Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Carpathius

Ikigai had come to the the marriage celebration of the Hallows Aegis as a diplomat of Ashen. The young woman shone like the finest snow and deepest shadow. Her long tail had been braided in thick mermaid plaits so that her long train of a tail didn't detract from the train that a bride might wear. It still drug upon the ground as she walked, but not nearly as much as it would had it been flowing free. Ikigai had stopped wearing her lavish kimono's when her father abandoned them, so her only adornment was a single ruby flower settled upon her right ear.

Once the wedding was done and the reception had begun, marbled eyes watched the bride and groom make their way to the head of the table. Now all of the guests would approach the couple and offer well wishes. Ikigai waited for several others to speak to the Aegis and his wife before she approached. The young lady's snake slit eyes closed and she gave a graceful bow to the pair. "I am Princess Ikigai of the Ashen Empire," she informed the pair in smooth, clear tones. "Congratulations and best wishes for a long and happy life." The pallid princess placed a rolled up skin upon the table before them. Many, many ermine pelts all sewn together by her own dexterous paws. It would be a large blanket soft as silk and warm for the cold winter nights that would eventually come.

Ikigai excused herself and made her way towards a familiar face. Kotori didn't see her, but she had seen him. Sidling up beside the horned man, Iki leaned against his shoulder lightly before leaning up to place a soft kiss upon his cheek. "Good to see you here, my champion." Had it not been for Kotori... Ikigai would have surely lost her life. She owed the man so much. "Care to take a walk with me?"

"Ikigai"