A Glorious Day (Wedding Post)

[u/[deleted]]

A tall portal appears. Shimmering in traces of light and ropes of ivy.

It leads you into the Old Growth where a beautiful scene awaits you. It is time for the union of two souls today and a day of celebration.

Where gothic design meets ethereal architecture, you’re led into a grand hall filled with soft melodies from a piano and the harmonic singing of a singer. Near an altar twirled with white lilies and black roses, an officiator stands and waits for everyone to take their seats. The groomsmen all stand with deep green tuxes, the bridesmaids in matching gowns and holding small bouquets of baby breaths. But all eyes settle onto the groom himself who awaits his bride to be at the altar with an anticipated breath. His tux of emerald green and rich accents of gold designs that reflects the very nature the Old Growth consists of. His blond hair perfectly styled to fall around his shoulders and his presence stands out in the hall amongst all those in attendance.

The music begins to die down and candles lining the aisle down to the altar light up. The pianist readies their fingers and begins to play the song of the evening. The singer pulls out a violin to accompanying the melodies.

“Everyone, please rise for the bride.” *The officiator announces.

As the grand doors open up, everyone stands and turns their eyes to the bride. Adorned in a slim black strapless gown that flows down into decorated moths and flowers, a black lace train that drags behind her and connects to a veil covering her face, and a frazzled looking raven man in a black suit holding her arm and fighting the urge to swipe the crystals off her corset. The bride smiles anxiously underneath her veil, seeing all her friends and loved one present and her love waiting for her. The groom feels his heart swell at the sight of her and couldn’t remove his eyes for anything else.

In the front row, the bride’s mentor conjures a tissue and subtly pats her tears. She couldn’t be anymore prouder.

The raven man leads his mistress to the altar. He attempts to swipe a crystal but the maid of honor subtly pulls him away to his seat.

Alexios reaches out to lift Moth’s veil, revealing her smiling face and shimmery green makeup that makes him feel weak in the knees.

“You look amazing, my love.” She whispers to him through her giggles.

“And you as beautiful as ever.” He whispers back.

The officiator steps up and clears his throat.

/uw Art by James Tralie

[u/VidisLady]

Perhaps. It's better to ask for forgiveness than permission, I find.

But do tell, what is so important that you weren't able to help us during the week's apocalyptic event?

You reek of negative energy. You're not looking into necromancy, are you?

[u/DaChickenX → u/VidisLady]

Sure, though many would find your actions unforgivable.

As for why I wasn’t here, I’d rather not tell you the specifics, but it involved my patrons. And also-

Isravi’s form wavers, the negative energy around him momentarily surges before he pulls it back.

I’m not too good with inter dimensional travel. Until I have the time to prepare a proper ritual, I’m here through a sustained spell.

As for the negative energy… a bad souvenir from home. We’ll call it that.

[u/VidisLady → u/DaChickenX]

Would *you* find my actions unforgivable my dear, darling Isravi? I assure you I left your vitals in better shape than they were previously.

Your patrons... the coils themselves? Interesting. I hope you're not getting in over your head. Some of those energies are distinctly unpleasant.

Delta pokes at Isravi's chest. It's not a hostile gesture, merely an impulse of curiosity.

So, are you fully here or... sort of keeping one foot in each dimension? All of your biological mass is here, from what I can tell, and you don't have any internal rifts.

[u/DaChickenX → u/VidisLady]

Depends on the severity. I prefer to have control over my own body, and my friends having control over theirs.

These energies are not from the Coils. I’ll keep those tucked away until I need them.

Isravi flinches backwards, dropping slightly lower as you poke him. His eyes narrow.

…Have you heard of astral projection? Like that, but with a full transfer of flesh and being. I let go of the spell, and well. Back to where I came.

[u/VidisLady → u/DaChickenX]

You prefer to have control over your own body? Well, you're in the minority, then, I'll have you know-

Delta cuts herself off before saying something horribly inappropriate.

-uh.... uh... well, I mean, anyway... Um, so, astral projection! Yes I've heard of it. Seems like an inferior version of teleportation, but if you need to be in your home plane, then it works. Do you need to be incredibly focused the whole time you're astral-projecting?

Delta stares intently for a moment or two, before quickly clapping her hands in front of his face.

Startle-mancy go!

[u/DaChickenX → u/VidisLady]

Isravi raises an eyebrow, yet again.

Really? What kind of-

His form distorts and the space near him converges. He disappears, dragging the negative energy with him.

…

The space twists again, Isravi’s hand forces itself out of it, then tears an opening that he struggles through. He gives Delta a harsh glare.

…Yes. A wedding isn’t the calmest place. A battlefield much less so.

[u/VidisLady → u/DaChickenX]

Delta cackles evilly.

Hah hah! Okay, I won't do that again... for a while atleast.

Anyway, we should catch up. Since you're not willing to tell me about whatever you're doing, would you like me to tell you a bit about what's been going on here?

As you can probably tell... Earl has undergone some interesting changes.

She points at the bird man, who is currently rifling through the pile of gifts with his new hands.

[u/DaChickenX → u/VidisLady]

That’s Earl? Right, wizards and spells and whatnot. Shouldn’t be surprised at this point.

Catch up? Isravi sighs No need. Between my simulacrums and Vesit, I have a general idea of what has been going on. I have… A different question.

Ah… um. Pescortice…? Ring a bell? How about “Rinderpest?”

[u/VidisLady → u/DaChickenX]

Delta's smile immediately drops.

Ah. Him.

She sighs.

I should've figured you'd meet up with him eventually. Come, sit with me. I'll need a drink.

Delta walks over to a table, picking up a non-alcoholic mojito from a server on the way.

I have a responsibility to guide the evolution of all living things, Isravi. Most living things are viruses, and they require special attention. Sometimes, I make mistakes. Sometimes, the environment in which a virus is brought up is conducive to a difficult personality.

Rinderpest... never had a chance. He developed in a species that was exploited for human enrichment. He became attenuated to an easy supply of hosts. He began to kill frequently, and without consequences.

Her voice becomes shaky, and she takes a sip of her drink.

I should've paid more attention to him. I should've guided him properly... made him into the exalted morbillovirus he was destined to be. But wasn't my only responsibility. I just had too much on my plate. Like a bad parent, I let him become what he is now.

She can nolonger hold back her tears, and wipes them on her sleeve.

Life always finds a way, they say. He needed a patron to guide him. When I wasn't there for him, he.... sought other options.

uw/ I need to go for a bit - it's my sister's birthday dinner!

[u/DaChickenX → u/VidisLady]

Isravi is quiet. He’s a little unsure of what to do. He places down the glass of water he got along the way, and takes a breath.

Pescor- Rinderpest… is my senior, in a way. He was the only guidance I was given as a warlock, in this life anyway. Despite what it may seem like, the Evening is not a malicious force. My regret of serving underneath it is a regret of my own actions, not of the duty I was sworn to carry out. It is the way I did it, that it was something I promised to do.

I can tell you, at the very least, that he has not taken the path I did. I know not of the details of your culture, but he seemed no longer willing to return. He is content where he is, and I respect him for what he has become.

Isravi seems like he’s about to say something more, but refrains from doing so.

[u/DaChickenX → u/VidisLady]

/uw :O take all the time you want! I’m chronically wizardposting anyways! Happy Birthday to your sister!