Preparing the Grooms

[Hekatos]

Preparing the Grooms

7th of Glade, 125th Year of the Age of Steel

"...and so, Pater Themis has agreed to be the priestly guest for the ritual supper," the old steward droned on, "which will include family and close friends. Thank you, Pater Themis." The priest bowed his head in acknowledgement of the steward's thanks. "I will need lists of 'close friends' from both grooms as soon as possible. This will take place at Eilranoikos on the 89th. The dance at the palace will take place on the following day, and will have portals open to the grand ballrooms of the Val'Kor royal palaces so the festivities can be shared by both families and their people. On the following day, the 92nd, two hours are allotted for the wedding ceremony at Pater Themis' temple, in the chapel to Suion Nymphia. From there, a procession to the Suionaeon. Your arrival there and presentation to the people will begin the public celebrations where your presence will be required. The hill will be prepared, and there will be a pavilion, of course, to retire and rest from time to time. But you will have to be present at midnight to herald the new season and the crown will be providing food and drink for a full twenty-four hours after that. Of course, the couple may retreat about an hour after midnight and shan't be expected to return until late the following day."

"So," Ailuin murmured into Rhydian's ear, "you will want to wear comfortable shoes."

"A royal wedding," Themis added, "occurring at such an auspicious time means prayers, public and private, will be given for your marriage regularly from the ceremony to the closing of the Suionisia at midsummer. The stability of your marriage is meaningful for the entire nation."

"No pressure," said Ékhidna, who was there present as Ailuin's closest relative. She offered a sharp, not unkind smile, and sipped at something alcoholic.

Akantha was there as well, as she had wanted to help with the preparations. Ailuin had thanked her and not pushed, knowing she was taking her father's new wedding the hardest of her siblings. But she continued to say she wanted to help and so here she was.

The steward was going over things everyone already knew. Much was already planned, at least in broad strokes. They still had much to do over the next three months, however.

"The Neptori ambassador will be invited to the dance, of course, sire," the steward went on, "but ought he to be invited to the wedding?"

"His Foréas is a Sol'Miaren and he gets on well with Soren. I don't see why not."

"Very well, and..." He paused, glancing at Akantha and then her sire.

"Akantha," Ailuin said, "I have heard a disturbing rumor about our sometime trade envoy from Kalzasi. While I cannot fault her for also suing for trade terms with our enemies, an elven ear in Kalzasi has heard that she is being courted by a Re'hyæan prince. I would like you to ascertain the truth of the matter."

[Rhydian SolKor]

Rhydian smiled faintly at the king's recommendation, but glanced to Akantha with a deferential nod.

"If Her Highness permits." The Princess Akantha was generally in favour of sacrificing comfort for fashion, when absolutely necessary, though in her position it rarely was. There were many ways to ease the wearing of an otherwise uncomfortable garment or accessory in a realm as infused with magic as was Sol'Valen. Though, in truth, Rhydian had made the comment in jest, even if precedent and dry delivery might have made it seem more literal than he'd intended.

His eyes darted to Ékhidna when she spoke up, but he didn't feel pressured by the ceremonial responsibilities being outlined. To Rhydian, the formality was a comfort. Being able to have their day mapped out to such an extent was far preferable to the alternative which was, to his mind, chaotic. The more requirements tugged at his time in public, the more prepared he would be to face each instance with minimal vexation. He knew how to play the dutiful knight, the ceremonial representative of the Crown, and other such austere positions, and he much preferred them to the vulnerable swain as a public persona.

Rhydian had had little interaction with the Neptori ambassador and had no real stake in his presence or absence at the wedding, so he did not remark upon that, but the talk of Solunarian nuptials arched a crimson eyebrow.

"Have I met this envoy?" He wondered whether he'd encountered her either in Silfanore or during his time abroad in Kalzasi, where he'd first heard of the strides being made there by the apostate elves' new embassage. Though Sol'Valen had long been at peace, his concern as a soldier of the realm, as opposed to the betrothed of the king, was stoked by this revelation.

[Akantha SolEilran]

Akantha sat calmly and quietly, a collection of books on the table beside her. In front of her, however, a pen was taking diction in another book. Normally the Princess utilized it and its negation charm to keep herself and her notes inaudible at various fashion shows and presentations, but it was just as useful here. She only needed to turn the page. Her multicoloured pen was something she kept on hand for when she needed to make notes directly, and this was not one of those times. The pen wrote quickly upon the pages as she repeated the notes that she wanted to keep for this - namely, the different events and processions and affairs and the many, many, many different moving parts of this... She may have been having a harder time with engagement than her brothers - though it was certainly easier than if King Ailuin had picked someone older who might have thought of attempting to take some parental role over the Phoenix King’s trio of grown children.

