A Wedding in Dotado.

[Tiff'blz]

The school over looked the school yard, still quite far away. The layout was quite beautiful. Seats were lined up on either side of a white carpet that rolled up to the stand where he would be standing to unite these two people in holy matrimony. The priest stood facing the school, which was in the background, so no one would be looking at it, but instead at the lucky couple.

He looked down at his Bible. The words clearly marked in the book that had led him through his life. Amazing how much marriage had meant even then. It is a blessing to wed, and an honor to be the one to join two people in love.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony;

which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in Paradise, and into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined.

Therefore if any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.

The wedding would begin just as any wedding would. As all knew it to be. Again the priest looked up from the book, but saw that no one had yet arrived for the wedding. That was alright, it was still a while yet. He was just a very prompt man, and liked to see everything was done right beforehand.

To keep himself occupied, he located the rest of the words that he would repeat, and kept them with a mental marker.

* * *

Paws trotted up to the white carpet, but paused at the very edge. It did not touch the gleaming material. With a shake of its mighty head, the tiger went to the other side of the seats and took his seat at the very middle row, on the outside, as it could not sit in the chair itself. Jason looked up with bright yellow and green eyes. "Hello, Father." He said casually as he waited for the other three that had followed him there.

Eric was of course the first one to round the corner. He was wearing a little tuxedo, that his father, and mother, had forced him to wear. He tugged at it subconsciously and stood next to the tiger, bowed slightly to the priest, and took his seat two chairs away from his father. Michella and Erin would take up the seats between them.

The priest nodded to them and smiled. He nodded his head at them both and shifted the book from his hands to the podium in front of him. "Good afternoon. You are early as you can see, but the early bird gets the worm." He said politely.

[Mousiemus Prime]

Maeve Sadima, for now, sat in a room designated as her prep room. She had been slightly nervous, as any half-sane or even quarter-sane person would be. However her face was a rock, serious, yet calm with a smile on her face that probably would never disappear. That much was certain. She wore a black wedding dress. Why should someone that wasn't 'pure' wear a dress the color which stood for purity? She shouldn't, and so, she didn't.

Black, off the shoulder, straps fit around her upper arms. The low hanging, cleavage bearing, upper portion of the dress revealed her collarbone and shoulders. At the waist is where the gown grew loose, flowing fluidly to pool around her feet and hide her black peep-toe, with sling-back strap, pumps. The steriotypical veil in train accompanied the dress, in black.

The brilliant red tresses of Maeve had been pulled back and pinned in a very eligant manor.Her make up was light but dark. Eye shadow that was a deep reddish-gray brought some attention to her eyes with help from the eyeliner and mascara. Her lips were painted a shade of red that went well with the entire ensamble. Hell, she had to look good. That was what she wanted.

Looking at herself in the mirror, she sighed, and nodded her head. A black, elbow lengthed, glove reached up and touched the small diamon necklace that was draped around her neck. A gifted her father had left her in his will, and it came with matching earings. Ven would have to slide the ring on her finger, overtop the gloves to be later restationed on her finger itself.

Okay, so being nervous is normal. But, It's funny. Generally I wouldn't get nervous about such things. Being a bit off in the head, you'd think I would be calm. But no, oh no. I can't be calm. I can look calm and act calm, but deep down inside...well..damn am I a train wreck. Maeve's mind went haywire, but her face remained calm and collected.

**Meanwhile, outside**

Maeve's mother and imeadiate family had stationed themselves on the side which would corrispond with the side of which Maeve was going to be standing. Her mother looked old, yet strangly nice, where as the rest of her family seemed to be a little high on themselves. Oh well, those things happened didn't they? It was unavoidablem really.

Towards the back of the seats, on whatever side she had decided, sat Carmela. She wore a decent skirt and top, pleasent enough for the occasion, but surely not as eligant or colorful as some of the clothing she was bound to see. Carmela wasn't even sure why she was there. Oh, that's right! Because at one point in time the three had been a rather friendly little group. Eh, sounded like a plan to her. She'd sit through the boring part, eat some free food and leave when everything grew dull and boring once more.

