A Very Nexus Reception

[smartass_captain]

To all the friends of the happy grooms, PINpoint messages have already been sent weeks ago inviting them to expect quite the street party arranged in the commons of the Nexus. Guests have been invited to bring an appetite--both for food and for a social adventure. Nirnish weddings are public affairs, after all. While the ceremony has had to be somewhat sequestered for the sake of keeping the existence of Other Worlds a secret, neither Felix nor Jim would want to leave out their interdimensional friends entirely. Having a reception party arranged in the Nexus became the natural plan of action.

Overnight large sections of the Commons are transformed via diligent craftsmanship and quite a lot of magic from those who’ve volunteered. Lanterns representing the Divines are hung along every lamp post, bringing at least the idea of warmth even if the flames are too small to heat their surroundings alone. Bardic tunes carry in the air as readily as the scent of food and drink. Past banners of red and black, blue and white the people gather.

For both grooms this is nearly a continuation of the day before. They’ve had the chance to sleep off the nerves of their ceremony. Today is entirely for celebration--uninhibited celebration at that. No more minding what is said and isn’t. No more pretending to be anything other than who they are. Jim’s traded out his Nirnish finery for a suit and tie, garments he’s much more familiar with. Felix is staying with his native clothing; though he may have dressed down a little from his wedding clothes, the conjurer’s dressed in fitted breeches and his best fur-trimmed coat and boots, the soft hide dyed blue to match his tunic. By their side sits the conjurer’s spectral wolf familiar, ears pricked at the gathering.

As the guests find their ways over it will be easy to spot their friends amidst all the decor along with many other avenues with which to enjoy themselves….

Greetings
Food and Drink
Music and Dancing
Bonfire Entertainment
Party Games

((Links to all relevent wedding Prose can be found Here!))

Comments

[volurofthehearth]

After her conversation with Felix, Runa is a woman on a mission. Not that it's a particularly difficult mission. She knows where to go, and she's sure it's going to be sorted out in about two seconds flat, maybe even leading into a fun round of drinks. With the adrenaline from so much dancing, she's quick to end up at the bar.

"Harley! Hey!" As soon as she gets the woman's attention, she beams. "Long time no see! I was talking to my friend..." She turns around but can't quite see Felix from here. Oh, nevermind! She turns her smile back to her new acquaintance. "And he mentioned you! He said you were a Valkyrie?"

[sweetcandygirl]

"Runa!" Harley turns to face the other woman, with a bright smile. "I am so glad to see you. I have more donations for Eirleos!"

"A friend?" Harley arches an eyebrow, wondering who Runa could be speaking about. There are not a lot of people who she has spoken about the Valkyrie title with. There is Loki, who she doesn't believe is at the wedding today. And Thor... but he has enough on his mind these days that Harley doesn't think that Thor would be talking about her to anyone.

So that leaves Felix. The other honored groom.

"Was it Felix? He and I spoke about at length about it a couple months ago." Harley remembers exactly how Felix spoke when he told her that she was not an 'actual Valkyrie'. And bites her lip slightly at the memory.

"He was awfully worried about my understanding of being a Valkyrie. Is he still worried? Gosh... I have been researching and everything."

[volurofthehearth]

Runa blinks, confused by the sudden mention of Felix. How strange for her to assume it was him if Loki really did make her a Valkyrie. He'd surely have told all sorts of people. But then she realises that this is a misunderstanding anyway, so perhaps Felix was the only one to stumble across it. She shakes her head and her smile returns, albeit more uncertain this time.

"So... It's true? How did that happen?"

[sweetcandygirl]

"How?" Harley repeats the question. She has a faint smile on her face, when she thinks back to the memory between her and Loki.

"It was a very private moment between Loki and myself."

"He told me... that Valykrie are 'The Choosers of the Slain. An elite force of warriors loyal to the throne of Asgard, appointed by Odin.' Of course for Loki and Thor... their Odin has died. Asgard was destroyed. And not many Asgardians survived... if it wasn't for Thor's connection to the Nexus..."

Harley can't imagine what would have happened to the children that she now helps protect. She bites her lip again.

"They have lost so much. It breaks my heart to see them struggle so."

[volurofthehearth]

Harley isn't the only one who feels for the Asgardians. Surrounded by the children of Asgard, by their night terrors and day frights. She sees herself in them as they whimper for lost parents, and fears that they have seen things as terrible as her husband. Not unlike those left in the Nexus after Winter. She has so many people to take care of now... It takes her a moment to swallow down those thoughts and ask what she really wants to ask.

"He made you a Valkyrie? Just like that? Because you were friends?"

[sweetcandygirl]

Harley blinks. Something about the way the question is phrased reminds her of how Felix ask if it was just a 'pet name'. And she sets down her drink.

"It is not a box of chocolate. That one can give to their friends."

"He respects me. He values me. He is there for me. And I am there for him."

"He has been designing me my Valkyrie tattoo. I hope I can find a way to make it permanent on my skin. Regular ink won't work. So I considered henna."

Harley tilt her head. And looks at Runa, quite serious. Her tone changes, so there is no sign of the broken Brookyln accent. "He has been waiting for my permission to tie me to his fate. And I have been researching like crazy... so I know what I want, before I say yes."

[volurofthehearth]

Harley says it isn't a box of chocolates but she makes it sound like a ring given between lovers. A promise ring or... A tattoo.

There is the slightest tremble to Runa's hands as she stands there and stares. She tries, hard, to hear this as anything respectful or honourable or humble. She tries, so hard, not to hear this as a slap across her face. Across her sisters' faces. Across her mother's.

"Get married if you want to tie your fate together." It slips out before she even thinks, and she finds she's breathless. "Being a Valkyrie isn't about you. It's not meant to be about you at all." Her pulse starts to race and she notices her hands. Clasping them together, she turns around and leaves with an, "I've got to go."

[sweetcandygirl]

"Runa wait..." Harley stands when the other woman stands. "If you are upset about something. I would rather you tell me, instead of us misunderstanding each other."

"I never said it was about me. But I feel like you think I have..."

[volurofthehearth]

Something about Harley talking about the various aspects of her relationship with Loki rather than anything to do with Valkyries must have given that impression. Certainly a strong enough one to shock Runa, as she is deep into the crowd in a split second. Whatever Harley says is lost in the buzz of the guests and the beats being thrown out by the DJs.

[sweetcandygirl]

Harley is not going to chase after Runa. She has enough respect for the other woman to take the hint that Runa needs her own space. She has a feeling that there is definitely a difference between Runa's definition of a Valkyrie, and Loki's definition. And she will just have to speak to Loki about it, next time she sees him.