Lolaf post first, then everyone else. Next round 7/20. Friends of Sparrow/Recluse allowed, both alive and dead! Not sure? DM Iko or Lolaf!

Sparrow had spent time getting to learn the best ways to come visit Recluse. She experimented with what kept her here the longest. There were some herbs, some other things. Near-death experiences did good, but no one would be pleased with that. When she figured out the best way she could, she sent Pongolo with the instructions to her closest friends and any slightly less close friends that the bird may have found along the way. There was a day, a time. The new moon, in the middle of the night. That was when they could join. Sparrow wasn't sure if it would work to be honest. She had learned that a lot of things here worked by just wanting them really bad. By focusing on them, drawing them near. Sparrow had worked that imaginary muscle over and over again, pulling Recluse from the wisps of nothingness. She tried to imagine and conjure a beautiful scene for their wedding - something that would never have worked in the real world. However, she couldn't be sure if everyone would even see it, or if it would just be her. Food and drink weren't something that she could manifest, so it was set to be a pretty lame party, but Sparrow invited people all the same. Pulling on that chord, Sparrow coaxed the essence of Recluse out, "My love," she called, her voice softer than anyone who knew her probably thought possible. "It's time to get married..."

Sparrow had been keeping Recluse more conscious than she had been any time since her death. Time was hard to gauge, each time she woke up it felt like only mere seconds since the last though rationally she knew there had to be more time passing than that. Recluse couldn't help but feeling elated, it was the first time in a very long time that she'd felt wanted, and she was doing her best to give Sparrow what she ought to have gotten in life. Of course the idea of a wedding was not foreign to her, they had talked about it the first time they'd reconnected but with time harder for her to grasp Recluse wasn't sure exactly how long ago that'd been or if Sparrow had a date in mind. So to wake up again, and hear the pirate king's words sent a thrill through her. The pale woman aimed to brush close to Sparrow, she enjoyed tucking herself into the bigger woman's form. ”I am ready.” Recluse looked up at the woman who'd chosen to marry a dead woman, who had done so much for her. ”Have I told you I adore you?” Her voice was soft, words for her wife to be only. Recluse hoped but did not expect any of her children to show and despite her best efforts she'd still yet to find Kali, unsure if her daughter's spirit even still lingered. There was so much she didn't understand. Even with her doubts about any guests of her own showing up she couldn't help the excited nerves she felt. How ironic, to finally find the love she'd tried so desperately to find all her life in death. ”Speech”  ’Thought’

Life has a strange way of making things work out. For so long, Enki had felt lost, unsure of what he should do with his life and then, in his darkest hours, he had found love. They say time heals all wounds and, with the help of love, the broken young man had once again found himself. So, when his deceased mother’s bird had approached him with instructions and day, of course the pale pink man wasn’t going to miss his mother’s wedding for anything in the world.

When the night came that the wedding would take place, Enki gathered his two nieces that had not disappeared with the rest of their family and helped them to get comfortable. Of course, he had approached them before this day and told them about their grandmother and how she had passed before they were born. Over the course of several days, he had told them stories of Recluse, weaving a picture of the woman they had never met so that, when they laid down to sleep tonight, they might be able to find her more easily.

With the two girls settled, he sings them a lullaby that his mother had once sung to him as a pup and one that he has kept to his heart since she had passed. He pours his heart into those softly sung words, tears stinging the back of his eyes as the girls drift off into the deep currents of sleep. Wiping a large paw across his eyes, the man then turns his bright blue gaze over to where his colorful boyfriend waits for him. Stealing a long kiss, he then carefully wraps his larger frame around Tazzy, curling around him in the way that both parties have come to enjoy.

Once he is settled, Enki wonders if he will even be able to sleep tonight and, before he realizes it, darkness has pulled him into slumber.


