[open] Wuko Wedding

[arclightning]

Who: Mako, Wu, and you!
What: GETTING MARRIED
When: February 20th
Where: The beach, through the city, at the Raccoon Room in Cellar Door.

Content Warnings: An inordinate amount of fluff, potentially event happenings.

The Wedding

It's not a normal wedding. There's no officiant, they're not standing up in front of a bunch of people to declare their love: this is a Trench wedding, based on Mako and Wu's shared traditions, inventing some new ones.

The ceremony itself is a procession, from the beach to the Raccoon Room. It starts with just the two of them, at a flower arch on the beach, their hands clasped together, each in a gold suit with red and green accents on the collar and as piping down the front. They walk together along a flower strewn path, talking quietly with one another, sharing small, nervous smiles.

If you are close to the couple, you recieved a red envelope, delivered either by raccoon or small dragon, a few days before the wedding, inviting you to the ceremony. The small crowd gathers outside the Raccoon Room, where the threshold is decked out in red roses. The couple stands in the doorway, saying their vows, and pressing a blood-and-ash covered hand to the other's cheek.

While the ceremony is private, the reception isn't. Invites have gone out to basically the entire city, via Wu's post, so it's a pretty public event. Maybe you're coming because you saw that post. Maybe you're coming because you're involved somehow, maybe you just see a flower-and-light-filled party and decide to drop in. Everyone is welcome. After all, this is Trench, and everyone could be dead tomorrow, so why not celebrate something good while you have the chance? Come in, dance to music from different worlds, eat cake and noodles and dumplings, celebrate a little moment of happiness while you can. The party's going all night, and the couple making their solemn, slightly-bloody vows to each other are only the excuse for it.

The Party

Naturally, since this is Mako and Wu's wedding, it's at the Raccoon Room, decked out even more grandly than it was for its opening. Roses adorn every surface and drop from the ceiling in strings, perfuming the air. Scattered between them are red-and-gold lanterns, casting a dim, inviting light onto velvet hangings. Lining the walls are tables full of food and drinks. Everyone can't fit into this little venue, so Wu has also set up a draping tent outside, full of burning braziers of coal to keep the chill away. The doors are wide open to let the music from inside out: it's just the party, continued! Renfri can be found behind the bar, dishing up custom drinks.

The Music

Chicken Choice Judy, or Ryan Akagi and Min-Gi Park, make their Trench debut on the stage of the Raccoon Room, playing an eclectic mix of original music, 80s hits, current pop, and classical piano music. They begin with a slowed-down version of Lil Nas X's Montero, ease into an upbeat version of That's What I Want, and things take off from there. Maybe give them requests? They might play some of your favorite dance songs! This is a party for everyone, after all. A big space in front of the stage has been cleared for dancing, and the music will be going all night.

The Couple

After the more private ceremony (with only close friends and loved ones, for Mako's peace of mind) Mako and Wu are as available as any couple at their wedding, which is to say, not terribly. With new dark handprints from the ceremony on their faces—really, more on their necks, because Wu wouldn't stand for a giant handprint ruining his look—they can be found chatting with friends, huddled together whispering, or dancing together. They'll try to mingle as much as they can, but they're in pretty high demand tonight!

((ooc: Make top-levels to your hearts' content, mingle, have a good time! This is a Trench party and it's open to everyone! Wuko image credit)) © tessisamess

Comments

Diluc Ragnvindr | Genshin Impact | ota

[searingwing]

I. Dancing

[He came as just Diluc. A friend and fellow teacher of the magical arts Coldbloods need to learn. He is dressed in a white dress shirt and grey vest, little golden stars serve as his cuff links. An ear cuff with a dark blue stone set in it is on his ear left ear and makes the faded hand print on the left side of his face and neck more obvious.

His hair is pulled back. He looks formal but in a more relaxed way. And on the dance floor he smiles a little bit as he offers his hand.] Care to dance?

[Or one can find him later, watching the dancers with a cup in hand. It’s non-alcoholic and he nurses it like someone lost in thought for hours.]

Later in the night.

