A Promise for the World to Hear [Semi-Open]

[reckless-eagle.livejournal.com]

Who: Lithuania (watchful_knight), Poland (reckless_eagle), and open to those with invitations.
Where The tearoom nearest the library.
When: From 3 in the afternoon, on Saturday, the 6th of June (backdated slightly).
Rating: PG.
Summary: Poland and Lithuania formalize their intent to wed. This involves a party, natch.
the Story:

It was a bit of a confusing situation--not a marriage, exactly, since for one thing, that wasn't what a betrothal was, and for another, they were technically married already. All the same, the atmosphere in the tearoom would have been appropriate for a wedding... only appropriate, considering the importance of a proper betrothal to Poland and Lithuania. As far as Poland was concerned, something like this was quite nearly as legally binding as a wedding, and it marked their commitment no less clearly.

Poland had taken charge of the decorations, draping the tables in pretty cloths and filling the room with flowers. Here and there among the bouquets, there was one plant in particular that might have seemed a little out of place to some guests--rosemary, filling the air with a warm, slightly spicy scent. Along the side walls, there were tables set up, lined with expensive cloths and covered in refreshments--food to one side, drinks to the other. The food consisted largely, though not entirely, of desserts made by Lithuania; the drinks were mostly alcoholic, an impressive assortment of beer, wine, mead, and vodka that Poland in particular considered essential to a proper celebration.

In the center of the room was a small table, with a loaf of bread, a bottle of wine, a small goblet, two candles, some salt, and a neatly-folded white scarf. Nearby, Poland and Lithuania waited. The ceremony was ready to begin.

[OOC: How this is going to work is that we'll have a closed thread for the ceremony (Julio, Hubb-mun, could you toss me an IM? Something I'd like to discuss with you about that...), an open one for guests to give their blessings and congratulations in, and an open one for mingling at the after-party. Sorry this is up so late!]

Comments

Ceremony

[watchful-knight.livejournal.com]

Lithuania had tried to keep his hands still, but when he hadn't paid attention, they finally had slipped into Poland's, clutching around his fingers tightly. They had opted for a Polish engagement ceremony, like they did with almost everything that they could have only one time and thus one way, and while the other nation had explained the workings to him, he was still nervous. Now, if they could just get started...

Ceremony

[reckless-eagle.livejournal.com]

"You're totally gonna have to let my hand go when we start," Poland scolded lightly, but he curled his fingers around Lithuania's gently even as he did. "It'll like, be way hard to join our hands if they're already joined, Liet!"

Really, he didn't see why Liet was so nervous. He wasn't! It was just an engagement ceremony, like he'd been to so many of before. Sure, he'd never been one of the main participants before... But still, all they were doing was... announcing their intention to wed for all eternity. In the eyes of God. And... in front of everyone.

All those people. Maybe they should have invited less... Poland felt his grip tighten around Liet's fingers, without having meant for it to. All right, so maybe he was a little nervous, too... But he knew this was what he wanted, and they'd get through the scary part together.

Ceremony

[watchful-knight.livejournal.com]

Lithuania lightly squeezed his partner's hand back, looking down at them. Two hands, just old enough to show that they were no children's hands anymore, just old enough that they gave away that none of their owners was female. But they were older, much older than what they looked like; and not that young anyway. Even if they had been human, it would have been acceptable for them to get engaged, even married - not to each other, of course, at least not back home. But here...

"I'll let go when we have to, and no second earlier." It wasn't only for himself now, he knew that it made Poland feel better, too. "And I'm sure everyone will understand. They are our friends."

Presents/ Congrats / etc

[watchful-knight.livejournal.com]

After the ceremony, they had moved a bit, standing at the other end of the room seen from the food now, waiting for the official congratulations or gifts... while they didn't know if the mansion's residents knew about it, they would at least keep their part of the rituals.

Presents/ Congrats / etc

[idkmybfftony.livejournal.com]

America couldn't help it; even the suit was tailored nicely, and he didn't doubt England's sewing skills at all (especially since that was all he did) he felt so... awkward in it. Stiff. Yes, it was a little itchy and made him feel inclined to focus on his posture and the tie felt a little tight, but.. it was only a ceremony. Just a little longer.

He even tried to style his hair nice for the event, but of course 'amber waves of grain' were not meant to be tamed in such a fashion.

So he was standing by the food, debating on whether or not he was hungry. Being hungry was a weighted option because if he got the suit dirty, good god, he'd probably never hear the end of it.

America also really doesn't have a gift, considering how he's going to be helping build a barn, and he hasn't really had time for anything, so he'll just... awkward turtle it a bit toward the back until Poland and Lithuania aren't completely swamped by everyone else.

Presents/ Congrats / etc

[reckless-eagle.livejournal.com]

In between other well-wishers, Poland noticed America standing over by the food table. And not eating! Mother of God, America, you're at an Eastern European celebration, don't just stand there and look at the food!

