Don't let your mascara run

[Lovely]

May 9, 2009
late afternoon/early evening
Veinna Family Chapel

Aless wasn't sure how she'd been able to get through this without screaming, she watched the flurry of activity around her, seeing it as if it was in slow motion. Her cousins, aunts, and sister rushing in and out as they prepared her and themselves for her wedding. Her wedding! She was marrying a man she'd never met, she had not even been shown his picture. But this was the way of her family, arranged pairings, matches chosen by DNA rather than anything like ..love. She was raised to accept it, but she didn't like it all that much, she liked it even less now that it was happening to her. Someone was pinning her hair up and her veil in place, Aless was aware that most everyone had left the room to put the finishing touches on themselves and get in place, someone was apparently putting the finishing touches on her as well. Part of her felt numb, part of her angry, part despairing, and another part deeply hurt, though the face in the mirror showed none of this. The face reflected back looked like hers, it smiled slightly, it was composed, it hid her true feelings. The mask was nearly perfect, as was the dress she wore.. all to show how 'real' this wedding was. Aless laughed softly.. wondering what her new husband would be like and hoping that he would be tolorable at least.. she couldn't hope for more than that.

Nysa was solemn though sincere. "You are lucky. You are not only sixteen," she said, pinning another clip elegantly in place. She had not met or even heard of this man a few weeks ago and now he was to be her brother-in-law, her younger sister's husband. "It is still not decent," she said with a small amount of bite in her tone, trying not to take out on Alessandra's soft hair. "What they choose for us. I am sorry for you. Perhaps this man, he is decent?"

"That's because I was hideous at sixteen, scrawny.. they probably tried but couldn't pay anyone enough to take me!" She made a joke of it, though her laugh was hollow. "Not that I'm much to look at now.. but better than..." She sighed and tried to stay still as her sister did her hair. "Decent.. I suppose that's the best I can hope for." She reached for Nysa's hand, needing to feel the comfort of
the touch and the support Nysa so kindly gave her.

Nys clasped her fingers warmly. "You must hope for better than decent. Men are always less than they promise. Hope for a god and when he turns out to be less, you are still ahead," she giggled. In her mind it made sense. Her own marriage at sixteen had been tragically less than decent from the beginning. She let go again to zip away for another task as one of the staff hovered at the door with questions.

"Better not to get my hopes up.. at all." She murmured quietly, glancing at the mask that held her face poised in the perfect facade of a smile. She knew that she might be drastically disappointed with just hoping for someone decent. She sighed and turned her head to watch Nysa, she knew her sister would be leaving very shortly and she already felt her stomach starting to tighten with anxiety.

"You, do not open the door for anyone but me or Josie. No boys!" She giggled again and kissed her sister's cheek. "I will return quickly. Scotty has nailed all the windows," she said, stopping with a turn a playful frown. "Thank Lily.. you won't be able to jump."

She didn't giggle with her sister, she knew Nysa was trying to lighten the mood and tease but it was getting harder with each passing moment. "Won't Mitch be coming to get me soon? It must be close to time..." Too close, too soon.. she wasn't ready, but she had to be. Aless glanced at the windows as if she might consider jumping if she could.. she knew she would never do such a thing. Nevermind uncle Scotty, her brothers would kill her!

[Lovely]

"Mitch will go through -me- first," she growled and half-groaned. Their brothers were always such... boys! "He will wait and so will the groom. They give you no time? You make them give you time," she nodded, blowing Aless another kiss and a sweetly wicked smile before turning to address the girl at the door and whatever it was she was in a dither over. Aless's own keen hearing would pick up the whispers about the car that had pulled up out front. The man was here, just arrived and being brought in for introductions with the family.

"I just want to get this over with.." Aless whispered, she inched toward the door after her sister. She was more nervous about this day and later tonight.. than she'd ever been in her whole life. "Nysa.. " She practically breathed her sister's name. "He's here.. " How was she supposed to just sit here? How was she supposed to stay in this room and not burst, wondering about this stranger she was about to marry?

"Sst... Sit... you! Stay!" Nysa blithered, blocking the door and pushing the other girl outside of it and turning to keep Aless from pushing past. She teased as she panicked, hoping not to have to restrain her sister to keep her from running down the hall to be seen by everyone before the big moment. She giggled a moment again. "I will go see for you and tell you... mmm if he's decent at least," she teased, patting her own dress a few inches below her navel.

Aless nearly burst into tears right then and there.. this was bad enough without it being dragged out forever! She folded her arms and shook her head. "I don't want a report.. I just want to get this whole thing over with." She didn't try to get out the door but also didn't move to go back and sit down. Her hands were balled into fists beneath her folded arms and she growled ever so softly in frustration. It wasn't Nysa's fault and she wasn't angry with her sister, but as the saying went.. she was all dressed up with no place to go. "Just go.. so we can get this over with faster."

She pulled out a tissue she'd wrapped up in her own sleeve. "Do not cry. Crying is like giving up and a Mitchell does not ever. You may whimper and scream as much as want, though, as long as you do not let your mascara run," she clarified quietly, holding the tissue out.

