Sarrona looks at Annalla with an appraising look before holding her hand out for the girl to take, as if expecting her to kiss the back of it. ”Charmed I am sure. But I do believe there must be some mistake. My understanding per the treatise I was given is that Isabella is the Baroness of that region, and you were, well, her chosen companion.”
Elanna moves away from the carriage, holding a handkerchief up to her nose as she approaches. She spies Isabella and heads her way. ”Hello there, cousin,” she says as her eyes drop to Isabella’s growing womb. ”it looks like you’ve had a good time down here. Clearly not with your betrothed either. Things must certainly have been interesting.”
Orri goes in for a man hug with Lander as he jokes "Well you can never be too careful when sending letters, could be someone looking in. I suppose I should say hello to dear old Auntie first, but then let's grab some drinks and you can tell me how things have been back in Brevoy for you."
He pats Lander on the shoulder then goes over toward Sarrona, giving her a slight bow he notes "Good of you to come and support Bella on her happy day my lady."
"Ah, a misunderstanding it is, in fact. Isabella has graciously passed along her charter to me. I rule Gealladh Dòchas," is Annalla's reply. The android's smile remains fixed, but her tone brooks no argument about the nature of her settlement. "She has taken the exalted position of First Sword. The leader of all our military forces."
She leaves out the fact that the entirety of their military forces consists of about two dozen lumberjacks and fishermen with leather jerkins.
"I so glad you've arrived early and I'm sure that Chrysa will be able to arrange comfortable accomodations."
Isabella looks down at her belly and then back to Elanna. She opens her mouth to respond but suddenly doesn't know what exactly to tell her.
Hi cousin. I opened a box of magical cards that made me pregnant and now I shall give birth to the king of kings.
Yes, that would go over just wonderfully.
"Hello Elanna, it is so wonderful to see you!" she lies. She approaches her least favorite cousin who never treated her like a sister even though they were raised together for many years and squeezes her gently.
She says "Oh, things have been just wonderful for me down here. We are doing the most amazing work and really helping cleanse the land. We've recognized and given our own land and titles. Oh, and yes, so this baby belongs to my soon to be wife, Annalla. Have you met her yet? She's quite beautiful, I think you would agree with me."
"Oh and tell me, last we spoke you were preparing to wed the King? Have you two set a date yet? I am most interested in gossip!"
Change the subject, Isabella.
"Have you seen the food yet, cousin? I think you will find it well worth the ride out here. Our cook is truly outstanding. The cake, well I wouldn't want to spoil the fun, why don't you run and check it out? I'm going to try and get dressed now."
Orri seeing he has interrupted gives a nod to Anna in apology before turning back to his Aunt ”Anyway... I told Lander I would show him around. I just wanted to say hello. Excuse me.”
Without another word he heads over to Lander putting his arm around the mans shoulder and starts to walk off, talking with him.
When Annalla makes her claim, Lady Sarrona barely manages to mask her rage. ”Excuse me a moment,” she says before storming off to catch up to her daughter.
Elanna arches an eyebrow when Isabella says the baby is hers and Annalla’s. ”Oh, the baby belongs to you two women? I wasn’t aware that was possible. Is she truly a man in disguise? Or did you have a fling with some man of the wilds like the rumors through the courts are saying? But yes, the plan is still for me to marry the Lord Regent. But such a high profile wedding takes significantly more planning than a simple affair such as this. Surely you understand...”
Just then, Sarrona walks up and says curtly ”Neice, may I have a private word with you?” she says as she hooks her arm through Isabella’s and begins walking away.
Isabella is about to answer Elanna when her face flushes red with embarrassment. She is actually glad that her aunt aproaches and turns to her without addressing Elanna. She bows her head and says "Aun Sarrona, I am so happy you could attend the the ceremony. Seeing you again warms me so."
When she hooks her arm and stats walking she asks "Would you like to see the cake? It's beautiful.."
She makes no reply. She guides you well away from anyone else for a private chat...
As the conversation between Isabella and her aunt grows more animated, Annalla looks less and less comfortable. Looking around as others notice the conversation and then seem to look to her.
