[Closed] Just Say You Do | April 10

[bestswordmaster]

Who: Team Femblemtroika + Jane, Kayo, & Zuke; and Carly as photographer (if you want! per this thread)
When: April 10
Where: On the beach in Olivine
What: #sylvixwedding

Today, 10 Great Tree Moon - or April 10, if that's more your style - a small section of beach along Olivine's coast has been rendered 'for private use only' for a time.

In Fodlan, Great Tree Moon is the beginning of the new year, coinciding with the onset of true spring. This wedding wasn't deliberately planned as a symbolic expression of this fact, but it's a happy coincidence that it is one.

Those gathered for the event today are a tiny group, by the standards of Kingdom nobility. If this were taking place in Faerghus, every lord and lady would have been expected to show up, bearing lavish gifts and false flattery on their tongues. Here, it's just a bunch of friends and partners, nothing more. And everyone present is likely to agree that this is much, much better.

[The subject line of this post is brought to you by the convention video of Sylvain's voice actor proposing in character to Felix's voice actor. It's amazing.]

Comments

1. The Night Before | April 9

[bestswordmaster]

For Sylvain, Claude, and Dimitri:

Sylvain suggested that the night before the wedding, he and Felix should take their other boyfriends out to dinner and spoil them, to remind them that they too are loved. Felix agreed. So tonight, they've made reservations at a fancy seafood restaurant on the waterfront, and Felix has finally found an excuse to wear the outfit Claude helped him pick out all those weeks ago.


For Sylvain and Jane:

(Placeholder for baking shenanigans!)


Claude/OTA:

After dinner, Felix really isn't sure what to do with himself. He feels like he should be doing something relevant, preparing something maybe, but he's at a loss. He's not even in their room, because Sylvain insisted on spending the night apart so they could keep from seeing each other the next day until the ceremony, which Felix thinks is completely absurd but agreed to anyway. So he plans to ask Claude if he can spend the night in his room instead, and in the process ask for advice on what to do with his hair for the wedding - maybe they can try some things in the mirror and see what looks best? - but otherwise he's just sort of...around, for whatever.

Re: 1. The Night Before | April 9 | OTA

[crumbs_and_yums]

Annette isn't prowling, see, simply because everybody knows she does not prowl. Physically incapable of it, in fact. That means that her sneaking around to ambush Felix to privately express and/or gush her excitement for him on the eve of his marriage without embarrassing him in front of everybody is merely...strolling around. Idly. As she is known to do. Ask anybody.

It's merely a coincidence that when she peeks stealthily around a corner, Felix just so happens to be walking up...behind her. Unnoticed.

[bestswordmaster]

Felix has, in fact, been following her down this entire corridor without her noticing. He’s not sure why she didn’t hear him - he wasn’t being particularly quiet - but that’s Annette for you.

When she finally stops, he’s even more confused. He stops a few steps behind her.

“What are you doing?”

dinner time

[nastyboy]

Honestly, Dimitri feels a little awkward going to a fancy restaurant. He really only has some good pants and a maroon swear that still does fine in the early spring... And that's honestly it. He's still working on his prom outfit.

He feels more awkward when he sees Felix waiting for them, sees what he's wearing, and walks into a doorframe on his blind side.

That's fine.

[bestswordmaster]

Felix turns when he hears footsteps approaching, which means he has the perfect view of this. He shifts his weight, setting a hand on one hip and smirking at Dimitri.

"Something wrong, Mitya?"

[vrdantwind]

In fact, Felix finds Claude - or does Claude find Felix? - roughly halfway between their rooms, because Claude came looking for him. And when he sees Felix out and about, he promptly tsks.

"You can't just wander around the night before your wedding, sunshine," he chides, even if it's through a smile. "I mean, not just randomly. What if Sylvain wanted to go for a walk, too? You have to communicate with people on where you are and what you're up to, so you can make sure to avoid any accidental exposure to your groom. And I'll bet anything you didn't mention it to him, right?" He beckons Felix closer. "C'mon, into my room. I'm sure I can work some of that restlessness out of you anyway."