"I'm not crying! .. and I never said I was giving up! I'm just... furious!" Aless pouted and tried not to take her anger and frustration out on her sister. "You should have made sure it was waterproof mascara." She grumbled and took the tissue, though she was determined not to have to use it. "You go do whatever it is you have to do.. and I'll just be in here, breaking every piece of furniture I can get my hands on." She smiled sweetly, like a child about to be very naughty.

"You are supposed to save that for your honeymoon." Nysa backpedaled and sighed, apologetic. "I tease you too much. You are not breaking anything! Except maybe a rule or two. Come with me. I show you something.You can see and not be seen! Come!" She beckoned her sister to sneak out into the hallway, though she checked first to be sure no one was in the corridor or on the landing. Down the hallway was a grand mirror that had been placed to reflect the light of the regal chandelier in the foyer. It was tipped just enough that standing at the right spot, those at the door could be observed without being seen.

Aless shook her head so hard she was surprised that she didn't loosen the pins in her hair. "Nysa.. I can't..." She backed away from the door, scared to go out of the room before it was time, but not because of her uncles, aunts, brothers, and cousins. "If I go out there... I don't know if I can control... I don't know what I might do. I can't Nysa.. I'm already freaking out. It's better for me to stay in here." Her form rippled for a moment before she fought to keep her shape and not destroy her dress. "It's.. he only just got here.. now I have to wait longer and I'm all ready.. and there is nothing to fill the time.."

[Lovely]

"Well. You know you can peek and maybe see him. Be brave, Aless. Brave, hm? I will see what I can do to stir them to the hall to sit. Agnes is already at the piano... you know she falls asleep if she has no pot to stir. If I tell her to start playing, they will be ready."

"I don't want to see him.. it won't change anything. What he looks like doesn't even matter." She shook her head more weakly this time, the truth of it sinking her into the chair she'd been in while Nysa pinned her hair. Nothing mattered but what the family wanted and that she went along with it, as long as she did what was expected of her, all would be well. Ha!

She captured the last strand to hold it in place and patted the slick coif to be sure it would hold the weight of the veil. Picking it up, she admired it with a soft sigh and softer smile. "We are ready," she said as if there was any hardship for herself. Truthfully she knew every flutter and frustration her sister felt, though she hoped Aless would never know the pain she'd endured. Holding the veil up, she straightened out the netting gently down her sister's back then began to gently tuck it in place. "They can wait until this is perfect. You are perfect... and a beautiful bride."

She nodded, it was as weak as the shake of her head a moment before, she felt Nysa fussing with her hair and veil again and she guessed that she must have loosened something but hadn't realized it. She didn't have anymore words, nothing left to spit out in her anger though the emotions remained the same within her. She felt numb on the surface and stayed in the chair to wait.. for whatever came. She'd tried to shoo Nysa from the room before to try to speed things up but her sister had not left yet and she didn't know how much longer she could wait or how long this numb feeling would last.

"Mm. Well, alright. You are pinned and ready. Listen for music and try to... not be angry," she said, understanding enough and kissing her sister's cheek before she did run off this time. A few minutes, likely small eternities later the organ began to echo through the hall as Agnes began to play the music that summoned the others in to be seated. Due to the family's size, there was little ceremony to their own entrances and everyone slowly wandered to their seats, Aless's brothers staying at the back of the hall, holding the groom upright in inside the foyer as the crowd filtered to their places. If Aless did get curious enough to peek, she'd see the dark haired stranger nibbling absently at the cuticle of a dark fingernail and standing beside her eldest brother who looked partly playful and partly dangerous, watching over the man.

She expected the wait to be much longer since the groom had only just arrived and was surprised that she heard the music so soon. Her stomach knotted and she concentrated on breathing evenly as she waited for Mitch to come get her. Her palms were cool and dry, which surprised her as well though she wished she had something strong to drink.

Nysa returned and cracked the door open slightly with her knock. "It is time. This handsome young man will escort you," she giggled, leaving their brother to enter without her as she tarried off to help usher their guests and relatives.

Mitch wasn't sure about this kind of protocol, whether he was supposed to go in or wait in the hall. He hovered half-way, leaning on the door frame. "You know it's really not so bad," he started, trying to start the pep talk, but pausing when he looked over at the stunning picture of his little sister in white.

Eventually she was going to have to stand and walk, might as well start - she just hoped that her legs wouldn't turn to jello or buckle beneath her. With surprising grace, she rose and took a few hesitant steps toward Mitch. "Hey.. " She gave him a shy smile, wondering why he was looking at her that way. "What's not so bad?"

[Lovely]

"Well.. you, Trouble... for a start. Not sure I want to let them give you away. I... I dunno. I feel like we should frame you or something," he said, holding his fingers and thumbs for an imaginary portrait. "Come here," he smiled, reaching out for as gentle and non-smudgy a hug as he could manage.

"It's that bad huh?" She remembered looking in the mirror earlier but honestly what she looked like just hadn't stuck in her head. Aless sort of chuckled and reached to hug her brother, not as concerned about messing herself up as he was.

