From being an Abandoned who had rarely left the Hollowed Grounds, to embracing the call of adventure, to dying and being reborn first as an Ascended and then as an Ancient, Maea has gone through quite the amount of changes in her life. One thing remains common, though, in her attempts to find out just where she belongs; she’s always had a craving for knowledge which has brought her to so many places and to meet so many people here in Caido. We can’t wait to see what else is in store for her!
Congratulations, Maea!
Credits
Court of the Fallen was created in October of 2018 by Odd, Honey, and Crooked.
Skinning and hosting by the epically talented Kaons, and functionality fanciness by the coding magic of Neowulf. If you ever see either of them around, make sure to show them some love!
There’s a small amount of apprehension to her, based off recent events. Based off the idea that her wedding might be full of pitchforks and flames rather than the joyous event they want it to be. To prove to everyone that they’re still people with lives, who only want to be happy. That they have no control as much as anyone else when it comes to the terrible things that befall them. But she’s hopeful.
Remi, despite Ronin’s condition, had still treated her as a friend, as one of her best friends. Hadn’t placed any blame, any ill-will. And had she known what the Alchemist had done before her arrival to make the day continue on as normal, she didn’t know how she’d repay him for it, for any of it. Yet the Penumbra is blissfully aware, having prepared and dressed in the beautiful dress Remi had created, adorned with the jewels Lily had picked, heading near the site of her and Bastien’s first date, eyes peeled for a particularly brooding man whom she hopes has a smile on his face.
And that’s when she spots the gathering, so many have arrived to watch and be a part of it, that she can’t help but to be touched by it. She can see Wessex, her newfound sister, alongside Lucas and a few others. She can see Remi, exhausted along a tree beside Loren and a fox, and her brows quirk together slightly in a small amount of confusion, seeing how exhausted he was even from this distance. And she turns to Deimos, who waits for her and offers his arm, that she takes so gratefully. She’s happy he’s here, happy they all are. And that there’s no pitchforks and flames awaiting her. “Thank you for this, Deimos.” She says softly, only for him to hear, a brilliant fanged smile along her face.
That’s when she feels the warmth, the warmth of her goddess beside Bastien, and her sapphire eyes gleam with appreciation and wonder. That she had managed to come, to witness, despite it. Distantly she recalls Safrin at Remi and Ronin’s wedding, and wonders if that’s what happened when you were close to a goddess. If they blessed you with their presence for such joyful events. Yet she can’t help but to hope that nobody retaliates against her for this, not for her own wedding day, but because if something happened to the Voice, then it would happen to her and the love of her life and her new family.
She was drifting in thought, focusing on Bastien and smiling wide as she sees the decorations he had made, the attention to all the details, even how his own outfit seemed to match hers to an extent. And she uses him to ground her, to focus her, as she glances toward the Sword at her side. “Ready?” She asks a bit breathless, a true smile crossing over her face. Whatever happens, happens. At least she has her goddess, friends, and family. It’s all she can ask for.
When he confirms, she begins the steps down the aisle, the thought player somewhere in the back playing a beautiful sound she recalled from Halyven that was used for the announcement of wonderful news and happiness. And she focuses on Bastien and her goddess, feeling as though nothing could touch her as she approaches him, stopping just before the altar of sorts, for Deimos to do his part should he wish to. “Thank you.” She says quietly to her goddess — for being here, for coming to the wedding, for witnessing it even however minuscule it likely seemed to her. Then she takes a moment to inhale deeply, eyes landing back on Bastien, full of light, love, happiness, and hope.
Amalia has never been to the wedding of an Ascended before.
She feels out of place here, uneasy: she does not belong. Rexanna has always been kind to her, but she would hesitate to call the other woman friend; Bastien, similarly, is an unknown figure, though the tales of his insults to Safrin have done nothing to endears him to the girl.
