First Family of the Earth|Humontis

[adris]

River, simply put, could not be more excited for the procedings. He had been bouncing about like a child, shaking hands, kissing babies, to put it simply he wasn't acting like a clever merchant and the people seemed to take well to this side of him. He was sure that he was soon to be the husband of the best woman on the planet, and no matter how well made your argument was you couldn't change his mind. He had hired the inns and shopkeeps to hire musicians to play in each of the five subterrainian cities, and the fields of flora were told to hold a farmer's market for all visitors. Jewelry salesmen even found themselves a small commission if they lowered prices for all guests into Humontis.

He had waited with little patience for this day to come, although he was deftly able to hide it at work. He did this mostly by channeling excitement into his ideas and propositions that he brought before the council. The day had finally come and he hardly knew what to do first, as was signified by the fact that he was pacing back and forth in his room from the closet to the door wondering if he should choose travel clothes before or after bathing.

[Kender Bard]

A servant decided to interrupt River with his news. "Milord? The guests are arriving. Specifically, Mother Cascata has arrived and we've spotted Queen Lya with some unknown escort."

---

Lya glanced at Twilight, wondering if this was a bright idea. It had seemed so at the time...

Then again, he was being an utter gentleman. It surprised her, pleasantly.

"Thank you for coming," Lya murmured to him as the continued along the way. Twilight smiled and pat Lya's hand softly, looped in his arm.

"It was my pleasure, m'lady," he said smoothly. "You needn't keep thanking me. Besides, what chivalrous gentleman could let a gentle damsel such as yourself brave the wilds all alone? Besides, I want to see more of this world that is now my home."

Lya smiled and didn't respond. As they came to Humontis's proper entrance, she spotted Cascata amidst a small throng of Water escorts. Delighted, Lya waved her over eagerly. Cascata, spotting a friend in the sea of unfamiliar faces, obliged. The women hugged briefly and exchanged their pleasantries, catching up with one another. Twilight did eye Cascata over carefully and seemed to grin to himself a moment before he contained his usual eagerness.

Lya gave him another point in his favor.

[Northen Light36]

Ann arrives at around the same time as Lya and Cascata, with just the barest hint of sulkiness in her expression. She didn't want to attend this, she'd have rathered stay home and talk to Zack some more. The Fire Heir blushed faintly at the thought of the dark skinned Wind. He's different to everyone else, she thought and hoped he'd still be staying at Fira when she got back.

It wasn't fair, but duty was duty still, and Uncle Damien had told her that at least one of them should make an appearence. Ann frowned at the thought. Why couldn't Uncle come? No one takes me seriously... But maybe that's why he sent me... To show that he trusts me and what I can do... The thought's a cheering one and the young Heir's expression brightens.

At least she'd managed to lose the escort that had been with her.

[adris]

River decided to just rinse himself off with the presence of fragrant herbs and hurry his way out to greet the guests. He couldn't possibly keep them waiting after they had come all the way there. He wore a more ceremonial robe then the one he usually wears, usually for days of elections and judgments. He has another, more dressy, piece of attire out already for when the actual ceremony begins. He immediately made his way over to where Cascata and Lya were reported to be, greeting them both with a deep and heartfelt bow.

"Oh how splendid, I was worried for a little bit that you two wouldn't have been able to come. Queen Lya, my Lady Cascata," greeting Cascata in his usual reverent tone, "I welcome you with all my heart to Humontis. I cannot voice how great a pleasure it is, I pray your journey was safe. Thanks to the great beast leader Faolan the beastlands that have usually been a terror to visitors have become more and more allies to our mount."

He turned briefly to Twilight, dipping his head to him as well, "I pray you forgive my ignorance to your name my lord, but I pray you feel as welcome as I hope everyone is to our humble home."

River scanned the crowd, trying to make absolutely sure he wasn't missing any important names in the crowd. It was then that he caught the figure of a small girl he didn't recognize as an earth type just now entering the crowd. Running though his mental database of faces and descriptions, he decided to go forward on a hunch of who she was. He gave Ann a happy wave welcoming her over to the group.

"And what force did I please that allowed Mount Humontis to be graced with this regal figure? Truly this must be a most blessed of days, to see so many well wishers gathering."

At the worst if he was wrong he would seem like he was just complimenting some little girl, albeit laying it on a little thick. He hopes that the occasion will give him a small pass on his social graces.

[Northen Light36]

Ann blushes and has to fight down the urge to giggle. It wouldn't do to act like a child right now.

"Thank you Lord River," she replies politely. "My Uncle, Honoured Leader Damien, sends you his regards and regrets that he is unable to attend." Not, Ann adds to herself. She can see why Damien didn't want to come if this is how the Earth leader always acts. Overdone flattery always does annoy him.

[aivea]

Saber teleports to being directly behind River, and gives the Earth Leader a playful poke on the back, "Boo!"

As he arrives, Haukea scans the sea of unfamiliar faces for anyone who looked like they might be the Earth Leader. The invitation had been a bit of a surprise, but the wedding had seemed like it would be the perfect chance to meet River. However, not having more than an extremely vague hint of what River looks like does make finding the other Leader difficult. As nearly always outside of Khelek, Zophiel is quietly by his side.

[Devon]

Aslan enters the area uncomfortably adjusting the collar of his suit and his finely combed hair. He had an Ilyamen tailor make a regal suit for the proud leader so that he wouldn't look like a slob in front of all the other leaders that would be attending. He had even had his mane groomed.