[VEN is Back]

Ven was standing in separate room that resembled a boiler room. Maeve had been given the more real dressing room, as in all honesty Ven felt that she deserved a nicer area, besides, all he had to do was put on a suit, right?

His Tuxedo had been tailored specifically for him, as very few people could remotely imagine pulling off a tuxedo of this caliber. The actual jacket itself was made a fine black satin, giving it a glossy shiny appearance. the sleeves had been widened to accomodate his large plate scales arms, although there were still a few small areas where they bumped awkwardly near his shoulders.

The collar of the coat was easily the most noticable part. It was like most tuxedo jacket, a nicer satin, and therefore gleamed more the the rest of the jacket. It wasn't missing the small notch like most tended to, it couldn't because of the design it held. Along both sides of the collar, twin snakes were tangling together like ivy. The pattern was sewn in with a dark black velvet so that it wasn't conspicuosly noticable, but see able at close enough range.

his shirt was an average white, made of silk, nothing out of the ordinary. seated just bellow his neck was a thin black bowtie, that was tied so perfectly it looked almost like it had been printed onto the shirt. Bellow this, just around his waist, there was a dark emerald cumberbund(the sash seen on moct tuxedos)

The pants were as well satin, like the jacket, and nothing all to special about them. His shoes however were rather nice, also made specifically for the wedding. they looked almost like some kind of thin sleek form of python skin, however all of the scales had been died black, and rubbed to a shine. They were then molded into a nicely fitting loafer type shoe.

Despite this rather nice suit though, he for one of the first times in his life, had butterflies or as the case may have been, condors in his stomach. His was extrordinarily nervous. he had no idea why though. this was the type of thing that was planned, there were hopefully no unwanted surprises, nothing crazy, just as close to an average wedding as he could get.

[Deon]

Sophie smiled from the back of the dressing room, holding an untouched glass of wine delicately from her fingertips. It had been offered to her earlier by another giggling bridesmaid who was trying to keep up the mood and play down the nervousness of everyone. Nothing like a little too much alcohol to keep everyone sane. The dark red liquid sloshed slowly around the interior before she set it down on a table near the door and approached her friend. Her dress of the same color as her drink swished and flowed across the floor in the same fashion while she walked delicately on black high heels.

"Darling, really," she started, amusement a light undertone of her voice. "You're getting married. You don't know how much I'd love to be in your shoes right now." She placed her cool fingers on her friends shoulders and began to massage them none-too-gently. It was how she liked it, yes? She squeezed the sides of her arms reassuringly and bent low enough so that her face was beside Maeve's. The reflections of their two faces together were framed by the edges of the lighted mirror. They looked so different from each other... Not just on the outside.

She couldn't hide the two bright, sharp points of contempt in the corners of her mouth that pressed her lips up into a smile when she spoke. Her fingers continued to rest gently on Maeve's shoulders. "You could conceivably spend the rest of your life with this man. Isn't that what you want? To be Ven's wife? To meet someone, and be able to say, 'This is my husband?' " Sophie's eyes had drifted off to the corner of the mirror, staring into the reflected nothingness of the upper back wall behind them. Unvoiced thoughts entered her mind, twisting the words that she had said and throwing them back to her as the mirror did to her image. She didn't want to acknowledge how badly she herself wanted to be able to walk through a crowd, to introduce herself as Mrs. Belmont, to address Arkady as her husband. She snapped out of it quickly and smiled, though it wasn't as natural as it could have been. Her eyes moved back to Maeve. "You should be feeling like the luckiest girl in the world. There's no need for nervousness." She giggled and moved away, giving Maeve a light pat on the back.

"Besides, I thought we had gone over this all at the bachelorette party. Even through all the drinking games and strippers, you were still able to say that you loved Ven and wanted to get hitched. I would know. I was sober." The designated driver excuse she used as just that -- an excuse. The other girls were not happy about her lack of participation; they had wanted to see Sophie drunk and lightened up a bit. "So there. Don't worry about all these formalities. You love him, he loves you. That should be that. And if it doesn't work out, divorce attorneys do wonders, even without a pre-nup."