-Enki enters Somnium-

A thick fog curls around his paws as Enki slowly blinks open his eyes, realizing that he has transitioned into the realm of dreams and he casts his gaze around for Coho and Hag. The two girls wait for him close by and he smiles brightly at them as he uncurls from around Tazzy and stands. Helping his boyfriend up, the men move to where the pups wait and he offers a gentle nuzzle to each child while softly saying, “Are you ready to meet your grandmother?” With that, the group moves through the fog, his mind directing him to go until the thick mist disappears and gives way to enchanting moonlit scene.

The area is huge, with vibrant flowers sprinkling the area. Maybe it is imagination but he sees a white arch, covered with ivy, that the two women stand underneath. Bright blue eyes find his mother’s pale form and his heart squeezes painfully in his chest for a moment as he realizes just how long it has been since the last time he had laid eyes on her. With Tazzy helping him, they herd the girls toward the two women and he approaches them with a bright smile on his lips. Moving to his mother first, he offers her loving nuzzle, kiss on her cheek, and huge hug while he whispers, “I’ve missed you mom. Congratulations!”

Pulling away, he then introduces the rest of the group to her, “Hag, Coho, this is your grandmother, Recluse. Recluse these are your granddaughters. Ghoul started a family. And, Tazzy and I are thinking of starting one ourselves.” Eyes sparkle with happiness as he curls one long leg around his boyfriend’s form, presenting him to his mother as if for her approval. They are surrounded by love and the pale pink man feels fit to burst from the joy he feels. With a chuckle, he allows the woman some time with the pups and his boyfriend (if she wants) and he moves to Sparrow, offering the woman a hug if he wants one. With that, Enki says, “Congratulations. I am grateful that you have both found love; even now.” His words a genuine and filled with happiness at the mysteries that life keeps offering his family.

Once he can pry the girls away from Recluse, Enki moves the group out to where those who are attending the wedding will be sitting and finds a space for them settle in. Until the ceremony begins, he allows the pups to frolic and explore since this is probably their first time doing something like this. Hell, its his first time and he is thankful to be here.

Happiness radiates from Enki as he watches the two women, grateful for second chances and the ability for love transcended even death.


"Enki Klein"

Come down, come down sweet reverence

Jynn flopped down into the clover, belly first and arms spread out in front of her. What an exhausting day! She'd had mixed success with both her hunts and races and now found herself completely wiped. She needed to get back to Tojo but perhaps a small nap would be fine. Her large ears twitched, taking in the sounds around her and deciding it was safe she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

——

Jynn awoke to swirling mist and the distant sound of running water. As the tendrils of fog settled along the ground and her senses began to clear she caught the smell of food and heard a call. A wolf calling for their love. Her eyes widened. Sparrow? She knew the call wasn't for her but she couldn't resist seeing what this was about. A wedding?

Her long legs carried her swiftly over the land and here she seemed to fly, her paws barely touching the ground as she ran. She skidded to a stop to see the forms of Sparrow and Recluse. Right! She remembered now. They'd met at one of Sparrow's parties after she'd broken up with Hana. Jynn was glad to see Sparrow found someone worthy to spend her… uhhh….. life with? There were a few other wolves there, but she didn't recognize them, instead focusing on the brides. "Congratulations!!"

Coho hadn’t really been sure what to do with herself lately. With much of her family missing and just her and Hag left, part of her had been afraid to really do anything because, well, what if they go missing too? Still, that doesn’t mean she has stopped living life and she has, in fact, made friends with some ravens. Once the unkindness of ravens had sort of, begrudgingly, adopted her, the girl has found herself enjoying things more because she has someone to watch over her again.

So, when Enki, her uncle, approached her and Hag about meeting their grandmother, Coho was excited to go meet her… until she found out exactly where she is. Uncertain of this whole idea, the pup had gone along with it because, if she really can go see her, then she wants to! The night comes when he brings them together, helping her and her sister get settled in while she thinks about the stuff he has told her of Recluse, trying her absolute best to hold onto that as he sings them to sleep.


