Tomi, a young sailor arrives, following Jasher.

Rodrigo arrives, following Alessandro.

The Arvum Botanical gardens have been transformed into... oh, no, they're basically the same. Neither Isabelle nor Milton get paid enough to do any kind of transforming. There's a nice trellis arch with flowers on it, and that's about it. While people gather in, man of honor Jeb, the usually unnamed Grayson Guard assigned to Niklas, stands at the front waiting for the wedding party, chatting amiably with some random priest of Limerance. Niklas is wisely nowhere to be seen.

Elizabetta and Lily sort of dragged Clark here from the look on his face. He'd rather be somewhere leaning against a wall watching Sabella eat something. Just not sausages, "The way she just shoves them in her mouth..." He shudders, conversing with the other two as they walk in. Elizabetta laughs and Lily just makes a face as they move over to find a seat. "I can't believe Milton went for Isabelle and not me," Elizabetta sniffs, reaching up to adjust the bob of her haircut. Lily gives her a sidelong look, "You're like twice his age."

Oliver stands by the door, offering people programs as they enter. He's been dressed in his very best clothing, which is in Riven colours and kind of short at the wrists. He is ready to greet people.

Milton, the living freckle, stands by the priest of Limerance looking nervous. Also sniffing and blinking rapidly. Oswyn was told to stay away, so he's staying away.

Rodrigo is here! And looking even more natty than usual -- not that anyone would know that, since it rarely gets mentioned by the player of his employer. What a jerk. But maybe Alessandro gave him an advance or something, because he really looks very sharp. He smiles very particularly at Elizabetta, before he gives a nod of greeting to the others who are there. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a handkerchief then, just to be prepared. Weddings are emotional.

A tanned young man, appearing on the cusp of adulthood, walks into the gardens by himself, a bit of a sway in his easy step. For the encroaching warm weather he's dressed in linens on this side of "fine", sleeves slightly buttoned up, but nothing particularly notable. Warm brown eyes look over Oliver, and he flashes the greeter a bright smile as he accepts the offered program. "A fine time to you, master," he says warmly with a small bow, then moves to mingle with the others, twittering cheerfully.

Elizabetta perks up when that tanned young gentleman walks in, "Maybe we should mingle? Get to know people?" She says, patting her hair again. Lily gives a huge roll of her eyes and Clark tries not to stifle his laugh with a terribly fake cough.

Oliver nods to Tomi, turning and thrusting a pamphlet at whoever's next. Elizabetta? She got a pamphlet. Rodrigo? Pamphlet. Lily? Clark? Pamphlet. Pamphlet! These pamphlets will not be tchotchkes that clutter up your bookshelves.

Milton looks, well, nervous still. Also: sneezing. He is sneezing into his sleeve, and when he straightens up again he gets this kind of horrified look on his face. "Um," he says. "Um. Hanky?"

Say what you will, the fact that Niklas has those connections (he has one connection, his protege) means there are real bards here to play music. Bard. There's one bard here. And it's an apprentice bard. He holds up his vielle and picks his way through the traditional Arvani wedding march. You know the one, it goes like doot doot DOOT doot DOOT. He's not fantastic, but nobody's crying, and he's got a real three legged puppy DOING HIS BEST thing going on, so people seem more prone to forgive him.

Isabelle steps up from the back of the gardens and starts walking along with the music, being lead down the aisle by one of those rough sailors that used to hang out with Ariella. It's so weird that they somehow became friends despite the fact that they were never in the same place at the same time! When she gets to the front the disciple looks from Milton to Isabelle and smiles. Isabelle also smiles and quietly tells Milton how handsome he looks.

It was Oliver's job to look out for Milton, and Milton needs a hanky. The redhaired man turns and holds his arm kind of behind him so Isabelle doesn't see whatever... whatever that hanky was needed for. His eyes are watering. "You look beautiful," he tells his fiancee, his voice cracking. Oliver arrives and tries to surreptitiously dab the goo off Milton's sleeve without Isabelle noticing, which is ridiculous, because of course she can see.

Milton sneezes again.

Rodrigo takes that pamphlet, inclining his head just a little bit more deeply than a nod -- and, let's be honest, a little bit more deeply than he needs to -- in thanks. He moves to take a seat then as Isabelle starts to walk down the aisle, handkerchief at the ready, fanning himself a little bit with the program.

