The Oath Eternal (Festival of gods) (Ave/Jeon/Myst/Roland)

[Roland]

Roland knocks on Aveline's door in the castle. Despite the fact he had walked through the entire building no one had taken any particular notice of him. This was partially due to the fact that he was wearing a plain silver mask and partially due to the fact that he had casted a spell that made him easily forgotten and very hard to notice. In the place of his normal worn cloths Roland wore a well tailored black military coat with a high stiff collar and the buttons on the right. There was a white oak embroidered onto the back of the coat and a fine silver sword hung at his side. Roland's hair had also been combed and trimmed so that it looked neater and he had shaved to a well kept stubble instead of a ragged scruff. In fact he looked every bit the military captain.

He exempted Aveline from his Forgotten Face spell and then stood and waited for her to open the door. It was finally the day that they had been waiting for. Aria was creating the distraction they needed and he Roland had finally finished putting the final touches on the rings. Roland's eyes were their unusual deep brown which placed the final detail on his disguise.

"I..I'm here." He calls in a gruff and somewhat nervous voice. Despite the fact they they had already agreed to this Roland felt like he was about to introduce his wife to his mother and family...it was daunting.

[Deleted]

From within the room, Aveline looked over what she was leaving behind. She had begun to quietly and subtly move her most precious belongings to her office, hiding them in different places. Once this ceremony was over, she doubted she would be allowed back into this room. This was probably the last time she would be here. Her wardrobe had been cleared of her favorite dresses and jewelry, her books had been packed away with her potions. Next to her on the bed was a neatly tied parcel of clothing for the following day and on top of it was an even smaller parcel that she unfolded with shaking fingers.

Nestled within was a deep, shining gold ring. Intricate swirling patterns had been engraved into the edges of it, sweeping around the flat stone set into it. The stone set within appeared a deep purple-red at first glance, but as it turned in the light color shot across the shining surface. Greens and yellows and pinks and reds danced in bands across the surface in the light, then returned to it’s deep purple once settled. She pushed the ring with her fingers, her eyes watering a little as she looked at it. She had grown up seeing this ring on her father’s hand as a child- now it would belong to Roland.

At the sound of the knock Aveline looked up, over to the door. She folded the parcel back together and stood, pulling the hood of her cloak up over her loose, tightly curled hair. The white and silver brocade patterned cloak covered her completely, hiding her dress beneath. The deep umber of her skin stood out sharply in contrast to the bright cloak, but she couldn’t bear to give this garment up. Besides, nothing would hide her dress better. She clutched the parcels to her chest and moved to open the door.

Aveline looked up at Roland, her eyes going wide behind the delicate pattern in her mask. At first she didn’t quite recognize him in the clean cut of the military garb, but a familiar heat flooded her, causing her heart to pound. She reached up, disbelievingly placing her fingertips against the man’s broad chest then reaching up to touch his jaw. The rough texture of stubble was familiar, but a strange fear gripped her. What if this wasn’t really him? What if it was a trap? She couldn’t use magic so she couldn’t tell, but there was one way of knowing for sure.

Aveline reached up and placed her other hand on his cheek, pulling his face down so she could kiss him. The kiss was deep, longing, and she held it for a while, her arms entwining around his neck. It took her a while to pull away, but she was satisfied as to his identity. Aveline smiled, her fingers threaded a little in his hair. “I’m ready.”

[Roland]

Roland's eyes widen as Aveline comes out and he felt himself fall in love with her all over again. As she reaches up and touches his chest he reddens then when she suddenly pulls him down for a kiss he inadvertently wraps his arms around her and pulls her close. He was panting by the time that they separated and he stares at her in a bit of a daze.

“I think that's the best greeting I've ever gotten...can I have another?” He asks after an awkward pause then leans down to give her another long kiss. When the separate again he seems to suddenly return to himself and take a deep breath then places a hand over her eyes and whispers some words in a language she wouldn't understand. When he takes his hand away she and he would both be forgettable and difficult to notice.

“Well then, mi-milady, shall we go?” He asks with a nervous smile before reaching down to take her hand and begin leading her out of the palace. He was squeezing her hand as they walked, his knuckles were white, but his stride was resolute.

“Well it's finally time, are you ready?” He asks her with a reassuring smile.

[Deleted]

Aveline didn’t realize how much the kiss had effected Roland until she got a closer look at him. He looked dazed and it surprised her. She laughed a little when he managed to speak again and it was quickly muffled in another kiss. “I hope I didn’t set the bar too high for you.” she murmured after they broke apart, a broad smile on her face.

