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Your communit crackles to life and announces "Clara? Do you have a moment?" in Corian's voice.
You say "Certainly, Corian. What can I do for you?" into the communit.
Your communit crackles to life and says "Well... I am not certain whether or not you would like an update, but this is bizarre enough that I really do feel the need to tell -somebody-." in Corian's voice.
You say "*quiet laugh* Did you want to talk over the comm, or did you want to meet?" into the communit.
Your communit crackles to life and says "Whichever you prefer. It is not especially extensive news, after all." in Corian's voice.
You say "Whichever is best for you, my friend. I don't have an appointment for another hour and a half. Did you want to get some tea, perhaps?" into the communit.
Your communit crackles to life and says "*quiet chuckle* Ah, I did not used to be so indecisive. Tea sounds like an excellent idea. And I will be less likely to wake Tarrant if I am elsewhere, which would be good." in Corian's voice.
You say "Aaah, yes. Let the man sleep, indeed. Perhaps my office? It's quiet and I do have tea..." into the communit.
Your communit crackles to life and blares "Quiet would also be good, yes. I will be down in a few moments, thank you." in Corian's voice.
MEDIC> Corian offers a pleasant greeting to the folks in medbay on her way through, moving to knock on Clara's door.
MEDIC> Kramer waves an affable greeting before returning to his work, and after the knock, a quiet voice calls, "Come in..."
Corian walks here from the Medical Bay.
Well, it's not entirely quiet, as there is something quiet and orchestral playing in the background. Still, Clara does rise from the couch as you enter and gesture at one side of it. "Please, come in and have a seat. The tea is on the end table there," she adds, nodding at the small table to the side of the couch.
Corian pauses a moment to listen to the music, with a quick smile, then heads over to perch on the indicated side of the couch, taking up the tea. "Thank you," she says, looking generally content with the world.
Clara reclaims her own seat and mug of coffee and just regards you for a long moment with a half smile. "You look...really amazingly contented. What was it you wanted to tell me?"
Corian replies, apparently in response to the remark about being content, "Tarrant is home, and he does not yet know when he will have to leave again, so the world is rather a wonderful place to be." She takes a moment to sip her tea, then adds, "That is, though, not what I originally intended to share with you, though. I... well, I finally did tell Hona that Tarrant and I are married." Cue the blush! From that look, Honalee's reaction was just as predicted.
A single brow quirks in reaction, Clara's eyes dancing with somewhat tired mirth. "Excellent. Having your husband at home is exactly the way it's supposed to be. And did Honalee ask embarrassing and pointed questions, then tell you how insanely delighted she was? Or was it vice versa?"
Corian replies, looking just a bit sheepish, "She managed to do both at once, in nearly the same breath. But at least she did not ask -when- we were married." She pauses a beat, then adds, looking amused and exceedingly embarrassed, "Clara, she is sending a -manual-."
Clara blinks several times at this, the desire to laugh crossing with astonishment. "She...wh-whaa-huh? A -manual-? Oh, no. Not a manual for what I -think- she's sending a manual for?" She drops her face into her hands, snickering helplessly.
Corian just sighs, taking another sip of her tea before setting aside the cup. She looks amused, though. "It is a manual for... well, what Tarrant and I have not yet done." She coughs very quietly, adding, "He... does not know that this is arriving, and it would likely be best if he were not to learn about it. He already thinks that Hona is paying too much attention to matters that are none of her business."
Clara tucks her legs up on the couch off to one side, still shaking her head bemusedly and grinning. "The woman is audacious. I want to be just like her when I grow up." She glances up, a hint of thoughtfulness stealing into her expression. "Does Tarrant know you came to discuss it with me, then? I promise I won't...well. Encourage is the wrong word, since I am trying to encourage, but not intrusively."
Corian inclines her head. "I mentioned it in passing," she replies, reaching for her tea once more. "Though, to be honest, I would not be surprised if he has forgotten that. It was the day that he returned from offworld, and he was very tired. He did not seem to mind, though--perhaps because I initiated the conversation. That is... not quite the case, with Hona." Her smile is fond, though.
Clara can't help but laugh quietly at that before another careful sip of her coffee. "See, you need to call her and grab her attention with something momentous before she can start asking questions. Poor woman, every time I comm her, it's usually with some tragedy that I need help with, or reporting that some near-catastrophe has passed. Someday I need to call her with good news."
Corian, with a faintly wry smile, observes, "I thought that a wedding would be distracting enough, but I was wrong. If I had mentioned -when-... but no, that would not quite be worth the distraction." Her brows arch just a bit at the mention of tragedy and near-catastrophe, but she doesn't comment. She stifles a laugh. "Mmm. Perhaps, when Tarrant and I finally do what she's hoping for, -you- could tell her. She would not be able to press for details, that way."
Clara tilts her head at that, shaking her head in vast amusement. "Why can't you tell her when the two of you got married? Surely she'd approve of you taking some time to yourselves before sharing the news with the world in general?" She laughs at the latter though, shrugging. "Sure, I'll tell her if you like. Although if she sends me a manual too, I'm hiding in my closet."
Corian laughs very quietly at that last. "I am almost tempted to do the same," she murmurs. She looks just a bit sheepish, though, at the first question. "Well... quite a lot of time has passed, though, and I have told quite a few other family members. I believe that Hona was the last to be told, and she would be... less than pleased to know that."
Clara ahs softly, nodding to that in understanding. "She may well be, yes. But then, you have to know that she's well aware of your...reticence on certain topics, and she knows she's already going to tease you about them. I'll bet she'd be understanding. Still..." She grins suddenly, "I'd have done the same thing if we weren't doing ours on Kashid whenever."
