fourteenth shot ⊗ wedding day

[flamekthunder]

Who: Eustace, Tifa, and anyone who wishes to join the wedding reception! RECEPTION IS OPEN INVITE so anyone can join in the log even if the characters don't know them!
Which: Open log
Where: Along a long stretch of the riverbank
What: It's Eustace's and Tifa's wedding and while their ceremony was private, they've invited anyone who wants some free food, drinks, and dancing to join in and have fun! For a visual reference of how things, we have an image board you can use.
Warnings: The gumdrops are lurking—

On a sunny, early afternoon of the 3rd, the ceremony takes place in a private setting at the Corgi Tree where Trahearne awaits to officiate. But by the time late afternoon hits and everyone from the ceremony and other guests arrive at the reception located at the Riverside, the area will have been completely transformed.

While there are no leaves left on the trees, they are decorated with hundreds of little glowing blue and red starflowers, and from the branches hang lanterns that flicker with firelight that give off enough warmth that it can melt away the cold beneath them. Those familiar with Tifa may recognize it as her own dreamotion magic fueling them, as well as the smaller lanterns at the center of each table. Seating is abundant at the long tables decorated in silk, and blankets are provided for people to take to keep warm if the fiery logs scattered about are not enough. Large flowery tree decorations stand tall on every table as the centerpiece, as well as plenty of flowers, courtesy of Oriphi and Isabela's Madrigal Blooms.

However, in spite of the comfortable heat that lingers, snowflakes fall from the sky and the treetops, and while they may be cool to the touch, they will melt away before they can touch the ground. Should one look up, not only will they see the snowflakes sparkling in the light, but there is a ceiling of stars that twinkle alongside them, speckled through the air and spreading outwards in all directions from wherever Tifa is.

To kick off the dancing will be the couple first, with a performance by Phantom. Everyone in attendance will be given a sparkler, and as the song reaches its climax, not only will the sparklers burst with light, but the snowflakes will shimmer a little brighter, and the hundreds of stars will erupt into thousands that spread through the Riverside and across the dance floor. Arcs of lightning and wisps of flame ripple through the crowds, some of them forming shapes in the air to paint pictures of a small rabbit and a wolf leaping between the glittering specks of light.

The rest of the night is dedicated to a good time, with the band playing a variety of different kinds of music to dance to. Alongside them will be more performances, including a song on the violin from Dohalim.

While the ceremony will be small and reserved for friends, the reception will be free to whomever would like to join or is just passing through. Seating is abundant, as is the food, so join in the festivities! Drink, dance, and celebrate! Be sure to grab the small bags of rose candy treats from the Flower Dogs.

Leave well wishes or words of advice for the couple on the GUESTBOOK (and if you have a gift, be sure to leave it there, too) before you leave! (Compiled version can be viewed here)

I. FOOD

---

The menu for the evening includes:

🌟 A variety of soups and stews, both meats and vegetables alike.
🌟 Freshly baked breads for dipping or to enjoy with jams, jellies, or butter.
🌟 An assortment of various meat dishes provided by Eustace and helped prepared by 76: chicken, duck, pheasant, beef, pork, deer.
🌟 Featuring a large wild boar hunted and prepared by Eustace in three different ways: braised, spicy chili barbecued, and roasted.
🌟 Stuffed potatoes, cooked greens, roasted fish.
🌟 Winter-themed desserts such as mini cakes, cookies, mousse, pies.
🌟 Special drinks courtesy of Diluc and Oriphi: S'mores coffee liqueur cocktail, Starry Night cocktail, mulled wine

Besides the delicious food that has been provided courtesy of Soldier:76, the game hunted by Eustace, a three-tiered cake baked by Sanji, as well as cocktails from At Day's End, there will of course be other treats and drinks for people to enjoy throughout the night.

S'mores stations will be set up, and people are free to use the fire pits that have been set up all around for warmth for toasting marshmallows that will change color depending on one's emotions. There is also a coffee, hot chocolate, and eggnog station set up next to it for all. Be careful, some of it might leave people feeling a little giddy after a cup or two. But don't worry, they're alcohol free, unless you'd like them not to be.

Because of the huge amount of food, there are takeout boxes available for anyone to use to take home! Please, take it. Take it.

II. ACTIVITIES

---

Besides dancing and general mingling, there are plenty of other things for those in attendance to enjoy at the riverside.