She did pause the charm's effects by touching the crystal on the pen, looking over at Rhydian when he made a jest. She made a smile of her own, her sleeveless blue and white gown very closely resembling an exquisitely cut lace agate. It was from her throat to her hips, and then the vivid skirts flared and splayed and floated along her long legs, and her bracelet of dragonshards shimmered on a slender wrist. "Outfits first, shoes to match second. Worry not, Prince Rhydian, you will not be made to wear a set of my ballet boots for the day." The last time she had managed to get him into heels had been when they were children, and now was not the time to start that again. Even if she had three months to do so.

When the steward looked her way and then her father addressed her, her attention went to him. She raised one eyebrow, her thumb tapping on the pen. Kala. But beyond the eyebrow, her face did not change and the tapping stopped after a moment. She took a breath and nodded. "I will address that with her when she visits next, Father. And I doubt that you have," her blue eyes went back to Rhydian. "If such rumours are true, perhaps it is for the best. But I will find out, and I will let you know." If the rumour had enough backing to be reported to Ailuin... then chances were, there was likely at least a kernel of truth there. How much there was remained to be seen, and Akantha would just have to figure it out. The Kingdom came first, after all, well before friendship with foreign dignitaries.

"There is no rose without a thorn."

[Hekatos]

Preparing the Grooms

"You would know if you had," Ailuin assured him. "The Neptori are quite distinctive."

And to Akantha, "Thank you."

His smile for his betrothed and his smile for his daughter were both warm, yet categorically different.

Turning back to the business at hand, however, his eyes scanned a document in front of him, noting names of tailors and the like who might be called upon for anything from the grooms' attire to table linens.

"...Filaurel Len'Alen of Gloaming Hapertas..." was articulated clearly among them. Akantha had approved them all, as had the steward so he nodded and set it in the stack of approved documents. Much of these decisions were rubber-stamped by the king, who certainly had opinions on aesthetics and such, but was a past master at delegation. This was mostly a formality, a chance to ensure that all the moving parts were moving together.

"Prince Rhydian," the steward said, as they were past formal greetings, "sir, you have been quiet about your own desires for your nuptial day. Your royal mother has sent plans for the various celebrations in Aerion, and those dates have been added to your and the King's schedules. Have you anything you would like me to look into adding to, removing from, or amending in our plans thus far?"

He was not anxious, though the king had made it clear he wanted the day to be the happiest of Rhydian's life thus far. Rather, he was trying to do his job to the best of his abilities, and perhaps sound out the young knight to see whether he would be as hands-on as the Queen had been or whether the status quo since the contract of the Val'Melua-Sol'Miaren marriage had reached its fruition would remain in effect.

Akantha was a known quantity and used to working with the steward, but until recently, the running of the palace and Eilranoikos had not been a part of the young prince's domain.

[Rhydian SolKor]

"It is comments like that, which make me insist upon my right to veto your fashion choices." Rhydian chuckled, "Though you have yet to give me cause to actually exercise that right, so I suppose you are in jest." It was known at court that the Val'Kor prince was not the best at interpreting tone. Jokes often went over his head, causing him to respond earnestly to playful comments.

He tilted his head, befuddled for a moment at Ailuin's reply.

"Ah. I have been acquainted with Lord Tyrann, Majesty, I was inquiring after the Kalzasern envoy of whom you spoke... Or is she a Neptori, as well?" He certainly didn't recall having seen an aquatic she-elf roaming the halls of court, but he supposed it was possible he'd missed the mark there. He perked slightly at the mention of Filaurel.

"I have been pleased with Filaurel's work before. He is thoughtful, a good listener and a former soldier of Val'Kor to boot. I would be pleased to see his design proposals for my vestments." Rhydian offered with a slight smile. If fashion was its own language, then a royal wedding was a very particular sort of oration. Though he didn't communicate well with everyone, he felt that Filaurel had been quick to comprehend his desires in the past. He trusted the man more than most to provide something appropriate to both the event and to him in particular.

He sucked in a breath through his teeth after the steward's question and glanced to Akantha and then Ailuin before replying.

