RP:Maiden of Honor

Summary: Lanara heads to Frostmaw to have lunch with Talyara, go wedding dress shopping, and to ask her a very important question. Of course, her little sister agrees to be her maid of honor, and the two have a blast trying on different gowns at a boutique. Lana and Taly even perform a magic ritual in the changing room, that will benefit their brother, Scandal.

Part of the Dragging the Dragon Arc

The sun filters through the thickness of the trees, and though the temperature is below-zero in this section of Frostmaw, it’s a rather beautiful morning. It’s a rarity to find the frozen lands to be calm, with the shining warmth of the sun reflecting off of the snow, and for the skies to be clear and visible. It’s on this bright and early morning, that Lanara is trekking through the woods, nearing her sister’s rebuilt cottage. It’s the first time she’s ventured to the home in over two years, as the last time Lana had been present, was when she accidentally blew up the place, and ended her own life. Lush lips look as though they are about to arch into a frown, however, her thoughts are quickly replaced with purpose, as she stands outside the door and smiles. She had come here on this day, to ask a question of great importance, as well as to see the renovations on Talyara’s home. A carefully wrapped package is held in Lana’s hands, a purse hangs over her left shoulder, and she’s dressed in an oversized fur parka and snow boots, suitable for the frigid environment. Lifting her hand, she raps thrice on the door, announcing her arrival. Taly would be surprised to see her elder sister, as she wasn’t expected for a few more hours, but the witch couldn’t contain the excitement that went with planning a wedding, and so she had arrived early. As the door is opened, Lana leans in to press a chaste kiss to Taly’s cheek, before presenting the wrapped item, “I caught you a delicious bass! And I built you a cake! I’m not sure of the exact protocol in these lands, so I thought it best to do a bit of both.” Where had she gathered this information?! Were those the customs in Gamorg? Alithrya? “I was wondering if you’d do Elioyahazer and me the honor… Of being my maid of honor at our wedding...”

Talyara sleeps soundly in her bed, curled up in the heavy soft quilt to keep out the chill that permeated her cottage despite the roaring fire in the hearth of her newly rebuilt bedroom. She is enjoying quite a lovely dream, a happy memory of her childhood in Kelvar when a sudden rapping on her front door startles her awake. Never the morning person, Taly rolls over and pulls the blanket over her head and reaches out for Krice only to find him missing. She peeks out to find a note written in his hand saying he needed to go out and she sighs before hearing another flurry of knocks. Who was bothering her so early?! With a groan, Taly throws her quilt back and stumbles from the bed, grabbing a discarded sweater on the chair in the corner and tugging it over her head. The little witch pads barefoot down the hall, rubbing sleep from her eyes, and running her fingers through her rumpled hair. She pauses to look out the window to see who was calling only to find her sister standing there. Talyara throws open the door and blinks out at her sibling. “You’re…several hours early,” she says grumpily but quickly accepts Lana’s kiss and ushers her sister inside and out of the cold. After relocking the door she turns to face Lanara and is immediately met with a fish and a cake. Talyara blinks in confusion and arches a brow at her sister. “Uh…thank you?” she says tentatively placing both on the small table in the dining alcove. She cants her head to the side when Lanara poses her question. A bright smile spreads across Talyara’s lips and she immediately jumps into Lana’s arms and hugs her tightly. “Yes! Yes! Of course I will! I’m honored you would ask me.” The little witch takes her sister’s hands in hers and begins to bounce up and down excitedly, all drowsiness gone. “You’re getting married! You’re getting married!"

