NationStates Jolt Archive

Dahlia sat in the bedroom in her beautiful wedding gown. She hadn't expected things to move so quickly. She had never felt so nervous. There was chaos all around her. Her bride's maids were fussing over every little detail and for what? A very short ceremony and a BBQ? She didn't even know why she was dressed so lavishly. I nice business suit would do just fine. Hell, she told him that she would marry him in jeans and a t-shirt. She giggled. "Maybe that's what I should do."

"What was that, ma'am? Oh no! Why isn't your hair done yet!?"

"My hair is fine the way it is and I don't want to wear this bloody dress!"

"What? Why not? It's beautiful! What would you rather wear, my dear?"

Dahlia looked around the room. "That!" she pointed to her pinstripe business suit. "That's perfect!"

"But that's not something you get married in! You only do this once, at least it should be only once."

"I will get married in that. I want to be comfortable." she removed the dress and put her suit on. "That's more like it. Oh! It's almost time! Please check to see if our guests have arrived."

The UN Delegation from Allech-Atreus, composed of Ambassador Pendankr, Chief Umdiroplach, and Secretary Mannuschrat, waited quietly wherever it was that people waited for such things. Pendankr fidgeted with his cloak, and Umdirplach louged on a couch. Selvia was sitting primly, filing paperwork on her datapad. Pendankr looked at her, and sighed.

"Can't you leave your work behind for once? We're at a wedding, for christ's sake."

They paused.

"What's "Christ?" Umdirplach asked.

They all shrugged. Selvia kept ticking away. "Ambassador, I have to get this paperwork done. If I don't file the requests by 5:00 toda, we won't be able to requisition next year's budget for the month of January. You know how the bureacracy works."

Pendankr sighed, nodded, then looked around at his co-workers. The invitation had said to dress casually... but Pendankr didn't own any casual clothes, so he just wore what he usually did- the overly decorated and formal clothing of a Khaylamnian lord. He didn't know what else to do. Umdiroplach was dressed as normal as a Kazamalian could be, with that funky skirt and tall boots.

Selvia, of course, was the only one who had dressed down. Of course, she was usually the most pragmatic and comfortable of the group, and was simply wearing a variation on her business suit. She had also put a festive faceplate on her datapad, which Pendankr was sure she'd be ticking away on for the rest of the day.

"Well." Pendankr said. "We're here... I wonder where the drinks are..."

Antechamber
Royal Country House
Queendom of Karmicaria

He looked out the antechamber door and into the hall where he would shortly be wedded to the lovely Dahlia. That open bar staffed by professionals is going to cost me quite a bit. Accelerus Dioce shrugged. He figured that the bar and the BBQ to be held outside in the courtyard would be worth it for the goodwill it would engender amongst those attending today's ceremony. Besides, he was in a generous mood. He smiled, and put his hands in the pockets of his pants. The material was quite soft, he noticed. It belonged to a rather pricy business suit he had purchased for the occasion, the closest to genuine formalwear he was likely to ever get. Accelerus had always been one for more practical and comfortable clothing. Something easier to hide a weapon in.

He walked out of the antechamber and spotted some folks from Allech-Atreus waiting in the antechamber across from him. They were a bit early, but there was nothing wrong with that. Grinning, he walked over and said, "Howdy Ambassador Pendankr. I'm glad to see you decided to attend." He nodded politely to the other two individuals waiting with the Ambassador.

Pendankr rose and smiled broadly at the gentleman. Even Pendankr was technically older than Dioce, Accelerus was by far his elder.

"Accelerus, my congratulations! I know we're a bit early, but that's the way things go when our homeland is in an alternate dimension... the time change really throws you off a bit." He laughed.

"My friend, I remember when I first came to the UN, and we ran into each other in the Stranger's Bar. I like to think my first real lesson in the UN was from you. It's wonderful to see that you're getting married!"

He motioned to Selvia, who stopped ticking for a second, then started ticking again.

"Accelerus, I hope you don't mind, but we've brought some gifts for the occasion... the Emperor wished to send a personal gift as a gesture of goodwill. They're being unloaded now... we'll wait until the lovely bride arrives to show them in..." he hushed, and drew a long, slender box from his robes.

Whispering, he leaned toward Accelerus. "This one's for you, direct from me. The finest Imperial Brandy, Emperor Hashal Kumra VI's year. Five thousand years old. I've only ever had it twice in my life, but I swear to the gods that be it is the finest liquor I've ever tasted. Enjoy it!"

Antechamber
Royal Country House
Queendom of Karmicaria

Accelerus chuckled at the mention of the dimensional time change, and listened intently as Pendankr spoke further. He raised an eyebrow when the man mentioned gifts. Gifts were not generally given at weddings in HotRodia, but it would be rude to point this out at this juncture. And besides, Accelerus was interested in seeing what, or whom, it was that was being given to him by the Emperor. He had never warranted gifts from an Emperor before.

His thought process was interrupted by Pendankr making a move towards his robes, prompting an instinctive reaction from Accelerus, whose eyes quickly followed his hand's movements. Fortunately, the object brought forth from the robes was brandy, and based on the claims being made about it, an excellent brandy indeed. "I am quite impressed, and quite grateful. I look forward to seeing the Emperor's generosity for myself, and tasting of what I am sure is truly an exquisite drink if you recommend it so highly. By your leave, I'll step back into my antechamber and store it for later. Thank you again." He smiled jauntily and walked back across the way and into his own antechamber, realizing with some surprise that he had just been rather diplomatic. Love does funny things to a man.

OOC: I'll be gone until tomorrow night, so don't expect me to reply soon to any posts.

"There are a few guests here already Dahlia. You should go out to greet them."

Dahlia peered out the door. Sure enough, there were four people waiting. She was about to head out to greet them when she noticed that one of the four was Accelerus. "I can't go out there! He's there! He shouldn't see me before the wedding!"

"Now where did you get that crazy idea from. There is nothing in Karmicarian tradition that says you can't see each other before the wedding. I highly doubt that there's anything in HotRodian tradition either. Now, go out and greet your guests!"

"Fine mother." she pouted and went out to meet them. As she left her room, she noticed that Accelerus was heading away from the group. "Oh good." she thought.

She waited until he was out of sight and continued on her way. Approaching the two men and the woman and cleared her throat. "Good day! I am do glad you could make it! Have you taken advantage of the open bar yet?" she smiled and gestured towards the very well stocked bar.

Pendankr smiled when he saw Dahlia enter. His hands at his sides, he bowed at the waist, taking his hands and clasping them as he was bowed. Umdiroplach and Mannuschrat did the same. It was a traditional greeting to the bride in Imperial weddings.

"Congratulations, my dear! You are so very lucky to have a fine gentleman as Accelerus. I hope that you will be truly happy with him." Pendankr said, his carefully trimmed beard crinkling as he smiled.

"We have brought wedding gifts... as I told Accelerus, the Emperor has sent something as a gesture of goodwill. We will present them later... I hope that we have not offended by bringing gifts, in the Empire, wedding gifts are a tradition meant to honor those to be wed. Some of them are traditional gifts, but there are a few more modern ones." He smiled again, then suddenly widened his eyes in surprise.

"Oh, I am sorry!" He gestured to his companions. "I do not believe that you have been properly introduced to my companions! This is Pazirbashan Umdiroplach, our Chief of Office Affairs, and Selvia Thar Mannuschrat, the Secretary. You may have seen Pazribashan debating on the GA floor."

Both bowed to the bride-to-be. Pendankr noticed that Selvia had put away her datapad.

"Thank you for directing us to the drinks... but I think we'll wait for the other guests to arrive before we partake. I'm sorry for being so early!"

