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 Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 2:36 pm
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First Parchment To whom it may concern,
You have been invited to attend a celebration of the engagement (and subsequent marriage) of Hjortur & Kelebek at this most recent Venus Day. The event details are as follows:
Location: Conch Banquet Hall
Date: Xth day of Spring
Time: (approximately 5:00pm)
Please RSVP at your earliest convenience regarding your attendance with the enclosed form.
Dependents and significant others are encouraged to come. Unfortunately, due to local restrictions currently in effect, the venue cannot accommodate those of pure angel, demon, or fae descent at this time - we do thank you for your understanding.
We hope to see you there!
Warmest regards,
Hjortur & Kelebek
Second Parchment To the new bride and groom, I/We, _________________________ , am/are responding with intent to: [ __ ] Attend [ __ ] Not Attend I will be bringing a significant other: [ __ ] Yes [ __ ] No I will be bringing (a) dependent(s): [ __ ] Yes (How many? _______ ) [ __ ] No |
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 3:05 pm
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The little aqua fairies were all a'flight and a'swim, sending away many a parchment to those intended to receive them and promptly return their responses to the newlyweds. There was only so much time before the party, after all! For more than a few naiad, they would soon be greeted with little knocks and little rings, excitement about.
To her majesty, the Queen, & her consort
To the bride's parents, Sabah & Haluk
To the groom's parents, Vera & Snorri
To the bride's son, Anatolio
To the bride's grandson & granddaughter, Anxo & Mnemo
To the bride's grandson, Dysmas
To the bride's great-granddaughter, Pax
To the bride's great-granddaughter, Xoana
To the family of Zoran & Fraise
To the bride's daughter, Moana
To the bride and groom's children, Pearl & Autumn
To the bride and groom's grandchildren, Inci & Haust
To the groom's daughter, Pippin
To the groom's granddaughter, Adanac
To the groom's granddaughter, Alizarin
To the groom's daughter, Kerianna
To the groom's children, Daedalus & Calliope
To friend of the family, Tox Curie |
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2020 3:35 pm
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It was here, the big day.
Many letters had been sent, as many received in turn, in the weeks leading up to this celebration. Frankly, things had been seeming to be going swimmingly well. The music and food were in order, Hjortur had completed his transition to living outside of the palace walls for the first time in, well, quite a while actually. Not since Aeroniel had helped him gain meaningful employment - it'd been far too long since they'd last seen her. He hoped all was well. No matter! His things had been moved, his prior residence cleared, and frankly a good amount of clutter left behind from his children had been dealt with. Everything had been going so smoothly.
Had... THAT was the key word here.
Not a two days ago a certain pair of gifts, delivered on behalf of Eris and signed by her personally.
Quote: Little fish, did you really think I would let you get away scot free? P.S. Tell Kelebek hi for me.
So yeah, much in the same manner of his prior children, he'd quite literally had another pair just dropped at his doorstep. Kel hadn't believed him, but he was pretty sure this was how it often went for him - pregnancy was NOT a requirement. And honestly, children had been the last thing he'd had on his mind, what with it filled with the honeymoon phase of their cohabitation. It didn't help that the tadpoles... well... while their coloring clearly resembled the pair of them, they each held traits decidedly unlike either Kel of his own.
Kel was, quite naturally, pissed at their children having apparently been conceived through Eris' mischief. Happy to have them, yes, but mad at him. A rageful joy...?
Yeah, he'd been in cold water for a while now.
So what HAD been an engagement celebration was NOW an engagement celebration + child announcement. Yeah... This was going to go over SO well with the rest of her family. Alu please let this go well. Looking over towards his lovely wife, he ran a hand through his hair before swimming over. "Are they still hiding in your hair?"
Sindri was, in fact, still swimming about in his mother's hair. It was his favorite thing to do.
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Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2020 11:59 am
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Kelebek couldn't adequately describe her emotions if someone had asked her. On the one fin, she was over the moon about their marriage. She knew that weddings weren't typical among their kind, but for Hjortur to signal his devotion to her in this way? To go above and beyond like this? All for her? She couldn't be happier. She hadn't stopped smiling since they'd returned from Venus Day.
Well, she'd stopped smiling once.
