Welcome to Gaia! ::

Charlotte hadn't said anything to Larissa about that issue, so she was unaware. Either way, he was not invited to their most special day. Needless to say, he was going to send demons after them from a distance. He desperately wanted to save his demon friend after all. Larissa didn't notice Midnight rolling her eyes the second time and fortunately wasn't triggered by it.

She listened to her mate explain more about Tungsten. "Not precious, hm? But those other properties all sound really good. You sure know a lot about different metals and minerals. Don't tell me you're also part dwarf now" she joked. "I guess I never studied it because it's not a crystal. And making it shining silver would be good. Yeah, that sounds like it'd make some durable wedding bands that last and don't get damaged easily".

She paused a bit "So, you're really okay with me inviting my two old highschool friends? Is there anyone else you're inviting that I haven't met before?"

"Are you sure now?" she teased, "Just kidding, I know you're not. Oh, okay. Well you certainly have a lot of interests in different things. Being in an art community sounds interesting too. I usually like to commission art of my favourite role play characters but since I started here at the academy, I really don't have much time for role playing. Maybe I'll get back into it when I have maternity leave"

She cocked her head slightly "Ohh, cool. I bet watching someone make jewellery could be fun. And yeah, I'm happy with using that" she agreed on the tungsten. "Should we ring Olivia now?"

She had her phone in her hand and paused, thumb swiping the screen to unlock it. She grinned at Midnight's reply to her question "Thank you Midnight! That means so much to me. I've been missing them and we've only talked sparingly online and through cell phone texts. It'll be great to catch up with my girls. And sure, I don't mind at all. I mean, they're your friends so it's up to you but I won't mind if you do since it's only fair." She looked back down at her phone "Uh, let's see, what's Olivia's shop called again? I need to look up the phone number".

Larissa couldn't afford to pay much towards the wedding bands so she contributed a little and let Midnight pay the rest.

*****

On the day of the wedding, Larissa was excited but nervous. The area for the wedding looked idyllic and magical. She was delighted with the flowers everywhere. The clean, cool morning air was refreshing. It helped clear her mind and keep her calm. The clearing was selected by Midnight and Larissa had looked at pictures on Midnight's phone before agreeing to have the wedding there. It was very peaceful and beautiful and because it was in the forest, they shouldn't be bothered by any strangers or media.

Larissa was already in her gown and was checking the finishing touches on her makeup in a small hand mirror. Her pale orange hair was done in a loose, messy style with wisps of baby's breath flowers woven through it. She had a pair of white wings perched to one side on the top of her head. Her dress was exactly as she had asked for and was reminiscent of a new spring morning. Her jewellery sparkled and her dress glittered from the diamond prisms on it. Her white shoes also glimmered with glitter. Soon she would have to walk down the aisle. The tent was separated by a opaque dividing wall that zipped up in the middle, so although she could hear soft sounds from the other side, she could not see Midnight. She was sure that her bride/groom looked stunning though.

A soft music started to flow, and Larissa checked her phone. They were going to walk down soon! Poff was sitting primly beside Larissa, a tiny pair of feathered white wings on her back, and she wore a pale blue collar studded with diamonds. There was a silver bow on the base of her tail and her claws were painting silver with Familiar safe nail polish. "It's nearly time!" she meowed.

Larissa bent down and petted her, and the simple act of doing so helped calm her nerves "I know sweetie. This is a happy occasion! But I can't help feeling a little self conscious about going out there in front of all those people"

*****

Larissa's mother Papaya was sitting next to her father. She was wearing gloves and a nice dress with a floppy sunhat, decorative hat pins and some small ankle boots. She looked lovely and soft, her pale orange hair cascading over one shoulder. She looked around in awe and excitement, seeing all the people on the other row. She kept leaning in to excitedly tell Mike things "Oh look! Look at that beautiful big tiger. He must be her familiar" she said, noticing Brutus near Lilian's feet. "Ooh, I wonder why that woman has bat wings and a tail. That's a little worrisome. It makes me concerned of how Larissa knows her" she whispered. Then she noticed the parents sitting beside her "I think those are Leo's parents," she whispered. "Another redhead! Maybe her mother and I would get along well".

Mike grunted, eyeing the other row of seats across the aisle with wariness. "Don't stare at them, Papaya. It's impolite. We don't want to offend anybody, specially not that sort" he whispered back. "They might turn us into toads or something"

Two girls made their way into the row of seats, each of them dressed in formal dresses and looking pretty. One was dark brown skinned with grape purple hair and eyes, and the other was a tall, pale blonde with blue eyes. The girls smiled and waved at Larissa's parents as they both took their seats next to them. "Papaya! It's good to see you again! You look lovely!" Amity gushed, placing a hand over her heart lightly.

