[Open Mingle Log] A Fall Wedding To Warm The Days

[skyward_eyes]

Who: Everyone!
What: Open Log
When: October 20th
Where: The Hunter's Lodge
Warnings: N/A
Notes: This is a mingle log, so people are free to set up their own TLs under it and tag around.

Wherein Two Come Together As One

The invitations had gone out in early September, a gentle request penned by hand in one of two sets of handwriting on fine paper with leaves pressed right into it. Given how many had gone out, and all were copied by hand, it was no wonder that they were simple. A date, a time, a location, and a simple note to 'Join Mister Ignis Scientia and Mister Nida Nomura as they join together in marriage.'

Today was that day. In two different areas Ignis and Nida prepared themselves for their big day. Jitters came and went, and at last, at the appointed hour, guests among the guard, the hunters, and any of the non-natives who chose to attend would arrive. They would enter the cleared grove next to the hunter's lodge, where benches were arrayed and decorated with green and gold bows set with reddish-orange flowers. Before it all stood a simply risen wooden arch. Hung from any tree branch that would do were carefully lit lights and silvery stars, all the better to suit the fall night mood of the whole celebration.

Standing at the arch waiting once people had come in and settled stood Captain Khannar of the Guard, in full uniform, looking vaguely amused, clearly meant to officiate the event. Once things were truly ready some music played on a fiddle and a young man (Mono, to those who might know the boy) started down the aisle with a bucket. Every step he tossed a handful of fall leaves out along the path, until he at last reached the end and took a seat. Across from him sat another young man (Yuki, also a non-native), who looked anxious as he fiddled with a small box in his hands.

Then, of course, the music swelled and so entered Ignis and Nida, arm in arm. Sure, it wasn't fully traditional, but why should they ever be asked to come in alone? That wasn't what today was about. They entered together, finely dressed in black accented with their own faint hints of jade green and metal tones about their persons, until they stood before Captain Khannar.

Everything after that was just tradition. Words said, oaths exchanged, meaningful looks. Yuki nervously handing over the box and rings that had been worn even that morning being redonned but with greater meaning. If there were tears amid the crowd or the grooms, would anyone judge them as the grooms returned down the aisle and toward the lodge, calling out for others to join them for their reception. It was time to celebrate.

Welcome To The Reception

Upon entering the reception hall, Falling leaves Wedding/Reception invitations were seen on a table with a tree on it for guests to 'sign' a leaf or write a note and hang up. There were also thank you notes on little gold lanterns with Hunter green tealight inside. And little star cards were attached with the names of the grooms and the date.

There wasn't a single person among the newcomers of Aterat (along with hunters and guardsman) that weren't invited to the wedding and reception.

The lights, wedding theme colours and flowers that had prevailed outside were inside as well. So at the reception held inside of the Lodge, the place had been thoroughly cleaned up and cleared out. Tables were set up with cloths of the hunter green colour. And on each table was a gold candle in a holder. A few other decorations sat on the table such as mini pumpkins and over each was a dangling set of lights in an autumn theme.

While guests mingled, formal photographs were taken of the newlyweds along with their helpers Mono and Yuki. And more photos would be taken during the first dance, and once the reception was in full swing of course.

Finest Dining For All

Ignis has done the cooking with the help of his crew with fall themed food. There would be no alcohol served and no strawberries would be present. But other than that, for starters there was Sweet potato soup, and apple cider marinated beef skewers. Skewers were Ignis' way of including the King's shield Gladio who loved meat skewers of all kinds back home.

Between that and the main courses were several big wooden Autumn themed charcuterie boards filled to the brim, which also featured Cheddar & Chive Pumpkin Cheese Balls. The main foods laid out were a Maple glazed roasted pork loin, pumpkin ravioli with a brown butter sauce for those that might not eat meat, and a favourite peppery chicken and rice dish was made in honour of an absent Prompto.

Side dishes were garlic mashed potatoes, and roasted fall vegetables which made Ignis smile because the King of Lucis himself was not a fan of vegetables. Dessert featured the autumn chocolate wedding cake, star shaped sugar cookies, and Memory Lane pastries made in honour of an absent King. Of course was a long history of these little treats being made between the king and his advisor so they were present when the king wasn't. Drinks available were apple cider with Nida in mind specifically, along with tea. There was also coffee, water, hot cider, and hot chocolate available as well.

