I am the man who would fight for your honor

[etcircenses]

Who| Albert, Jet, their friends, all the Tributes, stylists, mentors, etc.
What| Albert & Jet get married!
Where| The Tiberius Ainsworth Memorial Atrium
When| Saturday, October 25th
Warnings/Notes| N/A?

With the change of the seasons, the sun seems to set at an earlier hour everyday. As such, by the time four o'clock rolls around, the sky over the mountains has taken on a deep orange hue. The evening is cloudless and promises a beautiful starry night for whoever is bold enough to stay up late enough to see it. It is truly a splendid evening, the perfect day for the joining of two hearts.



The atrium was decorated in black, silver, and gold color schemes, with tasteful bursts of metallic and random abundances of orchids in vibrant, tropical hues. The attendees were led to seats on either side of the aisle and the numerous media figures prepped themselves at the back of the atrium. A beautiful melody played and the members of the wedding party walked down the aisle.



Once the ceremony was finished and the officiant pronounced Albert & Jet legally married, the guests were instructed to throw confetti and disperse into the reception area.



The cameras are rolling, the music is playing, and it's time to kick back and celebrate. As a wedding gift, the Capitol has lifted the curfew for the night, so feel free to dance the night away!

Comments

The Ceremony

[etcircenses]

[silberfuchs]

Once Terezi has thoroughly covered every surface - pews, guests, expensive tv recording equipment, etc. - except where she's supposed to in flower petals, it's time for the procession. If those assembled didn't know better, they might think the two men flanking Jessica in the center were both marrying her somehow, clad in wedding finery as she is, but once she sets them on their own at the altar, it becomes easily clear what the real reason for the occasion is despite their more simple but no less elegant attire.

If there was ever any doubt the two men are hopelessly in love, it can be assuaged in only half a second's attention to their faces. Albert's eyes never leave Jet's face, misty as they are, trained on him as if he's the only presence in the room. With their being left alone together in front of the priest or justice of the peace or whoever they'd decided on Albert can't even remember right now because he's too focused on Jet. How he's marrying Jet. Going to spend the rest of their lives together as husbands, to protect and support each other no matter the consequence.

Albert takes Jet's hands in his and for once of a handful of times in his life is unable to speak. He's too overcome with how they've finally, after decades, after over half a century, finally have found themselves here. His joy is palpable.

[metalicarus]

He'd never been so jittery in his life. He couldn't even really pinpoint why, it wasn't like he thought Albert was going to bail on him or that he was going to trip on Jessica's dress and fall to his face, but with his palms sweating -something that almost never happened, he'd never been this nervous before- his heart beating so hard he could feel it in his throat, and his face a healthy pink he could feel, he was practically vibrating with his nerves. At least he looked the part, even if he didn't feel it. He was more the shy little boy who was told to stand at the front of class than the man about to marry the guy he loved.

But then Albert was taking Jet's hands in his and it made the rushing thrum die down, even the state of his own hands fled his mind, there was only silver. Silver eyes to go with a pale complexion and soft silver hair, all balanced with sharp, defined, features that made his heart race in another way. There weren't any cameras, there weren't hundreds of people Jet didn't know, there wasn't a corrupt government forcing them into death arenas all the time. There was just Albert.

Here was this man who'd stolen Jet's heart right out from under his nose before Jet had even noticed what was going on. He'd been eighteen and head over heels for a man over ten years his senior who was still mourning the loss of his previous fiancee...any time he thought about it, he wondered how it had even worked out. Of course, the answer was that it nearly hadn't. He'd approached Albert and hadn't gotten an answer, which had led to Jet presuming the answer was no. Then, when Albert approached him, he'd made it sound like a laundry list of reasons why they couldn't be together that had almost earned him a black eye for his trouble, only to end it with that slightly hopeful request that had opened the gates. 'Please be patient with me.'

