Finally, a place stranger than his office!

[itdruid]

Strange things happening around an office filled with magical beings is the norm in Mordred's life. Every day he deals with with magic users, vampires, and landlines in a bag (that call God, no less), so opening a door and finding something unexpected on the other side isn't really a shock. Or it shouldn't be, but a multi-dimensional hub is far outside even the young man's definition of "normal".

Instead of stepping into an unused office supposedly filled with the missing supplies he needs, he finds himself stepping out onto a chilly street along the Plaza. Mordred blinks a few times as he takes in his surroundings (including a-- Captain America PSA?), silently thanks the Goddess he's actually wearing a sweater while he looks around the area, and then makes his way over to the pamphlets to check one out. It's not the most helpful reading material, but it's enough that he looks slightly less nervous once he's worked up the nerve to ask a question as instructed.

"So, I-- This might not be the best first question to ask of strangers, but..." The druid's cheeks flush as he tugs at the bottom of his sweater, his fingers worrying the hem as he gathers his thoughts. "My fiancé and I are getting married soon, and a-a friend of ours-- his sister, actually... Well, she's planning everything-- for us, but I feel like I should contribute something." He frowns thoughtfully for a moment, then sighs heavily. "If you could add-- anything you wanted to a wedding, what would it be? Anything I should-- avoid, at the very least?"

Comments

[craftyredfox]

"Now for me... I would be downright grateful to not have any responsibilities. Someone else wants the work and stress? Just let them take it."

The reply comes from a talking fox, that has approached where Mordred stands. Nick is short, by human standards, as he only stands about 4 feet tall. Definitely looks like he is used to walking and standing on his hide legs. Dressed in human attire.

"As for a wedding..." Nick twitches and ear. And smiles. Thinking of Judy. "I would want anything that made the bride. Or husband. Or whomever you are marrying. Happy."

[itdruid]

A talking, fox? That's unusual, but oddly not the first talking animal he's met. Mordred tilts his head curiously as he looks down at the creature, nodding along with the advice.

"Well, my husband will be happy with whatever-- happens at the wedding. He just wants to get married." The druid smiles shyly at the fox, his cheeks flushing a little as he thinks about his soon-to-be husband. "I want to help at least a little, but I don't have anything to offer. O-other than asking for a chocolate cake."

[craftyredfox]

"My advice is to ask your planner to make it simple then. If you both just want to be married... save your money for your household needs in the future. Instead of a one-time event." Nick is solid in financial advice. For a fox.

"There are a few good bakeries in the Nexus. You might be able to get a pretty special chocolate cake right here."

[starryeyedangel]

There were always people coming and going. At one time Astaroth would have stopped and watched each and every one of them. He has hobbies, of sorts, now that occupied his time. He's striding across the plaza, blue skin with the shifting black oilslick wings, and he's tall. Two foot taller than most, almost four foot taller if one looks at the tops joint of his wings rather than his body height.

The question catches his attention and he answers as he stops without missing a beat. Deep twilight colored eyes turning downward. "Shooting stars. It answers both questions."

[itdruid]

...this is not the kind of angel or demon Mordred is used to dealing with. His mouth hangs open a little as he looks up at Astaroth, not exactly sure what to make of someone who's so imposing. This will be an interesting thing to explain to his fiancé later.

"Shooting stars? I thought-- they were good omens?" He's never heard of them being bad omens, at the least.

[starryeyedangel]

While Astaroth is tall, he is also waifish. He's looking curiously at the human, intrigued for the moment.

He laughs at the question. "They are romantic in the sky but they do hit the ground sometimes. That would definitely ruin a wedding if a meteor fell on it."

[silverseamariner]

"Hello, lad." The Lord Mariner looks at the newcomer quizzically. "That's a good question you have. It depends on a few things - what you and your partner are looking for, what you like, what kind of party you're expecting. Whether it's a roarer or a quiet sort of affair with you and some close family and friends. Those sorts of questions are good for planning."

skekSa scratches her fuzzy neck, sure that answer's just confusing the human. She's working from Sifan culture and the weddings her clan holds, which she hopes aren't too different from human ones. There's a lot about humans she doesn't know.

