The Wedding of Juniper Fae and Nicklaus Burison

[Nicklaus Burison]

Already joined by the ribboned crowns, Nicklaus and Juniper clasped hands as well. A moment after their fingers touched, the glowing tendrils of ink leapt from one hand to the other, racing up Juniper's arm to her shoulder. The pattern became more visible under her lighter dress, a parallel to the one on Nicklaus arm. At first, the shape on her shoulder was round and petaled, a burning rose with golden vines, but as it cooled, it darkened to a red bloom with green thorns.

While their hands remained joined, the brambles flowed continuously from one to the other, shifting fluidly to remain connected. When they parted, the vines retreated up both arms... a portion of the sentient ink remaining within Juniper, taking up residence in the other half of its creator.

[Juniper]

She blinked a few times feeling almost a tickling sensation, to which she did let a soft giggle. The sensation allowed for her wings to appear in a light flickering light. It seemed appropriate, no reason hide any part of herself, she carefully folded down her fiery wings, then took back her hand looking to Mallory realizing that they'd both been lost in their words, vows and had eyes for only each other for, while only for a few moments, had felt much longer. She awaited Mallory's next words and instructions.

[Mallory]

Mallory gestured to Roni and Mist, welcoming them forward to deliver the rings to the bride and groom. Once Juniper had hers from Roni, the witch smiled and stated: "Repeat after me. I give you this ring... as a symbol of the unending circle of our love... and the vows I have made to you today... and for always." She watched as Juniper slid a ring onto Nicklaus' finger...



...and turned to repeat the same to Nicklaus: "Repeat after me. I give you this ring... as a symbol of the unending circle of our love... and the vows I have made to you today... and for always."

Tears dampened her eyes as she watched Nicklaus place the ring on Juniper's finger, but she kept her composure, turning to the guests with open hands: "It is my honor to present you, Juniper and Nicklaus Burison! Juniper, Nicklaus, you may now kiss in celebration of your love!"

[Nicklaus Burison]

Without heed for the flaming wings, Nicklaus wrapped his arms around Juniper and hefted her up, leaving space for the belly between them. They met at his head height, her arms around his shoulders for added support, her legs hanging in midair. They kissed hard, to the applause of the assembled guests.

[Juniper]

She let out a chirped laugh as he picked her up, meeting his lips and kissed back happily use to letting her legs dangle when she did fly but she hadn't been up in the air since getting pregnant mostly to be safe. Though she was happy to have him lifting her up and after a few moments lost in the kiss, she'd lean her forehead against his for a moment before blushing and looking out at their guests with a grin.

[Nicklaus Burison]

Nicklaus set Juniper down more carefully. Holding hands, they turned to address the guests.

Nicklaus announced, "Thank you all for sharing this moment with us. Your friendship and support got us here, and we can only repay a portion of that generosity. Since we have no idea how long we've been standing here, or the time, it's safer to assume that others will be arriving soon for the reception. So, please follow us out to the tables, find your seats, and then help yourselves to drinks and food. We bought a lot; please eat it!"

After a pause for reaction, Nicklaus added, "We'll take a while to get settled, then interrupt you with speeches and cake and so forth."

At a squeeze and nudge from Juniper, he stopped and nodded. The newlywed couple stepped out from the canopy, still joined by hand and by their ribboned crowns. They led the wedding party out, side by side, down the petaled aisle and out into the central glade.

[Mist Gul]

Mist handed off the ring when it was needed and watched with a quiet smile settled on his usually impassive features, his eyes wet and shining bright. There were memories that he pushed aside because it was well past time to make new ones.

Finally, he nudged Roni and took her arm, trailing after the happy couple.

[Eden Parker]

Never one to miss a party, Eden was happy to join in the festivities celebrating Juniper and Nicklaus!



She had brought a gift as well, leaving a small wrapped package on the gifts table. While she hadn't had time to make a proper love quilt, as was the tradition of her people, inside the box was a small, white, baby-sized quilt, featuring a design of faerie wings made from quilted odds and ends of green and purple fabrics, edged in a silvery looping pattern.

[Nicklaus Burison]

After the wedding, the reception opened in fine style, the satyrs playing light airs to set the mood but avoid drowning out conversation, the bar flowing with free drinks, and the food steadily disappearing. After a time, the bride and groom returned to the clearing, having disappeared for pictures. They shared conversation with guests, then after an hour, Nicklaus called for toasts.

Mist had barely finished his remarks when a rumble shook the air. The guests looked at the skies; rain hadn't been predicted. The trees rustled in the east. Finally, the shaking and thumping resolved into a clearer sound: a host of booted footsteps, preceded by Mallory's three-headed hellhound, on the retreat from something it couldn't fight.