Her blissed-out state had turned to shock when their little tadpoles were delivered. This...wasn't how it had happened last time, but she couldn't help but feel a little sick to her stomach. Children weren't supposed to be accidental. Of course, she knew the very instant she saw Kadri and Sindri that they were theirs, but Hjortur had seemed....a little hesitant. Of course it was hard for the fathers, it always was, but how could he not feel the connection? Kelebek spent the next two days alternately planning for their big celebration, taking care of the children, and checking to make sure Hjortur was still OK. She knew, of course, that he wouldn't leave her now, after all this, but the children....they brought up memories. Not to mention feelings and anxieties she thought were gone forever. She'd had a hard time talking with Hjortur these last few days, and she worried she was coming off as cold.
Today, the day of their party, Kelebek was choosing to focus on joy. She was noticing all the little ways Kadri and Sindri even behaved like her and Hjortur, and rejoicing at how easy it was to slip back into the routine of motherhood. It felt good to have babies in her hair again. In fact, that's where they were now, when Hjortur swam over.
"Mm," she agreed with a nod, then a slight grimace as she reached up to pull Kadri off of her earfin, where he'd been chewing. "Not mama's ears, darling," she said, then gave him a boop on the nose and put him back next to his brother.
Kelebek, too, was anxious about what her family would think of all this. Her family was so important to her, and she saw some of them so infrequently anymore...she didn't want to give anyone a reason to visit less often. She didn't want Toli, Moana, or Zoran to feel that they were less important, now that she had another man in her life. They were adults now. They had to understand that it was never going to work between her and their father, and she hoped they'd be happy now that both their parents had found love. But she knew better than anyone that emotions were funny things. And especially with the addition of babies....she hoped they didn't feel replaced.
She put on a smile. "Everything ready? Our family should be arriving soon."
Kadri babbled his disappointment and set about to chewing on Sindri's ear instead.
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Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2020 12:48 pm
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Hjortur smirked lightly at the bad habit Kadri had already picked up, voicing his thoughts allowed as they came to him, "Who do you suppose he takes after regarding that little bit?" He followed it with a laugh... but it may have come off as a bit forced.
Alu help him he REALLY wanted this to go well. He already felt awkward enough around most of Kel's family... and they'd even gone so far as to invite her ex. Sure, he was with the Queen now, and of course they couldn't forget to invite her, but knowing that didn't do much to resolve the inferiority complex. Running his hand through his hair once more, he glanced around. Music was ready to go (thank you colleagues), catering was set out and looked quite appealing, the decorations were set... If he'd a watch, he'd be checking to see how much longer until the guests were expected.
"Unless something is happening that they've kept from us, it appears we are good to go." He offered a smile before moving to wrap an arm around her shoulder. "Yes. Everything will be fine." Was he saying that for her sake, or for his own? Probably a bit of both. "Who do you expect to be the first ones to arrive?" He was expecting their parents.
Now the target of Kadri's teething, Sindri was decidedly NOT HAPPY and started to angrily babble back at his brother, along with little tail slaps that he clearly believed to be harder than they were.
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Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2020 7:06 pm
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Invitation in hand, the Naiad queen and her consort slipped into the banquet hall unannounced. Today they were low key. She held a small package wrapped in silver leaf behind her back as she slowly glided towards Hjotur. "Hello. Thank you for the invitation. I'm surprised to have been invited, but glad nonetheless." Tariel nodded her head smiled.
"Oh! I brought this for you," The queen presented the package. "I had the palace historian do some research and work with Tua to trace as much family lineage as I could. A design was created and I present to you, the official Sular Family Seal." Tariel held it towards Kelebek. It was a peace offering from the queen, as well as a token of her nobility.
"I'm happy for you, Kelebek..." Tariel stopped when she noticed the little tadpoles playing in Kel's hair. It stung, a bit. A lot. Kel had Turin's first children, and now she has babies when Tari's were taken away. Jealousy still lingered. "Oh, when did this happen?" She asked while waving to the young ones. They were a little curious looking, but most Naiads were these days.
"They're absolutely adorable! Are they electric?" She said as put her hand up towards one. "They look just like you!" She bit her jealousy down hard. Now was not the time. This wasn't about her. Her voice hitched a tiny bit as she told them how blessed they have been by the Waters. "I'm happy for you both."