Unable to bear the attention, she turns and heads off to the garden.
Feeling adventurous, King Sootscale slips away from his retinue and decides to wander amongst the commoners' tents. A variety of games have are in full swing--dice and cards, as well as carnival games, and watered ale flows readily. When he sees a group of humans competing in a game of horseshoes, Ipmeek is sure he's found his game of choice.
"Sootscale will play horseshoe game!" he declares to the humans.
Surprised by the high pitched squeak, the assembled crowd turns, before looking down disapprovingly. A few of them start to laugh. One especially large man walks over, shoving Ipmeek. "Bugger off, twerp, go back to digging your little caves."
Ipmeek's scales flared up as this human assaults him. He takes flight to get on the same eye level, staring back at the man. "How you dare?! Sootscale is King of Kobolds!"
Ipmeek's posturing is utterly unconvincing, and the mild laughter of the crowd becomes far more uproarious. "Warmbloods will show King Sootscale respect!" he shouts. In anger, Ipmeek comes this close to blasting the taunting human, if not the whole lot of them! Frustrated, he throws a bomb onto the ground with a large explosion, filling the area with a noxious scent and causing panic among the crowd! The blast is loud and most assuredly is drawing unwanted attention.
Chrysa's fist hits the table. A thudding echo in the empty kitchen. Her people cleared out, Sophie... bartered with at a terrible cost... why? Because Chrysa cared for someone and they were hurt by someone hauntingly familiar.
Alone, for a brief moment, Chrysa lets the rage subside. The rage that keeps the fear, the anxiety, the HURT, at bay. For a moment, she is the little five year old girl whose world betrayed her.
---
Chrysa cleans herself up after the brief moment. Chilled glass to reduce the puffiness, a towel to wipe up the snot and tears. The humiliating weakness helped in its own way. This, while satisfying, would solve nothing, the timing is off, the potential for discovery and bloodshed is too great. The latter could push the ones she cares about away.
More away. Sophie first. Finding the half-elf, "I decided against the course of action I mentioned earlier." she said formally but honestly. "If you do not Trust me, you can still have your favor." Chrysa paused briefly to see what her... friend says.
Then there is an explosion, whether Sophie has time to answer or not, is up to her.
"Kobolds are Attacking!" the panicked runners shrieked, making the horned woman... smile as she approached the scene.
There are drawn blades, some are her people, some are guests, one is one of the shining knights. "PUT YOUR WEAPONS AWAY! AND DISPERSE!" the Baroness of the realm smoothed her smile and gave an order in cold anger that spoke of horrible things that would be done to them if they did not.
Most did so quickly, but the knight simply lowered his. The remaining crowd dispersed as ordered or simply because the potential spectacle of bloodshed was over. The knight as well to see to the safety of his nobles.
"Are you okay?" Chrysa asked Impeek in concern, looking at the impact zone to see if there was a person or thing destroyed. "What happened?"
Orri had been showing Lander about the small, but growing settlement Chrysa was building, regaling him with stories of his adventures, including parts he specifically left out in his letters like dying and coming back to life, spending an exciting night with a dryad and much more.
However, it wasn't long before chaos broke loose as he heard an explosion and people screaming. He rushed to see what is going on just in time to see Chrysa ordering her people to disperse. He walks up slowly toward Chrysa and Ipmeek "Everything ok?"
Chrysa looks up to see Orri. The stress of the day has worn on her massively since the last time he has seen her.
"No" she says flatly. Since at the moment it is Impeek, her, and Orri alone, she tells him "Bella is a broken mess, Anna (and myself) are balls of rage, you are being accused of raping your sister, who is being ordered to not only remove you from the wedding but also to strip you of your lands. Sophie and I are... not on good terms anymore and our friend here is throwing bombs at people."
"Everything is not okay"
Orri facepalms, takes a deep breath and then walks over to Chrysa calmly, putting his hands on her shoulders. "You and Ipmeek get whatever this is worked out." He waves his hand around at the site if the explosion before continuing "Tell me where Bella is so I can go talk to her. I'll get this worked out." He gives her a reassuring nod.
