Wedding Traditions

Evening falls across Alexandria, the cool dampness clinging to the air and leaving the beginnings of a mist to form in the air, but here in the gardens, the warmth chases the worst of that away. It is this property, combined with the smell of green and growing things, that Dolan has sought this evening, and he's parked himself on one of the benches near the statues, and has taken a sheaf of scrolls with him, apparently to read. That, he is doing now, ut pauses at a certain point in the page, blinking his lone brown eye at the words. "We call upon the righteous and the - wait, is that what that means?" he mutters. "Fuck. I must be starting to see shit."

It was wandering time again, and Ous found himself in the gardens. Having made his way towards trees, the big ranger had wandered amongst the paths for a bit, then decided to lay down and have a nap. It is now that we join our intrepid hero. Sitting up from under a tree, he blinks emerald green eyes once, then stands. there was no middle ground between the states of 'I'm asleep' and 'I'm awake' He just woke up, stood up, and began walking the paths, one hand fishing around under his hide shirt to dig out his tobacco pouch.

The debate raged on for hours. Alaryn pacing back and forth at her market stall and staring balefully at her tank-tread-driven-cart. Granted, the debate was internal for her. In the depths of her thoughts. To drive or not to drive. I mean she's been wanting to see the gardens, and she could damage them if she drove, but... the cart is so damned cool..

She exhales explosively and turns to start stalking off towards the gardens. See? She can leave the crazy contraption of a vehicle behind from time to time.

Of course, having human eyes, and not being able to see in the dark... Alaryn reaches up and activates her Cap of Light, rearranging the metal scaffolding around the top to focus the light beam in a 60 degree arc ahead of her rather than omnidirectional.

So yes, there is a young lady meandering through the gardens, the top of her head shining an arc of light ahead of her. Not the sort of thing one tends to see every day.

Clutching a small notebook to her stomach, Simony is sleepily walking the Gardens, following the main path. As she is passing the statues, the sound of swearing is heard. Dolan, blinking at the scroll, draws her eye. She takes a hesitant step forward, and clears her throat lightly.

"Uhm, would you like a little extra light?", she offers quietly.

Dolan looks up at the voice near his elbow, and grins back at her, a cheeky thing that is reflected in the lone brown eye. The other half of his face, furrowed and melted, moves far less, but reflects a little of that crinkling. If the right eye, a golden gem in a steel-and-bronze ring - is a soulless thing with no expression at all, it can't be helped.

"Brightest of days, Simony," he answers, the rasp of weariness in his tones. "No, it's time I stopped," he answers, rolling up the scrolls. "You can only read Daeusite wedding traditions for so long before you lose your mind. I think I started being able to read the formal pieces, and they're not written in Trade."

He has eschewed the armor, wearing only the sleeveless sheepskin jacket and a winter-weight woolen shirt with a hgh collar in dark blue beneath it. A pendant bearing the image of a stylized dragon hangs around his neck, a leather strap appearing to go across his chest beneath it from the leather cuff that encases his left shoulder.

Hearing familiar voices as he makes his was along the paths, Ous heads towards the statues, and the people. Wrapped in his cloak of multiple muted earth tones, the large Aesir raises a hand towards Dolan and Simony both. "Evenin ye two."

Simony smiles tiredly, and offers a deep bow at the waist. "Brightest of days, to you as well. Dolan, if I remember correctly? Magpie said your name, and I believe you introduced yourself also. Daeusite wedding traditions?" Her tired expression brightens, the shadows around her eyes vanishing. "Are you officiating a wedding, or getting married yourself?"

She nods lightly. "Ah, having to translate them, I can understand why it might feel that you're going cross-eyed, if you've been at it a while."

Her eyes flick to Ous as he makes himself known, and she offers a wave to him. "Hello.", she says softly.

Dolan looks up at Ous draws closer, studying him for a minute. "Evening," he returns, with that same grin. "Get things sorted with that thing you picked up?" he asks, shoving the scrolls into the small knapsack at his feet. "I've got more to show you, when you think you're ready."

To Simony, he laughs easily, although there's a reverent tone to it. "Mine - Simony, is it?" he hazards, hesitantly. "Mine. Andie and I have decided to do the full rites. Most people don't do the pieces that aren't in Trade, but they really are beautiful, if hard to pronounce. I think I've about got it, though. I decided that I'd rather sit outside."

Nodding to Dolan, Ous chuckles. "It an' aye have come tae an understanding. Th' nightmares have returned tae normal now." having heard the last part of Dolan's statement, he adds. "When ye are ready. Aye've time on me hands. the things Aye need tae do will keep me busy for awhile until ye get yer marryin' done."

absently rolling a cigarette in one hand, the ranger watches the pair, then looks more closely to Simony. "If Aye'd known ye were heading this way, Aye'd have wandered wit' ye."

