Fishing for Dreams

Flopping on the back of the ripped sofa, Binx looked at Klaws who was sleeping. “Borrred,” she caterwauled. He didn’t move even. Binx swiped at him lazily and upped the octave, “Borrrred.” Klaw’s whiskers did not even twitch. “BOOOORRRRED,” she bellowed.

One eye opened as Klaws looked up at her, “So what? You are always bored and hungry.” He thought for a bit. “And I’m always sleepy, but I am also guessing you won’t let me sleep much, now will ya?” His speaking caused her to perk happily. Batting her eyes, she seemed bright-eyed without any evidence of exhaustion. With a slight motion in her direction, he said, “Come here and rub my tummy. It itches.” He wriggled a bit in place and closed both eyes again, “It will give you something to keep yourself busy.” Obviously, he was too lazy to use his own paws.

Binx slipped down and scratched his belly. Klaws purred loudly as his wish was granted, and occasionally, he reached up to give her tummy a soft pat. While scratching, she said, “Dancing?” A small pause, then she said, “Hunting?” She felt annoyed when there was not even a slight twitch of interest from him. Falling silent, she scratched a bit more with a hint of claws. Knowing that silence means nothing good, both of his eyes opened and he examined the situation before jumping up and pouncing her with a mighty “RAWR.”

Pouncing him back playfully, she repeated, “Dancing? Hunting? Play?” While waiting him to answer, she climbed him like a jungle gym.

Dropping to the floor, he rolled about with her and pawed at her tail. “Yes.” Sitting up, he mauled her slightly before licking his paw while looking her over. “Let’s go dance hunting…and you can scratch my tummy some more.” He said it like it was a huge gift.

She pulled to her feet and hopped over his tail like it was a jump rope. “Dance, dance, dance! Wherrrrre?” Klaws shrugged and told her that he did not wish to go to a fancy place – not that either had the clothing for somewhere fancy anyway. Then, without telling her where they were going, he dashed off telling her to race him. Both practically ran over those standing on the first floor of the abandoned fish market as they dashed down the street.

Klaws was momentarily concerned when he seemed to lose her. Retracing his steps, he saw her on the breakwater with a fishing pole. Walking to Binx, he asked, “Have you ever successfully used that thing?” She explained that you simply bagged fish and let them bake in the sun for a few days. With a shake of his head, he tapped the pole. “That thing,” he said indicating the fishing device.

Looking at the fishing pole, Binx mewed, “How hard can it be? You throw string in the water and fish get tangled in it.”

Klaws repeated, “So have you caught anything with it before…and where on Earth did you find it?” He examined the hook to see whether anything was dangling from it, but only found rust.

“I found it on the boat by the fish market,” Binx replied. “And I saw pictures one time long ago…and people use to fish off of the dock back home.” She also looked at the rusty hook. “So, the fish…they get tangled in the string and then, when you pull, you HOOK them!” She smiled fully understanding as she gestured out the explanation.

“Hmm,” said Klaws. “Okay, let’s start with the basics. Number one: You need to LURE the fishy to the hook somehow. And I don’t think they like rust too much, but usually you use bread. Some idiots will use yummy shrimps.” He raised his hands in complete confusion why anyone would waste shrimps. “The other thing is: Have you ever seen fish here? No? They are allllllll deeeeaaaaaadddd!”

Binx whipped the pole around some listening. “You don’t want to eat live ones so dead is good. Especially after they have set in the sun for a few days wrapped in plastic. YUM. We like dead fishies. We can even dry the scales and eat them like potato chips.”

Klaws face-palmed for a moment and patted her rump. “Okay…just curious how the fish will get on the hook if they are dead. Don’t mind me. I will just watch how you do it and pat your rump.” Letting his claws show barely, he raked them over her skin lightly.

Peering in the water, Binx pouted. “Well, if they don’t have fish in the water, then where are they? The diner has square fish. And they were likely caught with bread cause they have bread all over them!” She could feel her plans for fish slipping away and wondered how he learned about fishing.

“Don’t worry, Binx. I will get you fishies.” He scratched her tummy and then her back down to where her tail met her bottom. “Just not out of the water,” Klaws said. “Just like catnip, we will get them with ‘special services.’ All we need to do is find a new dealer, I believe.” Both went silent as they last time they saw the catnip dealer, he was running down the street pretty fast.