Menelie Tua is Tari's Mellon that helped teach her about the island modern history.
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Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2020 2:33 pm
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"Either my mother or yours, busybodies that they are," quipped Kelebek with a bit of a chuckle. "They'll want t watch everyone else arrive. As she said this, however, her heart nearly stopped at who actually had arrived first.
She inhaled a deep breath and held it a moment, releasing it slowly just before the Queen and her Consort were within earshot. "Queen Tariel!" Kelebek exclaimed with what she hoped sounded like delight (in reality it was more surprise and shock). "Thank you so much for coming, my Queen, we know how busy you must be." She smiled warmly and tried hard not to look at Turin.
Blessedly, the Queen made it easier by giving her something else to focus on. Kelebek truly hadn't expected to receive gifts at all, much less something this personal. "Th-thank you," she stammered. This wasn't something she'd thought about in...such a long time. It had been a long time since they'd lost their ancestral home, but she'd been old enough to remember. "This is wonderful," she said, holding it to her chest. "It will hang in a place of honor in our home."
Oh dear. The children. Kelebek blushed and pulled Kadri and Sindri out of her hair--and just as well, they were beginning to fight. "Kadri and Sindri," she presented them. "A, er, surprise from a party we attended recently." Kelebek retained her composure as best she could. Having lived with it for so long, she recognized jealousy when she saw it. Her heart ached--the Queen must miss her daughters terribly. She was a bit at a loss for words, but again the Queen saved her.
Were they electric? "Goodness, I certainly hope not," she replied with a bit of a giggle. "I suppose he does look a bit like an eel, doesn't he?" She tickled Kadri's tail affectionately.
Kadri regarded the offered hand and went to gnaw on it before being swept away by his mother. He babbled his disappointment again.
At this point, Kelebek couldn't ignore Turin any more without being rude. She turned her attention to him and offered a smile. "Thank you for coming," she said softly. "It means a lot."
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Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2020 2:58 pm
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 Beltan had been plenty shocked by many of the events that took place on this year's Venus Day. It was a lot to process and the passage of time didn't seem to make it any easier to come to grips with. So, when the invitation arrived for both him and Quetzal to attend the union of Hjortur and Kelebek, he was shocked anew, reminded that he had witnessed the proposal from a distance.
Beltan had filled the RSVP card out very carefully. Of course they were going to attend. At the 'significant other' portion he hesitated, though. He seriously doubted that Hjor and Kel were aware that Xoana had asked him out on an actual date date; if they were, he surely would have, at the very least, been treated to a lecture of the ages. Besides, that whole situation was a mixed bag of awkwardness and confusion for him. Xoana was lovely, had handled herself well under pressure, and had very much endeared herself to him when she'd dropped the fine court lady facade and shouted in frustration within Eris' maze. He was very much out of his depth. Settling for marking the parchment in such a way that it could be interpreted as either yes or no and figuring that Xoana would receive an invitation of her own, Beltan moved on to the next portion.
That part was easy: yes, 1. Sometime in the interim, Quetzal had hit a growth spurt and now he sat poised on the edge of adulthood. Physically, he hovered behind and slightly to the side of Beltan, reading over his parent's shoulder.
"Nuncle Hjor and Auntie Kel are getting married?!" he said with surprised delight. They'd been circling that particular milestone since as long as he could remember and, like his father, he similarly thought it was about time. Watching his father fill out the form, he made no comment at how he answered the second question, but smiled a little bit all the same. Quetzal approved of Xoana and honestly thought she was exactly what his dad needed. Great Waters but he was dense. He had already been oblivious to his effect on females. Add to that that Beltan took fatherhood and guard duty very seriously and you got a naiad who had never actually experienced romance. "So, what should we bring for a gift?"
~~~~~
Beltan liked to be punctual so he had aimed for he and Queztal to arrive early. What he did not expect was to arrive before almost everyone except the Queen and Consort. And, unless he was very much mistaken, those darting movements in and around Kel's hair meant that marriage wasn't the only cause of celebration today. Loathe to interrupt what could potentially be a very uncomfortable situation, Beltan fell back on old habits and assumed a stance of relaxed attention to wait to be noticed or announced.
