Scene #9002: Apple Tree Wedding

Owner	Pose
Rita Ma	Apple Tree Island A cool breeze carries the huge tree's pink-white apple blossoms by and scatters them across the waves. In the volcanic island's glass-smooth central pool, the petals collect in drifts. The sunlight is still comfortably dimmed by the recent eruption's ash. Grasses and clovers and vetch are taking hold on the new land, and black-eyed white flowers salt-and-pepper the green. Huge pale tentacles are still interwoven with the rock like roots, which nobody seems to mind. Down in the water, big shapes move, but nobody is scared of them anymore. The ceremony takes place at one of the crescent island's tips. Some hundred people, most of them former harpoonists who were in that bitter struggle, sit warmly in salvaged chairs or on the grass. Most are from the Busan; some are from Benin, others from New York, and a lingering few from Akroma, distinguishable if not by ethnicity then by their arm tattoo designs. Rita- in her pale blue dress that melds to her body at the collarbone- has been asked to officiate. It's not a terribly formal affair. The apocalypse has a way of eroding traditions. But the place gives it a gravitas and beauty anyway: her back is to the War Memorial. It's an obelisk-shaped cage of concrete and rebar, filled with the weapons of the dead. Concrete on the front provides a smooth surface on which to write their names. There are Disciplinary Team agents on it, given equal space despite a lack of last names: Will \| Max \| Sammy \| Jenna It's traditional for the married couple to thank each others' families, for making their spouse who they are. But Nonon and Shajo don't really have families beyond who they fought beside. Laying flowers at the obelisk will have to do. A grandmotherly woman from the nearby trash island brings up a bottle of seaweed wine (not poisoned this time) for Nonon and Shajo to drink together; then Rita, clearly a little nervous but putting on her best smile, touches both of their arms. "Shajo, do you take this woman to be your h--" Tiny freeze. "Wife?" From somewhere in the audience, Bota gives Rita an encouraging thumbs-up, and she takes it with a self-conscious smile. "And, um, Nonon, do you take this man to be your husband?" There are no vows. Or maybe drinking together was the vow. Applause would be a little too much, but there's an exhalation of merriment from the crowd, people rising to their feet to come up and shake hands with the new couple and murmur brightly among themselves. "She's got some tastes . . ." says Sonia the blue-haired harpoonist from near the back, leaning on her boyfriend Brune. "Huh? What do you mean?" "I just don't think I could go for a man shorter than me, that's all." "Sonia." "What!! I'm happy for them, but--" "Well, I think he did pretty well for himself." "You wish I was seven feet tall??" "I'm just saying he knew how to secure the protection of a superior warrior." "You're a weirdo." Sonia catches both barrels of a glare from Kana, unprecedently powerful now that Kukuru's restored her eyes, and clams up with a little squeak. It's also traditional for guests to offer the married couple money. Money doesn't mean much around here anymore, but it used to be scrap-metal nuts, so by the end Nonon and Shajo are drowning in little shiny bits of metal.
Rita Ma	- - - - Gradually people filter down the hill, around the crescent island's curve, and towards the village at its center for the reception. No single restaurant is enough to feed the whole crowd, but Bota and Kana both recommend the grilled fish skewers place for Nonon and Shajo themselves. A middle-aged man with a bandana on his head bustles back and forth in the open kitchen, and the closest guests crowd in around a low table with more bottles of that wine. Rita, of course, can't eat any of the usual offerings- but the people here understand her. She's served a raw fish to chew on. Friendly chatter picks up: "How did you meet? This work doesn't leave a lot of time for that." "When your work with the corporation's done, what do you plan on doing together?" "You can visit here any time you want, you know! There's a spare bedroom at Kana and Bota's house." "Our house." "You mean-- yeah." The island's first marriage feels like a creaking release of something. Even if it isn't by locals, it makes a future for humanity a tiny bit more imaginable. Everyone can feel it, under the joy and cameraderie; a faint wisp of relief. Of "we never thought we'd make it this far".
Angela	Nonon and Shajo were not actually expecting something like this to happen until it happened. Planning had to happen between work because the time off they procured was to be spent on this. They are barely dressed fancier than they are for work, though nobody brought their EGO Weapons. Nonon really wanted Rita to perform the ceremony. Nonon, at this point, sees Rita as her closest friend and--coinicidentally--she is pretty sure that being married by the Queen of the Sea is both perfectly traditional for a former pirate like her and honestly hella awesome. Neither Nonon or Shajo dwell too much in formality and neither of them were too particular about how the ceremony was set up or performed but they wanted Ceri to be the 'flower girl' for a few particular reasons--and wanted her to be able to speak a little at the monument. And Nonon and Shajo, of course, had things they wished to say to the monument as well. Tweed is just in the audience, holding a pad up with Gebura's face on it--cognition filter re-enabled so that she can be wearing a long black dress and not be too unnerving to look at for those not too in tune with Lobotomy Corp's typical proceedings. Nonon carries Shajo up to the monument, the latter blushing fiercely because this is even more public than he's used to but he's not going to deny Shajo's wishes. Ceri walks along by their side, holding two bouquets all the way up until Shajo is set down near the monument. Nonon turns to face it and speaks to them first. "If it wasn't for all of you, I wouldn't have even made it to this point. I can't count on my hands how often you protected me when I was new here and needed to be shown the ropes. I was a dummy who thought my muscles could handle everything and when I lost my head, you made sure I lived through it so I could keep on keeping on. But I'm mostly thankful for how you fought for these people, people you barely knew. You got to know them, though, you grew to care about them. You cared enough because you saw an opportunity to give them a better life. And together we made it happen. Thank you...for making me who I am today. Jenna, thank you for all the relationship advice you gave me." Shajo takes a steady breath and then looks to the monument as well. "...Will, Sammy... sorry I couldn't protect you. You could've begged out of this fight, but these are good people you fought for. Rest easy--and share in the joy they feel. You've earned it too. You've earned this rest. You can't be forced to work anymore." Ceri crouches down and sets the bouquet down by the monument. She stares at Max's name. "I was lost for a while," She says, more softly--more for herself than fro the ceremony. "But I found people to look after, people to fight for. I haven't given up on the ideals you instilled in me. I've a new Code now, one I will spend the rest of my life trying to master. We're going to help so many people, Max, so many people like you." Shajo takes the bottle of seaweed wine and Nonon gives the grandmotherly woman a BIG HUG despite everything--perhaps sensing the anxiety and attempting to obliterate it with unrelenting cheer. Bygones are bygones, it seems, for her. Shajo takes a drink first, then Nonon. Nonon... drinks considerably more than Shajo did. "I do." Shajo says to Rita, suppressing a small laugh in his head. "Hell yeah!" Nonon says. And that seems to be it, outside of Nonon taking the second bouquet--rearing back with her hand, eyes narrowing as she seems to be looking for someone in particular--- And then she rears back and throws it like a javelin in Lilian's direction.