Stories Are Our Lives

It was part way into the food service when Nida stood from the head table, lifting a wine glass of spiced apple cider. Slowly silence spread as he cleared his throat and looked out over the assembled.

"If we're being honest, planning all of this has been quite an experience for Ignis and myself. I don't think either of us really expected to reach this moment in our lives. Nor have we attended a lot of gatherings like this in our time. There's a good chance that we'll spend nights retelling the story of this night to each other, because what it comes down to is that telling our stories to each other have been a very important part of who we are as a couple. In fact, the first night we decided to set about this wonder known as romance started with me trying to explain why I was up a tree."

Nida held for some laughter from members of the guard in particular, his fellows that could be spared from duty knowing well about his climbing behavior. It was well told among many circles.

"Where I'm from, stories are a precious thing. They can be the way that our memories themselves survive, long after they have been lost." His gaze moved briefly to a charm bracelet he wore, hung with a few small pieces that no doubt carried meaning. "Memory and stories of the people we care for, the people we love and stand beside very literally saved my world. So this is my request for you tonight. No speeches, no party games, but stories tonight. Share your stories with us, with each other, with strangers and familiar faces. If you are up to it tonight, share a story with someone who will listen. True or not, memory or not, happy or not, offer out a story, and together we can be stronger for it."

Then he smiled, shaking his head a little bit, perhaps nervous to have so many eyes on him. He lifted his glass again.

"To stories, new and old, and shared among friends. I'll happily go first."

Who Wants A Little Dancing?

There was never a real end to the food and drink and story part of the night. Those were not things that would be so easily taken away until far later, perhaps when the grooms decided to move on to their cake later in the evening. But there was definitely a clear mark when a new means of celebration began. With a gesture from the head table, some of the larger hunters and guards rose to head for the doors of the lodge. Soon they were outside, moving benches from the ceremony itself to make sure there was a nice open space. Soon music was pouring in from outside as musicians set up where the men had so recently exchanged vows. There were fiddles and drums and of course a few flutes.

Sat in their chairs the musicians began to play, the sounds pouring cheerfully out through the clearing and into the Lodge itself to lure people back outside. The first song was of course slow, and enjoyed by the grooms alone. But soon the musicians were adding an extra layer to the whole affair, playing either alone, in groups, or as a whole collection of players. Quick jigs and upbeat festive music known well to the locals mixed easily with slower pieces, and all were meant to bring bring to their feet to join in the dancing.

Probably helped that the locals clearly loved to dance and would be happy to pull even the most dedicated wallflowers to their feet and outside for a spin or two. What was a wedding without dancing in joy for the union that had taken place? It would bring luck, it was said. Happiness and joy and dancing to bring all that to the couple as well. So really, not joining would be rude.

photo inspiration

Comments

Nida (A Groom) | OTA

[skyward_eyes]

A. Dance The Night Away
Nida had been quite young when he'd taken his first dancing classes at Garden. There had always been so much fun in those classes, even when he'd been so small as to have to fill the role of the 'girl' at times. No, this was this own joy, and he intended to have it to his fullest. Whether it was with his husband in his arms or just moving to find someone coming outside or already there who looked like that had energy.

He held his hand out to one and all, a mischevious smile on his face. For today he even adapted a normal line he used at parties to get someone to dance.

"If I told you I'm the groom, could I talk you into a dance? Slow or fast, ballroom or jig, I will meet your needs."

B. A Gift For A Friend | Closed to Yuki
"Hey you," Nida said, coming up behind the young man part way into the reception itself. His friend and protege had been wonderful today, and Nida was glad for the unintended insight the boy had given him into how he should present himself. And he deserved Nida's heartfelt thanks.

Which came with the reason Nida was here right now, Julia perched on his shoulder and Hibiscus abandoned at the head table where she was tied to the table leg on her harness. With Nida also came a bundle wrapped in dark fabric.

"I wanted to thank you."