Sweeping over to America's side, Poland tugged him closer to the table. "Is there like, something wrong with the food? Dude, come on, eat!" He all but shoved a kołacz pastry filled with smooth, creamy, sweet cheese into the taller nation's hands, smiling up at him. "It's all, like, super good, I totally swear~"

Presents/ Congrats / etc

[demiurgos-girl.livejournal.com]

"Uhm..." [Elaine walks up to the two, still in her twelve-year-old ghostly spirit-walking form and hesitating slightly, a wrapped present in hand. She had spent a lot of time trying to get the wrapping just right. It's a CD player, since she's not so sure if Poland and Liet have one in their room, and it's really a nice addition to any sort of atmosphere. It's not like they had CD players in the 1400's, right? It would be unique, if nothing else...]

[She nervously shows the two of them the package. And she already thinks they'll hate it because compared to the occassion it seems like such a lame gift.] I've only been to one wedding before, and I really don't know what I'm supposed to bring to these sort of things. I'll probably have to teach you how to use it, and you probably won't appreciate it so much right now, but it's really nice. Especially if you like music, and I think that the two of you do. It's not as good as an actual orchestra or something, but it comes really close. And I did want to make you two something myself instead of buying it from the vendors, but I don't have the slightest idea what I could have- [Oh, what the hell. Screw all the formality. That's not her thing.]

[She pulls Poland into a hug, then holds him at arm's length, smiling.] Congratulations. [She hugs Liet too.] Congratulations.

Sorry about all the ranting. I just hope you like this. [She offers the gift.]

Presents/ Congrats / etc

[reckless-eagle.livejournal.com]

Hugs were to be expected--this was a celebration, after all, a time to share happiness with each other! Poland smiled, hugging her right back and taking the present when it was offered.

"Well, I mean, you've kinda still only been to one wedding. That was the engagement ceremony. But thanks! Should we like, open it now?" He was definitely curious--it looked too small to be an instrument, but she'd said something about music... What made sense with that?

Re: Presents/ Congrats / etc

[gypsyjean.livejournal.com]

[Jean was a little shy at the moment, since she'd never been at a party remotely like this, that and the clothing felt a little stifling with it's hose and petticoats, and skirts; [skirts in plural O_O] even her arms were covered. Although, her hair was not, but it was mostly loose and pulled behind her head, instead of the usual ponytail.]

Congratulations! [She smiled]

Presents/ Congrats / etc

[reckless-eagle.livejournal.com]

Poland gave her a big smile. Now that the formalities were over away, the nervousness he'd been feeling earlier was starting to give way to pure excitement.

"Like, thanks!"

Re: Presents/ Congrats / etc

[2ndhandlion.livejournal.com]

[Hubb is in proper attire for maybe the 1920s, complete with a starched white shirt, bowtie and suspenders.]

[Gifts seemed, well, strange in a place where everything you could possible want was free, but he offered a closed box which included several different kinds of alcohol, as well as a book on different horse breeds. [Maybe if Poland read about them, he could ask for different types of ponies from the closet.]

Presents/ Congrats / etc

[reckless-eagle.livejournal.com]

All right, that sound right there, a moment after Poland cracked the box lid open? That was a happy squeal.

"Ohmigod, Liet, check out this book! Like, thankyousomuch!"

When there is a small cavalry's worth of horses stabled on the grounds, Hubb will now be partially to blame.

Re: Presents/ Congrats / etc

[no_no_badtouch]

As Ritsuka made his way to Poland and Leit he felt nervous. None of his friends had ever gotten married before. He really wasn't sure how to act. Still, it didn't show much in his actions or stance. He was good at hiding things like that.

In his hands he held a small box which contained a camera and photo album. Even though he'd gotten past the need to 'make memories' he still thought pictures were nice to have. They reminded you of things you might have forgotten. They brought back the memories that might have been gone. He still believed that.

Once he managed to get to the pair he thrust out the present toward them, a slight frown on his face. Not for him being unhappy; he was concentrating on carefully not offending anyone. "Congratulations."

Presents/ Congrats / etc

[reckless-eagle.livejournal.com]

Well, technically, Ritsuka's friends still hadn't gotten married--this was just the engagement ceremony. Still, Poland gave him a big smile as he took the box.

"Like, thanks!" When he opened it, a curious expression came over him. He turned the camera over in his hands. "Okay, so like... What is this?"

Presents/ Congrats / etc

[rebelroses.livejournal.com]

Rose had been there for the whole wedding, of course. It was kind of weird for her, though. She wasn't used to going to church, even if it wasn't technically in one. Or just to go to mass, for that matter. Either way, she's survived a few times in mass with Lissa before. She just had to suck it up and stay as quiet as possible. When it was all over with, she felt so much better, of course, no offense to Poland and Lithuania.

