Wedding Bells

[Zhenya]

The ceremony was beautiful. Zhenya loved a wedding, and all the more so when the bride was a friend. It was a short acquaintance in truth, Emily being only newly established in Moscow, but it was impossible not to adore the sweet girl and her happiness. Emily’s romance had been nothing short of the sort of fairytale Zhenya most enjoyed witnessing, and she was honoured to have been invited to their union. Lorcán was away on business, which was not unusual, so it was just her and Auri in attendance. Her daughter sat like a jewel in her lap, her mother in miniature but for her father’s honey eyes. She had murmured how Emily looked like a princess when the woman walked down the aisle, to Zhenya’s patient shush in her ear, and had been perfectly quiet since, though now the guests were all beginning to move she was eager to be on her feet. Zhenya held her hand while they waited to greet the happy couple.

[Emily Shale-Vanders]

Emily smiled as she saw Cruz and returned his hug.  She didn't know Cruz very well, but still she wasn't sure how she felt about him.  Cruz really looked up to Nox, and even though Emily and Nox could work together and be in the same room, Emily found it hard to let go of him hurting her at times.  At the same time, Cruz was Rachel's  boyfriend...at least she thought he was.  Their relationship seemed ambiguous at times.  Emily really tried to trust her judgment. 

Cruz mentioned he was happy for her and then his words became sort of jumbled.  Just looking at him told Emily something was up. "Cruz are you okay?"

"Yea, I'm fine. Just tired." He smiled, covering a yawn.

Emily didn't look convinced, but decided to move on. "Rachel is so happy she was going to be able to see you today! I know you've both been so busy! Thank you so much for being here, Cruz, it really means a lot to me."

Jared had taken his outstretched hand, and Emily noticed that as she moved on, Jared hesitated, choosing to stay with Cruz for a moment.  He would catch up.

"Zhenya!" Emily wrapped the next person up in a hug, noticing also the young girl that held her hand. "I'm so glad you made it! And who is this?" Emily said, adjusting her dress so she could go down to the young girl's level. "My name is Emily - what's your name?"

((Cruz dialogue with permission))

[Jared Vanders]

Jared took the young man's outstretched hand.  He had really met Cruz, but knew of him and knew his face.  He spoke to Emily and slurred some words in his direction.  Emily showed concern, but Jared was sure she hadn't caught it.  Jared had. He'd brought in enough people with similar symptoms to recognize what was going on.  He'd even had enough practice to decipher what the young man was saying.  At least the gist of it.  Cruz was high as a kite.  He couldn't smell any weed on him, so it was likely ingested or injected.  Hopefully it wasn't anything unregulated.

Rachel didn't know.  Of that Jared was certain.  He had known Rachel long enough and well enough to know she wouldn't approve of this.  Jared knew the two hadn't really seen each other a lot, but Rachel still talked of him with fondness.  No - she didn't know about this.

Emily moved on, starting to speak with woman that Jared recognized but didn't know.  Jared watched as Emily got down to talk to the young girl, maybe five or six, and it brought a quick smile to his face before he spoke to Cruz quietly.

"You know, I find that when I'm...tired," he emphasized the word with a pause, hoping Cruz was coherent enough to catch his drift.  There was no threat or judgement in his voice. "I find that a really strong black coffee helps."

Jared put a hand reassuringly on Cruz's shoulder. "No judgement here. I don't know if it's for experimentation, or if something is going on, but I would suggest talking to Rachel about it.  If she finds out and you've been hiding it - well - it's going to hurt. And I don't think you want that - for yourself or for her. She cares about you - a lot - and Emily and I do too. If there is something going on though - something you're trying to hide from - my door is always open - and I'm sure hers is too. It's really good to meet you in person Cruz - and I mean that.  Thank you for coming today!"

Jared gave Cruz's shoulder a squeeze and a pat on the shoulder, turning to join his wife.

[Cruz]

Cruz listened to the big brother advice. He of course knew all this. And he intended a large cup of coffee soon as he could manage one. But explaining what was going on to anyone was not really worth while. Who was going to believe him? Seeing laughing skulls everywhere. A pair of girls stalking him. They were everywhere. But he wouldn't tell Rachel that. He hadn't done anything wrong. He had wanted to but he didn't. He didn't even know where they stood at the moment. They hadn't talked more than a few texts a week since the semester started, and this was the first time they'd seen each other in a while.

He really needed a cup of coffee. Cruz nodded to Jared's words and moved on so he could get back to the whole thing.

Rachel stood waiting and he gave her a lazy smile and when he reached her pressed a kiss to her cheek. He lingered near her ear and whispered. "You smell as good as you look." He had missed her. "You will save me a dance?" He said as he pulled away to give her his full attention. It was a bit to concentrate on anything but wanting her, there was a definite upside to the euphoria he felt. But they hadn't even broached the topic of sex yet. They'd spent a night or two in each others arms doing the teenager thing -- fooling around but never much beyond that. He wasn't in a rush exactly but the effects of the pill had only heightened his desires.

"I'll see you at the reception." He grinned. He knew she had things to do before then. Part of the whole wedding party and all.