Angela	Nonon is clanking and making jingly noises as she makes her way down the hill. She babbles happily. "Oh well, we met when I captured Shajo sneaking up on the boat, I was gonna sell him to an organ trader but he was so surly I couldn't help but think he was cute, so I decided not to do that! GA HA HA! Anyway, he got me to quit that work which made me a few enemies, ehehhh..." "Oh Nonon was already feeling sick of the whole thing, but it's what she knew--We're from a place where that wasn't really all that abnormal. Gotta eat, gotta make money--still that way over there. She already wanted more, I just convinced her to take the risk." Shajo explains further. He pauses at the other question. "Er...well, we don't want to count our chickens before they hatch but we were thinking...of moving here? It's a world with a lot of open seas... Nonon's really only comfortable on the open seas." Nonon, who seems like she's comfortable all the time, adds, "We thought we had to give it up for good! So really we owe you, Ga ha ha!" ''There's a spare bedroom--'' "er..." Shajo is nervous again. "...I mean we're happy to, we're really happy too. But ... are you sure?" Nonon silently makes a pounding motion with her fist. "We can be loud." Shajo manages.
Kukuru	It can't be a surprise to anyone that Kukuru's showing up for the big day. She's even made sure to brush her hair properly for the occasion, smoothing her usually messy explosion of green into a straighter, almost prim style complete with straightened out bangs and not a single knotted clump in sight (even if the back is still frizzy from a pre-wedding nap). She's dressed to blend in rather than stand out, too, with a frilly layered sundress that ends just below the knees with matching slippers. Having mostly heard of and rarely actually seeing a wedding in person, though, means Kukuru's exposed to all the joy and emotional moments practically unprepared. She's tearing up at almost every little thing, eyes practically gleaming when Rita asks Shajo and Nonon that most vital question, and then openly weeping with joy when they speak, share the drinks, and seal the deal with the I do's. "Oh, you two are going be so beautiful together...!" She squeals in delight, clapping her hands rapidly in front of her face to try and have a little outlet for all her excitement, only briefly keeping it in check by going around hugging just about everyone. Rita practically gets hoisted into the air, of course, as Kukuru suppresses the urge to rub her face against Rita's for all of two seconds before joy overwhelms her and she does it anyway. "That was wonderful, Ritaaaa...! Oh, did you prep long for that? I can't wait to see you up there one day, too..." The one box Kukuru brought for today is then passed to Rita. It's a fairly inconspicuously, but thick box with little hole to punch through on the top. There's even a long and wide straw in there, making it look almost like a large square juice box. "I brought this juuust in case. The straw should help keep your dress nice and clean~" After letting Rita go finally, Kukuru continues going all over. Brune, Sonia, Kana, and Bota get particularly long hugs while she not-so-subtly signals at their respective partners with her horns for... Some reason. "Who's neee-eeext~?" Definitely not subtle. Nonon and Shajo, naturally, get the most smothering hugs of all, along with one of these really fancy storebought wedding cards and envelopes with the textured paper and a check for what could very well be a month's worth of groceries. "You two enjoy yourselves, okaaay? There's so much stuff to see, to eat, to have fun with, and now you get to have so much more with each other...!" She starts sniffling again halfway through saying even that much, lip quivering while suppressing another excited squeal in the back of her throat. Nonon also gets a lot of room when she javelin-tosses that bouquet. Kukuru's eyes widen with glee, and she tries not to sound too giddy while giggling like an idiot to herself.
Touta Konoe	There's a mix of relief and anxiety upon his arrival. The time away has been extensive...A sense of guilt if... You're here...That's what matters... While Touta's not familiar with the marriage traditions or lack thereof upon Apple Island, at the very least he hoped that he was dressed up well enough to be presentable, but not pull attention away from the lovebirds. As per custom, the young immortal had dawned colors of black for his wardrobe. Yet, rather than something as mundane as a light jacket, black jeans combination, or attempting a more western style of wedding attire pertaining to sports jackets and black khakis. Instead, what's been worn is more of a Japanese Kimono. An embroidered wave design that seems to ride down the shoulder lines. With all the dressing up he's done though, he's certainly not trying to stand out though. In fact, as the ceremony begins, he's doing his best to stay in the back. Whether it be trying to meld in with the locals as they watch the festivities, or try to just find a spot where he can be quiet. That's all that he wants to do as he watches Rita begin officiating the ceremony. Apple Island, and Rita herself (at least as she is now) are all things that are new to Touta. Though, that's never been a bad thing, if anything he's always appreciated the new. So seeing as she officiates he can't help but smile, How could he not seeing Shajo being princess-carried by Nonon. Seeing that even as he's so embarrassed, well...It's probably apparent to all in the crowd just how good the energy between the two is. Then to add to it, the speech provided by both. The meaning of this island to them, to the lives that were lost here, and the life it had given them... It only made sense that perhaps he found himself using his sleeve to wipe at his cheek. For...No reason. As the two drink, and those begin to stand up to greet the couple it'd take a while before the two might even realize that Touta had arrived. Though after what must have felt like hundreds upon hundreds of handshakes Shajo would be the first to find a grip met with a familiar smile. Both hands in fact clasp to shake his. "Probably heard it a hundred times already, but congrats. Seriously. That said, I'm expecting a bigger kiss than the last time I saw you both, hehehe." He looks to Nonon as he offers to take her hand next. He's got a bit of a smirk seeing her. Even now he still recalls the last time he saw these two and how she all but snogged this poor man lifeless for what was a legitimate five minutes. And seeing her again now, he looks between the two just smiling as if just subtly asking, 'Think he's gonna make it through again?' in the most playful manner. Yet, even with all that, his look settles as he looks to Nonon more earnestly. "/Seriously/. I'm wishing you both eternal happiness from this day and all the days after." There's more time that he wishes to offer to speak to the both, but he's sure the line's already picking up behind him. Plenty more want to grab their attention and he's already had his minute. So all he opts to do at that point is drop a coin of his own to join with the rest of the offers while flashing from out of his sleeve what looked to be another wrapped present. "I'll try to find you guys later when you're not busy to hand this your way."