Thanks to the surge in dreamotion, bubbles will occasionally float from the river. If one is lucky enough to catch a glimpse into them, they will see a reflection of a happy memory, or even a hope or a wish for the future.

On the other side of the dance floor is a small photo station with a photographer who will happily take people's photos with his dreamotion camera. Preserve some memories with friends and loved ones!

Eustace has frozen over part of the river, so slip on some skates (provided) and enjoy a night of ice skating under the stars! There is plenty of snow to go around as well, so might as well make the most of it. Sculpt snowmen, snow animals, whatever your heart desires. And who knows, with enough dreamotion, that small snow rabbit or dog might come to life and prance around. Of course, it will cause no havoc, but they sure are cute. The corgis will also be around to pull around dog sleds for anyone who would like to go for a ride along the river. A perfect opportunity to practice for those sledding races.

For those looking for a quieter getaway from the festivities, there are some flowery and candlelit paths that lead down along the river should anyone need a break, as well as into the trees for someplace secretive and quiet. Anyone for a moonlight tryst, perhaps? But watch out for the singing fish. At least the white and pink gumdrops will have had a feast so they will be mostly behaving (but should they catch anyone they think might be particularly delicious, they won't hesitate–yes, this is a threat and they will not hesitate to join in on the festivities), but there are still sprigs of mistletoe for those who may want a little less "excitement"...

III. TRADITIONS

---

A. Flower Wreaths & Crowns. On every table beneath the flower decoration stand there is a basket of various winter flowers with a small note of instructions included inside (click the text).

"From the remote, distant snow covered islands of North Vast.

Due to the harsh climate, flowers are a rarity and the ones that manage to bloom and survive are treasured. Thus for my people, flowers are not seen as delicate but strong and persevering, providing color in an otherwise white world. They've become a symbol for the women who have had to help build and support their families.

For the wedding, the bride will gather flowers to give to all the women of the village so that they can create their own crowns and veils and join in celebration. Men can also create a token to give to their loved one, romantic or familial.

Throughout the festivities, women will take a flower and weave it into a special veil that the bride will wear once the festivities are over as a symbol of their support for her new journey ahead.

Feel free to participate or take them home for your own purposes.
Eustace."

Over by the table where Eustace and Tifa will be sitting will be a small table with the initial veil standing on display. Anyone with a flower is free to weave one in. Otherwise, as the note mentions, anyone is free to make their own flower crowns or other flower creations. There are plenty of flowers to go around (and can be readily restocked).

B. Catch a Shooting Star. Set aside is a small table with a series of glass jars of varying sizes. In front is a small card with Tifa's neat handwriting explaining what they are for (click the text):

"From Nibelheim.

At sunset, the children would be sent out to the grassy fields just outside of town to collect fireflies to bring back to the happy couple. It was never a contest, but we would always turn it into one to see who could catch the most in their jar. Emilio was quick so he usually won, but I came close once! My village was small, so there weren't a lot of chances for it anyway. Once the sun was gone, we would turn off all the town's lights and the couple would make a wish beneath the stars and set the fireflies free.

The wishes could be for good fortune or prosperity, or it could be a prayer to wish their loved ones well. We believed that, because they looked like the stars over Nibelheim, they were good luck, and could carry their wishes back to the Planet on their backs.

Unfortunately, it's a little too cold for fireflies to come out for that now, but I've taken my own twist on it. If you look up to the stars above your heads, they look a lot like fireflies, don't they? If you can spot a shooting star, catch it in one of these jars.

And, instead of giving them to me and Eustace, we'd love for you to hold onto the ones you do catch. Make a wish on them and if you want to release it with the hope that the wish will come true, then you can. Or you can keep them and hold onto that wish until the right time. The star will stay alive for as long as that wish you imbue into it does...

So whatever you do with it, hold that wish close to your heart.

- Tifa"

The stars she speaks of continue to twinkle well into the night, and while the shooting stars are fleeting, they are bountiful. They are quick, however, and sometimes, they may wind up stuck in treetops and will need help getting out, or they may land in someone's drink. As Tifa explained, should anyone catch one or several (however many they would like), they may free the stars so that the Planet may grant their wish, or hold onto that wish and bring the jar of stars home. If nothing else, they would make beautiful lights or decorations!