Glancing around the room he looks over the faces, the only one he really recognized was River from his earlier dealings with him. His face looked firm and strong, but mentally he was regretting the fact that he never got around to properly introducing himself to the other leaders of the land after he took over for Emera.

[Kender Bard]

Lya and Cascata exchanged parting words and separated. Lya even gave Twilight free reign to roam at his pleasure. She nodded courtly towards Haukea upon spotting him but not much else, and instead made her way towards Aslan. Incidentally, so was Cascata, so the two girls joined once more and giggled coyly - Lya behind one of her wings and Cascata behind a seashell-painted hand fan.

"Greetings, m'lord," Lya said first. "You must be Lord Aslan of Ilyamen. It is a pleasure to meet you." She extended one of her hands. So far she was enjoying herself; she hadn't had time to feel nervous yet. Cascata was simply all bubbly at a chance to rub shoulders with so many highborn.

Twilight trailed after River. "My name is Twilight. I am acting co-ruler of Anarlina, though I don't have much to rule over these days."

[Devon]

Aslan watches as the two lady leaders approach him. His face doesn't change, but meeting them does make him slightly uneasy. He didn't know the kind of life they lived growing up, but he was an ordinary man who just happened to become leader one day.

Reaching his hand out to shake with Lya he tries his best to be gentle, though his hands are massive and almost like the paws of a lion. "Yes I am Aslan of Ilyamen, the lord part isn't necessary. Judging from the wings you must be Queen Lya of Caelium." Glancing to Cascata he nods as well and reaches his hand to her. "You must be Cascata of Ronduin."

[adris]

River figured the two ladies had other things to do before the ceremony. He guessed they just decided to do it, with such a good turnout they probably are seeing people that they have been wanting to talk to for a while. The entourage from Khelek was the biggest of surprises, while he would like to think of Haukea as an ally, he didn't know the man would show for this sort of event. He turned his attention back to Ann while he had it.

"Well, Damien is a busy man, having to look after so many differing ideals at the same time amongst your clans. I truly do welcome you though, it means a lot that you put up with me. Any chance that-" At that point he felt Saber's poke in the back and gave a surprised yelb, spinning about he tries to find his friend and put him in a playful headlock. Turning back to Ann after this was done he picked up where he left off without missing a beat, "any chance that I can help make your stay become just a little more pleasant?"

[Kender Bard]

Twilight rolled his eyes skyward and sighed inwardly as his words went unheeded. He could understand being busy, but still.

A touch miffed, Twilight sought to soothe his nerves in Lya's company. Seeing the Queen giggling at Aslan, he ground his teeth. He'd tried to be a gentleman, he really had, but he was bored and a little insulted. He approached the first pretty lady he saw and struck up a conversation, taking solace in making the damsel blush and giggle.

Lya laughed and nodded. "You are correct, Lord Aslan."

"I hope you can find time to visit us at some point and get better acquainted," Cascata added politely.

[aivea]

"Lemme go!" Saber orders as he tries to squirm out of River's hold.

The Ice Leader gives a nod in greeting and a faint smile in reply to Lya while continuing his search for River. Spotting the other man who seemed to be busy with another conversation at the moment, he waits patiently for River to finish. It would be better for a first impression to wait one's turn.

[Northen Light36]

Ann giggles at Saber then smiles up at River. "Could you show me to somewhere I can clean up and rest a little, sir?" she asks politely. "It has been a long trip here."

[Devon]

Aslan nods and offers a small smile to the two leaders in front of him. "I'll try to get out of my dusty office one of these days. To be honest this is probably the first time I've stepped outside of Ilyamen since I became the leader there."

[adris]

(Shoot, well Kender, I screwed that up I didn't mean for River to ignore Twilight, he wouldn't do that... I read it wrong and thought he stayed with Lya... lets see if I can't get a little redemption here then...)

River let Saber go, the mind obviously realizing it was all in good fun. He had been working on his teleportation and River was pretty sure he could go a foot backwards if this greeting was a little unwelcome. He remembered Twilights greeting and simply blowing him off and as such he bit his lower lip in trying to think of a way to make up for it a little. First thing is first though, he had to deal with Ann. He flashed her one last smile while he thought of the best place.

"Lets see, for someone like you that just depends on what kind of atmosphere you like best. Inside of Obsidian on the right of the main road there are several temporary rest houses with a constant flow of hot water. If you want a room already though pick your favorite inn, I suggest the ones outside in the Fields just before making it to the main city. There are several natural themes to the rooms, and the water is good enough to make an old man like me feel young."

He gave her a deep bow and another thanks for attending. He then turned his attention to the ruler of Ararlina. Observing the situation he noticed that the man was making the rounds with some young ladies, and figured that might have been an in, if not at least it would make it look like he was sorry. He looked about for a pretty looking woman who looked single and pulled her out of the crowd specifically telling her he had a friend he wanted her to meet. He managed to find one that almost perfectly fit the bill quickly enough and led the way, purposely passing near swathes of people so it seemed like he was giving them little time of day to meet up with Twilight.

"And here is the gentlemen I was telling you about my lady, a regal and intelligent gentleman from lands afar. A very treasured acquaintance of mine to boot, I don't know where Humontis would be today if it weren't for his influences," he was laying this on thick, but the look in the woman's eyes showed that she responded well to it, leaving River's side and taking a couple deliberate yet shy steps towards Twilight, and River flashed him a smile, "and please forgive my half mindedness earlier, I tell you its a big reason why I need to get married. I need someone to remind me my head is on my shoulders lest I panic about forgetting it."