Following his father's lead, Quetzal mirrored Beltan's position, floating politely and quietly at the older male's side, holding a gift basket filled with knick knacks that they had picked out for the couple. Quetzal had never truly been in the Queen's or Consort's presence before. Previously, he had only seen them from afar and, frankly, he was awestruck. He knew his father guarded the Royal Body, but their social proximity to Royalty had never felt so real.
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Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2020 3:47 pm
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Relieved to note the hall was still empty, the Naiad Captain followed just a half a tail length behind the Queen upon entering. It was hard for the two of them to exactly keep things low key, given who they were as well as recent events, but today wasn't about them. Arriving early and quietly had seemed like the best option in order for them to make an appearance and offer their congratulations before finding someplace out of the way to retreat to for the event.
After greeting the couple, he left Tariel to speak with Kelebek about the gift while he turned to Hjortur. He offered his hand for a firm, hearty handshake. "Congratulations to you both. Kelebek has a lot of love to give, and I'm glad she's found someone that makes her happy that can return that love in kind." He meant that, he really did. For all the awkwardness in the water given their history, he wished only the best for Kelebek. Though he could never love her as she had loved him, he did care deeply for her and about her. Seeing her happy now put his mind at ease.
Or it did, until a sudden strange feeling washed over him, as if his stomach had just flipped...
He turned to look toward the ladies and his eyes widened slightly at the sight of the two little tots. Oh...oh no. He released Hjortur's hand quickly (perhaps previously gripping a bit more firmly than necessary) to turn fully towards Kelebek and Tariel. He moved closer to see the children, discretely placing his hand on Tariel's back. Calm. It's okay. Just a moment. Whether he hoped to calm Tariel or his own twisting stomach, he wasn't sure, but he kept his expression clear of his inner turmoil. With a smile, he quipped, "Look at them! They're precious!"
He met Kelebek's eyes for the first time since arriving and responded with a gentle nod. "Of course. I'm glad you've found someone that makes you so happy, Kel. Blessings of the Water on you both...err, on you all," he corrected quickly with a chuckle. A faint movement in the current caused him to glance back and take notice of the perfect excuse to break away. "We should stop holding up the line; it seems you have more guests to welcome. Congratulations again!" With that, he lightly pressed his hand to Tariel's back to urge her away, reaching for one of her hands with his other.
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Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2020 3:47 pm
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Of course the Youngers couldn't miss out on this occasion - why, Daedalus had an inkling he was at least tangentially involved in what had happened anyways. And more than that, this was a celebration! They absolutely adored celebrations, it was kind of their mother's thing. Like, actually what she was known for - Goddess of Celebrations.
Plus, it was a fun excuse to come hang out with the family, and mentioning the band was all it took to catch Calliope's interest. She could have a bit of a singular-track mind at times, but music was the easiest way to catch her attention. Just one sentence, "I hear they'll have a band - I imagine you could join them," was all it'd taken.
Swimming in the proper way, the male twin looked around before a little smirk brushed upon his features - hey, he knew that naiad! Didn't know he had a kid... but most had one, yeah? Oh he hoped he'd enjoyed the party... after the whole Eris bit, of course. A little adrenaline is good for the senses though, yeah? Maybe? Offering a wave to his sister as she immediately went to check out the music, he swam right up behind Beltan. Arms behind his back, he grinned as he spoke up, "So, did you have fun this year~?"
Glancing away, he wondered if his cousin would be showing up as well.
Lyre in hand, Calliope had only one reason for being here. Glancing over at her father and now-stepmother, she offered a casual wave before swimming off to the band.
Taking a seat - or otherwise resting near the band - she closed her eyes, her head nodding, as she took in the melodies of the ensemble. The then reached up to pluck a few notes from her lyre.
Yes, yes... Just like this.
Softly, her notes began to intertwine with the rest, not overpowering the original piece, but rather harmonizing while it took the forefront. Slowly, the room would begin to appear to be filled with semi-translucent ocean fish and creatures, swimming in schools around the guests.
