-----Tat'iana-----
Of average height for a woman, Tat'iana carries
herself as though she were taller than she actually is. Her chin is angled
proudly, her ivory complexion smooth and flawless. Thick, dark lashes ring
steely-gray eyes, which tilt upwards at the corners. Though they are the color
of stormclouds, her eyes do catch the light, giving them more of a silvery
quality. The sparkle is aided by a hint of mischievousness in her personality,
though hidden in her facial expression it shows clearly through her eyes. Lips
that are neither too full, nor too narrow, are pulled at the corners into a
perpetual soft smile. A hint of a blush creeps across her cheeks, giving proof
that this woman is indeed real and alive, and not just the masterpiece creation
of an artist.
Her deep ebony hair shines, the color so deep it almost casts a blue tint.
Delicate braids and curls are arranged artfully atop her head, and a cascade of
the ebon tresses falls across one of her shoulders. Fragile-looking filigree
silver combs help to hold everything in place, as well as provide accent to the
style. A ring of flowers reminiscent of a crown has been tucked into her hair,
and among the flowers are delicate-looking miniature roses.
Her gown, naturally, is of pristine white velvet, though intricate, light
patterns of gold embroidery catch in the light and are set ablaze. The
tightly-fitted bodice is accentuating of her figure as it comes to a point just
below her hips in the front center, and its straight neckline dips daringly low.
Gold trim lines the neckline, as with the hem and ends of her long sleeves, and
alternating pearls and Hagal quartz are set in at even intervals along this
trim. False sleeves in gossamer fall freely from her shoulders, fluttering with
every movement, and calling to mind the motions of delicate wings. The gown's
real sleeves, however, are slashed in a way such that the fine white silken
chemise beneath is plucked out through the openings in small poofs. More gold
embroidery forms criss-cross patterns on the sleeves. The skirts of the gown are
quite full, even trailing behind her several feet in a train of the luxurious
soft velvet. Similarly embroidered in gold, they seem to somehow be stiff
despite the delicateness and lightness of the threads.
-----Erich-----
The Padishah Emperor of the Known Universe is tall
and well-framed, standing just over six feet in height, and carrying himself
with a palpable air of nobility. He is perhaps of thirty standard years, at the
very cusp of physical prowess and form. His features are of characteristic
Corrino genetic extraction: a strong jawline offset by a regal aquiline nose.
These noble features are slightly marred by a mild dimple in his right cheek
which shows whenever he might deign to smile, adding a bit of rakishness to his
countenance. Hair of a deep, dark brown is kept close cropped and parted to the
right. Eyes of a deep serpentine look out with quiet scrutiny at the world and
its particulars, cooly drinking in his surroundings in a manner so unsettlingly
characteristic of the Sardaukar legions who worship him.
He is dressed in flowing robes of state made from radiant purple damask and
lined in ermine. These are clasped at his shoulder with a pin made from a
brilliant Hagal quartz, the disc-shaped clasp the size of a fist. The robes have
a high collar which accents his jawline and sweep gracefully from his massive
shoulders. They are adorned with smaller shards of Hagal quartz, sewn into the
ermine and hem of the garment ... all adornment and display the echoing of
millennia of tradition which reverberate through every fiber of this man.
----------------------
Main Chambers -- Imperial Cathedral (Kaitain)
The nave and altar of the
Imperial Cathedral soar above and before in sweeping, archaic architecture, its
rich onamentation speaking of millennia of patronage from the Lion Throne
itself. Arched ceilings rise in intricate engravings and porphyry columns to
meet ceilings frescoed by the masters of the Early 18th Century AG Neo-Terran
school. More than fifteen thousand seats rise in elaborately-carved mahogany
lofts, many reserved for specific Houses and these denoted by their banners
flapping above, on either side of the black and white marble-chequered floors,
interspersed amongst tombs and reliquaries flashing with hints of gold in the
subdued lighting of bronze chandeliers. All of this draws the gaze forward,
towards the pristine white marble dais upon which is set the Altar of the Host,
its triptych depiction of the founding of the Church carved from a single,
immense rectangular slab of Hagal Quartz. The blue-green shards of the altar are
ablaze with the light which shines in from the magnificent stained glass windows
which comprise the wall behind it, its more than five million shards in varying
shades of red, orange, and yellow, a roiling conflagration of glass breathtaking
to behold, even to the unbeliever who may not understand the holy significance
of that stylized fire.