She went still when he covered her eyes with a hand- more magic she assumed- and waited. When he removed his hand Aveline gave him a sort of questioning look, a majority of it hidden behind the delicate white mask. “Just a-” she looked back into the room, collecting a deep breath. She was leaving this life behind for good now, leaving behind this room that had been hers for the past decade. She had left a letter on her pillow for her mother and her effects in order.

This was going to break her mother’s heart.

When Aveline looked back to Roland, her eyes were watery. “Okay.” She murmured, nodding and wiping her eyes. She followed him, keeping her head down and squeezing his hand tightly. “I’m as- as ready as I will ever be.”

[Roland]

“Me too...” He says agreeing with her sentiments about the bar she had set.

Though as he led her through the hallway and felt her hand he slowed and turned to her. He could tell she was on the verge of tears, but found himself at a loss for what to do. Some pillar of support I am, He scolds himself, but simply places a hand on her shoulder and resumes walking, more slowly this time.

“We'll make it work...” He tells her trying to will his own confidence into her. He was not sure how he could express it, but he felt that they could find a way, even with all the problems facing them, they were all surmountable.

As he resumed moving they would pass by guards and other party goers without any taking notice until they turned to the Moon Temple and Roland looked up. He broke the spell and dismissed the mage who was standing guard at the temple telling him to take a walk for about an hour. When pressed Roland explained that he wanted to spend some time here and that the guard should grab a drink and relax for an hour or so.

After the man leaves Roland moves the forgettable face spell to the man to prevent anyone who might know who was on duty from asking questions. Then he led Aveline up the stairs hoping Mysteria and Jeon were already there or would arrive soon.

[Deleted]

Aveline nodded, lifting up her mask slightly to wipe the tears from her eyes. There was khol present around her eyes and she tried to wipe it so it would not smudge. She tried to walk as fast as she could- she was so much smaller than Roland that she had to jog a little to keep up with the man’s longer stride.

She kept her head down as Roland spoke to the guard, looking out to the dark ocean on the other side of the cliff bluff. It was colder here, right on the sea. But the sky was clear at least, the stars numerous and stunning overhead. As Roland continued to speak she couldn’t help but wonder what that guard was thinking about this- why she was here. It wouldn’t matter anyway, in the end, but she still wondered.

Then Roland took her hand again and she tore her eyes from the sky and sea, looking back up at him. “Are they here?” she asked, going up the stairs with him. She looked through the temple as they reached the top of the stairs, sliding the hood off her hair.

[Deleted]

Jeon had been prepared within the walls of the Temple five minutes prior to the arrival of the bride and groom. He wore a simple garb, or he thought it was, to this occasion. He had made sure that the grounds were clean and that plenty of light filled the room through the windows on the walls and ceiling. He took a deep breath and smiled wide as the couple came in,"Oh you MADE IT!!!!"he looked like he had to hold in a jump of joy with all his might. The shaking of his whole body was the affects of this repression. He ran over to Roland and Ave, sprinkling them with hugs of joy. He slightly shook Ave by the shoulders, smiling wryly at the same time.

[Deleted]

When Aveline saw Jeon, a bright smile broke out over her face. She walked forward, hands extended towards her old friend and embraced him as he finally came closer. “Jeon-” she laughed as he shook at her shoulders, muffling it by bringing her hand to her mouth. She felt like she might cry again. “I am so glad to see you.”

She looked back to Roland, lowering her hand from her face a little. “Should I go… prepare, then? All that is left is her Ladyship.”

[Roland]

Roland slowed his pace slightly to try and prevent Aveline from needing to run, but he needed to act natural so he still tried to maintain a normal pace with smaller strides. As he sent the guard off he walked back to her and guided her inside, but once they were inside Jeon suddenly ambushed them. Roland was glad to see the young mage and he awkwardly returns the affection before casting an eavesdropping ward and looking around the now mid-renovation temple.

Roland had actually come himself a day before to fix the statue of Caster with his earth magic and now he stood before it looking up at the visage of his mother. Bet you never expected this from me Mother. He thinks to himself with a contented smile. I hope somewhere, somehow you are watching...and I hope that just maybe, you are proud.

He closes his eyes for a moment in prayer and then turns back to his bride and best man. “Figures, she's never on time when it comes to work either.” He grumbles before walking back over to the pair. “Hard to believe this is happening.” He admits nervously.

