A renewal (closed)

[beautifullies]

Who: Claire Fraser, James Fraser, and invited guests.
Where: Claire and Jamie's room.
When: The evening of 2-7
Rating: PG-13ish perhaps? Drinking and fesitivies and Jamie and Claire being, well, themselves in the end.
Summary: After 20 years and other marriages, the Frasers renew their wedding vows.
NOTES: Feel free to use the dinner post as a place to top level if the pre-party doesn't suit your needs! Social interaction with each other encouraged!
The Story:



[ When they'd first married, Claire was hung over. Incredibly so, because she couldn't possibly fathom a life where she was tethered to this red-headed giant of a Scotsman for her duration in the 18th century. Even if he was potentially saving her life with the backing of his clan. The mere idea of being the wife of someone when she already belonged to another 200 years in the future was dizzying, though she couldn't say the alcohol had helped anything.

So much changes in such a small amount of time. Back through the stones she went, leaving her husband to die, going to another who only ever wanted a second go of things, to raise a child, even another man's because he couldn't have his own. Frank Randall, for all intents and purposes, did his job well. He provided for both Claire and later, Brianna. He supported her when she went to medical school and Claire repaid him by never, not once, being able to let go of Jamie. Frank was her first husband, but he wasn't the love of her life. She knew it. He knew it. When he died she had regrets, mostly that he would never know how grateful she was that he loved Bree so fiercely when just looking at her had to be painful on the nights he and Claire fought the hardest. But if there was one thing he never wavered in, not once, it was being a father.

Back through the stones with twenty years between she and Jamie was daunting. What if he'd loved another? What if he'd convinced himself it was all an elaborate dream or concoction or any other number of things?

What if he had an entire family without her?

Her biggest fears were allayed the moment she stood bare in front of him for the first time again in so long, but the worst fear was true. He was married, he'd lied to her about that. But he wasn't in love and she had to accept it. Not easily, and not without so many doubts that she was wrong to return to him. After all, he must have imagined that with a ready and willing husband in Frank, there must have been an abundance of love. It took time and healing, adventure and peril, and now, in Wonderland, she can't say this doesn't feel right. To marry him all over again, to renew the vows she only half remembers muttering back to him the first time.

Her Scottish Gaelic is much better this go around, and she doesn't swoon at the cutting of their wrists as she repeats the words in a smoother tongue. "Blood, of my blood," she begins, then kisses him softly when all is said and done. She takes the time to hug both Benjamin and Caleb thanking them each for bearing witness before it's time to dress for a dinner that's already handsomely laid out and waiting for guests. ]

Comments

Arrival of Guests - go for your mingling top levels!

[beautifullies]

[ There is mingling to be done by guests as Claire gets ready. French wine is flowing for those who like to partake, and she's sure Jamie is playing his part well as host while she takes care of getting herself into a gown. Truly, men have it so uncomplicatedly easy. Trays of crackers and a simple spread are laid out, though for those who know what it is and like it, there is caviar. Feel free to mingle amongst yourselves, comment on how Jamie and Claire live old school, and wander into Claire's private stash of herbs and concotions to possibly be spoken of later. ]

OTA!

[livemoore]

[ Honestly, Liv could be wearing a halloween costume for all she knows, but she does feel kind of fancy, so that's nice. She avoids the fish eggs and just smears whatever else is available on crackers to blend in, looking around at everyone all dressed up. She's been here before, strictly in a professional capacity for an herbology lesson from Claire. So, this is the first chance she's really had to look around and take it all in.

As she does, she runs right into someone but it only makes her drop her cracker.

Except she can't bend down to pick it up because of the corset. The struggle is so real though, and hilarious. ]

ota!

[spycurious]

[The importance of the ceremony isn't entirely lost on Ben. He's seen a handful of weddings before, his father being one of Setauket's ministers, but he knows Claire, and he feels the weighty pull of the renewal of a lifelong promise. Mostly, he can see it in her eyes and the eyes of her husband, and he was honored to bear witness to it alongside Caleb.

Ben is dressed in a neatly pressed arrangement that he would certainly wear at home.

