Celebration

The Venue Verdant

Stepping through the portal brings one into midst of ancient woodland forest. The immediate area stretches open far ahead and less to either side, with broad elder trunks, more densely packed, forming a barrier to either side and behind. Ahead, in the distance, stands an ancient temple structure of hewn stone that is reclaimed by, or was ever part of, the flora that grows upon and into it. Yet all of this is secondary to the clearing, itself.

Overhead, a ceiling is formed by interlaced branches and leaves from the massive trees at the perimeter. Ample light filters through to illuminate while also being diffused and softened, as well as reflected off of the white blooms.

Blooms which are everywhere. Silver bells hang from every branch of the ceiling. Flowering vines dot every trunk. The numerous hewn stone blocks or fallen trunks that serve as tables bear similar snowy-blossomed vines along their perimeters that grow into natural centerpieces. In the centerline of the space, between the tables, two conspicuous rows of flora run in narrow parallel lines to create a pathway of white. At the far end from the entrance, these lines become densely-blooming vines to rise vertically before joining one another in an arching natural arbor.

Along the boundaries of the space, further smaller details become apparent. The 'walls' nearest the tables bear all manner of food and drink. Fruits, stews, vegetables, roasted meats, breads, cheeses, numerous baked goods and more are present, along with wines, ales, ciders, and water direct from miniscule waterfalls. There is also movement, as not-quite-solid silvery wisps of humanoid forms move about, tending to guests, food, and sundry. Upon a trunk here or a stone there, runes and glyphs are intermittently present. While in Mynsandraal or Sylvan, they are decipherable by all, sharing various ancient words of wisdom, such as: "Welcome" "Cloak Check" "Drinks" "Desserts"

Guests are welcomed, invited, seated. There is no shortage of supplies with which to eat, drink, and be merry. Verna's focus, perhaps unsurprisingly, is upon the lattermost.

At this time, she stands with Auranar at the end of the floral path before the arbor. For once, the least colorful aspect of her at present her complexion. Yet now it contrasts pleasantly with the white and silver dress and highlights the silvery gray designs atop the sheer sleeves. Not that she is looking to herself at the moment. She grasps Auranar's hands with her own, eyes level upon hers (care of three-inch heels).

"Aura..." she begins, pausing to clear her throat. "Auranar Lupecyll-Atlon," her voice lifts in volume to carry with intent. "I swore I would proclaim to all, and I do so now. You are my light, ever showing me things I never imagined. You are my beacon, always guiding me to what is best. You are my strength, empowering me beyond what I believe I am capable of. You are..."

She pauses again, considering. "I could regale all of what you are to me, endlessly, but it is a poem in your first gift to me that sums all succinctly." A breath and then she recites.

"You are my sunshine. My only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. You'll never know, dear, how much I love you." Her eyes lift from Auranar towards the sky as she finishes, "Please don't take my sunshine away."

Gray and white is the theme of the day, and Auranar’s dress is a spectacular vision of it. The dress is veils of white falling as sleeves and from her hips in puffy white clouds held together by gray-silver flowers made of fabric, but so realistically so that it is hard to tell that they are not truly flowers. Tiny beads of glass in their centers make the dress shimmer and shine, and there is a lovely shawl draped over her hair and down her shoulders. It has a subtle design of a flower with tiny knitted flowers decorating the bottom. Her black and pink hair plays a game of color and shadow with the veil.

“I still remember the day we met,” Auranar smiles wryly at Verna, her expression warm and genuinely joyful. “There were no rumors of you to cloud my vision of you that first day, and I found you then to be a loving, caring, and merciful person. I ca not say that I fell in love with you that day; but I knew that I wanted to get to know the woman who saved me from a fate worse than death.

Every day I’ve known you since then you have made me love you a little more. Until now I can not imagine my life without you in it. A thousand times a day I think of you. I think of how we have built a home together, how we have opened that home to strays, friends, and family that we didn’t have before. You always give me credit for these miracles but I know that it’s your hands that built that home for us. Your magic that made it a reality. Your love that made it more than merely a house.

