At last the preparations were complete. He had been working tirelessly with Rou and Medusa's companions, as well as others who had opted to help with the decor, the feast, the drinks and everything in between. From what he gathered, this was to be Insomnia's first wedding. Their first formal event. Medusa nor her family were the traditional sort, so this would be something new for them as much as it was new for himself. He had never been in charge of a wedding, let alone officiating one, but there was a first for everything, was there not? Pale blue gaze roamed the scenery as he did a final check. Various things decorated the trees, rope slung across from one tree to another, all the way around and across the pond to the other side, torches lighting the perimeter, a bonfire set up in the clearing opposite the pond that would be lit once the ceremony began. Bones, feathers, ribbon, skulls, antlers...all hung from the rope along with firefly lamps he had traded for.

A feast lined one side of the pond, piled with food and drink atop a couple of log tables. Mead, cider, wine, ale...whatever the heart desired lay upon the tables. Grinning to himself, he admired the handiwork that had been done before moving to stand before the largest willow, it's weeping branches tied back some to allow room for when both Erebos and Medusa arrived to bind themselves together. He made sure he had all that he needed for the ceremony, and once he, Rou, and the companions finished doing their last checks, he decided it was time.

Nodding to Rou, he sat back as the Insomnian Beta tilted her head toward the evening sky and called for the pack, as well as those that had been sent an invitation via bird.

OOC//Insomnia wedding is now underway! Only Insomnia members and invited guests are to attend! Invited guests are Avalon, Hemlock, and others both pack or loner that are on friendly terms with Medusa and the members of Insomnia! (if you're not sure if your char is, ask!) Hostility will not be tolerated, and troublemakers will be dealt with accordingly! All attendees must post at least once in this thread, and then may go on to post separate threads for meeting, talking, festivities, what have you. Mingle, have fun, and enjoy!

"Speech"

Star wasn't a drinker or a socializer or much of anything that would make one enjoy a wedding. She was, however, a firm supporter of her family. And so, when the day of the ceremony came, the striped woman was there. She settled herself off to the side of the group and waited for the officiant to begin speaking.

As she waited, Star's gaze swept the gathering, eyeing those that she didn't know. She filed their faces away, intent on adding names to them later. One by one, wolves trickled in. She wondered just how long they would wait for guests before they got this show on the road. Star had places to be and had already put her journey on hold for this. Though she found marriage to be a silly thing, she did love her cousin and wouldn't let him face this day alone.

"Starchild Dunamis"

Redrum stood at a distance, his muscles twitching in uneasy silence as he took in the scene, his pale eyes tracing the decorations swaying in the evening breeze—the feathers and bones, firefly lamps, and ribbons all strung up with reverent care. He had spent days clearing out the nearby threats, ensuring the celebration could unfold undisturbed, but even now, amid the gathering crowd and the careful beauty of it all, he felt that same quiet restlessness in his bones. His own touch was meant for sharpness, for survival, not for creating anything like this.

As he awaited the ceremony to start, Rou’s call pulled his attention back, the sound rippling through him in a strange way. He felt a spark of pride in the gathering faces and the feast laid out by the pond, all of them coming together under a single cause. But his pride was laced with something else—a murkier feeling he couldn’t quite pin down.

What was a wedding, after all? Why did it hold this weight? The idea seemed… foreign to him, all the gestures, the vows, the significance. What did it mean to be bound to someone else, to be locked in a promise that was supposed to reach beyond even life itself? For someone like him, who was already bound by instinct, it seemed a peculiar choice, a construct that tugged at his mind but always slipped out of understanding. The red brute had already taken a spoil, a bottle much stronger than he’d had at Maki’s birthday, but somehow it suited him just fine. It was bitter and it was warm, almost hot down his throat. Just what he needed to manage the disorder in his chest in the presence of so many watching eyes and sounds that clouded his mind.

“Till death…” he muttered, his voice trailing off. His eyes lingered on the others, catching the warmth in their eyes, the soft touches, the way they looked toward the willow with something close to awe. His mother had chosen this, and so had Erebos. They were bound to one another, apparently by love, by whatever unspoken force drove them to this night. But for him, it was all a puzzle, a binding that seemed, if anything, too vulnerable.

With effort, he quieted the tension in his muscles, forcing himself to be still. Maybe he didn’t need to understand. For one night, he could try to mirror the calm of the pond, the strength of the old willows. He could let it be what it was meant to be—a night for those bound by the invisible ties that made them whole. Yes, he could do that.