"But there are a few things everyone reasonably expects at a party. Food. Wine. Song. Dancing and flowers, maybe - I figure wedding traditions on whichever planet you're from aren't that different from the ones on mine. I've presided over a few in my time. Gelflings sometimes choose a site to marry that's special to them and their clan. Many Sifa choose to marry at sea, on board the Omerya, or at the home port of Cera-Na."

[itdruid]

Mordred blinks a few times as he parses through all of this information. There is a lot here, on top of skekSa being a lot on her own. He's used to all kind of magical creatures, but he can't say he's ever seen or met someone like this before today.

"I-- Well, yes, there'll be traditional-- things there already. It's going to be a big event with lots of food and in a beautiful garden outside a local church. Everyone will get dressed up and have a nice dinner before dancing and the like." Mordred smiles nervously. "I don't have much of a say in anything, though, because I don't-- have any ideas to add. The food and cake are covered, the garden is good for my heritage and my fiancé's, but it's still someone-- else making all this happen for us. It's... helpful, but I feel odd about it."

[silverseamariner]

For her part, skekSa's grown more used to the presence of humans. They're interesting creatures, although she has a lot of questions. They aren't native to the planet where she comes from.

"Somebody's helping you? I figured that from your description. It's the same for weddings back where I come from, too. Earth and Thra aren't so different, it seems." She takes off her hat, formally introducing herself. "skekSa, Lord Mariner - though I prefer Captain skekSa, myself. It's good to meet you, lad. Reckon you're not a familiar face, and I figure you've never met a skeksis. Welcome to the Nexus then."

[coldsong]

Have a long, thoughtful look from a tall individual in green and gold.

"My own wedding," Loki asks, "or someone else's?"

It makes a big difference. Answer wisely.

[itdruid]

Oh. Uh, that does seem important to mention. Mordred's cheeks flush bright pink as he looks up at Loki and continues to fidget with the hem of his sweater.

"F-for yours, I think. I want to know-- what people want to do at their own weddings. O-or have done. Or, ah... well, you understand, right?" Goddess, he's not usually this flustered but this question caught him completely off guard. Something about this person also feels imposing to the young druid, so it's incredibly difficult to stay calm.

[knightgallant]

This man looks exactly like Mordred, which has the knight curious and moving a bit closer to the small knot of people already gathered around the druid and answering his question. After listening to Mordred speak and taking in his style of dress, it’s easy enough to tell that this person isn’t the the same man as the knight he’s familiar with. With his own wedding on the horizon, though, Galahad feels compelled to offer the man what help he can. Maybe he can learn something from the conversation, too?

“I can’t speak as well to a modern wedding,” the knight admits, “but I would think it important to ensure that there will be plenty of time to be with the one you love both during and after the ceremony.”

[itdruid]

Mordred's eyes widen when Galahad steps forward, and he can't help the way he reaches out as he asks, "Galeas? Did you follow-- me?"

But-- no, that's... not right. This man doesn't dress or speak like his fiancé, and there's no way Galeas would have followed him, changed his entire look (including the way he keeps his hair and face??), and then answered his question. The druid's cheeks flush as he takes back his hand so he can immediately begin fidgeting with the hem of his shirt again. What's happening here??

"S-sorry, I-- You--" Goddess, he can barely breathe as he tries to figure out who this man in front of him is and why he's not his fiancé. Apparently he's finding a new high bar for strange today. "You have good advice, but who-- are you...?"

[chiron_survivor]

Adia is passing through the Plaza, her kneazle Anastasia trotting at her heels. With spring approaching, she's trying to fit in one last round of research in the Grand Library before gardening completely takes over her free time.

The question gives her pause, as it's something she can relate to easily. She looks over at the nervous young man and smiles sympathetically. "My best friend did nearly the same thing for my wedding. I didn't mind, honestly, planning a wedding is a lot of little decisions that I didn't feel like making, but, um... well, is there anything you feel very strongly about that you want there? For me it was the flowers. Orange tulips have a lot of meaning for me and my husband."