Ever since I was a little girl I wanted a family. More than that though, I was looking for you. You are my family Verna. The beginning, the center, the point from which all that we have built was made possible.

So today, before our family which we’ve built up from that first moment when I met you, and before both our loving goddess I swear that I will love you with everything I have got. I will grow fearless in the light of your love, and strong in your comfort. No matter what darkness the world might bring, we will be together. You and me forever.”

The two kiss, and the ceremony is completed.

Dolan is wearing a tunic of a deep green, its collar high in the Tsuran style, paired with white trousers and tall, polished black boots. The tunic is decorated at hem, collar, and sleeves with simple gold stitching, and a double row of polished brass buttons close it down the front. Over his left arm is thrown a half-cloak of the same deep green with gold edging, entirely concealing arm and shoulder. Sharp eyes will realize that the left arm is actually in a sling beneath the half-cloak, the tips of fingers visible at the cloak's front edge, but it is cleverly concealed, and he himself looks hale, well-rested, and sharp of eye, much more like his usual self. His dark brown hair is grown out a touch long, but is neatly tamed and groomed, making no attempt to conceal either the golden gem where his right eye ought to be, nor the scarring around it.

On his right arm is a rather daringly dressed Andelena, her gown sewn from the same deep green silk as Dolan's tunic. The gown's lack of sleeves draws attention to her muscular arms, and to the golden torc that she wears around her neck. The torc is wrought in the form of a lithe and slender golden dragon with jade eyes, with the dragon's head on her left collarbone and the tail draped over the right. A golden rope wrapped around her waist serves as a belt to draw attention to the high slits up the sides of the floor-length skirt, where she wears stockings and stylish boots. The green of the dress brings out the wavy mane of loose red hair that trails down just past her shoulders.

Both of them have spent the entire service grinning at each other like either horny teenagers or the cat who got into the cream jar. Which is left to the observer to decide. When the ceremony is completed, Dolan murmurs to Andelena amidst the applause, to which he slaps his hand on his knee to add to.

It may have been the hundredth ceremony she's been through, but the past few have certainly beat all the others. Loud clapping and whistling erupts from a regally dressed mul'neissa woman, Aryia having placed an empty wine glass down to do so.

Clad in a sleeveless verdant green dress, gold thread has been woven through it to depict a crescent trunked tree, with specs of golden leaves falling away in a wind. No attempt is made to hide her scarring, muscular arms exposed and bare, with her moon-hued hair loosely braided over a shoulder. Matching the dress is gold painted lips, gold cat eyes, and golden earrings.

A small sith-makar sat off to the middle of the seating, even if they needed to prop themselves up on a few cushions to see over all the processions. Eztli was perhaps underdressed compared to the others, wearing a light white dress dotted with yellow flowers, but they were no less happy to be there. The small makari beamed in the somewhat unsettling way they did, and their clapping was heard across the room.

"Family. Forever, my dearest wife," Verna affirms more softly to Auranar following the embrace and kiss. She keeps hold of one Auranarian hand as she turns to face down the aisle and look to those gathered. Her eyes shimmer like silver with unshed tears of the joyous variety. Even were they to fall, they would be dammed by cheeks distorted into a beaming smile. She then aims to walk Aura down the aisle (again).

"My thanks to all of you: family, friends, and allies, for your presence here today. It is-" she stutters a step in footwear with unfamiliar altitude, though it is not enough to cause a frown. "It is delightful that you joined us."

Auranar is also weeping, but they're clearly tears of joy as she looks out over the crowd and... Stops. Stares. Blinks her eyes and then a huge grin spreads across her face. In the hubbub of so many guests earlier she had somehow managed to miss seeing Dolan enter, and yet there he is! She waves at him and looks embarrassed for a moment. "Yes! Thank you all for joining us! Enjoy the food and drinks!"