He helps himself to a little bit of wine and decides to make himself available to the other invited guests, noting with some mirthful amusement that those choosing to wear attire from the 18th century seem to be a little out of their element.

Upon greeting anyone, he'll offer a smile and a little bow of his head.]

Tallmadge. Benjamin Tallmadge. It's a pleasure.

[The gathering is small and meant to be joyous, and any friend of Claire's and Jamie's is surely of decent character.]

Dinner - talk amongst yourselves here if you'd rather, OTA for Claire!

[beautifullies]

[ When Claire finally arrives downstairs dressed in a gown similar to one she might have worn to a dinner party in France, she clears her throat and makes a short announcement once she's by Jamie's side. ]

Thank you, all of you, for coming. As you know, Jamie and I wed long ago, but due to time and circumstance, we spent twenty years apart. Tonight, we wanted to celebrate new beginnings, and what will, hopefully, be the rest of our lives together. And we wanted to share it with you. You've become friends during my time here, some of you even came to my rescue when I arrived both times on Wonderland's shores. I couldn't think of anyone I would rather share this with.

[ Looking up at Jamie, she smiles softly, then gestures toward the dining room. ]

Dinner is served.

[ Behind the door is a table laid out for a feast and chairs all around it. Jamie is one end and Claire at the other. Guests will have their choice of a variety of baked puddings (some herb-flavored, some plain and some sweet), chicken fricassee, stewed beef brisket, bean and mushroom casserole, stuffed mullet and roasted rabbit. When dessert is served it's a spread of apple cream, cheese, Cranachan, a layer of oats, raspberries, cream and whiskey.

The conversation is casual, with Claire speaking to those on either side of her, enjoying everyone's company and delighting in the light and festive mood. After dinner, dessert wine is served along with tea, and they all make their way to the sitting room to talk further until the evening is done. ]

For Claire

[jivitadana]

[Dinner was more than what Minato had expected. It really was a feast and he got to try out several dishes that he hadn't had before, even with the abundance of magic and food Wonderland had to offer. These hadn't ever crossed his mind before to try. He'd have to ask Souji's opinion on the food and they'd have to try making it some time.

While dinner was spectacular, it was what the celebration was for that was most important. Seeing her happy and in good spirits and health was enough. What more could they ask for in a place like Wonderland?

With his dessert wine in hand (because who was going to card him or tell him not to drink alcohol since he was underage? he could hold his liquor!) and once in the sitting room he saw Claire had a free moment, he made his way over to where she was.]

Congratulations again. Thank you for inviting us.

[beautifullies]

[ Certainly Claire won't be looking for an ID when it comes to drinking and she smiles warmly at him. ]

Thank you. And thank you very much for coming. I didn't realize that I could have sent one invitation to both you and Souji. But I'd like to have more dinners, less formal, and perhaps just the four of us, if you think you might enjoy that.

OTA after dinner

[spiritofgoodness]

[ Any time Snow gets to dress up in formal wear she's in love, and after coaching Henry through dinner, she's drinking her own glass of wine and making her rounds. She speaks to Claire, watches out for Henry, and at some point, wishes that David were here to take all of this in with her. Picking up another glass, she offers it to a guest smiling softly. ]

I saw you coming toward the table. Here you are.

@Claire, digestifs

[nascensibility]

[Formal events. The only thing men have to do is throw something on and tousle their hair in such a way that it looks mildly presentable. With women, everything is a disastrously long affair, and Evelyn for one is happy that most purveyors of lingerie in her time have given up on the corset - she has no idea how Claire got herself together without any help, but she looks a happy, content vision and that is what's important.

Dinner itself is wrought with nostalgia for Evelyn, who missed a great many of these traditional dishes from home and is grateful to see them in places of such prominence. The evening would have been a rousing success even without the meal, but it adds to the overall charm. The elegant simplicity. Something she can admire in a ceremony that reminds her of home.

Post-dinner the conversation wanders away from the table and into a drawing room, and thus Evelyn departs from her plus one to properly congratulate the renewed bride in person.]

Claire.

[She greets her warmly, taking her hands and leaning in to kiss her cheek.]

Thank you for having me.

