Marital Preparations

[Moonitic]

"He never ceases to amaze me," Meekal said to Moon as they stood, a little apart from the rest, yet watching still.

"Nor me," Moon responded, a soft smile on her face. Perhaps she'd have her one good night afterall.

[Iwant2bafencer]

Rosaline laughed and clapped with the rest of the group. It hadn't been more than two days, and already Tæbryn was growing on her. Her and Nækos would be good for each other. When the crowd started to part, Rose turned to Talmour.

"I thank you for the dance good sir." She dropped into an awkward curtsy.

"It was a pleasure my lady." He dipped into a low bow, taking her hand and kissing it.

Rosaline spotted her brother from across the room as he entered.

"If you'll excuse me Talmour, I must go greet my brother." She began to move away, but turned back. "Perhaps another dance later?"

Talmour's grin grew. "As you wish."

Rosaline smiled her thanks then went to her brother.

"You're late." She smiled, kissing him on the cheek.

"I don't like weddings." He replied.

"Oh I think you do, you just like Kiera more." She teased.

"I . . ." he searched for words.

"Come," she took both of his hands in hers, "dance with me."

"Oh I don't know Rose, I haven't . ." He protested.

"You'll be fine, come on." She turned and pulled him towards the floor.

[Moonitic]

The music started up again, & the couples resumed their dancing. Meekal took Moon into his arms, & she could note the change in which he moved with her, compared to the funny way he danced with Tæbryn. More fluid, more graceful & of course, much closer. She snuggled close to him, & forgot about the rest of the world for just a little while.

[Darion McNair]

The band played on and Darion waited till Ken-Dall was done dancing with Meekal. Grabbing two glasses of wine he came over to her as she was making her way across the dance floor and handed her one of the glasses.

“I asked the leader of the band what songs they’ve got left to play. They’re playing one of my favorite jigs.” He smiled at her slyly.

“Oh boy.” She said, rolling her eyes. “I can only go so fast, darling. What is it?”

“It’s called ‘Scatter the Mud’. Strange name I know, but the rhythm is great.” He took a sip of his wine and she did the same. The band started up again and Darion’s attention was grabbed. “Oh!” he said with surprise. “They aren’t supposed to be doing it for a few songs down! Come on Ken!” he hurried to put his glass down on a nearby table, she did the same.

Rushing to the dance floor, they held each other tightly and were off at a quick pace. They kept time with the fast music and Ken-Dall could see that her love was having a blast dancing to one of his favorite songs with his favorite person. Seeing him happy made her all the more satisfied, a wide smile spreading on her face as she caught his infectious happiness. Dancing and laughing they went, and they enjoyed every second.

Others joined them on the dance floor but very few, for not many felt that they could keep up with the fast tempo. He watched as the gypsies joined in, six of them grabbing the tempo instantly . . . it seemed like the kind of thing they could get into.

[Iwant2bafencer]

Rosaline laughed as Rylus tried to leave the dance floor when the faster song came around. She pulled him back, spinning out to join the other dancers.

"I'm . . not . .very . . good at this." Rylus said as they quickly moved with the other dancers.

"Don't worry about it." Rosaline smiled.

"I'm not kidding I'll fall on my face." Rylus replied.

"Alright, fall over there and get a drink." Rosaline laughed and pushed her brother towards where the drinks were, and spun alone until she nearly ran into Talmour.

Before they knew it, they were a tangle of arms and nearly fell to the floor. After a short while, they managed to steady themselves. Rosaline grabbed Talmour's hand, and pulled him back to the middle of the dance floor.

"come on." she laughed as he stumbled after her at first. As they got used to it, they began dancing inbetween the different couples, sometimes even going through them and under their arms.

Rosaline was laughing again, and she hadn't realized how much she missed it.

[Moonitic]

When the faster beat began, Moon & Meekal retreated to a table, Moon visibly tired. She watched the fun, wishing that it would never end. Unfortunately, like all things, it had to. She covered a yawn with her hand, then said to Meekal, "I am afraid that it is almost time for us to retire." She was so busy watching the others, that she failed to see the gleam in his eye. Instead, she leaned into him & rested her head on his shoulder.

[Zelda]

I must admit to feeling slightly left out of all of this....Sigh, damn time zones.

[Swordsman]

Still owe you a dance as soon as we can figure out what they would talk about during it.

[Crin Dalmeiier]

Psst - Roz - Talmour being the only gypsy at the wedding, you might have some issues...

Shela studied the cards that Falcour had dealt her as Crin re-entered the room, an added bounce in her step making her seem all the much taller. She sat down beside Falcour and flashed them all a grin. Shela eyed her while Ame handed over six cards. "I failed to hear the thud of my brother's body hitting the floor, and seeing as all table legs are still intact, I'm assuming he went back to the reception?"