Corian murmurs something not quite clear about knees, though she smiles. "That will certainly please the family," she observes. Maybe they'll make you an offer you can't refuse? "Have you told many people that you are planning it--for whenever it will be, of course. I have been reticent to mention it, as I would not like to spread news before its time."
Clara leans back into the couch, wrapping her fingers about her mug for warmth. "I appreciate that, actually. I haven't told many people, no...primarily because I'm not sure if Riley wants anyone to know. This may not be for another twenty years...or it might be in two or three years." She shrugs vaguely. "My family doesn't know at all. I'd just...I'd like to have Honalee be there, is all."
Corian's smile is understanding, and perhaps a touch wistful. "I can understand that, certainly. If schedules had permitted..." She shakes her head. "But they did not. We will get out there for a visit soon enough."
Clara's lips twitch in acknowledgement and sympathy as she nods. "I know that feeling. Right now I'll just be pleased if he can get back for Corvil's wedding, let alone our own. Has Tarrant ever been to Kashid before?"
Corian pauses a beat. "You know, I am not certain of that. He has not mentioned it, if he has, but I really would not be surprised, as much as he has moved."
"At his age and profession, I'd be surprised to find a system the man hasn't been to," Clara notes with a grin, gesturing upwards with her coffee mug. "Does he speak Kashidian? I don't think I've ever heard the two of you use it...just that other language. What is that? His native?"
Corian inclines her head. "It is Millian, yes; I learned it back when we were still working together. It served well as a code, as so few people off the planet speak it. He speaks a few phrases of Kashidian that I have heard--flaran cha'menthi, that sort of thing--but I do not believe that he is fluent."
Clara does that obvious mental stop and reference as she rifles through her as yet rather small mental Kashidian dictionary, then shakes her head with a faint sigh. "I'm glad he knows it. I'm still at the 'good night, dear' stage. Well, code or no, it's a lovely language. Julie and I were fortunate to hear it at great lengths during his knee surgery," she explains with a laugh. "How is his knee?"
Corian offers, with a quick smile, "It is... I dare, or we dare, depending on the usage. Rather an appropriate phrase for Tarrant to know, I thought." Her brows lift just a bit at that, but she smiles cheerfully. "It is quite well. He does not seem to be having any difficulty with it." After a thoughtful pause, she adds, "I suppose it should not be surprising that he used Millian. He has mentioned that he thinks in that language, much of the time."
"I dare," Clara muses, smile warming. "A fitting phrase for many people here at the Complex, actually." She shakes her head with a fond grin, eyes downcast. "But he did tell us all these wonderful stories that I'm sure were really delightful had we understood a word."
Corian shakes her head, expression fondly amused. "He is, speaking of stories, going to get stories about me from Riley at some point. That should truly be fascinating for them."
Clara's eyes widen in sudden and impish glee over a hurried sip of the coffee. "Yes? What about vice versa, though...surely if Riley knows stories about you, you know stories about him?"
Corian shakes her head. "I am afraid I told Riley that I would not tell such stories," she replies, looking rather apologetic. "If I had not promised that, he would not tell Tarrant the stories about me, most likely. And it is only fair that Tarrant hear them, as I am planning to get similar stories from his sister."
Clara slumps with a melodramatic sigh, shaking her head. "Doomed. I shall have to call Honalee and ask her, then. It's only fair," she agrees with a grin. "See, when Riley met my mother and Niles, evidently they delighted in telling him the joys of my childhood." She shakes her head wryly. "I need to remember to send them a thank you card."
Corian inclines her head, looking rather amused. "Hona probably knows more stories about him than I do," she offers, by way of consolation. "And she would be most pleased to tell them, of that I am almost certain." And maybe she'll toss in a manual, just for kicks.
Clara would likely fear a manual and hide from it. Still, she tilts her head to consider this with a rather pleased smile. "You know, I think she would. Might make for a rather enjoyable conversation, too, so long as I can pull it off without Riley walking in in the middle of it."
Corian offers cheerfully, "If you would rather use my comm, and thus not risk waking Riley, I would not mind in the slightest. I did not, after all, promise my brother that I would not help you get the stories from someone -else-." And she smiles, the picture of innocence, or of evil very well-hidden.
Clara's eyes light up at this proposition in a bright grin. "Oh, could I? Oh, that would be wonderful, Corian. And then you could say hello to her at the same time. I'm sure you'd be allowed to -listen- to the stories, certainly? Nothing like that was mentioned, right?" Poor Riley.
Corian laughs very quietly. "Nothing like that was mentioned, not in the slightest." In fact, she looks markedly pleased with this prospect. If Honalee is telling horrible stories about Riley, she will be less likely to ask about Corian's love-life, or lack thereof. That sounds pretty gosh-darn good to her. "That sounds like it would make for a most entertaining conversation." Definitely, poor Riley.
Clara glances up at the chrono on the wall, still just about as pleased, and sighs happily. "Now, if he'll just have good news when I see him after work, life will be good today. I've got an appointment in fifteen minutes, but it's a fun one."
Corian inquires curiously, "Is he anticipating news of some sort? And if you have an appointment, I should be on my way, of course." She gets to her feet, adding, "Thank you for the talk, Clara. And do let me know when you would like to comm Hona. If you can give me enough warning to allow Tarrant to hide, I would appreciate it."
Clara rises as well, shrugging rather faintly. "I'm...not sure. Actually, I imagine he probably received whatever news he was waiting for yesterday, but schedules kept us from seeing each other." Her smile returns in force as she nods affably. "I will, most certainly. Perhaps after Tarrant's had sufficient time to rest and get used to being home again."
Corian tsks very quietly. "Then," she says, for a moment looking a bit like Honalee, "You should change your schedules. You should not be going without each other, after all, if you are in the same building." She offers a quick smile, then, starting for the door. "But do enjoy the rest of your day, Clara. And please give my greetings to Riley."
