A Binding of Hearts - Wedding of Mala and Chris

[Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai]

Second week of winter, Year Two of Queen Sabrina's reign

I had fled the house early this morning, getting out of the way. Marie had stayed with Mala to help her get ready, and all I could do was wish her luck.

So now I was sitting very quietly in the narthex of Elua's sanctuary. I wanted to stand and pace, but I knew if I did that then I wouldn't stop. No, now I thanked Naamah for my training, for it kept me calm and patient.

[Malabelle Shahrizai]

I knew why Christophe had left so early in the morning, but it didn’t make me like it any better. I was so nervous! I wasn’t sure why, it wasn’t as if this was something I didn’t want. I wished he was there to help calm me though.

Marie had come to help me get ready and I was grateful. She provided enough distraction that I didn’t let my nerves get the better of me, and we left the house with all the glass objects still intact.

Now, I was sitting in a pretty little chamber, waiting for her to return with my bouquet. I tried to take deep, calming breaths but it wasn’t really working. Instead, I thought of Christophe and the life we were going to have together. The image of his smile was a balm to my nerves and I felt myself calming some.

There was a knock on the door and with a steady voice, I called out, “Come in.”

[Marie Legard]

I entered the room where Malabelle was waiting, careful not to dislodge any of the flowers in her cascading bouquet.

“It arrived,” I said, smiling and closing the door before I brought it to her. It was a fall of white lilies and deep red valerian flowers. It was lovely and smelled wonderful. “Shall I set it here until you’re ready?”

[Malabelle Shahrizai]

“Yes, thank you Marie,” I said, watching as she carefully set the bouquet down on a small table.

“And thank you for all your help today. I think I might have broken everything in the house without you there to distract me,” I said with a smile. “I am sure you want to go see Christophe though. I am fine now; I will see you at the ceremony.”

[Marie Legard]

“It was a pleasure, really. You are as close to a sister as I will ever have I think,” I said, chuckling. “Yes, I would like to see Chris. I will see you later.”

With that, I left the room, closing the door behind me again as I went to search out my brother. I had no idea where Henri or Pierre were. I just hoped they showed up.

With a little direction from a priest, I found my way to where Chris was.

“Christophe?” I called softly, not wanting to interrupt anything.

[Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai]

I smiled when I looked up to find Marie. "Hey sis," I said, rising and giving her a hug. "How's Mala doing?"

[Marie Legard]

“She’s fine, I just left her,” I told him, returning the hug. “She looks beautiful.” I drew back enough to really look at him. “And don’t you look handsome!”

[Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai]

I smiled a little weakly. "Thanks. I'm just doing my best to stay still. I used to drive Mama nuts, I could never sit still." I ran my hand through my hair, and tried not to be self-absorbed. "You look very nice as well. I hope this morning wasn't too hard on you."

[Marie Legard]

“Oh no, it wasn’t hard at all,” I assured him. “It was fun helping her get ready. It was almost like having a sister.”

[Soleil Belfours]

I rose early on Christophe and Mala's wedding day. After bathing, I went and saw to my baby. At almost five months old, Synnove was a big rosy cheeked infant with a cheery disposition. It pleased me greatly that she was so healthy, strong, and good natured. But you never knew how long things would take with a baby, and it seemed at after bathing her, and then dressing the both of us, we still had ample time to get to the wedding. I bundled us up against the winter chill, before getting into the carriage and telling my driver to take us to Elua's Sanctuary.

When we arrived, we were the only ones in the foyer. Well, us and Elua. The benevolent god looked serenely down on us from a pedestal, and I walked over, holding up Synnove so she could see him. "See, baby?" I said. "This is E-lu-a. Can you say 'E-lu-a'?" Synnove burbled something and I laughed, bouncing her on my hip as we waited to be shown to the ceremony.

[Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai]

Mala in a stressful situation was fun? It must run in the family, the ability to keep a stressed Shahrizai calm. "Good. I'm really glad that the two of you get along," I said with a stronger smile. I drew in a deep breath and then let it out again. "I don't know why I'm nervous."

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

I'd had a meeting up at the palace that morning, so Jareth and I had agreed to meet at the Sanctuary instead of arriving together to witness Malabelle's wedding. I arrived before my love. No surprise, I had wanted to make sure I was on time and could be on hand just in case Malabelle and Soleil got into a row. I was amazed that she had invited the mother of her future husband's baby, apparently the Valerian was more persuasive than I gave him credit for.

I entered in a dark green gown, spotting Soleil. "Hello my dear," I greeted her, smiling as I gave her a kiss of greeting. "How's my goddaughter?"

[Soleil Belfours]

I returned the kiss of greeting. "She is well," I said, "and happy to see you, I think." Synnove cooed with joy, holding out her chubby arms to Anacrasia. "Would you like to hold her?"