Chrysa nods, and gives directions to Bella's room. "Anna should already be there, with instructions to keep Bella there if she heard screams... in case I started stabbing people. Not because of this." she corrects with a weary shake of her head.
Orri nods and heads off to find Bella, arriving at her door he knocks gently and calls out "Bella, it's me Orri. Chrysa was telling me there were some problems. Let me in so we can talk."
When Isabella hears the knock, she leaps to her feet thinking Annalla has come back. While walking to the door however, she hears it is Orri, which wasn't a terrible thing at all. She opens the door and lets him in, returning to the bed.
She's no longer crying, but it's clear from her puffy face that she has done plenty of that already. As she sits on the bed, she looks up at her brother and says "It's a disaster. I should have never even invited them."
She closes her eyes and shakes her head before turning to look Orri in the eyes and explain things "The thing Aunt Sarrona wants are untenable. She demands I take the title of Baroness from Annalla, who apparently she sees as a strumpet sex-toy from Numeria. I am to reclaim your lands from you as soon as possible, because you are not a pure Lebeda and you are not fit to lead and it would cause a terrible embarrassment to the family and its name."
She lowers her voice and looks away "She said everyone back at home is saying I slept with a brigand who get me pregnant and that I'm a whore. And then she asked if... if the baby was yours."
"No, no, everything fine. See, no damage.". The kobold points to a blackened spot on the ground as Orri and Chrysa arrive, thankful that it was them and not a patrol of knights instead.
As Orri leaves and he is left with Chrysa, Ipmeek switches to Draconic. "All of you have been kind to me and my people. I've gotten so comfortable with humans that I forgot how much most of your people do not respect mine. I came here pretending to be an ordinary kobold because I wanted to explore Haven. Instead, I was laughed at and picked on. I would never have hurt anyone, but I wanted to show that kobolds are not weaklings!"
Ipmeek sees the consternation on Chrysa's face. "I'm sorry, Chrysa. This was a stupid thing I did and made your day worse. What's happening with Bella? What's happening with you?"
Orri just stands there and looks at his sister in amazement, then shakes his head "First, who cares what she thinks, or for that matter anyone else back home? You know the truth of it all and that's what is important. We are here now in our own granted lands and there isn't anything she or any of the others can do about it short of starting a war and I don't think that would go over well with the folks in Restov."
He sits down beside her and puts his arm around her shoulder "So, I say forget about them and their pettiness. You did what you thought was right and invited them here, if they just want to throw around a bunch of none sense and not support you then they can go on their merry way back to Brevoy and I'll be happy to go and tell them as much if you want."
Still speaking in the small voice, she adds "Chrysa thinks I should give up my name," she looks back up at Orri and asks "Do you?"
Orri furls his brows "Why? Why would you do that? Just because you share their last name doesn't give them any right over you. You and I are both Lebeda's no matter what the others say. It is our father's name and they can't take that away from us." He finishes with a huff but then takes a deep breath "Do you want to give it up?"
"No." she whimpers, "It's all I have left from him. I don't want to lose that too."
She wipes her eyes and says "But I will if I have to, to have my own family away from them."
She clears her throat and wipes her eyes again, growling in frustration as she flops back on the bed, frustrated. "Why am I such a mess? This is not who I am! What's happened to me!"
Orri smirks a bit as she flops in the bed and complains then gently puts a hand on her belly "I'm sure these may have something to do with you being different..."
He lays down next to her and turns over to look at her "Hey, don't worry about them. I mean honestly, there is nothing they can do. She can come in here with all her demands and accusations but it doesn't matter a damn bit. You want to keep your name keep it, what are they going to do? Run back to Brevoy and gossip some more? After today, if you never want to see them again you don't have to. They are family by blood, but you, me, Sophie, Chrysa, Annalla, and even Ipmeek we are family too. You don't need them and I'll be happy to go and send them on their way if that's what you want."
He pauses a moment and then grins again "Though perhaps letting them stay and going on doing what you want to do irregardless of what she is demanding would be an even bigger proverbial slap in the face."
Isabella groans and changes the subject, trying to dry her eyes as Orri pets her belly "I'm fat. I barely fit into my armor anymore. Sophie is going to yell at me about not being fit for duty when we go to Candelmere."
