A Wedding

[wizard_howell]

For as long as he can remember -- or at least as long as he can remember since he's lived in Ingary -- Howl has never panicked at anything. There are things that have given him pause; he's run from pursuit; he's had to talk himself into being brave enough to fight certain battles; he's been casual and sarcastic while faced with danger

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[talkstohats]

"Sophie dear, this seam's coming undone! No, don't worry, I'll fix it for you in a jiff, just stand still - I'm surprised at you, you used to take such care about your stitches."

"Sophie, where have you stowed Michael? I need to know what he's wearing!"Miss Hatter, I hate to disturb you, but is this, er, skull safe for the princess to play with

[wizard_howell]

Michael stands at attention, just like a Royal Guardsman. He's dressed to the nines, holding a cushion in his upturned palm. On that upturned cushion is an etched piece of glass, and on that piece of glass rests a fallen star.

"It's time, Howl. You've really gone and stepped in it this time. If I still had your heart, you wouldn't be in this mess." Calcifer's whisper is far more full of mirth than his words would suggest, and the fire demon is like a beacon in the night. He draws Howl's attention, makes him stand straight and tall, directing his eyes to the pathway. A low murmur of anticipation floats up in waves along the petals of the flowers.

Sophie's on her way.

His Sophie.

He's not sure which of them has the less enviable position: him with his standing and waiting while trying not to look stupid, scared, or insane... or Sophie taking not-quite-ladylike determined steps down the path, surrounded by people. Closing his eyes for a single beat of his heart, he imagines her sniping at her sisters: Martha, you've trod on the hem

[talkstohats]

Sophie knows, just knows, that if she looks into Howl's eyes before she finishes walking all the way down the pathway she'll do something completely inane - trip over her gown, or walk into Fanny, or accidentally curse her own feet -

So instead she carefully focuses her eyes on his wedding suit. It fits him perfectly. Every stitch is secure; she made very certain of that, poring over it with fierce attention. Howl, she knows, has the impression that she's stuffed it full of spells. Howl doesn't know, and if Sophie has her way will never know, that there isn't a single charm on the entire thing. She's made it entirely with her hands, no shortcuts allowed for this, just the way she used to make her sisters' dresses before she ever knew she was a witch

[wizard_howell]

There are many, many words in the air. They float around him like butterflies or like birds: never getting close enough to touch but definitely close enough to notice. There are several voices speaking those words, most notably Suliman, but the only thing he knows in this moment is the smile on Sophie's face and the absolute love shining through in her eyes. It fills the field -- even the flowers can sense it, he's sure -- and makes a beeline straight for his heart where it settles, cozy and comfortable, and has no intention of getting up and moving along

[talkstohats]

Was there really a time that she thought Howl's eyes looked like green glass marbles? She remembers it, but she can't imagine it anymore.

True and faithful. She believes it. At last, right now, no more doubts and no more worries; she really, truly believes it. She can't say that for her vows - it wouldn't be the thing - but she grips Howl's hands to let him know, and she's absolutely certain that he does. It's that kind of moment. It's that kind of day.

And now it's her turn, and she was worried she'd forget her words - convinced, in fact - but she remembers them all.

"I never thought I'd be anything more than what I was," she says, and Fanny's out there listening, and her sisters, and everyone, but she's forgotten all about them; this is for Howl. "Until I met you