EliteCommander

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

As the ceremony began, even Ahnasha, who had never considered ceremony in general to be important, started to feel some anxiety. Between the presence of Fendros' family, the formality of the priest's words, and the fact that everyone was focused solely on herself and Fendros, she started to get a sense of how others tended to feel about these events. Still, she kept her concentration. The ceremony had been described to her before, so she knew what she was meant to be doing, but it was not as if she knew every detail of the ceremony. The priest's words regarding love and marriage certainly gave her an even greater respect for him. For a brief moment, Ahnasha wondered if Fendros' parents had known of the opinions of their local Dunmer priest. If not, she hoped that conversation came up at some point between his father and the priest.

When the priest came to the words asking them to confirm their union, Ahnasha quickly drank her potion while he was speaking to Fendros and set aside the bottle just in time for him to ask the same question of her. "Yes, absolutely." Ahnasha answered with confidence. She brought her hands up in the same manner as Fendros and awaited for the priest to continue.

Among the pack, there were none who were really familiar with Dunmer weddings, except perhaps for Sabine, given her birthplace. However, there was nothing so far that seemed unexpected. Like Ahnasha, Meesei did not care for elaborate ceremonies and marriage traditions, but she found it to be pleasantly romantic regardless. Even Lorag was actually paying close attention.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

None that I know of.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

It makes sense in the ceremony, though unfortunately, Ahnasha doesn't actually have any family that would have a surname. I think saying something along the lines of "Ahnasha, daughter of Gwindir" would fill the same function. At this point, she wouldn't have a problem naming her family members. Especially since it wouldn't actually be easy at all to track down someone with just a first name, across possibly all of Tamriel.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

It wouldn't be strange or anything for Ahnasha to have no surname, if I'm understanding properly. Khajiit don't have family names. Though, the same is also true of the Bosmer, so I don't know what she could be said to be descended from.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

I didn't have anything in mind for conversations before the ceremony, at least. I also don't know what the ceremony will entail, so I just took us as far as I could.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

As much as Ahnasha wanted to hold conversations in dept with Fendros' family, she also wanted to be respectful to the priest who was holding the ceremony and did not want to force him to wait around for too long. Meesei was of the same opinion, so she had already taken her seat in waiting of the ceremony's start. Though, she was not going to do anything to rush them after the ceremony's end. They could leave the next day if need be and it would not terribly impact their schedule. Indeed, Meesei expected that Calia would want to speak to her more in-depth than the few questions she had answered about herself. It could take some effort to convince her that her capabilities were not being exaggerated by Ahnasha. Even Lorag was starting to see the ceremony as a decent enough distraction from his own thoughts, so he would possibly cease his brooding soon.

Ahnash a understood the signal to begin immediately, so she gave a nod to Fendros, then walked up towards the front of the temple. Although, she stopped quickly to speak to Llarasa and ask her to watch Rhazii during the ceremony. She reasoned that it would be a good chance to bring Rhazii a bit closer to Fendros' family. She held the fire shield potion close to herself, though she did not uncork it just yet. She did not want to drink it too early and have it wear off, so she kept her eye on the priest and waited for him to give the okay to drink it. Meanwhile, the others started to notice Ahnasha and Fendros moving to the front, so they began taking their seats as well. Kaleeth was sitting at the front pew on the right side next to Janius, with Newt in her lap. Meesei was beside them, and Lorag on the far end.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"No really, it is no burden. We actually have half those ingredients on hand alrea-" Ahnasha began before she was quickly interrupted by Calia. Regardless of the arguments she had in mind, she decided to let it go for now. It did not really matter if Calia refused help anyway, Ahnasha would likely end up sending the ingredients regardless.