"Murder"

Weddings are a formal occasion, and Viktor looked the part. He'd washed, painstakingly laid down his coat as it dried. Sharp in every way, regal, dignified even. Something about fitting in and looking the part, and he did rather well with it. Viktor's gaze is sharp as he scans the faces of those already gathered, his brother at the helm. Insomnia's population were widely strangers, and he pushes down the discomfort at the notion. He was a guest in their home, Viktor on his best behavior... guard always up.

Quietly, he takes a seat beside Starchild. Acting as a buffer, but leaving her enough space to make her own observation. There should be enough space for all of them, but just in case. Ceremony is important, but it falls well in the purview of his task here. Watch them. Learn them. The customs here could be different, and he'd learn them all.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma

Enyo’s gaze swept over the gathering as she made her way to the wedding site, her posture tall and graceful. She had prepared carefully for this day, ensuring her coat gleamed with a shine that would catch the light of the hanging firefly lamps and torches around the pond. Her scent was as strong and commanding as her demeanor, carrying with it an air of strength and dignity. A fitting tribute to her brother on his day of union. Taking such care was a result of her respect for this choice, of her acceptance and support for their unity.

The scene was beautifully adorned, a true testament to Kronos’ dedication and vision. She admired the array of decorations: bones, feathers, ribbons, skulls, and antlers. All of which hung with precision, catching the flicker of torchlight. She allowed herself a moment to appreciate the care and detail Kronos and Rou had infused into every aspect of the ceremony. They had turned the clearing by the pond into a sacred space, worthy of the Dunamis name and the significance of this day.

In her maw there was a large velvet satchel and within that satchel were two crowns. Holding the satchel with a firm but reverent grip, Enyo approached the largest willow, where Kronos and Rou waited. The crowns were crafted in Cyprus and hand-made by a skilled jeweler, gleamed with the richness of gold, each adorned with a sapphire that captured the firelight in a deep, mesmerizing blue. Both were laurel leaf crowns, delicately crafted. Enyo had chosen these crowns with care. She felt a surge of pride as she anticipated placing them upon the heads of her brother and his soon-to-be wife, symbols of their union and status.

Her gaze shifted briefly to Redrum, his familiar figure standing amongst the guests. A flash of acknowledgment crossed her face as their eyes met for the briefest of moments, but she quickly dismissed it. This day was not about their rivalry or any private dynamics. It was a day to honor her brother and his marriage.

As her cousin Star, with her resplendent air, took her place nearby Enyo gave a small nod of approval. The family was gathered, and she could feel the collective power of the Dunamis lineage around her. They were united, all in attendance, and in this moment of shared celebration, even Enyo felt the significance of their family’s strength. She found herself proud, not only of Erebros but of the power their family held in this new land.

Setting the crowns down beside the willow, she took her place near Kronos, casting a final look at the assembled crowd before focusing forward. Her expression was one of calm pride, a quiet satisfaction in seeing her brother honored in this way. She had also brought an expensive wine from their homelands, a rare vintage meant for moments of great significance, and she looked forward to presenting it to him later, a token of their shared legacy and her unwavering loyalty.

For now, she watched the gathering with poised anticipation, her presence as steady and commanding as the trees around them, awaiting the moment Erebros and Medusa would stand together beneath the willow to solidify the bond that would shape the future of Insomnia and Dunamis alike.

"SPEECH"

CODE BY SIN

Lukina's injuries had long since healed but she found herself hesitant to leave the pack she'd been accepted into. Her original plan was to heal, fill the pack's herbal stores as repayment and then be on her way. However, with no real plan and no where to go, why not stay? Why not try to make a life here in Insomnia? With that decision made she set about to upgrading her den and keeping an ear out for the going on's in the pack. It was then she learned that Medusa and Erebos were to be married. With the date in mind Lukina set about getting ready for the event. She tied up her work area and cleaned the mud and sticks from her coat, working so that it shown so white it almost seemed to glow.

As evening fell the call went out for the festivities to begin. Lukina finished setting out the wine and mead she'd been saving for a special occasion then moved to join the gathering crowd. She would need to do better about getting to know her knew pack mates, though it was hard to break old habits. Spying the familiar form of Redrum she moved to sit next to him, flashing a warm smile of greeting before turning her focus back to the event.

