Wedding Discussion

Posted on Mon Sep 12th, 2022 @ 8:33pm by Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece] & Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson

Mission: Season 5: Time Warp
Location: Captain's Cabin
Timeline: 10/6/2397
2675 words - 5.4 OF Standard Post Measure

“No Mother”

“Penelope! You have to at least consider SOME of the traditions, while I grant you, there is no temple of the six here and you are living in sin, in the eyes of the gods…” Kiana spoke.

“No Mother” Phoenix replied. “I am planning my wedding my way.”

“Oh? And how would that happen in YOUR way?” Kiana asked coldly.

Phoenix looked at her. “I am going to hold it at the Ranch.”

The Ranch. Kiana wanted to screw her nose up. She loved the house in Colorado that Phoenix owned, and then there was the house they had hidden in, Phoenix would never use for such matters,as it would remain the family bolt hole but the Ranch was different. Set in the mountains, it was a large 36.53 private acres surrounded by pristine National Forest Service land to the west and Glacier National Park to the East with approx. quarter mile of the North Fork of the Flathead River known for its exceptional fly fishing bordering the ranch. Phoenix and Kyian had brought it shortly after the twins were born and Kyian had been doing it up.

“Why the Ranch?” Kiana asked.

“Kyian believes it is perfect for the wedding and with the cabins he is adding to, the guests can stay there or return to their quarters.”

Kyian was turning the ranch into a holiday place, and he was enjoying it because he could relax and be himself there. Phoenix was a ‘silent’ partner in the Ranch. There were two houses there, one for Kyian and one for Penelope and her family. When Miran was ready, Kiana knew there was more than enough room for her to have her own place.

"And if you hold it at the Ranch what form will the ceremony take?" Kiana asked crossing her arms.

"Mother, I am finally marrying Mattias and I am going to have a party. A party for family and friends, where my sister can dance with who ever she pleases and not worry about men looking at her like a piece of meat. I am going to ask a friend to perform the ceremony, it will be a simple human ceremony with my sister as my attendant and then, a party under the stars."

Kiana had to glare now. "A priest of the six.."

"No mother. And any priest would be on Father and Pallas's sides."

"Human ceremonies have a father to give the bride away. Who will do that?" Kiana asked.

Phoenix shrugged. "Not sure, I will figure it out or ask Kyian to do it."

Kiana knew better than to suggest even contacting her husband, not that she ever would. Both women knew what awaited them, Kyian and Miran on Erisia if the High Lord and his eldest son ever got their hands on them. Kiana had gotten a letter detailing it clearly from an old friend who had heard it from the High Lords own lips.

Death to put too fine a point on it. Death after torture. And that included the infants Penelope had borne.

"And what about our faith?" Kiana may no longer be on Erisia but she still prayed to the six.

Phoenix took a breath. "Mother, I pray to the Triadic."

"YOU WHAT?!"

"What didn't you know?" Her eldest child asked.

"If Pallas finds out he will ask the High Priest to excommunicate you.”

“Like he has not already done so years ago.” Phoenix replied softly. She paused, “I think I will ask the Doctor to walk me down the aisle.”

“Th-the Gorn?”

“Yes, The Gorn” Her daughter replied arily. “Perfect really. Be sure to send father and Pallas the holo.” And with that Phoenix cut the connection.

Mattias had only caught the last part of the conversation, however, he could tell it hadn't been exactly how Phoenix had hoped. Stepping up behind his love, he put his hands gently on her shoulders, giving them a soft rub. "Soooo...too late to elope?" He asked jokingly.

"Gary would kill me most likely so yes too late to elope. Kyian agreed to host us at the ranch. Which is good. Not that I told my Mother that. She does not need to know everything."

He smiled and leaned down, placing a tender kiss on Phoenix's right cheek. "C'mon, we still need to finish getting everything set out for the caterers. Then we need to start on the gifts for our guests."

"Human traditions.." Phee sighed. "Have i told you about the Erisian ones?" She asked as she stood up.

Moving his hands to allow her to move, Mattias thought about it for a second. "Some of them, I think. The one that I remember most is how our parents are supposed to observe us as we...consumate our marriage." He smirked playfully at her as he spoke.

"Yeah so glad that is not happening, because once you found out I am not a virgin you would be able to kill me and demand restitution from my parents." She leaned into him as they moved from her desk.