Dahlia smiled. "Thank you, kind sir. I am a very lucky woman and I'm sure we'll live a long happy life together." she listened as he talked about the gifts. "It is Karmicarian tradition as well. I thank you for the gifts. I do hope that you enjoy yourself. I'm sure that the other guest will be along shortly. I must finish getting ready now." she smile, leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. " We'll talk more at the reception?"

With his answer, she turned and made her way back to her room, where she found her mother waiting rather impatiently.

A short, balding man, in his early 40s, wearing an Armani suit arrived at the country house. He looked around and saw the groom. He walked up to the gentleman and introduced himself.
"Mazel Tov, my friend. I'm Murray Rosenkrantz, the Deputy ambassador from the Palentine. I wish you and your bride many blessings, and that your marriage bring you much happiness.. here this is for you and your intended."
Murrray reached into his jacket and removed a thickish envelope.
"Just a little something. L'Chaim."
With that Murray bowed slightly and walked over to the bar.

Christelle (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Christelle_Zyryanov) knew that Min (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Kim_Min-Sun) was nervous. It was not often her secretary was invited to formal functions - even if this one was supposed to be very informal - and Min was apparently not certain whether she would be welcome.

"Rubbish," Christelle had told her. "You'll have a nice time. And I don't think there'll be any scary Kennyites or Cluichtanis there, so cheer up."

Ironically, the ambassador was dressed far more informally than her secretary, who had insisted on wearing a nice, neat and proper-looking dress.

Christelle smiled at the guests who had already arrived, shook hands, and made her way over to the groom-to-be.

"Congratulations!" she told him warmly. "Whoever said the United Nations is not the perfect place to fall in love?"

"We've brought grapefruit wine," Min spoke up almost shyly, handing out a large bottle. "Finest vintage, Ambassador."

Antechamber
Royal Country House
Queendom of Karmicaria

No sooner had Accelerus stepped out of the door to the antechamber after storing Pendankr's most excellent brandy than he was greeted by the Ariddian ambassador and a girl who appeared to be her aide. Accelerus chuckled at Christelle's opening comment. I may have said that. Or at least thought it.

"Thank you for the congratulations," he replied, just as her aide presented him with a bottle of the famous grapefruit wine. He was beginning to get the impression that folks believed him to be an alcoholic. Not that they would be wrong. "Thank you very much, young lady." He smiled benevolently at the girl, then turned back to Christelle. "Y'all enjoy yourselves, and feel free to ask the staff for anything you need. There is a BBQ after the ceremony if you want to stay and celebrate with us. We'd be pleased to have you there."

"As long as there's vegetarian food, we'd be glad to." Christelle smiled at him. "And I wish you and Ms. Black... sorry, Mrs Dioce, every happiness."

She turned to talk to the other guests.

Dahlia paced in her room. "I guess I should go out there now. I see that more guests have arrived. I don't recognize them though, but Accelerus seems to know them."

"Yes, honey. You should greet your guests and quit biting your nails!"

"Sorry, mother. I'm just so nervous. Okay, I'll go. See you out there mum." Dahlia took one last look in the mirror, touched up her lipstick and header out to greet the new arrivals. The closer she got, the less nervous she became. She saw Accelerus talking with them. When she got close enough, she cleared her throat. "Hello. I'm so glad you could make it! Has Accelerus told you about the BBQ after the ceremony? I do hope that you will enjoy yourself. If there is anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask." She then turned to Acclereus and kissed him on the cheek. "You look very handsome, darling."

Antechamber
Royal Country House
Queendom of Karmicaria

Accelerus felt his body relax as he noticed Dahlia coming towards him. She was dressed in a business suit, like him, and filled it out very nicely indeed. Gorgeous as always. After she spoke to Christelle, she turned to him and kissed him on the cheek, calling him handsome. That reminded him of one of their meetings in the Stranger's Bar (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=310853). He grinned as he remembered what followed. "And you look indescribably beautiful, Dahlia, " he replied, returning her kiss by planting one on her cheek.

Dahlia blushed a little. "Thank you, love. I can't wait to started. I don't want to wait any longer to be Mrs. Dahlia Dioce. But I suppose we should wait for a few more guest to arrive. I'm going to get a drink. Would anyone else like one?" Dahlia made her way to the bar, looked at the options, then decided to settle for some water.

Christelle smiled warmly at the bride-to-be, greeted and congratulated her, then slipped aside discreetly to leave the two of them together. Not wanting to start drinking just yet - although a fruit juice would be nice in a moment, she thought - she turned once more to the other guests.

Pendankr noticed the Ariddians enter, and smiled when Christelle turned to talk. He bowed at the waist slightly.

"Ambassador, how are you?"

Dahlia felt herself getting nervous again. She wondered where all the guests were. Maybe she shouldn't let it worry her. If no one else showed up soon, she would just ask if they could get on with the ceremony. Any stragglers wouldn't bother her.

She sipped at the water and looked around. The guests that were there seemed to be getting along just fine. Mother seemed a bit panicked, but that wasn't unusual. Father was late, which wasn't unusual as well. Though to Dahlia, the only thing that mattered was that Accelerus was there. She didn't care if no one showed. She spotted him still chatting it up with the guests and decided to go back. "Do you think that we could get on with the ceremony soon, darling? I'm getting rather anxious."

Accelerus could tell by Dahlia's tone of voice that she was somewhat nervous. He patted her on the shoulder, and smiled. "The wedding isn't scheduled to start for another half hour, but I'll go talk to the Priestess and make sure everything is prepared. We'll be starting very soon."

Pendankr noticed the Ariddians enter, and smiled when Christelle turned to talk. He bowed at the waist slightly.

"Ambassador, how are you?"

"Ambassador." Christelle smiled in return. "It's good to see you outside the United Nations for once." She looked around. "And this is a very nice place for a wedding.

I'm well, thank you. Yourself?"

A Commonwealth Electronics(R) brand Interdimensional Doorway(TM) opened in the room, and Wolfgang stepped out. He had debated finding a different outfit to wear, but couldn't decide, and thus ended up wearing his standard completely pitch-black suit. "Er..." He looked around, unsure of what to do. It seemed as though this was going to be quite ceremonious, and ceremony doesn't happen much in the Commonwealth. Nodding hello to a few nearby people, he found a seat, placing his two giftwrapped packages on the seat next to him. Hologuns... the perfect gift for any couple who are about to be condemned to eternity together, he chuckled. With the way things were at the UN, he might as well just get one for everyone in the building. These two were a custom-made, matched pair, however. The CE man had thought he was crazy, asking for silver-plated, engraved ones. That and the securing of two first-class tickets for the Commonwealth's Starship Titanic in his pocket had cost him an outright fortune, but he didn't actually need money to survive, with his expense accounts. All money he earned was rainy day money, and he'd decided that, for this day, there would be a financial monsoon. This better be one hell of a barbecue. He grinned, randomly imagining the bride and groom on spits over a fire burning rather unreligiously on an altar. Marriage... he sighed.

He smiled.

"Yes, I must say Dahlia has a fine sense of style, it's refreshing. Most Imperial architecture is heavy and imperious... sometimes, it gets one depressed."

He paused, hearing a tell-tale ticking sound. Sighing, he remembered his manners.

"Christelle, these are my colleagues- Chief of Office Affairs Pazirbashan Umdiroplach, and Secretary Selvia Thar Mannuschrat, who does not know when to quit working."

"I know the feeling," Christelle said with a warm smile. "Pleased to meet you both. This..." She looked around, spotted her secretary, and waved her over. "This is my secretary and friend, Ms. Kim Min-Sun. I'd never stop working if Min weren't around to help me."

Min smiled at the three politely, a little shyly.

"The architecture in Rêvane tends to be far too utilitarian," Christelle added. "Although we have got some nice old buildings... So yes, this is a pleasant change.

Speaking of which, you're still invited to visit my country whenever you want to," she reminded him, smiling.

