The wedding

It's not often Luciana paid visits to weddings unless it was for someone's untimely death. It could be the groom being stabbed in the heart by his best man. Perhaps a mob boss paid a visit to kill one or both of them by making an enemy with the wrong person. Or perhaps Death and their agents thought it would be funny.

In actuality, Luciana was intrigued. A wedding of a snake and a dragon. That wasn't something she saw often in the human world. Maybe during the days when they were still accepted. Before all this talk of religion condemning non-humans. She wouldn't know since she wasn't what she was back when it was still happening, but throughout her life, she heard stories. To think that she could witness it here.

However, since she knew absolutely no one in this island, as far as she knew, she was in the shadows, hidden away at the sides. She also donned her black cloak with the hood pulled low over her face, but she was for the most part invisible both to the naked eye and all the senses of everyone in the venue. Except magically-aided ones. Those who could see spirits in one way or another would see her no problem. And she would be willing to bet that there were one or two in the guests who could sense her. But so far, she was just at the sidelines watching as the new couple danced.

Despite all pretences, Charlie was nervous for the wedding. It was the first large social event he had attended on the island where he was expected to be well behaved and professional. No talk about dead bodies, massacres, undead dragons or anything untoward. He had prepared, though. He had found a book in one of the bookshops in town called ‘101 Polite Conversations for Dinner Parties and Weddings’. He had read it, and made flashcards, which were tucked into the inside pocket of his jacket.

Don’t the bride and groom look lovely?

the food here is fantastic?

Isn’t the weather lovely?

Is this your first time on the island?

Did you travel far?

So how do you know the bride and/or groom?

And many more.

He had checked with Aylin the day before the ceremony that his selected topics of conversation were appropriate for the audience. She had laughed, told him it would all be fine, but he was still nervous, and he made sure they were all deemed to be polite and inoffensive. He had some thoughts of his own, specific topics of conversation to avoid.

I teach at the school. Don’t talk about necromancy, that starts arguments.

I am undead. Don’t talk about being a lich, that starts arguments.

I traveled before coming to the island. Don’t talk about what you did, that starts arguments.

The ceremony had been beautiful, and although the sacrificing of a goat to the Lamia goddess Ishtar had hurt a little bit, divine magic and all, he had not complained. He had stayed silent. This was their big day, and Charlie was on his best behavior. He did not have many friends on the island, but he considered Roldan to be one, and this was probably the biggest day of his life so far. Charlie was surprised to have been invited to the event, especially to the wedding. He had expected it to have been in the Chapel, a building he couldn’t enter, but the outdoor tents worked perfectly. Charlie clapped at the right times, and was silent at the right time.
Before the ceremony he had dropped off his wedding present at the gift table. It was a case of 1791 Château Lafite. Roldan had talked of the night where he had met Narraine, and of wine, and he thought the present was apt. It was the finest vintage of wine he owned, one of only three cases remaining he had managed to save while the vineyard’s owner was being executed during the reign of terror. It was a seductive wine, with an earthy taste, but floral notes punctuating the flavour. A perfect red. A perfect gift. He hoped it wasn’t too much, but he was pretty sure they already had a set of silverware.

Afterwards he milled around the crowd, making conversation, but there were only so many times one could talk about the weather without appearing insane. So far, he had managed to avoid talking to the matriarch of the Drakenhardt family, Octavia. There was something about an ancient clan of dragons that worried Charlie. Mainly because he feared that some of them might know him.

As he stared longingly at the band, itching to join in and escape the necessity of conversation. Not polite. He briefly watched the new couple have their first dance, before looking around the crowd for someone to talk to…

Raphael sat with the other cops in attendance. Suit and tie, well-groomed fur. His Christian upbringing didn't prepare him for a wedding where a snake woman sacrifices a goat to the snake goddess Ishtar - few people would be able to read the shock and confusion on his lupine face. That was the real benefit of his hybrid form, he thought - the poker face.

The wolfman was genuinely happy for his friend on the force. After the ceremony, he didn't want to take up too much of Roldan's time though; it was all congratulations and handshakes for a couple of seconds until he dismissed himself to get some of that delicious reception food. A dragon family, he was sure, would have good taste in food.


Chloe wanted to feel happy for Narraine, but her mind was stuck on the next marriage this family would be expecting: the one between Corsalyn and Chi. She smiled whenever she caught Corsalyn's eye during the ceremony, or when Corsalyn's gaze at least seemed to drift anywhere near her. Dressed and made up, she did everything that was expected of her. She didn't want to let her jealousy get in the way today. She didn't even think she deserved to feel jealous.

That didn't stop her from feeling jealous.

Even so, she was supportive. After giving Narraine and Roldan a brief round of congratulations, she took an opportunity to approach Corsalyn. "I've never been to a Lamia wedding before, but I think you did a great job!" It amazed her, somehow, that Corsalyn could be so articulate.

Seeing that nobody seemed to possess the ability to see her, the reaper decided to get a closer look at the festivities. Of course, they might just have kept their mouths shut since she was behaving herself. And she would continue to do so, but she wanted to see what was transpiring. Not to mention that when sacrifices are done in whatever ritual, there was a chance that someone related to death, either by blood (if they even had that) or by profession, would appear. The other type of person that could come out would be someone who was playing with the notions of spirits and death, and that they'd likely possess an item of interest.

Floating into the air, she drifted closer to the people, but she didn't have interests in them, she had her eyes on the food. Eating was not something she needed to do, but it was hard to resist. For now, she'd just look at all the options. Maybe play a little mischief later on.

Chloe noticed the way Chi's grip tightened on her sister. She gave Chi a smile and a nod of acknowledgement. She once again told herself not to feel jealous, not of Chi or of Narraine and Roldan or of anyone else here.

"And congratulations are in order for you guys, too! How long have you two been... well, feeling this way for each other? I want to hear the story."

If she could stop thinking about herself, this was a wonderful thing for Corsalyn and Chi. She liked and cared about Corsalyn. She should be happy that Corsalyn was happy. As for Chi - Chloe just didn't know her all that well, but Chloe felt like she should be happy for Chi too. They knew each other first, long before Chloe had heard of either of them.

@Nikki @Kathinja