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Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2020 4:12 pm
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Hjortur rolled his eyes at Kel's comment - yeah, both their parents were just that type. Little did he realize that he, too, fell into the busybody category regarding his own children.
His eyes glanced over as Kel took notice of someone, releasing his grip from her shoulder as he identified those someones as Tariel and Turin. He tried to smile brightly - the result being a somewhat awkward, boyish grin - for the pair as they approached. "Of course - I am so happy you two could make it." He'd hadn't expected them this soon though. Internally bracing himself, he returned the handshake in turn, putting in more strength than normal to try to appear to be on equal footing (fins?).
But damn did that sting - did Turin really have to grip him that tightly?
"Thank you....?!" his voice may have hitched a bit higher than normal as his hand was suddenly caught in a vice grip before the Captain moved on. Glancing over, it took all his self control to not nurse his pulsing palm and to maintain something reminiscent of a smile rather than a glare. Guess he hadn't been able to measure up as being good enough for Kel in Turin's eyes, after all - don't worry, Hjortur got that he wasn't as good as the captain, but it stung to have it reiterated right at this moment.
He nodded as he added to Kel's statement from his position, "They appeared about two nights ago..." before promptly shutting up after catching her immediate glare.
Yeah. This was going to go SO great... Who's idea was it to throw a celebration again? What an idiot.
Sindri made angry grabby hands as he was pulled from his brother, evidently not finished with his fight. Huffing, he glanced over and seemed to freeze up upon noticing the strangers in front of him.
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Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2020 7:56 pm
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Only training and ingrained habit had kept Beltan from committing any serious breaches of etiquette like badly startling or releasing a string of surprised and colorful obscenities. Instead, he calmly turned to Daedalus and gave the Younger an almost bow appropriate to his station. He knew of Daedalus, but he didn't know him so he kept his expression neutral and his tone polite. "As far as celebrations go, it ended quite a bit better than it began. Still head-turning to say the least," he responded with a smile, then reached out to place a hand on Quetzal's shoulder, presenting him. "Daedalus, my son Quetzal. Quetzal, Hjortur's son Daedalus."
Though Beltan had tried to school Quetzal to follow in his wake, the coatl simply wasn't suited to guard duty or the stoicism that went with it and so, unlike his father, he had jumped at the sudden disembodied voice with an undignified squawk and nearly fumbled the gift basket, bobbling it once or twice before he secured it in his hands once again. At the touch on his shoulder, he glanced up at Beltan and then looked to Daedalus, bobbing his head and awkwardly wiggling the fingers of one hand to 'wave' around the basket in his arms. "Hullo, nice to meet you," he said, with none of the courtly formality, but a whole lot of excitable good cheer. Quetzal knew Hjortur and Kelebek weren't actually his blood relatives, but they were as good as and he was thrilled to meet more of his 'extended' family.
Daisicle Quetzal is the glue that binds them~
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Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2020 9:36 am
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Anatolio had been simultaneously excited for and dreading this moment. He knew it was coming, of course--he visited Mama often enough, and Hjortur was all she talked about. And Toli was happy for them. Truly. He wasn't the most perceptive of Naiads, but the difference Hjortur made in his mother's whole outlook...you could feel it in the water. And Hjortur was a whole lot of fun, which...Waters knew they needed more of in their family.
But Toli couldn't help but be a little jealous of all that happiness and fun, when his life was work and loneliness. Especially when his own shot at companionship had been dashed. He thought often of Trager, and fondly. He wished things could have ended differently. That is, until recently. After several halfhearted attempts at dating, something had finally clicked. Lala was sweet, thoughtful, and he enjoyed her company immensely. And he'd been thrilled when she'd accepted his invitation to be his "plus one" for this event. It would certainly make the occasion much more joyful.
They'd arrived right after the Queen and Father had, but hung back. Toli did feel a little pang seeing Mama and Father speaking to one another--the little boy in him who wished his parents had stayed together--but it quickly faded. They were both happy this way, and that was the important thing. He checked in on Lala--getting introduced to his family was a big step in their budding relationship, and he hadn't wanted to take things too quickly.
"Are you ready?" he asked her as the Queen and Father moved on, doubtless to find some quiet corner of the room where they wouldn't be noticed. He offered his arm encouragingly.
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