The first step is the one you believe in

[handing]

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!}}

Comments

[250mhzwabl]

[For a respectable chunk of the reception, Jack will be occupied behind a table weighed down with Eugene's laptop, a stereo, taped-down handdwritten playlists, and a small jungle of lovingly-patched wires running to the speaker setup that they've managed to arrange. He'd apparently been the first and most enthusiastic volunteer to provide music, and as the one of the apocalypse's premier radio personalities (as well as the man who can easily plug a microphone into his existing sound system), apparently this earns him the right to MC as well. Who knew?

First-timer or not, he's buzzing with the energy of the event, introducing the bridal party as they enter, announcing speeches and toasts, and - perhaps most importantly - gleefully reminding everyone from their assorted continents and worlds that the native custom is to ring your wine glass lightly with silverware to make the happy couple kiss on command. And after all the initial pleasantries are done, he'll be spending much of the night spinning tunes, dependent upon the goodwill of fellow guests to keep him in food and drinks.

The rest of the time he will be out and mingling, perhaps even dancing, taking in the atmosphere and enjoying an event well-planned. The generous Mr. Sam Yao is perfectly capable behind an audio setup, and Jack has a feeling that neither friends, nor significant other, nor the bride herself will be happy with him if he doesn't see at least some of the party without headphones on his head.]

[tearmeanewone]

Jack! [Elizabeth hurries over to Jack the moment she sees him step out from behind the music table. Gai's taking a rest and Elizabeth wants just a few minutes with her friend.]

[250mhzwabl]

Lizzie-! Oh my god, you look beautiful!

[Jack's far from a fashion genius, but even he can tell that Elizabeth's dress is a labour of both love and an amazing understanding of fabric. Grinning broadly, he swoops toward Elizabeth and scoops her up under the arms, twirling her a few giddy times to the music pumping out of the speakers. Too much bottled-up energy from just sitting still and drinking with good tunes playing, clearly.]

[tearmeanewone]

[Elizabeth laughs as Jack twirls her around, glad for a moment of genuine laughter for once. She stumbles around a little when he sets her down, but hangs onto his arm for balance.]

It's a wedding! I had to look nice, of course. ...and I guess I dressed up a little for my date... [She turns around and finds Gai looking a little stony-faced at her, but she waves anyway. Jack hasn't met Gai, as far as Elizabeth knows, but there has been much discussion surrounding him.]

[250mhzwabl]

[Automatically, Jack steadies her when she wobbles, still giddy but mercifully still too novice a dancer to whisk her immediately into a twirl. Clever words come to him much more naturally than clever steps, and he gives a little, bemused noise of recognition for the trailed-off admission, following her gaze and waving as well. As he does, he leans in, murmuring approvingly just close enough for Elizabeth to hear.]

Not bad-! Does he not like weddings, though?

[widows_kiss]

[Natasha shows up somewhere midway through the celebration with a fresh plate of food and a glass of champagne for the DJ, who she's noticed hasn't made it out from behind his table as much as he could. She approaches with a grin and holds them up with a curious look.]

I come bearing refreshments. And alcohol.

[250mhzwabl]

[Food and drink. Jack gives an almost impossibly grateful look, grinning broadly and reaching to take the plate and glass back behind his bank of equipment.]

God, Tasha, you're an angel. Where do you hide the flaming sword?

[widows_kiss]

That would be telling.

[Natasha gives him a coy smirk as she perches lightly on the end of his table.]

Also, telling right now would be bad, because I'm pretty sure about midway through the ceremony, Pepper wanted to ask me for my gun, to shoot the good Captain. Which would have been a terrible tragedy, in my opinion.

[250mhzwabl]

The most terrible.

[Jack nods with all the sage gravity he can fake, taking a sip of his champagne and leaning in toward her. Even with everything between them utterly platonic, there's the buzz of the energy that comes with a room of excited people and a big event, and the thrum of the music through the table itself, and the objective awareness that as far as specimens of feminine attractiveness go Natasha is more or less stellar. It's everything he loved about so much of his chosen social scene at uni, and he smiles with that alone, giving a knowing lift of his eyebrows.]

I always thought that people wanted a wedding they'd never forget.

[luckynumberthree]

[Simon isn't entirely sure why he is here, other than Jack and Eugene are, and somehow that amounted to him and Sam being here too. Which he's alright with, but coming to a reception like this as a female is markedly different to how he might have enjoyed it if he were a man.

Such as flirting with the bride and the very attractive wedding party, which was now probably awkwardly impossible.

Also he had no idea how to dance as a woman, so that looked like it was out as well.

Instead, he was nursing a glass of something sweet and bubbly as he escaped over to where Jack was half-hidden behind his table, flopping down in an empty chair beside him. Which was considerably harder to do in a dress without flashing someone indecently.]

[250mhzwabl]

[What Simon doesn't isn't simply flop. No, it is nothing short of a full-body pout, practically mime in how flawlessly expressive it is, and a perfect expression of how put-out Simon is about the whole situation. Jack can only do as a good friend, as a brother should do.

He turns toward Simon and, grin barely held back, coos in his most sympathetic baby-talk.]

Aw. Izzums missing trousers already.

[luckynumberthree]

I hate you.

[Except he doesn't and that maybe - maybe - teases the barest hint of a smirk from Simon's lips because Jack's ridiculous. Terrible, but ridiculous, and even Simon could appreciate humor at a moment like this. Even if he was the cause of it.]

You're lucky this is good champagne, otherwise I'd be tempted to douse you in it.