For Claire

[eatsyourscience]

[The meal is wonderful and Souji's quite pleased to have been invited. He would really like to get to know Claire better and is happy to have the opportunity now. He takes his time, though, letting others speak with her first. He doesn't want to budge in line or anything.

When he does finally approach her, he's got some wine in his hand. He's been in Wonderland so long that he's technically supposed to be in his twenties, so he's not worried about being called out on being underage.

He comes over quietly and gives her a similarly quiet smile.]

Everything's been lovely. Thank you for thinking of inviting me.

[And Minato, even if they were really invited separately.]

for claire - sitting room

[heroica]

[ Robyn, dressed for the event but attending alone, looks elated. This is a wonderful thing, after all: to have a couple renewing their vows amid all the chaos that Wonderland has to offer. It makes her miss a number of people, naturally, but she spends the ceremony and meal bright and smiling and thrilled for her friend.

After, the Warden approaches Claire as they sit down for tea, moving in for a tight embrace. ]

I hope you've had a wonderful time. [ "Wonder"ful. Ha. Robyn draws back, glowing as if this is her own wedding, taking Claire's hands in her own and squeezing. ] You deserve every moment of this happiness.

OTA

[endingpoint]

[ Jane had no idea what to wear to this, she doesn't really know Claire, though she's had conversations with Jamie. She knows she's not getting herself into a period gown, so she goes with something she hopes is tasteful enough. Dinner is more than she ever thought it could be, and if this is what it was like two-hundred years ago, she had no clue. But it's different and nice, and every now and then she looks at Kurt, catching his eyes after the meal is over and they're all mingling.

It's a happy occasion and so full of love and happiness, and she knows after attending that she hopes in twenty years, she and Kurt are exactly this in love. As she helps herself to more whiskey she opens her mouth without turning to see who's come up beside her. ]

Would you like a whiskey?

[ She's grabbing the bottle anyway to refill, might as well offer. ]

for Claire

[startingpoint]

[ Kurt catches her at some point after dinner, holding a glass of dessert wine as he makes his way to her side. It's out of character for him to drink something this sweet, but he's been sampling a lot of things tonight that he wouldn't normally indulge in, so he figures he might as well try.

Coming up to Claire's side, he smiles softly and warmly. ]

You look beautiful. And really in love. It's a good look on you.

After Dinner

[beardman]

[If anyone he knows here in Wonderland deserves this kind of happiness, it's Claire, and Caleb couldn't be more thrilled for her if he tried. Even in the mess that Wonderland so often is, if this can be for her... Maybe it's not so terrible, here.

After dinner he goes again to greet her and give her another warm hug. This place would be nothing if not for friends, and oh, but how blessed he feels to count her among them.]

You look beautiful tonight, have I told you? And that husband of yours is quite a catch himself. [He gives her a playful wink.]

[ooc: If this is too late don't stress, I won't be upset. :D]

ten million years late but I am HERE

[mettatonvevo]

[Mettaton gives a small gasp when Claire appears. She's as radiant as ever and both she and Jamie make quite the beautiful couple. He listens happily to her speech and then turns in delight to the feast laid out before them all. He samples a good portion of everything which may look odd to anyone who sees him, seeing as he is made of metal and doesn't look like he can eat. But Mettaton has long ago perfected the art of looking natural while he does this so hopefully it isn't too weird.

All in all however, after some time has passed, Mettaton approaches Claire all smiles, adjusting his suit and holding a gift in one hand.]

Claire, darling, you look absolutely gorgeous! This entire dinner has been so, so lovely. Thank you so much once again for inviting me!

CLOSED - Benjamin

[beautifullies]

Did you enjoy yourself, Major? [ Claire smile and takes a sip of her whiskey as she settles to stand beside him. ]

I'm quite glad you came, both you and Caleb. I'd like to do this more often, though on a smaller scale. You should both come to dinner again if you'd like.

[spycurious]

[Ben has since switched from wine to whiskey, and he appreciates the quality of it over the average swill available in Washington's camp (unless Caleb managed to snag a decent bottle, and that was always a fun occasion). He smiles warmly at her, his friendly affection fueled by their friendship and the dulcet pull of good liquor.]