"Okay, okay. I suppose I just need to realize I can't make everyone happy. Priorities, right? Choose to make the ones happy I want and damn the rest?"
Orri smiles and nods "Exactly!"
Isabella sighs, looking at the ceiling "There's going to be drama then."
She ponders aloud "Do you think it would be bad if I asked Chrysa to poison them all?"
Orri laughs thinking that is a joke then pauses "Wait, you are joking right?"
In draconic "People are idiots." referring to the racists tiredly "Yours, mine, all of them..." she waves her hand at the guests "Myself included more than I care to admit. Don't worry about that" talking about the explosion "If you need to do more, it is fine, as long as you are safe." Impeek being on the list of people she'd do bad things for so no worries if he needed to do a few of his own. "Bella's family are conniving ruthless power-hungry a#%*@~&s... and she cares too much about what they think. We'll get through the day, hopefully without me doing irrevocable harm to my kingdom"
She pauses for a moment, looking around the tent "Horeshoes, I haven't played that in..." she blinked "... since I was a kid. Would you play with me?" the chaos can spare the two rulers for a couple of minutes, I think.
"Yes, I was joking. Alright. Alright." Isabella laughs and struggles to sit up from her position on the bed. She reaches out a hand to Orri and says "Be a good lad and help a weight-challenged woman to her feet."
As she stands, she says "I almost forgot. She said you were not allowed to give me away and that Lander must handle that. This obviously will be a problem before the rest can transpire. Can you handle that for me?"
Orri helps his sister up and as she mentions the next issue he asks "Would it be easier for him to do it instead, just to make one less thing an issue? It's not what I would want, but today is about you so if that makes it easier on you I'm sure Lander won't have an issue with it."
Isabella shakes her head no. "Lander is not terrible like his sister and mother, but no, you are the one that I want, Orri. I want you to give me away, if you are still okay with it. Can you talk to him and arrange it so there won't be a scene there?"
Orri nods and smiles "I'm on it. You, you take care of what you need to and don't give Sarrona or Ellana another thought. This is yours and Annalla's day, don't let them or anyone else ruin it for you!"
With that he goes off to find Lander again and talk to his cousin about what is going on. He knows Lander won't care one way or another, the question is whether he will stand up to his mother in the matter or not.
Sophie the impromptu chef continues to cook, unperturbed by the goings-on outside the kitchen.
Ipmeek smiles as Chrysa offers to play. "You are a good friend, Chrysa. Yes, let's play a round! I think I'm going to be pretty good at this." He picks up the horseshoes and hands a set to Chrysa. "A little heavy, though," he mutters as he gets the weight of the object. He chucks it hard at the spike on the ground.
And it completely sails over. "Whoops! Just need a bit of practice."
As the game continues, Ipmeek starts to do better. He certainly can't get much worse. "You put together a great party! Good food, good ale, lots of activity. The flowers are pretty. People will talk about how fun this place is and want to move here!"
As Annalla wanders slowly through the rows of carefully tended flowers, she finds herself wondering which of the lovely fragrances that Isabella would enjoy. And as she finds herself more frequently doing, looking forward to a time where she could share experiences like this with their unborn child.
She pauses and frowns.
No, she must be prepared for the decision that Isabella will make with 71.31% probability. The child is Isabella's. To think of it as hers is folly and those kinds of thoughts have no place in that future other than to bring more emotional pain.
With reluctance, the android pushes aside those wistful feelings and considers when she should leave. Her home needed her and if there wasn't going to be a wedding, there was no reason for her to be here any longer.
However, even with only a 22.85% chance of a positive outcome, Annalla mentally reset the internal timer for how long she would wait for her love to reach her decision.
Isabella has made up her mind. She tries to compose herself the best she can and ventures outside of the room to find one of Chrysa's people retrieve her and have her meet Isabella in her room. When Chrysa arrives, Isabella has pulled herself together and trying to undo the damage of all of the tears.
"We are going to proceed as originally planned, damn them all. This is my day with Anna, and my aunt doesn't get to tell me how to live my life anymore. I'm a big girl now," she watches Chrysa's eyes drift to her belly and Isabella levels her finger at her friend and warns "Don't say it."
