Back Porch: Scholar's Guild, Alindaer Village

The porch is another common place, besides the lounge, for people to goto relax. Naturally, it is chosen in finer weather, but it is beautiful nomatter what. Comfortable armchairs and rocking chairs are set out on the porch with small tables. Food and drink are set out here as well, whenweather permits it. The colour scheme here is an airy white and pastel which is a surprising contrast from what is found indoors. The white railing and white stairs lead out into a beautiful garden which is the pride of the botany students here.

When snow covers the ground, few people spend time here other than to stand on the porch and look out over the snow-covered grounds. Food and drink is no longer laid out, though often people bring their own out from the lounge. As evening draws near, people start appearing for recreational reasons, and lanterns start being lit, both here and in the garden.

A door leads back into the austere guild hall, and the stairs lead down into a charming garden.

Contents: Morcath, Paulo, Shallenne, Rhynne, Zedrum, Meeko

There's a noticeable buzz of activity within the Scholar's Guild this afternoon, at odds with the usual calmness that pervades the place. The sounds of idle chatter come from the rear of the building, fires lit to provide a warm environment for those gathered here, the falling flakes of   snow providing a dazzling backdrop to the whole affair. And quite a few have gathered, the porch filled with many of the residents of the Guild, from young to old. Not often that such a notable occasion as a wedding takes place with these walls, the fact that its an Altaran ceremony likely being as much a draw to their curious minds as the fact that its one of their own members getting married.

Meeko is grinning as she straightens her robes. She has been teasing Shallenne for nearly 2 years about getting married and remembers the Ambassadors reluctance and denial that it would ever happen. Dark eyes scan the room as the acting High Ambassador puts on yet another of her roles as the towns Sage and the one that will aid in this wonderful ceremony.

The old tailor, Paulo, is seated comfortably in one of the chairs. He is wearing clothes slightly better than his normal outfit and waits patiently. He has a permanent smile on his face, a fond expression apparent. He must like weddings

Among the guests of this grand even is the groom himself, Zedrum, in a small circle of his fellows and discussing of the events leading up to this day. The smile on his lips fails to hide the nervousness that he obviously feels, for this is not a day that he had never expected to come. Imagining himself married never occurred to him since he met Shallenne, and now, it seems to him the most natural thing to do. Not far from him sits his parents, conversing quietly with one of the younger scholars.

Mary has arrived.

A slight hush gradually descends as those closest to the hall notice Shallenne's arrival with her niece Mary. Nervous? Perhaps a touch, though not enough that it would really register in the minds of most. The young Ambassador steps along the hall and into the porch with confidence, her manner relaxed, unperturbed by thought of the ceremony ahead. Strange perhaps for one who had once convinced herself she'd never give her heart to a man, let alone her hand in marriage. But the truth can be glimpsed within those dark Altaran eyes as they come to rest on the waiting scholar, a deep and certain love shining within, one which holds no doubts as she takes her place by his side.

Meeko stands facing the crowd that has gathered to watch this happy event.Mutters can be heard as to how beautiful the bride is or how handsome the groom is. Someone even comments about baring the door so they cannot change their minds. The sage takes her place and waits to begin the ceremony for the happy couple.

Paulo is old and doesn't move much. He sits still and watches and waits.

Everybody seems so happy for them... Everybody but one person, though the think is well hidden behind the roguish behavior and impertinent smile of the young girl, almost in her sixteen’s now. Casually blowing a rebel lock from her eyes, the young olive-skinned Altaran shoots a quick sidelong look at the one who managed to steal her aunt from her, though the older woman seems happy enough... so maybe it's not all that bad... maybe... Shivering slightly, Mary hides herself a little more under her long travel worn cloak before, why her usual feline grace moving to lose herself in the crowd, yet never really far from her aunt... she will definitely not stay in a place where everybody will be able to look and see her... professionalism some might say...

With the arrival of the bride, the guests step aside, allowing her to pass and take her place by his side. He can't help but stare at her as she approaches, those dark tresses waving side-to-side, framing the lovely face of the woman he had fallen in love with years ago. And that love still burns, even brighter today. A warm smile traces a curve on his lips, he nods as she approaches, offering a hand to her as she takes her place at his side. "You look wonderful, Shallenne," he says.