With that stated she makes a beeline for Dolan. Still holding Verna's hand of course.

Dolan is about to make a beeline for the food and drinks himself, but he at least has the manners to wait until the ceremony is over - and then he is being waved at! If anything, his grin widens as the surprise is sprung, and he raises his free hand to return the wave. He waits until the pair approach to speak, though. "Congratulations, Auranar, Mourner. Good to see the pair of you happy."

Andelena puts her hand on Dolan's chest, grinning just as widely as her other half as Auranar approaches. "Hey, married lady. Congratulations. Look at this handsome date I've got. Picked him up on the way over." Like he totally didn't say multiple times that he wasn't going to make it. "No touching, though. Hug with the eyes and not with the hands, yeah?"

One of Aryia's ears droops down as a brow raises quizzically. She's still clapping on the downturn of the applause, only for that to fade away to scoop up more wine. Lupecyll-Atlon? Huh. Her expression shifts to a snerk at seeing Verna stagger, a subtle thumbs up shot across the way in solidarity.

Seeing as there's a break, the mute vacates her seat to speak with- ah. Right. It's been a minute, the stars of the show are a bit busy. Who else could she wall flower nearby with...? Oh. There's a that makari. What was their name again..? She slows to a stop near them, sipping loudly on their wine and proffering an up-nod in greeting.

Eztli continued their clapping until the couple was returning from their vows. The small makari looked up to find someone else at their table, and she nodded back in greeting. "I shouldn't be surprised to see you here, Aryia." They speak up. "Thank you again for the dress you made on such short notice, it has been quite wonderful. Did you create the garments for Verna or Auranar this time, as well?"

"Dolan?!" She had expected him to be absent, thus the thought had not occurred to even look for him. Obviously, his arrival did not register, either. She is not aware until Auranar mentions him, and then proceeds with haste. Just as Verna was about to request a pause. She makes it three steps before she is hastened out of one heel. Care of a few hops and her free hand, she divests herself of the other.

"It is good to see you!" she proclaims, then corrects. "Verna. There is no mourning here." Not today. Not for her nor anyone present. She then looks to Andelena. "Both of you." Though her eyes linger on the dress, followed by a glance to Auranar. Inquiries are noted for later.

Auranar's eyes drift to Dolan's injured arm, noticing his sling for the first time so neatly hidden is it, and her smile falters for the first time, and then picks it up. "That doesn't mean I can't give you a hug does it?" She asks Andelena, offering a warm smile to the other woman. "And maybe an extra for you to give Dolan when he's feeling better?" She smiles wryly at the man. "And you said you wouldn't make it!"

"They only just let me out this morning," Dolan answers, his grin lighting even the scarred side of his face as he looks up at Andelena. "Really didn't know if I'd make it or not, I'd rather tell you I'm not and surprise you than say I will and disappoint you, yeah?" He offers his arm to Andelena again, turning his attention back to the pair. "Verna, then. Sorry, Andelena wants her chance to put her hands on me first.”

"Can you blame me?" Andelena grins at Dolan's last sentiment as she leans into Dolan's embrace. "He's dressed to the nines. Can you believe that /I/ didn't know until the last minute? I walked in wearing this dress Telamon helped me get, only to find out that sly fuckin' dog did the same for Bry. Best surprise ever, in my humble opinion."

She opens herself up for a sort of side-hug, lifting her other arm that isn't currently in the embrace of her five-star Redeemer. "/I'll/ take a hug so I can give it to Bry, how about that?" A fair compromise

Aryia shoots a thumbs up towards Eztli, glad that she could make something for the differing frame of the mixed-scale. But the question makes her visage pinch in, and she shakes her head, making the gold earrings jingle. "If I did," a hand gestures, the gist understood even if the language wasn't known, "someone would get thrown into the sky due to short notice. Again." She's done that before? The short notice? Thrown into the sky? Who knows, but the hypothetical makes her slam down the last of her wine. "I didn't know you knew the brides." <Handspeech/Tongues>

"Ah right, you're still doing that, I really don't know what you're doing." Eztli shrugs. "What about short notice? As far as I'm aware, this has been planned for some time, now. No one is making unreasonable requests like custom made and fit dresses within a three day time frame."