Clara follows you to the door, although stays within the office herself, and smiles pleasantly. "Aye, ma'am. I'll do my best. You have a good day as well, and give Tarrant my greetings as well."
Corian, with a pleasant smile and a lifted hand, exits the office. "I will certainly do so."
Corian walks towards the Medical Bay.
[Much later…]
MEDIC> Jones trundles out of long term care, slinging a stethoscope over his neck, and nods affably. "Afternoon, Chief."
MEDIC> Riley returns the wave cheerfully, almost surgically appropriate in his blinding whites. "Afternoon Jones, is Clara still hiding in her office? I need to toss her over a shoulder and haul her to Nick's wedding."
MEDIC> Jones holds up a hand, an evil smirk crossing his face as he leans down to tab at a button in the nurses desk. The buzzer from Clara's office can be heard out here, as well as the yelp it causes.
You walk towards the Medical Bay.
Fairly tall for a woman at 5'9", Clara is nonetheless sharply slender, the type of shape defined as willowy by the kind, or whiplike by the easily intimidated. Unique coloration adds to the conspicuous form, with almost untamabley tight curls standing out at angles to her head in a reddish bronze halo. The face they frame is at odds, pleasantly heart shaped and the color of java with a fair amount of cream with deep set hazel green eyes under well manicured brows. A light dusting of freckles crosses a thin nose, above wide lips flexible in expression. She seems to have about 28 years, although one can never be too sure.
Hair twisted up into a careful chignon, it obviously will never be smooth despite her greatest efforts to tame the curls into submission. With simple lines, a tailored dress of lined sage linen falls to just above her knees. Sleeveless, the neckline scoops to a delicate half circle, leaving wide straps to cross back over her shoulders. Unadorned black leather pumps unapologetically add perhaps another two inches to her height. A thin strand of gold necklace matches the setting of small garnet earrings. On her left hand is a ring of sterling silver and gold bands intertwine in a series of wire thin knots, each daintily dizzying pattern eventually joining together to provide a seat for a single stone. The stone is a deep burgundy in hue, smooth faced, with mirrored depths reflecting the pattern of the knots.
Clara looked at you.
Despite as much height as any Edreeni, Riley is apparently human. His hair is a mass of floomphy chocolate colored curls, cut close on the sides but allowed to grow more riotously on top. The occasional gray hair is visible amongst the brown. Set beneath careful brows, his eyes are the same chocolate shade as his hair, except where they are flecked with odd greenish specks that tend to pick up the light. His features are not angular or aquiline, although there is the hint of both beneath the cultivated air of excessive averageness he employs. His feet and hands are large, even in proportion to his six foot eight frame, adding to a relatively harmless image. His voice is low, with a touch of a rumble at times, as his natural accent tries to break clear.
A really formal occasion must be at hand, as Riley is wearing his Navy dress whites. Spotless white slacks with a line of equally colorless trim end at polished white shoes. A tailored white shortcoat sports neatly polished brass buttons. Far from looking rumpled as he normally does, this outfit looks like it could have been made for him. Stripes, pins and other accoutrements have been carefully maintained, and the four gold colored stars of an admiral gleam on the coat's high collar. The uniform's cap is just as blindingly white as the rest, and seems even more so in contrast to his chocolate colored curls. The overall effect is far more aristocratic and military than Riley usually manages.
Riley grins in decided amusement. "I'm guessing that's a yes," he murmurs at the sound of the buzzer. As Clara emerges however he pauses to wolf-whistle softly. "Oh my love, you look wonderful."
Clara all but tears out of her office, still fastening on an earring and commenting, "Yes, yes, I know it's time...I was on the com-... Oh, wow! Forget the Security dress, that's.." She breaks off with a laugh and a quick raspberry at Jones. "Right back at you, dear. All ready?"
Riley offers his arm, chuckling quietly. "As I'll ever be. I have my notes, I know where the lake is, I have you, I think that's the list. You?"
"Mmm, aside from feeling decidedly odd in a real dress? I guess I don't get much more," Clara replies, taking the proffered arm and glancing back. "Don't burn down the place while I'm gone," she notes to Jones with a grin, then nods. "Let's go."
Riley offers a grin to Jones, and a nod to Clara, and then heads for the door.
[Travel to the lakeside snipped]
Perhaps a hair under six feet tall, Corian is painfully thin, and has quite fair skin. Though she takes care to disguise her slight frame with baggy clothing, the spare lines of her face and the delicacy of her overly-jointed fingers hint at what is hidden. Her build is not even remotely athletic, with an absence of muscle that would not be out-of-place on a sedentary pre-adolescent. In fact, even her face looks quite young. If not for a presence and a self-posession rarely found in someone who is the age she appears, she could easily seem to be a young teenager. Silvery-blonde hair is cropped neatly at her jaw, the style attempting to make her narrow face look wider. Sparse brows arch over cloudy gray eyes, and under neat bangs. She has an obviously Edreeni cast to her features, and moves with the grace characteristic of that group. Her alto voice is quite flexible, and her Standard is without any trace of accent.
The fabric of this dress is rather clingy, somewhat uncharacteristic of Corian's wardrobe. It is also sleeveless, though the pale blue cardigan that she wears hides that. The dress itself is of the same blue, with darker blue and white worked in a rather patternless design. Dark blue flowers also spot the dress, and tan leaves. The dress itself ends at Corian's calves allowing sight of her ankles, and definitely of the comfortable dark blue flats that she wears. The neckline of her dress is low enough that a second chain may be seen, besides her usual silver-leaf necklace. On the third finger of her left hand, she wears a ring made of interlaced layers of malachite and gray, an interlooping and entirely complex object.