[Zhenya]

The warmth of Emily’s greeting was met in kind. “Of course I would not miss it, my dear,” she said. “You look beautiful, a jewel from the sky.” The happiness was infectious, and Zhenya blossomed in its bask. Her smile only deepened as Emily bent to speak with Auri. In Zhenya’s line of work, she did not often mix the precious treasure of family with her business acquaintances, but Emily was more than that, and it was a token of Zhenya’s genuine friendship. She brushed a hand over her daughter’s hair, encouraging her forward enough to find her own voice.

The girl blinked wide eyes, awed by the attention, but also pleased by it. “My name is Auri,” she said, glancing up at Zhenya before looking back intently, and adding to Emily, “Are you a real princess?”

[Rachel Shale]

Rachel was incredibly happy when Cruz appeared. She had missed being with him so much. Part of her felt guilty about that, but they had both been busy with school. It was a combination of circumstances that cause it, but still, Rachel could do more to keep in touch with her boyfriend. "Cruz! I'm so happy to see you!" Cruz planted a kiss on her cheek, and it was only a slight disappointment that he didn't go for her lips.

"Thank you!" she said as Cruz whispered in her ear. Some would probably have found the comment strange, but Rachel found it endearing. She took his hands as he pulled away to look at her. He looked tired. "I'm saving one dance for Emily - the rest are for you."

He grinned at her and told her he'd see her at the reception. Rachel was glad he understood. "I'll find you after dinner." She had a lot to talk to him about - apologies and other things.

[Emily Shale-Vanders]

Emily gave Auri a big smile.  "Auri.  That's a very pretty name."

Emily's heart jumped in her chest when Auri asked if she was a real princess. It made Emily feel even more beautiful than she already felt with the wedding gown, hair, and the bouquet.  Not to mention, this little girl was absolutely adorable.  Still the question caused Emily to pause for a moment.  How could she answer this question.  She didn't want to lie to Auri, but she also didn't want Auri to lose this sense of wonder that she had.

"Well, Auri," Emily said, coming to a decision. "My dad wasn't a king, and my mom wasn't a queen, so I'm not a real princess, but..." she smiled at Auri. "Today is my wedding - and it is very special day for me.  You see today - I get to be a princess for the whole day.  So I get to wear this pretty dress and have a lot of fun with my friends for the whole day.  And as special as it is - it's even more special because I got to meet you today."

Emily looked up at Zhenya. "Is it okay if I give her a small present?" After Zhenya gave her the okay, Emily began to gently pull a flower from her bouquet. She looked at it, making sure there were no thorns to hurt Auri's hands, but Kiriena was very thorough.  Emily handed Auri the flower. "A pretty flower for a pretty girl.  Thank you Auri, for being here on my special day."

((Zhenya modded with permission))

[Jared Vanders]

Cruz moved on, and Jared hoped he reached him. Maybe not today - but the seed was planted and that’s all Jared could hope for. He’d gotten to know Rachel well, and even though she was smart - she could be a little naive. He really hoped he was right about Cruz and he didn’t break Rachel’s heart. Jared watched as Emily pulled a rose out of her bouquet and handed it to the little girl, and once again, Jared thought that Emily would be a great mother. And this was just the first time he’d really saw her interact with a child.

Emily turned her head as he approached, giving him a broad smile. ”Jared, hands!” she said reaching out. Jared smiled, taking her hands and helping her to her feet. ”Thanks, love! Jared, this is my friend Zhenya and her daughter Auri. This is my husband, Jared.”

”very nice to meet both of you!” Jared said, offering both a smile and offering his hand to Zhenya.

[Cruz]

Cruz laughed at Rachel only saving one dance for her sister. He was flattered and he had missed Rachel. Maybe if they'd spent more time together things would have devolved so quickly? But it was not her fault. It wasn't even his roommates fault for leading him down the path to sex, drugs and rock and roll. Though there had been no sex as of yet, which was sorta a disappointment, but he did have a girlfriend so at least most of his mind was still intact.

He'd seen the disappointment in her eyes at the peck on the cheek so when he departed he pressed a soft kiss to her lips, that if he hadn't pulled away could have gone into something far more passionate and something he'd rather do alone, in a dark room without clothes on. He grinned at her and whispered as he parted. "I'll see you after dinner."

There was still a bit before the reception began and as long as he beat the bride and groom there Cruz went in search of coffee. There had to be a shop nearby -- somewhere.

[Zhenya]

Auri listened with wide-eyed attentiveness, and her eyes only widened further when Emily offered the rose from her bouquet as a gift. The little girl clutched it to her chest like she had just been given the moon and stars from the sky, and whatever Emily’s explanation for her princess-like dress, it was clear Auri had come to her own decisions. She offered an awed thank you without her mother’s prompting, while Zhenya watched on in amusement.

As Emily’s new husband joined them, Zhenya greeted him warmly and gave her congratulations to the pair. The two were clearly very much in love.

“You have a Dominion in your midst,” she observed curiously, having noted the most memorable guests. Undoubtedly that would inspire plenty of gossip. He was even in uniform. Zhenya made it her business to know about a new authority in the city given her line of work was security. Likewise she knew Jared was Legion Premiere, whose ties with the Custody had become much greater since the troubles in Africa. “He looks a little lost, no?”

Afterwards she squeezed Emily’s hand again, and promised to see her again at the reception.