C. Wildcard
[Want something personalized? Want to know what story Nida told? Just want someone to come up and offer him their congratulations or something else? Wildcard it. You can either start something here, or message me on discord, plurk, or through this account and we can figure something out!]

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis was determined to get that first dance in with his husband. Husband. He really had to shake himself a few different times during the wedding, wondering if it was all real. It certainly felt real and he'd been worried he might forget a line in his wedding vows but he hadn't and all had gone well.

So as he found Nida walking about, he took full advantage of the other's free hand. "I do believe you owe me a dance Mister Scientia."

[skyward_eyes]

Well of course the first dance was for him, and only him. Nida was happy to let his hand be caught by his partner, his husband, his beloved, and he had the most radiant look on his face.

"Why Mister Scientia, I would be quite honored if you would allow me to give you that dance," he laughed, pulling Ignis against him.

B

[areasontohope]

Yuki turned around half startled at hearing Nida sensei's voice. Somehow he hadn't expected to be able to talk to the man after the initial ceremony which had been really sweet. Of course he'd been surprised and very honoured to be asked to be a best man and he'd had to take a mad dash to the mage's tower to find out what one of those were and what their function in a wedding was since they didn't have them back home.

So he'd gotten fitted for formal attire. He had a white long sleeve shirt with a black vest and a blue bowtie. Of course he wore a dark jacket over it and black slacks but he was definitely dressed in neat suitable attire and that was the point because neat meant respect.

But he was surprised at sensei offering him a thank you so he had to ask. "Thank you for what?"

[skyward_eyes]

"For everything. For standing with us today. For handling the rings. All of that."

He moved to pull out a chair so he could sit on it.

"For inspiring me this morning."

Dancing, but not. You've got an audience, Nida

[monochromatically]

Mono had really never… socialized this much before. He liked not being alone, of course. Being alone was his greatest fear… But it was still pretty overwhelming for a child who spent most of his life with maybe one person for company intermittently at best.

So eventually the kid had collected a substantial collection of cheese, crackers and fruits (fancy food was neat, but you couldn’t beat a little stack of cheese and crackers sandwiched together) and gotten himself sat under a table that had emptied once people had started dancing. It was near enough that he could watch, because watching was fun. It was just… nice to see people enjoying themselves and having fun. It was not a sight he was used to seeing unless it was a picture in a book.

Nida might hear a small voice comment at some point, “You know a lot of dance stuff. I didn’t even know a jig was a kinda dance. I thought it was something else.”

[skyward_eyes]

He's taking a brief moment to catch his breath between dances when he caught the voice. Not wanting to give away that he had seen the boy there, he made a show of just sitting down, and catching his breath.

"I've been dancing since I was about your age. And a jig is also a tool."

Tommy | OTA

[doubled_speed]

A. More Food Than Believable
This was actually more than Tommy had been expecting. He'd known this was coming of course, there wasn't anyone associated with the lodge that could have missed this. Add in how he'd been hired for a special gift for the grooms, and Tommy had been trying to lose himself in the planning for a while. He'd missed the last amazing wedding he'd been around when someone he loved had gone home, he wasn't missing this one too.

So here was Tommy now, zooming out of the kitchen even in his nice clothes to lay out a new tray of finger foods. They had some fancy french name when they were ladid out on a board like this, but fuck if he knew it.

"Oh man, are we almost out of the skewers already? Damn, that's impressive. Hold on, I can check if there's more."

If he kept busy making sure the already made food kept getting warmed and brought out into the reception, he wouldn't miss people, right? Or maybe, if he was lucky, his boyfriend might swoop in at some point and distract him. Until someone interrupted him, though, the guy had gone full service mode.

B. Telling A Story
A story, one of the grooms had called for, and Tommy had thought for a while. He listened to one hunter near him tell the story of a great adventure he'd gone on when he'd gotten lost in the woods. He'd listened to a guard talk about a string of small crimes he managed to discover were all caused by a chocobo. And he'd listen to more. But eyes were coming to him now, and he frowned. What would he even say?

But eyes were on him and Tommy didn't feel comfortable with just saying nothing. So he supposed he should say something.

"Okay, does anyone wanna hear about the time I helped steal back a bow from the world's most famous archer, all to impress a girl?"

