An Unfamiliar City, A Familiar Embrace

The point of his and other Coterie were to ensure the safety of the event and that meant blending in for the occasion.

It wasn’t the first occasion he had hoped to wear his best, but quietly packing outfit. Two slim daggers hung from a waistcoat hidden under his jacket, though to the untrained he’d appear as any other guest, his stance was one of careful observation of the rooms goings on. At least until he had seen her walk into the party without an escort. He was dumbstruck, taking a second glance before recognising her.

Within a few moments he’d got another of the watchers to cover his place, certain she’d be feeling overwhelmed by the space, the people, the ‘newness’. And Ruth had just left her to deal with it all, alone. Fuck. If it was hard before not to punch the smirk of the fools face, it was worse now. Concern furrowed his brow, but as he approached, Colt would open his arms in welcome.

Well, I best escort the second best dressed lady of the eve. Best is obvs the bride, think there’s some sorta rule, but hell if you don’t look like a goddess tonight, Mina.

@Wilhelmina

She swayed gently with a glass of wine, the sunshine filtering through the canopy and making her feel warm and happy as the strings continued along with their gentle music meant to keep people happy while the ceremony was happening a little ways over, the fact she had to be left, hadn't bothered her at all -- she didn't know Megara and Nairn, and was there more for Ruth, so she had no feelings one way or the other by not being invited back, her mind was busier watching people mingle and chat, and the fact she was getting to wear her newly made dress to a nice place first.

She had wanted this dress to be something she had kept back to wear on a date with Colt, but she knew she needed to be dressed at least semi-nicely for the wedding, she didn't want to be an embarrassment for Ruth to his friends and probably the best family he had, so the robin's egg blue draped her in a way that covered all of her, and still gave hints of her figure beneath. She had made sure to put several panels in it, so that she could grow with the dress in the future, the thought had been, while she had been hand-sewing the dress, that if she were to have a family, she'd need the dress to be forgiving about the middle, so, she hadn't exactly noticed the crush of people about her, until they were too much for her suddenly, her breath catching as she was in a flood of faces she didn't know and she while she wasn't there as "entertainment", so there would be no grabbing hands, no flip of her skirt and a rough push, it wasn't far behind the initial panic, before there he was.

Arms open, with that cool swagger that made everything fade out from around her as she sank into Colt's hold, her cheek coming to rest over his heart, pointed ear pressed to where she could hear his heart beat, her comfort in the pressing tide of sights and sounds. Of course, Megara is the bride and she should absolutely be the best dressed lady here today, I will always gladly take second to a bride.

The quip was effortless, even as her cheeks went red from the compliment, the flush spreading back through her ears and down her chest. Of course he would tell her she looked like a goddess, and of course he would be dressed in a suit that she absolutely would not reserve later for dreams and peeling it off him piece by piece. I wasn't sure if you'd be here or not, but I saw my bard friend in the crowd too. Not too many people I know have the same silver hair. You're all working aren't you?

@Colton Young

He felt the tension ease in her shoulders as she melted into his embrace, the warmth of her cheek against his chest grounding him in a way that almost made him forget the surrounding chaos. Almost. His heartbeat couldn’t deny the uptake in rhythm though, giving her an extra squeeze for good measure.

You caught me, love, he murmured with a chuckle, leaning his head just enough so his voice was low, meant for her alone. We’re working, yeah, but I wasn’t about to let you fend for yourself in all this. Ruth can’t even manage to find his own socks, let alone think to make sure you’re good. His smirk returned, playful and full of that easy charm. Well, besides my silver-haired competition. Think he can outshine me? Should I be worried?

His hands slid to her arms, gently pulling back so he could meet her gaze, his own softened by the sight of her blush glowing. Colt let his lips curl into a lopsided grin, though his eyes swept over her dress, his appreciation evident in the way his smile deepened. I’m gonna have to beat the other guys off you, and then his face went scarlet, I… um… coulda used a better phrase… shit.

@Wilhelmina