[closed] you cannot have me, I own myself

[eolasemah]

WHO: Sina, Nari, Beleth, Korrin, Araceli, Thranduil, others as specified in Notes
WHAT: The bonding ceremony of the Firsts of Clans Dahlasanor and Ashara (Siuona and Sorrellean, respectively)
WHEN: mid-Bloomingtide
WHERE: the Planasene Forest
NOTES: Usually only Dalish would be allowed, but amnesty is being granted to close, trusted friends of the bride, including outclan Ashara and Sabrae, should they choose to accept it. Upon the insistence of Clan Dahlasanor, unaffiliated city elves will also be welcomed as long as they aren't disruptive. (OOC note: if you're unsure and your dude wants to go, PM me)

The day starts out rainy and grey, never a promising sight for an outdoor ceremony. But the Dalish do most things outside, and everyone will likely be too busy partying to care about it after the bonding ritual itself, so the festivities are set to begin right on schedule.

A clearing has been chosen by Keeper Thalia of Clan Dahlasanor, and the words are to be spoken right at the edge of the forest, under the shelter of trees but still fully incorporating the flowers of the field. This is a place of some significance to Sina's clan, a symbol of their flight from the plains to the forest, and of their new, strengthening relationship to Clan Ashara.

The clearing and surrounding forest are otherwise littered with aravels and tents, a gathering of clans
one of which eagerly anticipates their joining. Keeper Thalia, an active participant in preparations,
has made it clear that she will be officiating the ceremony alongside Deheune; Dahlasanor is being welcomed, not absorbed.

Sina has been quietly nervous for the entirety of the journey from Kirkwall, but as is her tendency, she comports herself with poise and says little on the upcoming nuptials. She's not unhappy. It's her duty, she's proud to do it, and more than anything she's intensely excited to see her clan again.

And let's be real, the party afterward is going to be a rager.

Comments

[arlathvhen]

Beleth's lips twist into an expression that's supposed to be exasperated, but she can't quite pull it off. She settles for taking an exaggerated breath following his example, then laughing softly, returning the hug just as tightly. For a few moments, she just stays like that, then pulls away to press her forehead to his, just for a couple of seconds, before finally taking a step back.

"I know, I know. It's just--" She takes a moment to smooth out his robes, before she catches herself, and laughs again, putting her hands down. "--It's not every day I get to see my twin bond with someone." She shakes her head, an undeniably fond expression on her face. "Look at you. You're like a real adult, now. What am I going to do with you? What am I going to do with myself?"

A thoughtful pause. "But if you vomit, just make sure you don't get any on your robes."

[writteninblood]

"Thanks," He replies, rolling his eyes in the way that meant he wanted to give her a shove-- in that same way that meant, he loves her, "You're just going to have to put up with me being the older, more mature one, I guess."

At this, he cups her face in his hands, natural as breathing, and puts a kiss on his sister's forehead. He loves his mother, because he has to, loves his clan, his People, because it is all that he is, blood and bone, but Sorrel loves his twin because she is and has always been, his first, best ally. Often his only ally. And if he can rely on nothing else in the entire world, not even himself, it's her.

"You're going to go become the best Bard that's ever lived, and make the People proud. Then, when you've had your fun turning Orlais on its ear, you're going to come back to the clan and tell me everything."

[arlathvhen]

"Well, I spent 25 years being the mature one, I think I can handle you having a go at it for once." Nevertheless, Beleth permits the coddling, because it's her twin, and the only person that she can count on to love and care for her, no matter what. No matter how many friends she made abroad, he was nevertheless the only one that truly knew and understood her, and who loved her even so.

So she stays still, just for a little bit, knowing that it wouldn't be long before she'd be back in Kirkwall, missing him all over again.

"Hah. Right now, we're still in the dancing bear phase, but I've been able to leverage some of it, at least. I'm a novelty now, and when I stop being one, they'll stop paying attention to me." The sweetness of her smile doesn't quite reach her eyes, and it's safe to guess that Beleth has already planned out at least one murder. "Which is when the fun really starts."

But the look passes in the blink of an eye, and Beleth grasps Sorrel's arm firmly, her smile turning much more genuine. "I can't wait to come home to see you leading our clan, Sorrel. If I can be a great bard, then you will surely be the finest Keeper that our clan has ever known." It goes without saying that this is all depending on Deheune finally biting the dust, Creators willing.

[writteninblood]

"Me, lead this glorified shouting match? It'll never happen; The Keeper's gonna live forever," He replies in lofty tones, ruined by the grimace and the grin that bely the implications of loyalty. Living under his mother wasn't always easy, but Deheune knows her work well enough that doing without her is a daunting prospect, "Anyways, who ever heard of a Keeper with a dancing bear for a sister? I'd never live it down."

Still, he didn't miss that, where Cyril said 'back to the clan,' Beleth said home. Be it ever so complicated, this was still home to her, and that comfort went beyond mere words.

"Just don't get caught, yeah? I heard about the last jail break, and I'd miss you a lot more than I'll ever miss Merrick."