It is a perfect summer day on Shell Beach. Not a cloud appears in the brilliantly blue sky, and a pleasant sea breeze keeps the sun-kissed ground comfortable
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The Crumrins, or at least the two Nexus-going members of the family, are in attendance along with extended family in the form of Thorn and Arlen. Aloysius felt it necessary to attend, although he has it in mind to leave the reception early, after giving the bride and groom his best wishes. He arrives with Courtney at one arm and Thorn very tentatively at the other, and using his cane. He walks stiffly and a bit carefully, but straight and tall with as much dignity as he can muster. His suit is old-fashioned but very elegant, and his mood seems less severe than usual, due to the nature of the occasion. It's very clear he's seen better days, though. After the wedding party has made their way out, he waits for many of the guests to make their exit before getting up, and walking slowly to the reception with family hovering at his elbows.
Courtney the younger is in the most low-cut blue dress her family would let her get away with, interested in impressing her boyfriend. She's as perky and happy as she ever is, protective of her ailing uncle but thrilled to be in his company and Thorn's. And, in a strange way, Arlen's, who has proved to be an invaluable if odd companion.
She's giggling softly at something Thorn says, when she catches sight of her counterpart, a grey-clad shadow in a corner. Her heart stops for just a moment. The other Courtney isn't looking their way. Gently, she steers Thorn and Aloysius in the other direction, recovering as best she can, with a small, worried smile.
No one wants to make a scene on such a nice occasion.
It's strange to see his alternate up there at the end of the group on the dais, looking terribly afraid and awkward, but better in a suit than he would have imagined. They are physically quite different, but whatever the older Courtney has bought him is clearly well-made and tailored to look good on him. The younger Thorn is slightly less comfortable in his own suit, which is uncomfortably tight at the shoulders and just slightly short at the cuffs. Working the glassworks has had an unexpected effect on his physique, and he is also the same height as his alternate, now
( ... )
Arlen has a nice suit, new since this winter because Courtney's mother took him shopping. He thought it was very, very strange. But he got new clothes that won't need patching for a while. He's wearing his gloves because his hands draw more attention when there is bright sun to flash on them, and he sits beside Thorn and feels a little bit confused over being included in the family, but in a good way. He would have come to see Sarah even just by himself, but it's nice to be part of the group.
He will wish them both happiness later when there is not a crowd around them, and he has brought a gift. He puts it on the table in a nicely wrapped box but it just might move around a little if they wait too long to open it, knocking over other presents or hopping off the table.
Just as with leaving the area of the ceremony itself, Aloysius is in no rush to reach the bride and groom. After being helped to a seat in the reception area, he shoos Courtney and Thorn away with annoyance that is clearly more feigned than real. He can let Courtney know with a thought if he needs her, and they deserve to enjoy themselves. This is the first outing he's had in a while, but he feels up to sitting and watching the celebrations for a while. The sun is warm, the mood is happy, and he's learning to enjoy the moment.
Across the way in the reception area, a figure in gray sits staring. There is a Thorn next to her, but it's Aloysius she's looking at. She looks as if the world is crumbling around her and she's searching for something solid to hold onto.
The other Thorn, Aloysius knows about, and it was only a small surprise to see him in the wedding party. He is less well informed about more recent events, and the second Courtney startles him. She looks... unwell, and older, and bitter, a sour reflection of himself in every way he's hoped she won't become. It is a terribly painful sight, and only after a long moment of study does he realize that he is staring.
From across the way, ice-blue eyes have fixed on her, but the expression on his craggy face is difficult to read. There is pain, sorrow, and sympathy, and then a slow bloom of embarrassment for his tactless gaping at her. He does not move from his chair, but this is not necessarily for lack of wanting to come speak to her.
Courtney exchanges a few words with Thorn, then stands, gulps her champagne, and comes toward Aloysius. It feels like every step drives a knife further into her heart, and her expression is more than a little grim by the time she sits next to him.
"I expected her," she nods at her alternate. "You, I wasn't expecting."
He gives her a very polite nod, but there is a strange mix of grief and hope etched in the deep lines of his face. "I... wasn't sure if I'd come or not. I don't get out very much." The voice is steady, but he's studying her anew up close. There's an alarming lethargy to his movements, but he is not on his last legs, not nearly yet. He may have a month, or more, but not much more.
"I...hear that's something they're working on?" She studies him with sharp dark eyes. She herself is in reasonably good physical condition, better than she was a month ago, but still a little lost emotionally.
Aloysius frowns, but directs the expression at the head of his sword cane to avoid glowering at her. It's distressing how widespread news of his illness seems to be these days, but perhaps Arlen and Thorn's work combined with his own appearance have made that unavoidable. The upcoming surgery will only add to the list of people aware of it.
"Yes. The preliminary work is completed." What he means is the heart itself is ready, but there are a few last preparations for implanting it. It's only luck that he is not on the table at the same time as this wedding. Good or bad luck remains to be seen.
He struggles for something to say, gnarled hands gripping the head of the cane. His eyes do not meet hers, but his expression is bittersweet. "So was he, to have known you for at least a while."
"I'm sure he'd agree with me." He is not, in fact, but the relationship sounds similar enough. There is no way for this not to be an awkward conversation, however, and Aloysius does not have the best track record for knowing what to say to her. His hands fidget very subtly, gripping and loosening on the cane.
"...he probably would," she acknowledges with a small, watery smile.
"Look, I didn't come over here to depress you." She straightens. "I'm building an aquarium. I'll send guest passes when I'm done. Bring her. Bring whoever you like, okay?"
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She's giggling softly at something Thorn says, when she catches sight of her counterpart, a grey-clad shadow in a corner. Her heart stops for just a moment. The other Courtney isn't looking their way. Gently, she steers Thorn and Aloysius in the other direction, recovering as best she can, with a small, worried smile.
No one wants to make a scene on such a nice occasion.
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He will wish them both happiness later when there is not a crowd around them, and he has brought a gift. He puts it on the table in a nicely wrapped box but it just might move around a little if they wait too long to open it, knocking over other presents or hopping off the table.
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From across the way, ice-blue eyes have fixed on her, but the expression on his craggy face is difficult to read. There is pain, sorrow, and sympathy, and then a slow bloom of embarrassment for his tactless gaping at her. He does not move from his chair, but this is not necessarily for lack of wanting to come speak to her.
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"I expected her," she nods at her alternate. "You, I wasn't expecting."
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"Yes. The preliminary work is completed." What he means is the heart itself is ready, but there are a few last preparations for implanting it. It's only luck that he is not on the table at the same time as this wedding. Good or bad luck remains to be seen.
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"Look, I didn't come over here to depress you." She straightens. "I'm building an aquarium. I'll send guest passes when I'm done. Bring her. Bring whoever you like, okay?"
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