Touta Konoe	In the time that the group begins to descend the hill does Touta get to begin seeing the rest of the island. The village at the center where the restaurants bumble with crowds looking to commemorate the occasion with good food and better company. Picking up on the tentacles that adorn the island. Of the shadows that roam beneath the waves that can be caught as they descend. It's definitely something that raises questions. Was it always like this? Was it a world where that was the norm? Was it something different? Did it really matter? This wasn't some sort of Elite mission. It was a wedding. And for that alone, the only thing that really should have mattered was making sure that the two that had shared their vows were having the beginning to one of the happiest moments of their life together. And yet, while the festivities of food and wine are offered, and while Touta savors a couple of snacks here and there, when it comes to the wine whenever it's offered he finds himself always making sure to offer it to the next person down the line if he can get away with it. Eventually catching Rita as she starts to enjoy her meal. A hint of a smile found her way as she might have caught him passing the bottles along through the crowds in tow before bringing a finger to his lips. Hoping she won't hint to the others he's not partaking in the one aspect. It's only as he hears more of the festivities and sees how time was already rolling does the immortal let out a small sigh. "Hope it won't come off rude if they open it now, but I don't see anyone with one so..." It's the first time that Touta finds himself during the wedding being a bit more proactive in working his way through the crowds to make his way back to the couple of the hour. The time that he hears of their hopeful plans going into the future, and with it he can't help but chime. "So, would this be considered settling down then? That'd definitely be a sight to see." Even now he's recalled the times that Shajo's had to get serious and so well...Thinking of him retired on a beach just has him thinking quite the funny thought. But not enough to stop him from making his way to the two one more time. He looks at the two a tad nervous on his end now. Pulling out the box from his sleeve as he places it between the two inorder to let them decide what to do with it. It'd be easy enough to say they just stowed it away with the rest of the gifts for later, or open it as they saw fit. "If it's alright with you two, would you be cool if I took some pictures?...I see there's not a lot of photos being taken for the occasion. Not that there has to be! But...If I can offer it...Ya know?" Had the two find themselves opening the gift immediately, they'd find inside was what appeared to be a camera. Not too ancient looking, but it definitely had a bit more of a traditional camera design all the same. The kind that appeared to have a wind-up for the film at the corner, and an extension that appeared to have a flash built into it that raised from the top. Beneath it appeared a picture frame. It was nothing flashy, just looked to be the kind of frame that had a stand on the back to support it from behind. At the end of the day, whether they opened the gift or not immediately, he'd still at least offer to take some pictures for the time being. Whether that meant using the gift, or just trying to use a phone camera. But ultimately, it was their day, and what they wanted or didn't want was what he intended to do.
Lilian Rook	It only feels bizarre for Lilian to consider that she's never been to a wedding before once she's already there. Once she does, she can't get it out of her mind. It's not as if any of her close friends-- whom she can count without needing more than her fingers-- are getting married. Her older brother got married before she was born, god knows what her sister still has to work out, and there's no extended family for her to be invited by because they're all dead. Her senior officers in the Immunes corp aren't exactly getting married on that job, and it's not as if she's close to them anyways. Plus it's just normal for her social circles to marry and have children and do all those other things very slowly; and of course she herself is only twenty-four-slash-five. So, naturally . . . Nope. It's bugging her. The thought she has once she sees the attendance is inescapable at that point. That more and more each year, she spends all of her time around 'Elites', and what a godawfully small circle of socially asphyxiating weirdos that is. That Nonon and Shajo 'beat her to it' is of less relevance than the fact that they had the guts at all. Silently, in the period before the ceremony, Lilian fusses to herself about what other totally normal social experiences everyone else is going to have that she'll be too 'Elite' to relate to. Once the two are actually up before the audience and saying their vows and their thanks, that particular thought leaves her of its own accord. The image of Nonon hurling herself at Gebura's feet to stall her a moment longer comes and goes with the recollection of Shajo rescuing sailors from the water with HP gun in hand, and leaves behind a kind of gently pleased melancholy that Lilian finds impossible to name, by the time that she's mingling with the others. 'you made sure I lived through it so I could keep on keeping on. But I'm mostly thankful for how you fought for these people' That these two idiots, little more than some of her favoured few in Lobotomy Corp.'s vast human mill, could not just find love, but carry it all the way here whilst living day to day wholly underfoot, feels like a breath of fresh air, yet somehow uncomfortable; challenging. §Did I not notice? Not believe? Was I expecting they'd never get around to it, or all just stand still until the right time? Or did I just assume that this sort of thing would never survive in my wake?§ Raw combat instinct compels Lilian's body to move before she is consciously aware of the flower bouqet; or at least that's what she tells herself when she sends a chair flying to have already caught it. It registered as a projectile. Nonon threw it so fast; it activated a fight or flight response. "You could have killed someone like that!" Lilian yells, while protectively holding the flowers to her chest like someone is going to try and steal them.
Lilian Rook	. . . . . . Lilian has taken tremendous pains not to egregiously out-dress the bride (even knowing perfectly well who she is), and hangs around the reception in a strapless burgundy dress aimed safely on the side of 'elegant' rather than sexy, cut short around her calves to comfortably navigate Apple Tree Island. It accounts for the bulk of how much she can suppress for the occasion, and forgoes carrying a bag of shiny bolts in favour of having an account opened for the two of them for her to deposit a Lilian-sized amount of ahn for 'getting affairs in order' should they find they have 'unfinished business' as a ceremonial monetary gift. Now she exists just in earshot of-- 'You can visit here any time you want, you know! There's a spare bedroom at Kana and Bota's house.' "Actually--!" Lilian privately congratulates herself for not squeaking. "Can't you already imagine how enjoyable they would find it to build it themselves? I mean look at Nonon! Tell me you can't see her lugging around timbers and irons to the little plot they plan to retire on! I'm certain that Shajo would appreciate the opportunity to provide for his wife, wouldn't you think? Whether or not it's by expertise and a hammer and nails!" 'We can be loud.' Lilian silently nods at Shajo, as a sign of some Secret Pact.
Rita Ma	Rita rarely minds being picked up and affectionately squeezed, and Kukuru certainly isn't an exception: her legs kick up and she muffles a laugh while rubbing cheeks. "Thank you, Ms. Kukuru! I did my best. It's nice to see you being tall again," she says, which is probably baffling to anyone who wasn't there. "I practiced a little!" Which means she practiced a lot. While Sonia and Brune look varying degrees of smug about Kukuru's marriage implication, Bota and Kana both look horrified. "N- no! You've got it all--" "No." "Look, we're just not- she's fifteen years older than me, we--" "No." "She's way out of his league," says Brune with sagely crossed arms, immediately becoming the subject of their horror instead. Sonia's restrained laughter turns her the color of a lobster.
Rita Ma	- - - - Rita nods understandingly about Touta's covert teetotaling. She can't have any either- far be it from her to critique anyone's dietary restrictions. All the buildings in town are patchwork in a way that transcends 'dingy' into being little works of art. Salvaged metal is laid down like a quilt, and it might take a little time to get comfortable sitting on the seams, but it does have its charm. The fish skewers come out steaming, carefully laid on plates by the chubby old man; Brune starts on his third while Sonia is nibbling her first, and Sea Monkey- a skinny red-haired young woman(?) without their diving suit, half eaten up with the characteristic gold-brown glass-cracks of the Fish Disease- poaches one in passing. "We can be loud." Kana, from her seat directly opposite the lucky pair, studies Nonon's fist-into-palm hit sagely. "Er, Kana, they mean--" "I know what they mean. You should let me join." Bota nods along wisely while Sonia covers her mouth, aghast. "Fighters have to stay sharp. The old Busan's top deck can withstand it." "Actually--!" Bota, at least, seems convinced by Lilian's desperate pleas. "You know... I guess building a house was pretty fun. And the water's receding, so we're never going to run out of room." "I didn't like it." "Just because you hammered your thumb?" ". . ." "I told you, we're not trying to murder the nails..." But Kana's eyes (gosh, they're gorgeous; it's amazing to think she only used to have one) linger on Lilian. Quietly, in a lull: "Something's eating you?" "Mmm! There aren't many cameras here anymore. I should've brought one from the Multiverse, but..." Rita seems relieved that Touta brought one, while everyone else (meaning Kana) is neutral at worst. Rita's just very photogenic. Except when she's biting off a raw fish's head and slurping the spine out. A couple of people make faces, but nobody screams; she stays obliviously content, bouncing a little. The discussion of 'organ pirating' makes Bota a little sick, but Kana is as ever unfazed. "Of course you're welcome here. As long as you don't go back to taking people's organs. You could be salvage divers, traders, fishermen..." "The ocean's a lot safer now, too! I've heard stories that if you fall overboard, the monsters help you back up." Rita looks embarrassed, but Bota puts his arm around her anyway. Finally, Rita tries slurping on the Kukuru juicebox tentatively. It's going to be human blood, isn't it? I sort of hope... She casts a shyly giddy look over at Kukuru.
