songerein | fourteenth shot ⊗ wedding day

Entry tags:

fourteenth shot ⊗ wedding day

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!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[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.]

[ 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. ]

[Nier leans onto his forearms. If he senses something’s off and it’s possible he does, he doesn’t show it. On the contrary, for now, he decides to be nonchalant. They’re friends and all, but surely he needs to be working on his overbearing demeanour. His attention moves off of companion and onto the party going on about them.]

There’s a lot to be looking at, isn’t there? Y’know, this beats the last wedding I was at.

[Crashed by a wolf. Bride died. There was revenge to be had. A big complicated mess, that.]

Surprised you don’t have your hands more in it. Did you look at the making stuff part yet? I’m not good at that kind of thing at all, but lots of great stuff to keep you busy. Could also go visit the snow and go throw stuff at unsuspecting people.

[Okay. Maybe the last one is a little mean. Nier obviously means throwing snowballs as gently as one can throw them.]

[ There's a moment of silence before Trahearne answers. He always appreciates someone who offers solutions instead of consoling him or forcing him to speak.

Things to keep him busy. Things to get his mind off the couples and the wishes and the fact that he's alone. ]

It is quite impressive. Eustace and Tifa truly paid attention to every detail.

[ He takes no credit for this. ]

I don't think I'm particularly interested in throwing things at others right now [ perhaps if he were in a better mood ], but I wouldn't mind making a snowman.

[ Anything to get him out of his thoughts and this chair. ]

Then let's get to it.

[It's all he needs to hear before Nier makes his way back to his feet. He sets a hand atop Trahearne's shoulder with a grin. Whatever's going on he probably can't fix and that's fine, but he can make the situation better. Well, in one way or another.]

There's a bunch of snow out by the iced over skating place. Plenty to make a few snowmen at least. Could probably make a whole village of 'em if we wanted to.

[Although Nier as already decided he's going to do his very best to make a Trahearne snowman. Maybe dreamotion might help.]

[ The hand is more than enough comfort, surprisingly. Nier's hand feels extra large on his skinny shoulder, and he can feel the warmth through his clothing. And at last, Trahearne looks up with a smile. ]

That's quite a lot of snow. [ Good thing the cold literally does not bother him. ] But I may stick to one. I'd like to leave some snow for others to use.

[ Even if Nier was joking, Trahearne replies in a semi-serious manner. That, and he doesn't think building snowmen can be all that riveting.

He gets up from his chair. ]

Lead the way. I'm right behind you.

[Nier grins. It's a good way of looking at it. Probably better not to take up all of the snow, even if the idea is a little tempting. Part of him wouldn't hate seeing the reaction of those stumbling upon the entire village of snowmen made. He waits patiently before Trahearne joins him, jerks a hand over his shoulder indicatively, and takes the role of navigator.

There's a decent amount of snow outside of the reception proper, which isn't a terribly far distance, not far from where the pond's been frozen over and some have taken to skating on it. Nier has to stop and take a moment to appreciate it yet again because he can't remember seeing anything else like it before.

And then he sweeps out an arm.]

Plenty to make some decent snowmen, eh?

[ As they walk towards the snow, Trahearne deliberately keeps his eyes either focused on Nier, or straight ahead. He wants to concentrate on building snowmen with Nier, and not on the sights that had started bringing him down to begin with. He will not be looking at the couples ice skating together.

The pristine snow, once they come across it, is breathtaking in a way. It's been a while since Trahearne has seen snow like this, and the sight eases some of his worry. ]

I'd say there's more than enough.

[ He marches out into the snow--though his shoes and trousers will undoubtedly be ruined from this, the cold doesn't seem to bother him at all. With his bare hands, he scoops some snow up and begins to form a ball, trusting Nier will join him when he's ready. ]

[So far, it seems like the snow has been a good idea on his part. Maybe. A good distraction, perhaps. If not that, then maybe the brisk air, though how that would affect a sylvari is beyond his knowledge. Trahearne doesn't seem terribly affected from observation, but Nier knows there's usually more going on than what eyes are showing.

It doesn't take him long to follow in suit, trudging right into the snow as if he isn't wearing some snazzy tuxedo that Kainé has picked out for him. With his hands, he's gathering up a plethora of snow, trying to group it all together, so he can eventually roll it around right into action.]

Sure you don't want to make a whole bunch of 'em?

[He's teasing.]

[ Both willing to trudge right into the snow dressed in nice tuxes others dressed them in...

Trahearne concentrates on nothing but getting the snowball bigger--not of dreamotion, or nightmare energy, or the effects thereof--and it comes to a rather respectable size by the time he gets around to responding.

It's definitely not big enough for the base of a snowman, but it's a start. ]

At the moment, not particularly. [ He hears the tease, but gives a serious response. He glances over his shoulder at Nier. ] But I suppose we can see where our whims take us.

[Nier's listening as he's gathering up his own snow. The way he rolls it up makes it seem just about effortless, but maybe that's to be expected when one is taking in the appearance of the man from head to toe. The response doesn't go ignored. Whatever's on his mind must be awfully serious.

No prying. He has to remember not to pry. They aren't quite close enough for that and even if they were, Kainé has certainly trained him not to do such a thing. Perhaps a benefit for everyone who knows Nier. Looking up from where he's hunched over with his oversized ball of snow, which will likely serve as his base, he eyes his immediate companion for several long moments.]

Sounds like a plan. Honestly, sounds like my every day here. I don't know what you were getting up to back home, but I think about all of the free time I have here and it gets to be a little much. Don't always know what to do with my hands. Maybe I'll take up a job making snowmen professionally.

[That too, is a joke.]

[ The manual work helps. Better than left to sit at a desk, alone with his thoughts. How many days did his Wyld Hunt lose because he would sit in the darkest corners of the Priory, lost in his despair and disappointment in himself?

It is nice to have someone else around.

Trahearne glances up from his snowball, little, wry smile growing on his face. The joke doesn't go unnoticed, nor does it go unappreciated. ]

I'm afraid you're running out of time to establish yourself, my friend. The snow will melt before we know it.

You're right. I might not have thought that all the way through.

[Good thing he's not being serious about it. Playing in the snow is all well and good, but he couldn't do it every day. Besides, his real talents come in with hunting and fighting.]

If you've got some ideas, I'd like to hear 'em.

[ Trahearne gives a moment of earnest thought. He pauses as the base of his snowman reaches a respectable size, and he crouches in the snow to start the next part of the body. ]

Sand-men. [ He looks up at Nier. ] Sand, fortunately, does not melt.

[...Would that work? The surprise in Nier's expression is palpable. He thinks about the sands that pave the desert toward Facade. The way it felt back then beneath his feet. But when he thinks about the sculpting belonging to the people, unless it was stone, then Trahearne's idea has some validity.]

I didn't think about that.

[He chuckles a little under his breath.]

We do have that beach. I don't think anyone's hurtin' for a professional sandman maker, though.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

fourteenth shot ⊗ wedding day

Evening

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

hi im back c:

WELCOME BACK; I MISSED YOU. ♥♥♥

HIHIHI

no subject