"Yep, but only after I hit him with an open fist a couple of times," Crin lied, smiling down at her cards and removing two from the group. She threw those at Falcour. "Gimme two."

"Pushy pushy," he admonished, but snatched two from the mess pile and tossed them back to her. "With that group, sugar, you're bound to lose."

She had a winning hand, but she chose to rise to his bluff anyway. "And just how do you know that, sugar?"

"You're doomed, mate," Mitch told him sympathetically. "Everybody here knows you've got a losing group. Give up now."

Falcour wisely laid his cards on the table. "Very well. I concede."

"Smartest thing he ever did," Shela muttered, picking up the cards and looking at them. She whistled lowly. "Or maybe not. Either way, I'm out."

"Yeah, me too." Mitch's easy grin turned into a frown as he laid his own group onto the table, leaving only Crin and Ame left in the game. "Which one of you two is going to drop?"

Crin raised an eyebrow at her fellow redhead and old friend. "I'm not dropping. What about you, Ames?" Ame just smirked. "Guess not. What'll you bet, then?"

"Forty bronzes."

"Fine. I'll see that and raise you four."

"Four? Why, Crin, that's the largest raise you've given me all night."

"And shame, you don't even work for me." Crin shook ringlets of hair into her eyes and pretended interest in her cards through the curtain. Her plan was working--a couple more days and she would have dreadlocks. She'd wanted those for a long time, and now seemed the ideal time to gain them.

"Are all the bets made?" Falcour asked after Crin and Ame haggled over the pot. "Very well. Crin, she dealt, you go first."

Crin set her cards down--two maces, a sword, and three crossbows--and smirked. "Beat that."

Ame looked disappointed before lying five swords and a mace down. "Five of a kind, Crin darling," she purred, rubbing her fingers over the edge of the cards. "Pay up."

"Well, Kathryn always told me gambling was wrong," Crin muttered to nobody in particular, and shoved the coins across the table. Idly, she stood and stretched. "I'm up for dancing. Who's with me?"

And it was then that the gypsies headed back to the wedding, everybody except Ame suffering from lighter pockets.

[Swordsman]

The Swordsman scanned the crowd as the faster dance ended, picking out the queen. She was back near the wall, looking extremely morose.

"M'lady." He tapped her on the shoulder.

"Ah, Nækos. You haven't forgotten me entirely after all."

"My apologies. Incidents came up which could not be avoided."

She raised a skeptical eyebrow at him. "Incidents like dancing which could not be avoided?"

"The Lady Moon asked for a dance after some unpleasant business, and I had to fulfill my duty as best man. That dance ended up being a very good idea. After that, I could not leave Tæbryn just standing there."

An outright glare now. "So you left me just standing there."

"Which is why I began with 'my apologies'. Now, shall we have a dance?"

"I thought you'd never ask." An impish grin. "Few things worse than the queen being a wallflower, you see."

"Indeed." And they took the floor. After a turn or two with the music: "So has there been a formal end to the tournament declared yet?"

She shook her head. "Haven't had a chance yet. What with being nearly killed, brought back by the gypsies, nearly killed there, off to the meeting, nearly killed there, finding out my husband has been unfaithful, seeing my husband go riding off with some strange woman, and everything else, you know..."

Alright, I give up. It's late and inspiration never quite came; Zelda, if you care to throw on post for this, I'd be happy for the help.

[Iwant2bafencer]

hehe I kenw that Crin.

So when are we gonna get to the grand finale? I wanna go hunt some dragons!

[Moonitic]

**impatient little minx***

Meekal noticed his new bride's tired state, & though he felt tired as well, other thoughts filled his head. Tomorrow he would leave on a dragon hunt, & would be without her for Craig knew how long. He wanted to have as much time with her to himself as possible before he had to go. "Excuse me," he said to Moon, helping her sit up straight once more. He moved over to the musicians & whispered in one's ear. Then, he returned to his bride.

The loud, clear voice of the musican soon rose over the music. "After the next dance, the bride & groom shall retire for the evening," he said. Murmurs flew through the hall. The wedding night was soon at hand.

[Swordsman]

"I'll bet she shags like a minx..." -Austin Powers, The Spy Who Shagged Me

[Swordsman]

Nækos and Zelda finished their dance, and Zelda appreciated having somebody to dance with in the abscence of her husband.


I posted this because I have absolutely no idea what to have them talk about for the dance. This way we can move on, and if we think of something later, can come back and edit it back in.

[Swordsman]

Rosaline leaned over to one of the guards stationed discreetly around the room, and whispered something to him. This guard whispered to his partner, who passed the word on around the detail.