Rita Ma	"That was really pretty, Ms. Ceri," Rita says after a while of seaweed wine bottles clinking together and clacks of skewers against plates. "I heard a little about Max afterward. I wish..." In those two words, 'I wish', there's a novel. If I'd coordinated a little better with everyone, maybe I could've saved him. If I'd dodged Clark's harpoon, maybe I could've saved him. If I'd remembered my will to live a little sooner, maybe I could've saved him. A dozen things like that, that anyone could say. Or If only I'd been there, maybe, for Touta. The fate of the world turned on every little decision and every little hesitation that day. And the lives of everyone in it. If anyone had done just a tiny bit better, maybe fewer names would be on the Memorial. And if anyone had done just a tiny bit worse, there'd be no mourners left. Rita seems to realize the hopeless enormity of what she's trying to say, smiles, looks down, and shakes her head. Kana and Bota both eye her, keyed in to the slump. "Well. You know what I mean, Ms. Ceri." I bet she thinks about it every day.
Madeleine Cadrasteia	Wedding means formalwear, and Madeleine's formalwear hews military. Today she's picked out a black knee-length dress with a pleated skirt and red accents, and a peaked cap - altogether it's perhaps a little too reminiscent of the Union Busan's harpoonist uniforms. Madeleine finds herself in the interesting spot of not knowing any of the memorialized dead beyond their names, so her attention wanders a little during the speeches. It's not a great look for her, watching gulls pass overhead and listening more to the waves than the eulogies. Even so, when the cheer goes up she applauds - she does know Shajo and Nonon well enough to be happy for them. She wanders the island in a bit of a haze, letting the people around her reminisce about battles she wasn't here for. Until- "There aren't many cameras here anymore. I should've brought one from the Multiverse, but..." Madeleine clears half the island in five seconds flat. "Somebody call for a camera?" she asks, slipping into Rita's field of view as if from nowhere. She's already holding up her fanciest SLR camera. "Come on, let's pose for some shots!" The next few minutes, if the company will have her, is a flurry of photo after photo, as the huntress orders various arrangements of people to step forward and take a pose under the apple tree or in front of the memorial. Bota, Kana, and Rita; the multiversal Elites; Sonia and Brume; and of course Shajo and Nonon, all get a turn. Finally, Madeleine takes off her cap to shake it out, wipes her brow, and calls out "Okay, I think that's everyone!" "Can't wait to get these back to the darkroom," she says, ejecting a film canister from her camera before slotting another into place, just in case she can sneak some candid shots later. "...Is there cake?"
Angela	Nonon just gives Lilian a big ol' sheepish smile that is not quite sheepish enough to really feel sheepish--maybe, honestly, closer to fondly mischevious. Neither Nonon or Shajo seem to care too much about how presentable the people here are. Frankly, they'd have been happy if it was just them with a single flower in a vase. This is already more than what Shajo is comfortable with and Nonon, well, she's never really satisfied but this is still a lot for what hse's used to. ''I'm expecting a bigger kiss...'' "Ah...maybe later," Shajo says, which might be surprising. "Nonon and I kiss all the time, right now we want to spend time with all ya yucks." He knows full well that once they start making out they probably won't stop. Nonon is not aware of this, apparently, so he is trying to subtly avoid this comment getting to her. Nonon gives Kukuru the biggest and strongest hug that she can which Kukuru, at least, can endure without bruises. "KUKURU! YOU LOOK SO CUTEKURU!" Nonon bellows, lifting Kukuru up into the air. "Oh it wasn't too much prep, you know? You only live once and we didn't need anything fancy, just the right people, GA HA HA...! Look at all these metal bits I got! I'm gonna put them on a windowsill somewhere so I can see them whenever I look out of it, GA HA HA! Thanks for the beautiful card, you shouldn't have spent so much on something that fancy GA HA HA!" Shajo erks a little at Kukuru's hug and gives her a much lighter one back. "Don't worry, we'll enjoy ourselves. Nonon won't let me do anything else." He smiles at Touta, "Thanks, man." Nonon collects Touta's coin to join the others. It will never be spent. "Heyy you didn't have to do that," Nonon says, "I'll put it to good use!" By not spending it. Touta offers to take pictures. "Oh sure, knock yourself out." Shajo adds. ''Lilian silently nods at SHajo, as a sign of some Secret Pact.'' Shajo gives Lilian a solemn nod of his own. HE at least gets it. "You know it's not a bad idea to build something ourselves--" Shajo begins. ''I know what they mean. You should let me join.'' "Oh damn!! Kana! Of course you're welcome! Yeah, we can do it on the deck!" She pause a moment and then raises her hand, "Oh no no no, of course not--I'm done with that. Fishing would be fun, we could bring Rita snacks back, GA HA HA... Haven't done diving in ages either... It's gotta be so pretty down there..." ''If you fall overboard, the monsters help you back up.'' "Nonon don't fling yourself off the deck so you can get monsters to carry you up." "But it'd be FUN." ''That was really pretty, Miss Ceri'' Ceri's eyes widen faintly and she says, "...Hey... Don't blame yourself. Who knows what could've changed if we fought a little differently. I've beaten myself up more than enough for the two of us and--He'd be happy seeing all this. He'd be proud to be on that rock." Though she smiles, her eyes are still sad--despite what she says. "I know what you mean." She promises, honestly. "If you ever want to talk about ... people who were like that for you, we can talk about it." She tries to give Rita a quick one-armed hug and then Nonon and Shajo attempt to guide Bota and Kana in too so they can pose for the photo together. "GEBURA! LILIAN? you want in??" "Aha..." Gebura says from the vid-screen. "I think I'm good. Just happy to be a guest." She glances at Lilian for a moment but Tweed is trying to stay out of the way so they can smoke.
