The Wedding of Juniper Fae and Nicklaus Burison

[Nicklaus Burison]

Join Juniper Fae and Nicklaus Burison as they are joined in matrimony!

After many a delay, the invitations are finally out, the plans are set, and Juniper and Nicklaus are set to wed on Sunday, September 15th. The ceremony will be a small, private affair, but the reception is open to many. Come help the newlyweds celebrate their first meeting, their union, and their future together. The location is a small glade deep in the forest north of New Haven, the site of the couple's first encounter, soon after each arrived in RhyDin. The wedding will be conducted under a canopy beneath the ancient trees; the reception will follow in a decorated glade nearby.

• We will post the wedding ceremony/scene here, in the forum, through the week. If your character has a close connection to either Juniper or Nicklaus, then you would have received an invitation 4-6 weeks ago and may add to that part of the story.
• The reception will follow on Sunday, September 15th, both here in the forum and as a live role-play scene on Discord, in the_wilds starting at 6:00 pm EST and running until 10:00 pm EST. If you think your character would likely have an invitation, then they do! Patrons of the Unifier Brewing Company, fellow guests at the Golden Perch, and other extended friends are all welcome.
• ADVANCE WARNING! The reception will be interrupted at some point by a storyline event. Specifically, some uninvited spoilers will show up - having missed their chance to "object to this union" - and cause trouble. Expect a brawl. The specifics will be posted here as the event happens during Discord play. You are welcome to join the fight, stand back out of harm's way, or even excuse yourself at that point; no one will be dragged into danger unwillingly.
• Last, our apologies for the short notice. Real-life interference pushed back the date several times, but once we had an open day to play, we grabbed it.

[Nicklaus Burison]

Nicklaus had done his best to make sure everything was ready… everything he was responsible for, anyway… before the actual wedding date. Plans, as they say, amuse the fates. He was still on the phone with the caterer while trying to assemble his suit. He’d learned how to use a cell phone, power tools, and even a little sorcery in the past year (not to mention, indoor plumbing), but the Windsor knot was still a challenge. The tailor had not been generous with his vest. Did the makers of those shoes not realize how far he’d have to bend to tie them? Given the foot size, they should have guessed. Eventually, he got suit, supper, and sanity sorted. The site was already decorated. The important guests were on their way. All that was left was to actually get married. The easy part, right?



He couldn’t resist checking the site, one more time before the hour rolled around. He tapped the ring box in his pocket… that was supposed to go to Mist as his “best man”, he remembered… double-checked the lock on the brewery door, flipped over the sign to Closed, and scribed “OUR FAVORITE PLACE” with a finger on the post of the enchanted archway he’d added to the building. The space within the arch wavered like heat shimmer, and Nicklaus stepped through, hoping the landing wouldn’t damage his formalwear.

[Juniper]

To the back of the set up, a tall weeping willow had been encouraged to grow, its long sweeping branches draping to the ground in thick curtains. The tree was also doing something out of character: it was blooming light lavender flowers on the outside curtain for others to see. Under the curtains, a small dressing area had been set up, with a small coat rack brought in for her dress and a small vanity set up for her to comb her hair, with various little jars of rouge and some light lavender shades for eyeshadow, along with other hair and make-up supplies. It was nothing too much, because Juniper wasn’t the type to wear much make-up to begin with. The chair was forgotten, and her footsteps led her back and forth in a nervous pace around the moss that lined the ground beneath the tree, thanks to Juniper’s magic. Inara wasn’t making her nervous stomach any better as she kicked and tumbled like a drier. The child-to-be seemed as excited and nervous as her mommy. Juniper was already dressed and was combing her hair, deciding to allow it to be natural with its slight bounce as it hung down just past her shoulders. She bit her lip as she moved towards the draping branches and carefully pulled them aside to peek around, noticing all the details Nicklaus had poured into the wedding. Moving away towards the small box sitting on the vanity, she would open it, looking again at the large wedding band she had picked out for Nicklaus and smiling, hoping he’d like it.

[Nicklaus Burison]

Nicklaus was fortunate to emerge only three feet in midair and upright, managing a superhero landing that only lightly scuffed one knee. Better a little high than halfway up a tree or halfway under the lake! He was also solidly within the glade they’d chosen for the venue. Midday sun speared through the gaps in the ancient canopy and flocks of birds - just starting to group together to discuss migration - were providing a premature chorale. The actual musicians were less punctual. You’d think satyrs would blaze a trail through an open forest, but then again, there were plenty of distractions to slow them down. Nicklaus wasn’t too worried. They’d show up for certain once Ritz opened the free bar... almost entirely stocked with UBC products, because why not?