Lanara heaves a sigh of relief when her sister accepts the proposal of being her maid-of-honor, as though it weighed heavily on her heart, and she thought Talyara would actually decline. She –had- put her through several initiation tasks, none of which boosted her sibling above the guild title of ‘initiate’ though she was well on her way to earning member status. “Yay!!! You accepted! Thank you so much! This will be the –best- wedding ever!!!” Joining in on the excitement, the two hold hands and jump up and down several times, elated that Lana was finally getting hitched. After dating several men that didn’t quite fit the bill, and a short engagement to Eirik, it was a wonder that the witch had found love again. Losing Larz and Tanner had taken its toll on the woman, though one wouldn’t know it from the warm smile she wears, and the excitement in her eyes. “I’ve decided to go with beige invitations with little pink hearts! Eli and I decided on Valentine’s Day, as the day to exchange our vows! Tomorrow we are going to scout out a few areas to see where would be the best place. I’m thinking that he’s all about a beach wedding, whereas I prefer the forest. What do you think? My friend Aira gave me a map with some suggestions, so we are going to check those out, first!” Of course, Lana failed to tell the desert born that they were venue hunting, or that she decided on the invitations and date, all without gathering his opinion. Wedding planning was often left to the women, and she wanted everything to be just perfect, so her wants would trump his, anyways! Entering the home, Lana shrugs out of her jacket, and wears a simple plum shift with ankle boots, nothing fancy, as it was the easiest article to slip in and out of when trying on dresses. Taylor pads over to greet her ex-mistress, and Lana gently pats her on the head, though her chocolate hues continuously stray from the feline to her surroundings. “The cottage looks lovely, Taly! Why don’t you go and put some clothes on, while I prepare lunch? I didn’t mean to arrive so early, but I’m so excited to go dress shopping and spend the day with you!” Bashful, she lowers her eyes, feeling a little foolish for having woken her sister so early. All this planning was going to her head and making her anxious! “Show me what Krice has done to your place; I want to hear all about it!” Rummaging in her satchel, Lana would hand over a delicately wrapped gift, a token fit for a housewarming party. “It’s nothing big, but Eli and I thought it would love lovely atop your hearth…” Once the green-eyed witch opens the parcel, she’d find a platinum picture frame, with elegant etchings of autumn leaves. The picture inside carries the perfect likeness of Taly and Lana sitting on a porch swing, when they were little, and had been professionally created by one of the finest painters in the realm. The witch and sandman had likely spent a fortune on having this made, though considering Lana had blown up the cottage, it must have been important for her to make it up to Taly, with this small gesture.

Talyara continues to bounce up and down happily with Lanara, eager to celebrate the love and intended matrimony of her sister to the sandman. She remembers some time after Larz had perished, the older witch had sworn to her that she would never give her heart to another and how Taly had told her not to make that decision with a grieving heart. It pleases her to see Lana open herself up again and find someone who cherishes her the way she deserves. As Lanara begins to share the small details she has picked out for her wedding, Talyara’s green eyes widen slightly. “Oh wow! Valentine’s Day seems the perfect day for a wedding but you aren’t giving yourself a lot of time to plan. But I love the idea for your invitations. It sounds sweet and elegant but not over the top! Do you have a sample with you?” As her older sister inquires as to her thoughts on a location for the wedding, Taly adopts a thoughtful expression. “Of course I personally would prefer the woods because that’s more in line to how we were raised but Eli is from the desert, right? So I can see how the sand on the beach might appeal to him. Plus it’s where you two live now.” Talyara hmm’s thoughtfully for a moment before offering a sheepish grin. “I think that if you are dictating most of the planning for the ceremony, that you should allow him to pick the location. Beach weddings are quite lovely and you can always do a vow renewal in the forest. Are you doing a hand fasting or something closer to his customs or a mix of both?” It seems that this little witch is eager to know all the details herself! Talyara smiles down at Taylor as she approaches Lana and rubs up against her, purring affectionately and practically begging for some pets. As Lana praises her cottage, Taly smiles shyly and shrugs her shoulders. “Well the front didn’t really need much refurbishing, the damage was towards the back.” She beckons her sister to follow her down the hall and to the left towards her bedroom. Lana would notice that it was larger than it had been prior to her blowing it up. Naturally since she had been roused from her slumber the bed was unmade; however, if the older witch was playing close attention she might notice hints of Krice’s inhabitance there as well, mainly a pair of black trousers and shirt folded neatly on the chair in the corner. “He made it a little bigger just so it wasn’t so cramped with the furniture. And…” Taly leads her sister to a much smaller room across the hall and reveals a bathing area complete with a roomy tub. “He added this,” she says with a grin before walking with her sister back down the hall into the main living area, Taylor having jumped in the armchair where she curled up and dozed. Talyara looks at her sister curiously and accepts the wrapped parcel, carefully pulling open the paper to reveal the elegant picture frame. For a moment, her fingers trace the autumnal filigree etched along the metal before her emerald eyes fall on the beautifully painted picture held within it. Clearly, the couple spent a decent amount of gold for the portrait was identical to the witch sisters in their younger years. Oh, how many days (and nights) they had spent on that porch swing, just talking and being together. Tears well up in Taly’s eyes as she hugs the thoughtful gift to her chest before placing it on the nearby table in favor of gathering her sister up in her arms and hugging her tightly. For a few moments, Talyara can only sniffle as she squeezes her sister closely. “Thank you, Lana,” she says quietly, her voice full of emotion. “This is…perfect. I cannot tell you how much I love it.” When the embrace finally breaks, Talyara wipes the dampness on her cheeks and gathers up the picture once more before placing it on the mantle above the hearth. She admires it for a few moments before remembering she is supposed to be getting dressed. “Right, I’m going to get some real clothes on. You know where the kitchen is. Help yourself to whatever you need just…be careful with the fire,” she teases her sister before heading back down the hallway towards her bedroom.’’