[Mysteria]

To the right of Roland a door opened just ever so slightly to allow a small child’s head to peer through. The child’s hair bundled up in a loose bun, a girl with a plane white mask that expressed an over exaggerated tragedy mask. “Oh Roland, you’ve finally arrived.” Bella spoke softly, slipping past the door and slowly pulling open the door to reveal a much larger and brighter lit room. Inside the room was a purple carpet that lead up to the white speckled marble of the alter that stood before the three major pantheon. The Creator Mylee, Ai the mother, and Zeapon…Death our ultimate separation from this world.

Each deities hand’s lit with candles of different sizes donated to the temple by the people. To the side, another child identical to the one at the door sat playing a small lute. Her mask that of an overly exaggerated comedy mask. “That’s very harsh to say about someone when you assume they are not present. After all, one is never late or early….” Mysteria’s voice traveled, her figure moving from the shadows to stand behind the chapels alter at the end of the room. “ I Think I’m right on time…”

Her attire was surprisingly simple. A gray dress with long robe like sleeves and with white trim around the edges. The dress covered the majority of her body from her chin down to her feet. Her mask terribly simple and sported a color of steel gray much lighter than her dress. The mask holding no value other than to hide the face. However a cloth kept her eyes from being seen from behind the mask. Her hair completely down and brushed out straight.
“May the best man and husband step forth to begin the ceremony? Once they stand within the sight of the Holy Divine’s may the partner enter at the beginning of Ai’s melody of eternal love and embrace.”
Mysteria spoke out while both of her arms outstretch to greet the ones to enter the sanctuary.

[Deleted]

When Mysteria made her appearance, Aveline turned and curtseyed automatically to the woman. “My Lady.” She bowed her head, then straightened up. She looked over to Roland and smiled, pulling the hood of her cloak up over her head. She crossed around them, into a side room of the temple, a personal shrine to one of the gods for privacy. To Caster.

Aveline slid the cloak off her shoulders, shivering from the sudden cold. The dress she wore was light, pure white silk that shone like gossamer. Beautiful, not completely practical in a temple with the cold wind coming off the ocean. The sleeves were split as well, leaving a line of bare skin that stretched from her shoulder all the way down to her wrists, where the sleeves were fastened with bright silver bangles, dotted with diamonds. The studier vest over it added a little warmth though with it’s shining braided silver, fastened together over her waist with a diamond brooch in the shape of a star. She was intended to be the North Star for this ball, but this dress had better use here.

Aveline pulled off her mask, opening her parcel and placing the mask inside. She retrieved a white cap from within, clearly an antique by the state of it’s lace, adorned with bright violet hibiscus. She pinned the cap over her head, her hands shaking as she did so, peering over her parcel once more to look down at the small mirror enclosed inside. Her mass of tight curls fell over her shoulders and back, made more voluminous looking by the addition of the cap.

Aveline chewed on her lower lip, retrieving the large ring from it’s smaller parcel. She looked up at the statue towering above her, suddenly feeling very small in such a large presence.

“...I don’t know if you can hear me.” Aveline murmured, standing and toying with the ring between her fingers. “Or if he is really your- your son.” she looked back over her shoulder to the ajar door, where the rest of them lay waiting, “But- but.” she looked back to Caster’s visage, letting out a long breath to collect herself.

“I will look after him. With all my heart I will. I will love him and care for him and- and your grandchildren, when they come.” she felt a bit faint at the thought of that so soon, “And I hope- I truly hope that I can become a daughter that you will be proud of, even if I am not what you hoped for. I want to make you proud, Mother.”

Aveline looked back over her shoulder towards the door and walked back to the door, leaning over to look out. Once it looked like the men were prepared, she looked back over her shoulder to the stern statue of the goddess. She smiled, clearly anxious. “Bless me, Mother. You are the only one who will.” she turned back to the door and passed through at her appointed time. She walked steadily, summoning all of her nerve to keep herself walking straight, joining her betrothed and friends.

[Roland]

As Bella appears and chastises him Roland turn and glares that the puppet. Hearing her mistress's announcement that one is never late nor early his expression darkens into one of a man who has had this particular saying used as an excuse to cause him a great deal of trouble. “If one arrives after the time of a commitment they are late.” He says, expression softening, “though it appears for once you are on time.”

His eyes stray to Aveline and his expression turns slightly sheepish as he follows with “I apologize for my presumption.”

He adjusts his silver oak collar pins nervously as he looks about clearly unsettled by the scene surrounding him. He understood that the normal formalities of marriage involved this group, but he had often found a distaste for Zepon, particularly recently and he did not like the idea of him presiding over this union. As he prepares to create a statue of Caster to balance his mental scales he stops and deciding to show some restraint as he did not want to ruin this day for Aveline, and frankly had no idea where there line he should not cross was.

