The Lucky Ones

[Winston]

Wedding words

As Darius greeted her, Angela blushed slightly. It was hard not to be intimidated by the presence of people so very well known. It was a dichotomous thing, that whenever people would gush over her living with the (in)famous ferret, Winston Miller, that she would just shake her head, dismissing the awe as she suppressed the impulse to share the last time she'd had breakfast with him while he picked goo from his fur... She was fully aware that everyone probably had these stories, but all the same, the people here were among the most famous in all of Scalvaris... Perhaps even Idalos, and it made for an awe inspiring impression.

"Thank you, Winston has told me so many things about you. All good." She teased, a little nervously as she avoided referring to his almost compulsive obsession with the man's beard. She had told him it was not healthy, but her adopted Cadouri father had simply continued to insist he cold bottle such brilliant hair.

The girl smiled as the two resolved how Astra would be introduced and smiled sweetly. "Lovely to meet you. I'm Winston's daughter." She offered with a tender sense of pride to the statement as Winston beamed. There was little if anything in life the ferret was more proud of if not his daughter. The unlikely couple were as close as could be and as much as he cared for her, she cared for him. It was a mutually enjoyed fact that they both enjoyed having someone who cared for them.

As Woe introduced himself, Winston smiled brightly as introductions were made. "Dis es Angela, me datta." He said promptly. Angela knew of Woe, of course, Winston was barely able to avoid gushing over his exploits and the two had been through a few close shaves and bargains in their times. Offering the man a curtsy, she smiled. "It's lovely to finally put a face to the name. Winston speaks of you very fondly." She remarked, quite genuinely.

"'ave yuh seen de snacks?" He queried his tall friend conspiratorially. His tone was clearly quite familiar when he addressed Woe, fond and friendly. "Dem look de yum-yums!"

"Winston tells me that you make your own brews? I hope they are going well?" Offered the girl, quite sure she had no advantage over the man if even a fraction of the stories Winston told about him were true.

The Ceremony

The ceremony was underway and Vega was, as expected, holding it in a masterful fashion.

As the wedding couple were summoned to offer their own words of promise, the ferret stood atop his daughter's shoulder in order to see more clearly the proceedings.

[Gennadiya Lyosha]

I am a damsel

locked in her tower,

but I am my own capture.

No one else has the

strength to lock me away.

You though have the key

to free me from myself

Ymiden 60

Genna stood by Pablo and Lilabell and looked up at Vegan as she brought started the wedding. Genna kept glancing at her friend who was leading the ceremony, but her gaze also shifted back regularly to Pablo who stood next to her and while his face was facing forward he two kept glancing over at Genna. Genna also looked down at Lilabell when her name was mentioned. The little girl blushed at being mentioned by Vega. Genna smiled at her before turning her gaze back to Vega. She loved the simple but sincere talk about how hope and love was the foundation. It really was and Genna was prepared also for the work that would happen.

Then it was Genna and Pablo’s turn to say their vows. Genna turned to Pablo as he would take his turn first. He turned and took Genna’s hands in his and held them tight. He smiled at her with both his lips and his eyes and Genna felt happiness well up with in her. He spoke then. “Genna, I still remember the first time I saw you at Storm’s Edge. Standing in the calmly as the injured were coming in. I noticed your beauty right away. None missed that.” He said with a smile. “But you found your way to my heart when I first heard you speak. I could hear your compassion and concern for those around you, and as I have gotten to know you more I can say that I wasn’t deceived. The beauty within your soul, your kindness, your strength, your compassion, and your unexpected love for me.” He paused again. “Has been the greatest treasure in my life. I vow to you this trial that I will be your husband and give you all of my heart and soul until the end of our trials and beyond. I will stand by you through all the trials that face us. To love you. To care for you and our family. I vow this to you before these witness.” He then smiled down at Lilabell. “Dear Lilabell I am so glad that you will become my daughter and I promise you that I will be the best father I can be to you.”

Genna was watching the little girl who she had found in that abysmal cave remembering that trial. She saw now a happy girl who was growing and developing. She was so happy at this time. She was confident that Pablo would support her and be a good father to both Lilabell and their future children. She smiled as she felt the glow of happiness deep with in her. It was now her turn and she looked at Pablo and spoke. Her voice started strong. “Pablo my beloved. You have been the support I never knew I needed. I still marvel at your strength, tempered by your kindness. Your ability to love life and fight for it. How you give yourself to those you love and above all how you have given yourself to me and Lilabell. On this Trial I vow to always be there for you regardless of what may happen. To be your wife. To continue to smile and laugh with you. To give you all of me. I make this vow before these witnesses.”

The two held each others hands, and smiling stared into each others faces, at this time aware of only each other, as well as the little one who wrapped an arm around each leg in a hug.

[Darius Baer]

Darius had never had an answer to Winston's question of what might happen next, but even if he had, Woe's arrival and introduction would have pulled him away anyway. Astra returned the greeting and introduced herself, and would later tell Darius that she recognised the man's name, to which Darius would recount the last time he had seen the former Scalvoris councillor.

Then Vega addressed the crowd and the ceremony began.

Darius felt a sense of pride as the redhead spoke. He knew there were some who found her way of speaking a little unorthodox, and he also recalled his own nerves when he had first spoken in public. But watching her officiate the wedding - a task he himself had once undertaken - it seemed as though she didn't appear to share any of those same nerves. Or perhaps, Darius mused, she was simply adept at hiding them.

Darius watched as Winston climbed atop his daughter's shoulders, then followed the ferret's gaze as the bride and groom began their vows.

Astra shifted slightly in her seat and rested her shoulder against Darius'. There was a softer side to the brunette beauty that Darius was slowly getting used to. He was yet to work out if the slow reveal of affection was due to his own influence, or if it had always been there and just needed the right person for it to come out. Darius wondered if it might have been a bit of both; he subsequently wondered if was selling Astra short to think such a thing.

As for the vows themselves, they sounded heartfelt. Darius did not know Pablo, and in truth, he had only met Gennadiya a few times, but the groom's description of his bride at Storm's Edge was relatable. Darius, too, had been impressed by her composure amidst the terrors of a siege.

As the marrying couple held hands, Darius took Astra's in his own, interlocking his fingers with hers and offering a gentle squeeze as the ceremony continued.