"I admit I am a bit out of my element in these matters. I recognise that there are luminaries who devote their lives to perfecting these specialisations. My desires are simple: To reflect mine own house and that of His Majesty in a manner appropriate to the circumstance and the expectations of the ream. As to the details, I would ask that you present me with options that I might offer better informed opinions. Be assured, you do not wish to sit by as I struggle to articulate what I mean about this flower arrangement or that apperitif. Better you provide me with choices and I narrow the field from those."

[Akantha SolEilran]

Akantha nodded solemnly to her Father, and she refrained from fidgeting or giving off any other sign of displeasure about this news and possible situation. She would leave it until she had the opportunity to talk to Kala again; until that time, this was the focus. This wedding needed to be the Event of the Year, surpassing her own for the sake of the family, the one that would be talked about for a long time after - in Silfanore and Aerion.

"It was in jest," the Princess of Thorns did assure Rhydian. "Ballet boots in Aerion are not comfortable and are an excellent way to twist your ankle." She would never recommend them to someone who was not well-familiar with the requirements of wearing said footwear, especially not in Aerion. They tended towards more... well... utilitarian... architecture and style there, which was well and good, but it wasn't particularly safe for that sort of attire. She'd learned that lesson the hard way. She hadn't fallen due to her training of using her dragonshards, but at the same time... she hadn't worn any of her ballet boots there again. "Lady Kala is the Karnorian. She looks quite human. Petite, platinum blonde hair that's fairly short."

She would not dwell on the topic of the junior minister of finance for Kalzasi. Clothing beckoned. "Master Filaurel made that gorgeous outfit that Rhydian wore for his homecoming party that I threw for him in Eilranoikos in Searing, if you remember? With that embroidery of the nightshades and katanas on the jacket?" She had learned over time that it was helpful for her family to connect specific outfits with a Maker so that they understood who she was talking about. She also had a feeling that Ailuin might well remember something that Rhydian wore more than what she attired herself in. "He also made that really beautiful gown I wore for Len'Cisca's gallery soiree later that season. The pastel chiffon with the moons." She changed clothes a few times a day, depending on her schedule, where she was, and who she was seeing - nobody kept up with those outfits besides herself, not that she expected any of them to...

"Depending on your desires, I've prepared a list of of designers and makers that can present sketches and outfits for the differing functions throughout the day, if you so desire. If suitable, I'll have each of them curate portfolios and you can pick and choose from there before needing to spend time with them to actually discuss their work if it catches your eye," she offered. "The Cloth of Comfort Prince Talon brought could be well-used here." She was already doing that for her brothers and her mother, and if Rhydian and her Father wanted the same...

She listened as the steward and Rhydian spoke, reactivating her silencing charm for herself as she dictated to the pen, which now included 'Get Val'Kor schedule' with a few stars around it while it wrote on the paper.

"There is no rose without a thorn."

[Hekatos]

Preparing the Grooms

Akantha had explained, but he added a bit more context for his affianced. "Kala Mizal of House Leukos. Avialae hatakomon who owes fealty to Great House Briathos. Third in line for her mother's seat after an elder brother and his infant. Often accompanied by her twin, Kaus Siv, who has impressed our winged soldiers with his flight, blade, and magical acumen." After a pause and a gentle smile, "You might enjoy Lady Kala, Strýchnos. She is introverted."

But he returned to the matter at hand, leaping back with a mental agility necessary for the myriad of little disasters that made up a royal day. While outwardly unflappable, both his daughter and his young fiancé had seen him in private, social masks removed, weary from the burden of kingship.

This steward never saw it, though; he only took heart from his liege's cool calmness even when little details upturned his own equilibrium. He took furious notes as the royals made decisions or erred toward preferences.

A questioning look earned a curt nod from Ailuin, and so the steward wrote down Len'Alen for the Val'Kor prince's attire. If both Rhydian and Akantha approved, Ailuin was only too happy for his beloved to make a preference known in this complicated affair. That the tailor was an emigré from Aerion was a nice little detail for Rhydian's mother and uncle.

"Add Talon Novalys and Auravacis to the list," Ailuin decreed, though his velvet tones were hardly autocratic; but rather, he was used to his word being law. "He will see his gifts being treated with respect and that ought to keep Kalzasi happy for a while. Though he stepped aside for a mortal Shokaze, from what I gather, they all still defer to him. Whether or not the Leukos twins are invited, he and his husband are a more potent pair."

When he looked from Akantha back to the steward, the man quickly scanned the page he was on.

"Are there any questions or concerns I might address today, sire? Your Highnesses?"