Does it count as innuendo if Claude means it entirely innocently, and Felix knows that? Claude's not sure.

[bestswordmaster]

Felix rolls his eyes. "No, of course I didn't mention it to him. If Sylvain wanted to go for a walk, then nothing would happen, because this whole superstition is ludicrous. And since I can't stay in our room, I was wandering around looking for you."

But he follows Claude's beckoning anyway, pausing at the threshold only to raise an eyebrow at him. "Really. Is that so?"

2. The Morning Of | OTA

[bestswordmaster]

Want to help one or both of the grooms prepare? Give them a pep talk? Harass them gently? Have breakfast? Do something else with other people and/or Pokemon? The ceremony doesn't begin until just before sundown, so you have some time to kill.

Dimitri - OTA

[nastyboy]

Dimitri has a lot of things to prepare for this morning, honestly. As the person officiating this wedding, well... It's a serious task. A heavy one.

It's easiest, honestly, to handle the singing that will accompany the wedding. So for anyone up bright and early, they might look out from the inn, or walk along the beach, and find Dimitri with Karimala the Lapras. His Kingler is lurking in the water as well, watching as Dimitri lightly pats her face. He made it out here while Sylvain was taking a shower, and, honestly, he's just trying to psyche himself up.

"I will be counting on your singing to keep me calm," Dimitri tells her rather seriously, something anyone can hear if they're close enough. "This is an important event, Karimala."

Ashe- OTA

[freckledarcher]

Ashe already had his outfit ready for the ceremony and he had a gift picked out for them too. He felt the energy buzzing around while he watched everyone get things ready for the ceremony. Ashe always had a feeling that Felix and Sylvain liked each other back during their younger years at the academy. Now in a few hours he was going to see them get married! He couldn't be happier for them. Ashe may have everything ready on his end, but he can make breakfast. Ky sat at the table in front of his plate while Ashe got things ready.

"Okay Ky, so our new friend isn't used to everyone yet so we'll go help them after breakfast. I already fed them, so they're alright and they're in my pocket in their pokeball, okay? Right now we should get ready for the wedding. Do you have you bow tie?"

Ky chirped as Ashe walked over and placed two pancakes on their plate. "I know you're ready for the wedding. It's such a nice day for it too." Ashe walked over to place the other two on his plate then he walked back over to the stove to make some more. He already finished eggs and bacon earlier so anyone is welcomed to that if they want them.

"I could probably make muffins too..." Ashe voiced his thought out loud as he continued cooking.

Zuke - OTA

[zukeini]

Zuke was here, promptly. Dressed in a serviceable tux, he did his very best to set up. Obviously, he was going to play a number for Felix and Sylvain...so he was there early in the morning to set up. His team was there and doing a mixture of tasks to do this as well. So many pieces of musical equipment and sound systems were carried around by him and his team. It was a lot of stuff, heavy stuff. But there was an attempt at managing it himself.

Or, he was in the kitchen. Preparing some of the dishes to help with the catering. Claude himself asked Zuke to make a curry fitting, so he was getting so many spices together and measuring how much he can make that could serve everyone. Curry was always best when cooking a long time.

3. The Ceremony

[bestswordmaster]

The main event!

For Sylvain, Felix, Dimitri, and Claude:

The sun dips low toward the horizon at the far edge of the ocean, beginning to paint the sky in brilliant gold and vivid pink, when the music begins: a chorus of Pokemon, led by Fantine the Delcatty and Karimala the Lapras, singing a wordless harmony. It's Inda the Steenee's cue to start walking down the "aisle" between the rows of chairs (or blankets spread across the ground, for those who didn't feel like sitting in chairs), showering everything and everyone with flower petals.

Soon, everyone is ready to begin.