The normally austere chamber is
alight with intricate decorations for the day's ceremony -- ribbons and banners
and flowers everywhere.
(OOC NOTE: Places are in effect here! Type '+places/help')
Players:
Ekaterina
Erich
Lilith
Exits:
Open Arch <SE> leads to Vestry -- Imperial Cathedral (Kaitain)
Dwarfed Arch <NE> leads to Slype -- Imperial Cathedral
(Kaitain)
Wooden Arch <W> leads to Vestibule -- Imperial Cathedral
(Kaitain)
Announcement: Antiochus shouts, "Bells across Kaitain toll, summoning
all to the Cathedral for the Imperial wedding <Which will commence in 10
minutes. Please come and take your places, all ye spectators>"
Jenaa joins the Corrino seating.
Ekaterina joins the Rastanyev seating.
Igraine enters with her contingent of Bene Gesserit handmaidens - which of
course, are promptly waved away. The handmaidens look slightly like they've
swallowed lemons - probably because Igraine has not opted for the traditional
dress of a Reverend Mother.
Ravn joins the Alvstad seating.
Elsa joins the Ginaz seating.
Jacob joins the Ginaz seating.
Caro joins the Ginaz seating.
Ulricke joins the Harkonnen seating.
Fahahd joins the Harkonnen seating.
Ulricke enters, with Fahahd on tail guard. The allegedly aetheistic
Harkonnen scion moves swiftly to her House's designated seating area, expression
the mild, pleasant expression one wears at weddings.
Ralis joins the Alvstad seating.
Shaheena joins the Bajazet seating.
Ibis joins the Corrino seating.
The Cathedral begins to fill up as family and spectators fill in to take
their places in the tiers of seats, anxiously awaiting the commencement of the
wedding which so commands all of Kaitain's, and the Known Universe's,
attention.
Martin joins the Moritani seating.
Jacob shuffles lightly to his place, smiling brightly. He does crane his
neck (funny for someone so tall to do) to try to catch the Princess' eye.
Igraine joins the Corrino seating.
The late afternoon Kaitain sun dips lower in the sky, catching the
stained glass windows of the church at just a certain angle enough to set the
walls of the chamber aglow with abstract patterns of flames and contrasting,
soothing tones of blue. High above, secreted away in a section of the balcony
reserved for the choir, a chamber orchestra plays softly.
Standing already upon the dais, waiting for the ceremony to begin
momentarily, is an ancient-looking priest. Garbed in his most formal vestments
for the occasion of this ceremony, he stands quite stiffly in the well-preserved
finery. Though, from time to time, he does bounce up and down slowly as he rocks
forwards and backwards.
Though at some unseen cue, the orchestra changes its music, the melody
going quickly from something more of background, or atmosphere, and
transitioning into something more of a processional.
From the Corrino seating, Scaurus spares a glance over to Ulricke as she
enters, and twitches his lip momentarily. As Jacob looks the way of the
Princess, Scaurus returns his gaze with a cold, bland stare of his own, and then
returns to looking aimlessly to the front of the Cathedral, draped in his own
self-importance.
From the Harkonnen seating, Ulricke gives Scaurus a brief, somewhat
detatched nod, and returns her attention to the processional.
From the Harkonnen seating, Fahahd cocks his head, following the lady's
gaze to the Treasurer with his own.
Klaude joins the Alvstad seating.
Klaude , very much seeming like a tourist, strolls up the aisle of the
cathedral, gawking upward at the architecture until he reaches his party.
Entering the great cathedral
just as the orchestra begins to cue, the Baron Bajazet makes his way through the
archway; followed in kind by the stooped figure of his most ancient Vizier and a
brief retinue of retainers, the dark-skinned nobleman leads his entourage toward
the carven pews allotted for his household.
Ruhail joins the Bajazet seating.