Kukuru	"I did my best. It's nice to see you being tall again," "Isn't iiit? It was nice being able to fit into my old clothes and napping spaces for a while, though..." Kukuru admits with a playful giggle, then pauses to look right at Rita's face. Something's different... "And you've gotten so tall, too... Oh, you're growing so much more beautiful so fast...!" Wait. She noticed this once before, didn't she? Probably, but that's not going to stop her from starting to tear up. Again. This is going to be a constant thing today, isn't it? Rita will absolutely taste human blood in there, too. It's really fresh, like she just got this within the past day, and from someone that had a good/expensive diet to boot. "KUKURU! YOU LOOK SO CUTEKURU!" Kukuru giggles gleefully at Nonon squeezing and lifting her, practically encouraging her to hug her even harder with the power of those nanites conveniently keeping any bruises from staying for more than a second or two. "Nononnn~! Oh, those bits are beautiful! Maybe you could even put some of them in a super nice jar, or string them together like a necklace, or... Oh, of course I had to get something to hold the stuff inside. I'd say not to spend it all in one place, buuuut..." Shajo's treated more lightly, thankfully, and Kukuru giggles at his reply. "It's a happy day, so make sure to really enjoy yourselves and spend it howeeeever you like! And if you need anything cleaned up or extra food brought in, ring me up any time and I'll be right over. Okaaaay?" "N- no! You've got it all--" "No." Bota and Kana not being as into the idea of marriage as Kukuru is catches Kukuru off guard at first, and their age gap just gets a clueless look from the mom-impersonator. "Is that really so bad? Mom and dad haaaave...." She starts to drone while attempting to do that math in her head. Thankfully, Brune's flub keeps her from staying like that for too long, drawing one more wide-eyed stare followed by Kukuru slowly shaking her head and trying to keep her face hidden so she's not as obvious as Sonia about holding herself in. "We can be loud." "You should let me join." Kukuru's face stays red, but for a completely different reason. She can't help but comment this time, either, although there's still a bashful smile worn on her face instead of anything remotely horrified. "O-oh dear... How bold! But on their wedding night, maybe..." She opens her mouth, closes it, then coughs into her hand and averts her gaze. "It'd be good for them to have a more personal... Session first." When she thinks Bota and Kana aren't looking, Kukuru gives Nonon and Shajo a quick thumbs-up. "Tell me you can't see her lugging around timbers and irons to the little plot they plan to retire on! I'm certain that Shajo would appreciate the opportunity to provide for his wife, wouldn't you think?" Lilian's discretion, too, gets an appreciative nod from Kukuru. "That would be super cute, yeaaaah... You could make the rooms as biiiig as you want, go as high or low with the stairs, maybe even add little nooks and crannies to slide into when you want to take a nap whenever you want..." Kukuru starts to giggle again, like she's imagining her own ideal house of impossible proportions.
Touta Konoe	There's a gentle look of appreciation that finds its way to Rita as she acknowledges his voiceless request. It's less of a dietary restriction and more along the lines that well...He just can't get drunk. It's not something that's a big deal, and if anything watching him continue to chug bottle after bottle might have entertained quite a bit of these sea folk. But, he's also had the occasion where some have tried to match him bottle for bottle, and having someone get sick because of him at the wedding wasn't exactly his ideal idea! Plus, it just meant that there was more wine to go around to those that could enjoy it to the fullest. And he could truly enjoy it all still when he hears Shajo's words to him "Pffft. Never been more proud to be a yuck. Don't worry though, I'll do my best to make sure I get the money shot for you too when it comes. Just uh...Make sure you got enough air, ya know? Pretend you're practicing for when you both start snorkeling or something." The last time he saw those two go at it, it was only for five minutes, but he's got to imagine Nonon could go waaaaay longer. There's a brief thanks given from Shajo, and another that's offered by Nonon as he drops the coin only to have her pick it up. "You better, I consider your happiness way more valuable than that coin, ya hear. And seriously...There's no need to thank me. I'm glad I didn't miss this...I wouldn't miss it it in a hundred years...Or was it two hundred years?" There's a long pause for a moment, a small thought, but then he's back to looking at the two with a smirk. Kidding... "I'll let you guys catch up with the rest." He steps away, returning to the company of Rita with the camera now in hand. Her remarks leave a bit of a smirk on his face as he finds his attention pulled again. "Ehehe...I wish I could say it was because I had the same foresight as Madeleine had. But, this was just meant to be the gift actually..." He slowly looks to the lens, his reflection incapable of staring back even through that alone. "Honestly, I just really wanted to give them something that could leave them with good memories, ya know? Now that I think of it, for a while...I was really trying to get some grandiose gifts for a few people." His words trail off for a moment, pondering as his gaze shifts to Gebura's vid-screen...Only to shift to Lilian as she chastises(?) Nonon. His attention returns Rita just"...But, been thinking it might be better to have something for them that'll be uh...Better in the long run? So...Figured a camera would be good for capturing all those moments down the line is all. Just want to be more cons..." His words end up trailing off seeing Madeleine already starting to snap shots. "Oh, looks like there's a job for Elites apparently afterall. Guess that's my cue too." The moment the words leave his mouth he looks like he's about to take a picture of the eating Rita, finishing up that fish head though...There's a halt as he sees it, and finds himself thinking for a moment as he takes a good look at her. She definitely looks like one of the locals, but there really is the itching feeling he's seen her before Especially when she uses 'Multiverse' so easily as it falls from her lips. Though, it doesn't immediately click. Still, he calls out to her one more time. "Oi, the picture'll get fuzzy if you're bouncing around like that. Give me a few seconds, okay?" As he tries to keep her from getting too giddy, Rita finds Touta trying to offer her a napkin or...Something to wipe her face before he offers to take a photo. "I'd say I'd just try editing out if you have any smudges, but can't say my photo-editing schools too good, so better wipe quick just in--" Before he can finish he can find Kukuru coming into frame out the blue! At first, there's a moment he thinks to tell her to move from the shot, but instead
Touta Konoe	"Kukuru, get in real close, kay?" He imagines Kukuru can't resist the urge to get a good shot with a close friend like she seems to be with Rita, and whether there's smudges of fish head or not, a snuggle shot of the two would absolutely look amazing he's sure and so the moment the two are together... CLICK "First shot of the night, after Mad's I mean... Looks good, you two. Though, if you want singles done, you can feel free to poke me in a bit, or...Looks like Madeleine's getting some good places for some photo-ops. Otherwise, I'll try to get the pictures to you by night time. Or if you can't find me uh...You can ask for Touta later. Oh yeah...Before I forget. Madeleine! Make sure you get someone to take a shot of you too! You hear?!" He's not sure how well Rita remembers him if they have met, but at the very least now she has a name to go by as the immortal starts calling out to another while heading away. Leaving the two, he continues going about the village. Attempting to take photos like Madeleine, only rather than using the apple tree or the monument, he's approach is a bit slower. More, in the moment. He's roaming around the streets, taking pictures of those that want it as they're simply engaged in the festivities. There's a few occasions that admittedly he might catch a group off guard, but it's only in the time that it'd feel like the shot would be ruined. Like the gaze of guests staring into one another's eyes as they enjoy the venue. Or catching a few people going shot for shot with their drinks, jaws completely dropped laughing their asses off. The kind of photos that you can't really pose for... He continues like this for a while as the festivities continue. Snapping pictures of the scenes as they happen. And sometimes trying to make them a bit better. For one picture he found the sun might have been a bit /too/ bright on what would have been a perfect angle, and it's during this time he actually uses a bit of his black mist to try and dampen its rays for a moment as he snaps the picture again. To anyone who asks... 'Must be a little smoke from the cooking. Not alot if it's not smelling like it right?' Eventually through the crowds, he once more finds the couple clearly expecting their next photo. Nonon, Shajo, possibly Bota and Kana, Gebura's opted out, but that does leave Lilian on whether she'd be joining in this photo or not. "...If you want, just let me know. I can make sure to take the shot from whichever side you prefer if you need..." It's clear that he's making enough distance so that she can join in the shot as well, though...One has to wonder if he's been forgetting someone at this point?