No, she is here for her found family, for Deimos and Kiada and the others she loves. Lingering on the outskirts of the assembled crowd, the Shield scans with sharp eyes and a open bond for any sign of problems. Immediately she can sense Kiada, corrupt though the harpy might be, lingering and watching from the boughs above. She does not press the girl but follows her senses, stopping to stand beside where Remi and Ianto sit, her attention still on the harpy.
She is so focused that she almost does not notice the arrival of the Voice. Bristling and tightening, Amalia barely holds back a silent snarl, enraged that the goddess would show her face around those she has wounded so greviously. She glances at Remi and Ianto, biting her lip and shaking her head. I don't know.
The bride is resplendent, the groom radiant, and Deimos outrageously handsome among them, but Amalia scarcely registers these things. She is too busy worrying, her gift to the couple today: worrying about Kiada, worrying about Roana, ready to step in against any threat.
After the disastrous beginning, people filed into their seats and it all began to look a bit more like how Bastien had imagined. Expectant, happy faces waiting for the same thing he was - the arrival of his bride. "Thank you, Remi. When Rexanna arrives, we will be ready."
First Loren came; not a long time accquaintance of Bastien's but anybody with magic was an easy fit into his life (the sheer performance of it was enough to warm him to anyone). He shook the man's hand and smiled. "Oh, were it just me. No, this wedding is a group effort. Credit must go to Rexanna and yourself and Kiada, and Remi, too. Rexanna told me she had even more helpers than that."
He did not recognise the man that came before Samuel, but gave him a warm smile anyway. The wedding invitation had been public so anyone could come, after all. He had wanted to celebrate his and Rexanna's union with as many as possible. Samuel he nodded to and privately wondered why it was he always had to be so awkward. He had never seen someone so in need of a drink and an orgy. Maybe some naked painting.
Lucas received the coldest welcome, Bastien hardly looking his way. He knew Rexanna had...forgiven? the man, but he could not. Still, he would not control who she saw or wanted at her wedding. He would just ignore him.
He did not notice Remi's fox friend (and would not have known who it was if he had), too distracted by the sudden squeeze of his shoulder. Turning to see his Goddess, he smiled wide and nodded. "Thank you, golden lady. I am honoured to see you chose to attend." To have a real God attend his wedding was something so wonderful he could not have dreamt the moment.
Wessex arrived, which surprised him a little but he supposed she was of the most dedicated among them. An appearance by the Voice before those other than her 'bright ones' was rare and he thought she might be here to see it, unaware of her and Rexanna's friendship.
Kiada had told him she had been forced into coming, but looking around he could not see her. Perhaps she had weaseled her way out after all; he would not take any offense. She could hardly be expected to be happy about this so shortly after meeting him and her own mother. It would come in time, he was sure.
Then suddenly none of it mattered anymore, for before him there was Rexanna. He hardly noticed Deimos she was so radiant, taking all attention that could be given to anyone else. A breath that could have been an amazed laugh was left him as he felt his eyes begin to fill with tears. Bastien was not a man prone to crying, but the sight of her so beautiful and gentle, smiling at him...it felt like an impossible wish come true. It took all of his strength to not run forward and embrace her.
Instead, he settled for reaching out to take her hand when she reached the altar and leaning in to whisper: "Rexanna, you are amazing. I love you." There was so much more to say, but...later. For now, he looked over to Remi and nodded. They could begin.
and all I lost along the way
Is all I had to lose to find this day
Though Remi may have wanted to rest a good deal longer, this ceremony was about so much more than him. It was about happiness and union and loved, and no amount of exhaustion of blighted-speed-cleaning was going to keep him from attending to the joining of one of his dearest friends, and a less dear, but friend just the same.
Keep an eye on ... well, everything. Remi thought to both Ianto and Amalia before giving the fox a final scritch and rising to his feet. Wiping his hands on his clothes they transmuted instantly into something far more presentable and not covered with blight-vomit and sweat. Making his way around the guests to stand behind the bride and groom as Deimos escorted Rexanna to Bastien, the alchemist remained silent as they took each other in. Safe to say Bastien wasn't the only one with tears in his eyes. All the weight and heaviness of the passed few weeks came crashing down around Remi and though his joy for the couple was true, there was a not-so-small part of him that wanted to crumble in the face of it.