The intruders were soon spotted, pushing their way between the trees, bodies wider than the ancient trunks: a troop of giants, at least a dozen, led by a half-giantess, a woman as tall as Nicklaus but crowned with long blonde hair.

Bidding the guests be calm and stand back, Nicklaus went to greet these uninvited guests. The woman taunted him, calling him "Little Nicky" and asking why he had not returned home. In response, Nicklaus identified her as his half-sister, Gerda, another from the same giant Father. While Nicklaus tried to encourage the giants to join the celebration peacefully, they responded with mockery to the news of his wedding, calling him a deserter and traitor. Gerda demanded that he return home, but since he was married, he would have to bring Juniper with him. "Don't worry about the child; we can always use another strong thrall."

This remark infuriated Juniper, who came to stand beside her husband, wings blazing. Several among the guests readied magic, to defend themselves, the guests, and the newlyweds. Still, Nicklaus tried to make peace, telling the giants to return if they would not stay as guests. Gerda insisted, saying that their Father had ordered her to bring him back, or else there would be dire punishment for them both. Stuck between the same fears, the siblings were forced into battle. Gerda ordered the giants to attack anyone who defended Nicklaus or Juniper.

Most guests, having backed away into the forest beforehand, were able to flee or find cover. Many were transported away by magic. Only a few stood to fight directly. Mist pushed Juniper through a portal into his cave home, before the first spear flew to impale Mallory.

Nicklaus stood against his sister, after trying and failing to challenge her one-on-one. Instead, two other giants joined her to surround their target. The defenders began to pick off giant after giant with magic, while suffering their own injuries in return.

When she realized that Juniper had escaped, Gerda ordered the remaining giants to collect Nicklaus. Her brother had fallen after several hits to the head, from fists and the flat of her axe. That desperate effort was defeated as the two nearest giants fell to spells and firebombs [the reason bottles of Firefae Mead have a warning label saying "DO NOT SHAKE IN BOTTLE."] Nicklaus muttered from the ground, revoking his sister's guest-right and all protections of family, as she had violated his offer of hospitality.

Finally, her troops all dead or badly wounded, Gerda realized that she was defeated. She dropped her weapon and backed into the forest, still issuing threats: Nicklaus had betrayed his family, and could no longer return home, except to die. Nicklaus replied that family did not keep a son as a slave; his wife, his child, and the friends who fought for his freedom were already more family than he ever had in Myrkheim.

The few surviving giants retreated with their leader, leaving a few corpses scattered about the glade. No citizens of RhyDin had died, though several defenders were still badly wounded. Those who remained healed one another, some excusing themselves to other duties.

Nicklaus apologized to anyone who would listen, for not heeding the omens that warned of trouble on that day, for failing to turn away the fight, and for needing their rescue. No one would accept, of course, as no apologies were needed.

Mist brought back Juniper, who healed Nicklaus' wounds and persuaded him to leave the glade. They bundled up the surviving food - including the cake, which was still miraculously standing - and adjourned to the Perch. Nicklaus would have to send someone to bury his dead cousins, but his bride had the strongest claim on his attention. She deserved his company and their joy on that day. The dead could have whatever care he could buy.

[Nicklaus Burison]

OOC notes: For those who attended the wedding or reception, feel free to post here concerning your arrival, appearance, and activities during the ceremony and/or the first hour of the reception, before the 'incident'. You can also describe your reactions to the attack, including any combat. Please, however, limit any casualties to just one giant apiece. There were only about twelve there to begin with, and the players on Discord each took care of one or two, already!

[PrlUnicorn]

Unable to attend the ceremony, Colleen sent a handmade king sized quilt made in a wedding ring pattern. Her stitchery signature, placed in the lower left hand corner of the quilt, was a rearing unicorn.

[Jackie Von Tombs]

Jackie's delivery service ended up outside of Juniper and Nicklaus's home. She toted in a few wedding and baby gifts: Of course, an Instant Pot and accessories. A large green, gold, and brown crocheted afghan. Two crocheted baby layettes, one in pink and ruffly, the other in fall colors, with blankets, dresses, bonnets, booties, mitts, and baby bags (one a pumpkin, of course). A fluffy light brown teddy bear came along for the ride. And finally, a small bookcase, tole painted with flowers and leaves, half filled with several favorite bedtime story books.

Jackie would cheerfully hang around to show them how to use the Instant Pot, and would even make a chicken stew and dumplings dinner before hopping back into her Dad's big green Chevy panel van and continue on her way.