As the processional reaches its culmination and a coterie of trumpets
blare, the tromp of militant boots is heard upon the cold marble floors of the
Cathedral, and shortly an honor guard of ten Noukkers, their drab grey and black
uniforms ornamented with short cloaks of imperial purple for the occasion, file
in, carrying in alternation the banners of House Corrino, the Padishah Imperium
itself, and most menacing of all, the Sardaukar. Upon nearing the altar, they
snap smartly to attention in a singular, fluid motion, heralding the entrance of
their charge and master, the Emperor of the Known Universe. His Majesty enters
at the very climax of the processional's stirring strains, resplendent in his
robes of state which train behind him as he walks forward to take his place
before the altar, emerald gaze straying to look upon the tier after tier of
attendants both noble and otherwise, a proud smile cracking his noble visage as
upon reaching the foot of the dais, robes pooling at his feet, he turns to await
the entrance of his bride.
The doors at the back of the chamber again open from the vestibule, and
a dozen young girls dressed alike in white velvet are herded in by some unseen
urging behind the doors. Many of them pause there on the threshold, suddenly
overtaken with shyness, but the courage of the others bolsters the hesitant ones
and soon they all begin to make their way down the center aisle of the chamber
in a single file. In their hands they each carry a basket, and as they walk they
spread white rose petals at their feet. Slowly, the young girls make their way
forward, and when they reach the dais they all cluster together, dipping low
(and very well-practiced) curtseys for the Emperor before darting off to the
side to seat themselves in the first empty pew, nervous giggling quickly
hushed.
From the Corrino seating, Igraine's lips curve into a particularly amused
smile. Must be the charming little girls.
From the Rastanyev seating, Ekaterina, who has been sitting in her houses
section for quiet sometime watches the processional, and the entrance of the
groom's processional with what can only be described as despondency. She spares
a smile though, for the flower scatterers, and wonder silently which mothers are
counterparts that put their children up to this occasion. So young... she
doesn't remember being so innocent anymore. She sees no resemblence, and thus
remains watching quietly, finger hooked across her lips.
Erich trains his attentions expectantly upon the empty portal at the far
end of the long sanctuary, awaiting with apparent expectation the appearance of
his betrothed.
And once again, there is another cue to the orchestra, and as the music
changes the Priest lifts his arms in a signal that the attendees are to rise
from their seats.
And from his place does the
Baron Bajazet rise, joined quickly after by the entirety of his retinue.
From the Harkonnen seating, Ulricke rises, as does the rest of the
Harkonnen contingent.
Ralis quickly stands up fallowing the cue of Baraon Bajazet.
The doors from the vestibule, having remained open after the entrance of
the flower girls, now frame the silhouette of what surely must be the bride.
However, she is alone, and not escorted as may be the custom on many of the
planets of the Known Universe. She holds a single rose lightly in her
fingertips, it appearing void of thorns, though at second glance the rose holds
a brilliance of its own, having been carved of Hagal quartz. It catches the
light from the stained glass windows, and casts its own prisms against the walls
in a resplendent response.
Tat'iana holds her chin high as she slowly makes her way towards the dais,
though eye contact is made at various points along her procession, and her smile
favoring those she knows or recognizes.
Galen joins the Rastanyev seating.
From the Rastanyev seating, Ekaterina stands slowly, as though all the
blood has drained out of her. Lips pressed tight together, she closes her eyes
and takes a breath before turning her eyes to the aisle. Ghostly, the little
smile she reserves for the bride, but a smile nonetheless.
From the Moritani seating, Martin stands from his seat. He watches as the
bride arrives. He gives a simple smile to show happiness for a happy
occassion.
From the Corrino seating, Igraine watches with a serene countenance, the
pleased smile not quite dropping off her lips.
Erich proudly surveys the entrance of his bride, a hand extending in
offering as she so gracefully descends upon the altar, serpentine eyes shining
in a rare sign of true affection in this avowedly stolid Emperor.
From the Harkonnen seating, Ulricke watches with an air of respectful
neutrality. Personally, she'd rather get to the celebrating then bother with the
religious claptrap. Typical Harkonnen.
