[GP] The De Rolo Wedding Reception

[st_abby]

The calendar of "Kahl-ee-Fornea" was very different to that of Tal'Dorei. But the spring dance had been a good reminder for the Exandrians (one of them, anyway) that the Renewal Festival would take place more or less this time of year, landing always on the thirteenth day of Dulahei. It seemed a fitting time to set the 'small family dinner' in celebration of the marriage of Vex and Percy.

...Yeah, but no. Because Vax'ildan didn't mind a bit of revenge for their having done the thing without so much as telling him for several weeks, and because his sister always deserved the best of everything anyway, the garden had a whopping lot more than that for the happy couple as they opened the doors onto what first looked like pitch blackness. Until the big, white-hot spotlight snapped abruptly on to glare down on top of the pair with blinding scrutiny.

A familiar voice sang out from beyond, his ever-charming booming and crooning amplified to fill the whole of the outdoors by something called a 'microphone,' Scanlan using all his singular panache to belt out a melodic tune:

"There she is, Mrs. De Rolo
There she is, your ideal
The dreams of a million boys and girls who want to find love in Emon City
For Vex may turn out to more than Baroness of the first house of Whitestone and Grand Mistress of the Hunt
There he is, Mr. De Rolo
There he is, your ideal
With so much brooding and tinkering he took the town by storm
With his all-Whitestone face and form
And there they are
Walking on air, he is
Fairest of the fair, she is
There they are - Mr. and Mrs. De Rolooooooooooo~"

A resounding wave of applause, murmuring, cheers, and laughter broke out all around the newlyweds - one such unbridled merry cackle absolutely coming from the bride's brother - and Scanlan's tone changed immediately to a much more vibrant, excited, sporting-event-enthusiasm style of announcement: "Ladies and Gentlemen - it's the DE ROLO FAMILY!"

The strands of bulb lighting popped into yellow-soft brightness all at once, revealing the guests gathered around dozens of tables artfully set with dinner places enough for everyone at the Inn. Each table included flowers, linens, and garlands all matched in smart Whitestone-Blue, darker Owlbear-Blue, black and white with touches of gold accents, all thanks to Caroline's management. The outdoor area so far as one could see had been dressed in one of Lillith's illusions to mimic a beautiful forest clearing at purple-dusk with fireflies dancing, the shapes of buildings and foothills in the distance distinctly cast to look like the city and castle of Whitestone. Ignis and Emma stood by putting a few final touches on what they'd all started calling 'fancy barbecue,' an enormous buffet of haute cuisine smoked and grilled meats with artful sides, a table beside them holding up the massive layer cake Pike had tirelessly fussed into perfection. So many others had come together to help or to wish the de Rolos well - but there would be plenty of time over the evening for them to be thanked and recognized with food, drink, song - there was even an area marked out as a dance floor.

A freshly bathed Trinket in his very own bowtie lumbered up to Vex'ahlia to rumble and lick her face as the pair finally had a moment to react to the spectacle. At ground-level, a small disc-like device with a large serving spoon taped to it had been labeled with marker as Ensign Stubby, rolling its way between tables and chairs while balancing a large, many-times-stabbed basket of flower petals (with a handful left nestled in its giant spoon) on top of its flat surface like a drunken flower girl to finally bump into Vex and Percy's shoes. ...And possibly the best thing about their stunning surprise? That Peter boy had got the whole thing on VHS.

Comments

Re: Xavin and Lillith

[st_artliving]

"Yes, that might be easier." Xavin could have done it himself, but it might be for the best if people - Lillith especially, as social as she seemed to be - to become accustomed to making the note. There would be fewer points of 'I had no idea!' confusion, perhaps.

After another moment of walking together, he offered, "I was not worried about your friends. The last wedding I attended... did not go well."

Re: Xavin and Lillith

[st_rangepalette]

Lillith turned her gaze up to Xavin's, concern in it. "I am sorry, darling. Would it help to speak of it before I make the introductions, or should it wait until we can sit down somewhere quiet?"

So many of her friends had sadness in their pasts. She could not help but wonder if this was why they had all arrived here. To have time to heal.

Re: Xavin and Lillith

[st_artliving]

"I...." Xavin considered, then shook his head. "No, I think it is best that you know. That last wedding was my own, and never completed. A guest from my people insulted the dress of one of the bridesmaids, one of my fiancée's people. The fight escalated, and Karolina and I barely escaped ahead of some mutually assured planetary destruction." He squeezed Lillith's arm briefly, as a reminder to himself that they were here, not there. "We had hoped that our marriage would end a lifetime or two of war, but it started a new one. I think it likely I am simply nervous about weddings."