Binx furrowed her brow thinking about having no cred or currency. She knew few were worth stealing from. With a shudder she mouthed ‘jobs’, which caused Klaws to blink and paw away the thought. “Jobs are for humans…and dumb people. I have my kitty right here and I don’t need anything else! Just some food…and somewhere to sleep.” He scratched his head and then exclaimed, “Catnip!” Nodding repeatedly, he licked her nose chuckling.

Binx forgot the fishing pole and stretched rubbing against him. “Catnip.” With a soft sigh, she said, “Nothing grows here either.” She looked in the direction of the ferry. “Just me, you, food, sleep, and dancing. And catnip.”

Klaws rubbed his chin over her head, which he only did when he was feeling very protective of her. “We will own this town before the summer is over.” Thinking a bit, he added, “And then…maybe we will have our own torn couch to sleep on!” He nodded once move and kissed her forehead licking her fur clean at the same time.

Binx looked up at him with wide-eyes daring to hope! “Our OWN torn-up couch???” She bit her lower lip and murred against him while he nuzzled. Petting him softly, she cuddled up forgetting all about fishies for a while and focused on the new dream.

Binx and Klaws

((Taken from RP))

Exactly how they came to the city would forever be a point of contention. Each blamed the other and the memory was never the same, but one thing was agreed upon: They had stowed away on the ferry from the mainland, and neither had the money to return. While not use to these streets, the two were use to surviving and so it took little time to find the old fish market. Others like them had started to furnish the abandoned building with a few old, torn sofas, a table, and a make-shift kitty tree. They could smell the scent of others and saw a few come and go, but those never lingered. This was fine as well since both had relied on each other since they were kittens in the foundling kennel.

He sprawled on the sofa while sleeping and had woken Binx from her own slumber by knocking her off her perch on the sofa's back. She landed on her feet and hissed as she swiped at his tail. She was not an early riser by choice and was grumpy. Binx heard someone coming up the steps. “Are you the catnip dealer,” she asked. “If so, you are late,” she continued. The newcomer was not. Binx asked whether he had food or toys. He had neither, which caused her to wonder what good he was. She introduced herself before going back to the lazy sack of fur, who was named Klaws, and pounced him with an exclamation, “Feed me!”

Klaws growled in protest curling up tighter than before. His body language indicated that it was much before “rise and shine” time. With a wriggle of his shoulders, his whiskers relaxed with a deep sigh as he tired to return to his slumber. Binx sat on the back of the sofa and braced herself. She used her feet to slowly press against Klaws’ back to move him off the sofa. “Feed…..me,” she demanded.

Klaws almost fell on his face as he tumbled off the sofa. He landed on his paws and stretched all of his muscles before glaring up at her. “What time is it?” She shrugged telling him it was clearly time to feed her. He stiffened his whiskers and pawed sleepily at her tail. Practically pouting, he grumbled, “You are always hungry.”

Binx lazily swiped at the air above him. Her eyes narrowed seeing he was clearly intending to return to his sleep. “Of course, I am always hungry,” she said. “I’m expecting kittens.” She figured that would wake him up.

Springing to his feet, Klaws beamed, “What? When? Where? How? I thought?” The stranger returned with fresh tuna. He glanced at the stranger and then beamed some more as he turned his full attention to Binx and was wide awake. Klaws asked, “How do you know?”

Binx flicked her tail, “I don’t. I am just hungry. And now that you are up, we can find food.”

Klaws blinked a few times before narrowing his eyes with a growl that would have intimidated most others. He hissed, “You don’t joke around about those things!” He pawed at her tail and yanked it. “Bad kitty!”

Binx yowled as her tail was pulled and turned fast clutching it protectively. Remembering that she wanted to get food, she batted her eyes and perked her whiskers prettily. She suggested, “Fooood? Pancakes? Sharing? Pancakes with strawberries and ice cream.”

The stranger offered fresh tuna. Binx stared at it in bewilderment. Where was the pink mush packed in yummy aromatic oil? She nibbled a piece and thought that it might not be bad if allowed to bake in the sun for a few days. Klaws said to her, “There. Now you should be happy. Can I go back to sleep?”

Binx shook her head and followed Klaws with the second bite of the fresh tuna. “No…here! Sharrrre. Then pancakes.” Klaws ignored the tuna and settled back on his pillow admiring its attributes. Binx chomped the second bite of tuna. Licking her paws, she shrugged, “I guess I will go to the diner all by myself. Alone. And order pancakes by myself. If I make it safely, I’ll have pancakes and bring you back some. Since you are too tired to go with me to protect me.” Her whiskers drooped and she sniffled bravely. She then asked the stranger if he was going in the direction of the diner, but he was clearly not getting involved.