Speaking of which… Nicklaus turned a slow pan, ticking off the checklist in his head, the habit of a half-century’s experience keeping an inn. The decorators had already come and gone, draping tulle and additional greenery in acceptable harmony with the existing natural contours. The canopy looked like it had grown in place and had been blooming there for centuries already… the advantages of magical landscaping. Arrayed before it were a few ranks of chairs, then a scattering of tables further back, draped in cloths that mimicked old moss and surrounded with more chairs for the reception guests. A netting over the tables prevented leaves or twigs from dropping down, plus it provided a framework for hanging "faerie lights", whose luminescence would become more noticeable as the dusk fell. Each table was prepared with gifts from Nicklaus' hand: growler handles for the adults and carved wooden toys for the children.




At the back, a larger table waited for the joined bride and groom to take their places of honor. It might be a little nerve-wracking to sit as the center of attention, especially to speak publicly, but as customs went, it wasn’t the worst. Nicklaus was just glad this culture didn’t require a gathering of friends and family around the conjugal bed. Not that that part was especially necessary, in this case...

Finally, Nicklaus spotted the caterers pulling up. The wild setting required them to bring a portable kitchen, but he and Juniper hadn’t been too demanding on the menu. Mostly, the guests could look forward to fresh, sliced, raw fruits and vegetables, breads, and a few cured meats… though in a nod to his own heritage, Nicklaus had made certain that the caterers properly charred several roasts from The Matadero Carnicería, for the carnivores among their guests. Finally, a trail of gleaming tarts wound between towers of assorted pastries to the meal's crown jewel, the wedding cake, all delivered from Bak'd.





Was there anything else? Just the guests… and the bride. Nick had to trust they’d arrive on their own, without his intervention. Until his own attendants came to drag him away, he’d be behind the bar, checking stock, setting taps, maybe even allowing himself a glass beforehand. You know, to steady the nerves.

[Nicklaus Burison]

[posted on behalf of the players]

It was an important day, an important ceremony. Mist prepared for that accordingly, absently smiling at himself in the mirror now and then. He remembered. He’d been so nervous, and so excited and …

Shaking his head, Mist let the memories pass by. He braided his hair in a few elegant loops, adding a few bits of jewelry, silver chains with pale green crystals. Dark green trousers, with a lighter green tunic set off the elf’s blond hair and gold eyes well. He tossed a robe of darker green silk, embroidered with leaves at the hems and cuffs, over all, and finally eyed his jewelry box.

Finally, he picked out a simple mithril circlet and set it onto his brow. It was the only thing left of his previous life, the last contact to a world he scarce recalled, his only reminder of what he had been. It was fitting to wear it, out of respect, if nothing else.

Finally, smoothing himself out, he stepped from his room to call for Amaris. He hadn’t picked out her clothing, and let her choose, but it was hard for him. She was certainly old enough to decide what she would wear even to a wedding, and if she wanted to go or not.

Amaris shook her head. “I wanna stay home please?” She had her ears and tail showing and other ailments. She just wanted to curl up and sleep, wolf form or otherwise. “Bring me home some food?”

“Very well. I’m sure there will be cake, at the least,” he assured her with a chuckle, leaning to kiss her brow, “Call me if you need me.” He added before turning for the door. Very well. I’m sure there will be cake, at the least,” Mist assured her with a chuckle, leaning to kiss her brow.

...

Arriving soon after at the wedding glade, he took a long moment to admire the wonder of nature, a slight smile of delight playing at his lips, his hands spreading as if to welcome it to himself. He turned a few times, then picked out Nicklaus.

“Are you ready?” he asked, a soft tone of humor to his voice as he walked to meet the man, “Are you nervous?”

Silly questions, really, but they had to be asked, it was some sort of a tradition.

“We’ll have to go off so you don’t see the bride when she arrives, too,” he added, amused, “Is there dressing rooms, or just a clearings for the bride and groom…?”

[Nicklaus Burison]

In response to Mist's questions, Nicklaus waved his empty glass at the bar.

"I've checked everything. Twice. Yes, I'm doing my best to stay calm." His disquiet, though, wasn't giddy anticipation or twitching hesitation. His expression looked drawn, like someone who was expecting disaster but couldn't track down its source.

Nicklaus pointed across the glade to where a mighty willow spilled more densely than normal. "That's Juniper's room. I think she's just waiting on her 'ladies' to pronounce her ready to begin. I figure they'll tell me to get to the canopy then." He forced a grin. "I'm not worried about the officiant. I figure Mallory will just walk through a flaming gate at the last minute, ready to pronounce."