"Your big day isn't so bad," he teased with a squeezy nudge. "Weddings, wedding nights. Not so sure Biff's gonna let him live, though. Is it a bad sign that he keeps licking his lips a little? I mean.. Aberto did tell you, right?"

"My big day isn't so bad.. huh.. I got a totally different feeling from it." She frowned and felt a shudder of disgust ripple through her at his mention of the wedding night. "Seriously.. you find something pleasant about uncle Aberto making me into some kind of.. well if not for the wedding.. wh*re? You're okay with me being forced to marry and have sex with a stranger? That sort of sickens me.. and Aberto did not tell me anything beyond 'you have to do this'.. I don't know anything. Zero, zip.. nadda." The thought of Biff chowing down on the groom was kind of a pleasant thought. "So.. you tell me.. why is Biff licking his lips?"

"He smells like chicken? Not, cowardly... like chicken. Ripe, hot bird on the bar-b. Although..," Mitch paused, pulling a sigh across his teeth that said everything he was saying was bad and far-and-away different from what Aberto intended to become of the man. "We kinda promised we wouldn't grill him, or even lick him. He's got bird blood. Oh, and I'm supposed to tell you that he's got... I dunno, some kind of hollow bones or something, so he said be careful with him tonight."

"Ohhhhh this is even worse than I thought!" She wailed in a whisper, her frown deepened into her face and her eyes looked genuinely sad. "He's .. hollow bones? They're making me marry someone easily breakable? So not only do I have to have sex with a practical stranger.. I have to have boring sex. Ha! I have to have safe sex.. haha! You'd think being a virgin would be in my favor right now.. but how am I supposed to hold back when.. I don't even know what or how much to hold back? This.. this is so not funny. You tell Aberto I'm getting a mistress or whatever.. a lover.. argh!"

The man at the door described as the selected groom paused in gnawing on his cuticle for a moment, his head tilting slightly, angled toward Aless's room. A grin crossed over his features that quickly faded as he looked at the man that kept guard between him and the outer door. "Sorry, just thought of a very funny joke. Your family does have a sense of humor, I hope?"

Biff nodded slightly with a cold grin. "Oh, absolutely. Just not today," he said, folding his hands in front of himself, refraining from too much small talk that might frighten the little bird guy. He seemed so ... tiny... so damned skinny as far as he was concerned, and he wondered if the guy had anything on him anywhere that could possibly make his sister happy enough to endure this ordeal. He was thinly disguising the anger and disgust, but the family rules were virtually unchanged for well over a century and he understood them, but that still didn't mean he had to like it, not it when it came to Aless. "Just wait for the march and don't faint. I might not catch you."

[Lovely]

Mitch chuckled at Aless's comments. "If he breaks, he breaks and we get you a new one," he shrugged, able to laugh only because he'd been lucky. "Are you ready enough to do this?" He let go and looked her over, ready to be an alibi for sudden illness or escape.

"Mitch.." She sighed and was surprised at how she felt almost defensive about his comments that made it seem like it was okay to break this guy. "I'll be careful.. He's a person. He's not disposable.. I'm pissed about this, but I won't purposely.. try to hurt him. I'll make the best of it.. what I can. If I have to find someone to fill that physical need I will.. but.. Yeah, I'm ready to do this."

The man stopped chewing on his cuticle altogether and began to smooth down his tuxedo coat as if soothing his ego, turning away from looking at the man at the door and facing the hall he was about to enter. "Me too," he sighed nearly silently, forgetting the kin of the bride likely heard him like he'd heard her, and that they likely smelled the panic on his breath.

Biff stepped up behind him to push him if necessary. He wasn't sure what to make of the comments since his attention was focused more on keeping this part of the ceremony going as it should. The music changed to the more orderly and direct tones of impending matrimony and Biff peeked around into the hall to see Nysa scurrying back to fetch the other two, and Agnes rocking happily pedal to pedal as the ceremony began to take real shape and tone. "Don't walk too slow and don't run. The family wants to take a gooooood look at you... and a good whiff... as you pass by," he said, hovering uncomfortably close to the man. "Stand beside Aberto when you get up there and face the alter. Don't look behind you, trust me." That was actually a kind warning, so he didn't see the crowd as a whole and become even more nervous.

Mitch shook his head. "He's not a person, he's about to be your husband. All bets are off then. You're the family he's marrying into. If he can't hack this... well, not your problem. He agreed to it."

"Yeah.. makes you wonder.. well it makes me wonder, why he agreed? Husband.. that's a big word.. what if he doesn't like me? What if he thinks I'm repulsive or something?.. I'm sorry. That was a total girl moment. I should have let that out on Nysa. Why am I worried if he'll like me?.. I want him to like me.. heh.. I am such a girl." She rambled which was a typical Aless thing to do and she chuckled softly. "Okay. Now I'm really ready. Get me down the aisle, I have cake to cut and smear in this guy's face." As quickly as the burst of nerves started, it eased and she set her hand on Mitch's arm.