"Is Milton allergic to flowers?" Clark leans over to ask Lily. "What isn't he allergic to?" Lily mutters back. Elizabetta bats her eyes over her program at Tomi and Rodrigo. Whichever happens to be looking at her at the time.

Tanned young Tomi eagerly looks through the pamphlet during a lull, but soon enough his attention's drawn to Elizabetta and her batty little eyes. Deliberately, he offers a slow wink before turning to head for the bard and his puppy. Because PUPPY.

Isabelle grimaces when Milton sneezes for the one too manyeth time and turns to look up at the flowers. Her boss was supposed to go get Mistress Petal to make some fake flowers out of silk! Did he think he was doing a kindness by buying real flowers? Does she really have to do everything? For just a moment Isabelle looks her normal self, like she might straight up stab a man, but then she looks back to Milton and smiles again. Aww.

The disciple of Limerance clears his throat. The bard keeps playing. The disciple clears his throat louder. The bard plays louder. The disciple calls out, "Aah, we are here today to... TO CELEBRATE THE LOVE BETWEEN... /PLEASE STOP/!" The bard looks around, then sheepishly puts his vielle down. With a moment to regain his composure the disciple starts into his sermon. It's about love. It's about fidelity. It's about being true to ones oaths. It's ... well, it's something that would make more sense if they weren't commoners, but it's very nice and even as the people in the crowd who are fully aware that commoner weddings are usually just like, hey, I'm down, you down? We down. We married! they're still nodding along and there are some tears.

The disciple looks to Milton, "Do you have the ring?"

Sadly, Rodrigo is not looking at Elizabetta at the moment, as he is too engrossed in dabbing his eyes delicately with the handkerchief. That display of sentiment, though, is marred by the little cough which may or may not be hiding a chuckle at the antics of the bard. But still! And then he //does// look at Elizabetta, because hey, maybe they could be next!

Milton smiles gently at Isabelle, reaches confidantly into his pocket, and produces the ring. Ha ha ha, no! Milton reaches into his pocket, develops a vaguely horrified look, and then pats down his other pockets, growing more and more distraught. This is the man who makes Oswyn seem cool. "Oh no," he breathes, hiccuping. "Oh no." Hicc. And SNEEZE!

Oliver, his lips curved with an evil little smirk, produces the ring from a pocket and offers it to Milton, who takes it with a grateful snuffle. Milton honks into his hanky, sniffs a few more times, and carefully takes Isabelle's hand, the ring in his other hand. "I do." He gives Isabelle a shy little secret smile, one full of wonder. She chose him. He's getting to marry his best friend.

Tomi's playing with the three-legged puppy. No, wait. They're doing a completely serious reenaction of a piratical drama with the puppy being the noble one-legged captain and Tomi the plucky first mate seeking to hunt a fabled sea creature. But the captain seemed more interested in licking all over his first mate's face, and the first mate is too busy laughing--either at a silky little tongue slobbering at him or the disciple's words. It's hard to tell.

Elizabetta dabs at her eyes, sniffling openly. And trying to look beguiling whenever Rodrigo looks her way, which means she appears to be slightly constipated and a little red faced because of it. Lily says something in a low voice to Clark who laughs loudly and tries to cover it with a choking noise, bringing up the program to dab at his eyes, which means he gets a paper cut on his eyebrow with a wince.

Miranda arrives, following Faruq.

It's a wedding! A curious little ceremony, considering it's two commoners getting hitched. That would be Milton, Oswyn's assistant, and Isabelle, Niklas' aide. Guard? Messenger? Whatever, she's not paid nearly enough.

Faruq ambles into the gardens arm in arm with Miranda, the two having a quiet conversation as they arrive. The Corsair Lord falls silent in the middle of saying: "So other than sneaking off to fight in wars what else is it that holds your int... er... ests?" That was directed to Miranda of course but the source of his sudden interruption and hesitation is obvious. The pair have wandered into a wedding reception. Looking around at all the people he doesn't know, at least not yet, Faruq reaches up and touches the corner of his hat to suggest a tipping of it towards those whom look in their direction. He asks the nearest individual that isn't Miranda: "Is the whole venue in use for this gathering?"