She says "Please inform Annalla that she should get dressed and get ready. I don't want to see her again until Orri gives me away."
She moves to embrace Chrysa and whispers "Thank you for putting up with all of this. There is no way I could have pulled it off at home with all of this drama. I owe you."
Isabella releases her and says "No I must get ready. I do not want to be disturbed. Tell Orri to come back here in sixty minutes to bring me out and please have everyone situated. Likewise, Annalla should be ready as well."
Chrysa grins, both happy that Bella is happy and that AUNT is being told to go to the hells. She laughs and curtseys deeply "You owe me nothing, Lady Lebeda. It is my honor to help such a Big girl." then she slips out before Bella can attempt to kick her. She doesn't want the bride to fall on her bottom... as least it is well padded.
"Watch the door, and don't let anyone but her brother in" she commands two of her people then heads off to the flower garden, hoping she is right and that is where Anna is. Otherwise, she might need to go see if there are bodies in the guest house.
When she sees Anna, the blue lady can easily see Chrysa is happy. "Lady Annalla, your bride will be prepared in a little less than an hour." her smile is beaming.
Annalla looks up in surprise to see Chrysa approaching her rather than Isabella.
"Prepared? Did she make a decision? Wait, you said 'bride' so that implies that, yes, a decision has been made," she says as she processes the woman's words. "Is she keeping her name?" she asks.
She tilts her head "That she didn't say, but she did say that Orri will be giving her away to you in... now 54 or so minutes." Chrysa pauses and then says softly "The wedding is going forward despite the horrible extended family you are marrying into. Are you ready?"
| 4 people marked this as a favorite. |
"Absolutely," she says with confidence. She flags down one of Chrysa's attending workers and very politely arranges for her effects to be retrieved from the room that Isabella has claimed. After appropriating a small store-room off from the kitchen, in just a short time she has garbed herself in her chosen dress and tamed her pearlescent mane. She considers asking Chrysa's advice on using makeup, but thinks better of that idea. She never wears it normally and she's not going to start now.
With ten minutes remaining in Isabella's stated time-frame, she walks out to find that the guests have been appropriately seated and Jhod Kavken has taken his place at the front of the assemblage. The older man has cleaned up reasonably well and Annalla hopes that she has taken his admonishment to keep the hunting and farming analogies to a bare minimum. There are musicians off to the side of the audience playing a soothing melody.
The heated anger she feels when she sees Isabella's relatives sitting near the front on one side doesn't show on her face at all. And it's partially mitigated when she notes that Chrysa, Sophiel, and King Sootscale are sitting as far away from them as possible. Without ceremony she takes her place near Jhod. She's garbed in a simple, modest white gown. The neck is high and the wide lace sleeves reach her to her wrists. The only decoration is a thin gold chain that hangs about her waist. She turns to look out over the assembled guests and wait with no sign of the inner turmoil showing on her face.
When her internal clock shows nine minutes past Isabella's designated time she begins to get nervous. At seventeen minutes past, she notes that some of the others are looking around questioningly. When her clock shows twenty-five minutes past, she considers saying something. However, it's then that she notices a page racing over to the musicians. The girl whispers something to the lead. A moment later and the melody fades out to be replaced with a traditional march used to announce the appearance of the bride.
Everyone turns to look and they are met with Orri and Isabella stepping around a flower-covered bower. Isabella is also wearing a white gown. Heavy lace and a bouquet of flowers held in front partially conceals her slightly bulging belly. A circlet of gold adorned with a blue stone rests on her head. They step forward in time with the softly played music as the audience rises.
Annalla's anxieties fade when she sees her love walking towards her. They share a secret smile and Isabella notices traces of blue light shimmering along Annalla's arms beneath the concealing lace.
The long walk finally finishes and Annalla takes Isabella's hand from Orri and the bard takes a seat at the front of the audience. Away from the rest of Isabella's family, Annalla notes.