I was more than happy to--we were. And I'd like that. I realize in my time here I've neglected tending to social matters. It was too easy to forget that in the lockstep of camp, but... no more excuses for me.

CLOSED - Jamie

[beautifullies]

[ With dinner complete, Claire takes care of making sure everything goes back to the way it was before - thank goodness for the magic of Wonderland, in this instance - then retires to find her husband. Wrapping her arms around him from behind, her lips move to his shoulder, kissing him there softly before murmuring quietly. ]

Penny for your thoughts, Mr. Fraser?

Re: CLOSED - Jamie

[sawny]

( Takes more than a penny to buy all the thoughts he has at the moment but Jamie thinks he can indulge his wife. First, though, he has to turn around and cup her face between his big hands so he can look at her and marvel at how such a fine woman has agreed to marry him not once but twice. )

Just thinking about how much I love ye, Sassenach, and how lucky I am.

DINNER - OTA for Jamie

[sawny]

( While Jamie's seated next to Claire throughout the whole dinner, he lets his attention get drawn away by the other guests as they speak. He knows precious few people here in Wonderland and Claire knows a good many; he needs to take advantage of that and know some of the people who consider her friend and loved one. )

Thank ye all for coming to my wedding. It's a second wedding but no less cherished than the first.

[spiritofgoodness]

[ In her gown, customary from the time she's actually from and not so much the one she was taken to, Snow looks at Jamie when he speaks and smiles softly. ]

You remind me of my husband and I. Well, only because of the time spent apart. And the time travel a little, I suppose.

[ Maybe they were more alike than she'd initially thought. ]

[nascensibility]

[Being from the 1930s, Evelyn is somewhat more modern in terms of her attire but respects the sanctity of formal evening wear. This is a celebratory dinner, after all, and as Claire is a friend whom she wants to wholeheartedly support, Evelyn sees no need to be anything but one-hundred per-cent committed to the appropriate aesthetic.

That said, she has mingled rather extensively and very much intends to make the acquaintance of the other half of the married couple, who possesses a delightfully thick Scottish brogue and seems to have a boyish charm she can admire.]

Jamie. [Aware that there are particular sensibilities to which she should cling, temporally sensitive as she is, Evelyn offers her hand. She smiles.] I'm sorry we haven't met until now. Evelyn O'Connell.

[livemoore]

[ Liv's never met Jamie, but she makes her way to him now in a dress that the closet gave her when she thought up '1740s dress.' Hopefully, it's right because she has no frame of reference. ]

Jamie? We've never met, but I'm Liv Moore. I work with Claire in the clinic. [ She pauses before adding: ]

When she showed up after almost drowning, I took care of her.

[spycurious]

I was very glad to come. [And frankly, he feels guilty for not having reached out to Jamie sooner.

Ben is clad in a sensible but clean-cut formal waistcoat and jacket and he approaches Jamie with an extended hand.]

I apologize for neglecting both halves for so long. Claire has been a good friend to me, and to my best friend, Caleb Brewster. I am Benjamin Tallmadge, a Major in the Continental Army of the United States of America.

[hairdont]

[In all his time as Claire's student slash clinic helper, Josuke had never actually met her husband. But better late than never. He's dressed rather simply in a suit given to him by the closets, though, given he's a teenage boy from 1998 who had no real choice but to dress himself, his suit managed to be just a little ill-fitting.

His trademark pompadour is in perfect shape, though.]

Thank you for inviting me. [Normally there'd be something of a bow, but they're seated currently.] My name is Josuke Higashikata, Claire's been teaching me medicine. I'm sorry it's taken me this long to introduce myself.

so late

[beardman]

[The man that Claire has chosen seems to fit her in a way that sets Caleb's mind at ease. He had seen women he knew married off for... Whatever reasons came about - Convenience, politics, all sorts - but Claire seemed exceptionally happy with Jamie and to see them together here, like this, really confirms that.]

It's an honor for us to be here, that's all I can say. And an honor to finally meet you, at that!

[OOC: Hey, if this is too late don't worry too much about it. :)]