[Rhydian SolKor]

Rhydian tilted his head as both the princess and the king elaborated upon the identity of the aforementioned Kalzasern envoy.

"Introversion can be a mask for subterfuge, Majesty. If she is considering a Solunarian betrothal, I am not sure we are socially compatible, but otherwise..." He shrugged one shoulder as he acknowledged the potential veracity of Ailuin's supposition that he might enjoy Kala, "...perhaps."

Though he missed- or rather failed to interpret the unspoken exchange between sovereign and steward pertaining to his own preferences- his eyes went wide and his breath caught at the mention of Talon Novalys.

"Arcas reborn?" He stammered, turning red-faced. "Of... of course, Majesty." If Rhydian's heart and mind worked in accord, the shy and introverted prince would have surely fallen for less prominent a figure than Phoenix King. He'd have fallen for another like himself or, at least one not so renowned that he had demigods on the guest list to his wedding. But, alas, the wedding was no less a duty than any patrol he'd been sent on. Now, more than ever, Rhydian would be a servant of the people and his nuptial ceremony was part and parcel to that. As far as he was concerned, it was more for the realm than for the elf himself. He'd have been more content to elope or wed in some small, remote temple, witnessed only by their nearest and dearest friends and relations. But that would not serve the realm in the way that pomp and circumstance did. Nor would that serve the king.

"Yes." He turned to the steward when the floor was opened for further questions, "Is our guest list populated with other divine figures, or will Talon be unique in that distinction?"

[Akantha SolEilran]

Akantha nodded along as Ailuin added the additional details about Kala and Kaus. Had this rumour not happened, she might have gotten them an invitation, but such as it was... that would have to be on hold for obvious reasons. If she was courting with a Re'hyaean of Solunarium, it became a security issue as well. She could understand trade relations; that was her job. But courting? Not so much.

She was the only female winged Avialae in the world. She could have her pick of any of the Lords of the Great Houses of Kalzasi, or even the Princes, who would all surely be quite desperate to court and wed her, and start the business of making babies. Of course, Kala was a bit young for that, but all in all, Avialae didn't live as long as Hytori; and that generally did mean that they needed to get on with it faster if they were going to... but one had to wonder if there were truly no suitable prospective winged gallants in Karnor for her to settle for a Re'hyaean.

There really was no accounting for taste.

But with Filaurel decided upon for Rhydian's wardrobe for this event, she made her own little note to take him out of the running for her other family members.

"Arcas reborn, married to Auravacis, an elder of the Red Dragonflight," Akantha offered Rhydian that information. Considering his House was that of the Red Dragon, he might well find that tidbit helpful. "I wonder if one might extend an invitation to Vhexur," she glanced over at her Aunt Ékhidna. "He was there at the time of which you became betrothed, and he did attend at the lake." It didn't hurt to have such guests at an affair like this, after all, and it might well have come off as rude, especially since he and the King's sister were familiar. He did seem like he'd enjoy a party, after all...

"There is no rose without a thorn."

[Hekatos]

Preparing the Grooms

For his part, Ailuin seemed unbothered by the Leukos girl's marriage prospects; it was, however, a political question that needed answered and so he put his daughter on the case as she had developed a sort of friendship with the girl. The woman. He had to remind himself that the younger races often grew up more quickly so as to get the most out of their meager allotment of years, poor things.

At Rhydian's question and Akantha's clarification, he too glanced toward his sister, eyebrow elegantly arched, small smile amused.

Ékhidna looked innocent, which was patently false. The red rips that slashed through her pale features parted and she showed teeth.

"You know how He came by his divine name, don't you?" she asked. "Vhexur because He likes to vex her. He will be my plus-one an it please Your Royal Majesty. Whether He actually shows up or not... He likes to keep His cards close to His chest. And the chauvinists call women fickle. Ha!"

"To be entirely fair, Ékhi, you are a woman and you are fickle, but you would be fickle were you not a woman. You just happen to be an example of the two naturally juxtaposed. That is likely why He is so enamored of you."

"He is enamored of my sparkling personality and wit," she replied without missing a beat. "Now, I would like to turn everyone's attention to the more important matter: who will Akantha bring as her plus-one?"

!	Message from: Hekatos
	That's a wrap, folks. Thanks for planning. Rhydian said 'yes' to the dress! You both get 15 xp and costs for everything are being defrayed by House Sol'Eilran and House Val'Kor, so go wild at the wedding party.