Mattias arched his right eyebrow thoughtfully. "Oh really? Well now," he said with an assured grin. "I wonder how much I could get?"

Phee narrowed her gaze and elbowed him in the gut. "Hey, be nice. And you would have to kill me first darling."

After he let out an oofI, Mattias chuckled and pulled Phoenix securely into his arms and gazed down into her beautiful eyes. "Not a chance in every single version of Hell in all of creation, my love." He leaned down and kissed her softly on the lips.

Afterwards, when he straightened back up, but was still holding her in his arms, he let out a sigh of playful resignation. "Well then, I guess I'll just have to keep ya!" He winked at her as he finished.

She mock punched him again. "You better, my sister has been practicing her sword skills."

Mattias feigned injury from the playful tap. "Yes, my Queen! I promise. my Queen! Please don't beat me any more, my Queen!!"

Phoenix laughed and crossed her arms. "Good" She said with a smirk. "Now we have to organise what? a Menu?"

Chuckling softly, Mattias straightened up and nodded. "Yeah, for starters. We need to decide on what we want served and what flavor cake we want as well." He moved over to the table they were using as the planning table and added, "Also, I have a song that I thought would be perfect for our first dance."

"oh?" she asked as she followed him. "First dance?"

"Yes," he said as he picked her glass of wine and handed it over while he grabbed his and explained. "At most Earth weddings, typically following the ceremony, there's what's called a cocktail hour. During this time, the guests are served various finger foods and drinks, while the bridal party has their various pictures taken. Afterwards, while our party, bridesmades and groomsmen, start to mingle, you and I adjourn briefly to the bridal suite, so the bride can change out of her formal gown, mostly your vail and any other fineries you added to your dress for the ceremony."

"Once that's done, we go down to what's left of the cocktail hour and start greeting our guests, sometimes the bride and groom would start to receive their wedding gifts from their guests, but it can also occur during dinner and dancing."

He took a drink of his wine and continued. "Now, once the dinner starts, we could have appetizers served, then, after a bit, you and I would have our first dance as husband and wife. The first dance and song is usually just for the bride and groom, then, afterwards, there could be bride and her father dance, while the groom and his mother dance. Obviously, neither can happen at our wedding." He was saddened that his parents, especially his mother would not be there. On the opposite side of the coin, he was glad her father and Pallas would not, as it would have been a diplomatic incident...when Mattias killed them both.

"Anyway," he said, shaking the thoughts from his head. The song of our first dance together is usually one that we both love and speaks to us. However," he grinned slightly. "I have the perfect one, but I want it to be a surprise for you. Is that okay?" He asked hopefully.

"okay.." Phoenix shrugged "As long as it is okay to waltz to, because that is the only human dance I really know."

Smiling, Mattias reached and gently rubbed the back of his free hand along the side of her face. "I'll teach ya a few more dances." He chuckled softly. "Looks like your teacher still needs to give a few more lessons."

"Its the only dance that has a likely Erisian counterpart." She smiled and leaned into his hand.

Continuing to smile, Mattias responded to that. "Well, there are more styles of dance, even just swaying in each other's arms."

"Sounds like fun" Phee replied. "Maybe we should practice later?"

"Why wait?" He gently took her glass from her, and after placing them both back on the table, he turned back to her, opening his arms so she could stepped into his embrace. "Computer, play some soft, slow romantic music."

The music started and Phoenix laughed as she stepped into his arms. "Nice idea, Captain" she said sliding her arms around his neck.

Loosely interlo king his fingers at the small of her back, Mattias gave Phoenix a loving grin. "I have em now and again, Captain." he then leaned in and kissed her tenderly, as they continued to gently sway to the soft music.

Phoenix rested her head on his shoulder as they swayed. She felt so relaxed and safe.

Mattias closed his eyes and just enjoyed this moment with the woman he loved. As the music played on, he just held her against his chest and they moved as one.

Phoenix was silent as they danced, letting the music drift through her mind and let her movements be guided by Mattias.

When the song ended, Mattias opened his eyes and smiled as he looked down at Phoenix. "See? You're a natural swayer, my love."

She gave him a smile and nuzzled his chin with her head. "Oh shush" she mock complained.

A soft chuckle rumbled in his chest as he continued to hold her. "So," he said softly, "How many guests from Erisia do you think we will have?"