Lanara dishes a dozen kisses atop Taylor’s velvety head, earning some purrs of content from the feline, before she prances over to the couch and takes up residence. She fit in nicely with Talyara and their home in Frostmaw, and though it always caused a pang in Lana’s chest to see the familiar that accompanied her in her younger years, she knows the bond that Taylor had formed with Taly was equally as strong. The bond was severed in Lana’s death, and thankfully, the feline had somehow managed to survive, despite the explosion and heartache she must’ve felt. Even now, the cat watches her ex-mistress with caution, as though she half expected the witch to combust, or set the renovated cottage aflame with a snap of her fingers. One couldn’t blame her mistrust, not after what she had witnessed. Lana drapes her jacket over the arm of the sofa and passes through the kitchenette, where she rests the bass and cake atop the counter, before following her sister into the bedroom. It’s much larger than she recalled, and she appreciatively eyes the décor, nodding and smiling, her eyes twinkling with glee as she spies a few of Krice’s belongings. Things were getting pretty serious betwixt the two, it seemed! “It looks lovely! And you have more room, now!” The two head into the bathroom next, and the luxurious bathtub is awarded an applause, as the sister’s were equally as obsessed with bubble baths, and spent most of their time in the restroom pampering themselves. “I love it! It looks just like mine! I’ll have to bring you some lavender bath salts the next time I’m up this way. I found the –best- recipe for relaxation in Mother’s grimoire!” Sadly, Lana doesn’t have any of the invitations she had been carefully considering with Toothpick, as he was en route to the stationary store to order a batch on such short notice. “Yes, Eli hails from an area of sand, we are from the forest. Honestly, I’m fine getting married wherever, as long as it’s to –that- man!” Lana’s cheeks flood with color, as she laughs, and heads into the kitchen, calling over her shoulder, “It will be a hand fasting! Similar to the sort of ceremony done back in Kelvar, though I think we will skip the jumping of the broom. It’s a bit tacky, and some might get offended, given all that’s been going on with Cramer and in Larket!” As Taly begins to ready herself for the day, the elder sister gets to work in the kitchen. The fish is spritzed with lemon, salt, and pepper, before it’s charred to perfection, and sliced neatly atop a bed of lettuce. Some roasted potatoes are placed on the side, and Lana arranges two plates on the table, along with glasses of spring water. A small piece of fish is offered to Taylor in her dish on the floor, and Lana takes a seat, waiting for her sister to join. “What color dress were you thinking of wearing? Long or short? I have no preference, and I’m –only- having you on my side of the wedding party, so it’s entirely your choice!” As if Lana could narrow it down to half a dozen bridesmaids?! The witch was popular, and Eli was a newcomer to the lands! It wouldn’t do to have an uneven number of supporters, so everyone would be a guest, aside from the best man, and maid of honor.

Talyara doesn’t seem shy about Krice’s belongings in her room, or perhaps she doesn’t even notice them, or that Lanara sees them there. As the pair enters the bathroom and Lana assures that she will bring some relaxation salts with her next time, Taly beams. “That would be great, thank you!” At the elder sister’s exclamation that she doesn’t care where she gets married so long as it is to Elioyahazer and her cheeks flush, she smiles sweetly. Her sister’s adoration for her fiancé was quite endearing and it made Taly happy to see. Lanara moves towards the small kitchen to prepare the delicious bass she caught while Taly meanders to her bedroom and begins to dress, tugging on a pair of black denim trousers and a forest green sweater which hangs low off of her shoulder thanks to it’s too large neck. In an attempt to tame her tousled curls, Taly twists her locks into a messy bun atop her head, a few of the shorter pieces hanging in her face. She applies a bit of perfume, which smells vaguely of lavender, to her wrists and neck, and pads back out to her sister who has successfully finished cooking without burning the place down again. “Mmmm, smells delicious!” she compliments before plopping in the chair opposite Lana. Taylor stretches her front paws and leans back giving a wide yawn before hopping from the chair and heading towards her dish to enjoy her own bit of fish. Talyara lifts her fork to her mouth just as Lana inquires about the dress she is planning to wear as maid of her honor. She uses her time chewing the tasty bass to consider her options before shrugging her shoulders. “I don’t know! You know I’m partial to purple, but crimson is your favorite color, plus it’s Valentine’s Day so it seems appropriate, doesn’t it? As for length,” Taly shrugs and hmm’s thoughtfully as she partakes in another bite of the flakey fish. “A shorter dress might be better at the beach or even the forest if you decide on that. Maybe knee length?” After taking a sip of water she slams the glass down on the table suddenly, sloshing the liquid over her hand before the little witch leans in towards Lanara. “But forget about -my- dress! Have -you- looked at dresses yet? Do you know whether you want to go with white or ivory or something unconventional? What type of fabric? Long or short? What type of neckline? Oh there are so many choices!” she cries excitedly.

