"This is why I love weddings..."

Maylea, Bloom of Serenity emerges from a fold in reality, prismatic colours shrouding Her. In Her hands, She carries two bottles, a platter, and some cake. She pauses before you, breaking into a small smile.

You have emoted: Lief's ears perk as she shakes herself from her dreamy thoughts, her eyes settling immediately upon Maylea. "My Lady!" she beams.

Maylea's eyes sparkle with amusement.

You have emoted: Lief's eyes fall to the goodies held in Maylea's hands, and there they widen.

Maylea, Bloom of Serenity says, "Eldin, hello."

Still looking at the baked things and bottles, laughing a bit, you say to Maylea, "I saw those in Your Fulcrux when I was last there with Zitto, I think!"

Maylea bends and places each item on the ground beside you.

Maylea, Bloom of Serenity says, "I brought them for you to enjoy, little one." A mischievous glint sparkles in Her golden eyes. "They would do you far more good than Me."

You have emoted: Lief's wings stutter a bit, allowing her to lower to the earth where her bare feet plant themselves, another laugh bubbling to her lips. "Oh, goodness!" she claps her hands together with delight. "I will put them to good use, I promise!"

-ih
"sapling404256"               an oak sapling
"totem53573"                  a living totem
"bottle387853"                a heavy clay bottle (filled with a peach cobbler cocktail)
"bottle385739"                a heavy clay bottle (filled with a warm apple pie cocktail)
"cake370318"                  a white chocolate heartbreak cake
"platter311681"               a platter of assorted moon-shaped turnovers

Maylea look upon you, studying you for a moment. "You have been busy these months, Eldin." She sits down upon a nearby fallen trunk, so that Her gaze meets your level.

You have emoted: Lief stoops to pick up a heavy clay bottle, her eyes sparkling as she lifts the bottle to give it a quick sniff. Her ears twitch to Maylea's words, and, showing remarkable restraint, she does not, in fact, imbibe in front of her Goddess. "My days have been full," she beams in agreement. "In a few weeks, we shall meet with Nialla in Your gardens, and soon afterward, the muku flower Lanni tends to will bear fruit for Naevari."

You think to yourself: And there is all the wedding planning, too...!

Maylea's golden eyes flicker over you, resting upon the bottle held. "Much cause for celebration." The corners of Her lips betray Her amusement. "Not only for the Mayflowers, but for you, Eldin, is there not?" Below Her feet, colours spring in a sprinkle of wildflowers that rise to welcome the Goddess.

You have emoted: Lief's gaze falls to the bottle in her hands, and her irrepressible joy is betrayed not only by the smile that dances across her face, but by the colors which gleam within her otherwise gray eyes. "Yes," she says softly, and then she looks up, meeting Maylea's lively golden eyes. "We hope to wed as soon as we can," she admits, "Zitto and me. Within the first summer that we can, I think." She brings her bottle to her chest, and she hesitates.

Bashfulness creeping into her voice, a sheepishness that draws color to her cheeks as she fumbles about her words, you say to Maylea, "If - if You are able, we have talked about it, and we would find so much meaning in a ceremony led by You."

Maylea smiles, reaching out to touch the back of Her hand to your cheek. "My Lief, I would be happy to lead your ceremony." Within the gold of Her eyes, you see flickers of blue.

For a moment, you feel as if you were standing elsewhere. Two Goddesses stand before one another, hands clasped. Their gazes rest only upon each other.

Swirls of essence and colour dance from One to the Other, enveloping them in a storm of hues. They lean in... And the image fades.

You have emoted: As her breath catches in her throat, Lief's eyes grow glassy, a sparkle of blue - a little bit like Maylea's, but certainly far less Divine - dashed within them as her attention is pulled into the vision. When it fades, she blinks rapidly, and then focuses on Maylea's face again, upon Her eyes. "You and Your Kaenalye," she whispers with emotion, hugging the bottle to herself.

Looking away, Maylea withdraws Her hand to rest it within Her lap. "I miss Her, Eldin." Her voice is soft, wistful. "All these aeons, I still miss Her." A wave of sadness washes over you, tempered by a sense of immeasurable time, and blossoming hope.

You have emoted: There is an understanding in Lief's mien that had never truly been there before - a comprehension which pulls at her heart and causes her eyes to swim from more than the sorrow which washes over her. One bare foot of hers steps closer, and, her hand tentative, she reaches out to touch Maylea's arm with a musician's calloused fingertips. She still blinks rapidly, blinking against the moisture which gathers there in her quiet.

You think to yourself: It cannot dull the pain. It cannot fill the missing pieces in Her heart. But we love You. I love You. How to say it...

Maylea turns Her gaze back to you to rest Her other hand upon yours. "Eldin, I am glad you have found your joy." Her smile is radiant, and even in the low light of dusk, She glows with a gentle shine. "Your love adds to the hues in the world. As does the love among all the shards, flickering like stars in the sky, like blossoms upon the meadow in your light." As She speaks, you feel lighter, a refreshing coolness buoying you to joy. "This is why I love weddings.... Tell Me when you will hold your ceremony, and I will bring you My blessing."

You have emoted: Lief swallows, and her wavering smile settles into something which becomes easier with Maylea's words, with Her radiance. "Thank You, Mother," she whispers, a tear wending its way down her cheek despite her happiness. "I will. We will, Zitto and me both."

Maylea tilts Her head for a moment, Her golden eyes studying you once more. "I have examined your work on the Unbroken. It is truly yours." In your mind's eye, you see the outline of a journal resting in the Goddess's hands, pages turning one by one by on. "Well done."

You have emoted: Lief lifts her hand to dry her cheek with her billowing kimono's sleeve, and she laughs a little bit, a burst of emotion which settles upon joy. "Thank You, my Lady. Those who become Unbroken - I am so proud of them all. Nialla, Elexia, Zitto. Soon Taemira. Their strength together makes me speechless."

Maylea, Bloom of Serenity says, "You have shown them the nature of your strength, and thereby inspire them to strength."

You have emoted: Lief nods, lowering her hand to her kimono's lap, joining with her grasp upon her bottle's neck with her other. She smiles at Maylea, warmth returning to her gaze, glowing warmth in all its hearth-like colors. "Yes," she says, her voice betraying a hint of her pride.

You think to yourself: Their strengths are all so different from my own, too - and they, too, are unbroken.

Maylea leans in to lightly kiss you on your forehead. "I will not keep you, Eldin." Her eyes glint mischievously once more. "Enjoy your food and drink, and when your happy day comes, I will surely be there."

Standing, Maylea, Bloom of Serenity draws Her sari close to Herself and turns. In a swirl of fabric, She is gone, leaving behind only, as always, a profusion of wildflowers where Her feet rested, which wave in a soft breeze, as if in goodbye.

You have emoted: Lief laughs suddenly again, and she lifts her fingers to her forehead, and on a whim, she says, smiling, "Keetos."