Only that hadn't been the end of it either, all through their relationship, Albert had gotten too hung up on being a cyborg or his insecurities or Jet's frustration and impatience at everything around him would explode, resulting in fiery words and a slammed door in Jet's wake. Several slammed doors. And then there'd been the one that had stayed closed for nearly thirty years through both of their stubborn idiocy. And yet, still, they'd always opened those doors back up and now they'd found a way to prop them open forever.

And suddenly Jet became aware they were coming up to the part where they were supposed to exchange vows. Vows they were supposed to have written. How was Jet supposed to articulate all that plus the depths of his feelings for the man in front of him? He'd tried, there'd been plenty of late nights spent with paper and pen that, hours later, would end with crumpled paper balls littered at Jet's feet, some with full paragraphs, some with only a line and some with nothing on them, sacrificed to his own frustration at not being able to string together a sentence. He could hardly string together a sentence when he tried verbally, there was no hope for writing one.

But now he stood there with his heart in his head, the loudest thought being 'why the hell didn't I write something?Anything??' as he listened to the old guy behind the podium give the cue that one of them was supposed to start these vows. Unfortunately, the one thing he did know was that he couldn't let Albert go first. Jet held up a finger just in case his partner had been about to say something.

"Not a word. You'll get your shot, but I gotta go first, otherwise you're gonna do that thing where you say something so-" he gestured vaguely at Albert as though to suggest the older man's affectionate words were just an Albert-thing. "-that it leaves me unable to say anything. So hold on a sec."

It was a good thing the audience of people were nearly invisible to Jet's awareness, otherwise he'd realize just how ridiculous he probably sounded and get embarrassed. Luckily, he was too distracted by the chaos of scrambling thoughts he tried to get in order. Once he'd found a a place to start, he grabbed it and went with it, going with his tried-and-true method of just letting his mouth run and hoping what came out of it worked. That was how he managed to get his heart -still lodged in his head- out of his mouth.

"You know, if someone'd told me a few years back I'd be getting married someday...I probly would've just laughed in their face...or punched them, depending on what mood I was in. That was just the kind of kid I was when I met this stuffy old guy who was constantly cramping my style. I was practically tripping over myself to get into trouble and he always seemed to be a step behind, just waiting to yank me back out. He had my back during a time when I refused to believe anyone would ever have my back again but he proved me wrong...and I fell for him because of it."

Jet's smile flared in his embarrassment and his eyes darted down to their joined hands instead of those too intense eyes, but then they traveled right back to where they belonged; there was no place for stumbling words and uncertainty here. The color didn't fade from his face, but his voice developed a thicker edge of confidence as he picked up the threads of his thoughts again and began weaving them together into coherency.

"I don't know what you saw in that angry teen brat, but I'm glad you decided you liked it enough to stick around. You've always had my back just as you know I've always got yours and that's never gonna change. We've been through Hell, come back and gone through again for good measure, we've fought bad guys, governments and darkness together and even if the sky started falling, I know we'd never stop.

...I'll never stop. I'll fight for you and with you at my side for the rest of forever, no matter what other hell tries to grab us between now and that curtain call. You're the best thing to ever happen to me and the most important person that will ever be in my life. I would rather go through all that hell over and over again with you with me than live some peaceful and safe life without you."

It was the tip of the iceberg, only a fraction of all he felt and thought and it wasn't nearly enough. He opened his mouth to try and say something else, to get his words to work with him, but his voice just turned off, leaving him with silence and that sliver of frustration that came from feeling all this a hundred times more strongly than he was portraying it and being unable to express it. Today of all days was the time to do it, but it seemed he still had his limitations.

A quiet 'shit' did make it out, quiet enough that only Albert would hear it, and he shrugged helplessly as he looked away and looked back again. His smile turned a little wry at how he'd ended his vow, but it couldn't be taken back now. He'd meant more than every single word, but those words he'd used would just have to be enough.

