I slipped into the back of the Bascilica, the ceremonies having already begun. Looking around, I didn't spot either the groom nor the bride, so I sat myself down, confident I hadn't missed anything of importance. A quick look at those assembled offered up a large helping of familiar faces, some old friends, co-workers, some only tangential associates, and a good helping of the unfamiliar.
Soon the Groom appeared, followed by his witnesses. Immediately I recognized one of them as Shalee. This only confused me. I had known from a talk with 'Red,' Shalee's child-form subconcious, that Shalee didn't want this marriage to happen. I also knew that Shalee and Aldrith weren't getting along very well, and yet he chose her as a witness. Perhaps he didn't want it to happen either.
Mitara was next. Out of habit I straightened myself up at her appearence, though I no longer served under her in the Praetoria. I watched her process down the aisle, followed by her witnesses, Captains Fierach and Amarr. I have to admit, she looked great in her dress. Aldrith looked less so in his.
The wedding was long. It was torturous. I shifted uncomfortably too many times during it. Not out of objection to the union of these two old friends of mine, but because I felt too out of place. Something inside me ached, knowing that something like this was supposed to have happened to me, months ago. I felt sick, and it was all I could do to just remain seated and not run out of the ceremony.
Finally it came to an end, and the gathered began to file out to head to the reception in Mercy's Keep. I remained in my seat for a few minutes, watching them go. Taking a few sips from my flask, I got up to try and find someone. I found them in the arms of their fiance, and so I left.
The reception was the party you'd imagine, with that mixture of guests. Most of them Amarrian loyalists, some not. All in the same room, drinking. However, the only hostility I saw came from a short interaction I had with Eran Mintor, the ex-tribal freedom fighter and current Matari sympathizer.
I offered a greeting, yet he ignored me. I offered conversation, and he gave me nothing but hostility, in typical tribal fashion. He almost even riled me up with his blantant disrespect. Out of concern for the festive mood and the significance of the day to my friends, I left him to sit there a sulk. After all, I had better things to do.
Such things consisted of finding the strongest liqour in the Keep and consuming all of it. Only after giving my regards to the happy couple, of course. With the resentment in me fading with each drink, I began to enjoy myself. Until I caught the other happy couple messing around, that is. Soon there wasn't enough alcohol in the place to keep my presence, and with the reception already dying down, I left, little intent in me to show up again.
That was, until a meeting later on that same night would turn everything around.