Landaman bowed at the wais again. "Ms. Kim, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He looked at Christelle and smiled wryly. "Yes, I shall have to visit Ariddia someday, when I do not have so many duties to the Emperor. Is it true that you have no form of currency? A very interesting concept, one alien to my own people."


Umdiroplach looked up as the wolf-man stepped through the wall, and he chuckled to himself as he looked him over. Taking a drink of his Whiskey Old Fashioned (his drink of choice), he walked over to Wolfgang and clapped him on the back.

"Well, hello there! The two lovebirds are somewhere around here, but let's get you a drink. What's your pleasure, Wolf?"

"Yes, that's right, we don't use money. Well, there is the Ariddian credit, but that's just for foreigners," Christelle explained. "To us, having money is an alien concept. We get along without it, but it can be a slight problem when we go abroad."

Murray stood looking over the BBQ, and frowned slightly.
"Oy Vay. Not a lot of kosher here, mostly trayf. But the hot wings look good,though. Next time I go to a goyim wedding I'm bringing a corned beef on rye with me. Oh well, I'll consider this a little mitzvah, and act like a mentsh."
He took a sip of his martini and smiled.
"This is a nice day anyway, and this house, well its got plenty of shmaltz."
he thought approvingly.

The Kennyite ambassadors-designate to Karmicaria descended the ornate staircase to the stately hall where Dahlia and Accelerus were to be wed. Warily the deputy ambassador gazed out at the courtyard where waiting spits were currently battling the punishing and never-ending regional snowstorm.

"You know, Ambassador," he advised his superior, "I don't think it was the best idea to hold an outdoor barbecue in the middle of the Antarctic."

"Dammit, Greg; you still talking?" came the impatient response as the twain reached the foot of the stairs. "Look, there's plenty of boring ambassadors here for you to bother. Go on, network!" And with that he pushed the deputy in the general direction of the Allech-Atreus delegation.

Amb. Reyes was there to do a little "networking" of his own. While being spiriting toward the gate for his flight to Karma City, his father had assured him his duties as an official emissary would be nil, which gave him some time to make a few bucks on the side as an employee of the queendom's largest corporation. Fit and attractive a young man as he was, turns out they were only too eager to have him on board, but let him know in no uncertain terms that they would fire his "pretty-boy ass" if he didn't start "bringing in the fucking green" his first week -- so he better start securing some clients.

His fee was rather high, so he was smart to seek out more affluent customers as he scanned the small coterie of guests who had already arrived for the ceremony. His gaze fell upon the lovely Dahlia Black (http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/JamieNesci/Other%20Pics/Dahlia.jpg). Hmm, not bad, he thought -- although she was getting married that day; best to wait a day or two before moving in on that particular territory. He noted Pendankr's assistant. Meh. Then his wandering dictatorial eye lighted on the very cute Kim Min-Sun (ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Kim_Min-Sun). Mee-yow!

Stealthily he grabbed two champagne glasses from a platter a server was carrying and approached the fair maiden. The elder, somewhat uptight-looking blonde flanking her would be a much tougher sell, he thought, so it was better to focus on younger, more accessible targets while his status in the Karmicarian private sector was still provisional.

"Hello, there," he said smoothly to the Asian gal as he offered her one of his champagne glasses, and [assuming she accepted it] held out his free hand. "I'm Mark Reyes, as in Reyes Imperial Hotels? My dad is looking to expand his operations in Karmicaria so he sent me along as a goodwill ambassador of sorts." He smiled as he turned toward the happy couple-to-be.

"Would you do it?" he asked his new companion, pointing not so obviously to the bride and groom. "I mean, marry a stranger after knowing him but a week? Seems like quite a gamble."

Pendankr was talking to Zyryanov as the errant Kennyite came his way. For some reason, the Kennyite touched his shoulder to get his attention, or brush some lint off his cloak, or something, and Pendankr straightened. His back stiffened, and with lightning speed he snapped his arm back, smashing his fist ninja-style into the Kennyite's face before whirling around.

"Holy hell, son! I'm sorry, had a tiny flashback there!"

He helped the Kennyite to his feet.

"Boy, you're lucky I didn't have a glass in my hand, or you'd be dead! I killed ten men with my bare hands when I was in the Guard, y'know. Here, let's get you a drink."

Umdiroplach looked up as the wolf-man stepped through the wall, and he chuckled to himself as he looked him over. Taking a drink of his Whiskey Old Fashioned (his drink of choice), he walked over to Wolfgang and clapped him on the back.

"Well, hello there! The two lovebirds are somewhere around here, but let's get you a drink. What's your pleasure, Wolf?"

Wolfgang blinked as he thought about this. "Hmm... I suppose the lightest thing you've got. I'm not much of a drinker." He looked around. "I would've expected more people here, with two such esteemed delegates getting hitched. Or at least for the food afterwards." He grinned. "So... do you think they'll be one of those increasingly-rare everlasting couple? I think they have a chance at it."

Dahlia looked up from her drink in time to notice that a few more guests had arrived. She recognized one as Wolfgang. Seeing him here made her smile. There were a few other's that she didn't really know. "Well," she thought "the best way to get to know people is to talk to them." She wandered over to the socializing guests and cleared her throat. "I'm so glad you could make it! This really means a lot to Accelerus and myself. Now, I just want to let every one know that we will be getting started soon. At least I hope we will." she gave a little nervous laugh and took another drink of her water. Then she turned to Christelle. " I heard mention of vegetarian food. I have arranged for a special plate to be fixed for you. We can't have you starve, now can we?"

Then she turned to Christelle. "I heard mention of vegetarian food. I have arranged for a special plate to be fixed for you. We can't have you starve, now can we?"

Christelle returned the smile gratefully.
"That's very kind of you. I'm sure it'll be delicious. Everything here is so lovely. A sign of how happy you and your husband will be, I'm certain."

A few steps away, she noticed that Min seemed to have made a new friend...


"Hello, there," he said smoothly to the Asian gal as he offered her one of his champagne glasses, and [assuming she accepted it] held out his free hand. "I'm Mark Reyes, as in Reyes Imperial Hotels? My dad is looking to expand his operations in Karmicaria so he sent me along as a goodwill ambassador of sorts." He smiled as he turned toward the happy couple-to-be.

"Would you do it?" he asked his new companion, pointing not so obviously to the bride and groom. "I mean, marry a stranger after knowing him but a week? Seems like quite a gamble."

Min blushed as the handsome young man handed her champagne, which she took somewhat shyly before shaking his hand. Despite spending a lot of time in the UN building, she rarely socialised with foreign dignitaries and diplomats... especially attractive ones like Mr. Reyes. Although his flamboyancy made her somewhat wary.

She gave an uncertain little laugh.
"Marry a stranger? No. No, I like to get to know people." She took a sip of her champagne. "They do make a nice couple though, don't they?" she asked, dreamy-eyed, before turning her attention back to him. "Reyes Imperial Hotels you said? I don't think I've ever heard of it..."

OOC: Pendankr didn't hit Reyes, he hit Greg, the other guy. Reyes pushed him toward the "Allech-Atreus delegation."

OOC: Pendankr didn't hit Reyes, he hit Greg, the other guy. Reyes pushed him toward the "Allech-Atreus delegation."

Meh. I need to learn to read. I was half-awake and skimming; I'll edit it.

The Main Hall
Royal Country House
Queendom of Karmicaria

Accelerus made his way over to the priestess, who was already dressed and ready, wearing the traditional red bikini of the Combustian priestesses. Her name was Taria, and she was one of his friends from a few years back when he had stumbled upon a fellow trying to rape her and made sure the man wouldn't rape anyone ever again. Accelerus found raping folks despicable in general, but raping a priestess more so. So he had killed the man. There had been one less slimebag in the community that night. So now here she was, doing him a favor by performing his marriage ceremony, something he had never thought would happen. Funny how things work out.