Paulo studies the clothes the happy couple is wearing, shaking his head here and there. Ah, the trials of being a tailor, one always wonders how a garment would look if....

Meeko brushes her robes one last time as the couple comes before her. She smiles to Both the Ambassador and the lucky man who finally will settle her down. "when you are both ready please join hands so we may begin the ceremony." Her eyes alive with joy as she glances to her guard Keats who is a spot in the shadow. Her ever-present guard, the pretty one according to the Domini shop keep, the one with the wonderful *assets*. Meeko smiles and silently wonders if it will be she who will go on through life alone.

If Shallenne notices Mary's less than enthusiastic response to the occasion, she makes no comment on it, not prepared to allow anything to ruin this day. She gives a little smile to Zed's parents as she spies them, her gaze swiftly returning to her beloved as she reaches out to take his hand. Her fingers squeeze gently about it as she gives him a soft smile. "As do you," she tells him quietly. Her attention turns to Meeko then and she gives her a bright smile, well aware of some of the thoughts going round in the sage's mind. She's shared enough of her trials and tribulations with the woman after all.

Pouches... pouches... coins... Mary lets her gaze wander a little bit, almost in a kind of dreamy trance as a wide beatific smile spreads on her lips... This is the very thing that little girl loves... coins... and the shiver coming along with the thievery. With a started blink, the young Altaran gulps and forces her dark gray eyes back to the heroes of the day... if heroes they are...

Paulo watches the whole occasion with that warm smile on his face. He notes privately that the young girl's eyes dart toward money almost instinctively. One does not reach his age in this time without recognising that.

The groom fails to notice Mary's reaction to the wedding, knowing that she hadn't liked him from the very first day they met. Not something he should be worrying about now, though. He smiles to the Wisdom as well, and takes Shallenne's hands into his. "We are ready," he tells the woman softly.

Meeko clears her throat then begins "Shallenne Tyrell, I ask of you, here before your friends and loved ones, to aver your love for this man." She places her hand over their joined hands. Shallenne, do you take Zedrum Mahanon to your bosom as husband and companion, to have to cherish through health and sickness, benign fortune and calamity, till death does cleave you, in the hope of rebirth and salvation, how say you now?"

There's only the slightest of the shift in the assembled crowd and a furtive flapping of a travel worn cloak as the young Altaran quietly starts forward in order to have a better look at the couple, her thin nose wrinkling slightly at the sight despite all the promises she had made to herself not to. With a silent muffled sigh, Mary turns the empty gray of her eyes to her aunt, waiting for the reply she knows will come.

Her gaze remains on the sage as Shallenne listens to the words, words she's never even heard someone else agree to, such has been her aversion to weddings in the past. That, however, has clearly changed, as shown in the brightness of that smile as she turns to look at Zedrum before making her response. It would seem that she's actually enjoying this moment. "I do," she tells Meeko, firm voice chiming out clearly. The wry thought that she'd rather avoid the calamity part does cross her mind, but she remains quiet.

By her side, the groom remains silent, quietly enjoying the process of this ceremony. And when she says those words, he smiles and gives her a loving glance, before turning back to the sage knowing that it is now his turn to be asked those words.

Meeko waits until after receiving Shallenne's response she turns to Zedrum, "Zedrum, I ask of you, here before your friends and loved ones, to aver your love for this woman. Zedrum Mahanon, do you take Shallenne Tyrell to your side as wife and companion, to have to cherish through health and sickness, benign fortune and calamity, till death does cleave you, in the hope of rebirth and salvation, how say you now?"

Zedrum's midnight-dark eyes watch the sage as the question is asked. For him, those words hold great meaning for his life, and it is now that he can truly state his promise to have and to hold his beloved Shallenne until the day he died. Like her, those he had never expect those questions to be ever asked of him, but now it seems that nothing could make him say no. A smile forms on his lips, and he speaks the words, accompanied by a small cloud of mist. "I do."