[itdruid]

Ah, someone else who's been through this. Thank the Goddess. Mordred spares Her a brief prayer and smiles at the woman as she approaches, grateful to get advice from someone who's been where he has in the past.

"A chocolate cake for me and my fiancé. Our cake has to be chocolate." His cheeks flush a little at how quickly that came out and he quickly turns his attention to worrying the hem of his sweater again. "That's taken-- care of already, though. I'm not sure what else is even important at weddings. My mother never married, and most of my friends are unmarried, so I've only been to-- a couple weddings in my lifetime. Other than food and dressing up, I don't have any-- clue what there is to think about. How do people bring in things they feel strongly about?"

[risenintothevoid]

Uh-oh. Marriage? Talk about something that Aegis-9 knows very little about. The Exo hesitates, trying to look as though she has the slightest clue what such a thing would entail. It doesn't really work. "Uh. Don't let anyone give any speeches longer than a short nap?"

What? It's not as though she hates speeches, they're just... boring. Get to the good stuff.

Metal fingers drum against her armored thigh as she thinks. "Do weddings usually involve duels? Because that could be fun."

[itdruid]

That first part is actually pretty good. Some of the people he and his fiancé work with can be very long winded if given the chance, so giving everyone a time limit is a smart idea. They might have to make an exception for a few of their guests, but they can work that out later.

But that last part is... worrying. Mordred blinks in surprise, his mouth hanging open slightly. "Why would anyone duel at a wedding?!" Is someone going to profess their love for either him or his husband at the last moment, and try to steal one of them away? Are old tempers or feuds going to flare and cause opposing sides to pull out weapons at their wedding? Are they going to cause some sort of incident because they want to get married?! The druid's face pales a little as a few more spiraling thoughts and questions pop up in his head.

"I really hope no one tries that at our wedding," he says softly. "I think the woman planning our wedding might kill anyone who tried." Which seems-- well, he doesn't think "very bad" covers how terrible it would be to kill someone in the garden of a church when one of the grooms works directly for God.

[sonof_mogh]

Worf had married once to his mate, Jadzia, who had sadly been murdered a few months back. But the wedding? That had been something and in true Klingon style all traditions had to be followed, even if they were outdated to other species. Looking at the man, the Klingon offered him his usual strong stare as he spoke.

"Perhaps you could add a Bat'leth tournament after the vows have been shared. A test of strength between both your houses is considered honourable among my kind. Avoid any kind of singing unless it is opera. This always goes well at a wedding."

This is Worf's advice for the stranger.

[itdruid]

A tournament is probably not the best of ideas for his own situation, but Mordred can appreciate where Worf is coming from. Given both grooms' heritage, it would've made a lot of sense to hold some sort of Medieval style tourney a few centuries ago. Or even now, if either of them were into that or there wasn't the concern that their coworkers would use it as an excuse to kill each other. Best not to cause some sort of scene in the office by allowing that to happen.

"Opera?" The idea is so unexpected that Mordred has to ask. "Is opera a favorite kind of music for your people? It's not-- the usual fare at weddings or parties where I'm from."

[guitar_voodoo]

It was a nice day so Mick was walking towards the shops on his usual route to stock up on pickles and other salty snacks since Ziggy's townhouse was running low. At least this gave the guitarist some time outside of the recording studio to stretch his legs and an opportunity to meet new people. This new person looked human enough and was asking a question about weddings.

"Oh---hello, mate. Nice to meet a new face around here. Good question that. I'd probably have a nice band playing, preferably rock, a good buffet afterwards and lots of booze. That's what I'd add anyway."

Mick being a rock star himself he did have preferences to weddings and the like, even though he'd not been to many himself. This bloke was getting married, which was nice in itself. As for things to avoid? That got Mick's face morphing into a concentrated frown.

"Things to avoid? I'd say long speeches and the like. They can sometimes bore the guests stupid. I don't know what else to avoid."

Megatron (mass displaced to ~7' because he's wandering around town watching strangers again)

[adpacempertyrannidem]

"Personally, I don't think you can have a bonding ceremony without poetry," Megatron says idly. "But I would think that, wouldn't I, being a poet? I would also think that it would depend upon the requirements of your culture, your religion and the local laws."