For everyone:

(This is for everyone to thread any thoughts, reactions, whispered conversations, etc. they feel like posting as the ceremony goes on.)

[zukeini]

[Zuke didn't want to intrude anything as he hung out on the chair in the back.

But maybe someone would catch him crying secretly and softly to himself.

He kept his emotions on the down low, hoping no one would notice. He was emotional.]

the boys

[nastyboy]

Considering that this is a rather unconventional wedding in many ways, things have been changed up a little. Neither Sylvain or Felix had wanted too many Faerghan traditions, after all... and so, with help from their boyfriends, different things have been put into place.

One of the first would be a large mirror they managed to borrow for a short while, placed in the middle where the grooms are to meet - an Almyran tradition Claude had suggested.

Second... would be that there is no one groom waiting at this 'altar'. Instead, they are on opposite sides, with their other boyfriends there to walk them.

In Sylvain's case... this would be Dimitri. It's easy to recognize him, because the blue cloak he is fond of wearing is partially draped over one arm and held over Sylvain's head as though to make up for any sort of veil that a bride might wear. Dimitri knows that Felix didn't want anything flashy and obnoxious, but... He feels that Sylvain should feel treasured, on this day of all days. Held close and preciously, to be unveiled like the treasure he is right there at the mirror where he and Felix can look at each other, together, and see that will be the rest of their lives.

There's a soft smell along the inside of his cloak - soft, gentle, warm. Dimitri willingly washed his cloak for this, a fact he neglected to tell anyone about beforehand... just so that he could fill it with one of the scents he thought Sylvain would like the most, that wouldn't clash with the salt that flows in with the ocean breeze.

With his other hand, he has it reached across just to hold Sylvain's. He's here... and everything is going to be amazing. It's a silent promise he makes as he escorts Sylvain down the aisle, to the rest of his life.

[freckledarcher]

[Ashe did his best not to cry during the ceremony, but he found that he wasn't able to stop the few tears that did manage to roll down his cheeks. His friends were getting married! He got a chance to be here to watch such a sweet event that it was hard for him to keep his emotions at bay.

Ky didn't try to stop his tears as evident to the small chirps he heard beside him. He was so happy for Felix and Sylvain. He hoped he would be able to stop crying to let them know.]

[crumbs_and_yums]

Annette had promised. She had! Keep it under wraps. No embarrassing displays of exuberant tears. Above all, no joyful blubbering! And so she came prepared.

Makeup specifically recommended by a prominent Water Type trainer, specifically salt-water resistant and supposedly good for four hours of swimming, two Aqua Tails, or one poorly-aimed Hydro Pump. One pristine handkerchief with which to dab the eyes for the occasional rogue tear. One hunter green layered dress with long, spacious sleeves down to her wrists. Two boxes worth of disposable tissues tucked discreetly into said long sleeves, to hide behind her singular cloth one, and obscure just how often she has been drying her eyes all evening. And most importantly, a spot selected specifically for ease of ducking behind others, to quickly recover out of direct sight of the husbands-to-be.

Hah! She's got this! Piece of cake! And here they come! They look so perfect! Oh no...is that moisture in Sylvain's eyes? Is that...a smile on Felix's face? Oh goddess, she's doomed. She didn't bring nearly enough tissues, and they've barely just begun.

4. Party time!! | OTA

[bestswordmaster]

After the ceremony, everyone is invited to reconvene at the hotel where the travel group is staying, where one of the so-called ballrooms (Felix doesn't think it looks much like a ballroom, but he guesses this is the modern version) hosts the party! There's dancing, food and drink (catering overseen by Claude!), and of course the cake--courtesy of Sylvain and Jane!

Anyone who wants to make a speech can, although Felix refuses no matter how many people want him to make one, and he spends the whole time anyone else is making one looking very intently at his plate.

Also, Sylvain encouraged all guests to choose some songs for the dance party playlist ahead of time, so feel free to bring in some tunes if you like! Felix grudgingly agreed to this, but claimed he retained the right to veto anything objectionable. Whether anyone will let him exercise that veto remains to be seen.