Cocktail Hour

[etcircenses]

Between the ceremony and the reception, it's cocktail hour. Adults will be served the potent potables of their choice. Children will be served sparkling juices.

jessica wakefield ; ota

[confidentially]

It took balls to wear a wedding gown to someone else's wedding, but Jessica didn't seem especially concerned. Once her duty escorting Albert down the aisle was complete, she'd busied herself with little backstage things, like cuing up the band and signaling for photographers. It wasn't until the ceremony was over that she let herself relax a bit and indulge with a flute of champagne. It had been a lot of work, months and months of planning, but the wedding really had gone off without a hitch. She could hardly believe it herself.

Drink in hand, she was making the rounds, chatting with the guests, be they tributes, other mentors, members of the press corps, government officials, or, of course, sponsors. This wedding was a media circus, dammit. And it had better pay off.

[silberfuchs]

Apart from his new husband for half a second to grab champagne, Albert sneaks up behind Jessica and leans in to give her a kiss on the cheek. It's not escaped him just how much work she's poured into this, how much of herself she's spent in making certain nothing went awry. She'd even gotten the curfew lifted for the night, however she'd managed to make that miracle happen. He's appreciative, beyond appreciative.

He straightens back up, beaming at her with both hands full of champagne. "This couldn't have happened without you, Jessica. You have our humblest and deepest thanks."

OTA

[metalicarus]

While he certainly didn't want to talk to a bunch of Capitolites who he wouldn't have invited in the first place, he was aware it needed to be done. Jessica had gone to all this trouble, it was only fair that he didn't ruin it. Besides, smiling and conversing with people he didn't really like was a skill he'd honed at many NSA gatherings back home, he'd just hoped to not need it at his own wedding.

He went from guest to guest (although most of them came to him) thanking them for coming, getting his hand shaken and being congratulated, while asking if they were having a good time before talking about whatever it was they wanted to talk about, At least until social cues allowed him temporary escape to move on to the next person.

Lucky for him, they actually had some good drinks available, he had no intention of getting drunk, but it made it a little easier to pretend to be interested in things he couldn't care less about.

The other tributes, however, he didn't afflict with the same show. Most of them received a genuine smile-even the ones he didn't know. Occasionally, he'd go find someone he actually didn't mind talking to as a way to take a break and let his real happiness shine through. He didn't care what was talked about, as long as it wasn't shallow Capitolite crap.

It wasn't all socializing, however, every now and then, he wouldn't be approached by a stranger immediately after the last, affording him time to sip his drink in silence and watch everyone around him, just taking in the fact that this was happening. He was at his wedding, talking with guests because he'd actually gotten married. He was pretty sure he hadn't fully wrapped his brain around it yet.

[yourmove]

It's not long before Alex Murphy eventually approaches him - he's been handed a glass of champagne, the flute still bubbling away as he holds it in one hand, untouched because he literally can't drink this. It'll wreck havoc on his internal systems, nevermind how much of a pain it would be for his techs to clean out the stickiness. As he approaches Jet with his usual single-minded intensity, the champagne doesn't sway inside the glass, thanks to his stabilizers - it's as still as if it's been forgotten on a counter somewhere.

Alex comes to a stop in front of Jet, a few feet away that his HUD says is a general estimate of acceptable conversational distance between acquaintances.

"Congratulations on your union with Mr. Heinrich," Alex launches right into it, selecting [VERBAL RESPONSE: SOCIAL...POSITIVE OUTPUT]. He doesn't seem to know what to do with the glass of champagne and, after a moment, decides to offer it to Jet with a whir of his wrist. "Here. You should continuing celebrating in a safe and non-disruptive manner."

Dining

[etcircenses]

Guests will have a choice between fresh sea bass from District Four and prime steaks from District Ten. It's open seating, so have at it!

Sitting at a Table for Dinner!

[iflipmyhair]

Homura sat, eating her food in almost complete silence. She had chosen the bass, quietly cutting each piece off with a deliberateness and intensity that probably fit better in the Arena than at a wedding.