Is there crying out there? Well, Serrano, the doughty quartermaster of the Red Bargain, a big, bald, ugly man with an earring and an ill-fitting suit, is sitting in the front row just straight up bawling his eyes out. Jeb, standing up front next to Isabelle, holds his hands to his mouth, just so excited to be there and participating. And Isabelle? Isabelle holds out her hand and smiles so brightly when the ring slides on. Anyone who knows Isabelle in her daily life might be concerned her face will break with the smile, but it's not always hidden, it's just usually set aside for Milton.

The disciple smiles broadly when the ring goes on Isabelle's hand and says, "This ring is a circle, which represents the life you will now have together. Today you are complete. Today you are one. I now pronounce you husband and wife. And you may now kiss th-"

Isabelle jumps on Milton and pretty much makes out with him right there.

Tomi is trying to extricate himself from a three-legged pupper near the sporky bard, and once he manages to do so, he gambols over to hang around the other folks. He visibly perks up upon seeing the arrival of newcomers and weaves over thataway, only looking slightly rumpled from his epic confrontation with a puppy. "Hi!" He chirps. "This is a wedding! Two really lucky people are getting married. You're just in time for the good part!" He looks back in time to see Isabelle just downright ravishing poor Milton right there.

Milton makes a surprised noise but doesn't argue. In fact, he enthusiastically reciprocates, twining his arms around his bride. She makes him less nervous, so this is fine.

Oliver, Oswyn's other assistant, raises his hands and dutifully applauds. He glances Faruq and Miranda's way, nodding politely to them.

Milton attempts to dip Isabelle. She has to counter-dip him to escape, which works much better.

Apparently it's good enough -- it doesn't seem to put Rodrigo off from returning Elizabetta's looks, though he may not be able to see her that well through his own misty eyes at this point, especially at Isabelle's display of...sentiment? Something like that. He does nod to Faruq when the man arrives, as well as Miranda, and then blows his nose very conspicuously.

Miranda moves alongside Faruq with an easy gait. She lifts a brow as she also notices a wedding! Tell tale signs? Crying, sobbing ridiculously hysterically, people present. Check. Bride and groom? Check. Crowd? Check. Beautiful gardens? Priceless. She tugs on Faruq's arm lightly, squealing in delight at their timing. "Oh, look, my Lord!" She's a girl. She likes happy weddings! Happy endings. Beginnings. She sighs softly, "Oh, how sweet." So what if the couple are making out. That's the point! To the man who seems to have invited them, "Oh.. " A look to Faruq, "We should stay and offer our congratulations since we're here." She squeezes his arm. "Please?"

Elizabetta shushes Faruq immediately without looking back to see that she probably shouldn't do that. Lily gives him a glare and then blinks, "Oh. No, my lord, you can surely enjoy the rest of the park without us getting in the way." When the kiss happens Clark lets out a 'whoop!' and applauds loudly along with Elizabetta. "That was beautiful!" Lily folds her arms and shrugs, "I was kind of hoping she stabbed him."

Faruq does not seem overly upset at being shushed by Elizabetta, in fact he seems apologetic. Especially upon noticing the actual services that are in the process of being completed. His hat gets swept off and he uncovers his bald head completely to tuck the hat against his chest and coat. A hint of white teeth are shown in a smile to Lily: "Thank you." He offers to her in a much quieter tone before he watches the services finish and he grins broadly: "They are quite enthusiastic. Of course we can stay. I wish I had something to use as a gift." The latter said quietly to Miranda so as to not intrude further on the gathering. He looks around for anything resembling seating but is distracted by the epic confrontation with the puppy. Another smile is offered but this time to Tomi: "So it appears, I don't think he knows what's hit him yet." He chuckles softly.

Parting with a mischievous grin Faruq and Miranda's way, Tomi whirls around to give a delighted round of applause at the happy couple, too. The young man also does a wolf-whistle for good measure.

The crowd cheers when Isabelle and Milton have their kiss, Serrano leading with a hearty, and rather off-color, shout! The disciple stares at the sailor, then shakes his head and calls out to the bard, "You can play now." The bard is so excited he drops his vielle. "Crap." He squats down and smoothly picks it up and smacks himself in the face with it. "Crap!" But then he gets it under his chin and quickly plays the retreating march, so Milton and Isabelle can head back down the aisle together, husband and wife at last!