They were together and for as happy as it made him, it nearly broke him in that moment as well.
Steeling himself with a laugh and wiping a tear from his eye, the alchemist stepped forward with a chuckle. "Are you two ready to begin?" He asked, looking between the two. "If you will take hands.." Now. The pair likely had their own vows written (or thought of, anyways), but having recently been married, Remi thought perhaps he'd offer a few suggestions from recent personal experience.
"Bastien. Do you promise to always make sure you are not just hungry when you feel the need to argue with your new bride? To make sure not a day goes by that you don't give her some offering of love: a flower, a painting, a hug, a sketch? Do you promise to hold her above any muse that might catch your eye?"
Turning to Rex, the alchemist offered her a bashful grin.
"And Rexanna. Do you promise to keep Bastien from spending too long in the sun when he see something he can't help but paint? To bring wine for picnics even if you cannot taste it, and to make sure that as hard as it will be—" There was a twinkle in his eyes as he said this, clearing indicating how absurd he thought it was, "—you will try not to outshine your new husband in terms of fashion?"
"And to you both, do you promise to fix, replace, or clean anything that might need it, in Lily's room during your various uses of it?" This was said in a lower voice meant just for the couple, a wicked smile upon the alchemist's lips.
Please only let Rex and Bastien post!
Speaks with a thick Italian accent.
Force and magic can be used against Remi without permission.
Bastien’s secret is safe with his soon to be wife, as she gives him a brilliant fanged grin, seeing that slight gleam of what could be tears glassing his gaze. She quietly thanks Deimos with that same similar brightness to her own face, to her step, all appreciation and adoration. Then, when Bastien reaches for her hand, she easily gives it up to him with that same bright smile on her lips. And with his words, she gives him a slightly knowing nod. “I love you too, Bastien.” She says quietly, following his gaze toward Remi, trying not to simply confess their love for one another before the Alchemist has a chance to officiate.
Sapphire eyes slip toward Remi, smiling widely at him as he wipes a tear from his eye – not even thinking of what else it could be. Still, she gives him a nod in confirmation, agreeing that she’s ready to start, placing her other hand in Bastien’s as her gaze slips toward the painter, her almost husband, a dark brow raised as Remi directs his words to him first. And she has to pause before she snickers with the words, as though she would recall it and write them down – a ten commandments for their life so to speak. She waits easily for Bastien’s words, soaking in them as though he’s the sunshine she’s so dearly missed.
When Remi turns his gaze and attention to her, her gaze slips toward him briefly in acknowledgement before her attention returns to Bastien. The first two things, she can definitely do, but what’s a wedding without a little jesting? A brow raises again at the mention of fashion, and she gives Remi a sly grin before she hums a chime of a laugh. “I do… Two out of three.” She admits, looking back to Bastien and giving him a wink, a squeeze to his hand.
Her laugh has quieted as Remi speaks to both of them, unsure where it’s leading until his voice quiets and she realizes it’s a comment just for them, and she can’t help but to shoot another look toward Remi – all amusement, play, and joy within the brimming sapphire depths. “I suppose I do.” She jests toward her friend, a smirk upon her lips as she glances back toward Bastien.
But she imagines this is the point where she can tell Bastien what she had hidden away in her mind, on paper at first and then committed to memory. And she clears her throat, shooting a glance toward her goddess and all of her friends and family, before they land back on Bastien and she grins brightly to him. “Bastien, I first met you at the Festival of Lights, though I don’t think we even remembered each other’s names – I certainly was terrible at it.” She says at first, a light laugh leaving her before she continues. “But despite our acquaintanceship, I won’t forget when you held me during Longnight and soothed my worries, despite hardly knowing me. And later, when I came with you and Jigano to the Ruins and I impressed you with my fireworks for the first time.” She pauses, as if to insinuate that she’d done plenty of impressing since then.
