[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

[foxsays]

"I have to remind myself to speak the right tongue; I have no wish to offend or upset anyone because of habits." After all, a mother tongue is a comfort when you're out of sorts isn't it? She isn't the only rifter but by this point she's sure she's the only human around.

Being a rifter isn't going to grant her anything there, she doesn't expect it to.

"You look beautiful Sina, how are you feeling? We don't have bondings but we have a little rum before all things." She smiles, only half-joking about the last part. (She has her flask on her as always, want a stiff drink to calm those nerves Sina?)

[eolasemah]

Sina keeps to herself that there are specific individuals who are likely to make it their business to sniff around Araceli, but it looks like she's evaded them for the time being. Good.
"Oh... serannas," she breathes with a blush, absently reaching to tuck a strand of hair behind one ear, "I shouldn't. You remember what happened last time." She should probably be, you know, upright during the ceremony.

[foxsays]

Even in a dress (perhaps sometimes specifically in a dress) she's still sneaky. Ready to crawl out of her skin or sling her leg over The Walrus and gallop off but she's being ridiculous, she can get over herself for someone she loves as much as Sina who's dealt with far more and should have her friends with her today.

"Please tell me you haven't told anyone about the honey wine or whatever it was we drank that time," she whispers in mock-horror, clutching the flask as if spectral hands will form from the void and take it from her as belated revenge for the time Araceli Bonaventura y Castell thought it was a good idea to introduce Sina to drinking. "Is there a specific punishment for wicked rifter duelists leading their firsts astray? First it's wine then it's women and song, a slippery slope, might want to warn your husband, I'm a bard after all."

[eolasemah]

This elicits a giggle, and Sina shakes her head. "Creators, no, I'd never," she assures Araceli, "and if there were a specific punishment, there's probably a worse one for a First who loses her wits." A small blush tinges her cheeks, for whatever reason, at the rifter's last remark, and Sina turns her head to press fingers over her mouth as if lost for words. "I don't think anyone will mind the song, at least," she decides.

[foxsays]

"Telling her that we start drinking it watered in the cradle wouldn't help. But water doesn't keep, rum does. Our water of life." More likely to look upon the rifter as a more corrupting influence than the average which might not be too far off the mark of other mothers and fathers in Castileos. Watching Sina is more interesting, Araceli gathering her dress up so she can kneel close.

If she hadn't talked about the Dalish and marriage with Beleth once then she might not understand fully but she leans close under the guise of adjusting her hair. "So long as a baby happens somewhere along the way, there should be room for having fun, keeping the company you would prefer."

[eolasemah]

Sina is almost about to protest, but blushes instead, and looks down. Her hand automatically reaches to tuck her hair behind her ear, but it's already there, and she's left with no way to fidget.
"Someday," she concedes evasively, "when a baby is possible. When I'm stronger." She lightly rests her hand across her chest, the shard glowing eerily through her translucent skin.

[foxsays]

"You'll be coming back to Kirkwall though, won't you?" A glance around to make sure that no one is about to come barging in though Lux would probably make a noise or dart in right before they show up. "You do so much for other people all the time, give so much of yourself. You should take what you want. Have what you want. What makes you happy."

While there's still time because Sina's mark is an uneasy reminder of an awful lot of things and Araceli's been afraid enough of her damn hand before Martel helped her take ownership of it again.

"Love can be a lot of things. I know a lot of married women who've never minded me and some of their husbands haven't sent the guard after me even when I haven't been quite so quiet leaving in the morning. I'm good friends with one husband. He's happy for us both. People can hold a lot of things in their hearts all at once so long as those feelings are understood and owned."

[eolasemah]

Sina nods, and though she smiles a bit, she doesn't look entirely thrilled about it. "My choices are limited," she admits, "but the more I do with the Inquisition, the faster I can go back to normal."
Continuing to blush, she listens in what appears to be fascination, with a touch of sadness. "I don't know," she murmurs, dropping her gaze, "I'm not... very good at it, this kind of thing. I envy your charm."

[foxsays]

"Is there a normal? Is there not really a better? A more?" Araceli would want those things and even if she stands in a strange sort of no man's land of city elves and Dalish and the kind of commonfolk no one here seems to want to talk about or take anything to do with, even if this was her lifeblood beating she would want what she wants where she's in a much better position to do it. Were she where Sina is, relatively speaking, she would want it.

(But you are a thief and the sea's child, you have always known wanting at the tips of your fingers, why else do you race over the rooftops and chase after everything. Not her mother's voice, not her father's voice, not a voice she knows but one she knows in the heart of her heart that she can't deny.)

So it's very easy to pull Sina in because she wants to, without crushing her dress or her hair or smudging her makeup, all of Araceli somehow smelling more strongly of salt than she ever did in Skyhold even with the oils in her hair and the perfume at her throat, behind her ears. "Practice, practice, practice. I know I had people there if I fell to help me up or make sure no one did anything as I pushed myself up but mostly practice and knowing that everyone is just as afraid, even if they'll never admit it. We all pretend all the time, you just get good at making that your face. My parents have a lot to answer for with it, they taught their skills and didn't know what I'd do with it. But you are perfectly lovely and charming, it's not all swinging hips and bravado."

[eolasemah]

"I hope so," Sina says, smiling weakly. Normal, for her, is living. Shard-free and without fear of opening a hole in the sky, able to continue and to become the Keeper-- the joint Keeper in this case.
She easily sinks into Araceli's embrace, her thin fingers clutching at the woman's back as she inhales her comforting, salty scent. It's funny how familiar this has become, and as easy as hugging Nari or her mother. "Serannas," she whispers, "I'm so glad you're here."

[foxsays]

Turning her head just enough to kiss Sina's cheek, Araceli pulls her tighter, swallowing the lump in her throat even when she hiccups her way through a laugh that gets caught on the way out. Too shaky for her usual bright laughter, not nearly so loud. "I wouldn't miss this, you're one of my dearest most treasured friends here, one of the very first I ever made in all of Thedas, this is your day and I'm so happy to be part of it."

Because I'd miss you if you weren't here, and perhaps it's for the best she doesn't say those words.