From the Harkonnen seating, Fahahd looks equally unimpressed by all the
pomp and circumstance. It's not a real wedding tunil the orgy starts.
As soon as the bride joins the groom upon the dais, the aged Priest clears
his throat, and in a voice unseemingly strong for one of his age, he announces
clearly, "Lords and Ladies , honored guests, we are gathered together here in
the sight of the Almighty to join together this Man and this Woman in holy
Matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of the Almighty in
Paradise, sanctioned by the grace of the Lion Throne, and into which holy estate
these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any man can shew
any just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak,
or else hereafter for ever hold his peace."
The waiting silence echoes loudly throughout the chamber.
Tat'iana fidgets very faintly, the gesture more something of a shift of
her weight from one foot to another. She resists the temptation, however, to
turn her head to peer behind her, instead, her gaze remaining resolutely, and
confidently, forward. Although, briefly, she sneaks a quick glance towards
Erich, a soft smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
Erich quirks an eyebrow and looks round, ready in all likelihood to have
the Noukkers summarily execute on the spot anyone who speaks up.
After what seems an eternity, the required pause is discharged and the aged
Priest continues:
"I require and charge you both, as ye will answer at the dreadful day of
judgement when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, that if either of
you know any impediment, why ye may not be lawfully joined together in
Matrimony, that ye confess it. For ye be well assured, that so many as be
coupled together otherwise than the Almighty's Word doth allow are not joined
together by Him; neither is their Matrimony lawful...
Your Imperial Majesty, Erich Ladislas Corrino, Padishah Emperor of the
Known Universe... Wilt thou have this Woman to be thy wedded wife, to live
together after the Almighty's ordinance in the holy, and Imperially-sanctioned
estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her, in
sickness and in health; and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so
long as ye both shall live?"
From the Corrino seating, Igraine looks particularly amused by these vows.
In an age of concubines, she knows how the traditional vows are so
archaic.
Erich looks to the ancient cleric and in typical impatience gives a
dismissive wave, imperious even on this his wedding day. "Of course, I will. Get
on with it, man." To keep the poor fellow from having a coronary, however, he
does dispense with an all-but-imperceptible wink, to set his mind at ease that
he has by no means offended the Emperor.
He nods, a pastier shade of pale descending across his face, and the
Priest's rheumy gaze falls on Tat'iana.
"Lady Tat'iana Anstasovna Rastanyev... Wilt thou have this man to be thy
wedded husband, to live together after the Almighty's ordinance in the holy, and
Imperially-sanctioned estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him,
love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other,
keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"
Tat'iana's reply is simple; she nods - almost curtly - her voice ringing
firmly, "I will."
Erich looks to his betrothed as she intones in kind, his smile all the
more broad and brilliant as she agrees to the same constraints and ties that
bind as he does.
The Priest holds out his hand towards Tat'iana then, and as she places
her hand in his, he turns to place her hand in Erich's, turning the pair to face
each other with the gesture. And to the Emperor, he intones, "Your Imperial
Majesty, if you would please repeat after me... I, Erich Ladislas Corrino, take
thee Tat'iana to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward,
for better for worse, for richer for poorer, for fairer or fouler, in sickness
and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us depart, according to the
Almighty's holy ordinance; and thereunto I plight thee my troth."
Erich exhales a heavy breath as he clears what thoughts may flood through
his mind, squeezing the delicate hand he clasps and reciting as bidden, "I,
Erich Ladislas Corrino, take thee Tat'iana to be my wedded wife, to have and to
hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, for
fairer or fouler, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death
do us part, according to the Almighty's holy ordinance; and thereunto I plight
thee my troth." Once this weighty mouthful is out, shoulders shake in an
unvoiced chuckle of amusement as he awaits his wife-to-be to reply in
kind.
And then, to Tat'iana, the Priest intones, "My Lady... please do repeat
after me: I Tat'iana Anstasovna Rastanyev take thee Erich to my wedded husband,
to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or
poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us depart,
according to the Almighty's holy ordinance; and thereunto I plight thee my
troth.
