats of music and tight tethers provided the opening act, and he took a long inhale and exhale, concentrating and focusing on the task ahead. He occasionally glanced down at Kiada, with a dignified and proud grin, before they eventually marched along the procession, and made it down to the altar.

Only then did he part with her – and would never do so for anyone less than what she was worth. With another wink extended to both, he placed her where she needed to be, then stepped aside, finally breathing again. Glancing over the crowd, he gave a smile to Evie and Erebos alike, trying not to pay credence to some in particular, and stood, stalwart and waiting.

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