Pollinated Juniper Berries + 2
The boys from teams CVFY and SSSNNZ are ushering guests to their seats. Gently reminding guests that the only seats that are spoken for are the ones closest to the stage. That is where all the parents are sat, as well as the two Cotta-Arcs, General Ironwood, and an already teary-eyed Qrow.
Coco, Velvet, May and Penny are on standby for anything the Grooms or Brides may need but currently there is no one reigning in the paparazzi and legitimate reporters. One such reporter (who has been called far worse things than a member of the paparazzi) has finally cornered one of the ushers.
Fox: *with a long-suffering sigh* “It was made clear to all of you that we would sit who we could once all the other guests had been seated.”
Kasandra: “I’m not trying to wrangle a seat misterrrr?”
Kasandra: “Mr. Fox, I’m just looking for a quote. Specifically about the claims that, since incorporating such starlets as Weiss Schnee and Pyrrha Nikos into their relationship, the Octuple has had a known criminal aiding them with publicity and marketing? Also this criminal, known as Neopolitan, was partners with Roman Torchwick.”
Fox: “The Octuple possess some of the most heroic and honest souls I’ve ever had the pleasure of interacting with. I find such claims to be ludicrous. That’s your quote, go back to where the other reporters are.”
Kasandra: *cat pupiled eyes flash a deep magenta as her uncontrollable Semblance “Far-Fetched” activates* “Thank you Mr. Fox, I’ll go do that.”
Nearby a disguised Roman has turned to see what his partner thinks about what they just witnessed only to find her walking towards the Huntsman in training with a sway in her hips.
Roman: “That’s who she just had to meet? The blind kid? Oh well, love is in the air…who am I even talking to?” *takes his seat*
Arslan stands in the center of the round platform that the witnesses are sitting around. The three youngest Arcs, Amethyst Corcoran, the two Sith children and babies Lily and Mullein (carried by Flavia and Xanthe) spread red petals along the eight paths while Winter plays a beautiful piece on her violin. She joins Whitley and Oscar, sitting behind their mother and the General, while the others take their seats.
Once everyone is still, Arslan motions for them to stand. They do and turn towards the aisles closest to them. Each member of the Octuple stood at the end of the “spokes” of the wheel. The girls in simple white dresses cinched at the waist with a tied belt and the boys in white ceremonial robes. As they walked forward a sudden explosion of smoke in their signature colors wafted over them and when it cleared the dresses and robes had changed to those colors. Except the belts. Each belt is now decorated in the Octuple’s symbol in their color. The crowd ooh’d and ahh’d but they didn’t pay attention to two baby bumps or notice Coco get fist bumps from Velvet and Yats.
Once the eight reach the round stage they kneel on the prepared cushions, each hand stitched by an Arc. Arslan lights an incense and the lower tier begins to spin, slowly. Arslan gently blows smoke in each face as they come around. Most inhale in reverence, but Ruby giggles making the warrior-nun smile. Nora pretends to eat the smoke which makes several people in the audience try and hide their laughter.
Arslan: “Courage, dear hearts. Never have I felt as honored as I do today standing here with these eight who would shuck convention and choose to walk their road together. I have learned from them that love is not just an affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained. Now I will ask those of you in the front to remain standing to speak on this. The rest of you; please be seated.”
:The platform halts with Ruby facing Arslan:
Arslan: “And who speaks for this one?”
Tai: “Not only does she have her mothers eyes; she has her mothers heart. I could ask for no better caretakers than her sister and their six beloveds.”
Qrow: *clears his throat* “She also has her father’s capacity to love, and I trust her to use that love to keep these seven from wrecking the place.” *Tai and Qrow take their seats amongst more quiet laughter*
Arslan: “And who speaks for this one?”
Willow and Ironwood: “We do.”
Willow: “Weiss has shown me what true riches are. Family and those that love you for you.”
Ironwood: “Once a Schnee makes the decision to stand by you and yours, they will always give you their very best.” *Atlas’s newest power couple take their seats*
Arslan: “And who speaks for this one?”
Ghira: “All parents fear for their children, but much of that fear fades when I look at those who hold her in their hearts.”
Kali: “We were never angry at you, Blake. We were sad, because we thought you lost your way. And look at what you’ve done. Found your own compass points to stay the course.” *Ghira takes his seat*
Arslan: “And who speaks for this one?”
Glynda Goodwitch and Kali: “We do.”
Glynda: “Of all the students I’ve ever taught; I could count on one hand, with fingers to spare, the ones who I thought could take over my position someday. You are one of them Yang, and I thought you should know that.” *Yangs eyes grow wide*
As Kali opens her mouth to speak she is interrupted by the air splitting open with an ugly red wound. Raven Branwen steps through.