When he turned to look at Aveline again she was crossing to Caster's shrine and his lips turns up to reveal a fond smile at her actions. Always attentive and doing her best, there is no way my mother could dislike her. He thinks to himself as he steps forward in response to Mysteria's instructions. He was glad Jeon was here with them, it was strange how the kids and their guard in the palace courtyard had grown into this.

I love Aveline, I will make her happy. He swears to himself, an oath of this union, and for a brief moment his eyes flash a silver hue.

[Mysteria]

Mysteria remained silent the entire time that Roland and Aveline squabbled away at her time. Stella becoming less enthused as she stopped her piano playing when the groom had not entered the sanctuary. Mysteria’s hands lowered to be settled on the alter top and over the golden rope that laid casually on the lip of the elevated stone. The rope representing unity and the bond of ones love and fate, to be tied together as one in a knot of eternity even within the afterlife.

Her gaze behind her plan mask lifted from the rope up to the entry way of the sanctuary. It wasn’t hard to catch sight of Roland slipping off. Her deep frown hidden behind the mask as she shook her head and looked back down at the rose petal speckled runway. Her hands balling up into fists, hidden under the loose fitted sleeves. Her knuckles turned pale as lips pressed tightly together, while eyes closed to shut herself off for a moment within her own thoughts.

Roland had asked her to do this, but the longer she stayed waiting to perform the ceremony the more her stomach twisted into knots of their own. Had fate planned this? After all, Roland wouldn’t remember her from his childhood years. The boy she would watch grow up to become a man when his mother, Caster her former champion, had ‘disappeared’. The irony of this day! He would be the one to ask her to do this for him. The witch that took away his mother, now to wed him. Oh what twisted irony it was indeed. An as a few moments would pass Mysteria opened her eyes and took a deep breath. Her vision adjusting as she nodded to Stella to begin playing once again. Finally Roland had approached the front, taking his place in front of the stand. Meanwhile, Bella held the door for Aveline. She held her there only for a moment until Stella began playing the ceremonial sound of ‘here comes the bride’. Where Bella smiled and stepped aside; whispering in a soft voice.

“ Congratulations.”

[Deleted]

Aveline looked down at Bella, a nervous smile crossing her features. She appreciated the gesture- she wished someone was here to support her as she walked. She felt a little faint, truly- the ring felt much heavier than it was in the palm of her hand. “Thank you.” she murmured, taking in a deep breath and walking to where Roland and Mysteria were.

Aveline lifted her head to the chapel and the immediately ducked it at the sight of the back of Roland’s head, her face burning hot. There was music in her ears but she couldn’t quite hear it- all of her focus was on staying upright as she walked forward. She walked at a much faster pace than she had anticipated- each step seemed to be in rhythm with her rapidly beating heart. She would soon be wed. It would soon be too late to take this back, to think again, to act on anything but this impulse-

Then when she looked up, she saw freedom in Roland’s face. And she nearly burst into tears.

Aveline ducked her head once more, unable to look him in the eyes. It was nearly too much. A blinding smile grew on her face, filled with hope, and she raised her head to look at Mysteria. Aveline nodded once, producing the heavy ring from her palm.

“I am ready.”

[Roland]

Roland watched as Mysteria stood silently, an air of consternation about her. He wondered if Mysteria was bothered by his request of her, but in truth he did not understand his Boss very well, she was old and powerful and he suspected held more secrets than even the gods. His hand fell into his pocket as he turned back towards Aveline and felt a smile come unbeckoned to his face. He could hear the blood pulsing in his ears Ugh, what happened to me? Have I always been this soft? He wondered as he felt the rings he carried in his pocket.

Though he turns back to Mysteria for a moment, eyes hard. Were you the one who destroyed this place? He wondered. He suspected an adviser of doing it and Mysteria was the only mage capable of something like shape shifting that was unaccounted for and had access to the king that he knew of.

He takes a deep breath preparing to speak, but as he is about to voice his concerns an earnest request passes through his thoughts. Can't you set aside work for one night! All I ask is our wedding night. Remembering Aveline's plea his words die before they leave his mouth. Instead he turns to watch Aveline walk down the aisle. Her worried expression concerned him, but then again he could feel his legs trembling slightly.

He tried to will his certainty to her, but found himself adjusting his collar unconsciously. As Aveline steps up beside him and says she is ready he also draws one of the rings from his coat pockets and keeps it closed in his fist.

“I am ready as well.”