DO NOT REPLY, this is just a menu and it may require edits later pending further input

[vrdantwind]

The spread is lavish, and with quite an unusual variety of foods. Most of it has been cooked by a catering service, although Claude's certainly allowed Ashe (and anyone else) who wants to opt into cooking a dish or two do so; he just hadn't wanted any of their friends confined primarily to the kitchen for the day. (A stance he's made firmly clear to anyone whose enthusiasm for the idea of making something for Sylvain and Felix's wedding seems to be getting the better of them. Which is probably just Ashe again.) But...well, either Claude has hired an extremely flexible catering service, or he's hired more than one.

A lot of the food is hearty, uncomplicated food, such as one would find in Faerghus back home - after all, Claude is primarily catering to Felix and Sylvain's tastes. There are roast meats of all varieties in various sauces, stews, soups, sausages, pastas, pork chops, savory pies and pastries, skewers, and any amount of side dishes in the form of mashed potatoes, gratins, risottos, and breads. There's grilled and smoked meats, including fish. None of these things would be at all out of place in a Faerghan feast. But then...it starts getting interesting.

There is, for instance, an entire spread of sushi of all varieties. There's a big pot of curry(jointly prepared by Claude and Zuke), served alongside tahdig(essentially saffron rice that's got a crispy crust of lavash bread on top, prepared solely by Claude). There are a few surprise dishes like chicken-fried steak(with sausage gravy near at hand), shrimp and grits, collard greens, and a slew of burgers and hot dogs. There's a nice amount of seafood - lobster, crab legs(they're not Krabby legs, so hopefully no apologies to Grindy are demanded or required), various preparations of shrimp, even oysters and mussels. There is a fondue fountain, which someone may eventually have to stop Dimitri from lying underneath with his mouth open, and a charcuterie board, which might be Claude's incentive to Dimitri to keep him from drowning. There's an entire table of poképuffs and poffins for the pokémon attendees.

Basically, Claude seems to have made a significant effort to cater to all sorts of tastes, but especially those of the people in their travel group, and it's clear he's spared no expense. But in a place where pokémon can generate practically infinite money, and when he's really only had a few major expenses recently(in his custom outfit/jewelry), why would he feel the need to?

The wedding cake will be shared to some degree, of course, but rather than the happy couple having to give too much of it up, there are of course a wide variety of desserts(which also conveniently covers anyone who doesn't adhere to Felix's very particular cake tastes). It's a wide variety of (small and individual) cakes, pastries, and cookies, catered from a bakery of Lysithea's discerning recommendation.

Claude's toast!

[vrdantwind]

As it happens, Claude is the first one who - after everyone's gotten enough food in them to be patient - stands up, tapping a fork against his wine glass to make it ring.

"I know Felix will hate me for this, but there are certain traditions you can't shake," he says, grinning over at both the man in question and his new husband. "That you shouldn't shake. And one of them is receiving well wishes and blessings from friends on the occasion of your marriage. But in deference to you and how you hate this sort of thing, sunshine, I promise I'll keep it short...well, short for me.

"I couldn't be happier for the two of you, or more honored to have played even the smallest of parts in the two of you getting past yourselves in order to finally find the person who's always been right there with you. It sounds like that should be the easiest thing in the world, but I think you can both agree it isn't always. And I also couldn't be more happier or more honored to be able to share your lives going forward, too.

"Mostly, though, I wanted to say this: some people see an amazing wedding to a partner they're desperately in love with to be some kind of fairytale happy ending. I've always considered that rather reductive, and I expect neither of you could really buy into that sort of thinking either. But I think we could at least call this the happiest of happy endings for Sylvain Gautier." He raises his glass a bit higher. "So, in light of that, and in light of what all wise men know a wedding truly signifies, let me wish the happiest of beginnings to Felix and Sylvain Fraldarius!"

