[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

[truehumili_tea]

It was chosen for me. When I lost Lu Ten, my only son. Losing him in battle taught me the true pain and cruelty of war, and what I had been partaking in willingly for so long. I knew my men were tired and had fought hard, and that the Earth nation had fought nobly and valiantly as well. But I did not truly understand the cost until then.

[It had been the start of his new journey, the one on which he found his enlightenment and the desire to help others and improve the lives of all those that he was able to. For at his lowest and in the darkest of times, he had found the help to be offered and the white lotus. Still, it was painful to think of Lu Ten and how he had been complacent in such actions so long ago.]

It opened my eyes to the depths of my brother's treachery and ruthlessness as well, he used the loss to steal my position as the next Fire Lord.

I fought to liberate Ba Sing Se to make up for the pain that I brought to its gates all those years ago. To save the people there and put an end to the fighting there.

[unphase]

[Tinya takes a moment to try and feel how painful that would be. she had a son herself and the thought of him dying had driven her since he was a baby and aging so rapidly. they still hadn't figured out why when she was taken from home again]

I'm...sorry isn't strong enough. I can't imagine how hard his loss must have been. Especially in battle.

[she feels tears sting her eyes and blinked rapidly, trying to keep them from falling. she knows that there's nothing she can really do, other than provide a listening ear. she knows how to do that much at least]

Oh, no. No. Someone like that is the last person who should be ruling anyone, certainly much less than a nation at war. [and she's uncomfortably reminded of her mother, who'd relentlessly climbed the ranks and back-stabbed until she'd gained the ultimate in political power]

It's amazing that you were able to do so. Most people when they learn of how awful something can be, they simply avoid it entirely. But to not only learn, but to act as well...it speaks highly of you.

[truehumili_tea]

It is difficult to fully understand the loss that one feels for another, for all of our experiences and bonds are unique. But to be able to sympathize and understand, it is a great mark of a kind soul. Thank you.

[Iroh's tone is a bit more somber as the thoughts linger on his son, it truly was the greatest challenge in his life, but had also been what lead him to discover the path he had always been meant to travel. A hard lesson to learn that he felt still had come too steep a cost.]

So I have been told. But we are not here to hear about the shortcomings and redemption of an old man. We are here to celebrate the love of two who have found one another despite the tragedies of the past.

[He smiled once more, that was enough of ruining an evening that was meant to be fun and lively.]

Would you care to dance?

[unphase]

[she has to swallow past a lump in her throat] I--thank you. I try to be kind? It's much better than harsh.

[so much left undone back home. her son's illness. her relationship with her husband. having to wrest control over her life from her mother again. dealing with her suspicions that Brin saw her as more than a friend. it felt overwhelming if she thought about it too much]

Yes, absolutely. I don't know either of them well, but they both seem to be wonderful people who make each other happy. That should be cherished.

[at his request, she smiles and does a perfect curtsy] I would love to.

[truehumili_tea]

[All things Iroh would be happy to talk with her about and offer a sympathetic ear; when the time was right. But now was a time for smiles and celebration, and the both of them were starting to look rather down with the current line of conversation.]

I have no doubt they both will do what they can to ensure as much.

[As she accepted the invitation he smiled and lead her towards the dance floor. Offering a small bow.]

[unphase]

[she's afraid to talk about them. she knows that there's nothing she can do about any of it here and she's so used to wearing a happy, friendly mask that it's hard to let that mask slip. especially in a brand new situation]

Good. Happiness in places like this should be held onto tightly.

[it's the little acts of chivalry in places like this that she appreciates as they get ready to dance]

[truehumili_tea]

[It was easy to do, wear a mash of joy and happiness for others to hide the pain and hurt. To not discuss the things that seemed to be too much to bear at times. But there were times that it was necessary, times when one needed to unburden their heart. And so Iroh would always be willing to listen, though he would not pry. He could tell there was much pain in her past as well.]

It should, that is the best way for it to spread and find others as well.

[Iroh kept a respectful distance and followed some of the dance procedures that Korra and a few of the others had taught him earlier. Luckily he was familiar enough with smooth fluid movements there was no danger of him stepping on her feet.]

[unphase]

[she knew how to do the first two. the third...that was harder. especially given her unofficial title as the Legion's confidante. any time anyone else had a problem, they'd go to her. to brainstorm solutions, for outward displays of sympathy, for someone there to listen. of course, that made it impossible for her to seek out sympathy for her own problems. but she was used to bottling up her emotions and burying them deep]

I do hope you're right. Everyone deserves a chance at love, even in a place like this.

[and she had a natural dancer's grace, so she followed along with ease]