And just as the last song ended and Meekal stood and offered Moon and elbow, every thick solid oak door to the room slammed shut; bolts could be heard sliding across on the opposite side.

Nækos looked warily around himself.

"Rosaline...what's going on here...?"

[Crin Dalmeiier]

The gypsies entered at that moment.

[Iwant2bafencer]

Rosaline winked at Nækos, and then used the aid of his shoulder to stand up on a chair.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention?" Rosaline called.

No one but the two or three closest to her heard, for everyone else was talking amongst themselves about the doors being locked, and this thing or that. She tried a few more times to get everyone's attention, and failing miserably. Talmour, who had been standing next to her chose this time to put his fingers to his lips, and let out a loud whistle. Everyone stopped talking almost immediately.

"Thank you." Rosaline smiled to Talmour who nodded in return.

"Pleasure." He grinned.

"My Lords, My Ladies, and everyone else here Not acostome to sitting on a cushion." This got a few laughs. "As some of you may know, there is a tradition here in Arconia."

"What tradition?" Moon asked nervously. Rosaline simply smiled down at her.

"Whenever we have a wedding, before anyone can leave, especially the bride and groom," She grinned with a twinkle in her eye. "The rules are simple," she paused to accept two cloths from one of her men. "Thank you. The rules are that the bride and groom must both be blinded." She stated, stepping down carefully from the chair and moving behind Moon. "Once that is done, everyone else must move to a different spot then where they are when the two are blinded. Then, both the bride and the bridegroom, each in turn, must in the brides case kiss every male in the room, identify them, and try to find her husband. The groom must do the same with the women, and try to find his wife. Once they have both in turn found each other, then everyone is free to leave."

"Rosaline, I am appauld." Moon began to protest as Rose tossed the second cloth to Nækos, motioning for him to place it over Meekal's eyes. "I refuse too . . " Moon tontinued but was cut off.

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid that if you don't follow the rules we will all be stuck in this room until you do so." Rosaline grinned.

Once she was finished tieing the cloth on Moon, she guided her to the opposite end of the room. She then found another chair to stand on.

"Any questions?'' She called out.

Meekal waved a hand out infront of him, not knowing exactly where Rosaline was now.

"What if we can't tell if the person is male or female?"

"Well my Lord, let us all hope that for your sake and the person you will be kissing's that you've found your opposite." She called over to him.

The gypsies seemed to enjoy this new game, as did others who began talking excitedly amongst each other.

"Very well then!'' Rosaline called, spreading her arms. "Let the game begin!"

Rose jumped carefully from her chair, and quickly went to another corner of the room, fighting against the scurrying crowd.


(I say scurry because I just spent twenty minutes catching a mouse, and I thought you all should feel my pain. )

[Zelda]

Geez, I try and break my computer addiction over the weekend and you guys go on a posting spree. NO FAIR!!!!!!

Naekos, we talked about the dragon hunt and how I will not be going on it (wink wink nudge nudge). Can you edit that in somewhere??? I llike rosies idea.

I promise to try to download AIM again soon. I am now going to bed as I have eaten too much today (my own fault for going to a food fair on a semi empty stomach)

[Iwant2bafencer]

As much as I'd absolutely Love to take the credit for it, It was Swordsman and Moon's idea.

[Crin Dalmeiier]

"I'm NOT kissing him," Crin decided about two seconds after Lady Rosaline's announcement. "I don't care if that's how they do things in Arconia. I'm not kissing any daft git."

"But you've already kissed a daft git today," Talmour pointed out, not ruffled in the least by this game. A kiss was a kiss in his book--and he was lucky to be receiving one at any rate.

Falcour punched his arm and received a punch in return.

Crin started muttering under her breath, swearing in three languages at random. "I've already dealt with a (expletive deleted) member of the (expletive deleted) Elite today. I have a (expletive expletive deleted) journey tomorrow, and now I have to kiss some (expletive expletive deleted) daft (expletive deleted) King?"

"You kiss my brother with that mouth?" Talmour asked, not missing a beat. "Wow, Falcour. Didn't know you like it dirty..."

"Hey," Ame said suddenly as Falcour put his brother in a headlock, "where are Shela and Mitch?"

Crin craned her neck even as the group started to move to different places. “I think they made it out the back door. I may not like the (expletive deleted) game, but if I were married, I wouldn’t even play at all.” She continued muttering under her breath, still inserting curses into every sentence.

“Now that I think about it,” Talmour said thoughtfully all the while struggling against the headlock, “I don’t think I’d want to watch my sister kiss the fellow.”

“It’s just a kiss!” Ame protested, glaring at the two brothers. “Falcour, let him go.”

“I can think of so many things I’d rather kiss,” Crin muttered, and swore again.