[The tent keeps the chill away and Diluc stops by to help it with a little bit of fire magic. He channels it through Dellingr, his dragon omen that flaps above the coals about the size of a small kestrel.

He has taken this moment to be a little apart from others. Parties such as these are fine. But he does like moments to process. He undoes the tie holding his hair back and begins to braid it with deft fingers.

He looks up at anyone who approaches as says,] I’ll move out of your way in a moment.

Wildcard
[Got an idea? Pm me and I’ll set up a custom starter.]

ii

[traversal]

[ lumine been hoping to catch her breath even for a moment, exhausted from having to wrangle her omen and keep it soothed and settled. besides, it's rather impolite to be distracted during the reception, looking like she's wanting to escape the party when in reality, she doesn't.

she pauses when she finds the tent occupied, blinking at the familiar red hair even in the gently-lit space. ]

You don't have to, Master Diluc. [ she offers him a faint smile and a hand to stroke dellingr under his chin, the dragon seemingly content. ] I'll do my best not to disturb you. I just needed a bit of a time out ...

[ in fact, she'll find a seat in the corner, tugging the scarf loose around her neck and stretching her legs in front of her. ]

[searingwing]

You could never disturb me. [Diluc relaxes as he separates his hair into sections and braids it carefully. It would be out of his way like this. It’s an outward sign of his low energy but, only if one knows him.]

I hope you’ve had a wonderful time. [He adds as he finds a stool and sits down too. Dellingr settles between them and expands to the size of a large dog. He is absolutely up for getting more pets from a friend.]

[traversal]

[ the subtle request for more headpats doesn't go unnoticed, both by lumine and by her omen reappearing on her shoulder. she gives them both a gentle scratch behind the ears so as not to start a war over headpats and affection, smiling gently at the two omens. ]

I did. [ even if she got caught up in omen mischief earlier. ] I admittedly never expected to celebrate a wedding in this place.

[ maybe it's a good thing? a sign that things are still relatively normal in trench despite the bullshit this world seems to throw at them on a regular basis. ]

Wu seems like a generally likable person, too.

[searingwing]

He is. He’s very open and honest, I think we all respond to that energy.

[And related to him in a way he hadn’t expected. He won’t forget his compassion. His shoulders relax. Sitting with Lumine as he keeps his hands busy is nice.

But it does remind him he hasn’t told her about the mark on his face or why it’s there.] …I never expected to see a wedding here either. But it’s good for them and for everyone else.

We need a few bright moments in the sea of uncertainty.

[traversal]

[ the mark on his face hasn't exactly gone unnoticed, finding it similar to the mark on wu's neck. but still, lumine feels like it might be too much of an imposition or personal question if she asks about it, so she holds her tongue and refrains. instead, she settles with petting dellingr, letting the dragon rest its head on her knee. ]

Savour the peace while we're offered it, I suppose.

[ archons know that this city can easily catch them off guard, pulling the rug from beneath them. it's honestly exhausting, even more than wrangling a pair of omens into a corner. ]

What have you and Captain been up to lately? [ she's curious, especially when she hasn't seen kaeya in a while. ] Other than herding up Klee and making sure she doesn't blow up Trench.

[searingwing]

[A small smile tugs at the corner of Diluc’s mouth. He finishes tying the braid and ties his usual black ribbon at the end.]

We’ve been working on The Roost and when we’re not doing that, doing our separate investigations. I also teach other coldbloods how to access and use their magic.

[He pauses. He wants to say more but how to? He decides it’s better to just say it.] …and working things out between us.

later

[entreats]

[ Honestly, Ange found herself gravitating to this place for the same reason. Wanting to get a little bit out of the way of everyone - or at least, out of the way of the main festivities, and all the sounds and activities. Even though Ange doesn't necessarily mind being here, especially when it's for the sake of a few good friends, it does get overwhelming after a long while.

And the fact that there's still one person here.. Well, it sure is more tolerable than the entire party, so Ange waves off what he's saying with one hand, dismissively. ]

It's fine. You don't have to move for my sake.

[ It's not like she has to be entirely alone, after all. ]

It's just that it's a lot more quiet over here than it is over there.