Throughout Calia's explanation of her expectations for marriage, Ahnasha could not help but to smile once more. Her short speech was something she had obviously been thinking on for a while, and it showed that Calia really had accepted that Ahnasha would be a permanent part of Fendros' life. And, perhaps a small part of hers. Following Calia's speech, Ahnasha closed her eyes and breathed in deeply as she thought. "Honestly...I believe I understand that better than most couples ever do. In the years we have known one another, we have been through so, so much together. The challenges we have faced...it is hard to really put it into words. There has been more than one occasion where I have quite literally put my life at risk for him. When he or Rhazii were threatened, and I was willing to die for him. We...were not in as safe of a position then as we are now. There have definitely been times that I've been so angry with Fendros that I wanted to claw his eyes out, but every time I'm angry, I always have in the back of my mind the times where I knew he was the only thing in the world that mattered to me. The times of desperation where he was the only thing that could give me hope. I know what it's like to really rely on him as a part of myself, and for him to rely on me. You can believe me when I say that I truly do understand the kind of bond you describe."

Kaleeth reached her hand down and placed it gently on Newt's back. Like Rhazii, he was entirely confused on who these people were, perhaps even moreso since he had never even met them in his life. "Yes, he is our son. He and Rhazii have grown up together. They are...brothers, really. In all the ways that matter."

Meanwhile, Meesei responded to Monderyn simply and directly. "Fendros and Ahnasha were the ones you harmed. If they have forgiven you, then I have forgiven you as well."

"Huh, yeah, sure, that sounds good." Lorag added, somewhat apathetically as he turned his head back away from looking at anything in particular. He was not being intentionally dismissive of Monderyn as much as he was simply not paying that close of attention. His mind was distracted elsewhere.

"Do not mind Lorag. He has been in a foul mood as of late due to some personal issues." Meesei explained briefly. "Regardless, you should not feel unwelcome among us. You might be surprised at how accepting we can be."

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

That sounds like a good opportunity for you.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha could not help but to smile when Calia started to "look" at her with her hands. If they were fortunate, that would not be a requirement forever. She took a moment to look around the room and make sure that the priest was nowhere close by. Regardless, she still whispered to Calia. "Well, there are a few advantages to our condition. Heightened strength, disease immunity, lengthened lifespan, improved recovery from wounds, better senses. Fendros has all these things too, of course. Don't worry though, a frost atronach is a good deterrent to anyone looking to be a bully." She chuckled.

When Calia turned her tone more serious, Ahnasha shifted her expression to match. "I understand. There is a lot I'd like to speak to you about when we have more time. Maybe after the ceremony? I doubt we really have time to go into it all in detail. I know my lifespan might not seem like much to you, but I think Fendros and I will be able to be happy together for longer than you think. Like I said, we'll both be healthy for quite a while. Aside from that, I was wondering real quick if I could ask you about the ingredients you need for your medicine? Specifically that nettle from high rock. Those ingredients would not be difficult for us to obtain at all."

Nearby, most of the others were standing by waiting for it to seem appropriate to speak to their new guests. Obviously, Fendros and Ahnasha would want to speak to them first, but Meesei expected they would want to speak to them eventually as well.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

Ahnasha leaned up closely against Fendros. "Well, I may not care much for appearances, but I'll certainly take the compliments. I can also say that you have..."

Before Ahnasha could finish her thought, her ears perked up from the sound of the doors opening at the front of the temple. It only took a few moments for relief to finally wash over her. Calia, Monderyn, and Llarasa all entered the temple, ending any worries Ahnasha had that they might have any more unpleasant confrontations with his family. Not only had Calia came of her own free will, but after her greeting to Fendros, it seemed like she was happy to be there. At least, as much as Ahnasha could have hoped for after a single day. Since everyone had arrived, Ahnasha expected that the ceremony would begin soon, but there would be time beforehand that they could all greet one another. And hopefully, much more time afterwards that they could all speak more in-depth.

Ahnasha was not sure what Calia had in mind to say to her, but even if she could not see it, Ahnasha approached her with a smile. She wanted nothing more than to embrace Calia as family, but she was a bit more cautious about it, strictly following Calia's lead. Ahnasha put her arm gently on Calia's to make her presence known, then gave her a hug. "It is good to see you here. I am sure you can imagine how much this means to Fendros. And myself."