Re: Xavin and Lillith

[st_rangepalette]

Lillith tugged on Xavin's arm and drew him to a halt. There were bright, gleaming tears of sympathy in her pink eyes. "I am so terribly sorry, darling." And then she slipped her arms around him and hugged him close. "What a terrible thing to have to remember. I promise you, all will be well tonight. My family has fought dragons and gods and we will, none of us, hesitate to drop plates of cake to stop a war."

Re: Xavin and Lillith

[st_artliving]

"Thank you, Lillith." Xavin returned the hug, taking comfort in the closeness. Lillith really was a wonderful person in many ways, and even if her presence had been the only difference between this and Majesdanian prison - which it definitely was not - it would still have been a major improvement. "Perhaps I will learn how it is done from you and them, then."

Re: Xavin and Lillith

[st_rangepalette]

Xavin's response brought a playful curve of a smile to her lips. "Do you not know how to drop a plate?" She stepped back, relinking their arms, and cast an illusion of a plate in her hand. "It is done like so." She opened her fingers and caused the illusory plate to plummet to the floor. Another quick cast added a convincing (though quiet) clatter and shatter. "Would you like to try?"

Re: Xavin and Lillith

[st_artliving]

Xavin quirked a smile. He'd been talking about stopping wars, but this was a definite lessening of tension. Also, he could see a way to actually play along, which was rare. He pulled a real plate off a nearby table and held it up to make sure that Lillith was paying attention, then dropped it.

Before it hit the ground and shattered, he caught it in an invisible forcefield, and brought it back to his hand. "Tried and failed. This dropping of plates is a very complicated business."

Re: Xavin and Lillith

[st_rangepalette]

Lillith let out a delighted giggle and then covered her mouth to keep from laughing too loud. "I have never known someone who could not drop a plate before. I believe this makes you a very special friend indeed."

Of course Lillith had been teasing about the plates to begin with, but Xavin now smiled when before he had looked tense and frightened. "Such a friend should meet my close friends immediately. But later--" She poked him lightly in the abdomen. "He is going to tell me how he did that."

Re: Xavin and Lillith

[st_artliving]

"He is. Whenever you'd like." Lillith of all people would understand wanting to keep these extra powers discreet, but she also deserved to know. Just in case it became important later. "But yes, let us go meet your friends."

Re: Xavin and Lillith (Percy x Vex)

[st_rangepalette]

"Vex, darling, can I borrow you and Percy for a moment?" Lillith called as the approached the table where the happy couple were seated. She might have chuckled quietly to note they had not done a particularly excellent job cleaning up from the caking.

Re: Xavin and Lillith (Percy x Vex)

[st_ubby]

"Of course, dear Lillith," Vex agreed, her hand brushing over her husband's arm as she stood to join Lillith and her handsome friend. In deference to the hangover she still needed to thank her brother for, she and Percy had been enjoying a moment of quiet between well-wishers, but of course they had time for Lillith.

Re: Xavin and Lillith (Percy x Vex)

[st_ockandbarrel]

Percy stood as well, following Vex. He slipped his glasses back on and smiled at Lillith. It had been easier to smile for some reason of late. "How can we serve you, Lillith?"

Re: Xavin and Lillith (Percy x Vex)

[st_rangepalette]

Lillith smiled just a little more brightly at the memory of cake smearing across Percy's face, and then drew Xavin forward. "You can be introduced to my friend Xavin."

With the manners she had been taught as a Baronesa (before she had scarred her sister's face and fled her home), she gestured between her friends. "Vex'ahlia, Percival, please meet Xavin. You may sometimes see Xavin in a beautiful female form, and it is still appropriate to call them Xavin in that form. Xavin, the lovely half-elf is my friend Vex, and the pale human is her husband and likewise my friend, Percy."

It was, she supposed, somewhat awkward to introduce them with reference to Xavin's fluid gender, but Xavin had agreed she might and it was better to be awkward now when she was here to smooth things over than later when any of them were left to their own devices.

Re: Xavin and Lillith (Percy x Vex)

[st_artliving]

"Xavin is my name regardless of what my shape happens to be," Xavin agreed, then offered a hand to shake, ambiguously between the half-elf and human, in case one of them shook hands and the other did not. Or something. "I am pleased to meet you. Congratulations on your marriage."

Re: Xavin and Lillith (Percy x Vex)

[st_ubby]

Vex shook the offered hand, remembering to take the hand as was common here rather than the wrist as she might have back in Tal'Dorei. "Thank you, Xavin. Any friend of Lillith's is someone I'm glad to get to know. I hope you're enjoying my brother's revenge."

Used to Keyleth's many animal and elemental forms, Scanlan's Hat of Disguise, seeming, and polymorph, and Lillith's illusions – glad as she was Lillith rarely wore one now at the inn, except when there was a chance of new arrivals – Vex listened to Lillith's explanation of Xavin's different forms, and accepted it fairly easily. She would simply do her best to remember.

