A Happy MidAutumn Wedding Mingle Log

[scaredofdogs]

WHO: Open to Everyone

WHAT: A double WangXian wedding in the gardens

WHEN: October 1

WHERE: Gardens with pre-wedding inside the hotel

NOTES: Threads will be marked with CW for the wedding night

Pre-Wedding


Invitations have gone out to all the rooms and all the Oysters within the hotel. Whether you have met all four of the people involved in the wedding or not, it makes no difference. They all want you to join them in the celebration of their union! It's a wedding of two couples but also a celebration of the Mid-Autumn festival since it all will be happening on October 1.

For days leading up to October 1st, the kitchens have been busy with preparing a feast for the wedding. The staff is all aware of the upcoming event and the kitchen was opened up so the parties involved could help prepare a wide variety of foods for the guests. Included in that is the making of many mooncakes. A tasty treat that is customary for the Mid-Autumn Festival that also occurs on that date. Enough had to be made since each of the guests will be give a lovely wedding favor of a pair of mooncakes wrapped in paper bags painted with pretty lotus flowers or perhaps you will be given one with rabbits on the moon instead painted on them. If anyone happens upon the kitchen they might encounter one or both of the Lan Wangji's as they make sure all the food is correct and preparations for carting it all outside is made. Everything must be perfect for the evening.

As the sun rises in the sky, the friends and families of the wedding parties are welcome to gather outside the rooms of the two Wei Wuxian's. Inside their respective spaces they are taking great care in preparing for the evening, getting dressed in the wedding robes and placing their veils over their heads. They are sitting and waiting for their soulmates to arrive so they can be escorted to the ceremony. But outside the room, there are those that wish to challenge each of the Lan Wangji's before they can collect their soon to be husbands. Feel free to force Lan Wangji to prove his love for the one inside the room before he will be allowed to collect his beloved. Force him to eat a spicy pepper, or ask him questions to prove his love for the one inside the room. It's a game that Lan Wangji must pass in order to be ready to finally be with the one he loves. Once he has been allowed to enter the room, the guests will proceed downstairs to prepare for the ceremony.

Wedding


As guests enter the gardens they notice the red lanterns and decorations everywhere. The hedge maze surrounds them and acts as a lovely backdrop that beautiful silk streamers and paper lotus flower decorations are hung on to give a warm feeling to the area. Longer streamers cross above their heads strung from trees to create a lovely red canopy for a little protection from the autumn sun in the sky. Soft music plays around them to welcome them to their seats. In the front of the room is a lovely alter of gold and a place where the official will be standing. There is space big enough for the two sets of grooms to be able to perform their bows simultaneously.

A donkey wearing a red halter with golden tassels and a matching blanket is wandering around the gardens. Munching on apples off the trees, he can easily be distracted by anyone that might offer him another as a snack. He'll eventually be lead closer to the ceremony to stand watch, clearly also a member of the family and as he gets led down the aisle to stand near the alter. Hopefully he will be well behaved during the process. Someone close to him might be sneaking him apples during it to keep him quiet.

When the time arrives, the two couples appear. The Wei Wuxians with red veils covering their faces, equally as bright and elegant robes upon their bodies. Golden embroidery and accents across many layers of long and flowing silks and sheers. Golden head pieces are currently obscured by the veils. They are being lead by the two Lan Wangjis, dressed in equally as striking men's robes with matching golden accents. Each of the four outfits is unique to the person who wears them but they are all equally as extravagant and lovely.



They walk down the aisle as one and stand before Lan Xichen who begins the ceremony. Three sets of bows take place as the two couples kneel before him. The first kowtow to Heaven and Earth. The second to show respect to their family. The third kowtow to each other. Vows will be done in private later but for now the couples stand. Veils are lifted so that the pairs can finally look into the eyes of their soulmates and can finish their ceremony with a kiss.


As the ceremony ends, the couples are now free to acknowledge their guests and begin the festivities.