She has said them... She has... And tearing her eyes from the sight of her aunt, Mary quietly plunges back into the crowd, quietly crawling her way to the bottom in order to rest almost hidden in a corner, her trained thief's ears catching on every comments coming from the people assembled. With a hardly hidden yawn, she lets herself drop on the ground, scratching her head quietly while waiting for the ceremony to end...

The fingers tightening a little about the scholar's hand, perhaps betrays just a touch of deeply concealed nervousness on Shallenne's part. Her smile softens as she hears his reply, her gaze fixing on his, nothing but love for him within the dark depths of her eyes.

Meeko turns to the guests and speaks where all can hear, "Is there any among you that has reason to comment on this union? Speak now or forever remain in silence." she waits for any replies before continuing the service.

No no no, she will not be tricked into it, her aunt is old enough to know what is best for herself and if she has chosen to spend the rest of her life with that man... well... Yet, Mary cannot help but reach out for something well hidden under her cloak... Might anyone raise his or her voice right now... and goes against her aunt wishes...

The guests watch with anticipation as the wisdom states her question. Few words are exchanged among them, though certainly a few sobs can be heard, notably from the scholar's mother. But, to the union that now takes place, no objection is made.

Although she wants to look around, Shallenne finds herself quite unable to, perhaps worried that she might see someone standing up to make a protest. Such would be possible, for her past isn't exactly spotless. Those sobs catch her ear though and she does spare a glance over to Liah, hoping that the woman's tears are ones of joy for her son's marriage and not distress. Her hand grasps Zed's even tighter now.

Meeko waits for any response then says "As symbolized by this ceremony, you are to become as one before the law, and beneath the Creator's eye, may he shelter and bless this union so that it may prosper." She then turns to the dagger bearer smiling, nodding for Zedrum to take the item off the cushion. "It is now time to exchange your personal vows as the dagger is presented to your soon-to-be wife."

The dagger which is to be exchanged along with those vows is brought forward by a lad dressed in white. Daryn, the youth who views the scholar as his uncle and Shallenne already as his aunt. Which means he really should be introduced to Mary some time. His eager hands hold the cushion out towards his uncle so he might take the dagger from its top, a big grin lighting up his face.

Lifting a brow, Mary tilts her head to a side, so they have chosen to go and do that wedding the Altaran way... Strange enough one might think... But nothing had never surprised her coming from her aunt whom she, at least, managed to trick... hmm... push into all that Ambassador thing, a good thing at least since the bottle has been away from the woman of late... even if it would not be only because of her new found duties. With an even bigger yawn, Mary scrambles up to her feet and stretches slightly, arching her back and closing her eyes... Why has she never realized she missed the sound of the sea so much...

Letting go of Shallenne's hand for the moment, Zedrum turns to the dagger bearer and carefully takes the symbolic weapon from the cushion, smiling to his nephew as he does so. It glints in the winter sun as he picks it up, and he holds it almost reverently to his beloved. "Shallenne," he says, "I love you with all my heart. I have been blessed for having met you, and I cannot imagine a day going by without you. You are everything to me, and there is nothing that brings me greater joy than to be your husband." His eyes shift to the wedding knife in his hands, and his voice softens slightly. "I dedicate my life to you. And if ever it should displease you, then use this knife to end it. This is what I ask."

A few gasps rises from the guests, from those who had never witnessed an Altaran ceremony. And they are not few. Among them is Zedrum's mother, who pales slightly as she hears the words from his son's mouth. Could he really be serious? Knowing her son, he probably is. His father, though, seems unmoved; an advantage to having learned about the ceremony beforehand.

As she receives the dagger, a wry smile rests upon Shallenne's lips, only growing at the gasps which sound. Though it was her wish to marry in true Altaran fashion, in some respects she's far from being the norm for her native land. Though strong-willed and direct, fiery when provoked, there's little of the usual Altaran love for daggers and bloodshed within her. "I accept this dagger and wear it to show that I have taken you as my husband," she tells Zedrum, a softness to her words despite their volume. "You give me the right to take your life, but in doing that I'd be taking my own. For you /are/ my life," she continues, smiling gently at him as her eyes speak the earnestness of her words. "My heart, my body, my spirit.. All I am, I am for you.. because of you. There'd be no life to live without you. I love you with every breath in my body, with every beat of my heart, and so I cherish your life as my own." As her words end she leans towards him, sealing them with a little kiss placed on his lips, regardless of the fact that perhaps she's not supposed to do that yet.