-Coho enters Somnium-

Something tickles her nose, pulling her eyes open to find thick tendrils of fog rolling around her form. Casting her gaze around, she finds Hag next to her and Coho excitedly pokes her sister as she exclaims, “Hag! Hag! I think it worked!” Standing, she looks around, uncertain of what they are supposed to do now. Thankfully, Enki and Tazzy show up quickly and she bounds over to them, tail moving a mile a minute as her tongue lolls out the side of her mouth. Together, the group moves through the fog until it just suddenly disappears and gives way to a vast meadow filled with moonlight.

Eyes widen as she looks around, trying to take in everything as the men herd them toward two ladies underneath some kind of arch. Neck swivels as she moves and her paws itch to go run around but she allows herself to be pulled along with the group for now. They stop in front of the pale woman and Enki introduces them and Coho’s head tilts back as her wide eyes take in Recluse. After Enki has greeted her, the small-ish pup bounds up to the woman and slams into her with a bright smile on her lips as she practically shouts, “Hi Grammy! Uncle Enki has told me a lot about you. Will we get to see more of you now? Do you have to stay here all the time?”

Excitedly she chatters, wanting to know more about her grandmother but, all too soon, Enki is dragging them away and her face pulls into scowl because she doesn’t want to leave yet. They move to different place and, as the men settle in, Coho races around the area, enjoying her time here. Soon, an orange-colored lady appears and greets the two women and the curious pup races up to them. Wide emerald eyes inspect the stranger as she ogles the weird wolf she has never seen before and blurts out, “What’re you?” Of course, in her young, naïve mind, she isn’t saying anything rude but, then again, she has never had to ask anyone that either.


"Coho Klein"

Calico Jack has been existing, not really going out of his way to do much because he has been feeling betrayed by life. Rivin, the girl he had known since puphood and whom he had fallen deeply in love with, had suddenly been stolen away and the calico man is unsure what to do. Still, when his mother approached him about her having a wedding, he had eagerly agreed to go so he could support her… and that is when he found out that the woman she is marrying is dead.

While it is definitely weird, Jack won’t stand in the way of love and, when the night came, he followed his mother’s instructions and drifted lazily off to sleep, wondering what a ghost wedding will look like.

-Calico Jack enters Somnium-

Eyes snap open to fog and he quickly stands, shaking out his coat in the hopes of looking presentable for the women. Then, he makes his way onward until his paws touch grass and the mist gives way to moonlight and wolves. Icy gaze scans the area and he spies his mother and a pale woman standing together, in a space obviously meant for a wedding. With a grin, he moves up to them, waiting for the lady getting hounded by a pup to finish her greetings before stepping up to Sparrow.

An eyebrow cocks as a sly smile spreads his lips and he reaches in to offer a gentle nuzzle to her check as he says, “So… uh… how does this work ma? Are you going to have more pups or somethin’?” There is humor in his voice and he is gently teases Sparrow but, honestly, he doesn’t know the rules of dead things so he wouldn’t be super surprised if Sparrow did, somehow became pregnant again. With that done, Calico Jack steps over the other woman who seems to be the bride and greets her, “Hello, I’m Calico Jack, Sparrow’s son. I guess that will make you my step-mom?”

A soft chuckle is offered and he steps forward, offering her a gentle nuzzle as well before stepping back and saying to them both, “Well, congratulations! Welcome to the family. Ma, don’t make her too nervous. Okay?” A chuckle is given and he moves to the space where wolves are gathering and settles in, ready to see what the heck a ghost wedding entails.


"Calico Jack"

Hag was less lost than her sister, mostly because she'd never felt fully tethered to her family. Not callously, Hag certainly sometimes wished her parents and siblings were still around. Even sometimes missed doing things with them but she was also less connected to others over all and her curiosity often led her more than the adults in her life. Still, she had at least started to grasp that Coho was less disconnected than she was and in her own way was trying to show her care for her sister. Even if for Hag that meant sometimes just hovering around her sister silently and probably less than comfortably for Coho.