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

"Of course. Hello my little one," I said, taking the babe from Soleil. "She's growing so quickly. And look at that happy smile." The light in Synnove's face made me smile in return.

[Soleil Belfours]

"She loves you," I said, as Synnove gurgled and buried her face in the crook of Ana's neck. "She only does that to the people she loves most."

[Marie Legard]

“Because it’s your wedding, silly,” I said, chuckling. I reached out and took his hand, squeezing it gently. “How could you not be nervous?” I smiled at him. “You are so lucky to be marrying the woman you love. Just keep that in mind and you’ll be fine.”

[Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai]

"Right," I said with a chuckle. It was a tense chuckle, but it was definitely better than a few minutes ago when I was just being still. "Hell, I was the one that suggested it in the first place."

[Marie Legard]

“You mean she didn’t have to force you into it?” I teased, grinning and hoping to help him relax.

[Pierre Legard (D)]

The day of Christophe's wedding to Mala arrived; I had not spoken to any of them since I had left that day, and now I was vaguely nervous about being there. Karina had agreed to attend with me, though I found out later that she had been invited on accound of being Second of Valerian House, but it was nice to know I would be there with some one that didn't hate me.

This time when I went to pick her up though, I contracted a carriage so that we wouldn't have to walk. It wouldn't have been far to do so anyway, not in the city; I had felt like I had walked the street a dozen times before today.

We arrived at the Temple early in the day not too early, but enough that we would be able to find a seat without issue.

"I'm nervous, are you nervous?" I asked Karina as I held out my hand for her to help her from the carriage.

[Anacrasia Shahrizai]

I chuckled at Synnove's little display. "Is she always such a joy, or is she putting on a good show?" I asked my friend with a teasing smile.

[Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai]

I smiled, my first real one of the day. "Not at all. We fight like crazy sometimes, but I've never wanted to be without her."

[Karina Mikhailova nó Valerian]

I took Pierre's hand and stepped down. "Not really," I said, my brow furrowed a little. "Concerned about your brother?"

[Douleur nó Shahrizai]

I was honored to have been invited to Christophe’s wedding. I was so happy for him that I could even put aside any jealousy I might have at his having found his true love.

I stepped out of one of the House carriages and made my way inside, hoping I wasn’t late or early. There were a couple people there already…decidedly not adepts… and I kept my eyes down and tried not to draw attention or recognize anyone as I found a place to stand.

[Marie Legard]

His words brought the image of Ferris to my mind unbidden and I felt myself blush deeply.

“You two are perfect together,” I said, trying to act as if I wasn’t deep red. “I really am happy for you brother.”

[Pierre Legard (D)]

"For Christophe," I said clearing my throat. "Yes, of course. Its a big day for him, that must be it." I was a little embarrassed, I had yet to tell Karina of my family's unfortunate... issue. Either way I offered her my arm and smiled.
"I'm sure he's very nervous." I added, trying to forget my thoughts.

[Christophe Legard nó Shahrizai]

"Thank you," I said, but was a little puzzled. "Why are you blushing?"

[Karina Mikhailova nó Valerian]

"I'm sure he is," I agreed, taking his arm and letting him lead me in. "Getting married... well, it's quite the commitment."

[Pierre Legard (D)]

"It is." I replied affirmatively as I looked at Karina as she took my arm. "Have I told you," I raised my hand to my mouth and cleared my throat as I walked us forward; my cheeks warmed and I wondered if I was blushing, but I didn't think I was.
"Have I told you how beautiful you look today." I said softly as I looked to her.

[Henri Legard]

I had rushed into the Sanctuary of Elua, hoping I was not terribly late. I had been out, communing with nature, trying to centre myself, my nerves, and had almost lost track of time. I had not run there, it would not do to ruin the suit I wore, but my cheeks were certainly rosey once I entered through the front doors. I could hear conversation and so I followed the voices to find Christophe and Marie conversing, Pierre with a woman I had not seen ebfore, and some other people who I did not know. I felt my nerves threaten to rise up again, but instead I took a deep breath and walked through the doorway and, with a nod to Pierre, which he probably did not see, I moved closer to Christophe and Marie, though still out of earshot, and said nothing, waiting instead for them to be done their conversation and to notice me. I did not want to interrupt what could have been their few moments alone before Christophe was not just our brother, but a very lovely lady's husband, too.

[Jareth d’Aiglemort]

I made my way into the wedding and looked about. To say I felt out of place would have been a vast understatement. Indeed I felt like a fish out of water or perhaps a bug in a jar but this was what it meant to be betrothed to the duchesse Shahrizai and I was rather fond of her to say the least so I would get used to it. I tugged at my collar a bit as it sure seemed hot in there and I scanned about the crowd trying to locate Anacrasia.