Reaching into his pocket, he produced the ring box. "I understand you give this back to me when it's time to give it to her." He handed over the treasure to Mist. "Anything else I should know? Any tests of my fitness? I assume we don't need a skull to smash at the end."

[Mallory]

It was not flaming, but an emerald-hued gate flashed open over a magic circle drawn into the soft earth that had not been there at all a moment ago. The witch stepped through, flanked by three sleek black hounds with red eyes, but with a quiet word and a few ear scritches, they padded off into the surrounding woods.



She wore a simple but elegant collarless suit, and her only jewelry was the obsidian Key of Earth that dangled from a vine studded with star-shaped purple flowers. A few more of the belladonna vines adorned her horns and hair, though they were a far cry from the crown.

There were others being crowned today, one of whom she noted by giving a sly wink to Nicklaus.

The gate snapped shut, and she folded her hands in front of her and proceeded past the weeping branches of the willow tree, across the glade to the front where Nicklaus and Juniper would be married. “Honored guests!” she called out in a clear voice that carried across the space, casting a warm smile to everyone she saw. “Please make your way to your seats, so that our friends Juniper and Nicklaus can begin their journey to their vows of love, and family.”

She patiently waited for the guests to assemble, smiling but giving no more greeting than a slow dip of her horned head, keeping silent for now. Once they were settled, she bowed her head to them all... then gave Nicklaus another sly look as she unfolded her hands and opened them in the direction of the willow tree, an invitation for the bride and groom to begin their procession down the path of petals laid out for them.

[Mist Gul]

"Don't panic," was Mist's helpful reply to Nicklaus's question, spoken with a lilt of laughter to his voice. He accepted the ring box, turning as Mallory and her pups arrived, bowing his head in greeting. As Mallory spoke, he nudged Nicklaus to get him moving.

"It's time," the elf murmured.

[Juniper]

Juniper turned towards the branches, taking a deep breath, whispering, "I'm ready to get married... to make it official." Just then, the music started, as if the satyrs knew she was ready.

https://youtu.be/0nqRXmWkyMY

At the swell of the song, the branches of the tree parted to reveal Juniper in her full glory, glowing with a bright smile as she took her first steps out onto the fresh petals below her feet. She moved down the aisle, most likely with Roni following her in the bridal processional. According to Nicklaus, the bride came down the aisle first, leading the rest to the altar. She stopped before Mallory and gave a bow of her head. "Queen of May." She grinned. She knew the title stood till next Beltane and was taking full advantage of it.

[Nicklaus Burison]

After Juniper came Roni, followed by Mist, followed by Nicklaus. The half-giant took a slow pace to avoid overtaking the others with his longer stride. They walked past a handful of witnesses, who stood as the bride came near and sat again as the groom passed.

For Nicklaus, the canopy was larger than normal, clearing nine feet of woven branches. The altar, though formed of a knot of living root-wood, was of more standard dimensions. Atop its flattened surface waited the remaining props for the ceremony: two simple crowns of beaten metal, one large and gold, one smaller and silver, plus a length of plaited ribbons, white and pink and mauve braided together.

The procession stopped under the canopy and before the altar, where Mallory waited.

[Mallory]

Mallory laughed softly at the greeting title from Juniper, and dipped her horned head slowly. The bonds of love, new life -- this was the meaning of Beltane, and it struck her that there was no better role for the May Queen than this. She raised her hands, first to honor the place of the ceremony, then the guests, then the bride and groom:

"We gather today in this glade, a circle of the forest, a place where creatures cross paths and stories have begun since the world was new. We gather as a circle of friends, flowing one into another with our loves and our hopes for the future of our bride and groom. We gather in the circle of love, formed by the bonds between Juniper and Nicklaus, flowing ever into one another, never ending, a wide and gentle river with room for family to grow."

There was a moment of a sly smile at Juniper, that passed to Nicklaus, before she looked back out at the guests.

"We witness today the marriage of Juniper and Nicklaus, strong from the circle of their own love, blessed by the circle of their friends, rooted in the circle that flows through time. It is their wish that we all be here to see it, and that they share their vows of love and the bonds of family before us all. The glade is sacred for its role in many stories, and sacred for the bonds of love they form here today. I crown them for their love, the bride and groom," she stated, placing one crown gently upon Juniper's head, then the other upon Nicklaus', bound by the ribbon stretching between them, "and thank the glade for providing us such a court."

She then dipped her horned head in deference to the pair of them: "Juniper, if you would begin with your vows, and then Nicklaus."