Lilian Rook	'She's way out of his league' Lilian looks at Brune much like the first time she'd appeared to him, in a crowd, vaguely implying his eventual death, and then mixes it up with a hint of cringe-horror appropriate for an elderly relative saying something very rude at the table. 'I know what they mean. You should let me join.' Lilian nearly chokes on her seaweed wine, but remains strong for Bota's sake. She summons her courage to get up to motion Bota aside and explain to him that they need to work together to protect something very important, and then his nodding along with it turns her face pale. You know... I guess building a house was pretty fun.' "Oh thank god--" Lilian stops and coughs. "Especially for a newly wed couple! It's sort of unsightly, don't you think, for them to be surrounded with all this land-- the first land in the world!-- and not have a place to call their own?" says Lilian, trying not to laugh too nervously. "Setting out a room for guests is only kind, after all, but seeing as they've professed their intent to stay here, then . . ." 'I've heard stories that if you fall overboard, the monsters help you back up.' "Cute . . ." Lilian whispers under her breath. Her gaze darts at Rita, before it submerges again in contemplation. 'Something's eating you?' "Mm?" Lilian takes several seconds to realize Kana is even speaking to her. She blinks and gestures to herself in the quiet period of processing it for slightly too long. "Oh. Ah . . ." Her eyes catch Kana's, halt there, and then forcefully look halfway down her face. "I don't know if I would say that. I just have plenty to think about." She stalls on trying to explain any further to Kana. In the long silence that follows where the rest of her thoughts should be, she resorts only to asking, "You've been to at least one wedding, haven't you? What was it like? The first one, I mean." 'I heard a little about Max afterward. I wish...' ". . . That I'd thought of something better at the time. 'If you have to die, then do it.' That made sense to me when it seemed like there was no longer any hope. Now on the other side of it, it's hard to imagine what that was like. If there wasn't something better right in front of me."
Lilian Rook	'Somebody call for a camera?' Lilian locks eyes with Madeleine from across the crowd, and gestures. 'I'm watching you'. The sense that if she were taking photos of anything other than a little island wedding for the sole sake of enriching Rita, that camera would be fucking dust. It radiates. 'Oh damn!! Kana! Of course you're welcome! Yeah, we can do it on the deck!' "Jesus fucking Christ I'm going to hold Petra down with a cattle prod until she starts teaching you people some basic--" Lilian's hostile whisper-muttering picks up so much speed and loses so much coherency that it no longer makes sense after that point. 'GEBURA! LILIAN? you want in??' "Huh?" Lilian, again, is stunned by anyone drawing attention to herself. Now. Here. At a wedding. That is someone else's. "I . . . No that I mind but, have I done something to deserve being there?" Lilian says, then looks around quickly, as if the prompt is written on a signboard somewhere. The thought of being 'too Elite' to have a cute little photo of a friend's wedding framed on a dresser somewhere in the future flashes through her mind, and thus Lilian slides herself into frame with the look of someone determined to be brave for a scary needle.
Rita Ma	Sonia stares at Rita as she slurps on the Kukuru juicebox. Red travels up the straw, along with occasional chunks of darker crimson. She gulps uncomfortably, then forces herself to tear her eyes away and gulp down some more umami-rich seaweed wine. "It'd be good for them to have a more personal... Session first." "Is that traditional?" Kana says, raising an eyebrow. My these multiversals are exotically brutal. "I hope he lives." Rita leans into frame with Kukuru a moment later, impishly beaming: "If you want to be small again, you can just call me, I think!" When the photos are taken- by Maddie or Touta or both- Rita wipes her lips with Touta's napkin and leans in, preciously sunny. Bota is middling but sincere at smiling on demand, earnest in a 'lost dog' kind of way; and Kana stares through the camera like she sees its soul, but with the ghost of a smile. "No, c'mere, Ms. Gebura!" Rita picks up the tablet, hugs it to her chest real hard, and then holds it out to be part of the photo too. "Don't pretend like you aren't important to them, too." That might go double for Lilian. By the time of the second photo, Rita's wrapping an arm around Lilian's shoulders and squishing her cheek against the top of her head, emphatically including her. "...Is there cake?" "Well," Rita says slowly, "we're a long way off from growing wheat. And we don't have milk, and seagull eggs aren't in season. And any boxed cake mix would've gone bad underwater a long time ago." There's a short pause, and then she smiles her Little Shit smile. "So I went out and got some. Ms. Tasha, I can't get up- could you?" A purple-haired woman people might remember as one of Clark's lieutenants brings it out. She stays smiling, but doesn't look at anyone in particular- from how she's stayed in the back, it's hard not to read in that she might feel unwelcome. "Ahhh... there you go." Commensurate with Rita's baking ability and Shajo's preference for the simple, it isn't tiered or fancily-frosted or decorated much, but it's still a perfectly-serviceable vanilla cake topped with caramelized apples. Kana draws a utility knife from her belt and, before anyone can quite stop her, has turned it into a dozen geometrically-perfect slices. "Them first," she says firmly, when Bota reaches for a slice. "Oh, is that how you do it? Ahaha..." "If you ever want to talk about ... people who were like that for you, we can talk about it." "Thank you, Ms. Ceri. It makes me feel better that you don't hold it against us," Rita says, with a self-consciously smiling exhalation. She droops forward, arms resting on the table. "There were a few. A boy named Gun... but I don't want to bog down the wedding, right now." "But it'd be FUN." "Cute . . ." Praise for the sea monsters does finally get Rita shy and wiggly. Her eyes drop to her lap, where her hands are balled up. "... I don't think they'd mind if you swam with them. I just told them to be kind to people, and nothing else, so I think they're curious. They don't really know what humans are like."