She had gotten up and turned around so that her back was to Maeve. There was something that she wanted to ask her best friend, but it was hard to voice. She hesitated, took a breath, and began. "Hey, dollface, can I ask you a question? It's kind of... different." The wedding was about to begin. She half-wished that she would be saved by the bell -- or rather, the organ.

[Marr-bles™]

"Hey, Mom... When the wedding is over, can we get something to eat, I'm hungry!" Erin whispered out to her mother. She moved fast beside Michella's longer steps as the green dress she wore moved slowly. It was knee length with black glossy shoes. Michella smiled down at Erin giving her a nodd in her direction as she looked ahead of her seeing that Eric was gone out of her sight.

"We better hurry up to make sure that Eric know's where to go!" She said to Eric as Michella pulled up the side of her dress back on her shoulder. The light blue dress she wore was a little loose on the shoulders, causing her to have to put them back every few minutes. "There's your father and your brother. their already sitting down!" She told Erin as she quickly ushered Erin to the seats. "Hey Jason!" She said quickly as she sat next to Eric and let Eric sit inbetween her and Jason. She looked up at the preist and smiled with a nodd in his direction.

[Tiff'blz]

The priest stood silently, his hands folded up on top of his open bible. The organ player had taken her spot and flipped through the pages of her music notes to find the designated, Wedding March.

Jason smiled when met with Erin and Michella. He knew they wouldnt be far behind Eric. He nodded his head sagely. A lot of people had turned up to see this wedding. Jason had later found out that he had chosen the grooms side. He didnt care, it just mattered to him to show support for such a joyous occasion.

The priest checked his watch, looked over at the full reception, and nodded his head to the organ player. A rich and full sound filled the air as the organ bellowed out beautiful music to signal the beginning of the wedding. Ven had yet to show up.. But the priest figured that hearing that would put a bounce in his step. As soon as Ven had shown up, the priest would signal for the Wedding March to be played.

Eric bounced in his seat. "SO...Itchyyy.." He complained. He pulled at the sleeves of the suit and looked up at the sun. "And hottttttttt.. Dadddddddddddddd! Why do I have to wear this??" He complained in an annoyed tone. One look from Jason told him that silence was the best answer to his own question.

"Be quiet Eric, and sit still." He said, directing it at Eric while he waited for the bride and groom to show up to their own wedding. The groom walked out and to the field to stand to the right of the priest, and the smile of relief actually showed on the priest's face. Alright, one down..Now, for the beautiful bride. The priest nodded twice to the organ player, who began the wedding march. All faces of course turned to the back of the aisle to where Maeve would be appearing. One thing that Jason remembered about her, which was not much, was that she was quite a beautiful girl. Eric almost fell out of his seat, he stretched so far to see to the back. He wanted to see her! And since he was on the end he got to see her first! Something he would have to brag about to Erin later..

[Mousiemus Prime]

" Of course I am happy and excited. I'm thrilled, in fact. I'm in a state of being that is hard to describem, actually. But what is it you wanted to ask?" Maeve said as she reached for her bouquet of lilys and Casablanca's. They were probably the only colorful things beside her hair. Maeve heard the organ begin to play, signalling that the ceremony was about to begin. So, with a smile she walked towards the door she would leave out of and waited in places.

" You have to tell me quickly, though. It's almost time." Maeve added. They were still the only two people in the room and by the time Maeve exited the room she would be joined by her Uncle and be walked down the isle as soon as she was required to be. It was at this point in time that happiness and excitement washed over Maeve and caused her to get even a little razzled in appearence. However, quickly adjusting her facial expressions she almost instantly took on that calm smile.

Carmela turned with everyone else, expecting both the bride and groom to be late. However, that wasn't as bad as them not showing up. CArmela was almost dead certain that Maeve would never leave Ven at the alter. It was almost impossible as is to pry those two apart. So, she was sure this whole thing would go off without a problem.

{{ BARF AT THE SHORTNESS}}

[VEN is Back]

Ven stood up next to the priest the last few thoughts of nervousness and fear stepping up from fletting discomfort to full on near nausia. He wasn't as prepared as he seemed to have thought he was, and that was saying allot consider he was barely thought he was prepared to begin with.