"Taria?" She turned around, and gave him a smile, nodding to indicate that she was ready. He walked with her to her position on the dais in the main hall where the ceremony was taking place, and then walked back to where the other guests were congegating to find Dahlia. Once the guests were seated, the ceremony would begin.

The three Imperial guests took their seats, and thankfully Selvia put away her datapad.

Edward Jones sat quietly to the side of the hall, wondering when the ceremony was going to start, and wishing he was elsewhere. Reaming out some idiot ambassador in the halls of the UN, preferably. But here he was, at a wedding. He really wished Sam hadn't made sure he got an invitation. After all, he didn't even know the couple, really. He had met Accelerus Dioce, and thought the guy was insane but good, and that was about it.

He watched from his peripheral vision as the priestess took her place, and then as the groom, dressed in a pretty nice suit, walked to the back of the hall, presumably to get the show started. About damn time. Edward stifled a yawn and sat up in his chair, deciding he didn't want to look too lazy when the Minister of Hospitality arrived. Come to think of it, why is he late?

Dahlia noticed that Accelerus was speaking with the priestess. She took that as her queue to take her spot. She had thought that there would be more people here. She really didn't mind though. Small gatherings could be nice.

As she walked, she became more and more nervous. "How can I be marrying a man I've known for such a short time?" She took a deep breath. Her mother was sitting in the front row, but her father was still now where to be found. She knew that her sister was at another engagement. A coronation or something. She shed a tear, but quickly wiped it away. As she was about to turn away, she saw her father. Quickly, she rand towards him and threw her arms around him. "I'm so glad you made it! I though you would miss my wedding day." she began to cry and didn't care who saw or what they thought.

"I would never miss my pumpkin's wedding." he kissed her on the cheek. "Besides, there's going to be a BBQ!"

She laughed and led him to his seat. He mother looked at him disapprovingly, but kissed him anyway.

"We're about to get started. Wish me luck!"

"I don't think you need it, darling. You've got yourself a good man." he said as he winked at her. "Now go! Don't keep him waiting!"

With one last kiss from her parents, she rushed off to be at her grooms side.

Min blushed as the handsome young man handed her champagne, which she took somewhat shyly before shaking his hand. Despite spending a lot of time in the UN building, she rarely socialised with foreign dignitaries and diplomats... especially attractive ones like Mr. Reyes. Although his flamboyancy made her somewhat wary.

She gave an uncertain little laugh.
"Marry a stranger? No. No, I like to get to know people." She took a sip of her champagne. "They do make a nice couple though, don't they?" she asked, dreamy-eyed, before turning her attention back to him. "Reyes Imperial Hotels you said? I don't think I've ever heard of it..."Reyes was a bit stung by this; one of the largest hotel chains in the world, thousands of establishments with his dad's name on them, and this girl had never heard of them? He didn't even think that she was Ariddian, and communists weren't too keen on icons of capitalist power. "Umm, we may not be in your region," he said sheepishly. "But I can tell you the staff at Reyes Imperials are top-notch. They have never once complained or got indignant when I would trash one of the rooms. ... Very comfy beds, too," he added devilishly. "I'm actually staying at the Reyes here in Karma City while our embassy opens up; I'm a newly made ambassador from ... the region."

The words had been swimming through his head: Don't say you're a Kennyite Don't say you're a Kennyite Don't say you're a Kennyite ... It was a lesson hard-learned from his boyhood days living in hotels all across the world: strangely enough, foreigners' hospitality would diminish the moment they learned you hailed from the Federal Republic.

"I don't think I caught your name," he said truthfully to the young woman. "Where are you from again?"

He tried to reassure Miss Min-Sun when she gasped and clasped her hand to her mouth at the sight of Pendankr knocking Greg to the floor with the back of his hand. "Oh, don't worry about him," he said, rolling his eyes at his drama-queen deputy trying to contain the flow of blood from his nose with his handkerchief. "These sorts of things only give him an excuse to tell war stories."

True enough, as Pendankr helped the man to his feet, the latter was already regaling the former with a tale from the Lois-Must-Die War.

"... He wasn't ever in combat, but he's been in the crossfire several times as a diplomat," Reyes sighed.

It was at that moment that ushers began to shepherd the guests to their seats. He held out his hand to lead the way. "Shall we?" he offered.

"I'm really sorry I haven't heard of your family's hotels," Min said, rather embarassed. "I've just never seen any in Ariddia. Congratulations on becoming an ambassador, though!" she added brightly.

She told him her own name, and was about to ask him where he was from when the incident broke out between Pendankr and another of the guests, whom Reyes appeared to know well.

Blushing slightly, she accepted his proferred hand and allowed him to lead her to the seats. She glanced briefly at Ambassador Zyryanov, but the older woman wasn't looking in her direction. Min began to feel a little more comfortable. Ambassador Reyes seemed like a nice young man. Perhaps I'm going to enjoy this after all... He was flirting with her, of course, but she decided she rather liked it.

"It's been a while since I've been to a wedding," she told him with a happy smile. "Are you married?" she asked curiously.

"No," he answered as he led her to a couple nearby chairs. He was sure to take an aisle seat; if this deal went through sooner than he expected, the two of them may want to skip out early.

He deftly put his arm around her. "I was engaged to a chick, but her father broke that off fast -- said he didn't want his daughter marrying some 'hustler.' Then I got really drunk one night in San Andreas and woke up married to some stripper. Got a quickie annulment, of course, and my dad had to convince the D.A. to drop charges of statutory rape, since she was three weeks from her eighteenth birthday at the time, and I was 19.

"But that was when I was young and irresponsible," he assured her (excepting the fact that he was only 23 now); "I'm way past that now, and ready to settle into my embassy, and my new business."

Min listened and looked at him with an expression ressembling shock. For a while she was not too sure what to say. He sounded so... casual about it all!

"You've... uhm... led a very interesting life," she said at last, suddenly not at all certain what to think of him. She managed a smile. "But I'm glad you've become responsible now."

Wolfgang, still in awe over the proceedings, remaind seated, as seemed appropriate, drinking whatever Umdiroplach had given him. It seemed as though things were about to start. He hoped everything went well. He hoped they liked his gifts. He hoped the barbecue was amazing.

The Main Hall
Royal Country House
Queendom of Karmicaria

Accelerus smiled at Dahlia, then turned to face the aisle that led down the center of the hall to the dais. He started walking with Dahlia down that aisle, slowly and steadily, pacing himself and regulating his breathing to make sure that he didn't get too excited. He was somewhat jumpy, not something he ordinarily experienced at his age. The fire of his youth had never really died, but he had mellowed a lot over the years. Something about Dahlia had broken through his mellowing. Life was more exciting again, and he liked that. Among many other things about her.

The steps passed quickly while he was lost in thought, and he reached the dais with his bride-to-be on his arm. The pair moved up the steps gracefully in their matching attire, approaching the Combustian priestess. She smiled sweetly at Dahlia, and began speaking. "You are hereby married in the name of Supercarious, the Engine that Drives the Universe."

Nobody moved. After a moment, the priestess looked around bemusedly. "Well, are we going to get some BBQ or what?" At this, Accelerus grinned and suddenly picked up Dahlia, gathered her in his arms, and started walking towards the door to the courtyard. The priestess followed him, laughing, and added, "Now that's the way a wedding should go."

Edward smiled. He had always loved traditional Combustian weddings. Elegant in their simplicity. And damn good BBQs afterwards. He loved those. As the couple moved towards the exit, Edward stood and walked outside, but for once not to gorge himself on a BBQ that he would have to spend many hours working off later. He took out his comsat phone, trying to get ahold of the Minister of Hospitality. It really wasn't like Sam to be absent for the wedding of one of his employees. They were like family to him.