Rita Ma	"What do you like so much about the ocean, anyway?" Bota says, mostly to Nonon, but to Shajo too. "I grew up on it, but I think I like dry land a lot better. Don't tell me that living in a real house is something you get tired of?" "You've been to at least one wedding, haven't you?" "No," says Kana. "Humans were in decline long before I was born. Teon and Lisa weren't wed; they just eloped. After that, I only had harpoonist friends. Not a job where you get married." She looks up from carefully analyzing her cake. Though her stare has just as much weight as ever, it doesn't (usually) prickle the nerves anymore. "So, a lot like you, Lilian." But the mention of Lisa already has Rita queasily looking aside. Her eyes dart up to Madeleine, and she uncomfortably bites her lip. The way Bota and Kana look at her without tension hints this is already a conversation she had at home. "Thank you for telling me, Ms. Madeleine. And thank you for not telling me, Ms. Rook. I understand. And I needed different things at different times. So... I'm not upset with anyone." Then she glumly plugs her mouth with the remaining half of a fish, which starts to slowly turn her frown upside-down. Outside on the town, it's almost overwhelming. There's never been a place exactly like Apple Tree Island, but the jubilation of a miniature festival day has happened in a million places a million times. Children run down the streets playing tag. Old people gossip, and younger folk take a break from their labors, drinking or eating or staring out at the sea still in their workclothes. In a way, it's the ordinariness that makes it beautiful: that this place, in this moment, could aspire to something as noble as to be warmly ordinary.
Angela	@emit Nonon is not trying to actually hurt Kukuru she's just big and exuberant. ''It'd be good for them to have a more personal session first.'' Shajo, now thinking this is about sparring on the deck. "Huh? I wouldn't last long at all if I had to go solo." He says. He rubs at his neck sheepishly as Touta seems so...enthused to be here. He kind of doesn't get it but he supposes they have been through some serious times together and, well, happy occassions are sometimes...just nice, he guesses? Being a kind of angry guy who used to go around bludgeoning the enemies of his gang to death with his fist, it almost doesn't really feel real. It's not like he cant just cut off that life from his current one. But it is nicer to fight for something like this than what he usually fights for. It makes the scars ache a little less and the burn of the tattoos feel less fierce. Gebura's reason for not wanting to be in the photo is largely that she would feel weird being represented by a fake representation of what she used to look like that has never been quite right. She'd rather get a good view of the moment for herself and record it in her own memory. The eye's remembrance is proof enough. ''He continues going about the village'' While Touta is roaming, he might see a young woman with a scarred throat with two young children--a girl and a boy, the girl with a wooden replica of Night Mist in her hands--just wandering about. She sees Touta and hurries the two kids along so they don't interrupt his traveling, following after them. They don't seem to be a part of the wedding party. Maybe he could check in on them after the party? Mysterious. ''That i'd thought of something better at the time.'' "Dame Commander..." Ceri begins, then stalls a little. "...Max wanted to make the world a better place. He'd appreciate what you're doing in The City." She knows that's not really why Lilian is doing that work. ... And she is a little uneasy about others letting Max's death bring down the wedding. She might be worried about his death bringing HER down for the wedding. She's trying to be a RELIABLE flower girl today. She gives Rita an understanding nod when she reveals she doesn't want to bog down the wedding. The pact is sealed. ''Have I done something to deserve being there?'' "Ga ha ha! What haven't you done? Saved us twice, haven't ya?" She means from Gebura and from the Queen. "Besides, we like you. Ain't that enough?" "Ceri told us a little of what you're doing in the City. We really look up to you, and you're important to Miss Rita too. If that isn't a bother?" Shajo adds, simply enough. ''I hope he lives.'' "Oh Wings." Shajo manages weakly. Despite Gebura attempting to back off, though, Rita ensures this isn't going to happen, seizing the tablet from Tweed-- Tweed sticks out her tongue out at Gebura unhelpfully and lets Rita spirit her away. And Gebura hurriedly has to switch from 'annoyed this is happening' to making a genuine smile which sort of ends up like a vague half scowl half smile. ''Ms. Tasha, I can't get up- could you?'' "CAKE CAKE CAKE!" Nonon cheers. "Cake cake cake--" Shajo chants with her, but at significantly lower volume. "Apples?? are they from here?? Oh my goshhhh...." Nonon says, tears welling up in her eyes. Somehow this is what gets her going. "Riiiitttaaa, you're so perfect gossssshhh..."
Angela	Shajo runs his hand across her back. "Might be fun to swim with the fishies." He admits. He glances to Bota and answers, "Ahh, it's mostly Nonon, but what makes her happy makes me happy. I wouldn't mind solid ground to rest my feet either." Nonon is a little more confused by the question, looking up at the sky for a moment. It's true that she just hasn't really had a real home before, not like what Bota and Kana have, ever in her life. "Mm.....I suppose I just always found it beautiful and dangerous and endless. It felt like the possibilities were infinite. In most worlds, it's mostly water, you know? It's such a big piece of the planet, it feels weird to just leave it alone." She laughs again, "Guess that's a little silly, eh?" She wipes tears from her eyes. "Besides, if I get to know this world's oceans, I feel like I'll understand y'all and Rita better, Ga ha ha!"
Kukuru	Pictures are taken in stride, with Kukuru appearing quite photogenic when she's directed to pose under the tree for Madeleine's, or smush up with Rita for Touta's. She needs to make sure the happy couple has good shots of her they can put up on the mantle or whatever ends up getting built, after all! While she appears quite put together and even serene in the posed shots, however, the candid ones with Kukuru wind up with a far more mushy melty vibe to them. Her smile looks so much more dopey and giggly in those, and there isn't a single shot where her eyes aren't at least a little damp. "Jesus fucking Christ I'm going to hold Petra down with a cattle prod until she starts teaching you people some basic--" "Silly Lilian... Petra's not a cow!" Kukuru keeps getting more giggly as she inevitably gets a goofy mental image of Petra in a cow costume, quieting down once she realizes she hasn't actually eaten cow in a while. That idle hunger fades quickly enough, at least, as she waves Lilian in for more of those pictures. "So nice... Eheh. I wonder who's going to be hosting the next wedding..." Kukuru doesn't look at anyone in particular, but she's already starting to squeak excitedly again. "Is that traditional?" "I hope he lives." "Um... So I've heeeard, yep! I mean, you've gotta live through your wedding night so you can repeat that during the honeymoon, you knooow?" Kukuru chimes along after Kana, doing a terrible job of being coy while simultaneously not realizing that both of them might have the completely wrong idea of what's being said. "If you want to be small again, you can just call me, I think!" "Oh, Ritaaa...! That's so sweet of you~" Resisting the urge to hug all up on Rita again, Kukuru smushes her face up against hers again for the picture before no longer resisting the urge to hug all up on her again. "Sometime, maaaybe! Oh, but I'll have to let everyone back home know ahead of time so they don't get worried. It doesn't happen often, you know?" The cake ingredient situation is one that Kukuru's familiar with, and her first instinct is to offer to go pick up everything that's needed for it. She waits long enough to hear that Rita's got it under control, though, and her heart swells up further when she recognizes the bringer of Rita's homemade cake. Under any other circumstances, Kukuru could be more hostile, but... She seems sorry enough, and Rita's giving her a chance. That's more than enough for Kukuru to let it all go in an instant. "Come on, dear. You should try some, toooo~" She's really careful when it comes to eating the cake, too, because she wants to... No, she NEEDS to make sure she savors this dessert. The occasion. The people. The vibes. All of it is something she might not have for a long time, so she really needs to take all of it in!