The small makari leaves the table and grab a glass of wine to return with. "I don't know them as well as the others, but I've worked with Auranar before, and I know Verna somewhat. Verna was the one who recommended I find you for tailoring work, in fact."

Verna's hands are occupied at the moment, though she intends to correct the issue. First, by gently releasing Auranar's hand to free her bride's also. "Embrace her while you have the opportunity, love," she urges. "I have the distinct impression there will soon be no space between the two in short order. I will tend to shoes.." she now spies Aryia along with morself of gestures concerning dresses and sky, "and guests, and return shortly." She offers Aura a peck on cheek that puts her back upon her toes before she claims the lost footwear and then pads to approach Aryia and Eztli.

Auranar nods eagerly to Andelena's offer. "That sounds more than fair." She smiles at Verna for a moment, and watches the other woman go off after her shoe before returning her attention to Andelena. She draws the other woman into a hug and releases her only momentarily to give her a second slightly more tight hug and then releases her entirely. "Thank you both for coming. Especially if they just released Dolan... I'm just SO glad that you're both here. We've got to have tea sometime soon."

Dolan graciously releases Andelena's arm to allow the two women to embrace, grinning. "Yeah. Glad we could both make it. I hated the idea of missing this." His glance, though, is going off towards the tables of food, a definite longing look at all of them, but most especially at the pastries and baked goods arrays.

Andelena pats Auranar on the back as she's released from the hug, returning more fully to Dolan's side. "We're absolutely gonna have tea at your place sometime soon," she says. Of course, she catches Dolan's longing gaze at the food, and she offers both brides a little grin. "We're gonna go raid your tables. This man hasn't had a good meal in a month."

She steps out with Dolan. "Whatever you want, babe, c'mon!" She might be just as excited about this as he is.

Aryia raises a brow. "Still doing what?" she gestures, confused. But she huffs. "Your dress was simple. I'd prefer to have at least half a year to work on a wedding dress. Not.. a month. Especially not two."

She perks at having been recommended. "Oh? That's good. I'm glad I got recommended. They're good people. Glad I shoved them together a while back."

Speaking of the star of the show, one of them is padding over! Aryia grins, reaching out to clasp Verna's shoulder "Congratulations. You both did great up there. Don't worry about the heels, it took me about a decade to get them down." <Handspeech/Tongues>

"Thank you, and thank you for coming," Verna notes to Aryia, then Eztli. "Both of you." As for the heels, she simply holds them up casually to the side, to which one of the shimmering servers approaches, retrieves, and exchanges with a glass of wine in her hand. Other servers move about to guests now that the ceremony is complete, offering trays of drinks or food. No table raiding is required. "None of this would be possible without your wisdom, Aryia. I owe you more than I can ever repay." Though Verna hopes that the fresh wine glasses and food are a decent start.

"Is that unreasonable? I, I don't know if I want to see how you pay for costs of living making only two dresses a year. Or actually, no, that makes sense, seems like something my parents might have done." The small makari laughs. "Not for me, probably disappointed my parents too much. Me and my old... girlfriend, we were planning on running off and just going to the registry offices to make it official. But I have to say, there's something to be said for a big ceremony like this. They're always fun."

The small makari waves to Verna. "Good to see you again, and congratulations! You get used to them if you want to. I never could be bothered. I hope your gardening went well, I don't think it was anything to be worried about."