Opening one eye, Klaws grumbled slightly, “You would not be trying to get my sympathy, would you?” He caressed the pillow with one hand and placed the other on the ground as if trying to stand up, but was unsure what to do.

Sounding overly sincere, Binx replied, “Oh goodness no. I know that you will feel secure knowing you did all you could do should I perish getting you pancakes.”

Klaws smirked and slowly got up. “Alright, alright.” After rubbing his eyes until he was awake, he looked at her. “I have like so spoiled you since you were just a little kitty with closed eyes. Let’s go to the diner.” Pawing at her rump and patting it, he motioned to the door, “Now, be a good kitty.”

They walked through the quiet streets to the diner where a mouse-like waitress took their order. Two sets of pancakes with strawberries, ice cream, maple syrup, and whipped cream. Binx noticed the waitress scurried as she ran to fetch the food and reached over to the coffee machine to get the pitcher of cream. She poured two glasses to the brim of the heavy sludge-like cream and gave one to Klaws. The waitress noticed the empty creamer and glared as she sat plates before each of them. Binx perked happily as she mashed the strawberries and ice cream into the pancake after licking most of the whipped cream off. She almost emptied the maple syrup bottle and stirred the syrup into the gooey, pancake-crumbled concoction.

Klaws took big bites of his pancake and balanced the strawberries and ice cream on each piece. He fed her as well between bites and licked the whipped cream from her lips. “This isn’t bad actually,” he exclaimed. He ate hastily and took the bites she offered him in return. He watched her as she fed him another bite. With a drink of the cream, he said, “You are not really expecting kittens, right?”
She nodded, “Right. I teasssssssed you to wake you up.” She bounced slightly eating more of her sweet pancake almost as quickly as he did. Seeing his ears flatten, she gave him an extra big bite as a consolation prize and attempted a subject change. “This is a way good idea. I thought we were too broke to buy pancakes!”

Klaws looked momentarily uncomfortable when she mentioned the broke issue. He gave her a very scolding look when the waitress looked away. Shushing her with a whisper and finger to his lips, he continued to devour the pancakes even faster than before her comment. Taking his lead, she also picked up the pace and ate happily while sharing bites until it was all gone. Finishing her cream, she noticed the creamer was now out of reach. The creamers to go were still there and she dumped the sealed creamer shots into her pack.

Gunfire was outside of the diner and someone staggered through the door collapsing onto the floor. “OH NO,” yelled Klaws. “We need to help him! Call 911! Call the fire department! Get help quick!” The waitress quirked slightly and focused on the man on the ground while Binx and Klaws dashed through the door and down the street.

Blood

Brit thought often about the blood. It’s bright crimson color that contrasted dramatically when touching skin. There was a sublime pleasure that she had come to desire found only within Ethan’s feedings. Each varied in the intensity of the bite. The sounds that she could hear when his fangs punctured her skin and sank into an artery or vein caused her heart to quicken or her body to relax. She could hear her blood leaving her body as he drank from her. Sometimes it sounded like a geyser and other times a soft drip. At times, the occasional dizziness came to her quickly whereas other times she would grow dizzy when she stood or moved too fast.

Then there was the coldness that she had come to expect. Sometimes, like the dizziness, the coldness would almost overwhelm her as he drank and, during other times, it would overtake her slowly and stay with her for hours. She liked the way his cool tongue would warm while they kissed, but when she thought of him, she never thought of the coldness. It never occurred to her that his warmth when resting was absorbed from her body heat. When awake, he used vitae to warm himself when he knew she was cold. The warmth of a loving heart replaced the physical warmth that one would have with another who was mortal.

She thought of his blood that was smeared on her lips in the guise of kisses. The metallic taste that registered along with a surge of awareness and strength caused her to feel stronger and think more clearly. When Grr asked her to push him in the library, he found himself lying on the floor stunned. Brit giggled at his startled expression and his laughter afterwards, but she knew then that she was stronger. It was not just imagined. Ethan’s blood caused her to be better both physically and mentally. She was faster, could see better and, unbeknownst to her, she healed faster which allowed him to feed on her more often.

Lately, blood had seemed to be a part of their daily lives. The reason was not because they lived where the streets ran red with blood regularly. There were many reasons: His needs based on his nature, and hers based on her health and desires. The new changes within their relationship yielded a need to share of one another. Brit was not surprised to see blood coating her hand in the evening after she woke. Ethan had dressed and already left their resting place. She opened her coloring book and drew an apple in blood on page 4 and thought of the night before while watching it dry.

