The mountain was alive with birdsong today, as if nature itself were rejoicing as the pair walked the familiar path to the altars. The wind carries with it the sweet smell of love and springtime, of hope and promise. That was what they were to each other; that was the effect they had even on nature.
Oriens had been waiting for this moment, had known it was coming. How could he not? He doubted there was a single soul in Delumine - perhaps in all of Novus - who had not known of the couple and seen how right they were for one another. Their love for one another was evident not only in the children they had brought into the world, but in the tenderness with which they looked at each other, the warmth of their embraces, the way they sought each other out before looking to anyone else. They were friends, partners, lovers, family; they completed each other’s lives.
He was there, as they approached the altar; he was in the flowers that bent towards them as they passed, his encouragement was the wind dancing through their manes, his joy was in the way the sun cast a warm glow about the mountain cathedral. The birds sing a chorus just for them, accentuating their steps that ring out against the stone floor. It is a wedding song, one of hope, of love, of joy; the only words needed are the ones they have come to speak.
”Oriens.”
The mountain echoes their words, immortalizing them in the wind that sweeps through the peaks. Together they’re changing the energy of Veneror; the stones would remember their steps, the wind would remember their voice. The mountains would welcome them here, forever and always.
Their gifts are laid out: twin necklaces from Eulalie, a kettle, teacup, and engraved ring from Somnus (the god of the morning can’t help the smile that spreads across his features, remembering how he and Somnus had once sat and had tea together on this very mountain. It seemed an eternity ago; the golden Sovereign had changed greatly during that time, and yet, he was still the same man, he had still not lost his honor or loyalty whereas many men faced with similar troubles might have.)
But it’s not the physical worth of the gifts that attracts Oriens, but the intrinsic value the couple has given them; these are their treasures, their lives and livelihood. They placed them now at the god’s altar to build a new life, one together. Quietly, the Delumine god slips into the temple behind them, framed by the rising sun.
Light illuminates the sun on his brow and the carved bands and symbols across his body, a soft glow spreading across his visage. And yet, he does not burn brightly; he is not as brilliant as his brother Solis, nor as luminous as his sister Caligo. And he is not quite so vibrant as Vespera, for he is the dark before the sunrise, and she is the color before the dark. It is better this way: Oriens lets the sunrise shine for itself, and he lets the couple be the star of the morning.
“Somnus,” he speaks at last. “It is good to see you, my old friend.”
He approaches on silent hooves, with a grace that seems more delicate and light than even the gentle breeze following him in.
“And Eulalie,” his smile is vibrant and fills his voice. Despite his ancient appearance there’s a boyishness in his eyes, a youthful sort of excitement at sharing in their secret. “You are radiant today.”
He looks again from the arrayed gifts to the couples’ faces, gauging their devotion with a glance. There’s little need to; this day was a long time coming, and it’s outcome predetermined.
“I’m happy for the two of you, so happy,” he begins, looking from Somnus to Eulalie. “You have been through much together; but it has always been together.” And now, it always will be.
As he begins to speak, the sun marking etched upon his forehead begins to grow stronger, its light illuminating the faces of the mortals standing before him. Can they feel the warmth? he wonders, The warmth that heats their face, the light that makes its way into their blood?
Their faces will grow warm, but the warmth will travel deeper; as they meet the god’s face, Somnus and Eulalie will feel a heat traveling in their veins, warming them from the inside out. Its the warmth of the rising sun filling them, fueled by the strength of their bond.
“I will bless your union,” he continues, and he steps forward now to touch them each upon the brow. “For i have not seen a love more deserving than your’s.” Dust, as golden as the sun, marks a sun on each of their foreheads.
“Keep your promises to each other, keep your faith, and you will know joy like none other.”
Oriens steps back, allowing them to face each other again.
And he wonders if they can feel it already, the bond that is stitching their souls together, connecting one spirit to the other.
Bonding them for life.
@Somnus and @Eulalie have been blessed!
Their patron diety, Oriens, has accepted their gifts and given them his blessing of the union by marking their brows and filling them both with the heat of the sun. While the dust will wash off and the warmth will fade in the next few minutes, they will find themselves especially attuned to one another. They will experience an enhanced awareness of the others’ mood, and will be able to sense when they may be in danger. No matter how far apart they may find themselves, they will always have an inexplicable understanding of their significant other’s location, allowing them to always find their way back to each other.
In addition, Somnus and Eulalie are guaranteed a successful pregnancy if they attempt one.
Congratulations!
Please be advised, tagging the Random Event account does not guarantee a response!