Auranar offers a wave to the pair as the head to go find something for Dolan to eat, and the woman looks around at the various guests for a moment before deciding to catch up with Verna. She makes her way casually toward the other woman, waving to other guests and pausing to offer a few words to those that insist on it. She reaches Verna's side after a few moments and smiles at the pair that Verna is speaking to. "What's this about gardening?"

Andelena and Dolan go off in search of food, tracking down several of the spectral servers to shake them down for their goods. By the time they're done, Andelena's carrying a plate that consists of meat, pastries, and anything else that constitutes a hearty meal, with fruit and bread very conspicuously absent. They make their way back to the group that's gathered, Andelena sticking close to Dolan's side.

The mute yoinks a glass of wine from one of the spectral servers, her smiling towards Verna. "Keep the wine coming and we'll consider it a down payment," she gestures in jest. "Glad to be here. The venue is nice, I like it."

She looks to Eztli, shaking her head. "Typically the time is spread out with the dresses so you can work on many at once. But tailoring isn't my day job, so I'm not too worried about it. But the big ceremonies can be fun for sure, even though the smaller ones are far easier to plan, especially if you do that and run off," she signs at length, looking a somewhat distant at the end. Perhaps having extensive knowledge of planning such events.

Speaking of stars, the other one is here! Aryia waves to Auranar, a gold painted grin meeting the other bride. "Hey. Congratulations," she signs. "Verna was working on gardening, apparently?" she teases. <Handspeech/Tongues>

Once the two of the Sun Lord return with their haul, Aryia stares at Andie. Blinks twice. Then her brows shoot up in recognition before looking between both of them. A low whistle leaves her, and she shoots a thumbs up in seamstress-approval.

"I believe it went splendidly," Verna notes to Eztli, still smiling broadly. She gestures to their surroundings with her glass before taking a sip. "The gardening was research for this, here, for this day. The blooms needed to be perfect." She turns to Auranar as she joins, offering more smile. "There will be more gardening in the near future, as well, with our Curuchuil..."

Which sparks a thought that causes her to look back to Aryia. "Which I invite you to join in and contribute to, Aryia, if you wished to. It will represent our family, the one we have built, and I consider you as a sister."

The small makari blinks, looks at the suddenly gathering group, and at some of the passing servers. Eztli reaches out to take an charcuterie board, and one of the large cured sausages on the board is snapped in two by their maw. "Gardening? Ah, that was a long time ago. I was just hoping that Verna was able to take care of her Curuchuil. I didn't know it would be part of the wedding itself, as well. I think the worry was unfounded, especially since she already has her new wife to help her along."

"I do wish Nemori could have made it, though." She sighs. "Then again, there might be too much going on here for her to enjoy herself."

Auranar looks at the pair before her with interest and her smile widens when Andelena and Dolan rejoin them. "I don't know you very well Aryia, but if you're a sister to my wife then you're family to me." She nods her head low to the other woman. She looks at Andelena. "Have you had a chance to talk to Dolan about that?"

From the look that Dolan wears as he takes a slice of cold meat from the plate Andelena holds and bites into it, all lifted eyebrow and confusion, that would be a "no". "Brightest of days," he greets the unfamiliar mul politely, and his gaze rests on Eztli with a measure of recognition, as one who recognizes but for the life of him the name is escaping him. "Talked to me about what?" Bite down into the meat. The man is wasting no time.

"Oh yeah, the garden," Andelena remembers. It's clear from her face that the sheer cultural significance of the curuchuil garden hadn't /quite/ set in for her. "It slipped my damn head. Bry, there's a garden that they want us to be a part of. I was kind of thinking of... sunflowers, for our part? Honestly, I'm shit with flowers. I just walk into the flower shop and tell them to give me whatever's pretty and isn't gonna stink up the place too bad--but now we have cats, no flowers. I don't even want to /think/ about the little ladies getting into something they shouldn't." That's accompanied with a little shiver that is nowhere near at home normally on the Sunguard.