As he was told, Vic took his steps at an even pace, though it wasn't a relaxed one. His shoulders rippled with chills of warning, his senses telling him of the sheer number of predators to either side of him as he proceeded down the aisle first to take his spot before the altar, near but not quite next to Aberto who still made him nervous despite the many promises this union would bring. Heeding Biff's warning, he didn't look back and didn't look anywhere beyond the polished shine of the shoes of their minister who seemed casual and calm in comparison. He chanced a glance up at Aberto, hoping to find approval.

Biff followed a few paces behind and once Vic was safely at the front, he took his seat near the aisle, ready to bound out if necessary.

[Lovely]

Nysa knocked and leaned in the doorway to make sure her sister wasn't ill or breaking things as she'd threatened. "Come now. Come on," she waved them on gently, quietly excited now that she'd seen..and smelled the darling her sister was about to meet. She'd only caught a glimpse as she'd hurried off.

"You've never been just a girl, so don't you start now. Ah.. guess that's your queue. Let's get your party started," Mitch said, starting toward the door as Nysa hovered.

Aberto's eyes seemed kind, he looked much less predatory than the other members of the family. He did approve of Venge, very much so or he wouldn't have brought him into the family.

"Here comes the bride." Aless whispered, taking her flowers off the table by the door as she stepped out with Mitch. Her hand looped gently into the crook of his arm and she took one more deep breath. A nervous but pretty smile set upon her face and she nodded to Nysa.

Vic heard the man rustle down the aisle behind him and had to remind himself of what Biff had said, not to turn around. He looked back down at the minister's shoes and tried to convince himself he'd made the right decision. He smiled to himself and stretched a little, looking skyward for divine help, or perhaps a vertical escape route if he panicked or the attendees decided he looked more like an hors d'oeuvre than the groom. How unlike a normal groom to have second thoughts, he considered, grinning still at the irony of this being anything near normal. The tones of the march changed to honor the bride's arrival. Don't look back, he reminded himself. He wasn't sure his heart could beat any faster if he did.

Nysa stayed in attendance only so long to ensure the train would not catch on corners and as soon as they were lined up at the end of processional aisle, she slipped out of sight while eyes turned toward Aless. This was her moment and she wasn't to part of it. She came around to the bridal party to take her place as Biff had.

Mitch grinned for the crowd but had grown used to speaking from the side of his mouth, usually to spit curses at their brothers, but not today. He whispered for Aless, though many could still hear him, "If he turns tail and tries to run, you have my permission to eat the son of a... beehive... ahem."

She didn't have any interest in eating the groom. "He's not even looking this way.. I guess that tells me enough." She whispered back to Mitch and swallowed the burn back and let that perfect fake smile shine out for the crowd. The march had changed and their steps carried them down the aisle toward her soon to be groom, one who acted as if he had no interest what so ever in his bride to be.

Biff had turned to watch her, whispering a proud 'beautiful' that he hoped would carry to her ears. He turned to see that the groom was listening to what he'd said and now it was simply for his amusement as he watched for the reaction when he finally did get to meet the bride. He pinched a finger and thumb over his lip, trying to hold back a laugh.

[Lovely]

Vic heard the train of the dress sifting past the seats... six... five... four... three rows and closing in. He rocked on his heel and continued to look downward only a moment longer. Two... He couldn't stand this suspense, feeling his heart was going to burst out of his chest and strangle their organist. He turned slightly to look over his shoulder and in that moment he was paralyzed. Frozen, surely drooling as he gawked, he was trying to tell himself not to be rude, but he couldn't move as she came up beside him for their very first meeting. He could see her, smell her, hear every sound around her of her dress and her fingers working over the stems of the flowers in her hand.

Mitch brought her beside Vic, hestitating only a moment at the man's expression and ready for sudden moves if necessary. His hand rested over hers on his arm for a moment, a slight reassurance since words weren't appropriate at the moment.

Aberto looked proud as he gazed out at his niece, watching her brother bring her down the aisle. He knew that he'd made a mistake with the match for Tully and had recently had to correct that, but the day she'd been married he'd had a feeling of something not quite right. Today, despite his worries over that error, he felt calm and as if things were right. He knew he couldn't be perfect as cupid, and despite his strange methods, he had a very good track record with his pairings. This bird might seem like an outrageous choice, especially for one of their young wolf girls, but Aless was different, special... and he was confident that the bird was a good match. He was about to nudge the boy to look up and see the lovely girl coming up the aisle, when Venge did so himself.

Aless felt herself blush lightly at hearing the soft 'beautiful' that Biff whispered, her smile warmed to something genuine. Both Biff and Mitch seemed truly proud of her, Charlie's scowl was less scowly and even Nysa seemed happy today. It was hard not to feel the same with them around her, with the warmth of Mitch's hand over hers to reassure her. She was very lucky to have them. Aless saw that her groom was finally looking at her, staring even - but she wasn't sure what to make of his expression. her smile faltered a little and she seemed a little shy as she stepped up beside him. Her eyes searched over his face and despite her earlier claims, she found herself hoping..

Biff was beside himself trying not to laugh as the man was completely awestruck.. perfect! He was confident she had earned some Alpha points for that alone... that and the ability to probably snap the man in half with a pouty glance and batt of her lashes. He did his best to sit still.