C. Wildcard
[Want something personalized? Want to drag Tommy into dancing? Want to join him in conspiring for his gift for the grooms? Got some other idea? Wildcard it. You can either start something here, or message me on discord, plurk, or through this account and we can figure something out!]

Story

[areasontohope]

Yuki wasn't going to share any stories himself, but he did sit down when Nida sensei had began his story. This might not be the best place to be, but at least he wasn't up trying to dance, because he didn't know how. And dancing made him think of Jacob, so he tried to stay away from it all.

So he went to get more tea and then sat back down when Tommy seemed uncomfortable. So he smiled a little and nodded. "I would like to hear that story, if that's okay."

Rhy Maresh | Shades of Magic | OTA

[unbreakable_king]

A. Beautiful Things To Eat
"It's beautiful," Rhy said, smiling not only at the decorations as he filled his plate with small nibbles of food, but at the food itself. And, of course, the atmosphere and joy. Though perhaps he had an extra smile when he popped a cracker covered in soft cheese into his mouth.

Meanwhile his fingers reached out to toy with the little lantern with candle in it.

"Maybe we should have done something like this rather than wine," Rhy mused, thinking back to his own wedding with a fond smile. But really, the wine had summed him and Llewellyn up so well. So he instead popped another morsel into his mouth.

"But you know what is most beautiful? Seeing how love is represented through food. What wonder. The wonders of fall, and yet some small things that don't fully match. What do they say about the grooms?"

B. Princes Know How To Dance
Dancing. Oh it had been so long since Rhy had found himself at something like a ball. A wedding, of course, was a good way to seek that. Dancing with his husband of course was on the order of the evening. But damn if he didn't find himself caught up in the energy of the music, so unlike any that would ever happen at a a gathering his family threw. IT wasn't even like his own wedding.

"Is music like this common?" he wondered aloud as he watched the musicians. "And how does one dance to the faster music?"

Because he had to learn. This looked liek too much fun.

C. Wildcard
[Want something personalized? Want to ask Rhy for a story? Seek to compliment him on some of the clothing he made for the wedding? Want to drink him under the table? Got some other idea? Wildcard it. You can either start something here, or message me on discord, plurk, or through this account and we can figure something out!]

Food

[areasontohope]

He was passing by when he heard Rhy asking about the food. There had been plenty to eat and there still was. And of course he'd tried just about everything here. But he hadn't thought much about the seeming out of place things and those did seem to stand out a little now that it was mentioned. So he stopped a moment with a cup of fresh tea in his hand and smiled.

"I hadn't really thought about it before to be honest."

Dancing of course

[gadaboutdetective]

Llewellyn, of course, had found himself a little lost in the atmosphere. So many people to talk to, well wishes for the newlyweds to be said, and food to be sampled while admiring the choice in decor. It was very unlike their wedding, but that was the beautiful thing about it. It was a celebration of love that reflected the couple who were happy to share it with those they cared about... And, yes, Rhy would likely have to chastise him at some point for tucking a few snacks in his pocket for later while mingling, but old habits were hard to break…

But when it was clear the portion of the evening reserved for dancing was to begin, Llewellyn had hung back and observed for a time. He really hadn’t danced since his own wedding, and he wasn’t particularly confident as he watched some dance to the faster songs… But as he watched his husband enjoying the music and the chance to dance with those willing he felt a small, nostalgic tug in his heart. Inspired, he moved forward and leaned over Rhy’s shoulder the next time the man had left the dancefloor. “Pardon my interruption, sir... But I don’t suppose you’ve got a space on your dance card, have you?” He asked in a playful, light tone.

Hopefully, he mused to himself, he hadn’t forgotten too much in the last few months.

Ignis (Groom) OTA

[faithfulsupport]

Dancing - Here Ignis was in his element. Having taught dancing to a sullen dark headed then Prince of Lucis back home, he found that he could work with anyone. It's not like him to offer to dance with anyone, though there had been a little girl who he didn't immediately recognize, but he danced with her anyway. It turned out later that she was one of the hunter's children who'd he'd borrowed the gold cufflinks from. But he nearly bumped into someone that seemed pretty close range and tilted his head to the side. "Would you care for a dance?"