Misty grinned, her purple lipstick shining. "Hi Mike, how's the car business going? Geez,I remember when you gave us a tour of your workplace, when Larissa and us used to hang out" she chuckled. "I can't believe she's getting married already. That seemed like not so long ago but time has just flown~! Never thought that sending her away to college would develop into something so fast"

Mike looked around "Where is the minister? Who is the priest that's doing the marriage ceremony?" he wondered, not seeing him or her anywhere. "I hope they didn't forget to pick one"

Papaya laughed softly, "Oh hush you, I'm sure everything will be fine"

Eilene was the most decorated woman in line at the side of the aisle, standing out a bit more from the other bridesmaids as the Maid of Honour. She was blushing softly and looking around demurely while holding some small flowers. Her blue hair was up in a bun, with a small tiara perched in front of it and strands of blue twining round the sides of her face.

The music for the happy couple's wedding march was starting to play. They would have to walk down the aisle. Mike stood up and went to wait near the aisle to take his daughter's arm and walk her down just like he promised. He carefully avoided looking at the magical people in the next rows across.

Larissa stepped out of the tent and started to walk slowly up the aisle to the classical music, the floofy parts of her gown rustling faintly, the clouds and stars on them catching the light. Poff strolled alongside her and a few 'awws' could be heard from the crowd. The music wasn't the traditional wedding song, it was something she and Midnight had chosen together; an old Elvish melody. She heard gasps and murmurs and then the roar of a dragon rang out. Larissa looked into the sky and saw Midnight flying over the lake of lotus flowers. She tried to keep a straight face and not laugh as the dragon flew over the wedding guests before heading back out to the lake.

'What is Midnight doing? I didn't know they'd be putting on a show for our family and friends. Oh, they wanted to reveal their dragon form to their friends and family, and my friends and family. Interesting choice to be doing it right now!' She shook her head, forcing herself not to giggle. She walked up to her father, who had his eyes on the dragon, almost popping out at the sight of it "Larissa, there's a dragon on the loose! It probably lives in these mountains. Should we call someone to take care of it?" He startled and remembered to take her arm.

Larissa did giggle softly then "No daddy, that's Midnight. Leo. Remember Leo? They changed their name to Midnight recently since they feel it suited them more. That's who I'm marrying today!" she whispered.

Mike stared at her "What?! What?! What do you mean? Do you mean...that that dragon is your fiance?! Larissa, you can't marry a dragon!"

Larissa patted his arm in a pacifying manner "Don't freak out, okay? Everything is fine. I already knew Midnight was a dragon, they have dragon blood in their ancestry. They appear as a half human, half dragon all the time around me. There is nothing to worry about. Midnight's just chosen to reveal their dragon form today to everyone because I guess it's the perfect opportunity with all our friends and family gathered here together. Sorry for keeping it a secret from you but it's really normal for both of us"

Mike grumbled something under his breath, frowning. "Larissa, you can't...what..."

Larissa ignored him. She continued to walk down the aisle slowly after she finished whispering to her dad, straightening and looking ahead, stepping in a ladylike manner towards the altar at the far end of the rows of seats. She had to pull on his arm to get him to walk with her but then he reluctantly stepped alongside her, his eyes watching Midnight's show over the lake. He didn't want to ruin his daughter's special day but this was another huge shock and he wasn't sure how to handle it. So he just went through the motions and hoped for the best. He hoped Larissa knew what she was doing, marrying into a family of magical creatures and people.

*****

Papaya on the other hand, was watching the dragon with Misty and Amity. The three women watched in wonder and excitement as the dragon performed aerial manoeuvres. "Oh my goodness, a real dragon! Did Leo and Larissa hire them for the wedding?! This is amazing!" she gasped, clapping her hands together silently as she was wearing gloves.

Misty and Amity squealed and gasped as well, exclaiming over the dragon "It's so pretty!" "It's so sparkly! Oh my gosh!" "Well there's a golden tiger over there, I guess a dragon's not really a big surprise!"

The women then turned their attention back to Larissa, watching her and Mike walk down the aisle together. "Ohh, Larissa, you look breathtaking, darling. What a unique and beautiful wedding attire. Goodness, that looks like it must cost thousands of dollars" she whispered to Amity and Misty. She smiled at Mike "Good job Mike. Don't let our daughter down" she whispered, as her eyes began to mist with tears and she pulled out her handkerchief to dab at them. "We're marrying into the magical community, how wonderful!"

The guests watched Midnight's show until they revealed themselves at the end, after the flourish of darkness magic. There was a moment or two of stunned silence before people clapped and cheered for Midnight, both their display and their impressive and beautiful appearance. Papaya, Amity and Misty all clapped as well, in awe of the dragon person standing in such a gorgeous outfit of the night; the other half to Larissa's day themed outfit. Poff stood silently beside her partner, sitting down when Midnight took Larissa's hands in her own.