Mitch nodded to the man, acknowledging that her place was now to stand beside him. He hovered until he was sure they were both going to remain standing. Ceremony aside, nerves were nerves and if either of them fainted, unlike Biff, he was going to make sure no one busted anything, especially in any way that would cause the scent of blood to enter the hall... definitely not with this crowd.

He managed to blink at least and finally allow the grin to form though it curled only on one side. The man with her was scarier than the one at the door with the way he watched with small, narrow eyes, the wolf behind them so very close to the surface. He swallowed and reached out a hand for Aless to take, hoping that was what he was supposed to do.

[Lovely]

She had let go of her brother's arm and now Venge reached out his hand for her, some of the tension eased out of her as her fingers curled around his. Maybe he was just as nervous as she was.. she wished that they had a chance to meet before this or to talk but now there wasn't time. There were words to be listened to and vows to be said and then they would be husband and wife.

The words they were asked to repeat fell out in a mush of mumbles and his head swam. He hardly noticed how his fingers clenched hers and it was all he could do to keep his talons retracted and his wings tucked neatly under the tailored coat. Finally he sighed and relaxed as they came to the all important agreement, the final words to seal his contract. He stopped the thought and looked over at Aless, suddenly calm and his voice clear. This wasn't a contract, this was life - with a most gorgeous creature he was growing excited to get to know. "I do," he said without further hesitation, holding his gaze steady and studying the depth of her brown eyes. His empty hand fumbled for the metal band to place it and get on with leaving this crowd behind as soon as possible.

His 'I do' seemed so sure and firm, where his previous words hadn't. Aless gazed at him, holding her hand as steady as she could so that he could slip her ring on her finger. It was her turn now and she had the benefit of those two words from him to help her repeat answer in a steady voice. "I do." She looked to Venge with a soft smile, her eyes more warm than they had been at first, though she was still nervous. Her hand was warm as she held his and slid the ring onto his finger.

Man and wife... If he was going to faint, now was the time. Instead he took both her hands in his and when told he could kiss the bride, he first kissed her hand, meeting her for the first time, afterall, and she had so perfectly charmed him just in her poise and patience. The next moment was the true test, would he taste acceptance or disgust? No time to ponder that as he heard the restlessness in the crowd. His lips met hers and he hoped at the very least she would not bite him.

Her smile shone a touch brighter as he kissed her hand, such a sweet thing to do and so unexpected. She tilted her face to meet him as he leaned in to kiss her lips, their first kiss as husband and wife.. their first kiss ever. Her lips parted slightly, taking the first taste gently and lingering to savour the unique flaver that was his alone. She pressed into the kiss a little, deepening it ever so much and letting him sip of the passion that she'd lamented about having to hold back.

He pulled away with a smile, licking his lip a moment and wanting to continue this discussion out from the watchful eyes of... everyone. "Don't worry, it's not like I'm going to break," he said softly with a wink. He would let her consider that as he covered her mouth again with a kiss meant to break hearts if she hadn't just melted his.

She saw the smile when he pulled back and she felt relief wash through her, she'd been worried that he would instantly hate her or be repulsed or even that he had been before meeting her. His eyes pushed that fear away for now and she returned his smile briefly before his words and kiss stole it away. Did he know what Aberto had said? Could he have heard what she said to her brother? The thoughts spun away as his kiss obliterated everything else. Her arms slid around his shoulders and she returned the kiss, holding nothing back this time. She faintly heard the cheers of the crowd as they celebrated the young couple's show of affection.

The curl around his shoulders made him almost want to rip out of the coat altogether and loft her through the rafters and the stained glass, away from the cheers and spectacle. The kiss deepened briefly before he again pulled away. "We need to go. The driver is waiting to take us. Can you run?"

The kiss ignited a fire deep within her and it burned behind her deep warm eyes, heating her skin from her tummy to the light flush of her cheeks. She really didn't want to hurt him and though Venge claimed not to be breakable, Aberto's warning was in the back of her mind - she hoped that Venge was right about not breaking. "This dress really wasn't designed for a quick get away.." She replied a very faint growl rolling out at the end of her words. Aless turned to glance at her train, a smile twitching at her lips just before she reached behind her to detatch it from her dress. She tossed the yards of fabric at her bridesmaids in a soft flutter of silk then brought her gaze and her hand back to Venge. "I can run now."

[Lovely]

"Nice," he chuckled as the length of precious cloth was saved from the disgrace of the floor without the rest of its garment. He clasped her hand and started back down the aisle with her, ready to run the moment they needed to... which was now as her brothers closed in from either side of the aisle with their last warnings and cautions and who knew what else. "I'd say time to fly, but I won't rip the coat. It's rented. Come on!"

Mitch had stood to offer congratulations and looked across the row to Biff as he also stood and the newlywed pair slipped on past. He put his hand up and shook his head. "Let them go. She'll take care of him," he chuckled.

Aless let out a giggle and ran down the aisle with Venge, her veil flowed out behind her as she hurried along beside him. The heels and the dress did not seem to hinder her in the least and the smile on her face was excited. The tense and nervous lines were gone from her eyes and face, she'd hid them well but now they had been erased as she and her groom headed to the waiting car. "Does that mean I can't rip the coat either?"

