Eric exits the house, dressed dashingly in a new suit, and heads over to the small gathered party, holding Madeleine's hand. The little girl is wearing a brand new dress. She spies Mitja and makes a beeline for him, smiling warmly before hugging him and planting a big kiss on his cheek. This makes Mitja make a face, but he grudgingly accepts the kiss.
A pair of nursemaids make their way over holding the twins, Tyrion and Tamar. Both little boys are dressed in suits. They squirm a bit to get down and run around, but the nursemaids are used to their antics. One turns to Madeleine, "Madeleine, it's nearly time! Go back to the house please." Madeleine curtseys prettily to Ava and Mitja before scurrying off.
The quartet playing music switches tunes and soft music emits from a harp. The assembled guests move to their seats. Eric looks nervously down the aisle in anticipation. Madeleine comes down the aisle first, carrying a little bouquet of white roses in one hand and a little satin bag in the other. She takes her place next to Ava, with a big grin to Mitja.
Lasa appears on the arm of her father, Tyrion. Her hair swept up with flowers and a bouquet of white roses and orchids in her hand. The guests turn and smile. Eric's mouth drops open before he composes himself with a huge grin on his face. Lasa and Tyrion make their way down the aisle. Tyrion kisses Lasa on both cheeks and places her hand in Eric's, with a nod to the younger man and a wink. Eric smiles and nods back and the couple turn to face Ava as Tyrion takes a seat. From the back of the gathering, Vince heads in and sits, only slightly late.
Ava smiles to all and begins, "Good evening. We're here today to celebrate the joining of two paths, the marriage of Lasairiona and Eric, and appropriately, today is Midwinter. The day when the sun will begin its return to the sky, when winter will begin to relinquish its grip, a day that marks the beginning of another turn of the cosmic wheel." She pauses for a moment and continues, "As the years turn, so do the cycles of our lives. We all follow our own path, as best we are able, toward our ultimate goal. And that goal, that final destination for us, is the need to belong to something greater than the self, to be loved, to be a piece of something more. Few things bring us such joy as the union of two paths, of the joining of two lives, both for the individuals involved, and for their family and friends, their kin and kith. Why else would we all get dressed up in uncomfortable clothes and sit in stiff-backed chairs, eh? It must all be worth it."
Lasa giggles softly and looks up at Eric.
Eric grins fighting back a laugh. The rest of the guest laugh in turn to the remark.
Ava continues her speech, "And it is worth it; very few other moments in life will bring any of us such joy, such sense of community and togetherness, such a true feeling of oneness, as days like this, as events like this. All people, of all faiths - or no faith - need to belong. The greatest human need, by any measure, in any place, or any time, is simply that. And today, Lasairiona and Eric, we celebrate the two of you, having truly found that oneness, in one another.
Ava looks down at Madelyne, "I believe, someone has the tokens of that oneness... who is she, I wonder?"
Madeleine bounces and sets her little bouquet on a side table. She holds up her little bag. Ava takes the bag gently and bows again, "Thank you, Madelyne. We couldnt do this without you, you know?" Madeleine blushes and looks down.
Ava winks at her and carefully opens the bag, being sure not to touch the rings herself, and holds the bag in her hands in front of herself for a moment, "Rings, like that celestial cycle - and like our paths through life - are circular. No beginning, no end. And for them to work - to look their best, to last a good long while - every piece must play its part. The band, the setting, the stone. With these rings, you are both vowing, to one another, before all assembled here, and to all who have come before, that you will do everything in your power to play your part in the new union you are creating. Please, each of you take the ring meant for your partner."
Lasa reaches into the bag and takes Eric's ring. Eric does likewise, removing Lasa's ring as well. Ava hands the bag back to Madeleine, reminding her to hold tightly onto it.
Ava turns to look at Lasa, "Do you, Lasairiona, agree to do all in your power to strengthen the union you are embarking upon, in wealth and ruin, in sickness and in health, in dark day and in bright sunshine, for as long as you both shall live?"
Lasa looks up at Eric, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears, "I do."
Ava turns now to look at Eric, "And you, Eric, do you agree to do all in your power to strengthen the union you are embarking upon, in wealth and ruin, in sickness and in health, in dark day and in bright sunshine, for as long as you both shall live?"
Eric takes a deep breath and looks into Lasa's emerald eyes "I do"
Ava nods and continues, "Please, Lasa, place the ring you hold, upon Eric's hand."
Lasa takes Eric's hand in hers and slips the ring onto his left ring finger.
Ava smiles brightly, "And Eric, please place the ring you hold, upon Lasa's hand."
Eric gently places the ring on Lasa's finger.
"Then, unless anyone here has any acceptable reason why these two should not be united, why these two paths should not be joined as one...." Ava waits a moment before smiling brightly again, " ...then by the authority granted me by the Sebiestor Tribe, with all of those assembled as witnesses, I now pronounce you, Eric and Lasa, as husband, and wife." Ava bows a bit and steps back as she says, "You know what to do..."
Eric pulls Lasa softly towards him and leans in, tilting his head slightly as he places a long kiss on her lips.
Ava covers her mouth with her hands and tries to not squeal too loudly. The guests erupt in applause. She laughs as the kiss ends and turns to the guests, "As you all know, there will be a reception shortly. Having sat through this, and listening to me of all people talk, I hope you'll all go relax some."
After many well wishes from the assembled party, all depart to L'Amore in Ballo for the wedding reception.
((OOC Note: Very special thanks to Ava Starfire. What more can I say? She was amazing!))