Jeb, now alone at the front, looks around in a bit of a panic, then calls out, "There's cookies and wine on the table in the back and we also bought a six foot long sandwich from Mistress Candace if you want that. It's mostly cured meats and smoked cheeses, so it's pretty good!"

Milton marches down the aisle with Isabelle, tears trailing down his cheeks. Tears of joy? Allergies? Both? Probably both. The freckled young man looks happy, though.

Oliver the page doesn't need to be told about the sandwich twice. He's been eyeing it since the moment it arrived. Hopefully he doesn't push anyone on his way there.

Elizabetta gets up to applaud for the happy couple as they march down together, somehow managing to make her way over to Rodrigo, "It was a lovely ceremony, did your wife enjoy it?"

Lily rolls her eyes so hard Clark reaches out to put a hand on her shoulder. "Maybe just try to be happy for them?" He suggests earnestly. She looks like she'd roll her eyes again but she's not sure they can take it so she calls out, "Congratulations, Isabelle! Could barely see the dagger in the bouquet!"

A manservant with a tray of refreshments makes his way around the room, offering them to people at will. So polite. So helpful. But at the call of a dagger in the bouquet he stumbles a little, eyes wide with surprise. He bumps Sabella in his astonishment, and murmurs apologies to the Grayson Princess.

Rodrigo applauds wildly -- as much as he can while still trying to wipe his eyes with his handkerchief, anyway. Once the refreshments are mentioned, though, he stands up rather quickly with very understanding nod to Miranda. It //is// quite exciting! That nod given, he turns just in time to see Elizabetta coming his way, and the waterworks stop as though they're controlled by a faucet that has suddenly turned off. "It was lovely," he agrees. "Sadly, my wife passed away some years ago. I know that she would have loved it as well." There's an audible sniff, just a little overplayed.

"The best part!" And Tomi's off to the table of vittles, limbs a-swinging. As he nears Oliver, the tanned young man smiles up at the page. "Hi! I'm Tomi. That was great, wasn't it?"

Miranda didn't get to see the entirety of the ceremony, but it doesn't matter. Once the couple has made their way through the crowd, she offers her own applause and "Congratulations!" Oh, yes, indeed, this is unexpected, but a delight. She looks over the refreshments and nods to Faruq's words about a gift. "Aye, a gift. I feel a bit sad that we have naught to give." She regards him, then pats herself down a moment as if she might have something on her. She shrugs faintly, nope.

Serrano is on Oliver's tail to get at that sandwich. It's a good looking sandwich. It's six feet long and is covered with cured meats. To be fair, that was covered by what Jeb said, but it really bears repeating that it's a delicious sandwich due to all the cured meats and smoked cheeses. Which are delicious. For those less interested in the sandwich there are a number of cookies, teacakes and other sweets, plus wine, chilled tea and water with citrus fruits in it. Not a bad spread given how very badly Oswyn and Niklas probably pay their assistants.

And if eating isn't your thing, the bard is joined by two more, one with a pair of drums slung around his shoulders and one with a pipe. Between them they do a pretty good job of playing music worth dancing to. No singing, though. No one wants to hear any of these guys singing.

Oliver cuts himself off a large chunk of sandwich. "I guess?" he tells Tomi. "He's just a guy I know from the shop. And she's glared at me a few times. I don't go to many weddings." He starts to stuff sandwich into his mouth. He is not the best at socializing.

Faruq offers some applause as well when the newlywed's come down the aisle again this time together. He leans over to murmur something quietly to Miranda but then when the bride and groom pass he slips his hat back up on his head. Looking around he notes they are near to what is likely going to be the rush on the six foot long sandwich! Faruq tries to draw Miranda away so that the actual guests can get at the refreshments and beverages without having to get too near to the pair of nobles: "This is a first for me. On the islands, commoners simply are together when they wish to be. I have never heard of a wedding such as this before. Arx is an amazing city." He considers the surroundings and then ambles towards the priest or whoever was officiating with that rolling sailor's gait he always has. Tipping his hat briefly with his free hand Faruq asks: "Do these sorts of things happen often here?" His deep rich voice carrying his curiosity.

Elizabetta just about has little hearts in her eyes when Rodrigo talks about his dead wife. "Oh. Well. I'm so sorry for your loss. But lets not talk about sad things at a wedding!" And she's reaching for his arm a beat later, "Nothing like cake and dancing to get your mind off of the past and looking to the future!"