“And how honored I was to be the first person you came to when you Ascended. And how I joined your guild, but it took weeks after before we could even attempt the idea of dating at first – how outlandish it was compared to what we were used to.” She pauses with a light smirk as if she could recall every detail. “How this was our first date, and you brought me here to paint with you and I butchered this poor tree in the dying light.” She laughs lightly, glancing toward the tree in question. “But I think the thing I love the most about us and about you is that nothing came forced. It took us months to even say we loved each other – and you had to be in jail for it.” She teases with a smile before she shakes her head – sending the jewels dancing in the glimmering luxere light. “And how now it’s second nature… How I can’t think of any other words to describe you other than that when I think of you.” Her words trail off quieter now, as though the words were meant only for him. Her eyes have grown a small amount glassy, but she pushes through it with a squeeze to his hand as she lifts her head slightly.
Even with Rexanna stood there before him for more and more minutes, Bastien could hardly take in all of her radiance. The moment felt gold-lined, impossible, like the idea of a painting that could never come to fruition in the real work. Yet here she was, and here he was.
Remi's words were charming and sweet and it was hard not to smile. His first friend in Caido, a fitting person to bind him to his first (and hopefully, last) love here. "I promise all of that and more." He agreed with a laugh, though it was an easy enough vow; he could not hunger, he could hardly go a day without making some kind of sketch of Rexanna and as for muses? There were none that could compare. He had looked Goddesses in the face and not been as moved as when he saw Rexanna even just roll over in her sleep.
"Nothing will be broken but limits." Bastien whispered to the last question with a smirk on his lips. But the smile quickly turned far more genuine as Rexanna gave her own vows. The tears that had threatened him earlier certainly came close to returning. She made him laugh, squeeze her hands and almost surge forward to kiss her when she had done. But he held back, just about, and cleared his throat to say his own piece.
He had spent quite a long time writing it. It was different from Rexanna's, but that was what worked about them, wasn't it? The contrast as well as the similarities. "Rexanna. Had I the skill I would speak of all the love you have given me and that which I feel for you. But I do not think the words exist. I will be in eternal search of them until my dying day and for the time being we must make do with the most common phrase 'I love you', which as you say came to us rather...late." With a laugh, he stroked his thumbs along her hands then continued.
"I shall never tire of saying it, though. I love you. I love the intelligence with which you make every decision and the bravery with which you carry them out. The tenderness you put into every kiss. I love the way you lay your hand on my chest before we sleep, or the way you always seem to know what it is you're doing - we all know I never do." Looking towards the guests then her, he took a breath before beginning the final words.
"Never have I been a man for vows or commitments, but I take this one on whole-heartedly. I have never been so sure of anything as I am that I want to be your husband and for you to be my wife. Let them all know I have accomplished the most rewarding feat on earth, having Rexanna Reyes for a partner." With those words he lifted her hands to kiss at her fingers, then looked back to Remi.
and all I lost along the way
Is all I had to lose to find this day
As the couple jested and inserted inside jokes into their vows, Remi couldn't help but wonder how Amalia had felt during his wedding. Had she forced herself to hold back her snickers and eyerolls of amusement, as he was now going? However, when they both looked to him, they'd find the alchemist's sea-glass stare filled to the brim with tears, a shaky and adoring smile on his lips. Beaming at the two of them, he had to tug in a breath before he could find the words to speak, laughing shakily by way of apology as he wiped yet more years from his eyes.
"Love has never been a competition, but I do think it fitting that yours has all the markers of a wondrous fairy-tale." Smiling fondly at each in turn, the alchemist nodded. "If you will exchange your wedding rings, I shall be all set to make this official by the power vested in me by the simple fact that I declare it so." He said with a chuckle.
Speaks with a thick Italian accent.
Force and magic can be used against Remi without permission.