Álarr primarily kept his focus inside the going on's of Avalon. He left the diplomatic and pack relations to Corbie and to Cloudburst, but when the message arrived that Medusa of Insomnia was getting married Álarr figured it was time to branch out. He didn't know the woman closely but a wedding wasn't a common event and he hadn't really made much of an effort in getting to know the other leaders of Boreas since his promotion.

Álarr gathered a fine bundle of fortified wines and sheep skins as a wedding gift to the couple before getting himself tidied up. Stjarna insisted on ornamenting his horns in leather braids with bone beads to make him more presentable and he patiently allowed his daughter to do so before he set off.

He arrived at the gathering and dipped his head in greeting to those present. "Álarr Imperialis, of Avalon. Is there a location I may place a gift for the happy couple?"

if my heart was a house you'd be home


The wedding had been planned and Enki had had several discussions with Medusa about her upcoming marriage to Érebos. Although he does not know the man personally, he supports the woman who has become a maternal figure to him and he is ready to do whatever she needs of him. They had already talked about him stepping down as the secondary alpha so that her husband could beside her but he hopes to remain useful to her and the pack with whatever title he will hold.

But today is special.

They had decorated the large area with feathers, antlers, and carefully braided ropes, making the space around the pond wonderful for the couple and guests who will gather. Food overflowed from platters, filling the air with delicious scents from their places on the log tables and steam in the rapidly cooling air of dusk. Drinks lined those same tables, ready to be used for the revelry that is to come. Enki paces nervously outside the area where Medusa gets ready, fur brushed to bright luster as he waits for the woman to appear.

It was his honor to walk Medusa down the aisle and give her away to Érebos since the pale pink man is basically part of her family now. Fleetingly, Enki wonders when Tazzy and himself will be having a similar ceremony, bonding their two lives together officially. The rustling of furs has his attention shifting to where Medusa appears and he smiles brightly at the woman as he joyfully asks, “Ready?” With that he moves to her side, ready to walk with her when the proceeding begins.


"Speech" ─ Think

─ by Skelle !

if my heart was a house you'd be home


With all the preparations for the wedding finished, Tazzy couldn’t help but wonder and dream of his own. He already knew he wanted to marry Enki, and he wouldn’t even hesitate if asked. Did he feel the same? It was hard to know, but why else would they still be together if not? They were already sharing a den, so marriage was the next step right? He just hoped that Enki thought the same, and that with this wedding happening he was getting ideas.

As the ceremony waited to begin, Tazzy was seated at the front on the side Medusa would be standing on. Since Enki was guiding her down the aisle, a space next to him was empty so that Enki could easily and quickly get to his seat without much of a disturbance to the other guests. Even if it wasn’t his own wedding, his heart was hammering with a mixture of emotions. Certainly Medusa would be beautiful for her day, but he couldn’t help but impatiently wait to lay his purple eyes upon his boyfriend and further imagine what their own wedding would look like, and who would be walking him down the aisle. Perhaps once there ceremony officially started it would be easier to focus on the present than his hopes and dreams.

"Speech" ─ Think

─ by Skelle !

Others began to gather and Star shot Viktor a smile as he settled himself a suitable distance away. There were many here that Star didn't know and, honestly, she didn't care to know them. A gentle breeze blew through the willows and the monochromatic fae closed cyan eyes for but a moment as she enjoyed the feel of it sifting through the pallid fur of her cheeks. Ears swiveled, catching the sound of little birds and frogs and fish at play in the creeks that wound their way through the willows. It really was a lovely, calming place.

"Starchild Dunamis"

Everything was going according to plan. The decor was nicely set up, the feast and drinks were laid out, now all that was left were for the guests to arrive, and eventually, Medusa and Erebos. She sat beside Kronos as they waited, and one by one the guests began to arrive. She had some reservations about her mother marrying into this family...or them marrying into the Mortems...but whatever made her mother happy, she supposed. She wasn't sure what to think of the Dunamis or what their motives were, if any, but she supposed she would find out sooner or later. Her mother seemed to love this Erebos a great deal, so until he proved he wasn't fit, she'd let this thing slide. Her mother, while she had her quirks and wasn't the brightest in some aspects, wasn't entirely stupid either. But sometimes things weren't as obvious to her as they were to others. All she knew was that if they betrayed her family, there would be hell to pay. One way or another. And she knew for a fact that she and the rest of Medusa's brood would see to that. Her gaze flicked to Redrum, knowing that he would be among the first to execute the pain should it come to that. Ah, but she didn't have long to linger on the thoughts as others arrived. The first of Avalon's members approached, asking where he could place a gift for the couple. "Your gift is appreciated, Alarr. You may place it on one of the tables over there," She motioned to the side of the pond where things were laid out. Her attention returned to those arriving, finding Enki waiting for Medusa. The woman would make her appearance, and Rue couldn't help the tiniest of smiles as she looked at her mother. Medusa deserved so much in life after all the trials and tribulations she had received, all the hard work she had done. Her smile faded back into a grim line as the thoughts returned. She'd be damned if Medusa's legacy was stripped away. No. She wouldn't let that happen for as long as she was alive. "Speak"