Lanara takes a bite of her fish, savoring the taste on her tongue, before she gives a nod of approval. The woman was becoming quite the critic with food these days, as she had grown close to the infamous chef, Gordyn Whamsey, and one of her closest friends, Khitti, owned the bakery on Cenril. Variety was the spice of life, and the witch seems delighted that she flavored the bass to perfection. It was a fine lunch, indeed, and she’s hoping the cake tastes half as good as the flakey fish! As the two sisters’ dine and chat about the wedding, Lanara eagerly bobs her head up and down, in perfect agreement with her sister’s choice of a crimson, knee-length dress, which would be suitable for the Valentine’s Day wedding she had planned. Red was always Lana’s color, but she couldn’t show up to her wedding in that color! It’s fitting that Taly show up in red, rather than her usual go-to color of purple or emerald. “Knee length is fitting, as it’s an afternoon wedding, with an evening reception. We’re going to have a tent set up, and I believe Khitti will be doing the catering. You know Alvina, right? The bard that is married to Hudson? Well, I’m going to meet with her later in the week and see if we can hire some entertainment for the event. I’m thinking some harps, a piano, maybe some violins to play the wedding march and such. I’m not going to hire the Backstreet Bards this time around, because Nick is always ogling me, and I don’t think Eli will take too kindly to that sort of behavior on our wedding day.” The glass of water is brought to her lips, as her cheeks flush from her sister’s excitement. “Actually… There’s a garment shop in Frostmaw… It’s just north of the pet shop, and supposedly they have the finest wedding gowns in the realm! I planned on heading there after lunch, and you should come with me! I’m sure they have dresses for the bridal party there, as well! I would normally have one custom made from Kree, but he has been pretty busy with planning fashion shows and opening new shops all over the realm, and I really can’t see spending over fifty thousand gold coins on a dress… The wedding will be costly enough, as is! Thankfully, Eli’s father, Michael, was kind enough to give him the house, so we don’t have to purchase a home together or anything like that.” Lana finishes her lunch, thinking on her sister’s words, “Well… I was thinking ivory. Maybe with some beading and lace? A train, but not too long. I like form-fitting gowns, and maybe something off the shoulder? I always thought they looked so romantic!” The veil, she’s still undecided on, so she doesn’t think to mention that, though a new idea strikes her, and those captivating hues lock on her sister’s face, “I should try to arrange it so that –you- catch my bouquet! Do you think Krice will pop the question anytime soon? Are you two discussing marriage, yet?”

Talyara is likewise enjoying the fish immensely. As she was living in a snowy war city made even more blustery in the winter, the younger witch often chose more comforting and heavier dishes like soups and meaty stews or roasts and potatoes. Yet, Taly was always a fan of fish and was thankful for the lighter meal that her sister provided even if she was unsure of the tradition behind it. The younger witch smiles around her fork as her sister seems in agreement with her dress choice (although the details would have to be determined once they were able to actually look at some!). Her eyebrows raise when Lana mentions that Khitti will be doing the catering--not because she thought her friend incapable, but she would have guessed the elder witch would have offered the job to the famed, albeit angry, chef Gordyn Whamsey. "Yes I know Alvina!" Taly says with a nod. "She did the music at the Yule Ball. I'm sure she'll do an amazing job with the wedding. And Khitti, too, of course." Taly giggles when Lana mentions omitting an invitation to the Backstreet Bards, she knew too well how the lead singer Nick was infatuated with her sister and would probably cause a scene at the wedding. When Lanara confesses that there is a dress shop right here in Frostmaw that she wishes to patronize after lunch Talyara bounces in her seat excitedly. "Yes! Of course! I would love to come!" Taly tents her left elbow on the table as she hangs on Lana's every word about her thoughts on the wedding gown. "I've heard it said that you shouldn't be afraid to try on something completely different than what you were imagining. You never know what you are going to fall in love with!" Talyara looks down at her half eaten lunch and spears another hefty forkful of fish and stuffs it in her mouth. However, Lana's conversation shifts to not only her own relationship with Krice but whether she thinks he will propose marriage soon, Taly begins to choke on her food. The little witch sputters and coughs, before quickly reaching for her glass of water and downing it in two gulps. She begins to gasp for air when she finally comes up for breath and fixes her sister with a disbelieving look. "No! Of course he won't. And we haven't!" Taly's cheeks flush a deep shade of red and she quickly stands from the table to fetch another glass of water. "We have not discussed marriage at all. We're still new and learning about one another." The younger sister returns to the table with a pitcher of water and refills both of their glasses before flopping back down in her seat.