"That was the quickest wedding ceremony I've ever seen. It was wonderful!" Dahlia laughed as Accelerus picked her up and they headed for the exit. She could smell the food starting to cook and realised that since she had been so nervous she hadn't eaten all day. She was starving, but she decided not to complain about it. "So darling, where are you whisking me away to?"

The Courtyard
Royal Country House
Queendom of Karmicaria

"We're going to get some food. And then I have a surprise for you." Upon reaching the very long and food-laden table in the courtyard, Accelerus stopped and carefully set his new bride on her feet in front of the table. "Enjoy. I'm going to go to the covered pavilion and make sure we have a table reserved, but I'll be back by your side in no time."

He strode to the pavilion and picked out the table appointed for the bride and groom, and left his suit jacket on the back of one of the chairs. He hoped none of the staff would get over-efficient and put it on a coatrack or something. As he was walking back, he noticed that some of the guests were filtering into the courtyard. Surprisingly enough, the Kennyite was with a young Ariddian woman. Rather unexpected, that. Accelerus shrugged and made his way back to Dahlia and the BBQ, making a mental note to avoid the vegetarian dishes. He couldn't abide them.

Umdiroplach, during the rather short service, closed his eyes and uttered a traditional Kazamali prayer for long life and happiness. He remembered when the Abdians had invaded his homeland, and he thought painfully about how his family was not here becuse of that. The least he could do was pray that others would never feel the sting of losing a loved one.

Selvia though of her husband and children as the priestess said the service. Pendankr had a huge smile on his face, and it got even larger when he realized how short the actual religious service was.

The Allech-Atreus delegation rose and filtered out toward the food, and Pendankr approached the new Mrs. Dioce. Bowing in the same fashion as he did when they arrived, he smiled and spoke.

"Madame, I wish you long life and happiness, and may your union be a blessed one. I hope you will excuse me for falling back upon my own customs for a moment- but may the Emperor, the Son of the Heavens, who reigns in glory over all peoples, who gives blessings and the gifts of heaven, watch over you and yours, and may your the blessings of the Heavens fall upon you for all time." He smiled, and beckoned for Selvia.

"Mrs. Mannuschrat will fetch your wedding gifts. I hope you will accept them in good health, and I especially hope that the Emperor's gift is an appropriate one."

Umdiroplach was approaching the table of food, his mouth watering at the array of delicious meats and stuffs, and came alongside the Ariddian ambassador.

"Ms. Zyryanov, it's a pleasure. I can't say that I've ever had 'barbeque" before, but it looks similar to something from my homeworld. Do you have any suggestions?"

Wolfgang was understandably confused. He'd been expecting... more. He was pleased. Mostly because he was hungry. He stood, gathering his gifts, and proceded in the direction of the glorious smell.

(OOC: Sorry to interrupt, but I found that great. Actually, my aunt had a very short second wedding, which I attended. We were in a small room, set up for a dinner, maybe 50 people. The ceremony was only 5 minutes long. Then, it was found that the camera had screwed up the recording, so they ran through the whole thing again, since it was so short. It was the best wedding EVER.)

The ceremony had been surprisingly brief, but cheerful and lively, and everyone seemed to be in good spirits. I'll have to remember to learn more about Combustianism (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Combustianism), Christelle told herself, as she walked with the others towards the table.

She noticed Min seemed to be flirting with one of the Kennyites, and she frowned briefly. Had the girl forgotten the Golden Rules of diplomacy? Rule 2, subsection 1, clause A: Beware Kennyites. [i]Well, I'm not her mother... She's old enough to know what she's doing.


Umdiroplach was approaching the table of food, his mouth watering at the array of delicious meats and stuffs, and came alongside the Ariddian ambassador.

"Ms. Zyryanov, it's a pleasure. I can't say that I've ever had 'barbeque" before, but it looks similar to something from my homeworld. Do you have any suggestions?"

Christelle smiled politely.
"The pleasure is mine. I don't know all that much about barbecues either, to be honest... At least, not like this. Me being a vegetarian and all. My advice is, just try something that looks edible, and see if it's nice." She picked up an orange, leafy something and took a bite. Not bad. "This, for example." She looked at him. "An unusual wedding, wasn't it?"

Umdiroplach laughed heartily as Zyryanov chose a barbequed foodstuff, looking questioningly. He reached for what looked like a piece of chicken, and bit into it. Chewing thoughfully, a look of happiness broke over his face.

"By the gods, delicious! It's like the Brengali Chicken my grandmother made when I was a child... she always said she used an ancient recipe."

He turned to her, smiling and wiping a bit of sauce that had dripped onto his beard. "A very unusual wedding. Most weddings in the Empire are long, drawn-out affairs, with chanting priests, flowing robes, and massive temples. The scent of incense is marvelous at a Taam In Phar ceremony. I am so heartened to see that Dahlia and Accelerus have been united in ceremony."

He paused.

"I know that you have been asked several times to visit the Empire, but perhaps some recent time would be good? There are rumours that the Emperor is planning a great tour for foreign dignitaries... but perhaps I could arrange a custom trip for you and some others?"

"That would be lovely!" Christelle said gratefully. "I'd find it fascinating. And in return perhaps I can arrange a visit to Ariddia for you. Not that it would be anywhere near as interesting." She smiled, and ate some more of the unidentified orange vegetable.

"Hurry back, love." Dahlia watched a Accelerus walked away. She never thought she could be so happy, but here she was, married and happier than she's ever been. However, she was anxious to get back to work. She wondered how how Tana was doing and what was going on in the GA. Dahlia was brought out of her thoughts by the man from Allech-Atreus.

"Madame, I wish you long life and happiness, and may your union be a blessed one. I hope you will excuse me for falling back upon my own customs for a moment- but may the Emperor, the Son of the Heavens, who reigns in glory over all peoples, who gives blessings and the gifts of heaven, watch over you and yours, and may your the blessings of the Heavens fall upon you for all time." He smiled, and beckoned for Selvia.

She smiled at him as he spoke. "Thank you so much!" Dahlia leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. "Your words are very kind and I thank you again."

"Mrs. Mannuschrat will fetch your wedding gifts. I hope you will accept them in good health, and I especially hope that the Emperor's gift is an appropriate one."

"Gifts? I know that it is customary for many to give gifts at a wedding, but in all honesty, we weren't expecting it. All we wanted was to be close to the people that we hold special, but I will accept your gift and I'm sure that it will be appropriate." She smiled at him again and as he turned to talk to the Ariddian, she looked around for Accelerus. She couldn't see him yet, so she decided that it was a good time to mingle among her guests. She also figured that it would be a good idea to get some food. The smell of the BBQ was overwhelming.

Headed to the food, Wolfgang stopped by Dahlia. "I wish you and your mate eternal happiness, Dahlia of Karmicaria. However, eternal happiness must occasionally overcome sporadic unhappiness. Thus..." He handed his packages (OOC: as mentioned earlier) to her. "And, though you probably have a "honeymoon"-thing planned, I have arranged another for you to take at your leisure," he made a show of reaching into the inside of his jacket and withdrawing two shiny tickets, "aboard the glorious Starship Titanic (OOC: not Pacifica, dammit, wrong storyline), complements of Starlight Travel, Incorporated. And myself. Mostly myself." His eyes flicked to the food, and his hunger betrayed him by making him lick his lips.

The Wolf Guardians;11943504']Headed to the food, Wolfgang stopped by Dahlia. "I wish you and your mate eternal happiness, Dahlia of Karmicaria. However, eternal happiness must occasionally overcome sporadic unhappiness. Thus..." He handed his packages (OOC: as mentioned earlier) to her. "And, though you probably have a "honeymoon"-thing planned, I have arranged another for you to take at your leisure," he made a show of reaching into the inside of his jacket and withdrawing two shiny tickets, "aboard the glorious Starship Pacifica, complements of Starlight Travel, Incorporated. And myself. Mostly myself." His eyes flicked to the food, and his hunger betrayed him by making him lick his lips.