Bastien did not think of their love as a fairytale, simply because he was more fond of bodice-ripping adventure novels, but he smiled warmly at Remi all the same, seeing the tears. He had been lucky to find such friends here, before he had even known of his love. Later, he would have to get Remi something as thanks, not just for this but for all the times he had been a good sport and a wonderful friend.
He took the ring out of his pocket, wrapped in a small blue cloth. Unfolding it, he revealed a gold ring made of tiny interlocking branches, each stone a slightly different tone in the light; colours of blues, reds, greens - anything, the colours shifting as the ring was moved. It was beautiful and too much and subtle all at once, just like himself and Rexanna, he thought. To get it he had had to pull several favours from the market and give away much of his inventory he had built up in the Artist's Guild, but it was worth it. Those things he could gain back; marrying Rexanna was something he would only get to do once.
Gently, he took her hand and lifted it, sliding the ring on her finger with his eyes fixed on hers, a huff of purely joyful laughter coming past his lips. "It suits you well, cara."
and all I lost along the way
Is all I had to lose to find this day
His vows warm her heart, and she has to bite down on her lip to avoid the tears that spring to her eyes — making them glassy and shine bright under the light of the Luxere and lanterns that dance around the gathering. And when Remi speaks next, it gives her enough time to handle her emotions, to hold onto it tight as her eyes drop down to the cloth he produces from his pocket, and her eyes land on the array of jewels and colors and she smiles so widely. She wants to cry there and then, but she doesn’t. Instead, she lets him slide it onto her finger, watching and smiling through it all.
But when it’s her turn? She reaches to grab her own cloth, one in sapphire and edged in gold, as she pulls the ring she’s made for him out. Edged with black, with gold on either side, she holds it up slightly to the light to see the sapphire that dances within it — and within the sapphire, flecks of gold dance about like stars, like moonlight, like him. And she lets her own gaze linger on his beautiful face as she slides it onto his own finger, squeezing his hand tight and brief. “Gold is your color too.” She comments quietly, gently, her voice wracked with emotions.
The alchemist could feel his smile, wide and unfettered stretching warmly across his face. The rings they offered each other were exquisite, and in the back of Remi's mind he wondered if Deimos hadn't usurped him as the Hollowed Grounds ring-designer. That, or maybe the Sword simply wanted to practice his skills before making his own rings..
"Well then." Turning to them both, biting the inside of his lip hard enough to halt the flow of tears that wanted to run down from his own eyes, he beamed at both Rex and Bastien. "Together you both shall be." No, until the day you die, for he wasn't sure that ascendeds did die in the traditional sense. Not, in sickness and in health, for that too they were above. Instead, it was merely together.
And when in love, together, would be enough.
Speaks with a thick Italian accent.
Force and magic can be used against Remi without permission.
That was his cue. Loren had been, well, watching all the arrivals, surprised at how many he recognized. Oh sure, there was the man who petted Astra—who was obviously pleased at the attention and walked up to him for a head rub—and then two more unfamiliar man, and then a fox, of all things, all of whom were strangers to the Launceleyn, but all of them obviously paled in comparison to the light show that suddenly exploded in the clearing.
The summoner’s eyes widened: while he wasn’t one hundred percent sure who or what was causing it, this was obviously a higher power of one sort or another. And he could only think of one higher power that would attend the wedding of two Ascended. The Voice. Perhaps it was unwise to stare, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away.
Thankfully, more people arrived and he was finally able to distract himself by watching them. Wessex; Deimos; Amalia, Loren was surprised at how many people he actually knew. Luckily, he didn’t know any of them well enough for them to approach or for him to feel obligated to go say hello. If anyone glanced his way he’d give them a quick smile.
Then, however, Rexanna had arrived. And despite how handsome Bastien looked, despite the incredible show from what he still thought had to be The Voice, she put them all to shame, a vision in beautiful gold that could not be compared. Loren smiled then, one of his actual smiles not the ones he put on when he knew it was appropriate to do so, and it only grew broader as Remi stepped forward to begin the wedding itself.