Food: Ignis had made plans for so much more food but wasn't sure it would all be eaten. When he started cooking, he just kept going. There had been so many recipeh books out, notebooks, pens and he ran with it, wanting to ensure the food didn't run out. So even though he was one of the stars of the day, he couldn't fully put the head chef away and kept an eye on making sure that the food kept coming. But he took a bite of one of the pumpkin cheese balls and closed his eyes in delight. "That came out rather well if I do say so myself." After opening them back up he realized he had company. "And which is your favourite so far?"


Reception end- Closed to Nida: The reception had been wonderful. Ignis had never felt so proud since he'd been here or so happy. But he was now a married man and had another surprise or two up his sleeve for his husband. So once the reception was winding down, he offered his husband his hand. "Are you ready to go darling?"


Wildcard: [I'm open to whatever you want to play out!]

The End Is Also The Beginning

[skyward_eyes]

Ready to go? Nida smiled. It was a long way back, he didn't know they were ready to head out just yet. But...

"Well, do you mind if I fetch the pets? I put Julia back in her little hiding bag earlier. And Hibiscus is still tied to the table."

The two had not been very trustworthy with not wandering off into the wild, or getting under people's feet. Hibiscus was a particularly bad one for that, given the way she was happy to dart under people's feet and was getting big enough to knock some smaller kids over. Though from a brief glimpse toward the table in question, he could see that Hibiscus had some children paying her attention.

Dancing

[kree_soldieress]

They had only ever met briefly before, at the flower festival. Ignis had seen her then, and offered much the same thing to Lauri-Ell that day. To dance. While in some way she had expected to see this man here, knowing it was his wedding, she hadn't expected those words echoed again.

"I am still uncertain as to how to dance," she warned the groom. "I would not wish to step on your feet and hurt you."

Food - This little gremlin has had so many sugar cookies

[monochromatically]

Mono was, of course, collecting quite a selection of cheese, crackers and fruits in a large handkerchief he’d found earlier in the evening. He was being very careful with the fancy clothes that Ignis had gotten for him to wear that Rhy had made; they were way too nice to spill things on! “Um… I liked the star cookies? They were pretty, and they tasted really good!”

And… he’d eaten enough of them that he’d been pretty hyper for much of the evening after the ceremony. It had helped for a while, he’d done pretty good with the whole socializing thing! Even going so far as to talk to some of the younger at the event in an attempt to make friends… but the kid was starting to wear down. The sugar crash was probably incoming, but he was refuelling with the collection of food he was putting together.

Food of course

[gadaboutdetective]

Llewellyn was actually very fond of fall foods, not that there were many kinds of foods he disliked… Actually there might not have been any foods he didn’t like. The point was, he was fond of fall flavours. He definitely adored the pumpkin cheese balls, “Mm… If I had to pick a favourite, I believe these would probably be quite near the top of the list? Never had one before.” He responded to the groom and friend, “My compliments on the choices, it’s quite an impressive collection.”

It was very different from the foods they’d chosen at his and Rhy’s wedding. But that was, in his opinion, the interesting thing about menus at these sorts of events. They reflected the people who were at the head of it, their tastes shared with friends in celebration of the union. Food was, in his opinion, a social language. Symbolic rather than verbal. “I uh- hope you don’t mind if I interrupt, though?”

Reception

[notarambler]

Sam hadn't originally wanted to come to the reception. He didn't really know many people who would have come. But it seemed rude to refuse so he figured he'd stop by, have some food and a few drinks and then bounce.

He can currently be found filling his plate at the food table and humming quietly to himself as he walks along.

[monochromatically]

The flower boy and been back and forth to the food table for the better part of the evening. He’d become quite addicted to the sugar cookies. Which was very apparent by the way he had more of an energetic spring in his step and was more open to talking with people when he’d normally be quiet. Sugar, it seemed, was helping the kid with his socializing. “You should try these, Mr. Sam.” He said, having spotted the man he met at the docks and wanting to say hello since he seemed to be alone at the moment.

‘These,’ of course, being the star-shaped sugar cookies, which he picked up and held out to the taller man.