Kyara is of average height for her race, around four and a half feet, and has the slender build of that people. Her platinum blonde hair, though thick, is cut short, to the nape of her neck. Her complexion is pale ivory, her features delicate. Oddly, unlike most others of her race here, both small horns poking through her hair are misshapen and twisted. Those familiar with her race would guess her age to be around 21 years, 10 months, and 8 days. Her outfit is comprised of a one-piece pantsuit, its color varying shades of pink that blend together at the edges as if airbrushed. Sewn of silk, very light pink lace is overlaid on the body of the material, and seeded with tiny faux pearls of white. The pearls form the shapes of interlocking waves and curlicues in apparently random patterns. The collar of the jumpsuit is almost military in style, though it dips in a 'V' to expose just a bit of cleavage. A slim belt circles her waist, its buckle a golden metallic material. The suit fits her form smoothly, showing curves without being skintight, and the legs and sleeves slim down to her ankles and wrists. Soft, low-heeled shoes of a matching pink cover her feet. Jewels in light amethyst sparkle in the silver web of a necklace around her throat, as well as adorning wrists and finger. A matching set, apparently.
Kyara nods with a wry smile. "First one for me. That's rather nice, in a way." Her eyes shift to the newcomers, and she gives a pleasant nod.
Riley comes down the path, his notes in one hand, Clara on the other arm. He looks altogether pleased with the world at the moment, he likes weddings. He offers a wave to the others, grinning. "Hello."
Corian, seated near Kyara and Kaycen, follows Kyara's gaze, and smiles cheerfully. "Good afternoon--Riley, you -do- clean up nicely. I certainly hope someone is here to capture the moment in a photo."
Clara looks about equally pleased, if just a little cautious at navigating a lakeside in heels, and brightens in a grin at the others. "Hello, hello. Doesn't he? This is almost as good as flannel," she adds, teasing.
Kyara smiles slightly, a bit amused. "Nice to see everybody happy for once."
Riley just rolls his eyes, shaking his head sadly. "The lot of you are hopeless. Although I am hardly going to complain about the opportunity to wear this instead of the ridiculous dress uniform of Security. At least now I don't look like a butler. Everybody looks amazing." He ecorts Clara over to a seat.
Corian shifts over somewhat to make room for Clara, flickering an agreeing smile to Kyara. "It is a lovely day," she murmurs.
Clara gives Riley's arm a brief squeeze before lowering into the seat easily and holds a finger to her lips at Kya and Corian. "Hush, you'll anger whatever sleeping gods there are and tempt fate. Any sign of the rest of the entourage in white?"
Kathlyn comes to join the throng. Despite the bets on whether she'd come wearing spraypaint, she actually looks remarkably ladylike, in a blue dress that makes her eyes look even more that color.
Kyara giggles quietly. "That's just about what I told Nick." She shakes her head to Clara's question. "Haven't seen 'em." Her eyes flicking to Riley, she notes, "You look... regal."
And of course where Kathlyn is, can Shan be far behind? Rather than wear the ridiculous dress uniform, he's opted for a gray suit and a cheerful red bowtie. He's a geek at heart.
Corian lowers her voice to speak quietly to Clara, eyes sparkling. She mutters to Clara, "The... from Honalee arrived.... you... news... with... other."
You sense Corian lowers her voice to speak quietly to Clara, eyes sparkling. "The... book from Honalee arrived. And you can give her the happy news whenever you like. But those two have nothing to do with each other."
Clara offers an affable nod to both Kathlyn and Shan and starts to say something else before Corian's words capture her full and complete, and rather delighted attention. "Oh, that's wonderful," she murmurs back. "I won't mention the coincidence, though."
Corian looks decidedly pleased with Clara's response. "Thank you--I do appreciate that. She will be smug enough as it is." She greets Kathlyn and Shan as well, apparently approving of the cheerful bowtie, from her smile.
Riley glances about before heading up to the front, more or less where he figures he's supposed to be for this.
Rushing in and scooting into a seat rapidly, Albert gives those he's met before brief and remarkably bright smile, noting to Kyara, "Remind me not to mention nets, yes my dear?"
Jay walks here from the Outside Copper Hill.
Kyara laughs softly, giving the maestro a nod. "Or a ball and chain, gotcha."
Elasia walks here from the Outside Copper Hill.
Niko walks here from the Outside Copper Hill.
Clara merely flashes a grin at Corian and nods at the elderly gentleman who hurries to a seat by Kyara before returning to watching Riley.
Although hardly one to stand out in a crowd of otherworldy diplomats, Elasia is by no means unremarkable. Her facial features are curved without being overly round, and slender without being skinny. Eyes of a brown so dark they're almost black lurk merrily beneath expressive brows the same hue. Captured back in a loose tail, her hair is a mass of flowing curls, and hangs to just below her shoulderblades. She's relatively tall for a woman, at nearly six feet; and like her face her body is curved without being round, and slender without being skinny. Her skin is almost fair, but with a hint of olive tone to it that keeps it from being quite so.
Elasia's dress is exceptionally simple, but it suits her well. Instead of silk or some fancier substance, it is made of bleached white cotton, light and airy. The bodice is close, but meets with a full skirt descending in delighted disarray to her ankles and cheerfully inappropriate white canvas tennis shoes. The hem is hung with a single rimmed layer of cotton eyelet lace in an almost whimsical pattern. The neckline is low, not so low as to be daring, but low enough to make obvious the contrast between bleached cotton and olive-toned skin. The sleeves are comprised simply of a double row of the same eyelet lace as the skirt's hem, and fall gently just past Elasia's shoulders. She wears no veil, instead letting her dark curls hang free down her back, even more contrast against the white. She looks young, which she is, cheerful, which is also the case, and altogether light and unfettered.