Family was kind of nebulous for Hag and though she understood somewhat what it meant for Enki to be her uncle their relationship felt less real to her than that of her and her parents or siblings. Still it seemed she was going to be learning more about her family still. It had taken a moment to really wrap her head around the idea that her father would have a mother of his own... Whoever the woman was felt even less possible to her than her uncle. But apparently they would be going to see her?

If there was one thing Hag had a grasp on it was death... She was more curious about how they'd be going to see a supposedly dead woman than her relationship to her. Eager to answer this question Hag let herself be bundled up by her uncle and drifted off to sleep next to her sister.

-

When she next woke it was still next to Coho but her uncle and the rainbow man he was often around were gone. She blinked impossibly big eyes at her sister when Coho began to excitedly exclaim, the barest hint of a tail wag in response. Soon enough Enki and his friend joined them and the tiny girl drifted behind the group, not getting too far back but not eager to be crushed under paw either.

The group seemed to beeline towards a pair of women, one tugging at a feeling of familiarity in the girl. Hag wasn't exactly preoccupied with her own apperance but even she couldn't have missed the similarities she shared with the paler and smaller of the two women. Enki introduced them and as Coho bounced all over the wolf who was evidently their grandmother Hag instead simply stood there, staring. The woman gave her a look of joy but Hag simply canted her head to the side. There did appear to be something otherworldly about the place and the woman before her but she was too busy trying to put the pieces together to do more than watch with unsettling quiet, her gaze drifting over to the other woman as well, curious but unspeaking.

Before they were directed away and while her uncle and the other man settle themselves Coho dashed off. Less inclined to the energy her sister was displaying Hag decided instead to poke around the place, her mind a whirlwind as she tried to puzzle out exactly where they were, and how.

"Hag Klein"

Art by lifamevil

All You Have Is Your Fire...

Pyralis stirred within the tendrils of her cloudy bed. Lightning lanced through the sky followed by a rumble the pulled her from her stormy haven. There was something going on in the other regions of Somnium, something big. She heard the call of Sparrow calling for her love and Pyralis grinned playfully. So Sparrow's love had passed on? Hopefully it wasn't that wretched Hana woman. Pyralis didn't keep close track of the souls that wandered in and out of the paths of Somnium.

Soaring into the sky, her wispy form became more solid as she neared the gathering of wolves only to see Sparrow with Recluse. Ahhhh that explained a few things. Pyralis strode over to the pair. "Aww love… twrue wuve. Does my old, rotten heart good to see you again, Sparrow. I don't have the usual gifts but if you use your imagination I do have a few bottles of wine some sweet soul left at my grave." With a chuckle and a wave of her paw the wine bottles appeared, floating in the air for a moment before Pyralis grabbed them in her jaws and gently set them down at the couples feet.

Sleep did not come easily for Gilgamesh as of late. Plagued by paranoia and the constant reminder that danger lurked around every corner. It was that very night he had decided to give in and share a strongly brewed cup of tea that Modesty always seemed to enjoy. What he had not expected were the side effects that came with it. After a short and very strong trip through hallucinations, Gilgamesh found himself blinking blearily at a foggy landscape.

Was he dreaming or still tripping?

Confused as he was, Gilgamesh stands and begins to walk forward. A familiar call rings out to him. A voice he had heard many times, but why here? Why now? Had Sparrow passed? Drawing closer, he sees her and Recluse standing before a growing crowd. The words spoken between them a hushed murmur that his ears barely pick up. Gilgamesh's eyes widen with surprise and curiosity. He looks around, seeing some familiar faces and quite a few that are not. Even Pyralis had shown up.

Moving to sit beside the old woman, Gilgamesh is unsure if he can touch her, but being near is good enough for him. His attention lingers on Sparrow, a fond smile on his lips. "I'm honored to be here," Gilgamesh calls out to Sparrow, prideful as ever, his eyes crinkling happily at the corners. For all the trouble and strife they'd been through in the living world, now was a time where they could forget about it all and truly enjoy happiness for a moment.