Lanara is innocently eating the remains of her lunch, when Taly begins to choke, and she’s hit with a flashback of poor Grandpa Krawtch sputtering around a lodged chicken bone, from their eventful evening in Vhys. Tears well in Lana’s eyes, though Taly had used her skills to save the aging puppeteer, and all was well, in the end. Perhaps he would like to entertain at the wedding, too? “Let me write this down…” Pulling a notepad from her satchel, the elder sister is busy scribbling for a moment, while poor Taly is downing water and containing herself after her outburst of coughing. Once silence returns, Lana narrows her inquisitive gaze on the red-cheeked green eyed witch, a knowing smile splayed on her full lips. “You haven’t discussed marriage, yet a few of his belongings are in your bedroom. The two of you spent Yule together, and obviously have been intimate numerous times. You’ve been best friends for –years- with Krice, and he rebuilt your cottage! How is that anything but serious?!” There’s a pause, as Lana returns the pad and quill to her bag, and begins to clear the table of their dishes. As washes the utensils and plates, she casts a sidelong glance over her shoulder, the busy body eager to pounce on her sibling with an endless tirade of questions. “He will –not- propose to you? So you –have- discussed it? Or you are afraid to discuss it, because you think his feelings aren’t as invested as yours? Do you think he’s not the marrying type, or not marriage material? I assume you’re saying the ‘L’ word, frequently? You and Krice are faithful to each other, are you not? I know that Eli and I have moved rather fast into an engagement, after only being a couple for six months, but life is short, especially with war and disease running rampant in the realm! And it’s not like you have to get married –tomorrow- or anything, some couples have long engagements.” Khitti and Brand had been an item forever, and they still hadn’t crossed the threshold into marriage, and everyone viewed them as couple goals! “Well… Taly, I think you need to broach the topic of a future with Krice. You’re obviously smitten, things are getting pretty serious, and he needs to know that you desire a family one day. I know you want children, and that level of commitment to one man. Maybe, see his standing on marriage? At least so you know what to expect, and what not to expect with Krice.” A gentle smile is given, as Lana dries the final dish, and glances outside. “Are you ready to go and try on dresses now? I will model, but you –must- be honest! I don’t want to look like Cupo, rolling down the aisle like Rolling Thunder! Or that simpleton that always wore that horrid pink lipstick back in grade school!” She giggles, as she shrugs back into her parka, “And I cannot –wait- to see you in your dress! Remind me to pick up a new bowtie for Aspen. I’m thinking of giving him the role of ring bearer. Eli said no animals, but he’s more like a child.”

Talyara, thankfully, is too busy attempting to regain her breath and desperately drinking water in an attempt to temper her choking to notice that Lanara had obviously gotten some idea and was jotting it down. Unfortunately for the younger witch, she barely has time to recover when her sister is scooping up the dishes (even though Taly hadn't finished eating her fish) and begins to barrage her with about fifty questions about her relationship with Krice. The little witch's cheeks burn even hotter, completely red with embarrassment, as Lanara asks everything in rapid succession, not even giving Talyara a chance to answer one query before moving on to the next. In the end, she sighs heavily and shakes her head when her sister finally takes a breath, giving Taly time to respond. "We can be in a relationship without having talked so much about the future," she reminds her sister with a wag of her finger before she pushes herself to a stand and moves to grab her boots from near the door. Taly plops down on the edge of the oversized armchair and begins to tug them on and lace them up. "We are happy together. We enjoy spending time with one another. I've made the mistake in getting so caught up in the possibilities of the future that I lost sight of the present. We both know we are content being together and for now, that's enough for me." She stands once more and turns to face her sister, a genuine smile on her face. "Now, you my beautiful Lanara, are the focus of today, not me. Let's get you into some dresses! And I promise to be honest." Talyara grabs her cloak and scarf from a peg near the door, pulling both on, before grabbing her usual shoulder bag and key from a small table nearby. She opens the door and ushers her sister back out into the snow before closing and locking it behind them.