Raven: *glares at Kali* “You spoke for your daughter, I will speak for mine! *turns towards the platform* “Yang! You are strong and strength like yours deserves a harem as grand as this!”
Yang: *eyes red* “Not. A. Harem!”
-Raven can’t see her eyes however, as her daughter has stayed kneeling. The ceremony, and the family that chose to stay, is far more important to Yang than a mother that abandoned her.
Raven: *turns towards Tai* “And why are you speaking for Summer’s brat but not Yang?”
Yang: *looks over at Raven with a glare, but remains kneeling* “Because I asked him to! Do you think this is easy for him? HE STAYED! And now he’s watching his two oldest marry six almost strangers. I had no intention of asking him to come up with two speeches and, well everyone heard Qrow’s.”
Raven: “Come see me when you graduate, bring my grandchild. I look forward to it.” *steps back through the portal*
Yang: *jokingly* “Now that you’ve met the last mother-in-law are all of you sure you wanna marry me?”
Blake and Jaune: *both leaning over to lay a supportive hand on Yang* “We do.”
Jaune: “In fact I wanna marry you more now.”
Blake: “Seeing your birth parent as a “what if” just shows how extraordinary you really are.”
Arslan: “Are we ready to proceed?” *Yang nods and the platform brings Jaune to the front*
Arslan: “And who speaks for this one?”
Saphron and Terra: “We do.”
Terra: “Not many people know that Jaune is partly responsible for me becoming an Arc. He saw how his sister looked at me and teased her until she asked me out to shut him up.”
Saphron: “My brother is one of the best people I know, and I adore the family he’s brought into our lives.”
Arslan: “And who speaks for this one?”
Jaqueline and Ishmael Arc: “We do.”
Ishmael: “When Jaune asked us to speak for Nora, as it is the custom of her people we are honoring now, I was both very proud and worried about what to say. Then I saw her as a mother and knew that The Breaker himself made this happen because she was MEANT to be in our lives.”
Jaqueline: *sees Nora’s shoulders shaking in silent sobs, so walks up and wraps her arms around the crying girl* “I don’t know if this is allowed, but I know I am SO happy that you are part of my family. Now and always.” *kisses Nora’s brow before returning to her husband who is wiping his eyes*
Arslan: “And who speaks for this one?”
Copperwaite and Peletis: “We do.”
Copperwaite: “I’ll keep mine simple. I’m so very happy for you and I look forward to getting to know your spouses better.”
Peletis: “I…I must admit that I am thankful that woman stepped through that portal, because now I don’t feel like the worst parent here. I am set in my ways and had tried to pull my daughter along the same path. But she found her teammates and friends and they fell in love. I’ll miss her, but it’s for the best. I love you Pyrrha.”
Arslan: “And who speaks for this one?”
Ranger and Crimson: “We do.”
Ranger: “I signed an official document that allows me to call Ren my son. I couldn’t be happier for him if he were my actual first born.”
Crimson: “I, like many of you here, have had the honor of teaching these fine young people. I see in them a love so pure, so encompassing, that it warms those of us who stand near them…and…and.” *cranes her neck to look at Menagerie’s attendants. Notices the spider faunus with them has gone still and is looking up into the distance. Follows his gaze and freezes*
Peletis: “Why are they looking at that wisp of dark clouds.”
Ilia: “It’s moving too swiftly, and against the wind.” *pulls Lightning Lash out from under her skirt* “Take Pyrrha’s mother somewhere safe, sir?”
Copperwaite: *pulls a sawed-off double barreled shotgun out from his coat and takes Peletis arm* “Of course, ma’am.
Crimson: “Jaune! Ruby! What are your orders?”
Crimson: “What were all those classes I taught for?”
Jaune: “Everyone armed, first priority is unarmed civilians. Get them into one of the houses or the barn.”
Ruby: “Everyone with firearms find positions to catch them in a crossfire as they descend. If you don’t have guns, stay at the shelters and keep the others safe.”
Jaqueline: “WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN!?!”
Ranger: *kneels and touches the ground* “They ran towards the wood line!”
Caltha: “I’m on it Mom. Help get the babies inside.”
Weiss: “I wish our weapons were closer.”
Yang: *smiling* “Sis? What did you do?”
Ruby: “You said I couldn’t have a turret, and I’m NOT gonna say I told you so, but I wanted my baby to be part of the ceremony, and it wouldn’t be fair if ONLY Crescent Rose were here so…” *opens a secret door under her kneeling cushion and pulls out her weapon. Weiss kisses her before following suite*
Caltha found the Sith kids with Amber, Aurelia, Orla, and Amethyst hiding in the tangled exposed roots of the giant tree near Blake’s Brook.