"Welcome all," Jhod begins. "Family and friends. Well-wishers and those of good heart." The man continues on to offer up a prayer to Erastil with far too many references to the hunt for Annalla's liking. Once he concludes, he bids everyone to sit before directing his attention to the two white-clad ladies before him.
"Lady Isabella and Lady Annalla. We all have goals in this life. Things we desire or things that we wish to accomplish. We direct our efforts and energy to our tasks in proportion to that desire. Some things we achieve and other things we do not. One of life's most difficult goals to achieve is to find a partner that we wish to spend the rest of our lives with. A partner that will aid us in our hunt. One that will assist us in our toils. Against the odds, you both have found that person."
Annalla gives Isabella's hand a small squeeze.
"We are all gathered here together today to witness their public profession of love and support for each other. To witness the declaration of their bond," Jhod continues. "Lady Annalla? If you would?"
Annalla turns to face Isabella, still holding her hand.
"Isabella. My arrival in this life was unforgiving and harsh. In that time, so many weeks ago, you were the person that came to my rescue. That stood up to protect me and keep me safe. Others have stepped in to that role since, but none have made me feel as you have. None have made me feel loved as you have. You captured my heart at your first words in the inn where we met and you've kept it safe every day since then. I know not what the future holds, but I know that I want to face it at your side. I wish to know that it's your hand that I can hold. Your lips that I can kiss. Your heart that will hold mine. No matter what challenges we face, I will support you and our child with everything within me." By the time that she's finished, tears are flowing freely down her cheeks, visible to all. But only Isabella is close enough to notice the scent of cherries that they carry.
She stands silently gazing into Isabella's eyes.
Jhod quietly clears his throat and gestures down at their hands. "Oh, yes. The ring," Annalla says in surprise. Reaching down, she unties a knot in the end of the gold chain hanging from her waist. Bound within is a ring. On initial inspection, it appears to be strands of silvery hair formed into a circle. Only when touching does one realize that the material has the rigidity and warmth of precious metal. She lifts up Isabella's hand and slides the ring onto her finger. She smiles at her again and lowers the hand before turning back to the priest.
Jhod turns to Isabella. "Lady Isabella?"
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Isabella takes forever to get ready. She knows she's running late, but getting herself into her dress was proving more difficult that she thought it would. Determined to not ask for help until she absolutely must, she finally relents and calls Orri in to help close her up.
"You might want to suck it in a little more, Isabella, you look-"
Isabella threatens to critically wound him with the bouquet, wielding it in her right hand like a blade and says she says "If the next words out of your mouth aren't 'the most beautiful woman I've ever seen', then I'm making you sit next to Aunt Sarrona the rest of the evening!"
Orri holds his hands up and decides to not finish his statement, moving to the task of closing her up instead. When they are finished, he takes her arm and begins to escort her to their awaiting audience. Halfway there she whispers "Orri, I'm very nervous. What if Aunt Sarrona does something and ruins this?". He reassures her again for the tenth time everything will be fine as they finish their approach.
As they hear the music change, she takes a deep breath and nods "Alright, I'm ready. Please take me to my bride, Lord Lebeda."
Orri escorts Isabella up to Annalla with a smile on her face. She can't help but cry the entire way towards her, but a smile is on her face and she's doing her best to keep her composure. When they finally reach Jhod and the awaiting Annalla, she turns and pecks Orri on the cheek and whispers "Thank you." before turning to face Annalla. She shares a smile with Annalla and everything is okay once more. When Annalla cries tears of cherry, it's all Bella can do to resist reaching out and wiping one away.
When Annalla completes her vows and Jhod turns to Isabella, she smiles and focuses herself in on Annalla's face, tuning out everything else. "In my most trying days, when the walls were caving in and the water was far too deep, you helped me believe again and showed me there was nothing to fear as long as you were my side. You have stood by my side and given yourself completely to me, asking for nothing but my love in return. It is my great honor as Isabella Lebeda, First Sword of Gealladh Dòchas, to pledge myself completely to you, Baroness Annalla Lebeda. Together we will raise this child and show them the many joys of love that a true family can provide for their children. These lips, this heart and this child all are yours for the rest of our lives."
