[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!]

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!]

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!]

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!]

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.

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?