C. Paopu Fruit. On another table is a large bowl filled with star shaped fruits and a large pile of napkins (once you have a taste, you will see why there are so many.) There is a card for one to read in writing that is neither Tifa's nor Eustace's with a short explanation of what this is:

"Paopu fruits:

If two people share one fruit at the same time, their destinies become intertwined. They'll remain a part of each other's lives no matter what."

Inside the bowl are pieces of the Paopu fruit. While there weren't enough to offer whole ones for every guest, there are more than enough smaller pieces for anyone who would like to try this with their loved ones or even their friends. Destinies are not limited to significant others, after all, and should one wish to remember one another when this dream ends, that is all the reason they should need, yes?

According to Sora, the fruit should be bitten into at the same time, and they are very sweet and sour, "like a pineapple and a pear if they were fused together and made a baby." Hopefully there are enough napkins provided, as it might get a little messy!

IV. FLOATING LANTERNS

---

Towards the end of the night, a call is made out for everyone to gather by the banks of the river. There, tables lined with blank star and moon shaped paper lanterns can be found and everyone is instructed to feel free to decorate them with the provided flowers. There are also blank sheets of paper where everyone is encouraged to write down a wish, a hope, or dream and then insert into the small envelope already attached to the lantern. Once enough time for everyone to finish has passed, there is a final call for everyone to use their dreamotion to light them up and toss them up into the air so that they can fly high into the night sky, Eustace and Tifa releasing theirs first followed by the wedding party to lead the way. Don't worry, if anyone is unable to use their dreamotion, someone can assist.

But there's just one last "show" to cap everything off. After releasing their lanterns, Eustace will step back and raise his gun, Flamek, high into the air, small snowflakes and warm ripples of blueish white electric energy gathering around him. His voice, though quiet and low, is crystal clear as he recites the incantation.

"Flamek Thunder. Your hour is nigh. Take my heart and paint the skies. Heaven's Starfall!"
With each passing word, the wind around him billows, the distant boom of thunder rippling overhead along with flashes of light. It feels as if a storm is gathering, and yet rather than ominous it feels warmer, almost freeing. The blueish white electricity spins around Eustace as Flamek's barrel splits and opens, taking on a slightly different form as it gathers the energy around it. Pale red flames now join the electricity, and on the final word, Flamek releases it all, a blue and red beam of light blasting straight upward into the skies.

At first nothing seems to happen, but then the skies seem to ripple and shift before the once black sky is filled with wavy curtains of color, blues, whites, and reds shimmering like the northern lights found in colder climates. As the lanterns fly up higher, carried by a sudden gust of wind, they pass through the curtain, their lights flickering like stars against the colorful canvas.And slowly, gently, white starflower petals rain down like snow.

[ooc: THEY'RE MARRIED YAAAAY!! Feel free to make any toplevels and treat this like any other party mingle log. For anyone who'd like to make toasts or speeches, please include them in your toplevels!]

Comments

Trahearne | The Officiant

[pactmarshal]

> afternoon.

[ The joy of the ceremony has Trahearne in a rather chipper mood, at least for now. He's delighted to chat with any attendees that approach him, and to fill any in who were not at the ceremony.

Treat this as a wildcard of sorts--Trahearne will mostly be sampling various food and drink, trying his best to weave flowers in the veil, and maybe even pop into the photobooth for a picture or two. He'll be flitting around looking at things that are not the quiet/private getaways, and he cannot be convinced to dance. Regardless, if you'd like a happy Trahearne, now's the time to do it!

Oh, and guess who's wearing people clothes? :) ]

> evening.

[ tl;dr: Trahearne sits by himself at his table, staring at his hands.

As the festivities continue, the introverted plant finds himself hanging around at the edge of the crowds, content to enjoy watching others enjoy themselves.

But at one point, as he sits by himself at one of the tables, nursing a mug of mulled wine and watching people dance and wander down the candlelit paths, a strange feeling overcomes him. There are so many familiar faces in the crowd, so many people he considers his friends. It's touching to think he's found a community--even a family, in a way--here, but... As he watches, he notices something: they are all paired. Eustace, Tifa. Ori, Diluc. Susato, Kazuma. Beat. He spotted Beatrix stealing away with someone. And even Phantom has someone waiting for him at home.

Of course he's happy for them. Why wouldn't he be? To be so close with another that they would both dedicate their lives, all their energy to one another is a precious bond indeed. One that should be cherished. One that deserves to be supported.

But where does that leave him?