She started to the after party, where she would give her present, which was a bitch to find something when she had no idea what to get them, and her congratulations. She wore a short, purple dress (http://www.promgirl.com/shop/dresses/viewitem-PD462170) and golden stilettos. Her hair was neatly done in an updo. She was thinking of wearing something more... showy. After all, it was like her to do so and the past parties she went to had been a bit revealing. Though, mostly because that was the only dress she had at the time. However, it was a wedding, therefore she still needed class, just not as much formality.

She walked up to Lithuania and Poland, giving them a fairly good sized present. [You can use your imagination of what the present was... X:]

"Congratulations, you guys" Rose said to them with a grin.

Presents/ Congrats / etc

[reckless-eagle.livejournal.com]

The ceremony, to Rose's probable relief, wasn't all that long. Since it was an engagement ceremony, they'd wanted to keep it simple, keep the complicated things for the wedding itself.

Poland smiled when he saw her. "Thanks!" he chirped. "Ohmigod, Rose, your hair looks gorgeous today!"

Presents/ Congrats / etc

[pakisunotpaku.livejournal.com]

It had stung a little to be invited to this ceremony, but Pakistan had still come. She wanted to stay friends with Lithuania and support him, and if that meant being friends with and supporting Poland, then she was prepared to do that, too.

Still, she hung back a little while others go to congratulate them. Her gift for them, a handmade kite, wasn't wrapped, and she was self-conscious about it.

Presents/ Congrats / etc

[kyokugen-sun.livejournal.com]

Considering Ryohei's limited experience with occasions like this, he had been rather appropriately quiet throughout the ceremony. Whether or not he really understood or cared about what was going on here was debatable. He did, however, understand the part about congratulating the couple and giving them a gift.

Naturally, congratulating involved clapping them both on the back hard enough to make a normal person stumble, and he presented them with his gift: a bottle of vodka. He'd been told at some point that money was a good customary gift, but since he had none, this would have to do.

"Extreme congratulations!"

Presents/ Congrats / etc

[mother-land.livejournal.com]

Roshia was in charge of helping out as much as possible, set up wise anyway. So it was an excuse to distract herself from..... everything, really. Dying was traumatic but if she pushed it out of her mind it wasn't an issue.

She had on a simple blue dress, fancy but plain, and her mink coat, gloves and hat on over it.

There was a gift for the couple on the table from her, neatly wrapped in sparkly silver paper, but she's of course too socially awkward to approach them with it while everyone else is watching.

Presents/ Congrats / etc

[crymogaea.livejournal.com]

The ceremony wasn't as long and boring as Iceland predicted it to be. It's a good thing, since he can't really stand long and boring ceremonies. Not that it's obvious. He has to live with that, after all. For the occasion, he was dressed in proper attire; a smart black suit with a navy blue tie. There's no need to be elaborate. After the ceremony was over, he approached Poland and Lithuania and offered a hand. He doesn't bring a present because you know, he sucks at picking presents.

"Congratulations."

Have an awkward small smile, Poland and Lithuania. I hope you don't mind that.

Presents/ Congrats / etc

[bishonen-puu.livejournal.com]

Wolfram comes up with a gift wrapped canvas. Someone painted you a portrait together~ But... well it's your standard Wolfram quality. He made it from stills off the network.

"This is for both of you. I'll help you hang it in your room if you want."

Partyyyyyyyy

[watchful-knight.livejournal.com]

You have food, you have people to talk to, you have BOOZE. Have fun!

Partyyyyyyyy

[idkmybfftony.livejournal.com]

"Woohooooo~!

Guess who got into the vodka. Guess. Well no, it wasn't just vodka. There were other drinks he ended up sampling during the course of the night.

America grinned, raised his glass and downed another rum and coke. In a world where you didn't have to worry about silly things like 'tab' and 'paying for drinks', he's destined to become an alcoholic. But for now, he just looks like one; the tie was hanging loosely around his neck and the top buttons to his suit shirt were undone and a bit rumpled but whatever, at least he could breathe.

And Americans are the best to have at parties. Obviously. But at least parties are loud?

Partyyyyyyyy ; shortest placeholder ever

[hellyesamerica.livejournal.com]

After everything, Meriken is of course going to be loudest at the partying. Weddings are great and all, but the after party is the best part, isn't it? Much like America, Meriken is already into the alcohol. What do you mean underage?.. She's a country!

Re: Partyyyyyyyy

[gypsyjean.livejournal.com]

[Yay, food and drinks! Jean is quite happy to wander around and talk to just about everyone. She had stopped fussing at the skirts of the outfit Poland had given her to wear, she actually was beginning to feel comfortable.

And the food was interesting, even if it wasn't nearly as spicy as what she was used to.]