lucetilogs | The first step is the one you believe in

The first step is the one you believe in

Who: Pepper Potts, Tony Stark, and everyone who has gathered there today.
What: A wedding and reception
When: Sept 14, All Day
Where: Cherry Blossom Hill / The Battle Dome
Summary: Pepper and Tony are getting married ~~finally~~ ~~officially~~ finally.
Rating: PG/PG-13 max? There's at least one kid here.
The decorations on the hill are simple ones; they've chosen this spot because it's naturally beautiful without the need for embellishments. Chairs have been set up for the expected guests, with a clear path laid out for the wedding party. And of course up front there is a place for those people to stand, in sight of everyone gathered so Tony won't be able to tell Pepper "I told you so" as color commentary won't be necessary.

After the ceremony everyone will be invited to go to the Battle Dome for the reception. There Tony's programmed an expansive hall with tables and seating enough for everyone. There's also a dance floor, which everyone is encouraged to take advantage of. The atmosphere is warm and vibrant, clearly intended to help all in attendance have a good time. Dinner will be served, and there's an open bar, with rum by request of the officiant.

Just don't get too rowdy, okay kids?

{{ooc: Visual references and details can be found here. Link is very image heavy. There will be separate threads for before the ceremony, during, and the reception.

EDIT: Now with a sign up to catch the bouquet!}}

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"I'm not exactly in a hurry. It's just something to wonder about."

Jack had asked her the same question earlier, which hadn't helped either. "When we're here, it feels like we're living more in the moment. It's more of a given that things will change at any time."

And then there were the things that stayed the same a lot of the time as well.

"Does it feel that way? Like you're living in the moment?" There's a wry note to his voice as he thinks about it. Thinking ahead had come so naturally, engrained into so many of his actions. He withheld from several pursuits with the future in mind, unaware of how beneficial it had turned out to be in the long run.

He felt he would somehow be disappointed to learn he had progeny in this world, knowing what seemed likely to happen to them.

"Depends on the state of the village." She lifts her head with a half-smile, though it fades. "There are daily tasks, things to do in the downtime. Information to gather, study, reflect on. And sometimes there's waking up wondering just what will change today, or what might be gone tomorrow. And wondering how much time is spent feeling ... jaded. But that's a silly thing, isn't it? We can't live the full potential of our lives because we're here in this world. But we're still whole people here. Until we return."

Despite himself, Albert finds himself laughing faintly as Raine comes to the word jaded. Yes, that was the best way to describe being in the village for so long; it was a word that came to mind when he thought of just how routine so many aspects of Luceti had become, despite how surreal they would be in the context of his own world.

"We are whole, entirely different people," he amends. "You could be free of your past and your future by being here. Is that what you mean by living in the moment?" Except for the part where it was all too possible for one's future or the past to become a problem when it appeared in some form in this world.

Raine sips thoughtfully at her own drink when he speaks, and nods.

"Yes... that might describe it better. We're not limited by our situations there, in that sense; only by what limits we might place on ourselves because of them. And ... really, as long as you don't bind children to this world, there still are other aspects of life that can be lived. That hasn't stopped some people from living a little fuller than they might allow themselves. Even when knowing it could be gone the day after."

"It's a rather harsh trap. Everything that happens to someone here can be taken away in a moment's notice, shifted or stolen away in some fashion. Then one is left picking up the pieces of having dared to dream."

He smirks then, a finger tapping against his glass. "We have seen that over the journals quite often, in only a handful of years."

"Indeed."

Many lives, over and over again; always the same old story.

"Although then there is the remaining question: is it better to dare a dream, than to not dream at all? To observe the fates of others, while not indulging at least once?"

"The payout would have to match or surpass the risks." Such was how things were with him. "But not everyone will think that way, of course."

"Of course not. It's only practical thinking - you take a gamble only when there's more to gain rather than lose. And sometimes you'll sit there with that very same hand and wonder if you'll ever find the right card to obtain some satisfaction, or if you've been playing at the wrong table this entire time."

At the extended gambling metaphor, Albert's smirk return, and he calls for another drink for himself.

"You sound as if you have been contemplating this for quite awhile. Has this been on your mind since that wedding?"