"Thank you, Wolfgang. What's this?" Dahlia took the packages from him and opened them. They seemed to be hologuns. Interesting. She smiled at Wolfgang and then hugged him. "They're wonderful!" she watched as he produced something from his pocket. "A honeymoon on a Starship! This is perfect! Thank you so much." She hugged him again and kissed him on the cheek, then watched as he went for the food. "So nice." she thought. "I can't wait for Accelerus to see these."

Pendankr blushed slightly.

"I know it is unusual for us to fall onto our own customs, and I hope you are not offended. We have only two gifts, one from the delegation, and one from the Emperor."

Selvia returned with two aides, one carrying a medium-sized polished wooden box, the other carrying a similar box, though intricately inlaid.

Taking the first box, he handed it to her.

"From us, my friend. A set of traditional Khaylamnian dishes and flatware- four large plates, four medium plates, chalices, forks, knives, spoons, flongs, and hrangers. I'll have to show you how to use the flongs and hrangers."

He opened the box, showing the china plates and delicate shining silverware, including the flongs and hrangers. Closing it, he took the other box. On closer inspection, it was very ornate- gems and gold filigree were inlaid in the wood, which was polished mahogany.

"This is from the Emperor himself. He chose it based on an old custom that has it's basis in religion, so I'm sorry if it isn't appropriate."

Opening the chest, he revealed a short rod, gold, about the length of a forearm. One could see capscrews at one end, and there was a red wax seal covering the other.

"It's a prayer tube. Inside is a handwritten holy text from a priest of the Sapphire Temple, signed by the Emperor himself. I hope you like it... it's a bit unusual to be given as a wedding gift, but the Emperor means well by it."

* * *

Umdiroplach laughed. "Of course I'd like to visit Ariddia, my government would probably even pay me to do it, the way the Directorate is expanding our diplomatic missions. I'll start putting in the paperwork for a travel... there's only one place I can't take you, and that's Abdus. I'd probably be killed on orders of the Grand Duke for my part in the Kazamali rebellion. But that's another story."

The Courtyard
Royal Country House
Queendom of Karmicaria

As Accelerus approached his wife, he noticed that Wolfgang was chatting with her. He walked over to the fellow and patted him gently on the shoulder. "Howdy. I'm glad you could make it," he said cheerfully. His eyes fell on the tickets, and widened as his cybernetically enhanced vision allowed him to read the fine print. Quite a gift. He looked back to Wolfgang, and nodded his head in the direction of the food. "Have as much as you like. And feel free to take some back to your nation for anyone you like." He grinned crookedly.

He noticed that Pendankr seemed rather excited about something. Perhaps he had finally gotten around to presenting the gifts he had mentioned earlier. Accelerus looked around, curious. He noticed boxes and their contents. Impressive. "That is indeed a very appropriate gift. Well-wishes are always welcome for those embarking on a new phase of their life, and the eating implements are handy too."

The Courtyard
Royal Country House
Queendom of Karmicaria

As Accelerus approached his wife, he noticed that Wolfgang was chatting with her. He walked over to the fellow and patted him gently on the shoulder. "Howdy. I'm glad you could make it," he said cheerfully. His eyes fell on the tickets, and widened as his cybernetically enhanced vision allowed him to read the fine print. Quite a gift. He looked back to Wolfgang, and nodded his head in the direction of the food. "Have as much as you like. And feel free to take some back to your nation for anyone you like." He grinned crookedly.

He noticed that Pendankr seemed rather excited about something. Perhaps he had finally gotten around to presenting the gifts he had mentioned earlier. Accelerus looked around, curious. He noticed boxes and their contents. Impressive. "That is indeed a very appropriate gift. Well-wishes are always welcome for those embarking on a new phase of their life, and the eating implements are handy too."

Landaman smiled even wider than he was, if that was humanly possible.

"Oh, I'm so glad you like them! Especially the dishes, Selvia and Pazirbashan picked them out... the hrangers are from the Kazamal region, his homeland. An excellent housewarming gift, we thought."

He laughed.

"Oh, I'm taking up your time. I think I'll go get a drink and eat some food!"

Umdiroplach laughed. "Of course I'd like to visit Ariddia, my government would probably even pay me to do it, the way the Directorate is expanding our diplomatic missions. I'll start putting in the paperwork for a travel... there's only one place I can't take you, and that's Abdus. I'd probably be killed on orders of the Grand Duke for my part in the Kazamali rebellion. But that's another story."

Christelle swallowed her food, and smiled.
"Consider it an official invitation, then. Technically I'll have to clear it with my government, but I can't imagine them saying no." She paused, and looked at him curiously. "The Kazamali rebellion?"

She noticed some of the guests were handing their gifts to the newly-weds. She was still carrying hers around, in a slightly bulky box; she reminded herself to give it to them at the first opportunity.

He nodded.

"The region I'm from is called Kazamal, and for thousands of years it was considered a part of the Grand Duchy of Abdus, another region in the Empire, despite us having a different culture and ethnic background. During the wars of succession in the Empire, Kazamal was seperated from Abdus as punishment, and we became an independent region for the first time. Of course, the Grand Duchy couldn't do without our population and industrial production, so there have been several wars to try and reclaim the Kazamal for Abdus."

He paused, and took a bite of chicken, chewed, and swallowed.

"Abdus took control of Kazamal through force about five-hundred years ago, during the reign of the 14th Allech-Atreus Emperor. In the reign of this Emperor, Allech-Atreus XVI, Kazamal rebelled against the Abdians, and I helped. Luckily, we won, and I am a non-person to the Abdian government. That's why I'm here; the United Nations is the safest place for me."

His lips curled into a half-smile, half grimace. "I was a commander in the war. Most of my family was killed in retribution for my leadership."

As Accelerus approached his wife, he noticed that Wolfgang was chatting with her. He walked over to the fellow and patted him gently on the shoulder. "Howdy. I'm glad you could make it," he said cheerfully. His eyes fell on the tickets, and widened as his cybernetically enhanced vision allowed him to read the fine print. Quite a gift. He looked back to Wolfgang, and nodded his head in the direction of the food. "Have as much as you like. And feel free to take some back to your nation for anyone you like." He grinned crookedly.

Wolfgang more-or-less launched himself towards the food. He eventually sat down with a plate loaded with chicken and a few other things. He set one piece next to his ever-present computer, which began analyzing it. The original purpose of the program was to make sure food wasn't poisoned, but poison meant nothing to Wolfgang. He was going to use it to teach his cooking robot at his office how to make edible food.

Christelle's face paled as she listened to Umdiroplach's tale.

"I'm so sorry..." she said, very gently, looking at him with deep sympathy in her eyes. "Sometimes I forget what... how cruel this world can be." She touched his arm gently. "I'm sorry..." she said again, softly.

Christelle's face paled as she listened to Umdiroplach's tale.

"I'm so sorry..." she said, very gently, looking at him with deep sympathy in her eyes. "Sometimes I forget what... how cruel this world can be." She touched his arm gently. "I'm sorry..." she said again, softly.

He smiled a bit, his aging face lining with creases and wrinkles.

"Kazamal is free. Loved ones are sometimes lost in pursuit of greater things. The Abdians have been restrained by the Emperor, and in his good graces he sent me here."

He laughed to lighten the mood.

"Oh, don't be sad. This is a joyous occasion, I'm sorry to have recounted such a sad tale. I enjoy it here at the UN, I really do. I haven't sworn so filthily at people since the war!" he laughed, and took another bite of chicken.

"Tell me about Ariddia."

Christelle gave a somewhat sad smile, her eyes full of sympathy, but said no more about it. She did not want to make him dwell on painful memories.