A Canoodle Trap

((Taken from Rp)

Upon walking into the library, Brit was greeted by Aleksei who asked, “How are things? Ethan still wonderful and all that?” Brit beamed with a warm glance to her wedding ring, and told her that Ethan was quite well albeit a bit unhappy with his tailor over her new dress showing far too much décolleté’. Aleksei frowned, “Decol…Décolleté? Aleksei is not sure what this is.” Brit ran her fingers down her chest between her breasts illustrating the word. Following the gesture, Aleksei gave Brit a wide smile, “Ah, Aleksei understands now. Perhaps it is understandable why Ethan is upset, and yet it is not unusual for even married women to show certain amounts of well..skin.” Aleksei understood Brit’s explanation of Ethan being old fashioned about such matters. Adjusting her hat, Aleksei cleared her throat and stated, “But…Aleksei also does not wish to show skin. It is her mission to be a good soldier, not a distraction, yah? Unless certain situations call for distraction…but even then, Aleksei brings change for the clothing.”

Brit processed for but a moment before asking Aleksei to show her the clothing. Looking a bit disconcerted, Aleksei gave an awkward smile. “Well, yah, Aleksei might have a few pieces available for to show. They are meant for to make male targets more…how you say…vulnerable…to a stealthy attack.” It took Brit a moment before her eyes widened with understanding and she gasped, “Cause they think you want to canoodle with them?”

Aleksei raised a brow and wrinkled her nose saying, “Canned noodles? WHY would Aleksei buy expensive, revealing clothes for to give canned noodle, comrade?” Giggling, Brit explained, “No, no. CA-noodle. Like snuggles an kisses…and things like that.” Brit then added, “Ethan likes canoodling.”

Looking up to the ceiling in concentration as if storing the word in her mental records, Aleksei nods. “Ca-noodle. Yah, this is what Aleksei makes does the wearing of the clothes for, to make the male think there will be this ca-noodling.” Crossing her arms, Aleksei smiled wide and continued, “But Aleksei never ca-noodles. She has no need for the silly affections that were weakness in mortal life.” Brit was quite sure that she would not want to live forever without canoodling and she wanted to see the clothes that were meant for canoodling! After a few minutes, Aleksei agreed to show Brit what clothing she had to show. Together, they went to the second floor of the library. As they arrived, Aleksei said, “Your father kills little Aleksei for this. But, if it works for Aleksei, it works for Bridgette…and who knows when the noodle clothes come in the handy, yah?” Brit nodded slowly and followed wide-eyed. After all, Brit thought, “Ethan might like canoodle clothing.”

Aleksei went to change. Brit heard, “One more second, comrade. Aleksei seems to have gained a few pounds.” Brit asked over the bookcase, “How did you learn what makes others want canoodling?” Aleksei peeked around the corner looking confused why such a question would be asked, “Aleksei was trained, of course.” Brit asked, “You were trained to canoodle?” Shaking her head, Aleksei stepped out from behind the bookshelf looking uncomfortable, “No, they train Aleksei to make men think she will be ca-noodling with them.”

Brit wondered if Aleksei meant they showed her how to pretend, but she blinked seeing her friend dressed so very different. Aleksei was wearing a tight, skimpy uniform-style outfit. Brit exclaimed, “Wow…Aleksei….you are so way beautiful! Clothes like that make people want to canoodle?” Aleksei gave an awkward salute and stood as still as stone while Brit looked her over. Aleksei explained, "Aleksei…um…she still likes to wear some sort of uniform, even when seducing. You see?” Aleksei explained that clothing to seduce should compliment one’s own personal features and make their shape very well known. Brit understood, but it seemed counter-intuitive to what Ethan felt regarding his tailor. Processing more, Brit realized the rules change for when one was alone with her beloved.

It did not take long for a suggestion to go to the theatre to the old costume room. There Aleksei stood guard while Brit looked through the rack. She ignored the dress made solely of straps and also the uniform costume much like Aleksei wore. The conversation pondered something flowy or something tight. Brit mused over what she knew Ethan seemed to like. Dresses seemed to be preferred, and Brit settled on something blue made of velvet and lace. A skirt of sorts. Familiar fabric with a different design. After ensuring that the area was secure, Aleksei relaxed and inspected Brit’s find. “Well,” Aleksei said, “It is definitely ca-noodle clothes, but a bit dusty, yah?” They decided that Brit would try it on after she soaked the dust out.