"None." She said softly. "Highly unlikely that anyone will come because my father will forbid it."

Mattias frowned. "I'm sorry, Baby. I wish that at least your father would see reason. I know Pallas is a lost cause. At least the rest of your family will be there." He hugged her again, then loosened his hold slightly. "Are there any Erisian wedding traditions that you do want to observe?"

"oh hell no" She replied. "No thank you."

He looked at her, his brows furrowed with concern. "Honey..." he moved to gently lift her chin up so he could look into her eyes. "Are you sure? You don't want anything from your homeworld? Don't get me wrong," his brows rose slightly. "I'm honored by how many human traditions you are willing to observe. I just....I don't want you to miss out on something and then, down the road, feel any regrets." His expression and tone made it clear that he was genuinely concerned for her in this matter.

Phoenix drew back and picked up a PADD. She handed it to him.

IT read: Erisian Noble Wedding traditions
===

· Noble and Royal Weddings on Erisia are held over 3 days.
· Day one is called ‘The Day of the Call”
o Both Families feast from noon to sunset together along with guests – in Royal weddings the guest list can number in the thousands.
o Speeches are made by the males in both families and the Bride and Groom are kept on separate sides of the feast hall.
· Day two, the ‘Day of the Gods’
o Both Families attend the Temple of the Six
o Priests bless the couple in a 4-hour ceremony.
o They then feast again that night, until midnight.
· Day three – ‘Day of the Gift’
o Here, the Bride’s Father leads the men of his family into the temple of the six and announce that she now belongs to the Groom
o The bride is then led in by the eldest female in her family and kneels before her groom.
o The Bride’s family leave the Temple, leaving the bride with her groom and his family.
o The groom escorts her from the temple and they are presented to both families on the steps.
o The families feast from late afternoon to early morning and at Midnight, the married pair are bedded before their parents.
o If the Bride is found not to be a virgin on her wedding night, the groom can kill her in their wedding bed. And the Brides family is to pay monetary restitution.
Common and Middle class families normally just do the DAY OF THE GIFT.
===

"Yeah based on that, i will be fine." She said as he read.

After he finished reading, he said, "Sooo, just human traditions then. I imagine Miran will be your Maid of Honor? How large of a wedding party do you want to have?"

"Miran and Kara" Phoenix said firmly. She felt the loss of Liselle but her friend had vanished without a trace and she was happy with her choices.

Nodding as he listened, Mattias replied. "Then I'll have Tim as my best man and Mal as my groomsman." He smiled at her then. "I'm so excited that this all is really happening, sweetheart! I've been waiting so very long to call you my wife and you call me your husband. I feel like it's taken a lifetime for us to get here!"

She smiled. "For some, ten years is a lifetime."

As he gazed down into her eyes, Mattias reached up and gently moved some stray hairs behind Phoenix's left ear. "I love you, Phee, and will spend the rest of my life giving your love and happiness."

She stretched up and kissed him gently "Same goes" she whispered back. "Now shall we continue on this?"

Mattias let out a soft sigh, after Phoenix kissed him. Then, he nodded. "Yes. We still need to finish the table assignments and menu for the caterers."

"Umm... can we let people pick where they want to sit? " Phoenix asked with a wince. "The logistics are mind boggling"

Mattias made a show of considering it, as if deep in thought. "Hmmmmmm......" then he peeked one eye down at her and grinned shortly afterwards. "Of course we can, my love. He dipped his head down and kissed her. "So, seating is done, ceremony is done....food? Do you want portable replicator or real food served?"

"Real food." Phoenix said. "Kyian knows several caterers near the ranch."

Nodding, Mattias smiled. "Open bar, or portable replicators for that? I personally think an open bar would be more tasteful, and it would add more of a party vibe to the reception."

"Open" Phoenix said after a thought "With the majority able to spend the night in the cabins at the ranch, it will be good. Kyian thinks it will be nice to have such an atmosphere there."

Mattias nodded and smiled. "Good. Next is....entertainment. Do we get a live band....a DJ...what were you thinking of, sweetheart?" He slowly spun her around the dining room as he talked.

"You pick" She suggested and let him spin her.

Mattias considered the options, then nodded. "A live band would be more enjoyable."

Over the next few hours, the couple continued fine tuning the plans for their wonderful day. They then had a light supper, spent a little while with the twins, then turned in for the night.

~OFF~