[hr][hr][center][h1][color=firebrick]Black James(!)[/color][/h1]
[img]https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/avatars/6AE78329E91063505631975227392_pic-r-1396533712688c4afde8ecf.jpg.jpg?versionId=ZnGOSit0zozlhxpJk0w6QVx4cSozVRdq[/img][/center]
[hr][center][b][color=firebrick]Location:[/color][/b] Building [b]7[/b] (Rec Center)[/center][hr][hr]

	Nobody seemed to notice James Mandingo Grady enter the Rec Center. It was difficult not to, considering that the concept of "blending in" really only worked for him if he was out of doors, tracking game, and (most importantly) with his mouth shut. These things rarely all happened at the same time inside the walls of Newnan. Those who had hunted with the colorful southern gentleman might speak of the utter difference in posture and attitude, describing a man who was as a King's Ranger of old, not the bubbly Court Jester that most Newnanites had come to know and cherish. Which is why it was somewhat offputting when no one noticed the man until a few out of context words reached his ears. 

	It was spoken in an educated British accent, mentioning a need for Something Hard And Dark. 

	What else could he do? James looked over in the general direction of the discussion, flashed a big thumbsup at Miss Sally while plastering on his best [url=https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Why-a-Laugh-a-Day-Keeps-the-Doctor-Away.jpg]Eddie Murphy shit-eating grin[/url]. The pause was momentary, as he actually had someplace to be. In particular, one of the carts that Domestic had so lovingly taken care of for him had yet to be displayed to the gathering public, a situation that he was to rectify ASAP. 

	He lifted the lid from his cart, revealing an entire, tusked hog, skinned and dressed, cooked to crispy-moist, rested perfection. He stood ready with a cleaver and a good chef's knife, parting the succulent flesh from white bone, getting the more difficult cuts out of the way for the party goers before going to mingle, maybe get some of Cap'n Ash's good homebrew. From across the room, one might hear him exclaim, [color=firebrick]"Mm hmm, yes'm. Hunted it myself. C'mon now! Y'all leave that face-meat alone, hear? That's all fo' the newlyweds. Best damn parta that pig, lemme tellya."[/color]

[hr][hr][center][h1][i][b][color=steelblue]Ash Holloway[/color][/b][/i][/h1]
[img]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a203/D__S/michael%20biehn/american%20dragons/tonyluca3.png[/img][/center]
[hr][center][b]Location:[/b] Building [b]7[/b] (Rec Center)
[/center][hr][hr]

	The second after Thana pointed out Jack and Tatiana, the latter bounded over to their location and wrapped each one of them in a hug. Said hug had all of the earmarks of a martial arts maneuver designed to choke out larger livestock, possibly even bears. With sudden and equally paralyzing grace, Tatiana then set her sights (and limbs) upon Thana, pressing her into something of a Newnan Coming of Age trial - Surviving Tati. Thana's comment concerning Father Mulcahy was noted and understood. As Ash recovered, he managed to get out [color=steelblue]"Yeah. Stuffing's completely out..."[/color]

	[color=steelblue]"Yes, of course. Thank you, Tatiana."[/color] he tried to ignore the sly way in which she used word "date", let alone the particular carbonation of her personality. It was her day. Best leave it that way. [color=steelblue]"I'm forgetting my manners. Tatiana, Jack, this is Dr. Thana Martin, Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy. Thana, this is Tatiana Korvo and Jack Hudson, Newnan's first newlyweds."[/color] Ash was unclear what they intended to do with their surnames, leaving it to one or the other of them to correct if necessary. Oh, and he definitely caught the sideways look from the resident ballerina. Were he capable of blushing, now might have been the time. 

	And of course, there was Jack. He was in uplifted spirits, with good reason. Ash barely noticed the suggestive look from the man. Barely even noticed the slow, approving nod and the expression that insinuated ...things... Yes. Barely noticed. He gave a polite nod, and accepted the man's hand. [color=steelblue]"You two were going to do this, regardless. Thank [i]you[/i] for sharing your moment with me."[/color]

	Victor chose this moment to arrive, extending his own greetings and congratulations. Ash nodded acknowledgement of his compliment concerning the ceremony, and so long as formal introductions were still being made, [color=steelblue]"Yes, Miss Martin; this is Dr. Victor Bonheur; Newnan's Medical Lead and my Second. He was, ah... a good friend of your sister's."[/color] Ash felt a touch uncomfortable speaking about Zoie, but he knew that someone was going to broach the subject at one time or another. This was more of a polite nudge that questions and/or reminiscing might be forthcoming in present company. He was fully aware that Thana had no desire to speak about her openly, at least not yet. Victor was a good man, without question. But Ash felt the need to direct the conversation for the sake of his Plus One. 

	[color=steelblue]"But I'm forgetting my manners again. Jack, Tatiana, I wanted to give you a little something, commemorating the occasion."[/color] He produced the bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue Label and presented it to the two of them. [color=steelblue]"Typical, coming from me. I thought you would want something decent for later."[/color] It was a self depreciating statement. The alcohol they served at the reception was a collection of his work; distillations and fermentations, mostly made from corn and sweet potatoes (though there were a few scavenged items). It was quality work, but sometimes one needed something aged more than a few months.