Still, she just wanted to make sure she didn't stain her dress and mink stole with butter. Not that she enjoyed the clothing, but still. Mink stole and all.

Meanwhile, she looked around as she did eat, taking in the sights and people once more. Perhaps she could steal in a few more conversations in this place, before the curfew took over again.

[justoutrunyou]

"Still alive huh?"

Sandy took a seat across from her in a simple black dress with a particular shine of blue whenever the light hit it. Sandy had opted for the steak and was pleased at how easily it cut. Not like the tough and chewy meat she'd grown up with. Capitol food was always so perfect Sandy wondered if she'd be able to go back to old fashioned Mac and Cheese.

OTA!

[aintyourdad]

If there is one thing Joel is usually okay with out of everything the Capitol makes him do, it's the food. It probably doesn't make up for any of that shit, but if he has to do it, he might as well get some enjoyment from something.

Of course, in his classic tuxedo, fitted perfectly, he's a little awkward even as he eats. But that's not going to stop him from enjoying his steak, anyway. He's pretty engrossed.

Re: OTA!

[carnagecarnival]

The Initiate about to settle into picking apart a fish, himself. He's much more apt to take his time with these things nowadays. He tended more to savor and let little come between.

But he sees quickly what might bring exception to this. He abandons his meal and walks on over, slowing as he approaches so as not to startle.

"HEY," He says, trying and failing to control the fluctuations. "You motherfucking remember me up at all? IN THE ARENA. Wanted to pass apology."

Dancing & Mingling

[etcircenses]

There's a string quartet performing, and they take requests! It's time to celebrate the lack of curfew and dance the night away!

Dancing with a groom; open to all!

[metalicarus]

With the ceremony over, Jet was feeling ten times more confident and ten yards over cloud nine, it was the happiest he could ever remember being. Naturally, the best way to use this happiness was doing something he loved, otherwise, he'd have to spend it schmoozing to uninvited Capitol guests and that was the last thing he wanted to do today of all days.

Instead, he could be found on the dance floor...and if someone found themselves anywhere near the dance floor, they just might then find themselves swept onto it by none other than one of the grooms.

He loved dancing and a good thing too, because he had the grace and style for it. Every movement was fluid and lovely as though he were making art with his grace. He sort of was, Albert had his music, Jet had his dancing.

As he demonstrated to Sam merely weeks ago, dancing alone was very hard without looking silly, so with no hesitation, Jet was asking just about anyone he liked to dance with him, even if they weren't so good at it themselves. After all, his own husband had two left feet and was the biggest lost cause when it came to grace, so no one could be as bad as him.

Of course, he was only human, so there were certainly times when he could be found standing off on the side for a breather as he watched others dance instead.

Not dancing with the other groom; OTA!

[silberfuchs]

While Jet is prone to cutting a rug, it was hard enough for Albert to manage even the one dance. He'd practiced; lord had he practiced, but the concentration required for Albert to not trip over his partner's feet (Or his own feet. Or thin air) is so great that he's currently bowed out and can be found at the perimeter of the dance floor, watching his new husband move with natural grace.

Maybe he'll try again later - it is, after all, their wedding - but for right now he's content to watch, sip at his champagne, and chat with guests if they approach. Actually right now, he's content with everything, down to the last detail. It's hard to miss the sense of bliss in his white eyes as they follow the tall blond around the dance floor.

Every so often he'll break from watching to greet someone, offering a handshake or a glass of champagne if they're older. It's more than just politeness, it's true happiness that he approaches everyone with, even the paparazzi. How could he not be happy? He's finally got all he wanted out of life, even in this surreal world they find themselves in.

"Enjoying yourself?"

Aang

[actually112]

Earlier in the Night

There hadn't been any completely vegetarian options at dinner, so Aang hadn't spent long eating. He ate some of the salad served as a side, and then was quick to jump up to explore.

He is utterly fascinated by this whole thing. Weddings aren't a very big thing for Air Nomads due to their philosophy of detachment and freedom of earthly tethers, so he's never been to one before. He can be found exploring, looking around at all the finery and glitz with innocent curiosity.