The Raid King, Gilgamesh

table coding by bunni ♥

Ashmedai was dead. Very dead. Dead and gone to the world which he had enjoyed so richly. Yet, there was still more to his story, no, not his story, but his daughter's. Her calls brought him to a vague awareness. A wedding. Her wedding. She was not dead, and yet she was here. There were others. Ash stretched himself for a long while- being dead sure does put knots in your back- and then headed to the ceremony.

He recognized the bride- well both of them. It was an interesting choice. Ashmedai had his own history with Recluse, who also seemed to be very dead. Pity. Ash rolled up to the pair. "One of the bloodline wasn't enough to chase you away?" he teased. "Well, all the more power to ya. Welcome to the family, and I guess the afterlife." She shot them a wink and then turned his attention to another familiar face, "Pyralis! Guess they just let anyone up here these days." It had been ages since they explored together. He settled next to the woman and allowed the procession to continue.

Sparrow pulled her beloved towards her and she appeared before her. She tucked into Sparrow and said she was ready, that she adored her. Sparrow's smile grew and she bumped her nose onto Recluse's, "You can't possibly adore me more than I am enamored with you," she murmured. Some of Recluse's family showed and introduced themselves. Sparrow was elated to know her plan worked and that others from the living realm would be able to join them. The tall pail man introduced himself as Recluse's son. He brought two granddaughters and mentioned his partner ghouls and... Tazzy? Sparrow would have to get the rundown later, but they all seemed happy. Jynn was the first of her guests to show. She was definitely welcome, though Sparrow couldn't remember if she had even gotten to invite her or not. She congratulated the two and Sparrow flashed her a toothy smile, "Thought you explored everywhere, huh?" she teased. "Thank you." It wasn't clear in the liminal space, but she almost smelled like a pack. Huh. Never imagined Jynn the type to settle down. Maybe they'd meet in the real world one day and she could confirm. "Catch up sometime in real life?" she suggested. Calico Jack visited too. She didn't expect him to understand, but he was probably her favorite kid and she was glad for his support all the same. He appeared and teased her about pups and Sparrow's eyes widened a good bit, "I- uh- don't think so but... I didn't think so with y'all either... but a ghost? C'mon..." Lazy smile and a tilted brow. He was ridiculous. She hoped... Pyralis came! Sparrow was always glad to see the woman, ghost or not. She ribbed the two about true love and sparrow motioned to shove her gently. She said if they imagined, there was wine. Sparrow smiled, "I always like to imagine wine. I'm actually not entirely sure I'm not just imagining Recluse so hard she's here trying to marry me." Gil also attended, bringing Sparrow's smile wide. They hadn't been able to really hang since... well, not thinking about that right now. Sparrow missed him. He said he was honored to be here and Sparrow nodded, "Honored to have you. Always thought when we met in the afterlife, it would be in hell." She smiled and cobbed the top of Recluse's head for a moment, "But I'll take this too." Last to show up was... Sparrow's dad. She had guessed he was dead. Probably. He was ancient. She wondered what had taken him out. A part of her felt deeply saddened, but she wondered why. He hadn't been the most involved dad. She hadn't been the most involved to her kids either, thinking about it. But the idea he was gone. Valentine had to be. What about her other family. Who did she have left? Even her fiancé was dead. No, this wasn't about her family in the past. It was about her family now, and the family she could possibly still build back in the living world. "Thank you for showing up, Dad," Sparrow managed. A smile spread across her face, she never expected even her father to show. When the guests settled, Sparrow addressed them, "Family and friends, you come here to... wherever this is... for Recluse's and my destination wedding. You all here stand as a testament to both the living and unliving worlds of our love and unification." Sparrow turned towards Recluse, holding her tight, "I love you and not even death can do us part. Will you, Recluse, take me as your living and loving wife?"