The alchemist did not disappoint: there was joy and laughter and life here, which was something that had been sorely lacking in the Hollowed Grounds of late. And then the two Ascended exchanged vows, and then rings, and the summoner felt tears spring to his eyes. While he would likely always deny himself such love, because he knew in his heart of hearts he didn’t deserve it, he couldn’t help but feel purely happy for Rexanna and Bastien.
Then the vows were over, rings were on fingers, and Remi concluded the ceremony, and it was probably the summoner’s turn to make his contribution to this wedding. Almost, he held back: he didn’t want to distract or detract from what had happened today. Only the knowledge that nothing he could do would outshine the bride and groom and the thought that it would make Rexanna, at least, happy, let him call up his magic and his will.
A phoenix appeared in the air above Remi, Rexanna, and Bastien. It sent a wave of pleasant warmth and light through the area, and at the Launceleyn’s command let out a crowing trill of joy before flying in triumphant circles above the couple’s head. Hopefully that would be a fitting tribute to the newlyweds.
With something as simple as the exchange of rings, they were married. Bastien hardly heard Remi speak as he looked at Rex wearing the ring he had selected. It matched her smile, radiant and beautiful, and he found himself absolutely unable to resist any longer - he stepped forward and in one motion pulled her towards him then lifted her up, spinning her in a joyous, dancing kiss.
For the moment it was sweet and light, Bastien too busy smiling into it to make it deeper; there would be time for passion as the evening wore on (and he would fill the time with as much as he had. When it came to Rexanna, he found his desire never ended).
The only thing to distract him from his bride was the Phoenix above them -- Bastien looked up, still holding Rexanna's arms. There were no words for how wondrous the moment was and all he could do was laugh again, lean in to kiss Rex's cheek then watch the bird some more.
As soon as the moment got quieter, he leaned towards The Voice and asked her for a favour. To let him have a night with all his and Rexanna's bodily sensations, just this once, to celebrate their bond. If it wasn't granted they would still have the most delicious of nights, he was sure, but if there was ever a night to gain back his arousal, this was it.
and all I lost along the way
Is all I had to lose to find this day
Remi’s voice breaks through whatever emotions cascade over Rexanna’s mind, despite her eyes remaining on her husband, a beautiful term for the happiness she’s found. And for once, she finds it’s not awkward, not strange to have someone to call that anymore. She is proud to. And her smile only grows wider when Remi tells them that together you both shall be. But she doesn’t have time to react to it, there is no time – because Bastien is there, whisking her up into his arms – her lips finding his as he spins them.
Her arms instinctively find his neck, wrapping around for support before the phoenix overtakes the sky, lighting up the darkness around them all, and she looks up to follow the bird – looking away from Bastien with a brilliantly white smile as she seeks out Loren in the crowd, unable to thank him, but so thankful for the little gift. And she turns back toward Bastien briefly with a soft smile, as though she had ‘pulled some strings’ to add to the dramatics, imagining that her new husband wouldn’t complain in the slightest.
Her hand squeezes his gently in response to the kiss on her cheek, her head resting on his shoulder gently as she watches the creature fly around a bit longer, until Bastien leans toward the Voice, their goddess, and Rexanna’s attention slips toward Remi. “Thank you.” She’d be breathless if she still needed air, but the sentiment is there with the way her eyes shine and spark in response.
It is a bonding like no other, merely because it is between her bright ones. The Voice had drifted back to oversee the proceedings once the one she knew as an alchemist stepped forward, the goddess listening with a beatific smile and a radiant gaze. Bastien and Rexanna were joined as one, rings exchanged, vows made, and whilst her children would know that they were, all of them, bound to one another... this was a special occasion.
And so as a phoenix soared overhead, as the celebration began in earnest, the Voice leant an ear to Bastien's request. A jubilant laugh escaped her lips, prisms of light scattering out from her form. He would hear her response in his head rather than out loud - why ruin the surprise?
One night, Bastien. From the moment that the door to your home closes, until the sun rises. Consider it a wedding gift.