Touta Konoe	The trio of Rita, Bota, and Kana have their photo prepared first. It's definitely apparent that Rita's the most photogenic. Bota and Kana's expressions are a bit more of a test to get the best shot, and at first he's almost a tad reluctant to take it at first. "Need you three to get in closer, okay? Like...You guys just found each other again after a long time, and seeing each other's not enough. You want that warmth that's...Hehe, sorry just...Remember, you guys might see this a few decades from now, so do your future selves a favor and make sure it's a smile you thank yourselves for." Before he tries to get too thoughtful, he waits a bit more before taking a picture of the three. He thinks it's a solid one at least. It's just... The next grouping comes. The three from before, the newlyweds, Gebura and Lilian...And then as Rita finds herself getting them altogether there's that thought. 'If only I'd been there.' There have been times in which he's found himself thinking these words. Those words that seem indicative of some lingering guilt. And there are certainly some thoughts that have led to that conclusion. But, if someone was peeking into his mind, the thoughts he feels like he's been trifling with most wouldn't have been that. 'Would it matter if I had been?' And with those thoughts, and as the camera aligns with the group, the essence of that person is caught within the lens...Those words ring in his ears again... §'Making up ways to look like you're involved', right? The performance of being present . . . Poor boy.'§ Inhale. Exhale. Click It shouldn't be so dramatic, or feel so crungly. He hadn't even been thinking like that. But the one thought led to another...And before he knew it...It's the kind of thought that hits you like you'd be repressing it, only to have it come back that it physically makes you squeamish. Bad enough it almost looks like it was going to affect him taking the picture. Somehow when there's an Elite involved, it really does feel like these picture perfect moments are all but just getting ready to implode. Whether it's for one the ones in the photo, or the one taking it... An exasperated sigh escapes his lips, as if that alone was a battle in and of itself. "Think it came out well. We'll develop it soon though. In the meantime..." There's the same smile as before on his face, even while he's still got those uncomfortable thoughts lingering. At least here, that doesn't feel completely the case. Because here he's been able to help record these moments. And that for him is something that he really is enthused about as Shajo might have noted. It's just... The main picture's finished, and with it there's talk from Rita of him and Madeleine taking pictures of each other. The two exchange cameras and he'd take the picture of Madeleine when she's ready, and yet when she'd go to try and take a picture of him, he'd try to signal to her. To stop her from it. A small eyeing of her to hold off, or fake the shot. He's not sure how much her cryptid knowledge goes to blood suckers, but one way or the other a single-lens reflex camera was probably not going to capture a picture of a vampire, and he knew that. He'd rather not spoil the mood like that though. He'd try to take a few pictures with them with a digital camera some other time perhaps. He just figured a film camera would be easier for the two down the line.
Touta Konoe	When all the pictures with the exclusion of the big 'kiss' and cake are finished, he hands back Madeleines. "Gotta say, no idea where you got this, but it's a real beauty. I bet all the ones you took at the monument are gonna be incredible. Though I'm pretty excited to see what Shajo's and Nonon's will come out." It's as he's preparing the film, and finally returning the new camera back to Shajo and Nonon together that once more he looks to the two. He still seemed enthused just by looking at them both, but there's something quieter about the whole thing. "...Really, glad I didn't miss this for you two. Congrats again guys." It definitely feels like there's more to it, but before they can think of it, something does catch his eye... It's not the scar of the young woman that catches him first. Rather, it's the replica of Night Mist. It somehow brings a smile to his face that well, "Ya know, Hina's been trying to do similar. Got most of the kids arguing on how it's supposed to look... It's getting close to finished you know..." Who knows if Lilian actually catches what he says. It's definitely for her, but at the same time it also just feels like it's in a tone that just gets blurted out as it comes to mind. Still, the name hopefully might have rang some bell. Regardless, just as casually as he makes note of the wooden replica does he as casually walk to return the camera back to Shajo and Nonon. It was their gift after all, and with Madeleine using her camera, he imagined taking care of pictures of the cake would be pretty easy. His roaming about the city did leave him with eyes to keep upon the curious trio, at the end of the day, what needed to be done was still enjoy the rest of the party for the couple. To watch as Rita signals for Tasha to bring out that cake as it catches the eyes of those at the event. The chanting of cake coming from Nonon and Shajo both and Touta finds it in himself to feel...A bit like back when he was younger. Chanting a bit more eagerly along with them, even trying to encourage Shajo to say it with more OOMPH. "Cake! Cake! Cake!" He continues to shout it out, looking the liveliest and most enthusiastic he's been all night. Truly feeling the warmth in the moment of this place that was so nobly and beautifully ordinary...
Rita Ma	"Come on, dear. You should try some, toooo~" "Are you sure?" Tasha says, gesturing at herself as if Kukuru might be missing something obvious. 'Shouldn't you hate me for working with Clark?' But under that collective warmth, her hesitation doesn't last. "Sure she's sure. You brought it out. Even if Nonon has two slices, there's extra." "Well..." Whatever happened between her and the others, the last half-year seems to have balmed all wounds. Touta might even have spotted the tall black man who served as Clark's other lieutenant around town. Kana doesn't object when Tasha sits down next to her, and Bota slides her a plate, and her face lights up at the first apple-and-vanilla bite. "Mmm...." Kukuru's doing enough smile-provoking things that the big glowy grin never really leaves Rita's face. About Size Reduction Surgery: "Mmm! You're even cuter when you're short, I think. I'm still not used to being taller than you now..." Bota and Kana both remain fascinated with the couple, in their own ways. "'Beautiful, dangerous, and endless'..." "I wish I saw the ocean like that." "Haha, yeah. But I can almost understand it. If you grew up not feeling like it'd kill you at any moment... I wonder if our island's kids will think of it like that." "Probably. Still a graveyard down there." "Oh, yeah! There's sunken cities and ruins everywhere. I guess other worlds just have a few shipwrecks..." "The central pond is a safe place to swim. Try it there. The monsters surface at night." "Doesn't it feel a little strange to still be calling them monsters?" And it patters on like that, the bustle of the crowd around the table, the trickle of new congratulations, people leaving metal nuts nearby for Shajo and Nonon, and eventually the susurration of rain on the tin roof too. The old bandana-wearing man brings out a bucket to catch the leak, murmuring to himself about how Boss Huorong better fix it. Afternoon turns to evening. The electric lights creak on. his could be forever, if you let it, for as long as the seaweed wine holds out. In a way it is forever. Apple Tree Island will go on just like this. Shajo and Nonon will go on just like this. It takes a while, is all, to get used to the warm idea that this is the rest of your life.