He takes a drink of coolant out of his flask.

"This is how it goes in my culture. In order to become conjunx endurae, there are four acts which must be completed. First there is the act of intimacy: you go somewhere that feels safe, somewhere with memories the two of you have shared, and engage in an act of intimacy involving sustained physical contact. How physical is up to the parties concerned, and also somewhat determined by the nature of the place they choose to declare themselves. I wouldn't for instance recommend interfacing in a public park, but what you do in an actual wilderness is between you and the local wildlife. Then there's the act of disclosure, in which you tell your intended personal truths, usually secrets, which are meant to be kept between the two of you, things that do not paint you in the best light...and hopefully, they reciprocate. The act of profference follows, which is the giving of a gift. The last act is an act of devotion from the respondent--an act which proves that the person is willing and able to commit. This is sometimes a personal sacrifice, but more commonly a promise. Once all four acts are complete, you're married.

"Now, you've probably noticed that all four of these acts can be completed in private, and that's not an accident. In my culture, people aren't married by a third party, they marry themselves to each other. At some points in our history there have been city or state registries where marriages could be recorded; however, it was not uncommon for them to refuse to recognise marriages between individuals of different social classes or castes. Many people choose to have a party to celebrate the bonding after the fact, particularly when there isn't a way to make it official, although elaborate parties are also given among the upper classes. So for us, it's whatever the individuals concerned would like for themselves."

[dontpetmeibite]

"Honestly," says Ravage, "I'm just relieved that my friends are taking care of all of this for me. We're already conjunxes, but all of our people have decided we have to make a big public deal out of this. Esmeral's planning all the refreshments and decorations, Misfire and Laserbeak gave us our capes, Megatron wrote us a poem...I'm so overwhelmed by everything else going on in our lives that I don't have a clue.

"Plus, Soundwave and I believed for so long that we'd never be allowed to get married that we never really even thought about what kind of celebration we'd like."

He sighs, a small ex-vent. "I guess what is most important to us is that all of our friends will be there. Which is pretty impressive, given that some of them were on opposite sides of a war."

[mayfairmonster]

Really.


Really?

The multiverse has to be kidding him with this. There will never be another person with his own face that won't catch Dorian's eye, but the ones he's seen always do seem to be people with questions and personalities so different to his own that they might as well be the day to his night. Curious and incredulous, Dorian smooths out his coat with a single gesture, and then steps confidently forward.

"I don't have any experience in the matter," besides being engaged for all of a few weeks before it all ended in the worst possible way, "but I've seen enough people get married over the years that I have the gist of it." Dorian crosses his arms, watching Mordred with keen, searching eyes. It's true. Besides (he'd argue) noticeable differences in personal style and grooming, they're exactly alike. "You want to ensure that you really know the person you're marrying. That they aren't going to reveal their true face a few years down the line, and that person isn't someone you're interested in staying with. Many people hide things, especially from the people they're closest to."

[itdruid]

Mordred knows from experience today that more than one person can exist with the same face. But he wasn't-- expecting to see his own doppelgänger on the same day as finding this place? Especially after just having met his fiancé's. This is very... weird? Against nature? No, it's got to be fine, because this isn't his... universe... right now??

Goddess help him, his head is spinning right now. He's really hoping he doesn't faint again.

"Ah, know-- who they are...?" That's probably good advice coming out of this other person's mouth, but it doesn't fully register in the druid's brain. He's a bit stuck on the whole "same face" thing, because that is really someone with his own features, hair, and relative build standing in front of him with crossed arms and a searching gaze. He blinks a few times, his mouth hanging open, and then quietly asks, "Wh-who might you be...?"

[becarefulwhatyouwish]

What a question that is. Coyote's ears twitch at the sound. He may not be the stranger who Mordred was asking, but there he is anyway, as if he'd been standing there all along.

"Well now," he says, voice as smooth as an experienced car salesman, "anything, you say? I'd want to do something to make the day even more memorable, but that does depend on the happy couple. A customized contribution, you might call it."