Aleksei continued with her lesson, “Aleksei compliments the man….makes notice of…everything attractive about him. And even lies, giving credit to certain features that aren’t attractive. This attention makes them more open for such things.” Brit told Aleksei that lying to Ethan would make him unhappy. After a second thought of Ethan’s prettiness, Brit knew she would have no reason to lie. Seeing the shoes Brit selected, Aleksei chuckled, “Well, little Aleksei thinks you are getting the idea, comrade Bridgette. You may have more ca-noodling ahead of you than you can handle, yah?”

Brit listened to what Aleksei had to say. She clarified, “So you just say, ‘your hair is pretty.’ Or ‘your eyes are way nice.’ Or ‘I like your bites’?” Aleksei nodded, “Yah…and maybe say how you wish to interact with each pretty part. Like…your hair is so soft and silky, we wishes to run fingers through it. Or, lips are so red and delicious-looking, we wishes for to kiss them til we can kiss no more. This makes the sense?” Brit blinked as she processes and her eyes widened as she exclaimed, “OOOH, that is a nice thing to say!” Brit ensured that she made note of it. Aleksei counted off on her fingers, “Appreciation, attention, action. The three A’s of Assassina…er…ca-noodling.” Brit bounced thinking she understood it perfectly while Aleksei watched with amusement at Bridgette’s innocent joy at the strange translation of her own dark and deadly training. Aleksei said, “This…is good, comrade. You learn faster than even little Aleksei. Sure you’re not a soldier in there somewhere?” Aleksei laughed as Brit crossed her heart and promised that there was not.

Aleksei shuttled Brit back to the library teasing that she may have created a canoodle monster. Brit set to cleaning the outfit as Aleksei watched. After a while, Lorne came into the library. Aleksei marched over to Lorne and saluted him as she exchanged some reports. Lorne noticed Brit pulling a silk stocking out of water and placing it on the fireplace to dry. Another garment soon joined causing the fireplace to resemble a Hanoi hootchie camp. Crossing his arms, Lorne asked, “Brit, what are you doing?” Brit replied, “Washing my canoodling trap.” Lorne raised an eyebrow and Brit started to explain. Aleksei saw her work with Brit was completed for the evening and made her way to the door. Quickly.

Western Traditions

After the wedding, Ethan and Brit invited others to the Haven to share in a drink and perhaps dance. Changes in the environment of the city caused many to seek shelter shortly after they arrived and prompted the couple to retire to their resting place. Ethan brushed off his mantle as they arrived. He finally had time to thoroughly admire her prettiness in her wedding finery. Her fingers touched his new pendant, which mirrored the one she usually wore, just before kissing him softly. He ran his hand over the exposed skin along her neck and made his way to her locket. Opening it, he looked upon the pictures before beaming at her. “Now, the dress is beautiful, but you cannot stay in it forever,” he said as he tugged one of her gloves moving it slowly down to her elbow tracing the skin beneath prior to removing it.

Ethan removed her other glove and told her that everything was perfect about her. Her reflection on the promises exchanged at the church gave way to noticing how his fingers left a trail of gooseflesh on her skin. Walking behind her, he unbuttoned her gown noting that she moved her hair aside. The gown slid off her body along with the layers of petticoats and ribbon-covered hoop, and he placed all neatly aside. She helped remove his bowtie. The rustle of fabric mixed with kisses was the only sound heard. Once his jacket and shirt were gone, Ethan laid Brit on the plush white fur rug in their resting spot and smoothed her Victorian undergown arranging it pleasingly before slowly resuming his caresses of her body between angel-kisses.

The vision of her lying on the rug reminded him of her wedding vow to be buxom and bonny. The latter, he felt, she personified without trying. ‘Buxom’ caused him to smile. With Brit’s petite frame, he could not visualize her being too ample of figure, but the archaic definition of ‘lively, vivacious, and gay’ fit her as did the obsolete definition of ‘obedient, yielding and pliant.’ He crumpled her under gown as he kissed her softly and enjoyed that each kiss was returned. Her senses were enhanced from the shared drink of their mingled blood during the ceremony. Brit’s hand loosened his hair and she enjoyed the way it framed his face. Ethan’s fingers caressed her hair splayed on the ground and pondered what he had learned in his religious studies regarding marriage.

