I am Hers, She is Mine

Briar waited, hidden just out of sight of all the guests that were filing in, but she could hear their paws moving over the sand and the low murmuring of chatting and whispers as everyone settled in. She was eager and anxious as she waited in her hiding spot with her father, but not because she was nervous to get married. She was excited to finally be taking this step that she had Artorias had been working toward for so long. She knew it wouldn't change much about their every day lives other than the name she went by, but it was still something special to her and a way for them to officially join their families together. Their families meant the world to them both and to have them all here with them for this day meant more to her than she could ever say.

She peeked up at her father as he started to fiddle with his bracer only to surprise her by pulling out a beautiful necklace with a blue pendant hanging from it, the light catching the stone and making her gasp softly as she looked up at her father with confusion and awe. She listened as he explained where it had come from, how it had been her mother's that had been won in a fantastical tournament run by fireflies—the same ones that had granted her the horns she had now. In all of her planning she hadn't thought to mention or ask for anything to fit the old wedding traditions, but it seemed that her father had covered at least two of those bases without her knowing. She hadn't even begun to walk down the aisle yet and already she was beginning to tear up as she moved her tiara and long veil aside for a moment so that her father could slip the necklace around her neck, the blue stone hiding in her plush and perfectly groomed tawny fur. After she had gotten her veil back in place and compose herself again, she leaned up to place a kiss on her father's cheek, saying softly, "Thank you. I love it and you." When he asked if she was ready, she nodded, taking a breath before walked out of the alcove they were standing in before making her way toward the aisle that would lead her down to the arbor where Artorias and Tamsyn was waiting.

Her tail trailed behind her with white and lavender flowers braided in among the long, silky fur with the same flowers wound around her antlers. A silver tiara sat across her brow that was studded with fire opals similar to the ones she had used in the cuff that she had gifted Artorias a while ago. On the sides near her temples were much smaller versions of the flame-etched medallions that had been incorporated into Artorias' outfit and attached to those was a long, flowing veil of sheer, white fabric that draped across her entire body, lightly skimming the ground near her feet as she walked and lightly blowing in the breeze coming off of the ocean. She felt a bit nervous and out of place and she wondered if maybe she had gone a bit too over the top and should have had Plague tone down what he had prepared for her—at least until she got to the end of the aisle and looked up to see Artorias waiting there. As soon as she saw him she was able to smile and relax, knowing that all of this was really just for them and it was exactly what they had dreamed of.

Zephyrus waddled toward her and she grinned as she waited for the young raptor to reach her, watching as he began to toss flower petals across the aisle in the most adorable and very Zephyrus way possible. She started slowly walking behind him with her father at her side and she glanced out over the crowd, seeing every single one of her and Artorias' loved ones there. Asla and Indigo, her mother with Ophelia and Aris, Fern and Rudyard, Kotori, Mortis and Hikaru. She did a small double take when she looked at Ophelia and noticed the very distinct lack of mud on her and Briar couldn't help but feel touched by what might seem like a small gesture to most. She knew her sister well enough though to know that was a big deal for her. She tried to catch Ophelia's gaze and give her a little grateful grin as she passed by. She looked around again and saw Azure with Hanako and Bowen with Grimshaw and another male she didn't immediately recognize, but was obviously very attached to Grimshaw. Gossamer, Avantika, Audra, and of course her dear Lia rounded out the attendees of their small ceremony and she was just so overwhelmed and thankful that everyone they had wanted there had come. She was most certainly closer to some than others, but she wouldn't have wanted do to this without being to share this moment with all of her family.

They reached the end of the aisle and she gave Zephyrus a quick kiss on the top of his head before he went back to sit with Lia and she turned her attention fully to Artorias, beaming happily with tears in her turquoise gaze. She didn't know how she was going to manage getting through her vows without crying, but she'd figure it out somehow. She gave her father one more kiss on the cheek after he completed his task of begrudgingly giving her away and he went to join the others in the crowd. She stood across from Artorias happily with Tamsyn between them and couldn't keep the smile off of her face as her very soon to be mother in law started the ceremony.

"Artorias & Briar Carpathius"