/I'll be fine,/ were the words he kept repeating to himself silently, really hoping that he could retain his compsure. The snakes allong his collar were becoming more visible as they didn't shine as stronmg as the satin which was directly beneath the sun. Now he was starting to feel self concious, which was a first for Ven. He didn't know what it was but for some reason this wedding was almost making him as a human as Carmela often did. for all he knew it could of been her or just flat out emotions. Either way his palms were moistening allong with his brow, at a pace dale earnheart would hagve been proud of.

/Why? Why am I freaking. Nothing can go wrong this has been done before by so many people, so flawlessly, nothing can go wrong. Nothing. Just a simple couple of words said, the I do's, and we're set. Please let that be it, please./ It wasn't that he wasn't happy, because he was, he excruiciatingly was, he just couldn't believe something this good was happening in his life. Nothing this good ever happened to him without a catch.

/I'll be fine, definetely fine, really truly awesomely fine......no worries./

[Seaheart]

Seaheart hadn't changed his clothes, even for the special occasion. All he did to show that he knew he was going to a special occasion was wear a white bowtie near the collar of his long black coat. He would have chosen black, but it would have just blended in with his coat.

He stood next to Ven, trying to fake a genuine smile. Well, his best friend was getting married. What could he say? He had given his blessing before storming off from the park. That was what he said. All he could do now is give a congratulations and a few soothing words before everything was set. He had made sure he got all the somehow sadistically funny thoughts that he'd never be married out of his head before he came here.

"Well Ven, this is it. Nothing or anybody in your way to stop this. Make usre you treat her right in her own way. Not sure which way she likes it. From here on, your supporting her. And protecting her. We both know you have enemies. Plenty of people will want to use her to get to you. But I've seen how you deal. none of that will fly for you, will it?" He said, smile perkening up a bit. He said it in a quiet voice, not wanting anybody but Ven, perhaps the priest, and him to hear. He doubted this would be making Ven fell any better, but he couldn't think of much else.

"Either way, just have a good time now. Let the future present itself. And for today, eat, drink, and marry." Seaheart then became quiet, staring intently around, making sure he wouldn't let anyone or anything get in the way of Ven's wedding. A best man, and the best bodyguard is what he would be now.

[Deon]

Sophie turned as Maeve walked to take a position beside her, in front of the door, holding a bouquet of flowers that contrasted against her dark dress. She shifted her eyes away almost as quickly, settling at some spot on the wall that attracted her attention for the moment, shaking her head the slightest.

"N-No. Never mind. It's nothing." She felt the corners of her lips being drawn up into a smile by some unknown force that acted automatically the way she should. "Besides, I don't want to bog you down with my personal problems on your big day. Maybe I'll talk to you after the reception, yes?" The smile didn't reach her eyes, but she wasn't going to let Maeve see any indication of her troubles. She opened the door, her fingers resting on the knob while she flashed Maeve a bigger smile. "Good luck, dear. Next time we talk, you won't be Maeve Sadima anymore. Now, go and get married."

With those final words, she quickly made her way out the back through the side entrance of the church to take her place at the receiving line to the right of Maeve as the maid of honor, next to the best man.

She hadn't realized it was Seaheart.

Well, well, well. What a pleasant little surprise. She had been so caught up in helping Maeve prepare for her wedding that she hadn’t even thought to inquire about who Ven had chosen as his best man. She couldn’t suppress the grimace that her lips reflexively twisted into. Sophie did her best to disguise it with a forced smile and a silent greeting through her cold eyes that greeted him simply after a ten-year absence. She didn’t even know if he was still alive, and frankly didn’t care to find out. It seems mildly to severely unpleasant reunions followed her to this town. She turned to take her proper stance and beamed at the crowd, a strange smile that looked out-of-place on her sharp features and cold, dead eyes. She wasn’t seeing the people. She was seeing the past. Something she hadn’t wanted to relive. Well. Looked like it was standing right beside her, ready to take her arm and follow the bride and groom down the aisle after the ceremony. Brilliant. She didn’t even take a second glance at Ven, refusing to acknowledge his existence almost as vehemently as Seaheart’s. They were both unpleasant – to say the least – reminders of things she didn’t want to think about again. It had been pushed too far back to be dug up out of her brain now, leaving holes where the pointed spade had been, and a covering of loose dirt that wouldn’t hold. She feared she would fall through it again. Some things are just so hard to move away from, to live through, without having a scar that will never be entirely removed. She didn’t want hers exposed, when it had remained hidden from herself and everyone else for so long.

