That Sacred Arrangement....

[all7seas]

Who: wise_maiden and lists_to_port; We are leaving this log WIDE OPEN. So if you are family or friends, you are invited and may mingle or gossip or be all dressed up or get drunk or do the electric slide or WHAT HAVE YOU. Are there any Wedding Crashers in Luceti? Ha!
What: Wedding
When: Monday afternoon
Where: That spot with the lilacs by the river in that meadow west of the village. You know that spot---we know you know that spot.
Summary: Jack and Raine get married, and everyone ships it hard forever.
Rating: G I expect? It's so hard to tell sometimes.



On the morning of his wedding, Jack sat bolt upright in bed and then vomited onto the floor. Several minutes after that were spent dry-heaving and gasping for breath, and then another several minutes crawling to the bathroom to put his head under the shower. Cold water---it brought back reality and rationality, and erased dreams of being a pirate and dying in some war and having a best mate and a lover who had always been forbidden him---ever since Jack Horner's lesson and the two weeks following it.

Sparrow figured it was a case of wedding nerves. Strange dreams were a new thing for him, after all--normally he slept dreamlessly and woke up alert.

Later, as he stood in the quiet meadow he and Raine had chosen for their ceremony among the fragrant lilac trees, that morning dream was forgotten. Sparrow was calm. Happy. Clean-shaven and dressed in the attire Buffy had picked out for him and eagerly waiting for his beautiful bride.

Comments

[wise_maiden]

"I would be honored, my dear husband." The perfect excuse for them not needing to part from one another for long.

[all7seas]

Gently, Sparrow took her hand and drew her close, moving with her as he had done that evening at the festival. His Raine; his wife. Now all his troubles seemed to vanish--any nervousness or uneasiness he'd had was gone.

[wise_maiden]

For the first little while she's quiet--all that matters is them moving together like this. As long as they're together, they can leave unsettling thoughts to rest. Her voice is for him alone, when she does speak. "It's been such a beautiful day."

[all7seas]

"Aye---the most beautiful of my life, darling." He twirled her before bringing her close again. "And with so many more to come. And a beautiful night ahead as well."

[wise_maiden]

She keeps her steps, matching his movements. It was as if the dance at the festival was just practice. "I want to remember every moment."

[all7seas]

"Ha! How could we forget? Even the most dire shift couldn't drive this day of ours out of my mind."

[wise_maiden]

"I know. I just like hearing you say it." She ducks her head the way she usually does when she feels them rise with color. "We're both truly here. It's... wonderful."

[all7seas]

"Darling--" Jack lifted her chin with his fingers, because he always enjoyed seeing that color, and he kissed her. "We're here and tonight we'll be at Cullen House and my only regret is that we didn't do this sixteen years ago."

[wise_maiden]

She flushed even more at that kiss--so deep, so passionate, with him. "No more regrets, Jack. It's the now that matters--even if it was a long road getting here." For a moment, her gaze slips back to the crowd. "Whenever you want to go home... I'll be ready."

[all7seas]

"Now. I want it now."

[wise_maiden]

A soft chuckle accompanies her words. "... it doesn't surprise me to hear that."

[all7seas]

Sparrow grinned down at her. "If it had surprised you, I would be worried I suppose, that I haven't treated you with enough affection."

[wise_maiden]

Twirling out again, just out of reach. "There's no need for you to worry. You've more than surpassed in that regard."

[all7seas]

"Then I've a new high-water mark to surpass." He reached for her to pull her back in---close. "That dress, it suits you, love. Perfectly."

[wise_maiden]

"I'm glad you like it. Dress choosing isn't exactly a hobby of mine." Especially with the price range she was determined to stay in.

[all7seas]

"As long as you always have a choice in what hobbies you will pursue? I'm good with it."

[wise_maiden]

She tilts her head at that. "You almost make it sound as if there are some hobbies that aren't voluntary."

[all7seas]

"I only mean that I want you to have what your heart desires, is all." Raine deserved more, that much was true; she should never have had to give up that beautiful jewelry back at Albert's place. She deserved nice things. He would GIVE HER nice things.

[wise_maiden]

"My heart's desire is right here, now." Maybe it would be nice to have nice things, but that wasn't what was important. What was important was being surrounded by the people she loved. She'd give up everything for the people she loved. "So you don't have to worry about that."

[all7seas]

"I...wasn't worried, darling." And he wasn't; Jack knew that the treasure he'd stolen from Nami was going to help them both live better for some time to come.

[wise_maiden]

"Hmm." She tilts her head again. "If you ever do start to worry, you'll let me know, won't you?" Step, step, and twirl.

[all7seas]

"Of course I shall; all of our troubles are best borne if we share them, aren't they? That's something I've had to learn, Raine; a mistake I've made before, but won't make again."

[wise_maiden]

"...All right." She ducks her head again, once she's pulled in close. "Together like this, we'll have a lot more to share."

[all7seas]

"So much more. Safe now, you---no more undue burdens."

He kissed her once more on the forehead as the song drifted to an end.

"I suppose we shall have to go greet our guests, now..."

[wise_maiden]

"It won't hurt you know. Greeting those who've come to wish us well." Or maybe those who had to see it to believe it, but what was the use of being negative?

"We still have a lot of time for us. Later..."