Standing at around 6'4", Niko is muscular without being overly so, and rather rangy. His black hair has been cut close along the sides, without even a hint of curl. That curl springs to life at the top of his head, though, just long enough to allow the riotous tangles to be shown. Olive skin is unmarred by freckles or blemishes. His eyes are large and dark, and would be bovine-esque if they held less intelligence, beneath brows that bear a disturbing resemblance to a pair of caterpillars. Besides the brows, his oval face is dominated by a nose that would be aristocratically aquiline if it hadn't been broken at some point in the past. His voice, a pleasant baritone, frequently holds odd inflections, remnants of an accent that he can't quite shake. He looks to be somewhere in his early twenties.
It's the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man--if Mister Stay-Puft had a crop of black, curly hair and a stupidly goofy grin. Niko is clad in white, from his crisp cap to his blindingly-polished shoes. There is, fortunately, some other color than white--namely, the gleaming brass buttons on his tailored shortcoat. Also gleaming is the gold oak leaf of a lieutenant commander, which is placed just so on the coat's high collar. His slacks are just as white as the rest of his clothing, with a line of white trim. The white is a stark contrast to his coloring, but suits him for all that.
Audity walks here from the Outside Copper Hill.
Jay makes his way affably through the crowd to find a seat in the back, giving a wave to those he knows. Riley's appearance does not quite provoke a snicker.
Tall (6'4") and lanky, this human male is skinny enough that the notion of him being intimidating is laughable. Laugh lines crinkle around his dancing deep blue eyes, and his complexion is utterly pale, testimony to very little time spent outdoors. Lean fingers move quickly, never able to stay still for long. A long narrow nose, heart-shaped mouth, and firm square chin serve to give him what some have called an aristocratic look. His black hair is pulled back into a nape-length ponytail at the back of his head. A sweet tenor drawling voice is only slightly tinged by an Edrilac accent. Always casual, always comfortable, and always in the best clothes available, Jay's lanky form is clad in fashionable but well-worn denim jeans. A billowy scarlet button-down shirt tucked into the pants doesn't quite hide the skinniness of his form. White sneakers with a trio of blue stripes on each side (well, they used to be white) allow him to pad softly through his surroundings. Those with access to his personal files would know that he's 20 years, 12 months, and 3 days old.
Riley's already present grin widens as bride and groom arrive, he was starting to worry a bit. "I guess this means we can begin, with the principles present now?"
Kyara gives Clara a warm smile, hastily moving the package beside her onto her lap to give Clara room.
Corian offers a pleasant smile to Albert as well, then pauses as the happy couple arrives, with the obligatory oohing and ahhing for Elasia's appearance. "She really does look -lovely-," she murmurs.
Niko, heading, presumably with Elasia, over to Riley's general neck of the woods, looks rather ridiculously cheerful. "What, you don't think we should wait another hour or four?" he quips quietly.
Elasia smiles rather brightly, and indeed trails along with Niko. At his suggestion she obligingly pokes him, "Evil and vicious, I think we might wish to avoid that."
Clara's eyes widen at the couple as she catches her breath, nodding with a smile lighting. "They both do," she murmurs, glancing up with a quick nod as Kramer lowers to a quick seat nearby. Yes, he's in dress blacks...with that khaki knit cap. Maybe it's permanent.
Kyara quips, "What, and give the lake time to break him?"
Riley would poke Niko, but see, Ela has conveniently done that for him. Instead he tugs out his notes and addresses the assembled group. "Good afternoon all, and thanks for coming. If Nick can manage to keep from breaking something here in the next few minutes, I think we can get this underway."
Niko obligingly oofs at the poke, then just rolls his eyes at the various breakage-related comments. "I think I can manage not to trip on a bit of sand, sure, yeah."
Clara didn't even bring her field regenerator. She has faith in Niko. Besides, no place to put it in a purse.
Elasia takes her position, smiling in a rather amused and delighted fashion. "You never know..." She murmurs. Ah, the joys of double-team Niko torment.
Corian just shakes her head as she watches the trio up front, managing to look pleased and amused and content, all at once. She's gifted that way.
Riley pitches his voice to carry, although he does not raise it. "For some reason, it's traditional to begin these things by defining why we're here. I brought notes, please don't throw fruit." He pauses a beat, and then begins, "Love takes time. It needs a history of giving and receiving, laughing and crying. Love never promises instant gratification, only ultimate fulfillment. Love means believing in someone, in something. It supposes a willingness to struggle, to work, to suffer, and to rejoice."
Elasia shifts perhaps a bit closer to Niko, seemingly un-nervous. But then as long as this has been in the works, she's probably run out of nervousness to be.
Niko reaches to take Elasia's hand. It may not be traditional for them to do so just yet, but, hey, this isn't exactly a traditional wedding. He doesn't look nervous, either. He just looks happy. Of course, he also doesn't have to talk yet.
Riley continues, with another brief glance at the pages in his hands, "Love is doing everything you can to help others build whatever dreams they have. Love involves much careful and active listening. It is doing whatever needs to be done, and saving whatever will promote the other's happiness, security, and well-being. Sometimes, love hurts. Love is on a constant journey to what others need. It must be attentive, caring, and open, both to what others say and to what others cannot say...Love says no with empathy and great compassion."
Kaycen nods. Love is Security. That makes sense. He loves his job. Heck, he loves his boss. Even though Clara's not his sister.
Albert sniffs unabashedly, a grin fit to split his face. He hasn't a clue about marriage, but weddings are wonderful.
Elasia doesn't seem to object to having her hand taken, traditional or not.
Corian, with a very quiet, pleased sigh, murmurs almost inaudibly, "When in the world did he become so eloquent?"
After a brief pause, Riley concludes, "Love is, above all, the gift of oneself. We are here today to witness Iolytus Nikolaus Casymed and Elasia Ianthyl Iokovu's vows today, as they give themselves one unto the other." He probably spent all night getting those names down.
Kyara closes her eyes, digging tissues from a hidden pocket to dab carefully at them. She mutters to Corian, "... helped."