He laughed. "No, by all means. Incidental damages? Not my fault," he uttered out as they made their way to the steps and any battering rice and birdseed that might fly at them. The car was directly out front at the foot of the steps, their driver holding the door. He almost stopped in midstep on the steps but the momentum carried him the rest of the way down along with the pull of her hand still on his. Did she intend to... She must have or it wouldn't have been mentioned, he thought. Ripping his jacket off... then... His laugh came again, louder, as they bounded toward the car.

They'd taken off too fast to be greeted by a shower of anything, their guests were still inside, watching in surprise as the newlyweds raced to the car. "That's good to know." Aless giggled again and all but dove into the car ahead of him, her hand was still twined with his and she was quickly tugging him in behind her as she fell against the seat.

He tumbled in with her, nearly in her lap. He rose up to move the gown out from under himself before it creased and the door closed them in to the solitude of wealthy leather and free cocktails, chilled champagne courtesy of her uncles already poured and set for them to celebrate. The driver returned up front and cracked open the small window that allowed them to hear him mumble something about their destination though he didn't hear it. He didn't care. He trusted the driver would deposit them appropriately. He took up the glasses as soon as he'd set back down, half leaning across her as if tipped drunk already. "Yours... mine... cheers to the new.. well are you a missus Corvid or do I get your name?"

His energy and excitement were certainly contagious, or maybe she had enough of her own to share with him. Aless was relieved that the ceremony was over and the groom was not showing any signs that he disliked her and that kiss.. those kisses!! "Missus Corvid I believe.. unless you'd really like to take my last name. I mean if you have your heart set on it, I wouldn't want to disappoint you." She took her glass from him and curled her other arm up around his shoulders, encouraging how he leaned across her and letting him know she didn't mind him up close like this. Her smile was simply happy at the moment and she couldn't help herself, she leaned to kiss him softly.

"You can't possibly disappoint me," he whispered after the soft kiss, tapping his glass against hers. "I was told a few things about you, but that one I've already learned on my own. Feel free to rip anything you like, too. That won't disappoint me either," he teased, taking a sip of the champagne to enjoy it, then enjoy another lingering kiss.

[Lovely]

She sipped her champagne and reached to try to set her glass down as she wrapped around him a little in her eagerness to return his kisses. She wondered what he'd been told about her and why they hadn't told her anything about him. "They didn't tell me a single thing about you.. not until just before I was to come down the aisle.." She pouted a bit, remembering the warning she'd been given and hating herself for the things she'd said after. Looking at him, feeling him this close, taking in his scent with each breath.. she couldn't imagine wanting anyone else to touch her. Even if he was terribly fragile, she would crave no other kiss and no other scent would be as wonderful as his, making her mouth water. Her finger stroked lightly over his lower lip and her eyes started into his. "Promise me, you wont break." She whispered as her hands drifted down to work on his buttons and she leaned in for yet another kiss.

"I'll promise that unless you're truly trying to kill me... I won't break. And I'll also promise, you won't need to find a substitute. Well, you won't find one, but... that's beside the point. You won't need to and I honestly, truly hope to ensure ... you won't want to," he promised with a fire behind his eyes bright enough they nearly glowed in their crystalline depths.

Aless couldn't help admiring him for a moment, he was absolutely gorgeous. "I already know I don't want to." She met his gaze with her own fierce one, her eyes intense and honest and burning with a fire to match his. "You heard me?" She didn't know much about him or about his kind of ferality. "I'm sorry that I said those things."

"Don't be. You said them in honesty, so I can't hold that against you. And this might be the most absolutely bizarre thing I have ever said in my life, but I am honored and completely charmed to make your acquaintance, Missus Corvid. Oh, and your uncle.. he told me very little. Your name, basically," he said with a tilt of a smile and a shrug. "Champagne...!" He exclaimed suddenly, realizing the glass in his hand still and reaching to drink the glass dry.

"I said them in anger.. honest but still, it wasn't very nice of me and.." She stopped apologizing and smiled at him, he was quite excited it seemed. "I'm thrilled to make your acquaintance mister Corvid." She reached around him for her glass again and lifted it slightly as if to toast him and then took a large sip from it. "I was afraid that you wouldn't like me.. at all."

"How could I dislike you? We've just met. Stop being afraid of those silly things now or I'll likely scare the absolute crap out of you when I break out in feathers," he chuckled. The glass was emptied with one last insistent tip, the final drop spiraling out to his tongue.

"How? Easy.. you could have thought I was ugly or a terrible witch for the things I said about getting a lover right before I went down the aisle to marry you. Or you could have thought I was a terrible kisser.. " She rambled out her reasons in true Aless fashion, with a pleasant tone and matter of fact expression. "See? Much scarier than feathers." Her finger tip lightly ran down his nose. "You're really a bird, huh?" She asked with a genuine curiosity in her tone as she shifted on the seat, she took another sip of her champagne and let her eyes roll over him. "I break out in fur.. so you know feathers aren't going to shock me much. What sort of bird?"