In a voice yet clear, but also quiet, Tat'iana repeats the vows, her eyes
unwaveringly meeting Erich's. And a small, mischievious grin answering his own
silent humor. "I Tat'iana Anstasovna Rastanyev take thee Erich to my wedded
husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for
richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death
us depart, according to the Almighty's holy ordinance; and thereunto I plight
thee my troth."
Immediately after Tat'iana finishes her vow, the Priest produces in one
hand a pair of rings, and as he raises them in the air for those who can to see
them, he raises his voice, "Bless these Rings, O merciful Lord, that those who
wear them, that give and recieve them, may be ever faithful to one another,
remain in your peace, and live and grow old together in your love, under their
own vine and fig tree, and seeing their children's children. Amen."
And then, one of the rings is given over to Erich, "Repeat after me, Your
Imperial Majesty... With this Ring I thee wed, and with my body I thee honor,
and with all my worldly goods I thee endow; In the Name of the Almighty...
Amen."
Ralis starts to get alittle antsy, seems he isn't well suited for sitting
for long periods of time.
Erich takes the ring carefully from those palsied, shaking hands into
his far steadier (and safer) fingers, passing it first over Tat'iana's thumb as
he begins to recite, "With this ring, I thee wed," to the index digit, "and with
my body I thee worship," and finally to her ring finger, slipping it thereupon
with greatest care, "and with all my worldly goods I thee endow; in the name of
the Almighty ... Amen."
As with Erich, a ring is given to Tat'iana. And just as Erich did, she
repeats the vow, the ring first placed on his thumb, "With this Ring I thee
wed..." The ring is then moved to his index finger, "and with my body I thee
honor..." And finally, to the ring finger it moves, "and with all my worldly
goods I thee endow; In the Name of the Almighty... Amen."
The last of the vows being complete, the Priest raises his hands in
reverent benediction, "O Eternal Almighty, Creator and Preserver of all mankind,
Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life; Send thy blessing
upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy Name;
that, as those that have come before them have lived faithfully together, so
these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant betwixt them
made, whereof this Ring given and received is a token and pledge, and may ever
hereafter remain in perfect love and peace together, and live according to thy
laws and the laws of the Imperium; Amen..."
And with one last pause, the Priest adds in a sonorous tone, "Those whom
the Almighty hath joined together let no man put asunder. Forasmuch as Lady
Tat'iana and His Imperial Majesty have consented together in holy wedlock, and
have witnessed the same before the Almighty and this company, and thereto have
given and pledged their troth each to the other, and have declared the same by
giving and receiving of a Ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce, in the
Name of the Almighty, and within the powers granted me under the Imperium,
therefore that they be Man and Wife together..."
It only takes one gesture from the Priest, indicating that the newly-wed
couple might perform the time-honored and traditional kiss.
Erich needs no such encouragement, and with uncharacteristic vigor, he
embraces his wife at last within steady and sure arms and leans in to kiss her
full upon the mouth, sealing the bond of matrimony with most apparent
gusto.
A maidenly blush is quelled, Tat'iana having fully expected this
display to happen, and silently she succumbs to it, though the Priest looks on
with bushy eyebrows raising incrementally as the moments pass.
And then, quietly, the Priest clears his throat.
Erich leans in to mutter something softly to his blushing bride before
looking to the stodgy priest with a faint glower, a hand waving to him in
hurried ushering, sending the poor man scurrying for a nearby alcove.
Erich mutters to you, "Don't tempt me to defile the holy altar, eh?"
Whatever has been murmured to her elicits an even deeper blush, and a small
laugh. Tat'iana shakes her head slightly, waiting patiently for the return of
the Priest.
The Cardinal Archbishop enters from whence the priest disappeared,
resplendent in his robes of princely red, in his hands holding a pillow of
vermillion velvet, upon this borne two diadems, His Majesty's laurel wreath
wrought from gold and shards of Hagal quartz, and a coronet of delicate platinum
and gold filigree, prongs tipped in tiny seed pearls. Bowing respectfully to His
Eminence as he ascends the dais, standing beside the cleric before the altar and
drawing his wife with him, the Emperor turns to address those gathered. "Let the
Known Universe know that we mean to do far more this day than to merely take a
wife. We take a lover, a counselor, a mother for our children, and an Empress."