Clara shakes her head, with a sigh far more excessive than Corian's and rather enraptured. "Isn't it amazing?" she murmurs in whispered response.
Niko starts to pay a bit more attention. He heard his name, that means he's supposed to listen. Not that he wasn't listening before, of course--he just wasn't listening quite so hard.
Elasia was listening the whole time, this is her job, she's female. She glances briefly at Niko, looking delighted.
Corian casts a quick smile at Kyara, then nods at Clara, remaining silent and just looking pleased with the marriage and her brothers and... well, just about everything.
Riley turns first to Niko, grinning broadly. "Nick, do you take Ela to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, in sickness and in health, in chaos and in..." There's a brief fumbling pause, "...well in this place, more chaos, for richer or for poorer, for as long as you both shall live?
Niko has a grin to match Riley's. They're definitely brothers. When he speaks, his voice is firm, and loud enough to be heard, without sounding too much like he's trying to be heard. "I do, yes." He adds, more quietly, "And thanks for -not- mentioning breaking."
Clara purses her lips faintly to avoid an inappropriate snicker, eyes dancing at the wording as glances over with a warm smile at Kyara. Kramer murmurs something about breaking, but he is quiet about it.
Elasia stifles a quiet laugh, her eyes dancing with the repressed merriment.
Riley just looks innocent.
Jay folds his arms smugly. That's /his/ sorta-cousin up there marrying an angel, after all. Hooray for the home team!
Corian doesn't sniffle. Seriously. She just smiles, looking altogether thrilled.
Kyara has given up on wiping away the happy tears, just beaming at the couple. Thank goodness for waterproof makeup.
Still looking innocent, Riley then turns to Elasia, "And Ela, do you take Nick to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to..." He pauses, peering at the page in hand and then peering back at Kathlyn, "Who wrote 'and to beat with a nerf bat' in my notes?!" He shakes his head, snickering, "To have and to hold, from this day forward, in sickness and in health, in chaos and in more chaos, for richer or for poorer, for as long as you both shall live?"
Kathlyn murmurs, "Well, he could -use- a good beating, from time to time. At least I made it a nerf--bat."
Elasia manages to stifle the various side-comment induced laughter to nod, stifling it even further to announce, "I do."
Niko takes a moment to grin at Kathlyn. On this one day, heck, she can say whatever she wants to him, and he's not going to complain. Take advantage of it now, folks.
Clara is by now covering her mouth, eyes wide with the effort to stay quiet, although she does mutter something about squashing?
Albert just beams and wonders in a whisper, "Is that how he caught her?"
Corian laughs very quietly, casting an amused glance towards Kathlyn before she turns back to the trio. At Albert's words, she blinks, and chokes back another laugh.
Riley simply shakes his head, glancing briefly heavenward as if asking some bizarre deity for aid and or patience. "Do you have the rings?"
Kyara keeps the snicker to a minimum at Albert's comment.
Elasia nods, removing a ring from one half-hidden lace pocket. -Now- she looks nervous, but now there's something she can -drop-, so are we suprised?
There's a brief moment of terror on Niko's part as he checks the wrong pocket. Okay, now he's nervous, where's the... aha. There's the proper pocket. The one where he put it so he would remember where he put it, and then promptly forgot where he put it. He holds said ring very carefully, nodding as well.
Once again, Riley turns first to Niko, "Nick, as you place the ring on Ela's finger, please repeat after me, 'You are my wisdom and my laughter, the song of my heart, my home. Best-loved friend; wife and lover... I love you; you are my joy.'"
Niko reaches to take Ela's hand. Maybe Riley coached him with this stuff, or maybe he's just got a good memory. He repeats, a bit more quietly than his I do, looking more at Elasia's eyes than at her hands--which is why he fumbles just a bit with the ring putting on-ing, "You are my wisdom and my laughter, the song of my heart, my home. Best-loved friend; wife and lover... I love you; you are my joy."
Elasia is nearly as bright as her dress, despite relative color differences, so obviously delighted is she.
Corian does sniffle now, though, and reaches into a pocket for a prudently-stowed hanky. Thank goodness for not wearing any makeup. She murmurs to herself, "... so young."
Clara blinks owlishly, the near laughter having given way to it's close kin of holding back happy tears, full attention...not on the couple, but on the officiant.
Riley then turns to Elasia, although considering the relative position of the two, he doesn't have to turn far, "Ela, as you place the ring on Nick's finger, be careful, he's breakable mind you...please repeat after me, 'You are my wisdom and my laughter, the song of my heart, my home. Best-loved friend; husband and lover... I love you; you are my joy.'"
Elasia is a quick study as well, and she's already gotten to hear the words a whopping three times, so she fumbles not at all with the words, her soft voice still quite clear. "You are my wisdom and my laughter, the song of my heart, my home. Best-loved friend; husband and lover... I love you; you are my joy." She cheats, and sheepishly glances down to make sure she has the ring lined up before meeting Niko's eyes again and smiling as she slides the ring onto his finger.
Niko doesn't break, it may be noted. He does, however, smile brightly at Elasia, looking ready to burst from sheer happiness. Hmm. That would probably count as breaking, though, wouldn't it?
There's a brief pause, as Riley all but panics as he realizes he doesn't have anymore notes. Then he realizes, whoops, this is the end, and says to the audience. "Now, by the power invested in me by the Alliance, I now pronounce you husband and wife. What these two hearts have chosen, let no man dare to sunder." There's a pause and he says in a quite audible aside, "This is where you two get to make out in public so everyone can point."
Corian, with a bit of a blink for her elder brother's evil, bites back on a laugh and murmurs to Clara, "We need to comm Honalee very soon."