[250mhzwabl]

[Jack hums thoughtfully at that one, rubbing his chin in mock-contemplation.]

Beautiful woman in a dress douses man in a sharp suit in champagne . . . hmmm. You know, I don't know if that's more of a classic cliche or clever rap music video inversion.

[z_jay]

[Cake having been cut and people now enjoying the fruits of his labors, Eugene made sure to acquire a piece for his number one fan and brought it over to the DJ station, grinning with half of his mouth and picking his way expertly through the crowd. How long had it been? Longer than it should have been, since they'd danced. This time Jack had nice shoes and an equally nice suit, which showed just how well he did clean up. Clearing his throat, drowned out by the music, Eugene leaned in for a quick peck to Jack's cheek while offering him a slice]

You're not getting out of this, you know. None of it. I get to request the next song.

[And the next dance. Jack may have two left feet, but they were Eugene's two left feet. However that worked. Luckily, he had a right and a left foot now. And the opportunity would not be squandered.]

[250mhzwabl]

[Trust Eugene to sneak up while Jack was distracted. He'd gotten used to having him clomping around everywhere on that crutch of his, to the point where he'd almost forgotten the strength and balance the man moved with when he was entirely under his own power, and how that translated into such quiet, easy movement. He looked up quickly at the sudden presence on his peripheral vision and grinned with the press of lips to his cheek, putting the plate of cake on the table and reaching up behind them to wind his arms behind Eugene's neck and hug him down against his shoulders happily.]

Cake for a song? Seems like a fair trade.

[z_jay]

Oh, I'm getting more than just a song.

[He spoke with an air of confidence, grinning against Jack's ear while his arms slid round Jack's hips. He stayed that way for a moment, not letting go, but watching other couples dancing, spotting Tony and Pepper keeping just a bit closer than before, and he swayed very softly. An intentional sway, no where near resembling the sway of lost balance or unsteady footing.]

Everyone knows we're the best husbands here, I say we should set a good example for the new guy. You, me, a song and a dance. And then we can have cake.

[His chin rested on Jack's shoulder as he spoke, cheek to cheek, or the closest approximation thereof.]

[250mhzwabl]

Oooh, best husbands. Was there a competition? A vote?

[Jack's amenable to a dance, but for the moment there's an easy comfort in staying behind the equipment, moving in something that is half embrace and half slow-dance, letting his face rest back against Eugene's neck as he sighs in content and closes his eyes.]

I need to know our credentials, Gene. Expecially if we're supposed to be role models now.

[jamesbarnes]

[Bucky folds his arms when he comes to a stop in front of Jack's station; he's decked out in his service uniform for the occasion, but far from intimidating, there's a touch of a grin on his lips. He raises an eyebrow, and tilts his head at the dance floor in invitation.]

What's the point of all those lessons if you're gonna hide away in a wire fort for the whole party? You even come out to eat?

[250mhzwabl]

[Oh, hell. It's bad enough that Bucky's come to the bargaining table with that smug, friendly little swagger of his as leverage, but the uniform tips it into the territory of Just Not Fair. Jack's helpless enough against the functional fit and drab camo of his own time - the tailored lines and jauntily-cocked cap and lapels are practically weapons in their own right.

Still, it's fantastically rude to drool over one's friends, no matter how extremely, extremely good they look, and Jack manages to only stammer a bit as he checks the list and queues up the next track. No idea if he has any success in not looking him up and down and maybe back up again, because he doesn't want to be creepy or anything, but in all fairness he is but a mortal man.]

What? I- hey, listen. Tasha already brought me food, and I have several friends keeping me in drinks. And one coming to man the wire fort in a minute or two. There's still plenty of night left for those lessons to come in handy.

[jamesbarnes]

[Bucky's eyes narrow thoughtfully. He's noticed, and he's neither modest nor above using his uniform as leverage - at least when it's harmless.]

A minute or two, huh? So how long's this song?

[He takes off his hat and holds out a hand to Jack.]

Cuz I've gotta show off my best student sometime tonight.

[250mhzwabl]

[Oh, it is a good thing that Eugene is not around at the moment. He isn't nearly as relaxed about casual flirting (or casually catering to obvious infatuations) as Jack is, and it really seems like Bucky is doing both. Really, who doffs a hat?

Cheesy or not, though, it works, damn him. Jack looks down at the thirty-seconds-to-switch, thinks for a too-long moment, then decisively cues up an unannounced detour to follow the current track before ducking out from behind the table, reaching for Bucky's hand. Sam will be there within two and a half minutes, he's sure.]

I'm your only student, aren't I.

[voiceinthedark]

[Sam slides up part way through the evening to take another turn as DJ, bringing with him a couple of glasses of champagne and a plate of food.]

I think you should go and rescue Eugene. Simon's been eyeing him for a while now and it would suck to have to tear them apart from an argument.

[250mhzwabl]

Oh, God. Seriously?

[That calls for a drink all on its own, and Jack trades the headphones for a flute of champagne, scanning the crowd for the two in question with a wary little frown.]

Are they really going to get into a row, do you think? At a wedding?

[voiceinthedark]

It's Simon.

[That is as much response as Sam thinks it needs honestly.]

Well, I kind of want to trust that they can act like adults but...

[250mhzwabl]

[Jack keeps watching the two, and sighs a sigh of relief when something else seems to catch Simon's attention and he (she? no, he, Jack can't see him any other way no matter what chromosomes he has)- he heads off in that direction for the time being.]

We really should have known he'd use the power of bosoms for evil.