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis was making his rounds while Nida was off dancing with someone else. He didn't mind of course, mingling was completely expected. So he happened to see Sam coming around with his plate of food.

Not wishing to disturb the man overly much, the newly wed advisor nodded to him. "Thank you so very much for coming."

Aerith | OTA

[cetrary]

A. Welcome To The Reception

Truth be told Aerith wasn't entirely sure what one wore to a wedding. It seemed exciting and yet at the same time there was a tiny part of her that was a bit well...nervous. Had she picked out the right thing? Was it appropriate for her to come at all? They had invited everyone but she didn't know them particularly well. The idea of seeing two people happy in a place like this, or in any place actually, was too much for her to pass up though. So, she went with a dress that was suggested because it'd reminded her a bit of something else she'd worn once upon a time. At least this was a bit easier to move around in than that had been though.

Everything about the area the reception was being held in was enough to make Aerith stop and just stare.

"Wow," she muttered as she looked around with wide eyes. They really had done a great job. More than that though you could really tell how important it was to them by just how much effort they clearly put into the entire thing.

B. Finest Dining For All

There was way too much to choose from. That was the biggest problem she was having as she just stared and blinked at the assortment of food. Everything smelled amazing. Everything looked amazing. She walked up to the skewers with a plate in hand and put one on her plate along with some of the soup. That could be a starting area, right? Except then she saw the cheddar and chive balls and got distracted by wanting some of that.

"All of this must have taken forever..." she said as she tried to fit a bit of the cheddar on her plate too. "How are you even supposed to choose...? Oh no..." the oh no slipped out as she spotted some of the desserts. No, really, how were you supposed to choose?

A

[kree_soldieress]

"It is all very impressive, isn't it?"

Lauri hadn't felt comfortable with the invitation either. She had never met one of the grooms, for all that she had fought alongside the other before. But the invitation had been given and it would have been rude to say no, so Lauri was there and had come in her full Accuser armor because she had nothing else that was appropriate.

But at least she had seen one face that, in some manner, she was familiar with. Even if they hadn't interacted much.

"I have not been to many human relationship gatherings before. They seem to like them to be large."

B!

[gadaboutdetective]

Llewellyn would agree. Everything looked and smelled amazing. He was between dancing with Rhy and looking for their hosts to congratulate, which meant he was unsurprisingly hovering around the food on his own for the moment. When he spotted Aerith he had to move down the table to say hi to his friend and, of course, offer his opinion on the food while he filled up a small plate with snacks (ones that he at least knew better than to slip in his pocket) that he’d not tried yet.

“Mm... I like to look at it this way; If you pick a few things now, you can try the others later. That way you get a bit of uh- everything and it’s easier to pick.” He commented with a smile, “But those are definitely delicious.” He added, eyeing the cheese with a smile and taking another for his plate as well.

A

[mostlycloudy]

Cloud didn't have any better idea what one would wear to a wedding, and he hadn't really thought to go, either, but going through his daily routine, it occurred to him after he'd received the invitation that Aerith would most likely attend as well, and the idea came to him to surprise her. He wasn't sure if a wedding was the place to do it, but what seemed like a lifetime ago, she's promised him a date in exchange for his services.

It was nice to select his own clothes, only when he went to the tailor he learned very quickly he had no idea how to dress himself if it wasn't a uniform, and so he let the designer there suggest something for him. He was losing his nerve, though, as he approached the reception hall. What if she thought this idea was lame? What if she hated the suit? He should probably just go. The décor didn't really make an impression on him, though he did look around enough to take it all in.

And then he saw her. His throat when dry with the sight and he swallowed, trying to clear the dryness. Say something, Cloud. At least that's what he said to himself. It wasn't working, though. "Uh..."

Good, that was a started. He cleared his through. "Hey." Okay, not better.

B

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis saw Aerith as she came by and was absolutely delighted to see her there. Of course he figured Cloud might not be too far behind, but he hadn't seen the blonde man as of yet. Still, it was so totally heartwarming to see her there after all of the effort she had put in to assisting with the flowers.

So he kept a polite distance but there was a warm smile on his face as he nodded to her. "You shouldn't feel as if you need to choose. You can simply try a bit of everything."