"Yes, you have it right, Simony. Simony Smithsdottir, if formality is required, but Simony will do." Her grin is broad. "It is a wonderful and joyful occasion then. I wish you both a full marriage and life together. I hope you will have guests, the city could use more cheerful occasions like yours to cheer about." She looks uncomfortable a moment and attempts to take on a more somber expression, but the smile doesn't budge. "Sorry. Weddings are exciting, you know? They are so different here, compared to back home."

The Goblin looks to Ous then, her expression full of curiosity. When addressed by Ous, she waves a hand dismissively. "I hadn't made the decision to come out here until after I'd left. But that is generous of you, and well appreciated."

"I've got time," Dolan answers Ous, straightening up and draping an arm over the back of the bench. "I'm not taking many Guild jobs right now, though I'll probably start again soon. Most of what I need to show you about it's done in dreams, anyway."

"Yeah? So what are your wedding traditions like?" he turns the question on Simony. "We're looking forward to it. I need to have our rings made, as well."

Nodding to Simony once more, Ous looks back to Dolan and raises an eyebrow. "In dreams? that sounds like an adventure." Shifting to lean on a nearby statue, the ranger watches the pair again for a moment. eyes turning upwards to apparently check the wind, he finally slips the tinder box from the small pouch and touches the tip of the cigarette to the ember after checking to see that he was downwind. "Aye Dinnae think Aye know how tae get intae someone elses dreams."

The Goblin looks embarrassed, and rubs at the back of her head. "Well, back in the uhm old days, we'd raid other burrows for mates, as they would raid us. But now, it's a ritual. Lovers who wish to form a recognized bond will ritually raid, one or other will 'kidnap' their soon to be spouse. Their family members will come to try and rescue their stolen kin. Then we have a ceremony following the most basic of Althea's wedding rituals. It sounds awkward, but it kind of neatly stitches together the old ways with the new ways we've taken up."

She nods at the mention of rings, "Do you make them yourselves, or have them made?"

Simony looks to Ous, and then Dolan, and back again. Curiosity killed the cat. Her voice lowers, "You're walking about in people's dreams?", she wonders quietly.

The description of such wedding rites leaves Dolan eyeing Simony in puzzlement. "I'd hope you aren't actually killing anyone. That'd be a terrible way to start off relations with your intended's family." He grins crookedly. "I'd need to have them made. I don't have anything close to the skill at the forge for that. I'll do that soon. As for dreams - that thing you picked up makes it possible. IT's a thing of dreams, really. I'll come find you some night, and show you what I mean. I've gotten - pretty practiced at it."

Listening to Simony explain Goblin wedding traditions, Ous grins. "Aye think that actually sounds like fun. Way better than 'Oi! Aye think ye're rather fetchin', Aye like yer dress, but Aye think it would look better on th'floor of me house. ye want tae get married?" Taking a breath, Ous continues in a falsetto tone. "Well Aye don' know, ye smell like a cow shed, but ye have big feet! Go an talk tae me Da!"

Dropping the Falsetto Ous continues on. "Oi, Big Man! Aye Like yer daughter and want tae make me lineage wit' her. ye good wit' 3 cows if I throws in an elk hide I got left over from last years huntin? It's not the naughty one I keeps in the bedroom. I promise." Turning his head to the left now, the ranger changes his voice slightly. "4 cows and throw in the naughty pelt an we got a deal son."

Looking back to Dolan, Ous nods once more. "That sounds good. If Aye'm in town, Aye kind of like that Ox Strength place. Otherwise Aye'm outside the walls in camp."

Simony laughs and shakes her head, "No, no one dies. That's not happened since the old days, well before I was born. Sometimes, the family doesn't want the two to bond, and if that's the case... they just don't show up. It's kind of sad, but, better than killing each other." She nods at his comment about having someone else make the ring.

The Goblin stares at OUs for a long moment, her cheeks flushing rosy red. "D.do people actually propose that way?" Her snort is followed by a giggle as Ous plays out the whole schtick, and she sighs. Looking back to Dolan, her grin is hopeful. "I'm assuming your... or hers, proposal was more romantic?"

Dolan, on the other hand, throws back his head and laughs heartily at the mock description, the lone brown eye bright with good humor. "A naughty elk hide you keep in the bedroom," he chortles. "I'll have to try that one on Andie." Still chuckling, he goes on. "I'll find you. The Ox-Strength has terrible beer, and I've gotten too old for the brawling, but the company isn't bad. I'll find you."

"I've actually proposed to her twice. It's a story, but we've been sweet since we were teenagers. So what, if they don't show, do you not marry? That quirk steals some of the laughter, transforming it into puzzlement.

Taking a drag of the cigarette, Ous grins at Simony. "In some places. Most of the places Aye grew up in, th' proposals were even worse." Once again he slips into that Falsetto. "Oh George, Aye'm in th' family way, an me father Captain Skull Crusher says Aye have tae be married by noon or there'd be a funeral by 1:00!"