The two witches make their way through the icy wasteland, their long hair whipping wildly in the wind, and the heavy snow nearly reaching their knees. It’s beyond the point of reason as to why Lanara decided to come all the way up to Frostmaw, to battle a blizzard, and try on some elaborate gowns, but she’s determined to get a dress that is sure to ‘wow’ her fiancé. A mile later, and likely suffering the early stages of frostbite on their digits, one less on Taly’s appendage, of course, the pair arrives at Gladrag’s Gowns. Bells chime as they open the door to the famous boutique, and at once they are greeted by identical triplets, who fuss over the sisters. The first takes their coats and sweaters, while the other two move to take Taly and Lana’s measurements, before all three vanish into the next room and reappear with gowns draped over their arms. Lana stares wide eyed at how organized the triplets are, and she eyes the rows of tiaras and shoes, her thoughts so convoluted she can hardly breathe. Eventually, she speaks, “Taly. I can’t choose –any- of this stuff! I don’t know where to begin or what’s even in style!” The trio of women giggle, as though Lana was a complete dolt, “Darling, EVERYTHING we have is in style! Come now; try on your first gown! We can adjust the measurements if need be, but at least we will have an idea!” The witch is ushered behind a curtain, while Taly is snagged into the dressing room opposite of her sister. The rustling sound of clothing being removed is heard, before Lana sharply inhales, getting a glimpse of herself in the mirror, before she steps out to show Talyara. Donning a form fitting gown that is so tight she can barely breathe, with a plunging neckline, and a fifty foot train, the elf looks as if she’s more likely to work the street corner, rather than exchange vows. There are cut-outs along the fabric that barely hide her privates, and the gown is stark white, as though it were feigning innocence! “How do I look?”

Despite being used to the blustery cold of Frostmaw and the seemingly unending wintery blizzards, Talyara had never traipsed through over a foot of snow to visit a dress shop. She is surprised Lanara had sought out this particular shop, no matter how famed, instead of some place warmer or more central to where she lived. If the younger witch is frustrated by any of this, though, no sound escapes her lips. This was about Lana and she would not ruin her excitement with whining. Talyara's teeth are chattering, her lips and fingers practically blue, by the time the sisters push their way through the door of the establishment, the bells tinkling above to announce their arrival. She barely has time to look around when they are accosted by the triplets who are tugging off their outer layers and ushering them more deeply inside before disappearing all together. Talyara can sense Lana's anxiety even before she speaks and she places her hands on her older sister's shoulders. "Take a deep breath and relax. You will know the dress when you try it on. Something in your intuition will click." Soon the triplets are returning and pulling each sister into their respective dressing rooms. The first dress they force on Talyara is revolting. It's made almost entirely of tulle, and despite her more curvy figure, the dress easily swallows her up. Even worse than the excessive fabric which makes her look like a puffball, is the violent shade of red, unnatural looking, and unlike the more elegant crimson hue she had requested. Still this was Lana's day and Talyara silently prays to the goddess that her sister wouldn't use this as an opportunity to prank her. As the little witch steps out of the curtain to meet Lanara, her eyes widen upon seeing the dress the triplets had put her in. Of course, the animal empath's killer body was made for a dress like that, skin tight with suggestive cut-outs, a plunging neckline, and an endless train. Taly bites her tongue to keep from saying anything impulsively and fixes her face into a blank mask. "Well, you can certainly pull off a dress like that," the emerald eyed witch says carefully. "I just think...it's a little much? I'm all about feeling empowered and sexy, but you have the tightness, the plunging neckline, the cutouts. It looks like it's trying too hard to have sex appeal." Talyara pointedly does not meet the gaze of the triplets, not wishing to see their offended expressions, but wanting to give her sister honest feedback. "But it's not about what *I* think," she adds quickly, smiling towards Lana. "What do *you* think?" For now, she doesn't vocally bring attention to her own dress--the fabric and color alone were so loud it could do the talking for her.