Technically speaking, consummation in the marriage referred to its actual beginning, with an official ceremony of the wedding, witnesses to the event, and a public announcement of the act. In some Western traditions, a marriage was not considered a binding contract until and unless it had been consummated. Within the Catholic Church, a marriage that had not yet been consummated, regardless of the reason could be dissolved by a Pope or could be grounds for annulment. Of course, this involved laws between mortals. Ethan was unsure what exactly cemented the deal when one was such as him.

He refocused on his bride laying half beneath him and bit down on his lower lip creating small puncture wounds on it. Two drops of blood barely pooled and he drug his lip over hers brushing against them. Brit touched his hair and whispered a soft offer, “Bite my lips a little. So you can taste my blood too.” Ethan hinted a smile, and drug the point of his pendant still hanging around his neck to her blood-painted lisps piercing them slightly. She gasped blinking as sudden tears sprung up from the unexpected pain. While the piercing of her lip was not entirely unpleasant, she did not expect the sharpness. As quickly as the pain came, it went. The only lingering reminder of any pain was the star-shaped that her wet lashes had from soaking up the momentary tears.

Seeing the tears, Ethan said softly, “Aww. Tears?” His voice whispered comfortingly, “No, no.” He kissed each eye before smearing her blood to mix with his, and then he kissed her deeply. With each light taste of his blood, Brit's mind became more clear, and it made her feel closer to him.

The Wedding

((Taken from Rp))

After escorting her into the church, Ethan and Brit lit a candle at the door together. Brit’s shaking hand was steadied with his. She focused intently on lighting the candle while Ethan stole quick looks at her. Many had come to join them and both wondered how so many knew so quickly. Hild, Gweneth, Omega, Nikita, Larissa, Lorne, Pieter, Kishi, Kytara, Merma, Poncho, Katinka, Nicholette, Sinco, Carlos, Arcann, Komali, Xelion, Pix, Tony, Spirit, Kaya, Tanika, Choi, and Jon were there to bear witness. Brit clasped Ethan’s arm tighter not use to having so many watch her and she struggled against the distraction of so many near. Even so, she wished Ellie, Vlad, and Denny could have been there.

Ethan walked down the aisle with Brit on his arm. Continuing to steal glances at her, he whispered, “You are stunning.” It never occurred to Brit how many set aside their differences to be there for their wedding. She smiled to their friends as she passed them as she walked to the front of the church where Stacy stood. Ethan gave Stacy two rings, which she held in her right hand and said, “It is the right hand of God that blesses, to the right that Christ ascended, and to the right that those who inherit life eternal will ascend. Blessed are these metal symbols, given by me unto you to prove among any observers true faith, concord, love, and that in marriage the weakness of one will be compensated by the strength of the other. There is perfection within a union of imperfections.” Brit’s hand tightened on Ethan’s as she listened.

Stacy’s right hand seemed to gleam brightly as she prayed, “Welcome these witnesses forgiving them of their transgression this day of blessed unity. Two souls bonded in unwavering union protected here until come judgment. Amen.” Ethan took Brit’s hand entwining her fingers and gave her a comforting squeeze. Stacy continued, “Welcome witnesses. Ye are truly blessed to witness a holy union granted in the gift of free will. God’s gift to mankind.” Stacy pulled from her pocket a small coloring book and opened it to take a small piece of paper. Looking from the paper to the audience, she said, “This book given as a gift to me possesses an excerpt from which I will read. This excerpt will have special meaning unto these two as they take their steps into union.”

Brit listened carefully to each word along with Ethan. Reading from the book, Stacy’s voice filled the church. “’What is Real?’ asked the Rabbit one day, when lying side by side near the nursery fender before Nana came to tidy the room. ‘Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?’ ‘Real isn’t how you are made,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘It is a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long long time, not just to play with but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.’ ‘Does it hurt?’ asked the Rabbit. ‘Sometimes,’ said the Skin Horse for he was always truthful. ‘When you are real, you don’t mind being hurt. It doesn’t happen all at once. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get all loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.’” Outside, gunfire blazed, but neither Ethan or Brit heard anything except for the unusual reading from the Velveteen Rabbit.

Stacy placed the tattered book and the paper back into her pocket. Looking from Ethan to Brit, she smiled before looking up at the audience. “Dearly beloved. We are gathered here in the sight of God to join together this Man and this Woman in Holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate instituted by God in Paradise, and into which holy estate these two person present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can show any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together by God’s Law, or the Laws of the Realm, let him speak now, or else hereafter forever hold their piece.” The crowd grew quieter as eyes shifted about. One scratched her ear while another narrowed his eyes. Merma chuckled thinking that someone would have to be suicidal to object.