"Ariddia... Where to start? We're in the South Pacific, off the south coast of Uhuhland. Nineteen islands, with most of the cities and population being on the biggest, Ocea. Huge amounts of the territory are still covered in beautiful forests; we're a very eco-friendly country. As you'll see when you visit us," she added with a warmer smile now.

"We've also got some very nice beaches, a semi-tropical climate... if you don't mind the occasional downpour and the heat in summer. Lots of museums. There have been people living in Ariddia, , for about three thousand years, and they've played a very active part in shaping the society we have today. All our egalitarian ideas, our communistic policies, our respect for nature... Those were ideas the Wymgani had had for ages.

I'm trying to think of something you may have heard of about my country," she said with a quick laugh. "Progress Tower? The Third World University in Cité-Belle? The Grapefruit Museum? The [url=http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Les_Schloumpf]snurfs (]Indigenous Ariddians[/url)? The football World Cup? Ariddia started that, a long, long time before I was born."

She ate what was left of her barbecued orange vegetable as she gave him a faintly questioning look.
"Don't worry," she told him with a smile. "I won't be offended if you really know nothing about us at all."

Dahlia looked around and was happy to see that their guests seemed to be enjoying themselves. She had managed to get a bit of food in between the congratulations and the giving of gifts, but she was getting anxious again. She decided to distract herself. She began to look around again and noticed that the representatives from Allech-Atreus and Ariddia seemed to be getting along very well. This made her smile. "Maybe they will find love as well." she thought as she went to get more food and something to drink.

Wolfgang seemed to be analyzing his food. "How very odd. That seems like something someone would do if they did not trust the people serving the food." she said under her breath. She sighed.

Wolfgang's computer informed him that, in order to reach the resolution necessary to reproduce the food accurately, it would be busy for the next hour. Growling at it, he began chowing down on everything else on his plate like a University student who just got paid and could afford to eat something other than microwaved noodles.

Edward Jones looked up and surveyed the courtyard after he finished the call. He was now in the possession of some very bad news, and needed a delivery system to make sure Accelerus knew at an apprpriate time. His brain quickly assessed the situation and came up with a solution. The priestess. Edward knew of Combustian priestesses, and appeciated their service to the community, but wasn't fond of the fundamentalist bent of those Combustians who resided in the Federation. Fortunately, this priestess would be from HotRodia, and probably much more reasonable. He figured he could count on her.

Edward made his way over to the pavilion, where the priestess, who had been the first one into the courtyard and the first to receive her food, was licking her fingers in a rather sensuous manner while watching him approach. She was quite attractive, he noticed. Focus, Eddie. As he neared the table, he greeted the priestess and sat down. She returned the greeting and smiled, so he got right to the point. "I need your help. I have some bad news that Accelerus needs to hear, but I don't want to ruin his wedding day. Can you deliver to him a message for me?"

The priestess' expression turned serious. "I will do whatever I can to help him." Edward nodded, and started explaining what had happened. When he was done, he thanked the priestess and left the wedding as quickly as possible. He also left a peculiar set of car keys with the priestess.

Reyes approached Dahlia with Min on his arm, both smiling politely. Traditions be damned; the Kennyites had their own gifts to offer the lovely couple.

"Ambassador, this is from Sammy," the man announced, producing a small box from his inner coat pocket. "He muttered something about 'girl like her is gonna need this ...'"

He handed it to her. It was a home pregnancy test.

Reyes let Min give the blushing bride her own well-wishes, then gently led the young Ariddian toward the waiting buffet table. He about-faced suddenly.

"Oh, and I nearly forgot," he added with a sly smile, reaching again into his coat. "This is from me ... you know, in case you're ever in the mood for something not so ... decayed." He handed her a business card.

Dahlia didn't even need to read it; the logo was unmistakable.

Dahlia stared at the gift in disbelief. "Uh...thank you, but we're not planning on having children. At least not right away. I guess it would be handy to have one of these, just in case." She gave the Kennyite a strange look and placed the gift on the table. She sighed with relief as he turned to leave, but then quickly stopped as he turned back.

"Oh, and I nearly forgot," he added with a sly smile, reaching again into his coat. "This is from me ... you know, in case you're ever in the mood for something not so ... decayed." He handed her a business card.


He was pulling something else out of his pocket. A business card. She took it from him and smiled. "I'm sorry, but that won't be happening. I'll keep it handy for any friends who are feeling desperate though." With that, she returned to her husband. "Those Kennyites have not tact. Have you seen the gifts they gave us?" She produced the test and the business card. As Accelerus looked over the "gifts", Dahlia looked around at her guests. As she did, she noticed the priestess walking towards them looking rather unhappy. Dahlia decided to stop her in her tracks to find out what was going on.

"Hello. You look rather upset. What's wrong? Does it have anything to do with Accelerus? Please tell me."

Min was still not quite certain what to make of her newfound friend Mark, but at least - she thought - he was fun.

As he led her towards the buffet table, she asked casually,
"So... What exactly did you do before becoming a diplomat?"

The Courtyard
Royal Country House
Queendom of Karmicaria

Accelerus Dioce rolled his eyes noticeably as Reyes approached his wife, and listened coolly as the kid gave Dahlia a wedding gift in typical inept Kennyite fashion. He was thankful when the fellow departed reasonably quickly, but was amused when the boy came partway back and made another comment for Dahlia. Accelerus' cyberchemically enhanced hearing picked up on it easily, and he wondered if he should request that the young man be re-assigned to diplomatic duties in HotRodia. The HotRodian prostitutes would make short work of him, both literally and figuratively, Accelerus was certain. He grinned.

Dahlia's question to him broke his train of thought, probably a very fortunate thing for Reyes. "I saw, yes. Typical of them." He shrugged, then turned slightly as the priestess began to approach. He listened as she answered Dahlia's question with a downcast look on her face.

"I'm sorry, Accelerus, Dahlia, but I need to leave for HotRodia. Here is your wedding gift from HotRodia and our friends in the Federation. Sam wanted you to have it." She handed a set of what looked like car keys to Accelerus, and then she cleared her throat very obviously, and tried not to cry. "I will need to speak to you later about things in HotRodia, but for now just enjoy your wedding day and honeymoon."

With that, she walked quickly away, clearly in a hurry.

"Accelerus, what's going on?" Dahlia looked at her husband. She was worried. "What are those? Keys to a car?" she was beginning to get confused. She was wondering why the priestess looked so sad and why she left in such a hurry. "Darling, please tell me what's wrong so I can help or at least try to help."

Min was still not quite certain what to make of her newfound friend Mark, but at least - she thought - he was fun.

As he led her towards the buffet table, she asked casually,
"So... What exactly did you do before becoming a diplomat?"Just then Greg came up bearing his BlackBerry, excited over some text message he'd just gotten.

"Great news, Ambassador!" he gushed. "The Federal Senate has just confirmed your assignment to Karma City, 15 votes to 10!"

Reyes smiled confidently. "That's super," he said uninterestedly before turning back to his Ariddian friend. "Now, where were we? What was I doing before I got this gig? Well, before today, I was paying off senators. My sis and I still help my dad publicize the hotels by making Page 6 headlines and getting chased around by paparazzi wherever we go. I was also heavily involved with law enforcement before ... though I wasn't a cop.

"And, of course, now, aside from my ambassador job, I'm part of Karmicaria's ... 'entertainment' industry."

He smiled sweetly and picked up a paper plate and a set of plastic silverware. "Can I get you anything?" he inquired.

"Oh, you're a Karmicarian! I'd been meaning to ask you where you're from. And yes, please. Some of... that, whatever it is?" she asked politely, pointing, and returned his smile sweetly.

"So..." she asked curiously, as he gathered food onto her plate. "What does 'paying off' senators mean? Some sort of government job? I know what money is, but we don't use any in Ariddia, so I'm always interested to hear what people use it for."