Not too long later, he can also be found at the dance floor, gracefully imitating the dances around him while adding a very foreign (yet very smooth) flair to them, courtesy of the Air Nomads. Occasionally, he'll walk to the edge of the dance floor where the shy people hang back, giving them a bright smile and offering his hand. "Dance with me?"

Later in the Night

Aang should have been in bed hours ago, but he'd been so curious about the wedding that he'd stayed up. He's feeling it now.

The boy, previously so exuberant, is now hanging back, curled up on one of the dining chairs, trying to hide his yawning and beginning to doze. He periodically jerks awake, blinking sleepily, struggling to stay awake to the end of the reception.

That's not going to happen.

Dancing: OTA, but especially to Clementine

[hit_girl_mindy]

So it was a wedding. With guys, apparently.

It was more the WEDDING part that threw her off, because really, in a place like this? It always seemed like the nuttiest thing to do. Nevertheless, this was going to be a big deal, and well, caring enough to want to actually DO this, was a big deal. Mindy added her present with the others, accepted there would be no alcohol for her today (not that she wanted any), and was looking specifically for Clementine. She had requested a cool looking dress and given Oceana Clementine's specifications, so when Clementine came she expected to see the girl looking spectacular.

Of course, this also meant Mindy's hair would be in ribbons. Horrors.

But she DID make a promise, so she'd keep it. In the meantime, she was watching the dancing, glad she'd been seeing Milla for some lessons. She was at least able to manage that now, and would accept if approached. She had decided to go dressed a little more smoldering than just elegance, for once. Her request.

Kenny | OTA

[korosu]

This wedding has been pretty weird so far, and Kenny already knew deep in his heart of hearts when the stylist dressed him up that he would be bored out of his fucking mind. The only reason he decided to come, really, since it was open to anyone, was because of the notion that curfew would not be in effect tonight. And that was pretty awesome. Perhaps he might take advantage of that later, since it had proven to be a good opportunity for slipping away.

Seriously though, fucking Freebird? Really...? That was the romantic song they'd picked to walk down the aisle? Whatever floats their boat, he guessed, but he had to fight from rolling his eyes as he sat there. Now that very same string cover band is performing at the reception, too. Some of the renditions are amusing, some downright terrible, but it isn't until "Comfortably Numb" comes on that Kenny finally gives in and drops his head onto the table with a suffering groan.

"Are you fucking kidding me..."

Maybe it fits, with all the 'Game' shit that's going to happen. Maybe these two dudes he's never even met are going to brutally maul each other out on the battlefield or something. Or maybe they're not part of that whole thing at all, and that's why they're able to tie the knot. Or they're numb to all of it. Who the Hell knows. But a mopey song about turning into a junkie isn't really appropriate for a wedding after-party. This is already depressing. A stuffy outfit, and he can't even have any booze, just shitty juice. Something's gotta give.

So, after walking up to the performers and requesting this little ditty--unfortunately failing to interrupt their mangling of Pink Floyd, but whatever--this blond kid in his blue suit will be wandering up to random people and smoothly asking, "Hey, wanna dance?" For once, his face is entirely uncovered. It is a miracle.

OTA

[beastlybeauty]

Justine likes to stick to her all-white ensemble, but that would be rude at a wedding, even if there isn't any bridge. Instead, she's dressed in red today with a pair of star-shaped diamond earrings and a diamond necklace.. Finally, she's bandage-free.

And she is taking full advantage of it. For most of the night, she's on the dance floor, gracefully sweeping from partner to partner, making them feel like the only one in the world before she flutters to the next.

And now, she holds out her arm to the one next to her, giving them her widest, most charming smile. "Let's dance."

Later on, she can be found having tired herself, sitting down to the side, sipping her champagne and smiling at the dancers.

