[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

the blushing bride

[eolasemah]

Creators, what an ordeal. The rush of the whole thing: standing in front of the crowd, taking the vows, leaping over a fire, and now being next to her... husband...?, Sina can hardly believe the day is concluding.

She seems livelier than usual, at least for the first round of dancing, which consists of the more ceremonial patterns. Here Sina stays by Sorrel's side, nearly too busy and far too breathless to converse even with him.
Once all that formality is out of the way, she's able to rest with her back against a tree while she watches those more energetic continue their firelit cavorting. Even in this moment of rest, she has guests to greet and knows better than to hope for a real break.

[writteninblood]

Sorrel is less restrained, or perhaps more obligated, and he goes for two dances beyond Sina before begging off. They're energetic ones, and one seems to involve something fast-paced and competitive happening between himself and his sister. When he finally manages to extricate himself, he's flushed and laughing.

The flush hasn't died at all, when he sets himself down next to Sina-- next to his wife, heady thought. And if it's quiet between them, then. Well. It seems a comfortable silence, shoulder-to-shoulder in the glow if firelight and the shadow of so many happy bodies.

"Hello," He says, shy in this moment of relative privacy. Sorrel knows better than to expect it to last, but they do have the now, if not the immediate later, "I haven't done that in forever. Seems like forever."

[eolasemah]

"Hello," Sina says in return, with a smile that borders on a grin of awkward amusement. Neither one of them really knows how to talk to the other yet, and with certain... expectations in mind, she isn't even quite sure how to begin.
She isn't even sure she can stay awake for it.
"I've never experienced it with so many," she says, shyly avoiding his eyes, "usually it's just a few of us, if at all. It makes me happy to see them all so happy."

[writteninblood]

"We've all grown bigger, now. Hopefully there'll be more celebrations like this, in the future."

His own smile twists wry, mirroring her own. It's awkward, they both know it; it could hardly be otherwise. But still, Sorrel can hardly look away. He's happy. She's happy. The clans are, to guess, more than merely happy.

"You have a good smile, Sina," He tells her, sincerely. Sina had always seemed a little fragile. In ways that was deceptive, like the thin legs of a deer, which could cheerfully cave your head in with a kick, but now she seemed more like a pale flower, or a moth cupped in Sorrel's hand. She is so alive, but if you don't take care, you could crush her whole. He offers her his hand, simple touch, no demands, "It makes me happy to see it."

[eolasemah]

It's easy to imagine pale flowers when there are so many braided into Sina's hair, which is surprisingly elaborate despite its relative shortness. She tucks a strand of it behind her ear, looking at his hand for a moment before resting hers on it. Never knowing what to do with a compliment, her smile broadens, but she fights it, this being the subject of the praise.
"Serannas," she mildly replies, "I always thought my teeth make me look a bit like a rabbit." She's been fortunate enough to have never been called that as a pejorative, and likely doesn't even know it's even a thing.

[writteninblood]

"Did someone actually say that to you?" Now he's concerned, anger taking a preemptive breath behind his eyes, "Sina, you're beautiful."

He's no great expert on feminine beauty, but he knows the realms of insecurity inside and out. He knows what it's like to never feel more than ugly, to be pulled away, left outside. For a moment, he forgets, that so many people care so deeply about Sina and remembers only-- only that it's been him an Beleth, and adds her thoughtlessly to their little duo. Trio.

We're on the same team, now.

That means, he'd fight Fen'Harel himself, for her sake, let alone some ugly-mouthed shem who might levy a hypothetical insult at her. Maybe he should have been paying closer attention to girls, come to think of it. Than, he might have something more specific to reassure her with. Sorrel attempts compromise by simply squeezing her hand in his.

"Don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise."

[eolasemah]

Sina is completely startled by his reaction, and blinks wide-eyed at Sorrel for a few moments before she breaks out into another, this time more self-effacing, smile. "...nobody said it to me," she says uncertainly, "...and I like rabbits." Of course, his emphatic reassurance has caused her blush to deepen.

[writteninblood]

"Oh! Oh, uh..." Sorrel blushes through his own stammered reply, realizing suddenly that he's taken three or four steps beyond what Sina meant, "Yes. Rabbits are... very nice."

In a stewpot, Sorrel thinks, uncharitably, thinking of nibbled greens and spoiled stores. Then he feels guilty for thinking it, when Sina is only telling him something she likes. What is wrong with him?

"Sorry." It's the only thing he can think to say, "I get ahead of myself."

You lack the patience for skill, d'alen, was what his mother would say. No one had insulted her. Of course not, Sina was kind and competent and well-liked, and Beleth would have said something if it were otherwise... idiot.

[eolasemah]

Sina can't help but be vaguely confused by Sorrel's stumbling, but she'd be lying if she were to say it isn't endearing. She sees a lot of herself in him, and has a lot of sympathy for him: her Keeper has always been exacting, but. Well, she's met Deheune.
"It's fine," she assures him with a smile, giving his hand a squeeze, "...do you not like rabbits?" It did take her some time to get used to the idea of domesticated animals. 'Pets'. Halla can hardly be called domesticated, though they're the closest resemblance in anything she knows.