Re: Xavin and Lillith (Percy x Vex)

[st_ockandbarrel]

Percy followed Vex's lead, clasping Xavin's hand. He held it a moment longer, studying Xavin's face, but had no recognition. Who was Xavin when he was at home? Percy strongly doubted that he had simply missed another guest, though he had been somewhat preoccupied of late. "Thank you for joining us this evening. We're very glad that our marriage offered an opportunity for residents to enjoy themselves."

Re: Xavin and Lillith (Percy x Vex)

[st_rangepalette]

Of course Vex was warm and Percy was polite. It was who they were, even when Vex had become Lady Vex'ahlia de Rolo, Baroness of the First House now as well as Sixth Star of Whitestone, Grand Mistress of the Grey Hunt, Champion of Pelor. And with her white dragon armor, in Lillith's mind, she was also Vex the Dragonslayer.

Giving Xavin a nod to encourage him to answer their greeting, she quickly cast a minor illusion of Xavin's female form to show to Percy and Vex, to help them with remembering or recognizing Xavin later.

Re: Xavin and Lillith (Percy x Vex)

[st_artliving]

Lillith got a smile and a quick hand-squeeze. How very considerate she was! To understand that Xavin did not wish to be female at the moment, and step in to allow her friends to see that form, sparing him from current pain and future explanations.

"As revenges go, this is by far the most pleasant I have experienced." Xavin addressed the remark to both Vex and Percy, despite the words being a direct response only to Vex. (Percy's remark had seemed to leave no particular opening for conversation.) "There is a decided lack of weeping, for one, no explosions as yet, and no one has ignited any wars."

Re: Xavin and Lillith (Percy x Vex)

[st_ubby]

The illusory figure that appeared was one Vex had noticed around the inn, although only in passing. In such a small setting, it would have been impossible for an observant person not to recognize most everyone here. Now, thanks to Lillith, Vex would know Xavin in either form.

Tears, explosions, or wars. Vex almost pointed out the evening wasn't over yet. With Vox Machina's luck, you never knew what might happen. But tonight was very much Vax getting back at Vex and Percy, and they had earned some payback. "My brother is very precise with his sneak attacks. It should be quite safe for the rest of you to enjoy yourselves tonight."

She glanced over at Percy, dark eyes warm. "Especially once the bride and groom sneak off and leave you all to it."

Re: Xavin and Lillith (Percy x Vex)

[st_ockandbarrel]

Percy examined the illusion and gave a small noise of recognition. "Ah, yes, in the library."

He glanced at Vex. "I do believe my wife is correct. As usual."

Re: Xavin and Lillith (Percy x Vex)

[st_rangepalette]

Once Vex and Percy had placed face with face and name, Lillith dismissed the illusion she'd created and turned a smile on Xavin. "That, it is our cue to leave the bridal couple and meet the others."

After, she stepped close to her other friends and gave each a kiss on the cheek. "Be well, darlings."

Re: Xavin and Lillith (Percy x Vex)

[st_artliving]

Xavin did not kiss Lillith's friends, but he nodded in what he understood to be a sufficiently friendly way. "It was a pleasure meeting the both of you."

To indicate his willingness to leave the newlyweds with Lillith, he re-offered her his arm.

Re: Xavin and Lillith

[st_rangepalette]

Lillith took Xavin's arm again as easily as had become their habit. A fond expression of comfort, ease and closeness that allowed Lillith to give information without speaking if she chose. As she did now, giving Xavin's arm a pat and a warm squeeze that said he had acquitted himself well.

It also allowed her to steer him away toward a much more comfortable meeting, she hoped, since dear Zahra had become available. Lillith's eyes sparkled as she steered. "Now for a meeting I think you will most enjoy. My cousin, Zahra. She is sister of my heart. Will you come?"

Re: Xavin and Lillith

[st_artliving]

"Of course!" Xavin would have been willing to meet Lillith's cousin for Lillith's sake alone, but Lillith was a wonderful person with strong beliefs. 'Cousin' wasn't often a close enough relationship on its own to merit much affection, at least among Skrulls. For a cousin to be a sister was a major endorsement.

And anyone who could earn such from Lillith was well worth meeting for her own sake. He patted his friend's arm and offered her a smile to lighten his tone. "I will continue to behave."

Re: Xavin and Lillith (and Zahra)

[st_rangepalette]

"You need not," Lillith teased in an unusually open display of her mischievous side. "Zahra certainly will not."

She wondered if she ought to warn Xavin that Zahra would be very interested in whether they were sexually involved and decided against. However, she did think it only fair to say, "Do watch out for her tail. She has been known to pat a firm tush with it."