"No, I couldn't have thought those things, because I don't think that. I'm thinking I want our driver to hurry and pour us out so I can get out of this itchy monkey suit - although the help in doing so is a very delicious aspect of that task," he said with his tongue running slightly over his lip. "And yes, I'm really a bird. A dark and merciless one. Raven, actually. Hah... ravenous, look up the word and find me listed beside it, picture and all. Absolutely... ravenous," he hinted more, curling her into a tighter embrace.

"It won't be long.. " The newlyweds were going to be staying in a small house on the estate, small in comparison to the mansion anyway, it was set on the edge of the lake. It would give them privacy but still keep them close enough that the family could keep an eye on them. Aless hadn't understood why things were arranged this way at first, but now that she knew of Venge's particular ferality, it made sense. Mitch had mentioned his scent and how Biff kept licking his lips, funny how she didn't feel that kind of urge, she was hungry for Venge in a completely different way. The smile brightened her face as she realized they were not going to be dropped off at the front doors of the mansion. Her hands started to roughly push his jacket away from his shoulders. "My dress is not rented."

[Lovely]

Outside of town? He looked over her shoulder through the thickly tinted glass to see the edges of the town he'd grown up in passing from view to fewer and fewer signs of civilization. "We're... not going to a hotel," he surmised, biting his lip slightly and considering what that might mean, where they might be let off. Wilderness and wings spread wide... the thought made his heart soar a little bit more. He slid his hand down to the button that still held his jacket on his shoulders. "Mmm but it will be your only wedding dress and I'm sure you'd love to pass to one of our daughters unharmed," he suggested, hoping the driver knew shortcuts to this place.

The way he said these things, like they were a couple who had been madly in love and knew what their life would bring.. he was sincere and his words were not simply because of some contract or deal that had been made. Aless knew little about him but she knew he was honest, he wouldn't have said it if he didn't mean it. She smiled softly but she looked slightly pained and a quiet whimper sounded as her fingers curled into his shirt. "That's so not fair.. you're wicked." She teasingly scolded him and leaned to nibble along his neck.

"And you said you knew nothing about me," he teased, returning the kiss to her shoulder and whispers to her ear. One thing he hoped she would learn quickly is that he was not shy. "I promise to be even more wicked once we arrive. Tell him to drive faster or we're getting out here and flying."

She shivered beneath the kiss on her shoulder, she'd never felt herself react to anything like this. There was a sudden need for them to be out of the car so he could show her just what he meant. Aless leaned to rap on the window between their seats and the driver. "Drive faster!" She growled at the man in the front seat and then turned her attention back to the one who was sending shivers through her. Her legs shifted beneath the long dress trying to curl around his hip.

If she tempted him further, the chances of the heirloom dress being hemmed much shorter was going to be a sudden reality. His fingers drifted to her thigh, squeezing gently through the satin and lace then tracing down the end of the fabric to find her ankle underneath. Her flowers had been kept along with the silvery garter he felt through the cloth. "Your maids and their boyfriends are going to be angry," he grinned, shaking his head. He truthfully didn't care and likely the rest of the family would forgive the error. If they didn't he was still unconcerned as he lightly traced back up up her calf beneath the wealth of dress. "Whatever shall we do?"

"No they wont.. They'll understand perfectly. Just like I suddenly understand so much more about them." She sighed out the last of her revelation and stretched beneath his touch, her eyes fluttering with pleasure. "We do what we want to do.. what we need to do.."

"And what is that?" His question was hushed, a challenge in the whisper for her to be free to say anything, ask anything. She'd find him watching her reactions carefully as he slipped his fingers beneath the elastic band on her thigh, using it to hold his fingers in place rather than slipping it away just yet. "I don't care about them, I want to know what you want and need."

Aless looked up into his eyes, hers burning with the desire he'd sparked to life within her, her skin was growing warmer with each brush of his fingers. She sighed softly as he rested his hand on her thigh beneath the garter. "I want to be safely out of this dress... I need you."

"Safely... alright then. How much further is it to this hideaway?" He expression was curled with that wickedness he'd warned her about with a smile almost wolfish on its own.

[Lovely]

[[Scene edited for content. Unedited portion posted on out sister site]]

Her thoughts were scattered as the car stopped and she made no move to push Venge away or get out of the car, she didn't even care about the condition of her dress anymore. The parts of her that she could get under her control or to cooperate were grasping at Venge to pull him up and closer.

Reluctant to emerge from adoring her so well, he responded to the grasp and reach, unburing himself from the layers carefully and manuevering the still-narrow space the vehicle afforded them to play in, not wanting to risk a cramp at the moment. Once free from the skirts he fell back into her embrace. "I believe we've arrived," he said, peeking up over the window ledge briefly. "This is someone's home? Are we on a loaner?"

It took Aless a few moments to go from 'tear his clothes off now' to sane and logical to answer his question, her hands were twisted into his belt as she glanced out the window. "This is our house."

"Our house? Means there's an 'our bed' inside, doesn't it? Ours...," he glanced back through the window then down at her, his eyes dark but glistening. Unless she wanted to stay here in the car... "We're here. Come inside and let's get the driver on his way. I want you all to myself... with more room to enjoy you."