Trahearne doesn't notice his gaze dropping from the festivities and into his cup, then down to his hands. His palms have begun to glow a faint purple as night encroaches on the sky, and he stares absently at the color.

...

Is it because I'm sylvari?

The thought twists something inside of him. His mind is so blank that he does not notice the mold that slowly creeps over his skin, peeking out from his collar and sleeves.

Snap him out of it. ]

> night.

[ tl;dr: Trahearne has opted out of the later activities and decides to go home early. Catch him before he goes...!

When Eustace makes the call for everyone to gather at the riverside, Trahearne doesn't go. He stays put at his spot by the road, looking down at the crowd, absently taking in the ambient cheers and laughter in the distance.

An ugly feeling settles in his chest. His one wish will never come true. What joy others find in the realization of their dreams and in their partnerships will never be for someone like him. Though these are things he has told himself time and time again, facts of his life he has come to accept. Why does it hurt so much now?

The sylvari does not wait to see the stunning conclusion to the celebrations. He turns on his heel and begins his trek home, quietly hoping no one sees him leave.

He has work in the morning, anyway. ]

(( ooc: A lot of this is very general, so feel free to come up with a more specific scenario within these prompts! If you'd like to plot something out or if you'd like to include gumdrops, then hmu at unkie! ))

night

[judicialassistant]

[ Trahearne's departure is almost missed, though one (1) bridesmaid catches him before he leaves completely. She urges Kazuma to go on ahead of her as she calls out, and her heels click as she struggles to catch up to him. ]

Wait! Trahearne!

[ In her hand, there's a bottle, containing a singular star (that's no longer shooting). It's light still glows brightly with the wish it carries. ]

...Are you leaving?

[pactmarshal]

[ Trahearne pauses when he hears his name, and his shoulders droop. Oh, Susato--the one person he wishes didn't come find him at this hour. Not when he's like...this.

Then again, though his clothing covers most of his glow, his hair and face and hands are still rather bright in the night. Maybe someone spotting him was inevitable. ]

I am.

[ It takes him a moment to look over his shoulder at her, his expression uncharacteristically blank. ]

What are you doing here? You should be with the others.

[judicialassistant]

[ Well, obviously she's come to collect him. She doesn't think she needs to clarify that. She clutches the bottle more tightly, the star zigzagging like it wants to get out. She will look at Trahearne directly. ]

So should you. Do you not wish to see this through to the end?

Evening

[lonelysmiles]

I see I'm not the only one who decided to go stag for the occasion! Ha!

[Alastor is going to just invite himself over to sit with Trahearne, grin a mile wide.]

[pactmarshal]

[ In truth, Trahearne isn't paying attention to what's going around him. When Alastor speaks, he noticeably jumps and gasps aloud.

He places a hand to his clothed chest in relief when he sees who it is. ]

--Alastor. You spooked me.

[lonelysmiles]

Doesn't surprise me in the least bit given how intent you were on trying to set your hands on fire with your gaze alone.

[Alastor grins and props up his chin in his hand, elbow on the table.]

You're looking a bit underdressed. Care to explain why?

evening

[luciing]

[ Somnus has neither met the resident sylvari before nor knows that the man's species is called sylvari. What he does know is this: something begins to mar his plant-like features, creeping over his-- bark? leaves?-- form, not unlike a disease.

Of course, it could be nothing. Somnus initially refrains from comment as he passes by, but pauses as he notes its significant spread. Judging from the man's morose posture, it is obvious that he remains unaware of the new growth upon him.



There's a soft tap upon the table beside the sylvari, accompanying a full mug of wine being set down. Doesn't matter if he already has one, here is another. ]

You are ailed. [ Somnus, who appears no more than a phantom, gestures towards the wine as if it is a remedy. His robes rustle with the movement, but incorporeal as he is, the cloth makes no sound. Even so, his voice is a clear, steely bass; ever direct, he instructs thus: ]

Drink.

[ As if that will solve his woes. ]

[pactmarshal]

[ Trahearne doesn't notice his ethereal visitor until he hears the quiet tap of mug on table. Even then, it takes a moment for him to realize what is going on. He drags his gaze up from his hands to the mug, and to the man that holds it.

And as his attention is drawn away from his thoughts, the mold across his skin recedes, eventually vanishing beneath fabric. If it's still there, Trahearne can't tell.