Meeko looks to the couple proudly, "Then by the rights and duties bestowed upon me by my Oath as Sage and beneath the face of the Creator, I now do proclaim you wife and husband." She congratulates the couple and steps away so that family and friends can share the happy occasion. Meekos goes over to her guard and smiles to him then looks for something to drink for her now dry throat.

Zedrum had been staring into Shallenne's eyes, drinking deep of the emotion behind them and allowing her to see the love that burns in his own heart for her. Her words do nothing less than move him as she speaks them. The little kiss was a unexpected, and a smile forms on his lips when she gives it. And when the sage pronounces them a couple, it is he who leans forward this time, to give his wife a kiss.

And once more, the little girl moves slightly backward in order to leave enough room for those gathered to reach the new happy husband and wife... something she will not do herself for her aunt knows she happy for her, at least she had made the effort to come here in order to assist the wedding... Lingering unmoving for a moment, Mary suddenly shakes her head and starts to wander around, it has definitely been without surprises but as long as her aunt is happy with it...

Lost in the depths of his eyes after allowing her love to show in such open words before all those gathered, Shallenne feels her lips curving up in a little grin at that final pronouncement. Seems like she really went and did it.. that which she swore she never would. Her hands reach out of her new husband, arms opening to take him into the first of many embraces as a married couple, the rest of the gathering far from her mind at the moment as she shares that tender kiss, a moment not to be rushed, for it will linger eternally in her memory. Leaning back from him as their lips part, she seems to be at a loss for words all of a sudden, the little grin resting in place as she continues to gaze into his eyes. And then the first of their friends make their way forward to congratulate them.

Married. Zedrum nearly finds it unbelievable. But the fact that it is Shallenne whom he now holds in his arms makes it quite possible to think of. Nothing could make him happier than the promise that he and this woman will be spending the rest of their lives together. He turns as their friends approach, pride in the grand event that had occurred just now.

Finishing some water and placing the glass down, Meeko walks over to the happy couple and waits for the kissing to finish. She smiles and speaks softly "congratulations, I never actually thought you would go through with this. I do wish to thank you for allowing me to share in this festive day." she chuckles and looks to Shallenne "Well Ambassador I suspect you will be ready for work in a week or so?" something in that tone of hers and the remembrance of the times of Shallennes denials in the past that she would marry. She looks to Zedrum "You are going to have your hands full with her Zedrum if you need anything just holler."

Turning at the sound of Meeko's voice, Shallenne keeps one arm around her new husband's waist, not about to let him go anywhere just yet. "It wouldn't have been the same without you," she tells her, unable to keep that little grin from her face. She reaches out happily with her free arm to hug the sage, pausing in light of that final comment. "Oh, I think he's already learnt just how full his hands are going to be," she remarks, turning her head to give Zed a little wink. Her mind flits briefly to a certain stone that lies in his study, the grin only increasing as she ponders that.

Dressed in immaculate white, Zedrum's Nephew Daryn wanders off from the congregation of people. Not much left to do for him, now that the ceremony's over. Not much, except to find someone to speak with, perhaps. He finds someone, though, in the form of Mary. "Hello..." he greets, his voice melodic. "My name's Daryn. What's yours?"

"My name?", Mary replies suspiciously, letting her eyes appraise the young man from head to toes, "oh... It's Mary...", she flashes a roguish smile before dropping in a flourished bow, hair and cloak dancing all about her, "It's a pleasure to make you acquaintance... I do take that you're.. a friend of the couple yes?", she inquires, a finger coming to nest against her cheek, "Maybe you would like to congratulate them?".

Meeko blushes at Shallenne's comment "why I was just doing what I do Shallenne, it was you who made the changes needed to catch this one." she smiles to Zedrum "I wish you all the happiness that can be found." Meeko then motions to Keats and bids the happy couple farewell. She heads to the Council office to deal with the problems of the city once again.