Larissa smiled radiantly at Midnight, her eyes showing amusement at Midnight's antics, and admiration at their beauty and outfit. She then looked up to the sky as her gaze was torn away from her partner, watching Leo's arrival unfold. Larissa turned to look at him at the altar and eeped softly. "H-he came!" she whispered to Midnight in surprise. "He came to our wedding!" Her eyes were round with that 'deer in the headlights' look. "How beautiful...and mighty" she breathed, looking at him in awe.

Poff had watched his appearance too, and the little familiar tilted her head at him "Who is this?" she meowed curiously, studying him in puzzlement. She noticed the other cat familiars bowing their heads and looked back at Leo innocently before bowing her head too. She didn't know who he was or why they were bowing but she didn't want to get on his bad side. Larissa's gentle thought-voice reassured her 'It's alright my little partner, this is the god, Leo, from the stellar pantheon. He's a feline god, a lion. He won't hurt you...but you are right to bow'.

*****

Larissa's friends and parents had all stood as well when Leo turned up, copying the magical folks and also doing it out of respect to the god. Even though they were humans and didn't dabble in the magic community up till now, they still recognised a god when they saw one. He began to speak and they realised he was going to preside over the marriage vows. Papaya held onto her husband and rubbed his arm comfortingly, helping him stay standing and not fall over. He was having a hard time dealing with everything, and this god arriving was almost overwhelming for the simple car salesman. "See now dear? A god approves the wedding of our daughter and Midnight. Their coupling is blessed. We have nothing to worry about" she whispered warmly, kissing him on the cheek briefly while never taking her eyes off the altar and Leo.

The bridesmaids and Maid of Honour filed out alongside Larissa and Midnight, along with the Best Man. Seeing her cue, Mia began walking down the aisle with the rings on a cushion, carrying it in slightly shaking hands. Crash hopped along beside her, looking all clean and pure white, wearing a small bow tie. Mia looked very dashing and elegant in her suit and tie.

*****

As Leo began to speak, Larissa seemed to startle back to composure with a flinch. She shook her head then turned her gaze to Midnight again and stared into their eyes as Leo began taking them through their vows. She smiled with a look of love and trust at the person she loved most.She was ready to say "I do", positive feelings and certainty in her heart and hopes for the good things in their shared future. She was glad her baby was going to have two parents and a sibling or perhaps more than one. They could truly be a family together. This was one of the happiest days of her life.

Larissa nodded minutely at Midnight's whisper. She understood but was a bit confused as to why Midnight had to open the way for a powerful god that already came down to see Midnight on his own perfectly fine. Oh well, perhaps there was some sort of ritual to be obeyed because it was a wedding ceremony. Her attention was quickly engulfed by her spouse-to-be. She was also carefully listening to Leo speak the vows and nodding along with them. They were promises between her and Midnight that she would have to remember and stick to.

When Leo uttered the joining words, Larissa promptly replied "I do!" she trailed off in a teary laugh, crying from happiness. Poff was also watching the marriage and sharing the feelings of love and joy from her partner. She had started to purr softly and continued doing so out of rejoicing for them both. It wasn't loud enough to really be heard by anyone except Sapphire, Leo or Midnight.

It was then Midnight's turn to agree and commit. Larissa's parents and friends were still watching while standing quietly, her mother dabbing at her eyes with her embroidered handkerchief. Her father just staring with his mouth open. Amity and Misty were clutching each other lightly, looking excited and happy for the lucky couple.

When all the vows had been said and agreed to, the brides awaited Leo to say that they could kiss to seal the pact.

Their kiss was wonderful and heartfelt.

Larissa was so happy with their unique and beautiful wedding bands. She admired the ring on her own finger, knowing she would treasure it forever. And what it meant. She then reverently slipped the little dragon ring onto Midnight's finger. Everyone started to cheer and clap for them and the happy brides turned to look at the gathered family and friends.

"Now that the ceremony is complete, we have a pavilion set up with tables over under the cherry trees. If everyone could make their way there, the caterers will serve the meals shortly" Larissa said, speaking loud enough for everyone to hear. "Thank you all for being here on our special day" She then turned to Midnight "Shall we head to the pavilion together? We'll be eating together as spouses for the first time. Our table is the one at the front, and our parents and closest friends are going to sit there with us"

She linked her arm through Midnight's and prepared to step down from the altar, walking together as a couple.

Papaya led Mike away towards the large, open sided tent and Misty and Amity followed. The food smells were wafting from the catering tent and they were amazing. Very tantalizing and got people looking forward to eating whatever was served.

When Larissa and Midnight would get to the tent, they would be surprised to find a table full of wedding gifts had been set up. The cake had not been brought out yet but there was a table with a knife upon it waiting for the large cake when it was brought out after the main meals. The tables were all decorated with spring flowers and weighted balloons and confetti, and there were small name cards at each place setting, letting people know where to sit. Soft music played from hidden speakers, lending a gentle ambience to the scene.