[searingwing]

[Diluc makes a small noise of affirmative. He would nod but the work he’s doing to braid his hair would be undone. He’s clearly experienced at it, but he takes his time to get it right. Dellingr the dragon wings over to find a perch for a dragon his tiny size.]

Understandable, that’s exactly why I came here too. That and to adjust this, [He taps fingers against the half made braid.] Less in the way.

[Less in the way than a ponytail, his usual ponytail.]

[entreats]

[ Thank god, she at least ran into someome here who knows the value of quiet. Not that she didn't have a big chance to do so, since most of the louder people wouldn't distance themselves from the party like that. But then again - you never know when you're going to run into a lost extrovert. At least this area seems safe for now. ]

I can get that. [ Why it'd get in the way, she means. That seems like quite the ponytail to deal with, especially in a relatively crowded party area.

But while Ange is more than content to take a seat and just sit there for a moment, enjoying the relative quiet, she does slowly speak up after a moment.

Conversation isn't too bad when it's just one on one like this, and far away from the chaos. ]

.. do you know Wu and Mako well?

[ He doesn't seem like the type to just be here because there was a party, but maybe she's reading him the wrong way, she thinks. ]

[searingwing]

[He loses himself in the simple process of braiding for a few moments. Then her question cuts through his thoughts.] I know Mako well, Wu I’ve met more recently but we have an understanding.

I work with Mako to teach coldbloods how to use their magic. We met in Deerington…during the time the Wastes were beginning to pass. [His voice falters then. That time haunts him. It will forever haunt him even when shares a mental tie with someone he has seen die.] Do you know them well?

[entreats]

Yeah.

[ She's quiet for a moment after the initial answer. Perhaps also thinking back on that time in Deerington. It's pretty hard to forget what things looked like all over the place back then, after all. It makes even the way he pauses understandable. ]

Both of them. [ Also more Mako at first, but recently Wu well too - it's surprising, that it's the same for this other guy.

Maybe it's the fact that they're both seeking a moment of respite from the business of the party. It's something Mako might have done too, Ange thinks, if it weren't his own party. Like some introvert understanding. ]

That explains things though. I've heard about Mako offering to help people out with that early on, since he already had fire ma-- bending. [ That being said-- ] Does that mean you were already used to those kinds of power before as well?

[searingwing]

Yes. [He ties off his braid and sits down too, facing her as he says calmly,] Magic users are a small percent of Teyvatians but talk of their existence is quite common long before some of us awaken to our power.

Mako and I were trained in different ways. Neither of us were familiar with the ice we gained here. That took some testing and training to figure out. I can’t claim a full mastery over it yet. Enough to teach the basics but not the full breath of it.

[Not like his husband. But one day he will have mastery over two elements. Not that that’s truly important right now.] Were you familiar with powers like those we have with the blood types before this place?

Later

[truehumili_tea]

There's no need to move. You are fine where you are.

[Iroh sought to retreat from the music and the dancing himself and was drawn to the peace that the tent brought, as well as the warm and small omen that he had spotted as he was passing by. It was such a treat to see dragons so freely without any danger of them being hunted for glory or title as his brother and father had insisted on.]

It is a wonderful celebration. To see such youth and compassion and caring for one another, they will do well.

[searingwing]

I agree that they compliment one another very well. [Diluc says as he turns his head slightly to look at him. His own face has a hand mark near his jaw. His braid is half finished, going halfway down his back.

Sometimes he thinks he should cut his hair. But never does.] Like fire and wind, one fanning the other to greater heights.

[truehumili_tea]

[Iroh had seen many of the marks as of late, and it seemed they were just as symbolic and important as the one that they had witnessed tonight. Iroh though had no such bonds or connections, not in this world, not yet. He was still fairly new and feeling his way for things.]

Very astute, and rather poetic. It is an inspiring thing to see that such harmony was able to return.

[A firebender and a member from the royal family of the Earth Kingdom. In Iroh's time they would have been the bitterest of enemies.]

[searingwing]

[Diluc continues to braid his hair but Iroh’s words catch his attention.] Return. Are you from the same place as Mako and Wu?