She looks over to Aryia and gives her a wave. "Hey, Teach," she says. "Been a while! Snappy-ass dress you got on, too."

Aryia bobs her head along, knowing of the gardening and what that entails. Even giving her encouraging, catch-all thumbs up of support for the blooms of today. But the offer catches her off guard. Shining eyes blink. And the next full glass of wine is imbibed unceremoniously.

"-k-y s-r-, f-ck -t, s-st-r," she hisses out in approval, a smile tugging at the edges of her golden lips, but still processing the weight of the offer.

Said smile morphs into a smirk at Andie's dress approval. "Thanks," she motions out. "It has been. Seems like you've been busy. You both look good as well. Who made those?" <Handspeech/Tongues>

"Can't say I was expecting so many offers to take part in something like that. It means a lot you know, given how important it felt to Verna to get it right." The small makari laughs. "What, am I that forgettable miss Andelena, or were you too focused on his rear when it was twice the size as usual to remember anything else?"

Verna's look to Aryia turns somewhat apologetic at the abrupt notice, though Auranar's warm and open welcome to her mitigates much. She was aware of Auranar wishing to include Andelena and Dolan, though perhaps not that Aryia and Andelena were familiar. Small world, as some might say? Though hers is sized just right, as she reaches an arm around Auranar.

"It is important," she adds to Eztli's note, "but I believe it is important by nature of those involved moreso than anything else." On the matter of growing things, the thought strikes to ask Aura somewhat softly, "Will there be ample room for our Curuchuil to grow?" More may be contributing than she ever expected.

Dirk comes trundling through the portal, carrying a hefty wooden crate in his hands. He's dressed in his Eliday finest--a handsome blue frock coat with silver buttons, a green waistcoat sporting a silver watch chain, and matching trousers tucked into his boots. But his boots are caked with mud, and more mud spatters his trousers. His hair has been gathered into a ponytail tied with a red ribbon bow, although some white strands have come loose. His tricorne is askew atop his head, and he's red-faced as he hurries along. "Grrr, damn it damn it -damn- it, I'm so late!" he grumbles as he makes his way inside. "Hello everyone! Hello! Sorry I'm late! Me bastard cart cracked a wheel -right- as I was gettin' tae Alex. But at least the mud dinnae try tae kill me this time around!" He hefts the crate in his hands. "Where's the happy couple, then?"

Auranar smiles at Dolan. "I asked Andelena if you two would consider adding to something that would effectively make you a part of my family. Mine and Verna's." She starts to explain in more detail, but Dirk enters the scene and she flashes him a bright smile and warm wave. "Dirk! I was worried about you! Glad to hear it was just a bad axel. Did you lug that thing all the way here?"

Dolan cocks his head at that consideringly. "Huh," he says finally. "I'm flattered. That reminds me that I ought to contact Mama and Papa and let them know I'm okay, though." That seems to remind him of other things, things that steal the grin from his features.

It's short-lived, though, and some of the smile at least. "Jovani d'Andarion, friend of Tel's," he explains to Aryia, but is is short order distracted, and quickly finishes the meat in his hand. "Dirk! Brightest of days, I wondered why I hadn't heard you yet. As for the size of my rear, it's the same size it was. She knows exactly where it is." The grin blossoms into wickedness again.

"Dirk!" Verna adds to the greetings and gestures with her wineglass, "We are here." Obvious, but stated nonetheless. She notes the unfortunate state of his attire and seeks to correct... but that would require unhanding either wife or wine. She chooses the logical option of neither. She upends the glass to rapidly empty it, then passes it to a passing server before making a brief gesture to correct the issue of the mud.

A fresh glass is then retrieved as she takes note of Dolan's answer. "I will speak to Telamon of this tailor. You both look stunning."