Caltha: “What were you thinking. These roots won’t stop a Grimm from getting to you.” *a crashing sound behind her makes her turn around. A giant Griffon with a injured wing has landed and is now stalking towards them*
Caltha: *smiles at the children despite nowing her Atlas-Arms heavy dust-pistol won’t be able to stop the Grimm* “Twins, take Orla and Amethyst. Number three…”
Lil’ Mercer: “Don’t call me that!”
Caltha: “…take your sister and sprint to the barn. Juniper is there and will keep you all safe.”
Aurelia: “What about you?”
Caltha: “I’ll be fine.” *waves the gun at them* “Are you all ready?” *they nod* “Now go.” *sees the Grimm turn towards the fleeing children* “No!” *shoots the Grimm* “You will focus on me.” *fires again* “I am a proud soldier of Atlas!” *fires again* “I. Am. A. Arc!” *fires again* “And you WILL NOT HURT MY FAMILY!” *click*
*Caltha takes the barrel in hand and prepares to go down fighting. The Griffon lunges*
Neo liked chaos. Heck, Neo loved chaos but even an onslaught of aerial Grimm managed to not be very chaotic as Lil’ Red and her Golden Retriever boy took command and did a good job of it. Neo had considered staying out in the thick of it and trying to see how many winged Grimm she could take down. However seeing Fox’s Giant take up position guarding the older Arc’s home she decided to guard the people in the Octuple’s home. Had to protect her investment after all and she could watch Fox and his Bunny and his Lesbian fighting the Grimm alongside the Octuple. A small Nevermore dive bombed towards Mama Arc as she dragged an injured militia man towards the house. A short leap carried Neo to intercept and the bitty Nevermore bounced off of Hush and into Fox’s line of fire. Neo blew him a kiss, although she wasn’t sure if he’d notice. She then dragged the goon, wait heroes don’t call them goons, PEON! She helped Mrs. Arc drag the peon to safety.
A fire dust round explodes against the Griffon knocking it off its feet. A man in a black suit dashes forward and slams his cane into one of its front legs before jumping back and aiming down the cane to fire another fire dust round. He repeated the process until the Grimm started dissolving into ash.
Roman: *fixing his clothes* “That was strangely cathartic.”
Caltha: *holding a black wig towards him* “You dropped this.”
Roman: “Thank you Atlas. Umm, can this be our little secret?”
Caltha: “Sure, but it’s a shame. I like the red…how did you know to come out here?”
Roman: “I didn’t! I was hiding in the barn when Hoppy tossed me on her back and hopped over here so fast I was afraid to jump off.”
Caltha: *walks over to hug Juniper and whispers* “Why bring him? You coulda beaten that Grimm all by yourself.
“Did you just WINK at me?!?”
The battle was over and everyone was sitting down to eat. Both to celebrate their victory and the wedding. The presents had been presented including a three day stay at Vale’s most exclusive spa. Coco had seen the worried faces of the eight parents and announced that her, Velvet , and Cardin would be a house sitting and keeping everyone safe. At the very end of the line was Glynda Goodwitch and Doctor Oobleck.
Glynda: “The two of us have a very special present for each of you.”
Oobleck: “There is historical precedent for this and it does take two Headmaster’s, or Headmistresses, to see it through. In fact the last time this was done was…”
Peter: *from his seat* “Get on with it, Barty!”
Oobleck: “Yes, sorry, Glynda please do the honors.”
Glynda: *nods at Penny who walks down the line handing the Octuple their scrolls* “By the powers invested in me and my compatriot we hereby grant you your official Huntressman…” *fist bumps Nora, then looks at her fist in obvious confusion before continuing with a shake of her head* “…licenses.”
The entire Octuple look dumbstruck at the proclamation but before a word can be said, Reese Chloris buzzes their table pouring out smoke powder.
When the smoke cleared, the Octuple were no where to be seen. The Menagerians in the room let out a resounding cheer.
{{ Elsewhere on Remnant }}
Cinder Fall kneels in front of a Grimm Seer
Salem: “So my air assault on the villages scattered throughout the kingdom was destroyed… by the guest at a celebrity wedding?”
Cinder: “Yes, my Queen. Do you want me to investigate this Domremy place?”
Salem: “No my dear. With Tyrian, Lionheart, and Hazel’s deaths I find myself needing you elsewhere. I’ll send Tyrion’s little protégée there, that will free you of her company. Watts send Emerald back to you, or would you prefer Mercury?”
Cinder: “Whichever you deem appropriate, my queen.”
Salem: “Oh Cinder, you always know exactly what to say. And Serqet?”
Salem: “Bring me a piece of wedding cake.”
Now I’ll take a small break and work on my other fics.
@magentacat sorry for the wait, but let’s just say I have a (much shorter) spin-off for PJB in mind and peeps might can guess who’s going to be staring in it.
BTW; Happy Anniversary to the airing of Volume 1 Episode 1: Ruby Rose.