[He hasn’t talked about history with man. But he knows Wu is like him, from a family with a long standing legacy.]

[truehumili_tea]

It would seem so, at least it is the same world and even kingdom. Though they are from a time that has yet to come to for me, one from after I have joined the spirits.

[In the next cycle of the avatar, and a time when his nephew would be as wise and advanced in years as he was now. At least so he had gathered from their conversations.]

Later in the night.

[getsmy]

Good evening, Di- [Ives cuts himself off, his ears flickering with something like annoyance while an odd look narrows onto his face. It's quick to fade into his usual sternness]

Huh. [said in a curious manner, before Ives catches up in his own mind over what, about such a benign scene, caught him off guard]

... is braiding your own hair common, where you are from?

[searingwing]

That depends on your professional and preference. My family were wine makers and warriors. Being able to quickly tie hair back was a boon for us.

[He turns slightly to look at Ives and the light catches on the silver ear cuff on his left ear. It makes the dark blue stone in it seem to glow.]

I usually just keep it back out of my way. Behind the bar that’s all I’ve ever needed.

later in the night

[azurestar]

[Due to his higher corruption, Lance often needs breaks from the party. Even with a cherry chocolate from the chocolatier countering it and enough ubstances in his system to dull the… everything, he's off. He had a patch over his left eye where his scar is, his skin is ashy and he has doubled fangs. All the other signs he's covering with clothes from under his jaw down.

He's out here to take a breath and all the braziers are crowded but this one. And luckily it has Diluc at it, someone he trusts not to be weird about things. Besides, his cover story is pretty great: pinkeye! Though, he hasn't really come up with anything for the rest…]

Why? There's room. [His voice is dull and detached when corrupted. Though the chocolate and substances bring out a forced inflection and enthusiasm. He even manages a slight smile as he takes a swig from one of the two mugs he's brought with them. Though the corruption has messed with his perception, there is no missing that handprint. He tilts his head as he spots it.] Uh… is that a bond thingy?

[searingwing]

[After seeing the signs in Nehan and having had corruption himself, the ashy skin and fangs worry him.

And now is not the time to talk about it. Not with how Lance’s power works and because he respects him. He has a deep well of trust for him. Lance will sort it out. Or, if he goes Beast. He will kill him and it will deeply hurt. But he would do it.]

Yes, Kaeya and I discussed it. We agreed this was something we were ready to do. [He smiles too, something that strips the years away from his face. He has found a little peace. Peace he desperately has needed.]

Neither of us wanted a big ceremony. That is something we would have to deal with at home. [Its in his eyes that Deal With would mean something massive and he would rather cut his arm off.]

[azurestar]

[Gee, it's really great to know you'll kill him if you have to, Diluc. Sincerely. He'd appreciate it.

Lance blinks. Blinks again.]

…

Wait you're the crush he talked about?? When did you guys even get together? How did I miss this?? Why didn't you tell me??

[searingwing]

[His lips part but no sound comes out. He blinks, hands still working through braiding his hair. Then they still.] He talked to you about it?

[He blinks a third time then sighs and looks up at the ceiling.] It was months ago. It’s not the kind of thing I discuss with anyone.

[He is a very private person. It comes with wanting just a little time for himself outside of his duties. He sighs,] Look at me. Do you see me as the type to talk about a relationship. Let alone my first?

[He blushes and coughs, looking away. Admitting this was his first ever is a bit too much for the usually stoic Diluc.]

[azurestar]

[Lance waves a dismissive hand at the question.] He just mentioned he liked someone. All mysterious and junk.

[Then he has to bite the inside of his cheek as Diluc goes on to explain that he isn't the type to talk about a relationship. Or that it's his first. It's hard for Lance to get on the subject of relationships while he's under the influence of Mother Mercy's Hex. The pain that this entire wedding has been causing him has been almost blinding, but he's able to mitigate it. There's tension in his posture though.]

I guess not. Between his mysteriousness and yours, you two totally deserve each other.

[It's meant to break tension, put Diluc at ease. Also, he can't really talk… He's only told one person about his own past relationship. And he has no plans to discuss his issues with it now.]