"Yes.. it means there are lots of things that are ours.. though other than our bed, they don't seem all that important right now." She regained her senses enough to function but was no less eager or hungry for her new husband. "I suppose I should let go.." She smiled sweetly and blushed just a little as she untangled her hands. "I'm ready to go inside.. and finally be alone with you."

"Believe me... so .. am... I," he suggested with kisses that he was referring to more than just getting inside the house. "Only let go long enough to get out of the car. I'll carry you in."

Each kiss thrilled her and her eyes met his for a moment, seeming to say how much she adored him already, then she turned to crawl out of the car. The driver was at the door and as soon as it cracked open he had his hand out for hers to help her out and to her feet, Aless smiled politely and let go of his hand. She stepped back, smoothing her dress a little as she waited for Venge to follow, she was glowing with happiness. Venge was everything she'd dreamed of and more.. he was all she had not allowed herself to hope for earlier today. "How did I get so lucky?" She wondered in a whisper, looking back to the car for Venge.

He crawled out behind her, belt slightly loosened and his coat mussed as was his hair. His fingers sifted the black strands into proper place and he tugged his ear as if it itched, giving her a wink - he'd heard that and would tell her she was wrong. He was the lucky one... entirely. He gave the driver a casual, guilty and giddy smile and chuckle. "We'll just be ... going inside now," he said, reaching out to pat the man's shoulder and nudge him back to the car to leave... very soon. Hopefully the man wasn't expecting a tip.

Venge didn't know the family but Aless did and this was one of their usual drivers, they wouldn't use a rental for such an important delivery. As she expected, he closed the door to the limo and didn't look surprised or offended at the groom's disheveled appearance. "Thank you, we won't be needing your services for the rest of the night." Aless let him know he was free to go and she turned to her handsome husband with a smile. "I think I remember you promising me a ride.." She teased as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders again, she tried for a kiss, hoping he'd let her get it.

"More than one. Give me your knees... and everything else," he said, dodging the kiss only briefly to gather her and her dress off of the gravel and drape her in his embrace. So far, as promised he gave no indication he could possibly break and was stronger than his gaunt appearance might suggest.

She laughed softly at his tease and at how giddy she felt when he scooped her up, he was strong enough to lift her easily.. perhaps Aberto was wrong about him being so breakable. That thought sent a content sigh through her, if she didn't have to worry about that she really had nothing to worry about. "Well then, my incredibly sexy husband better get me inside before I burn right out of this dress." She smiled and brought her kiss to his cheek, shifting it to a nibble over his ear. "The door will be unlocked for us."

[Lovely]

"Just don't tell him I've stolen you away for myself," he teased, turning away a little from the tickling attention on his ear that almost made him stumble. He did his best to hurry them to the door as the car pulled out to leave them in their wilderness here alone to play. He laughed and hurried faster, excited to explore more of this world he'd so strangely wandered into. Stopping on the veranda... it was grander than a simple stoop and far more elegant than a mere creaking porch... he looked at the tiles and clean paint, turning her around with him as he gawked. "Perhaps you've stolen me away.. hah! Aless - in wonderland, hah? Truly...," he turned to kiss her as he came to the door and fumbled for the latch to push it open. "Astounding."

She reached to help him with the latch and kissed his cheek softly. "I don't know who stole who, I'm just glad we ended up together." A couple hours ago she couldn't have imagined saying or thinking such a thing.

He was speechless, peering through the doorway into another world not unlike the gathering they'd left with its richly polished furnishings and stately decor. He took a step forward to usher her into their new home, swallowing roughly against the drying gape of awe. Safely crossed over the threshhold, he finally spoke as he set her to the floor. "Ours? All this?" His gaze was pale and his face moreso beneath the dissheveled black waves.

"Yes.." She pouted a little, putting her hand on his arm, he looked a little pale. "I know it's rather small compared to the main house at the estate.. but it's all ours." She smiled, trying to shift herself into his view. "This is the only part I was told about. That we would live here rather than in the mansion. I suppose Aberto though it would be more comfortable for you.. less chance of my brothers accidently eating you."

"Small...," he repeated, in utter disbelief, half-grinning as if he were walking through more of a magnificent dream. He noticed her hand on his arm and reached for her fingers, pulling them up to a kiss as he held them, reassuring himself that no, this was no dream. "It's... it's perfect," he said, resting his other hand down to her hip and the dress that was very much in the way. A step, then another and he was beginning to lead her in a waltz in -their- entry way of -their- house that they were now very much alone in and, as she had just assured him, safe in. His thoughts were still spinning around the suggestions from earlier. The door stood open but he didn't even care, working his fingers toward the hooks and zipper that held the cumbersome and beautiful garment between them.

"Well alright.. smaller." She smiled at him, feeling her breath catch as he pulled her into the waltz without music. Her eyes shuttered gently and her teeth caught her lower lip as his hands shifted to the hooks and zipper on her dress. Her hands fluttered lightly to continue what she'd started in the car of loosening his clothes so that they could both be more comfortable as they got to know each other more. "It is perfect." She agreed, leaning to nuzzle into his cheek gently.