Dimitri - ota

[nastyboy]

A - Food

As the person who officiated the wedding, Dimitri isn't entirely sure if he should even make a toast here. It's nothing he ever prepared himself for, and he's honestly not sure if it's something he should even do. So, instead, he just tries to occupy himself with food, because that seems like the easiest thing to do.

But honestly... "Look at how much there is," he says, marveling at the massive spread Claude has prepared. "I hope that we can finish all of it off, so that it was not a waste of money." Maybe he'll have to switch out more of his Pokemon...

B - Pokemon

Because yes, of course Dimitri has brought some of his Pokemon along to this entire event. Besides Karimala and her +1 of Grindy the Kingler, the others are all Pokemon that like Sylvain and Felix in particular.

Shuck the Midday Lycanroc would be one of them. A dog might not seem like the best idea for an indoor wedding party, but Dimitri thinks that should only count for, like, regular dogs, and also only sometimes. Who hasn't occasionally had their favorite hunting hound at the dinner table? She seems to have taken up wiggling underneath tables, and putting her head on people's laps. This is especially true for Sylvain and Felix.

Ellyllon the Galarian Farfecth'd is of course also in attendance, being someone that was gifted to Dimitri in particular. She can be seen looking over the dinner spread with a harsh eye, and sizing up anyone who comes near. She probably won't use that giant leek on anyone, right?

Hugo the Quilladin seems rather surprised to be here at all, considering he thinks of himself as more of a fighter Pokemon than any of the other casuals... but here he is regardless, approaching the dance floor with way more serious than anyone really needs for dancing. Is he holding up a little armored hand to anyone near enough? Yes.

Dean the Emboar is taking something else up entirely, delicately moving his enormous form between tables and around the ballroom. Whenever he runs into anyone, Pokemon or human alike, he carefully offers up a small blank book. It's for people to sign and offer their well wishes. Humans get a couple of pretty different colored pens (although black is an option), and Pokemon get some simple ink to put their paw/foot/talon/etc in instead. Don't worry, Dean brought some things to clean them off with.

Finally, Karimala the Lapras and Grindy the Kingler are both together of course - not content to stay at the beach wedding, apparently. Since smacking around might do damage to the floor, Karimala mostly stays at the little table her and Grindy have gotten for themselves. Whoever drifts near enough will have her sing softly at them, and lean her head down with a smile. That leaves Grindy to fetch their food from the tables... A process which apparently means establishing Direct Eye Contact with someone as he takes one of those crab legs in one hand and bites into it. What the fuck, Grindy.

C - Fondue

So this was only a matter of time.

Dimitri has of course helped himself to the charcuterie board, and as many other things as he could; it's only polite with how much work Claude has put into all of this. However, he's now left to stare at that strange little fountain...

"What is that?"

D - Crying

Dimitri has been trying to avoid this for as long as possible, honestly - you know, thinking in general. But it hits him at some point, when he's sitting down at his table... That he wishes Rodrigue could have seen this. Or Ingrid. It hits him that despite everything he's done, he of all people was still allowed to be here, to participate in such an important way for such an important event.

It's a lot of feelings - some good, some sad.

Anyone who looks over might find Dimitri burying his face against Dean's chest, trying really hard not to be too loud as he sniffs and cries against his giant boar.

Dean just pats his back. It'll be okay, bud. He knows. Everything happens so much.

The Well Wishes Book

[nastyboy]

Dean, adorned in his Hello Skitty reading glasses with the blue bow, is going around with a book to sign.

What message will you leave on this joyuous day?

Pokemon allowed just as much as humans.

Jane - OTA

[cyan_maid]

[Jane is very proud of this cake. It's not too sweet, not too heavy, and not too fussy or crazy - but still very obviously The Wedding Cake. She's sort of been quiet throughout most of what's been going on, mostly because wedding, what does one even do when they attend one of these, she's never been. Her ensemble is not too flashy, tasteful, and she's not unused to dressing up, but like...still. What do at wedding. How is wedding attended.