[Juniper]

Juniper stood before Mallory as those in attendance took their places, stealing a brief look at Nicklaus with a grin, before shifting her attention back to Mallory and listening to her comments of honor carefully. When Mallory commented about the family growing and gave her sly smile, Juniper blushed brightly, her hair falling forward to hide it just a bit... or blend into it depending on your perspective. She bowed her head, allowing easier access for Mallory to place the crown, not that she was tall like Nicklaus, who most likely had to bow down just a bit to receive his.
She bit her lip but nodded as she looked towards Nicklaus and took a deep breath

"That night back in October last year, I never expected to meet my match, let alone a half Giant... but it isn't how big you are that's so amazing. It's how you have filled my days since then with wonder, excitement, adventure, new experiences, and above all of that love, happiness, and acceptance. So many things that I didn't think I needed, didn't know I needed. I'm so very grateful for the advice of those friends who helped me figure out how to ask you out."

She chuckled softly, cheeks getting a little red as she remembered the women and men that had encouraged her to ask him out.

"Or your advice to me: 'If you are going to kiss a person, make sure they can return it properly, and preferably above water.'"

She laughed, remembering their first kiss over bobbing for apples and almost drowning him in surprise.

"My vow to you this day, sealed with the kiss to come, is that I will stand by your side no matter what and love you always. I will always be with you and will always be here to work through any hardships, whatever they may be. I gave you my heart long before this wedding, but tonight I will say it again officially, I give you my love, I give you my heart."

She let her gaze linger for a while as she spoke to him, the memories of all the wonderful and not so wonderful times up till this moment replaying in her head, how he stood by her side in the worst of times and the best and she swelled with a smile trying to keep tears from filling her eyes happy or otherwise.

[Nicklaus Burison]

Nicklaus did his best to listen quietly and soberly to Juniper's vows, but at her comment about the apple-bobbing, he couldn't help laughing along, loudly. The gleaming smile didn't leave his face as he heard the rest of her words. When she finished, he waited a moment before speaking. His expression relaxed, then grew serious. His words rumbled with meaning and power.

"About a year ago, in this place, I discovered three new things. I found a world that offered safety and a new start. I found a friend who was as lost as I, but helpful and trusting beyond any person I ever met before. And, I found beauty beyond my remotest imagination: the beauty of this forest, the beauty of people living to live, not to die... and the beauty of a woman who shone with three fires.

"One fire was not her own, and we extinguished it together. One fire was her true self, and she kept it burning despite centuries of loneliness and pain. One fire, we kindled together, our shared desire melting the bonds that held us separately and forging a future together.

"Her flame ignited mine. Her beauty inspired my craft, my hope, and my love. Her trust illuminated my shadowed spirit. For the first time in my life, I dared to desire. I thought of myself as worthy to create, to love... to exist by my own right.

"Now, we have loved. We have lived together. We have created: a business, a home, a child. I will give everything I have, everything I know, everything I am to defend these creations. Juniper, I give you everything: my heart, my hands, my spirit in trade.

"I accept your gifts. They are mine. You are mine. May what I give you in return be worthy of what you offer."

As he spoke, a light grew steadily brighter beneath his suit jacket, finally growing powerful enough to be seen through the fabric at its left shoulder, reddish-golden. A twining band of illuminated ink climbed down his arm and emerged from the shirt cuff, wrapping around his wrist and fingers, like a stream of molten metal or a vine of burning gold.

Nicklaus extended his hands to Juniper.

[Michelle Montoya]

Michelle was seated somewhere in the middle, between two people she didn't know. As the music started she stood and turned along with the others to watch the procession. She smiled as Juniper appeared, but what caught her most was the look of adoration in Nicklaus' eyes. When the procession took their places she, along with the rest of the audience, took their seats.

As Juniper gave her vows Michelle was reminded of her own vows, uttered in a similarily small ceremony years ago.

...I will stand by your side no matter what and love you always. I will always be with you and will always be here to work through any hardships, whatever they may be.

Her thoughts turned to Derrick and the hardships they had faced - and continued to face together. Watching Juniper and Nicklaus make vows of partnership, loyalty, fidelity and love warmed her heart. There was power in those vows.

[Juniper]

Entranced, Juniper eyes pulled away from Nicklaus' to slowly trace down his arm where the illuminated ink circled his wrist and fingers. Tentatively she reached out her hand not, so much in fear but stunned in wonder. She always loved how his tattoos danced across his skin but she'd never seen it so bright and illuminated. She placed her hand in his with all her trust and looked at the color one more time before looking up at him with a bright smile and wonder in her eyes, she murmured "You are already worthy without all that but I accept with all my heart."