Taking his own diadem, so rarely seen and only ever donned upon state occasions,
this he places upon his brow and with a brilliant smile bids his beloved
kneel.
From the Harkonnen seating, Fahahd wouldn't be at all surprised. It's
Harkonnen custom, of course.
Ralis seems to sence the Mentats thoughts, and appears to have a hard time
supressing the urge to slap the man.
Tat'iana turns, and a pair of the young flower attendants dash out from
their seat in the row, having obviously been instructed to do this. With great
care, and some amount of hushed whispers, they straighten the train of
Tat'iana's gown so that she might kneel. Her own face solemn, Tat'iana sinks to
a knee, and her train is again straightened behind her. The girls scurry back to
their seat again, their part of the ceremony again done with.
Erich reaches with greatest care to take the other costly crown from its
rest, holding this aloft so that the light shining from the magnificent stained
glass windows of the cathedral catches it full, glittering and dancing along its
delicate surface. "Before the eyes of our subjects, with the acquiescence of a
million worlds, we crown you, Tat'iana Anastsovna Rastanyev-Corrino, Empress of
the Known Universe, from you alone to proceed the future of both our House and
the Lion Throne itself, through it the entire Imperium and all who dwell within
the safety and security of its aegis shall benefit from you and what children
issue from your womb. Let all of them know this day that you are no mere
consort, no mere concubine. You are co-author of the prosperity and peace of
this Imperium as it will come. Receive this crown," he solemnly intones and
commands, setting the coronet to rest upon her head with a satisifed, smug
smile.
Just after she feels the coronet firmly seated on her head, Tat'iana
silently dips her chin low in a nod of acceptance. And as Erich's hands take her
own to assist her back up, each of his hands is raised to her lips in a further
display of devotion. "The Forms will be obeyed," she intones in her own
response, now standing by the Emperor's side, as her eyes turn to survey the
gathering.
Erich holds aloft his Empress' hand and presents her to the congregation.
"Rise and greet your Empress, our noble cousines and subjects, and know that she
speaks for our throne, her will our own, our subjects now hers, our cousines now
hers. The Forms will be obeyed!"
From the Rastanyev seating, Galen bolts to his feet, applauding
enthusiasticlly, and beaming a wide grin. "All hail Empress Tat'iana!"
From the Corrino seating, Igraine rises and performs a curtsey from her
position, and the Bene Gesserit contingent all execute the same maneuver in
perfect synchronicity. The Witches can be eerie that way.
Ralis stands up, leadding the Alvastad company into a round of
applause.
From the Rastanyev seating, Ekaterina stands up with the rest, and presses
her hands together with vigor, bowing her head through the roar of approval. "Za
vas, majesties. Za vas."
From the Harkonnen seating, Ulricke rises, expression cool and polite and
still attentive, her lips forming the words around the cheers
automatically.
From the Bajazet seating, Shaheena rises gracefully, dips into a low
curtsey, then favors the newly-weds with a round of soft, polite,
fingertips-to-heel-of-palm applause. In other words, the Imperial couple gets a
genteel version of the golf-clap.
Erich smiles in appreciation for the kindness shown from the Houses Major
and Minor here assembled, bidding them as the din begins to die, "You are all of
you welcome to join us at the Palace in the Platinum Ballroom for a reception,
light refreshments to be served and we shall receive your more private and
intimate well-wishes there and then."
From the Corrino seating, Ibis stands and politey claps.
From the Moritani seating, Martin rises from his seat and claps proudly. As
a loyal subject of the Imperium and a member of House Moritani, he is happy for
the newest member of the Imperial family.
Tat'iana receives the applause with a well-formed modest expression, her
smile suitably warm (as are her cheeks). And with the official, formal rites
being completed, the orchestra again begins to play, this time a piece suitable
for a recessional.
The Baron rises along with his Vizier, performing the gentle,
forehead-touching gesture of genuflection in his lands.
Erich descends the dais with his Empress, proceeding along the aisle to
the acclaim of the attendees, nodding in polite reception as the wedding party
leads the way out, flanked of course by those Noukkers who escorted the Emperor
in.