Anyone looking for her can likely find her helping out with stuff behind the scenes, or just sort of wallflowering awkwardly...she really, really does not know what one does at these things, and it shows. But hey - she did make sure to get the grooms a gift basket, decorated very tastefully and full of savory and sweet foods, a couple gift cards, and a mug set. She...wasn't sure if they wanted stuff for the Femblemtroika house or not? So this is playing it safe.]

Felix | OTA

[bestswordmaster]

A. Dancing

Most people who know Felix would probably assume that he doesn't like dancing. After all, it's not like he's done it much in front of anyone since before the Tragedy. In general, he doesn't like putting on a show...usually. Every once in a while, though, the circumstances are right. Like when he puts on a pair of ice skates.

Or when he's just gotten married and feels vaguely giddy and wants to show off what he and his--his husband can do together. They're expected to have the first dance anyway, and Felix doesn't do things by halves.

So that first dance sees Felix at his proudest and most enthusiastic, because he knows Sylvain can keep up with him like few can, and he's ready to win. ...at dancing.

After that, Felix will dance with anyone who asks, which is a great way to keep himself occupied so he doesn't have to be social. He knows this won't last forever and he'll have to go talk to people eventually and endure another bunch of dreadful traditions, but for now he can stick to what he knows.

B. Taking a Break

It hasn't been quite as bad as he expected it might be, mostly because everyone here knows him well enough to know that he hates parties and crowds, and doesn't like to have to talk much. (The wine doesn't hurt, either.) Still, whenever it becomes a little too much, he just...leaves the room with no preamble or excuse, to go outside and let the sound of the waves and the fresh, salty smell of the breeze wash over him. Anyone else with a similar idea may find him out here during one of those times.

And after a while, when it starts getting late, there comes a point when he stops really being able to hold a conversation at all and ends up just sitting quietly until he has a chance to tell Sylvain he's done and he wants to go back to their room.

Sylvain | OTA

[gautsome]

Sylvain loves a good party, but the fact of the matter is -- he's deeply distracted most of the evening. Though he leaves Felix be when his partner, his husband sneaks away for breaks, he's otherwise glued to the man's side. When Felix does step away, Sylvain remains at the wedding table for the two of them, a red-headed beacon that's never too hard to find.

Every now and again, he does make his way out to the dance floor. And though his eyes do flick to Felix every now and again, he's still attentive to whatever partner he has.

Eventually, though, even he has to take a break. He's overwhelmed, but not in any sort of negative way. He can't recall having been so happy in a long time. It's especially hard to grasp considering how he'd succumbed to grief only recently.

At times like these, he'll be found sitting on the edge of the beach. His shoes are off, leaving his bare feet to bury in the sand. Maybe there are a few stray tears on his cheeks, but there's also a smile -- wide and bright as the stars in the sky.

Beach

[vrdantwind]

Claude is surprised to find Sylvain briefly missing from Felix's side, when he notices it's a thing. For extremely obvious reasons, the two have been borderline inseparable today. He has wanted to catch them both alone, but wisdom tells him that Felix doesn't need to be any more overwhelmed with socializing today than he already is; maybe he'll catch him tomorrow, before he and Sylvain leave for their honeymoon. But tonight...he thinks Sylvain probably won't object to his company.

He's happy he went looking, too, when he finds Sylvain on the beach. The man looks beautiful like this, bathed in cool blue reflected light, smiling up at the stars. Some of them even look to be glimmering on his cheeks, caught in his eyelashes.

Claude's smile is soft as he walks up, steps quiet. He doesn't want Sylvain to not know he's there, so he makes enough noise to be heard, but...not much. He doesn't want to disturb whatever this moment is.

"I hope I never see you less happy than this," he murmurs, once he's close enough. "I don't think I can settle for less now that I've seen it."