Lanara twists and turns in the dress, a petulant pout on her face, as the mirror, lighting, and feel of the dress, all seem so wrong. The fabric didn’t flow with movement, there was no way she could dance let alone breathe in the skintight dress, and she feels as though a white bikini would be more suitable. Glancing over her shoulder, she poses for Taly, and chomps down on the inside of her cheek, biting back ferocious giggles. Her sister looked like a condiment bottle that had exploded, or a used tampon gone awry! Still, the focus is now on Lanara, and even though the triplets are oohing and ahhing like she’s the prettiest elf to ever step into a gown in their boutique, the relief that washes over Lana’s face is obvious. “Yeah, I’m not exactly loving it either, Taly! I want a gown that I can really dance in, and where I won’t have to starve myself for a week to squeeze into it… I’m sorry; I don’t think I can enjoy myself in this dress.” Two of the women scoff and shake their head, while the ring leader of the trio gives a slow nod, “I have just the thing! I’ll be right back!” Lana cocks her head to the side as she studies Talyara’s form, which is swallowed by the poofy ketchup-colored gown, “I normally would switch roles and be the sneaky sister and prank you… Saying you look fantastic… But you look like something I just slaughtered! And I can’t have you embarrass either of us on my big day!” Giggling, she turns so that Taly can undo the zipper on her gown, “Please don’t buy that ugly dress, Sister!” She whispers, out of earshot of the triplets, so as not to offend their designs. “Also, I brought along the items necessary for Scandal’s ritual regarding his transformations. Why don’t we slip into the larger dressing room and do a quick spell? I don’t think my legs can handle the freezing outdoors, and after here I have to head back to the sanctuary, rather than trek all the way back to your cottage!” Once she’s unzipped, she turns, and grabs her sister by the wrist, as they both step into the larger room. The triplets pop in to hand each woman another dress, and from the looks of things, neither of these would be the ‘one’ that they wanted, either! Lanara quickly shrugs out of the barely-there napkin-thin gown, while Taly undoes her bloody gown, and they each step into a new one. This time, Lanara is covered from the lobes of her tapered ears, to her ankles, in a thick woven fabric, mimicking a mummy! The turtleneck top is so tight it’s painful to swallow, and the layers of the dress are so heavy that she has to take a seat on the small bench. “This is a HELL NO!” The witch hisses, rummaging in her satchel for the gold dust, nightshade, blood lotus, and other items they’d need for the ritual. Once everything is set up on the floor, in a makeshift altar, she glances at her sister, to admire her dress, and let her lead the prayer.

Talyara seems quite relieved when Lanara agrees that this skintight, revealing wedding dress is not the one for her. While she would support her sibling in whatever she decided, she didn't want Lana to eventually regret her choice either! When she vocalizes this to the triplets, Taly breathes a sigh of relief, even as two of the women scoff while the third goes to select another garment. When Lanara's chocolate hued eyes take in her own poofy gown, Taly glances at her nervously, gnawing on the inside of her cheek as she silently prayed to the Goddess that she wouldn't declare this the maid of honor dress! The younger sister's shoulders literally sag with relief when Lana says she will not lie and say the dress is beautiful, even for a prank. Again, while the little witch would wear a burlap sack if her sister asked, she was thankful that she wasn't going to put her in some ridiculous getup as a joke. "Don't worry, I hate this dress!" she admits in a conspiratorial whisper so the shop keeps wouldn't hear. "I won't be taking this one, either. It's a little too volumous for me!" Talyara wrinkles her nose slightly when Lanara suggests they perform the talisman spell here in the larger dressing room, but she has no time to protest as the elder sibling grabs her wrist and tugs her along. As the new dresses arrive, Talyara immediately knows this is not the one either. The triplets decided to match the witch sisters in similar styles. Talyara's dress has no sleeves yet has an oversized turtleneck which tucks under her chin! And while the bodice is made of wool, the skirt is of a satiny fabric with a high low cut--the front hem ending at her knees while the back flows to her ankles. She doesn't even have a chance to comment on Lana's dress as she emphatically declares it a hell no, and Taly breaks out into a fit of giggles. "Same for me! It looks like someone cut two different dresses, switched them, and stitched them back up! The fabrics of the bodice and skirt don't match and what's the point of a turtleneck when there aren't any sleeves?!" She quickly shimmies out of her dress and hangs it on a hook at the back of the door, leaving her in a slip--there was no way she could work in that thing! If Lana chooses to do the same with her gown she would wait before she reaches out to take her hands and closes her eyes. Once the two witches are focused, Taly begins to chant in a hushed voice. While some of the words are obviously sylvan, most are unrecognizable--some ancient magical jargon their mother had taught them. Sure, Taly could have led them in common prayer, but in the time of witch hunters, the little witch thought it would be safer for only the pair of them to understand what was being said and done.