If Clara doesn't have to regenerate anyone, breaking hasn't occurred. Well, except any of the men breaking into snickering at the end comment. The doctor nods at Corian with a broad grin. "Very soon."
Niko doesn't need to be told twice. He just grins at Riley. "Hey, all the practice'd be for nothing, if people didn't point." And with that, he bends down to kiss Elasia, and to be kissed. He must watch Oprah; it's at least six seconds.
Kyara just awwwwws. This whole thing is just too romantic for words.
Elasia would be laughing, except, see, Niko rather efficiently cut -that- off, and she decides to participate wholeheartedly in the causing of others to point. She doesn't watch Oprah, but she probably did read Cosmo or something on the vital importance of public displays of smoochery. When at last the kiss ends however, she takes the opportunity to poke Niko in the ribs. He deserves it.
Corian doesn't point. She, like Kya, awwws, making a bit more use of her handkerchief.
Niko reaches to snag Ela's hand, perhaps to prevent further rib-pokery, perhaps just because he can. He grins brightly at her, unrepentant, then finally turns to see just who showed up for the happy occasion.
Clara isn't in need of a handkerchief, but she is blinking rather rapidly, uttering another completely sappy sigh at the kiss of approval.
Kramer, on the other hand, just watches with fascination. People can kiss that long? Wow.
Folding his notes and tucking them in a pocket, Riley simply beams. Slipping away from the front, he heads to the crowd as well, and Clara.
Elasia turns as well, looking rather shyly sheepish at the whole endeavour, as well as blindingly happy. "Thank you," she murmurs.
Clara brightens even further as she's rejoined, although with an admittedly wry light to her eyes as she murmurs something to him.
Riley senses "Clara grins up adoringly and notes, "Aren't you supposed to introduce them now, oh wondrous wedding officiant?""
Kyara's tissues are in shreds. They got a good workout today.
Riley blinks at Clara, looking puzzled and moving to tug out his notes.
Riley whispers "But, doesn't everybody already know them? If they didn't, why would they be here?"
Jay erupts in brief applause- whether it's for the final act of marriage itself or Niko's ability to hold his breath is questionable.
Riley senses "Clara bites back a soft laugh. "Okay, true enough. Never mind.""
Niko, after a few nods and waves and such, leans closer to murmur something to his wife. He mutters to Elasia, "... was... fun,... us... or anything.... have... be... til..."
Riley still looks perhaps a bit puzzled, and maybe faintly worried. He's going to have to ask about this one later.
Corian casts an amused smile at Jay, murmuring something to him about ropes and brands and such. Behind her, Kaycen looks extremely disturbed. He didn't think the Chief's sister was -that- kind of lady.
Elasia replies in kind, looking perhaps a bit lost, She mutters to Niko, "... have... dear.... not accustomed... weddings... all."
Clara casts a rather amused sidelong glance at the poor confuzzled admiral and leans in again. Perhaps to explain.
You whisper "I meant to introduce them as a married couple, love. You know...Lieutenant Commander and Mrs. Casymed? Ela's name just changed." to Riley.
Niko nods as he slips an arm around Ela. "Maybe a couple minutes to say hi and all?" he suggests quietly. "Then we can flee."
Jay gives Corian a horrified look. She's evil personified, no doubt.
Kyara politely moves a few inches away from Clara, to give the semblance of privacy for her converstation with Riley. She mutters to Corian, "... like, supposed to congratulate..."
Corian, after casting a sweet smile at Jay, nods to Kyara. "That would be appropriate, yes," she replies, with a smile that, while less sweet, seems somewhat more sincere.
Elasia nods to that, looking perhaps still rather sheepish, and a bit be-wildered. Glancing down however at the ring on her hand, her smile returns.
Kyara swallows, getting to her feet to approach Niko and Elasia cautiously. Last thing she wants to do at this point is make some horrific breach of etiquette.
Niko leans over to kiss Ela's cheek--though only for about a second or two, as Kyara approaches. He offers a cheerful smile. "Thanks for coming, Kya. No spraypaint, huh?"
Clara glances from one side to the other, peering at the quiet murmuring going on throughout those assembled, then smoothly rises and follows Kyara, although rather less cautiously, although is cut off by the elderly maestro.
Albert puts himself fast on Kya's heels, almost bouncing like a child at Christmas.
Kyara smiles slightly, shaking her head. "I'm afraid I had to disappoint in that regard, Nick." Oh yeah... "Um, congratulations!" Yeah, that's the ticket. "You two look wonderful together."
Elasia's brows can't help but lift at the mention of spraypaint, "Thank you for coming, Kyara," she adds, eyes dancing with amusement. "And you can poke Niko for spraypaint references, promise."
Corian remains seated for now, apparently content to let others get in their congratulations, before she does the same.
Niko starts to say another thankyou, but then pauses at Ela's words, with a muffled snicker. "Hey, now. Thought you were the only one allowed to poke me, now, hon. Didn't Riley mention that in the vows? Could've sworn he did." He flashes a cheerful grin to the other wellwishers, too.
Albert circles around Kya and thwaps Niko on the back affably, beaming. "That's the way to do it, Iolytus. Good job, lad. Clean up well, too...verrrrry spiffy, you look. Mrs. Casymed, my dear, you are ravishing! Simply ravishing!"
Kyara blushes slightly, stepping aside to let the others access, and shyly offers the box she's kept on her lap. The tears missed it, thank goodness. "I, um, got ya something. Made it, actually. Heard it's traditional."
Offered to Elasia, actually. Very important, that.
"I'd have noticed if he had," Elasia murmurs qith a quiet chuckle. She cannot help but smile at Albert's words, "Thank you sir." Kyara's offered box is accepted with a nod of thanks but some confusion, "Thank you, but you didn't need to..."
Kyara carefully hands over a wrapped present.
Kyara snorts softly, amused. "Of course, but freely given tis much more... heartfelt, I think."