GAME: Verna casts Prestidigitation. Caster Level: 19 DC: 17

Aryia seems a bit out of sorts from the offer, her silent (metaphorically speaking) for a spell, inspecting the remains of the wine glass in her hand. Dirk's arrival pulls her attention back to the present, her glancing about from all the huffing and cursing. "It is important," she motions idly in a very belated manner to Eztli. But the conversation was gone for that, and now they were talking about-? She rubs her face, shakes her head and chuckles silently.

She looks to Dolan, brows knitted. Thinking. "I will be sure to visit this person," she gestures with one hand. Friendly rivalry? Meeting to minds? Sewn chaos? Who knows! But there was /another/ tailor in the mix. Damn, the wine was gone in her hand.

Andelena gives a wide grin. "Just got my eyes and my hands full," she tells Eztli, before her expression blooms in delight to see Dirk. "Hey Dirk!" she says, moving a little closer into Dolan as she continues to hold the plate of food he's picking from.

She looks to Verna and Auranar. "Yeah, but y'know who helped me design this number? Not the tailor. It was /Telamon/. He's got an eye for clothes. He just passed the notes over to the tailor and off we went."

Schara takes a moment to finish off the other half of the salami, and wash it down with the glass of wine. "Ah, sorry, wrong person staring at wrong person, sorry." The small makari shrugs. "Hey Dirk! Glad you could make it, you should have said something if you were delayed like this, but at least you got here, and still in time for the reception!"

"Well, you can make more space if you need to with everyone helping Verna, I'm sure you'll manage."

Dirk plunks down the crate, which clanks when it lands, and lumbers over to offer a warm hand-clasp to the happy couple. "Congratulations, both of ye! This is a fine day indeed. Gods know we could use a fine day, nay?" Then, there's Verna and a surprise Prestidigitation. He boggles a bit, looking down and lifting his arms as Verna's magic whirls around him, leaving him squeaky clean. It even tidies up his hair, and lifts his tricorne, setting it down straight. "Well! -That's- handy, innit? Wish Gilead an' Dana would let me cast -that- one!" he says. He rumbles a chuckle, giving the lapels of his coat a tug before nodding to Auranar. "Aye, I made 'em meself. A little summat fer you an' Verna tae help ye get yer household started. I hope ye enjoy 'em!"

He looks over to Dolan, and his expression brightens even more! "Dolan, lad!" He trundles over and scoops his friend up in a big Dwarf Hug. "Och, it's so good tae see ye on yer feet!" He releases the man, reaching up to clap his shoulder. "Lookin' fine, ye are! An' Andalena too! Beards o' me fathers, that -is- a fine dress!" He looks over to Aryia with a warm smile. "Aryia, been awhile! Yer lookin' well, it's good tae see ye!" It's then that his big dwarven nose twitches, and he catches the scent of the food on offer. His hefty middle confirms food-presence with an angry-sounding rumble. "Oh, goodness me! The black beast in me middle's remindin' me I skipped luncheon! Give us a moment, eh?" That said, he trundles over to the buffet table, rubbing his hands eagerly before picking up a plate and proceeding to load it up with a proper Dwarf Sized portion of meat, bread, and cheese.

Auranar smiles at everyone, finally collecting a glass of her own. She chooses a white wine with her thoughts of spilling red on her mind. She laughs at Dirk's greeting and clasps his hand warmly. She watches him trundle over to Dolan and before she can even think of warning... Up goes Dolan and her eyes go wide as saucers.

Andelena zeroes in. Gently, but firmly, she bats Dirk's hand away, like a cat might bat at a hand. "Hey hey, no hands, yeah? Bry here's still a bit tender." She motions to the sling that's on him. "Sorry bud. Go get some grub, there's plenty of food to be had here."

"You are most welcome, and thank you," Verna accepts the handclasp from Dirk, then retrieves her glass as she watches him move to get food. Or, wait, he first stops at Dolan to- Verna reflexively winces as she realizes... "Dirk!" she calls out. She does not fault him, as he did not know. Fortunately, Andelena is yet on watch and Verna exhales in relief. Followed by inhaling the remainder of her glass. The empty is then handed off to one of the passing servers. Caught, in fact, as it knows where the tray it carries is and Verna, it seems, misjudged.