When the light of recognition comes to his eyes--accompanied by their bright yellow bioluminescent glow--a half-hearted smile crosses his face, and he sits up straighter in his seat. ]

Oh. Thank you. [ He reaches for his half-empty mug and cups his hands around it. The drink has gone cold. ] I have one already, though.

[luciing]

[ When the discoloration upon the leaves retreats, Somnus’ head tips in mild curiosity. Then his attention drops to the mug cupped between other’s palms, where steam does not rise from its contents. In contrast, the sweet and spiced scent the new beverage Somnus has brought wafts upward into the air.

Somnus sits, taking a moment smooth out a pleat of his robes. While his garb is of a different era, the motion itself is not unlike how a modern man would correct the crinkle of his suit.

As for his own drink, he holds it by the body of the mug rather than the handle, lifting it. Somehow he makes this gesture appear both casual and regal at once. ]

Have another, then, to stave off blight. Alcohol is a deterrent to some lichen, is it not?

afternoon

[itsgunnabe_mei]

Hey, Professor!

[ Yep, she's still going with that nickname! She seems him near the photobooth and makes to grab his hand. ]

Wanna take a photo together? I wanna make a million memories today!

[pactmarshal]

[ Trahearne loves the nickname. Mei's voice prompts him to turn around, and he offers her a big smile. ]

Hello, Mei. I would like that very much.

[ A million memories! He admires her mindset, too. Photography is a new concept for him, too, but he immediately appreciates their use. He hopes everyone here today remembers this event.

He takes a few steps over to the booth and pulls back the curtain. ]

After you.

[itsgunnabe_mei]

[ She flashes him a happy smile before heading inside the booth. ]

You were sooo awesome-sauce as the officiant! Like, all cool and noble and everything! You really are amazing!

[ All this lovey-dovey atmosphere has put her in a very good mood, apparently! ]

Afternoon!

[disdelusioned]

[Diluc is not going anywhere near the man with the Kamera camera. He prefers to be unperceived when he can get away with it--a luxury he has here that he lacks back in Teyvat (for the most part).

Instead, he comes across Trahearne near the food tables, mug of coffee in hand.]

It's good to see you.

[pactmarshal]

[ Trahearne is scooping himself a bowl of the spicy boar chili. And when he hears Diluc's voice, he turns, and brightens. ]

Diluc! Hello. It's good to see you, too.

[ Bow sufficiently full of chili, he puts the spoon down and turns to his sylvari-in-law. ]

Enjoying the wedding?

Night

[roseofmay]

[If she's honest, she's felt a bit different ever since learning of Trahearne's unfortunate... Well. Fortune. Beatrix thinks about it more than she likely should and perhaps that's because of the person that she is. As much as she'd like to act as though she is so very cold and unfeeling, she simply isn't. Things would be far easier if she were, though.

Although she's tried to keep an eye on him through various occasions from the afternoon leading into the night, she can't say she's been as successful as she'd like to be. Catching him as he appears to be trying to sneak off, however, is a fruitful opportunity. Beatrix is just at the right place at the right time. Perhaps she can get a chance to walk with him.

Without a bunch of eyes on her, anyway.]

Where do you think you are going.

[If she's expected to stay, then surely he is as well. Although maybe no one would notice if they both went missing. Such romantic affairs never really have been her interest. Except perhaps in a poetry book.]

[pactmarshal]

[ Trahearne feels much the same. Romantic affairs are best experienced in text, in prose, in verse, on a page. Anything more he is not allowed to have. He should not be allowed to entertain the idea. And the thought and jealousy he felt watching all the others had fertilized a blight that clung to roots deep in his spirit.

In his eyes, though, his job finished when Eustace and Tifa left the altar earlier in the afternoon. He had no obligation to stick around. That he stayed this long should be treated as him going above and beyond in his line of duty.

But a very small, very scared part of him worries more about what he would do to the festivities if he stuck around any longer.

He slows to a stop when he hears Beatrix's voice, but he doesn't turn around to look at her. A small part of him wishes she would go back and find whoever it was she snuck away with earlier. The small fondness he came to hold for her after revealing his fate to her is torn to shreds. ]

Home.

[ His answer is uncharacteristically short, his tone uncharacteristically distant. ]

night

[stillarhino]

[As the festivities begin to die down, Beat finds himself at the edge of the gathered crowd, a small glass of clear liquid in hand. His cheeks are a light pink that was hard to see unless up close. Having already done what was asked—writing a short wish on the paper and setting the lantern off—he had peeled himself away from everyone else.