The wedding was going to start soon, and he found himself racing toward the willows after Kronos and Rue called for the event to start. He couldn't say he was happy about attending without Grim by his side, but alas...what could he do? Medusa assured that his brother would be fine, but Ripper couldn't help but worry still, oddly enough. He and Grim were like two peas in a pod, and ever since Grim had returned home, he and Ripper had been inseparable. He sighed. Alas, nothing he could do about it now. Instead, he focused on the now and approached the gathering, heading straight for Red to sit beside him, though he looked a little forlorn. Maybe some food and drink after would perk him up. "Ripper||"Menace"

Ugh...weddings...a waste of fucking time. No matter, it was Medusa's deal. He didn't care one way or another. His only part in her life was that they had kids together, but other than that he had no ties to the strange woman. He hadn't really interacted with Erebos or his family, either, so he couldn't say that he was close to either of the two being wed today. He approached the gathering, flopping down near the edge as his gaze swept over those gathered already. He just wanted this to be over with quickly so he could get drunk and think about his next move. Grim had been captured, and he had heard no word of when or if they were going to go get him. While he had only recently learned that her youngest litter was his, he couldn't help but feel a sort of protectiveness over them...and Grim was no exception. The thought lingered in his mind. Once this was over with, he had business to tend to. After he got drunk, of course.

So, a wedding was happening. Wade had absolutely zero clue as to what that meant but, when his pops had mentioned food and drinks, the teenager decided it couldn’t be all bad. Arriving fashionably late (or just plain ass late but with style), the red boy struts into the designated area that has been prettied up for the occasion. Eyes scan the gathered wolves, trying to figure out which ones are related to him since pops had said he siblings here and his eyes land on long eared red boy. Oh yeah, definitely one of his dad’s.

Spying Ignis sprawled out on the grass, he angles his awkward body toward the older man and accidentally (on purpose) knocks into a few wolves as he makes his way over. With a huge grin and carefree winks are tossed to those he has hit until the teenager comes to a stop next to his sire and unceremoniously plops his large ass down on his dad’s rump. With a chuckle, he sweetly drawls, “Oops, sorry! Didn’t see ya there.” Ass slides to the ground as he lowers the rest of himself down too, waiting for this ‘wedding’ thing to start.

With a bored yawn he asks, “So what’s the hubbub about?” Most of the pack seem to have gathered for the event and Wade doesn’t care. All he wants is to dive head first into the log table filled with food and gorge until he passes out but first, someone has to get married. ‘Hurry up already!’ Loki shouts at the world outside of the red boy’s head and Sly adds, ‘I want to try all the drinks at least once.’ ‘Good call’, Wade answers, ready to find out why his pops likes that stuff so much.


"Wade Preator" 'Thinking'| 'Sly' | 'Loki'

Star's attention was pulled away from her surroundings as she heard someone mention gifts. Ah... right. Shifting her position, the Dunamis fae looked under one of the nearby trees to see her tasmanian devil chewing on a bone. Their gazed met and he wrinkled his nose in question. Star motioned towards the table of gifts and the little beast grumbled for a moment before rising, moving to the table and chucking a package unceremoniously onto it. Mostly because he was too damn short to reach all the way up there. It didn't matter, really. The gift within wasn't breakable. It was a thick, well made blanket with the insignia of the Dunamis family upon it. Star had it brought from their homeland specifically for this event. She knew that Erebos would appreciate it.

Now that her gift was delivered. Star continued musing about her surroundings. Some of the branches were so long that they almost shielded the ground beneath the trees entirely. This would be a decent place to hide out. Aside from that, willows tended to be thick and the branches began lower to the ground. Some of them would be low enough for a wolf to climb up into the branches. Would anyone even think to look up when pursuing an enemy?

"Starchild Dunamis"