Ethan took Brit’s hands in his and looked directly to her. He mouthed, “You are beautiful” causing her to beam up at him. Stacy refocused on the couple, “I require and charge you both as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed that if either of you know any impediment why ye may not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, that ye confess it. For ye be well assured that so many as be coupled together otherwise than God’s word doth allow are not joined together by God; neither is their Matrimony lawful.” Both Ethan and Brit smiled at each other and then to Stacy feeling completely at peace with what they are doing.

Stacy smiled at the couple, then asked, “Ethan, wilt thou have this Woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her in sickness and in health; and forsake all others, keep thee only unto her until judgment and divine wrath cometh upon this Earth?” Looking directly into Brit’s eyes, he responded to Stacy with a simple and meaningful “I do” as another smile hinted on his lips. Pausing, Stacy asked Brit, “Ms. Brit, wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him until judgment and wrath up this Earth cometh?” Processing each word, she smiled up to Ethan and lisped, “I will” as she gave his hands a tight squeeze.

Stacy directed Ethan take Brit’s hand and repeat after her. His voice was clear as he said, “I Ethan take thee, Brit, to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse. For richer or for poorer, for fairer or fouler, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until judgment cometh, according to God’s holy ordinance, and there unto I plight thee my troth.” Several noted that Ethan did not blink once. With a nod, Stacy had Brit repeat after her. Brit lisped repeating each word slowly and ensuring that she said each and every one, “I Brit take thee Ethan to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to be bonny and buxom at bed and at board, to love and to cherish until judgment cometh, according to God’s holy ordinance and thereunto I plight thee my troth.” Ethan actually blinked at part of the plight and squeezed Brit’s hands slightly.

Bowing her head, Stacy said, “Let us pray. Bless these rings, O merciful Lord, that those who wear them, that give and receive them, may be ever faithful to one another, remain in your peace, and live and grow old together in your love, under their own vine and fig tree, and seeing their children’s children. Amen.” Ethan quirked slightly at the last part of the prayer. Stacy gave each one of the rings to give to the other. Ethan placed his ring onto Brit’s finger repeating after Stacy, “With this ring, I thee wed; and with my body, I thee honor; and with all my worldly goods, I thee endow. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” With the last word, he slowly slid the ring onto Brit’s finger before looking up to her with the triumphant expression of a 10-year old after his first kiss. Brit then repeated the same vow as she slid a ring onto Ethan’s finger. She could not resist bouncing slightly as it settled in place and her smile mirrored his happiness.

Both knelt as Stacy placed her hands on their foreheads and said, “Let us pray.. O Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life; Send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name; + that, as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made, whereof this Ring given and received is a token and pledge, and may ever hereafter remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy laws; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Those whom God hath joined together let no existence put asunder. Amen." Removing her hands, both stood. Opening her arms in a wide embrace, Stacy addressed the audience. “For as much as Ethan and Brit have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce therefore that they be Man and Wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

A chorus of Amens could be heard from the crowd, including a few who had not ever said it before. Facing one another again, Stacy said, “May God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit bless, preserve and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you; and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so life together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting.” Someone whispered, “Blessed be. Amen.” With a warm smile, Stacy said, “Let now this union be witnessed by all present as now. Ethan, you may kiss your bride, and go forth from this house forever your union in grace.” Ethan did not need to be prompted twice and very slowly pulled Brit to him placing her hand where his heart was located. Then he pulled her even closer lifting her up for one single sweet kiss. Their lips barely touched before it turned into a more lingering kiss.

After the kiss, Stacy said, “As these two conclude, there is a request f a ceremony of common cup. Let all witness to look upon.” Ethan picked up the chalice and took his necklace to use the point to cut his wrist slightly dropping blood into the goblet. He then guided Brit’s fingers to do the same with her wrist. Guiding the cup to her lips, words are heard, “My blood, your blood, our blood…unites as one.” She sipped from the cup while watching him the entire time. He drank the rest and whispered, “Mine” before putting the chalice down and walked her back down the aisle and out of the church. Pausing a moment, an invitation was given to all to celebrate their union with music and drink.