Pausing for a moment to wipe a tear away from his eye, Ous sniffles. "That one were a beautiful ceremony. Me Da were on the Grooms side. Captain Skull Crusher cried like a newborn. George didn' even have tae be threatened, he were happy tae get married toe Trixie. Aye likes the ones where the sides is evenly matched fer the brawl afterwards too."

"Oh, the marriage still happens, if the two still wish it. It just means that one of the families is not giving their blessing." The Goblin lets out a small breath. "It happened to my brother, his bride's family didn't think him worthy, so did not come. His wife took it well enough, though she was upset." She rubs at her cheek again. "It is hopeful that at some point, his wife's family will change their minds."

Her expression grows cheerful once again. "That... is adorable.", she says, "And I'm happy for you, that she said yes."

The albino peers at Ous again, her expression one of disbelief. "Why do I feel that you're not pulling my leg this time around?" She snorts and giggles. "A brawl? That would fight right in to our ceremony, from times past. Do you sell tickets to this, I have a feeling there would be some good money to be made."

Again, Dolan laughs, although less heartily this time. "I believe that one. Seen it more than a few times, growing up. We didn't have brawls, though, but I bet Andie'd like having a brawl at her wedding." He shakes his head slowly, turning his full face from figure to figure. "We figure after the ceremony, we'll hire out the back room of a good tavern, buy a keg or two, and throw a good old-fashioned party. That'll wake anyone the service itself puts to sleep."

He nods, more seriously, at Simony. "That's got to be a hard blow. I hope they do, too. Andie's family don't like me, either, but they disowned her, and her mother's probably consorting with demons, so we don't give a shit what they want."

Looking confused for a moment, Ous raises an eyebrow at Simony. "Aye weren't pulling yer leg th' first time either. there is a tradition up in th' north fer buyin' yer wife off her family. It shows yer able tae provide fer her, it shows ye respect the effort th' family put intae raising the lady, an' on some levels, it squares the wifes debts wit' the family. kind of like startin' new. There's been cases where th' lady bought her man, but it ain't so normal."

Taking another drag from the cigarette, Ous adds. "Th Brawls aren't strictly nec...niss...Ye don't need tae have a barwl, they just kind of happens. Ye could tell yer brother tae go over tae his wife's family, walk in th' front door an' kick her Da in the goolies...but mebbe don't. That could be one of them Language barrier things we were discussin earlier."

attention shifting back to Dolan, Ous grins a bit wider. "Well aye guess ye jest have tae gauge what yer bride wants. if she really looks like she's itchin' fer a fight, dare yer best man tae start one. Sounds like ye got a good deal though. Pretty sure all mother in laws are in league wit' at least one devil. At least ye aren't expected tae visit on holidays."

Simony nods to what Dolan says, but that last bit cause her to blink. Wait. Wat? "Well, I certainly understand your feeling if your mother-in-law is is consorting with demons. That's a uhm bit of a shock, I would say."

The albino nods to Ous, a shy grin forming on her lips. "Well, it does sound like fun. Perhaps a bit much, but fun, at least. Colourful, even." She snorts at the man's suggestion to Dolan, giggling.

She looks back to Dolan, "So are you holding a public ceremony, or just for a select group of guests? The party afterwards sounds like it'll be fun."

"Oh, it'll be public," Dolan replies to Simony, nodding. "The party afterward? Depends on how much juice is involved. I'll have to talk that over with Andie." His easy good humor shines through in the mobile half of his features, but is wiped away for a moment. "That's not a figure of speech, Ous. I've just got to prove it and I'll have the bitch before the High Tribunal. Pretty sure she sent demons after my family." A dark sort of anger is fleeting, before he turns back to happier topics.

"I dunno what she'll want. I better stay out of it, if that's what she wants, but she might find that fun. If that's what she wants, I'll make it happen," he goes on. "If I know Andie, she'll do it just to scandalize her family. She's got no more use for them than I do. Mine'll be there. Yours sound like a hoot, though, Ous. The whole thing about the ritual raid .. I can see that being fun."

Nodding again, Ous chuckles. "Aye don't know if Aye plan tae ever get married. Plus Aye don' have any cows. Aye do feel though like Aye might start sellin' me services as a goblin wedding planner. Those do sound amazing."

Simony blinks at Ous, and smiles, "I doubt you would need to pay anyone's family to marry their daughter." The Goblin offers the two a bow, again from the waist. "I wish you well in your upcoming wedding, Dolan. And I must bid you both good evening. I have to get back to the monastery before they lock me out." She offers a little wave, "I hope to see you both around."

"Yeah. See you around." With a groan of effort, Dolan heaves himself to his feet, and reaches to pick up the knapsack at his feet. "I'd best head for the Temple, Andie will be done soon, and I'll have to tell her the one about the dress looking better on the floor." His grin turns wicked, something naughty perched on it and ready for trouble. "See you both around. Ous, I'll come find you."

With that, he turns and strides off into the gardens, headed towards the south exit.