Niko again starts to thank Kya, but, no, he's too busy oofing quietly. "Thank you, Maestro. I even washed behind my ears," he adds, tone jesting despite the fact that the words are truthful. He does, however, beam at the description of his wife, watching the present-passing-over rather curiously.
Jay bounds up with a grin, happily taller than most of the crowd. He gets a good view even as he gives Niko a wink. "You... are one lucky guy."
Elasia glances to Kyara, smiling, "Thank you. Should I open this now, for everyone to see?"
Niko nods to Jay, with a bright grin. He doesn't pull Ela any closer. She's his. She's married. Eyes off, Jay. "You don't have to tell me that, trust me."
Clara elbows Jay lightly with a bright grin up and nods from somewhere behind the maestro. "I'd say today they're both getting just what they deserve...the best."
Albert nods in emphatic agreement, thumping Niko on the back again before tottering off to go natter at a nurse.
Kyara mhmmms, turning a little red. "If you wish. It's yours to do with as you please."
Jay gives Niko an innocent look. "Do I, ah, get to be the first to kiss the lucky bride? Heck, I'll even give you a smooch if it means I get to congratulate her as well."
Niko looks after Albert with a cheerful grin, which he extends to Clara. "Thanks. I am, at least." He starts to say something else, then just looks at Jay, though not without a snicker. "Ask the lady. She's the one who would be kissed, after all." And Niko'll just hurt Jay if the kiss is over-familiar.
Elasia carefully tugs the wrappings from the gift, revealing an afghan and pillow in white. She smiles brightly, "Oh, they're lovely. You made these yourself?"
Clara can't help but roll her eyes at Jay, noting, "Riley's right. You're a hellion," before stepping in to squeeze Niko's arm. "Congratulations, my friend," she murmurs with a warm smile that she adds over to the occupied Ela before slipping away and back towards the other man in white.
Jay just grins, folding his arms.
Kyara turns scarlet. "Um, yeah."
"It's amazing." Elasia carefully tucks the items back in the box, to preserve their whiteness. She seems to amazingly have missed any discussion of being kissed.
Riley is still seated back with the bulk of the remaining crowd, rummaging through his notes.
Niko casts a bright grin and a thankyou after Clara, before peering into the box. "Very nice, Kya. Talk about multi-talented, yeah. Got our names on it and everything."
Kyara nods, murmuring 'you're welcome's and 'thanks' all at the same time, and retreats a bit into the crowd.
Jay sidles up to Elasia, beaming down at her. "Does the groom's cousin get to be the first to offer a congratulatory peck on the cheek?" He's restraining himself- he can do that... really!
Clara reseats herself to peer over at said notes and whisper, "You know if you forgot something, you have to do it all over again." Good thing the gleam in her eyes makes it apparant she's joking.
Corian gets to her feet to join the congratulatory throng. "Elasia, dear, I can give you his mother's comm code if he is being too forward." That is said with an amused look at Jay.
Elasia blinks at Jay's question, glancing around as if hoping someone's going to explain if this is traditional. She blinks at Corian, laughing softly, "The danger of having family about, someone always knows such things." She shakes her head however, "If it is traditional..."
Niko only moves half a step away from Ela, with a grateful grin to Corian. Despite all his talk of group marriage, he's really not all -that- keen on sharing his wife.
Riley blinks several times before realizing Clara is indeed kidding, and chuckles quietly. "I was just…well checking."
Jay acks at Cori. "You're evil, woman." He shakes his head to Ela with a slight smile. "Depends on the culture. But I do offer my most enthusiastic congratulations. Welcome to the family."
Elasia smiles, nodding to Jay, "Thank you, I appreciate the welcom. Thank you for coming."
From a fair distance and leaning against a tree, a salt and pepper haired individual smiles wistfully and gives a nod of approval before slipping away and back towards the steading.
Corian smiles serenely, looking anything but evil. "My dear cousin," she murmurs, "You must be mistaken. But he is correct, though, dear, welcome. I am most glad to have another sister." After all, this one isn't Evvy.
Jay nods, taking a couple steps back with a smile. And starts looking over the crowd for /single/ women.
Clara slips her fingers over the notes and smiles up brilliantly, shaking her head at Riley. "You did wonderfully. Even with Kathlyn's help," she adds with a quick grin at said SecOff.
Niko blinks as he spots the salt and pepper haired individual--but, no, he's leaving. Can't go say hello, gee, darn. He relaxes just a bit as Jay departs, offering his cousin a cheerful wave.
Kathlyn is close enough to hear the part of the comment that relates to her. "Hey, I could be a lot worse," she says, all innocence. "At least I didn't give Ela her wedding present -here-. Heck, it's a present for Nick, too. He'll like it." She grins brightly, before passing on into the crowd.
Kaycen pauses long enough to murmur a quiet congratulations to the couple before he leaves the gathering--going, no doubt, back to work. Aww.
Kyara laughs softly, overhearing Kathlyn.
Hmmm. No unattached women here. At least, none that Riley wouldn't warn him off of, probably. With a wave to all, Jay meanders out of the immediate vicinity.
"Thank you," Elasia says to Corian as well, "I really do appreciate your welcome."
"Doc...subspace comm for you. Jones says to get back up to Medbay stat. It's Conley," Kramer offers apologetically to Clara, resting a hand on her shoulder.
Clara's eyes widen at Kathlyn in near-alarm tinged with a grin as she shakes her head. "Sometimes I fear that woman," she murmurs in Kyara's direction before nodding and rising immediately. "I'll see you tonight," she offers to Riley, waves at the others, and flashes a final grin at Niko and Ela before hurrying off, Kramer on her heels."
Nodding to Clara, Riley heads out as well, following Kaycen.
Riley walks towards the Outside Copper Hill.