Going to the Chapel

Ethan watched her leave and then made his way to the church. He had planned every detail of the wedding except for inquiring whether Stacy would officiate. The memory of his first encounter with the archangel gave reason to feel a bit anxious. Still, Brit cared a great deal for her and he wanted all to be perfect. From the small gathering outside of the church, he was directed to Stacy within. Ethan paused a moment seeing his chylder waiting. Gweneth had arrived quickly, which pleased him. He nodded to both Stacy and Gweneth in greeting, but turned to Stacy and said, “There is a matter I wish to discuss with you and ask your assistance in.” Stacy granted that he could pose his request. Ethan continued, “I know Brit confides in you. And you are amongst His followers and are one of uncrushable faith. I wanted to ask you to perform a different kind of union ritual. A wedding, if you will. But somewhat adjusted to the nature of both involved.”

Stacy looked Ethan over. Rather than seeming arrogant as he had in the past when he encountered her, he stood there seeming quite anxious looking at her with big eyes while waiting for her response. Stacy pondered for a moment, her eyes shifting from the book in front of her to Ethan. She said, “I will do as you ask of me, taking into consideration your nature, and my own as well.”

Ethan felt that things were coming together. He said, “I do appreciate that and know you will find the best way possible to combine both our natures..with respect for what is different but keeping the heart of the blessing itself untouched.” Gweneth hinted a grin as she listened. Stacy responded, “It is seen in this world as a blessing but, to the Father, it is what it is: a union. Two souls bonded for as long as they both shall live, a mortal soul mating.”

After ensuring that the church would be kept safe during the ceremony and advising that a few of his kin would be joining as witnesses, he excused himself to greet Gweneth and prepare for the ceremony that was to start within the hour, which is the time he had given Brit to prepare.

Meanwhile, Omega and Larissa had their hands full assisting Brit who was bouncing from one area to another as they struggled to dress her. Omega was not surprised to see such garments as what was pulled from the trunk. Ethan had not selected the more modern versions, but rather authentic fashions of a much earlier era. It took a moment to sort each item after removing the tissue that cushioned each against wrinkling during transport.

First, Brit slid on the silk stockings that were almost opaque. Omega remembered when the sheerness were scandalous for the day and assisted Brit to connect each stocking to the antiquated garter that tied it in place. The pantalets were cut to fit Brit perfectly, and the brushed Egyptian cotton was edged with an icing of lace that dripped over each stocking-covered knee. Larissa tried to keep Brit’s focus while Omega tied on the first layer of petticoats. Again, yards of lace-edged, brushed cotton that tied prettily around Brit’s waist followed by a pretty ribbon-covered hoop petticoat frame only to be topped with yet another full petticoat. Both Larissa and Omega struggled to adjust each layer while Brit nearly danced in place. The gown settled over Brit and both helpers hushed for a moment. Omega commented on how pretty she looked and praised Ethan’s taste in clothing as well as brides. Larissa took hold of Brit’s hands to attempt to keep her in one spot as Omega buttoned the tiny buttons on the back of the gown. Excited chatter filled the room as one secured Brit’s crown of flowers and the other tried to find her feet to slide the slippers in place. The last thing item worn was the locket given to her by Denny and Viviane.

Larissa arranged Brit’s hair until it was perfect. “You are lovely, little girl.” Swallowing hard, Omega said, “Denny wanted to be here…but he will be very happy for you, I know.” She watched Brit flounce and twirl. “You look…so beautiful, Brit,” Omega told her as she fought back some emotions. “You really are a princess now,” Omega said. Taking Brit’s hands, Omega smiled to her, “The perfect bride.” She gave Brit a final look-over and said, “I know Ethan picked this out, but I think seeing you dressed in it will quit undo him.”

Larissa lengthened her own lovely dress with a snap of her fingers. Omega had already dressed for the wedding. Friday night rabble-rousers shot at each other down the street. “If they shoot my dress, Ethan will be way upset,” lisped Brit. Ethan was waiting at the door of the church with a bouquet in his hands. He stopped pacing and seemed speechless when he saw Brit. Omega said with a flourish, “Ethan, may I present your bride.” Omega walked up the steps and kissed Ethan’s cheek whispering, “A little more notice would have been nice.” Nodding to Omega respectfully, he regained his voice and said to both Larissa and Omega, “I think you both truly for bringing her to me.” Stepping forward, he took Brit’s hand and offered the bouquet. Larissa followed Omega inside. Ethan stared at her as if to burn her into his memory. He slowly kissed her hand and placed it on the crook of his arm, and then he walked her into the church.