OTA for dancing & mingling

[oopsright]

Weddings, Tess can't ever remember being part of one. Not before the outbreak and certainly not during. She'd heard stories around the quarantine zone of how some couples who would loot houses before finding the Boston zone, find rings in jewelry boxes and they would slip them on each other's fingers and declare themselves married. If they were really dedicated they would try to find a church that wasn't populated with Infected and speak some vows inside for a more proper and holy feel for tradition.

She'd met Jet very briefly when she had first arrived. She hadn't known much of anything about him on a personal level, only that he'd been a bit of a smart ass and that they hadn't gotten along that well with how she'd rudely bumped into him.

Tess is happy for him and his groom, as happy as anyone can be for a pair of strangers who have pursued and found happiness in such a place as this, the Capitol and their sick games.

Another thing Tess is happy for - the curfew being lifted for the night. She's dressed in something more elegant this time thanks to her stylists, with her hair pinned up and free of those ridiculous LED lights from the last event. Tess keeps to herself and watches everyone else dance and mingle, a glass of champagne in hand and blackberries floating within.


option b.
She figures she's been a wallflower for far too long this evening, moving through the mingling crowds to find someone to enjoy a few moments with her. Still with her glass of blackberry champagne in hand, Tess approaches the unsuspecting party guest from the side and casually stands next to them.

"Shouldn't you be out there with the rest of them?" Tess nods off to the dancing pairs on the dance floor.

Terezi / OTA

[pythianjudgment]

After coating nearly every surface of the wadding with flower petals, Terezi is in a reasonably good mood for the reception. Still dressed in her flower girl outfit, she managed to scrape together a number of the flower petals after the wedding, and she's more than happy to toss them haphazardly over one party goer or another.

Albert was right. Throwing flowers everywhere and on everyone was certainly the best part of the ceremony for her, and she doesn't really want to stop.

But she's happy for Albert and Jet both, and eventually she stops harassing the party guests. There's a dance floor that she's eager to be on, and willing to pull almost anyone with her.

mingling ota, definitely not dancing

[mortuaria]

It's harder to slip away and hide from people when you're being actively monitored, and even harder when you can't fade into shadows and disappear. Which is how Nico's escort managed to harass him and herd him into attending, despite all his best efforts to run. You're district-mates! they'd said. Practically comrades! they'd said. He wants to stab them, but he's pretty sure that would be frowned upon and lead to broken bones he'd rather avoid at this juncture.

Every time he tries to sneak out of the reception hall one of the Capitol natives herding his district swoops in on him and steers him back into the party.

But the minute he can at least get away to a quiet alcove, he takes his chance. This many weeks out of the arena his appetite is starting to return again, so he takes a plate with him. At least the food is good.

Steve Rogers OTA

[aboveangrybees]

This just happens to be Steve's first wedding. He's seen the aftermath, parties in the neighborhood or cars with cans tied to the bumper, but never been to one. Hard to go to one when you don't know any one getting hitched. With it being a new experience and liking the grooms, so he couldn't see a reason to refuse. Even brought Stark as his date.

He's dressed in a nice tux, though he feels a bit disheveled with the buttons popped, but his stylist insisted quite vehemently that it was necessary. It wasn't worth the argument to get her to put the buttons back on.

Dancing isn't on his agenda, not really. At times, Steve can be found watching people dance with an almost distant look, but it never lingers long. Still, he's his normal pleasant and cordial self as he makes his way around, greeting both new and old alike with a small smile.

"Having a nice time?"

He's likely to decline and invitation to dance, but feel free to ask.

Not quite mingling

[knifewithnoname]

Pruna had tried to get out of this, she didn't want to go to stupid weddings with stupid people who thought that stupid weddings in this place was a good idea. And despite all impressions to the contrary Pruna wasn't actually out to make people miserable, not most people anyways. There were a few notable exceptions. But still she thought that having a person who tortured you at your wedding would not be nice.

Not that she cared. But still, she did her best to stay out of sight, sticking to the shadows, what she did best.