Lily shakes her head at Faruq, "Both their bosses are a little..." She remembers who she is talking to. "Generous! So. They got a big flashy party. Usually its just swapping rings and nodding, if that. We don't need contracts, what with not being noble."

Tomi laughs as he carves himself a big portion of sandwich. "You should head to more!" He lowers his voice conspiratorially. "For the free food, at least. Free food's always good." And in his more normal peppy tone: "What's your name?"

Isabelle smiles brightly at Miranda's congratulations. "Thank you! I..." She realizes she has no idea who Miranda is and looks around, then shrugs. Public place. Lots of food. Best day of her life? Why should she care if more people want to share it with them? "I'm Isabelle Miller and this is my husband, Milton. I manage every aspect of the life of Prince Niklas Grayson, who is pretty much the picture image of failing upward. Milton works for Scholar Oswyn, who is a good boy." She frowns slightly, then says, "Gods, that's what Niklas calls him. I spend too much time with him."

Once he has a big slice of Sandwich, Serrano wanders back around to Elizabetta and Rodrigo. For a second he looks awkward that he might be interrupting something, but then he decides that maybe interrupting it would be good. "Ah," he gestures to Elizabetta's hair, "that grew back very nicely."

Whatever sadness -- real or otherwise -- there had been in Rodrigo's eyes at the mention of his poor dear departed spouse is chased completely from his expression when Elizabetta takes his arm. Wife? What wife? "Of course," he agrees with another deep nod, patting her hand with his other. "Would you do me the honor of a dance? It would certainly lift my spirits." Though they are not really looking particularly low at the moment. He looks up at Serrano, though, and his eyebrows raise, though what he says is, "Good evening."

Miranda smiles slowly at whatever is whispered in her ear. Her eyes close slightly, to slits, as if she takes in Faruq's words with pleasure. Then she chuckles and follows along as he pulls her away from the throng of hungry guests. She does allow him to go where he will, as the bride addresses her. "It is a pleasure to meet you both," she offers to Isabelle. "I'm sorry we intruded upon your day, but I am glad to offer good wishes and a happy life together to you both." She laughs at Isabelle's easy manner, her pride at her husband. "You made a lovely bride. I am Miranda Rubino, a pleasure." Titles? Who needs them? This is someone else's day!

Oliver sort of shrugs in Faruq's direction, his mouth full of cured meats, bread, and cheese. He looks, if anything, vaguely suspicious. And Tomi is still talking to him, which makes him blink. He chews, swallows, and says, "I'm Oliver."

Milton, his freckled face puffy from some allergic reaction or another, says, "Thank you, Mistress Rubino! Master... um... sir!" He glances sidelong at Isabelle, arching one ginger brow.

"I see." Faruq says with a nod to the others but he smiles afterwards: "Good on them. It's touching to see two people willing to forge such commitment together without the need for politics, treaties, or alliances." He offers a dip of his chin in a nod towards the bride and groom, "Faruq." He says simply, not even a last name given: "If I had known I would have prepared a gift but, I hope this is of assistance." And he reaches into his coat to pull out a pouch that jingles. Silver. Possibly. Lots of things jingle. He considers Milton and his wife for a moment, then chooses to hand the pouch to the wife. "Enjoy it together." He says with a chuckle.

Elizabetta sniffs in Serrano's general direction, but it's Rodrigo she addresses, "A dance would be LOVELY, thank you!" She stresses the lovely to show how happy she would be. VERY HAPPY! So happy to go dance with him!

Lily almost laughs when Faruq hands the pouch to Isabella. She doesn't, but she cracks a rare smile, "A wise decision, my lord."

Clark meanwhile is standing around waiting his turn for the sandwich, looking anxious like he won't get any. But damn, that's a big sandwich so there's little true worry there!

As the band strikes up, people make their way away from the seats and the refreshments out onto, well, there's no floor, but there's a green and there's the moonlight and it's a beautiful night and why wouldn't you just want to get out there and dance for a while? People pair off, with people they came with or people they didn't, and everyone just decides that despite the demands of their bosses the next day, the weird stuff they have to look into down at the archives every week, the messages they're constantly having to deliver and the way they just tag along everywhere, even uncomfortable places like the Grotto or their bedrooms, tonight is a night for FUN!

So have some fun, damn it.