It was when he had cleared past everyone else that he noticed movement in the distance, a familiar figure walking further away from everyone else. ]

Yo, Nightlight. Where ya headin'?

[He doesn't seem as if he's put two and two together that Trahearne might be leaving just yet as he approaches, a small, friendly smile on his face.]

[pactmarshal]

[ Trahearne pauses briefly to glance over his shoulder, and looks at Beat. Idly he wonders if that isn't vodka or something similarly sinister, but decides not to pursue it. What happens at the festivities isn't his responsibility right now. ]

I'm going home.

[ His voice is unusually quiet. ]

You should go back to the others.

evening;

[sleightofhans]

[Normally, Hans would say that he's finally found someone more miserable than him at a wedding, but he's actually having a rather good time, between the 3 or 4 cocktails he's had and the delicious food that this event has to offer. He really hasn't seen someone moping, not until he spots Trahearne at the table with that clear downcast expression. Ordinarily, he'd leave someone to suffer with their own feelings because he's still working on having them in the first place, but guess he's feeling curious today.

So, he straightens himself, places on a worried smile, and walks over to him with a plate of food. He'd offer a drink, but there's already a mug by the... man's side, untouched and undoubtedly not being consumed.]

I know that you may wish to be alone, but would it be alright if I sat with you?

[pactmarshal]

[ There is always the one moping at a social event, isn't there?

Trahearne's absent attention is so focused on the crowd that he almost doesn't notice Hans approaching at first. It's only when the other man speaks up that he realizes he has company, and his head whips to him in surprise. ]

Oh. Of course. [ His gaze trails along the rows of empty seats... Who is he to say no to wherever someone wants to sit? It isn't as though he's waiting for anyone. Perhaps he's just surprised someone bothered to find him.

He does note the plate of food, but says nothing at first. ]

evening

[shithogs]

Not much of a party person, Twigs?

[Kainé's voice rings out from just behind him, where she stands dressed to match the rest of the wedding party with a drink in hand. Rather than let her gaze remain on him, she looks out over the crowd of people dancing, raising an eyebrow.]

Not usually my thing, either.

[Except he seems a little down in the mouth about it, himself. She'll leave that unremarked upon— for the moment.]

Nice ceremony. You did good.

[pactmarshal]

[ Kainé's presence is, on Trahearne's distracted part, entirely unexpected. He jumps when he hears her voice, and he whirls around to see her staring out over the crowd. ]

Kainé.

[ Funny--she came up in conversation not too long ago. It's good to see her again, though that sentiment comes muddled beneath all of his other despondent feelings.

He turns back to face his cold mug of wine again, before he mirrors her to look up at the crowd. The afternoon ceremony feels so long ago now. ]

Thank you. [ Time to deflect. ] I'd no idea you and Tifa were so close.

[ Because that means they have to be friends, too. ]

Evening

[heseesonlyher]

[Nier, and perhaps this is characteristic of him, has made it his business to be as involved as he possibly can be. It’s not because he’s necessarily restless (though a portion of it might be attributed to that). It’s mostly because when it comes to these kinds of celebrations, it’s a good opportunity to see people content. Back home, maybe people weren’t miserable, but it definitely wasn’t the jovial, lighthearted occasion this was. Most of Reverein has been like this. At least, when things aren’t being turned upside-down.

Trahearne sticks out a bit, however, and it doesn’t take long for Nier to make note of it. He isn’t the kind of guy to pry, but he is the kind of guy to offer even the most subtle emotional support when he feels that it’s necessary. When he gets a free moment where he’s not making terrible mistakes with wedding traditions, he settles in next to the Sylvari who he has decided is probably not a cannibal for eating other plants.]

Hey. You’re not eating. You’re not drinking. You’re not dancing. So what’re you doing?

[Because it looks like he’s thinking and this reception is about doing, not thinking. As far as Nier’s concerned, anyway.]

[pactmarshal]

[ So lost in thought, Nier's voice comes as a bit of a surprise to Trahearne. He starts in his seat as the other man comes to sit beside him, and his gaze snaps to him. Nier is a good man--Trahearne feels a bit bad for being like this and stealing his attention when he should be having a good time elsewhere.

In quiet defiance, he brings his cooled mulled wine to his lips and takes a sip. It doesn't taste as good cold. ]

Watching. [ He turns his attention back to the crowd, forcefully pulling the corners of his mouth upward into a smile. ]