Tears are flowing freely down her eyes, but she doesn't dare look away from Annalla, soaking in this moment and smiling at Annalla. She reaches into a pouch tied around her the bouquet and withdraws a beautiful nature-inspired designed ring that displays eight glittering marquise shaped sapphire buds set atop gently curving bands of precious metal that reflect the movement of vines and branches.
Annalla's tears continue to flow freely as Isabella declares her vows. As the ring slips on to her finger, the sapphires on it begin to echo the blue illumination peeking out from under the lace on Annalla's arms. She can only just barely resist the urge to take this woman in her arms, ceremony be damned.
"With the exchanging of rings," Jhod continues, interrupting the android's mental fantasy. "And the declaring of your vows, you declare to everyone gathered here as witnesses that you promise to support each other, care for each other, and meet each others needs, until the Gray Lady take you."
"By the divine authority granted to me by Old Deadeye, I now pronounce you ..." he continues and Annalla's head snaps around to him as if daring him to say 'Hunter and Prey' or something equally Erastilian. "Bride and Bride," he concludes with a smile. She smiles back.
"May I present to all in attendance," he says in a louder voice, "For the first time, the Ladies Isabella and Annalla Lebeda."
Annalla switches which of Isabella's hands she's holding and turns to face the gathered watchers.
"You can kiss her now," the priest whispers.
Not needing a second invitation, Annalla pulls Isabella into her arms and isn't afraid to show everyone how she feels. Her tears do indeed taste of cherries.
Upon the declaration, she turns to face Annalla to kiss her new bride. The android's eagerness to pull her into her arms surprises her and she laughs with joy for only a brief second before Anna's lips are covering her own. She returns the passionate kiss, smiling with the applause and cheering she hears from the gathered friends and family.
Isabella basks in this moment. She never thought the day would come that she would be the one to marry, yet alone to marry one of her own choosing! After the kiss, she pulls Anna in for an embrace and holds her in her arms, afraid to let her go so that this moment will end. Relieved it is finally done and over and... She pulls back and asks "Sophie, can I eat the cake now? I'm starving!"
Sophiel had been sitting quietly, disheveled, covered in flour and oil, wearing an apron. Her expression through the ceremony was notably neutral, though she seemed happy when Isabella spoke about her own happiness. After the chilly reception from Annalla, with Sophiel’s friendliness utterly rebuffed and ignored, she seemed much more withdrawn and mechanical, focused on her tasks and trying to shut out distractions.
When Isabella spoke to her, she blinked, ”my dear, one traditionally has eats the other courses first, but it is your day so you may do what you’d like.” She smiled gently, and kindly.
Sophiel is uncomfortable with the spotlight, and would like to return to the kitchen. She seems sad, too.
"You get one piece," Annalla says, holding a single finger to emphasize the number. "One, do you understand? I have ... plans and they do not involve you vomiting cake all over our room."
She then turns to the half-elf and bows her head at the woman. "I wish to thank you again, Sophiel, for your efforts in preparing the food - especially the cake. I may have been perfunctory before because of everything that was happening, but that was no excuse. I apologize and wish you to know that I really appreciate the effort you went through."
Isabella frowns, a mighty, hungry-pregnant-lady frown, "One?! It's my wedding! I shall eat cake until I can't eat anymore!" she declares defiant, hands on her hips.
Folding her arms across her chest, she grumbles "Fine, we can eat the other courses first. But I am have lots of cake."
Sophie nods and smiles at Annalla. ”I hope everyone enjoys everything.” As the ceremony ends, she quickly excuses herself and runs back to the kitchen to put the finishing touches on the meal, serving the food to the guests in course order.
Later, should Isabella request it, she may have one of the small cakes made with the extra bit and berry batter, set into little cups with paper wrapping and frosted with raspberry cream and candied flowers.
If Isabella says she wants a slice of actual cake, Sophiel shakes her head, ”You cannot have a five layer cake. It must be six. I have been able to do little for you, but believe that the only warding I have for your future comes from this. It will be... inauspicious if you were to take a slice now. Please.” Her eyes are desperate.
"Very well, but if you're too full later this evening for what I have planned then I will be very disappointed," Annalla says with a pout.