Recluse could feel some of her old fighting spirit come back with each visit from Sparrow and she gave her fiancé a smirk. ”Wanna bet?” There wasn't a way to actually measure it if course but she'd not stand a single moment for Sparrow not thinking Recluse loved her with her whole being, what was left of it at least. But her attention was quickly pulled too... Recluse felt her heart stutter. Her boy! Recluse watched Enki approach, almost shocked he'd shown. Eagerly stepping towards him. Letting herself smile so openly at his affection and practically throwing herself into his hug. ”I missed you, my baby is all grown up!” He'd grown so much!  As Enki stepped back she looked at him, pride clear on her face. And she wasn't crying... Yet, though her eyes glistened. Recluse stepped back to stand beside Sparrow, letting herself lean in towards the woman. She'd honed in on her son so much she'd failed to see the other wolves with him. And as she saw them... A lump formed in her throat. No mistaking the other boy, she'd know that skull marking anywhere... But vengeance was so far from her mind at this point, and more importantly... The girls. Two children's the bigger clearly excited to be there while the smaller... Well it'd have been hard to miss the resemblance, though there was something about the way she stared up at her that made Recluse... Uneasy. But Enki was introducing all three. Grandchildren... She had grandchildren. The bigger girl, Coho launched herself forward and Recluse lowered herself to meet her grandchild. She was admittedly worried that Enki had brought Ghoul's children... What had happened to her son that he couldn't bring his own children... But later. ”That depends, ask your uncle about the instructions he got, if you follow them you can come back here if you want. I do have to stay here yes.” Recluse couldn't help but chuckle. Then she looked at the other boy, the one her son had called Tazzy, despite the animosity she ought to have felt there wasn't a sign of it on her face. ”I'm glad Enki found someone, he seems very happy. Take care of him in my stead.” It was her blessing. The group was pulled away though as they were not the only ones to have arrived at this point. Recluse glanced up at Sparrow. Okay maybe she was crying a tiny bit. A grandmother! But they were tears of joy and they did not linger for long. She turned her attention towards the other guests as they drifted in. A maned wolf she'd never met but clearly was friends with Sparrow had already approached and Recluse gave her a smile, nodding and muttering her thanks in response to the congratulations. Next is a spotted boy, who if it weren't for his words she'd have never expected was Sparrow's own son. Her brows lifting as he spoke, suggesting the possibility of pups and despite herself Recluse laughed. ”Hello Calico Jack, I am Recluse and this makes me whatever you'd prefer to call me. I'm dead... I won't mind.” A bit of gallows humor maybe but she tossed the boy a wink and chuckled at his parting words. Next came a more familiar face. Memories were hard still, and many wolves she'd met more in passing were hard to pinpoint but she at least recognized Pyralis as she approached. She watched on impressed as the woman summoned... Drinks... Recluse wondered if she could do that. She felt comparatively less powerful here. ”Real or imagined... I'm not complaining. I'm getting a wife out it.” A quick teasing response to Sparrow. In truth Recluse wasn't sure she knew either, knew only she felt like she was real... Then another wolf she'd probably seen around when she'd been sheltering on pirate lands and she let Sparrow handle him and sticking her tongue out playfully at her fiancé in response both to her words and her actions. And then... Ah. It had been some time since Recluse had seen the man that now approached. Feeling her face flush despite herself. Okay so sleeping with her wife-to-be's dad was probably not that cool... But not even that thought could bring her mood down. Recluse looked up at Sparrow as she spoke: ”Guess I have a type.” Her tone was soft, adoring. ~ That was it it seemed, the vast majority of her children had not shown but though some part of her ached, their absence very much noticed she couldn't help the joy she still felt. Death should have been the end for her. Should have left her to her lonely afterlife... A wedding... Somehow she'd managed to find love even after death. Sparrow took the lead and Recluse watched her, unable to tear her gaze from the woman she loved. The woman who, against all odds, loved her in return. ”I will. ” It felt surreal, to say the words, to know in that moment that she meant them with all her heart. ”And will you, Sparrow, take me to be your dead and devoted wife? ” It should have hurt more maybe, to say it out loud, to put into words the stark difference in their world's, but somehow it also felt right. A sign that even boundaries as seemingly as immutable as life and death weren't strong enough to hold them back. Against all odds, they had found each other again, even now. ”Speech”  ’Thought’