Sophie steeled herself for the ceremony when the wedding march began, signaling Maeve’s entrance to start.

[Marr-bles™]

"Mommy.... It's pretty in here... when is this thing going to start?" Erin cautiously asked her mother as she sat back down in her chair. Michella looked down at Erin with a smile putting her arm around Erin.

"Just very soon. It won't take long once we get started. Just wait, okay?" She told Erin as she looked around then at Jason. This ceremony will bring back alot of memories when it came to the vows. She had been through it, but years ago. She couldn't wait, because she knew at the time the 'I do's' come along, she knew she would feel the same butterflies that she felt that day. "Eric... behave, please... It won't last long. When the wedding is over you can take the jacket off, but ONLY if you behave..." She said to him with a stress over the word 'only'. Then the wedding had finaly started. Michella noticed Eric trying to see the first person walk out and saw that he was on the edge of the seat. "Eric... please. Sit back in your chair, I don't want you falling in the middle of the aisle, or I'm going to have you get married first!" Michella laughed slightly to this waiting for his reaction.

(Sorry, I didn't get to bring in Ria and Rete. MAybe at the reception? If you have one?)

[Tiff'blz]

The priest smiled grandly at Maeve walking down the aisle with her lovely maid of honor and bridesmaid. His smile almost faultered at the black dress, but he had seen worse. She did indeed look lovely in it though, as he realized as she walked closer to the alter as the Wedding March went on. He would never understand why one would look like they were going to a funeral at their own wedding. He bowed his head as she approached and looked back up at the crowd. His words boomed over them. *That was his power, projecting his voice*

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony;

which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in Paradise, and into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined.

Therefore if any man can show any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace."

He awaited the allotted time before continuing. He turned to Ven.

Will you Ven the have this Woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony?

Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?


Eric sat back up in his chair, satisfied that he was one of the first to see the black clad beauty. "Hehe, okay.." He messed around with his tie some more and grimaced at his mom's words. "Me??! Married? I dont think so!" He shook his head violently. "Uh uh , no way! Girls are gross!"

[VEN is Back]

Ven took in a deep breath inhaling through his nose entirely, trying to calm himself, happiness welling within him like something an antarctic oil spill.

He relaxed slowly exhaling, his whole body seeming to fall slightly as the breathe escaped him. He opened his mouth, a grin still obvious at the corners of his mouth, though everywhere else he was attempting to remain serious.
And when words were supposed to come out of his mouth what sounded like gurgling hiss came out of his mouth, and incredibly serpentine sound, that if encountered anywhere else, would sound like an absolutely hammered python, attempting to pick up a chic.

He cleared his throat once, all of the color leaving his face, his grin fading replaced by a look of nervouseness.
"Yes, I do." He said, as loud as he could muster while trying to overcome his previous noise which wasn't very loud at all, thrid row noise level at most.

[Tiff'blz]

The preacher saw the emotions shifting like the tides in his eyes. "Its okay son, you have a beautiful woman next to you. No need to be scared, be joyous. Its a wonderful day." He leaned back up and looked around. He began to project his voice again.

"Will you Maeve have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony?

Will you obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"

[Mousiemus Prime]

Maeve had so badly wished to laugh softly at Ven's nervousness. She herself was over come with such a complex feeling it was hard to explain. She was excited, happy, nerveous and a little scared. However the voice of the priest calmed her a little as he continued the ceremony by asking her what she would do. Maeve had kept a smile upon her face the entire time, her eyes steadily facing forward with the occasional glance to Ven.

" I do." She said, declaring it loud and clear for as many people to hear as they could without her having to scream it out. Her teeth sank into the inside of her lip, trying to calm her self in anyway. The only thing that came of the slight pain was her getting more excited. Clearly, it was a failure at calming her down and mentally scolded herself for doing such a thing.

(( For now, Carmela will have nothing for her until the end of the whole thing.))