"Mmm." She takes a considering sip. "It's not something I tend to focus on for myself, though when I run into other people who seem to have conflicted thoughts on the matter, I can't help but look at my own life and reason it out that way, while still leaving it open for them to make their own choice."

"So you give advice on matters that you yourself have not made decisions on?"

With his very calm, neutral voice, it's easy for his words to the lose the faint upturn in tone that signifies it as a question. It's all that makes it sound polite rather than judgmental.

Even if his voice lacks that questioning tone, it's not hard to imagine it being there. After all, it wouldn't be the first time he had picked apart something she had said.

A longer sip of the drink, this time.

"Sometimes people just want to organize their thoughts with a neutral party."

"Neutral party."

He echoes those words and considers his drink as it is brought to him, but makes no further comment on the matter. Instead, he rotates his glass a few times before lifting it to his lips and taking a long drink.

Not appreciating the fairly decent wine, but he would rather it not go to waste now that it had been poured.

Frowning, Raine gives him a long look, watching him consider his drink and how he gives her no other comment, how he could question her words and then dismiss them all at once, before shaking her head and focusing on her own drink. She still wasn't much of a drinker by any standard in Luceti. It was likely this was more than what she should have been intaking. It was a wedding; an occasion to "celebrate". Even if, perhaps, that wasn't the reason at all.

There had been something more she wanted to ask him, but as usual he had to make her question why she even thought it might have been something to ask, especially at this time.

Albert lowers the glass and shuts his eyes as he exhales, mindful of how the alcohol would hit him. He was never one to make his timing predictable -- and it shows in how he now turns his head towards Raine and holds a hand out to her.

"Care to dance?"

Raine's expression, humorously enough, is a brief flutter of emotions when she looks back toward him, her veiled annoyance cautiously flitting to surprise. There's no need, even, to ask if she's heard him correctly, because he's already holding a hand out to her.

Sometimes, it was just better not to question the moment. She sets her glass down, and places her hand in his waiting one.

"... Yes, I would."

He allows a faint smile that gradually turns into a smirk at her reaction, nodding at Raine as he curls his fingers around hers and draws her towards the dance floor. His steps are steady and sure through the crowded simulated venue, and he doesn't release Raine's hand until they are actually standing on the dance floor.

"What was it now? Daring to dream?" he muses aloud, raising a brow at Raine as he adjusts his grip to better clasp her hand.

Raine at first is quiet as he leads her to the floor, taking in her surroundings, her pulse inching up a notch. Thanks to the drink, she's more relaxed, but it hasn't been enough to affect her balance.

When Albert speaks again, she allows herself to smile, and then that breaks to a soft chuckle. "... You're unbelievable, you know."

"Did I surprise you?" It's a light tease, considering he had seen how she reacted. He tips his head towards the ceiling to sigh, still recovering from that long gulp of wine, before returning his attention to preparing to dance.

While it had been quite awhile since he had last danced like this, he had been formally trained while growing up -- a part of growing up a noble, even if the weight of nobility was fading in Toran by the time he had grown up.

"Mind your feet; it's been awhile since I have done this." He should give a warning, at least.

The most recent time Raine had danced, it had been with Grune at an Art Club party. Although she was certain this would be very different from that experience.

"Well, what do we have to lose? I'll just have to keep up with you." Trusting him, perhaps, not to lead her astray. She wasn't formally trained by any means, but she could follow along.

A faint hum, thoughtful, escapes as he takes Raine's right hand in his left, then guides her left hand to rest on his shoulder. "Closed position." He says the term as if reciting, his own right hand settling at her waist. "Typically, your back should be very straight and your shoulders squared... But we are hardly being judged at the moment."

Though there is no smile, there's a smirk in his voice, and he begins to lead with practiced grace -- somewhat stilted at first, but quick to gain confidence.

"I would hope not." A wry response to the thought of 'being judged'. Luckily for them, the people around them were certainly more absorbed in themselves to pay any mind to an additional pair of dancers.

Raine follows his lead, taking a moment to adjust to the steps, mentally counting them off. Her movements are more relaxed, though she keeps her spine as straight as possible at his suggestion, doing her best to maintain her balance for the dance maneuvers.

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The first step is the one you believe in

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