Cress looked over the horizon, she was looking down the balcony of the palace, wearing her bridesmaid dress. The remainder of Aya's chip was enclosed in her fist, the girl having asked Cress to give Kora her body back permanently. It was one of the most painful things that Cress had ever had to do, but she knew, for the good of Kora and the future, she had to do it. "I should have told her it was me," Cress's voice trembled. "But I couldn't bring myself to tell her." Cress held the chip over the balcony, scattering the pieces in the wind. She watched as Aya's remains were caught in the wind, fluttering gently with the breeze. Cress tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, it was getting long again. So much had happened in these last few months. Cress and Heron had evolved to Cress, Heron, and Kora. The three of them were together, with Heron teaching both of the younger girls that even with all that had happened, it was okay to love themselves.
"Princess Nui!" Wren threw open the door, "You've gotta come get your makeup and hair done, the wedding will be starting soon!" Cress nodded, "I'll be right there." She smiled. Cress glanced longingly at the horizon. She had been traveling a lot, going from nation to nation until finally, Cress was back home. She loved being back, she really did, but Cress felt a longing to explore. She had to stay here though, this was where Cress belonged. Ashia Palace was her home and it always would be. So Cress hiked up her dress, a powder blue that Nee had chosen for her bridesmaids to wear. Shiro had picked pink for her's and they became the two wedding colors. Blush pink and powder blue, they meshed well together. Cress had helped oversee the flower arrangements, she had helped picked out the bouquet too.
Cress went inside. Kora and Heron were there, Heron teasing Kora no doubt. "I'm here, it's my turn, right?" Instantly the stylists rushed around her, getting Cress ready. They curled and teased her hair, rubbed on different colored powder on her eyelids and cheeks. They painted her nails too, the instant dry polish so that Cress wouldn't smudge it. "There, you're ready." Cress smiled, going over to Kora and Heron. They were in Cress's room, which would have been a mess if not for the maids that came to clean everyday. "We've got a wedding to get to!" Cress said, tripping over her own feet. She wasn't used to high heels after all. Heron grabbed Cress by the waist, righting her. "Don't kill yourself on the way," Heron teased. Cress blushed, grabbing Kora's hand. "Come on, we can't be late."
They made it right on time. Heron and Kora went up, arms locked around each other. "Ready?" Cress asked, mentally preparing herself to give her little sister away. Cress walked Narcia up the isle to the alter, where their minister was waiting to officiate the ceremony. The knights were in full uniform, seated in the back rows. It was a garden wedding, a beautiful spring day for two beautiful girls that were so deeply in love. Everyone stood as they walked down the isle. Cress couldn't help but smile, Nee seemed to be glowing. Cress had never seen her cousin, her sister, look so happy. Cress remembered the first day Ellie had been introduced to her. Cress had protected her since, after Cress became weak from being in a coma, Nee had been the one to protect her. Ellie was her best friend, Nee was her best sister. Now Nee would use that love and affection to shower a little blonde pup.
It was odd. Shiro's heart felt fluttery and nervous. As per earthen tradition, the pup wasn't allowed to see Nee on the day of the wedding. Nani and Wren had taken Shiro someplace special for the bachelor party. They went to a farm, so that Shiro could meet real, live animals, then they had gone out to lunch and the theater. The day had finished with a cruise around Ashia Palace on Lake Asphodel, a large white boat taking them all around the island while serving a fancy dinner. Shiro had so much fun and had fallen asleep on the pod ride back. It was the first time that Shiro had slept alone in a long time, she had gone to sleep in her room so as not to break tradition. After Shiro bathed, she put on the wedding dress that she had designed with the gown maker and almost instantly burst into tears. "It's so pretty," Shiro sniffled, hugging Ellis, the best dog, to her chest.
There was a special pink dress for Ellis, one that matched Nani and Wren's. The two girls were preparing somewhere else because Shiro's room wasn't so big. The pup did a twirl in the mirror, practically glowing. The stylists worked around her, making final adjustments on the dress. They had given the dress a bit of padding in the chest area and used makeup to accentuate her features, highlighting her bright blue eyes and button nose. "I can't believe I'm gonna be married, I'll be Nee's forever." Shiro looked at the engagement ring on her finger. Soon the pretty band of diamonds would be replaced by a gold band that would mean that Shiro was Nee's and Nee was her's. The stylist laughed as she did Shiro's hair. "Marriage is a lovely and crazy thing. Yes, this truly was crazy.
Shiro felt her heart flutter as she went downstairs. She stood behind closed doors, knowing that Nee had just set off down the isle before seeing her. Shiro felt nervous, knowing that she was wearing the special undergarments underneath her dress for she and Nee to achieve heaven for the first time as a married couple. Her heart wouldn't stop thumping in her chest. Wren went out with Ellis, Shiro staying out of the way so that Nee wouldn't see her yet. Nee probably looked great, she was always beautiful and confident in Shiro's eyes. Working past the trauma had made the two girls closer together and while Shiro was helping Nee through her PTSD, Nee was helping Shiro too. She repainted the memories of her scars, coloring them in loving hues that made Shiro blush just thinking about it.
"It's time," the usher, Otherus, informed her. Shiro nodded and smiled, "I'm ready." Nani took Shiro's arm, walking her down the isle. The people stood on their feet, watching Shiro, who was beaming, walk down the red carpet to the platform. Shiro had been practicing in her heels so as not to trip and it seemed it had all paid off. When Shiro's eyes caught site of Nee, her heart stopped in her chest. The girl she loved so much, the Queen that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, she was heart stopping, beautiful in every sense of the word. Shiro joined her up the alter, Wren settling in her place next to the other ladies in waiting. An exchange of vows, of rings. "Do you, Shiro, take Narcia Seraphim to be your lawfully wedded wife through sickness and in health?" Shiro smiled, giving a nod. "I do," the minister turned to Nee, her answer reflected. "I know pronounce you wife and wife, you may now kiss the bride." Shiro's heart fluttered again as she and Nee kissed in front of all of those people, now married, once and for all.
"We did it," Shiro whispered with tears in her eyes, her words meant only for the girl she loved. "We reached our happy ending."
RPG