The Courtyard
Royal Country House
Queendom of Karmicaria

"I don't really know what's going on. But what's important right now is that we enjoy our wedding day and honeymoon." He smiled broadly, and kissed her on the forehead.

"Now let's go see what this opens," he said, bouncing the key in one palm while holding Dahlia's warm hand with the other, and started walking back through the house and towards the parking area.

As he neared the place where his temporary car for use in the Quendom was sitting silently, Accelerus pressed the ignition button on the key's face. The wonderful rumble of a 12-cylinder engine promptly responded. His ears located the source of that rumble, and his eyes and head turned to do the same. It was a Moderator GT-S (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=7504690&postcount=21), a modern classic designed and produced in his home city, Showroomtown, and it looked like one of the Ministry of Hospitality's modified versions. Nice. He knew this could have only come from Sam, and resolved to get the younger man something really good for his birthday.

Neville felt quietly proud: he and Violet were doing rather well. Unobtrusive service, the drink in the hand before the throat felt the dryness, the quick supply of exactly the right beverage ... not to mention the grace-notes they were giving their performance, he with his cynical asides and Violet with her cheeky repartee. This was a good thing to do for friends. They would help make this big occasion go as smoothly as possible, so the newlyweds would have nothing but pleasant memories.

All the same, he was glad to see Dicey Reilly bouncing out of her national balloon. When you're putting on a professional performance, it's pleasant to have it appreciated by another professional, and when it came to booze, Dicey was surely that.

Seeing Bast lifted his spirits still further, though it was a little surprising to see the Cat tuck a fiddle under his chin. Still, Cat, fiddle, all good ...
the Cat and the witch launched into a gentle version of Come By the Hills, seguing imperceptibly into Wild Mountain Thyme ... and now, it seems, they had a backing group ...

Neville almost dropped the frosty tankard he was carrying. The backing group was sort of, well, misty. And also individually familiar. Wasn't that a brace of Guthries? Pete Seeger? "Hey, Woodie ... Arlo ... Peggy..." Two Bob Dylans, one young, one old? Clancy Brothers, Pogues and Chieftains (traditionnazis!) ... but, here, that one had never existed; surely he was the Bard Eric out of Mercedes Lackey's books? And there was the Harper of Pern ... the Ship Who Sang's hologram ... Thomas the Rhymer?

"Don't worry, they're only fetches," Dicey assured him. "Sort of the collective unconscious's version of what they are. The real people involved won't even know; or maybe they'll have some dreams. But what music we'll give them, eh?"

Neville couldn't help but wonder. There was already a bit of a bingle going on over whether Mhairi's Wedding would be better than Frog He Would A-Wooing Go. Now the heavy-on-the-lyrics folkies were, ah, conversing intensely with the music-must-rule folkies. And what the devil did The Union Maid have to do with weddings?

"Ah, Dicey," he said nervously. "Dicey, do you really think it was a good idea to bring so many Celts?"

Dicey, harmonising in a completely inappropriate version of The Wizard's Staff {Has A Knob On The End), wasn't listening.

And then it was too late. Somebody started playing, somebody else took exception and a sort of Renaissance Faire, Society for Creative Anachronism, Finnegan's Wake happy hour developed.

"My mother always used to say, many a happy marriage starts with a brawl," panted Violet, neatly fielding a bottle of whiskey.

"Yes, but isn't it supposed to be the relatives who fight? Not the musos?"

"Arr, who gives a damn?" said a passing delegate happily, plunging in feet first.

Neville noted that the ones who'd worn diplomatic uniforms definitely had the advantage, uniforms usually being provided with all manner of gee-gaws convertible to impromptu weaponry.

"Somebody should stop them!"

"Won't be me. Women and children first!" said Violet, diving under a crowded table.

OOC: The Ship Who Sang and the lot of those books are great. And, if that "Society for Creative Anachronisms" bit was a reference to Arthur C. Clarke's 3001, I'm going to worship you.

IC: Wolfgang, having finished eating and procuring large quantities of barbecue food to bring back to the UN building with him, sprinted past the battle to Accelerus and Dahlia as they seemed to be leaving. "Thank you for inviting and feeding me, and I wish you both the happiest of marriages." He continued to sprint, for no readily apparent reason. He turned around and started sprinting backwards, shouting, "Don't forget! Call us whenever you want your voyage on the Starship!" He turned back around and continued running. Then, with the sound of waves beating on a distant shore, the great keel of the Starship Titanic pierced the sky and came to rest before him, rising up into the clouds like a giant metal dagger poised to murder the planet. The elevator ramp at the bottom quickly extended and Wolfgang leapt inside. Having apparently finished its two-second mission, the Starship lifted off with impeccable grace and vanished into the clouds.

OOC: http://www.starshiptitanic.com/ Just so you know I'm not either a) completely insane or b) really creative. *sigh*

Dahlia stared in awe at the new car. "It's one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen! Where did this come from, Accelerus?" she was so surprised by the gift that she almost missed Wolfgang. He was shouting something at them. Dahlia strained to hear. Something about calling them. Then, she remember the tickets for the Starship voyage. "We will! Thank you again! I hope you enjoyed yourself!" she turned back to look at the car.

"So, are we ready to leave for our honeymoon, darling? People are leaving and some are still enjoying themselves, I'm sure all will be fine." she smiled at her new husband. She was beginning to feel less worried. "Soon," she thought, "we'll be off for what I'm sure will be a wonderful vacation."

After talking to Umdiroplach, Christelle was just able to catch up with the newlyweds before they left. Catching her breath after running out to find them, she handed Dahlia a box wrapped up in light red, sparkly paper.

"I forgot to give you this earlier... It's not much, but... I hope you'll like it. It's a boxfull of records of romantic, honeymoon songs, sung by the Ariddian Red Army choir." She smiled. "And now I'll leave you to enjoy your time together. Have a lovely honeymoon!" she said, and turned to walk back to the others.

The departure of the newly-weds had little effect on the musos' brawl. Ars longa, vita brevis, after all, and there were significant artistic and philosophical points being debated here.

"I don't believe it!" breathed Neville, watching the young Bob Dylan debating them most forcefully with a well-swung acoustic guitar. From the stunned state of his opponent after the guitar connected, he had apparently made a good argument. "Look at that, Violet! What a follow-through! Who'd have thought Bob Dylan could have been a demon batsman if he'd wanted?"

"I don't believe it, either," said Violet. But she said it differently from Neville's statement: less uncritical enthusiasm and more narrow-eyed purpose. And, as she spoke, the young Dylan's figure blurred slightly. "No, I don't believe it!" Violet asserted again, experimentally; suddenly the beautiful boy was transparent. "Not a scrap!" ... there was no young Dylan.

It was really all over after that. The two Strangers' Bar staff had disbelieved half Dicey's pantheon into non-existence before anyone else realised what was happening.

As soon as the situation became clear, of course, little knots of the faithful converged on favoured figures and sat in protective circles with their idol at the centre, stubbornly Believing in them with all the force of their not inconsiderable egos.

"Well, who'd have thought he was a Trekkie?" laughed Violet, pointing. A curmudgeonly delegate previously thought to care for nothing but policy position papers was encouraging Data and Captain Picard in selections from Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.

"And look at that!" agreed Neville, showing her where a group was defensively singing Give Peace A Chance. The central figure in the John Lennon glasses turned their way.

"He's not a folkie!" objected Violet, revving up her disbelief.

Neveille stopped her. "Don't disbelieve in ... him. It would be just too cruel."

Nevertheless, very slowly, all around the ground, all kinds of belief in all types of musical talent wavered, died. At last there was nothing left but a litter of music-stands, broken instruments and sundry substances illegal in some jurisdictions, even including tobacco.

"I wonder why the accessories stayed when the players left, Nev?"

"Well, how can anyone disbelieve in litter?"

It was time to go home. Before they got conscripted into the clean-up squad.