Lanara takes her sisters hands, mirroring the chant of their ancient witch lingo and a flash of blinding light clings to their bare forms, announcing the completion of the ritual. Their power is infused in the talisman which rests on the rug, and as long as Scandal wore it for three consecutive days, all of his future transformations would be smooth and painless! “Perfect! And oh my gosh! That dress looks like one of those neck warmers I knit for you when we were younger! Except it’s stained in tomato sauce!” They share a fit of giggles, before the triplets return, and perhaps the third time is the charm, because both gowns are –exactly- what Taly and Lana had imagined! The ivory wedding dress is a unique combination of silk, satin, and lace, with romantic off-the-shoulder sleeves, a modest neckline coated in pearls, and the long train has leaves embroidered, with a veil to match. It evokes the autumnal aspect of Kelvar, their homeland, and it fits Lana’s form perfectly, without needing even the most minor of alterations. The brunette smoothes her palms over the torso of the gown, a smile gracing her lush lips, as she studies her reflection in the mirror. She’s stunning, even without the added height of heels, her face bare of makeup, and her chestnut locks windswept. The gown is perfect for the waltz, and she does a flawless twirl, before stepping out of the dressing room to let the triplets admire her beauty, and so that Talyara could fully inspect every inch of the gown. “I-I think this is the one… What do you think, Sister?” Swallowing, her voice filled with emotion, and tears in her eyes, Lana waits for Taly to approve or disprove of the dress, as she takes in the crimson dress that her little sister has stepped into.

Talyara watches the bright light glow around their bodies and the younger witch hopes that the triplets are so preoccupied with finding the perfect dresses for the sisters they don't even notice. How were they supposed to explain that they were performing rituals and casting spells in the dressing room?! Once the light dissipates, a talisman lay on the ground between them and Taly quickly leans down to hold it in her palm and examine it. "Isn't it ridiculous all the effort it took to collect the proper ingredients for this and yet the spell transformed it so quickly?!" Witchcraft was an amazing thing! She slips the talisman inside of her bag just as the triplets return to the dressing room to swap out the dresses. "You were supposed to make me a scarf! I taught you how to knit myself. I don't know how you messed it up so badly!" Talyara shakes her head with a laugh. On initial inspection, this is the best dress of the three so far, they got the shade of red correct and the different parts of the gown seem to match. Taly slips it onto to her body and it's a near perfect fit, just a tad too tight in the chest. The skirt is flowy, cinching at her waist and falling just above her knees. The bodice is a modified sweetheart neckline but covered in intricate lace overlay, the delicate fabric climbing to sweep along her clavicle and down her arms to her elbows. Simply and elegant. The little witch turns to face her sister to ask her opinion when she is struck speechless, all thoughts of her own dress completely forgotten as she sees Lanara. The dress quite literally looks as if it was made for Lana, naught an alteration needed to be made. The dress was everything the elder sibling had wanted down the most minute detailing of the pearls and the leaf appliques which reminded her of Kelvar. Tears well up in Taly's emerald eyes and her hand comes up to brush against her chest. Lanara had always been beautiful, but in this gown, she was utterly breathtaking. At her sister's inquiry about her thoughts of the dress, Taly is still unable to speak. After a few moments, with tears rolling down her cheeks, she smiles brightly. "I think you have never looked more beautiful than you do in this moment," she says, her voice full of emotion. "That's the one, Lana. You look just like Mother..."

Lanara begins to grow worried when tears start to form in Taly’s eyes, and she’s unable to speak for several moments. Was that a good sign? A bad omen? The animal empath is eyeing the dress in the mirror once more, trying to pinpoint if there was a single thing she disliked about the gown, but her mind comes up empty. It was sheer perfection, and either the witch was made for the dress, or the dress was made for the witch! Giving her hips a gently sway, she giggles as the fabric flutters around her ankles, clearly designed for all sorts of ballroom dancing. Glancing up at Taly as she finishes putting away their tools for casting, she again asks, “What do you think?” Being compared to Kuruni is the biggest compliment Lanara has ever received; all the more that it’s so heartfelt and coming from her little sister! While Taly had always idolized Lana, it was Kuruni that had been Lana’s mentor all these years, and the two were nearly identical in appearance, though the daughter had a little more meat on her figure, especially around the rear. “Th-thank you…” Stammering, her cheeks nearly as crimson as Taly’s dress, the sister’s embrace as they both give into tears of happiness. “I love you, Sister. And you look –stunning- in that gown! You were meant to be my maid of honor, and you are ravishing in red! Krice won’t be able to tear his gaze off of your form, or keep his hands off of-“ The triplets appear again and dish out compliments to both women, assuring Taly that the tight bodice added to her appeal and that she didn’t require any alterations, either! Lana pays the tab for both of their gowns, which would be dry cleaned and ironed before the big day, and delivered to the venue. “I’m so happy that we both found the –perfect- gowns! Thank you for coming out and don’t you dare try and pay for your gown, it’s my gift to you!” As they switch back into their casual clothing and part ways, Lana giddily heads to Sage Forest, where she would finish preparing for the charity fundraiser she was hosting. Preparations for the wedding were nearly complete and she couldn’t wait to be Mrs. Lanara Krawft!