Dolan stiffens, and freezes, unable to reply beyond a gasp of pain as he is bearhugged, then a sharp exhale as he is clapped on the shoulder. When he is set down, he staggers, and reaches at once for Andelena, or whoever is closest, to steady him. "I'm okay," he reassures, almost at once, breathing hard. "Should have known he'd do that." The lines on his face, though, say that that was - decidedly unpleasant.

When he has gotten himself steadied, he turns a sheepish smile on Aryia and Eztli. "Sorry you had to see that. Dirk means well."

Dirk's face turns white as milk as he sees the effect his heartfelt Dwarf Hug has on Dolan. "Heek! Och, I'm so sorry, I didn't know... I thought... oh, piss up my arse, I dinnae hurt ye did I laddie?" He looks fretfully between Dolan and Andalena, all but hopping from foot to foot. "Is there aught I can do? Anything I can fetch fer ye? I thought ye was recovered..." He wrings his hands, food all but forgotten as he looks worriedly to his friends.

Aryia had a half a step in mind towards Dirk, but Andie had it covered, so she abates. Instead she scoops up another wine. Which was was this, the fifth? She wasn't keeping track. There's a wince. "Good... to see you too.." she signs slowly to the dwarf. She shakes her head to Dolan, holding up a hand, as if that'd abate the worries. "It's fine, Dirk. We have clerics and priests out the fucking ass here, so things are fine." <Handspeech/Tongues>

Auranar is quick to reassure everyone, but her eyes are worried as they cross Dolan and note the heavy way he's leaning on Andelena. She'd offer him her own arm, but she's partially helping Verna stay on her feet. A mixture of wine and heels making the other woman's footing unsteady. "He'll be okay Dirk." She genuinely believes this. "Why don't you tell us what you brought? After you get some food in you." She smiles warmly here.

Eztli winces with the various enthusiastic greetings, and the small makari chuckles weakly. "Yeah, there's plenty of people who can help, don't worry about it. Just grab a seat and a drink, some food, and relax."

"I would be lying if I wasn't curious about what you brought too, anyways. I wasn't sure if I should bring a gift for this or not."

Andelena's got Dolan leaning on her, and she's a little concerned. "He'll be fine," she reassures all gathered. "Just gonna dip out for some fresh air, okay? C'mon, handsome." The Sunguard leads her Redeemer out carefully, walking with him.

"I'm okay," Dolan repeats, grinning weakly at Aryia. "Dirk, they just let me out this morning. They're still working on the shoulder," he explains, making sure to grab another slice of meat from the plate as Andelena leads him towards the door. "I'll find you later." With that, he's led off and out towards the outside.

Dirk watches Dolan and Andalena go, still wringing his hands briefly. "All right, if yer sure then. Get tae feelin' better, laddie," he says as they take their leave. With a soft sigh, he turns and goes to finish fixing his plate. He gives Aryia and Auranar a sheepish smile as he trundles over to the crate. He pulls off the lid. Within, there's a set of beautifully set of dishes, all made from stainless steel that's been polished to a mirror shine. Plates, bowls, cups, flatware--everything one might need for four full table settings. "I wasnae sure if ye all had dinnerware. So I made ye some," he says. "I hope ye find it useful."

Auranar looks at Verna and has the grace to look embarrassed. "Well, you may or may not know, but it is traditional for the couple to leave a little early? You are all welcome to stay as long as the spell lasts however! Enjoy the food, scenery, and company." She smiles particularly at Dirk. "Thank you for the dishes, I promise they will be put to good use."

With that, Auranar and Verna make their own exit, taking the dishes with them with a few more words of gratitude to Dirk. It's a good party, plenty of food and drink to be had, and as is elvish tradition, lasts well into the night.

-End