Banquet


All the food that had been prepared for days leading up to this moment was now placed on long tables with red tablecloths. There are smaller tables for the guests to sit at while they enjoy their meal. The spread is buffet style so that everyone can help themselves and included are more of the mooncakes like the ones within the gifts for the guests. There is also chicken cooked in various ways so that people have their choice of how they like it prepared. Also fruit and garden salads for those that don't eat meat. Including very festive looking watermelons that have been cut to resemble lotus flowers. Basically if the hotel is able to serve it, it has been represented in some way. The grooms didn't want any of the guests to feel left out and wanted to make sure that everyone left the party full and happy.

Don't forget the drinks! Since Wei Wuxian loves his alcohol, there is also plenty of that to go around. It will be flowing all night and you may even spot a couple jars of his favorite drink, Emperor's Smile, hanging out on the table as well. Better get those before they disappear! And for those that don't drink, don't worry. The tea provided is safe of all the hotels tricks. And water or other nonalcoholic beverages are available.



But most important is perhaps the table of desserts that has been laid out for everyone. Ice cream that is somehow being kept cold while outside is available to be placed on top of cakes and pies of every type that anyone can imagine. But standing above it all is a large several tiered wedding cake that will eventually be cut by the four grooms for you all to enjoy. But please don't touch until it has been divided! Cute little rabbits of white and grey decorate each layer of the cake and at the very top a decorative moon topper with a two sets of rabbits within it and lotus flowers along the edge of the moon. Each tier of the cake is a different flavor so make sure you try each one.

The grooms and their family will be seated in a long table by the hedge maze so feel free to come up and congratulate them or offer a toast. When the cake is cut they will be mingling along with everyone.

Dancing

It wouldn't be a wedding without dancing. And as night falls and the food tables are cleared away, a wide open area is set aside for those that want to enjoy customary wedding activities. The hotel was kind enough to offer those dancing lessons a few months before so everyone should be well practiced on the moves. Various styles of music from all over the various worlds plays continuously through the evening. Where the DJ is..no one really knows but the music is coming from somewhere. Shout out a request and maybe it will be able to be played as well.


Lantern Ceremony


As the evening wears on, the Wei Wuxians start to pass out lanterns to each of the guests. They have spent weeks preparing them, painting them with various designs so that each one would be unique. Not only is the lantern ceremony an important part of the Mid-Autumn festival, but it holds a very special meaning for the WangXian pairs. One of their first memories together involved promises while sending off a lantern. On this night that is supposed to be the brightest moon of the year, they want to light up the sky with even more things in celebration.

A quick explanation of how to light it is given and when everyone is ready, their wishes are made and the lanterns are released up into the air. The pretty glow of each one fills the night sky as they rise up towards the stars, carrying the hopes and wishes of everyone with them.

That is how the evening will close and everyone is welcome to mingle around and enjoy the rest of the evening. The grooms will likely be heading off soon so say your goodnights and well wishes. They hope that everyone enjoyed the evening and makes sure that each guest leaves with their little lotus bag as a thank you for sharing the special day with them.






[ooc: The 4 grooms will each have toplevels that you are welcome to tag into. But this is also a mingle post! So please make your own top levels and tag each other as much as you want! This is a party!!]

Comments

[billowing]

Mm. They do seem to all be from your world or mine. Perhaps the others are farther to reach.

[scaredofdogs]

Of course it could that that we all are actually from different worlds..but some of the differences are so small that we don't notice them like we did between our worlds.

[billowing]

Maybe. But we can ask them.

[scaredofdogs]

[He looks up at him curiously.]

Why are you interested in seeing if there are more of us out there?

[billowing]

It is a curiosity.

I have not seen another twice.

[scaredofdogs]

Hm..It is interesting. Well don't wish for too many more of us! You'll get spread too thin trying to spend time with all of us.

[billowing]

There will be more of me, as well. There are no worlds with you that do not have myself. I am sure.

[scaredofdogs]

Then all of them will be happy someday too. Maybe there are multiple hotels as well and those other ones have ended up there.

[billowing]

I hope if there are other hotels, the others got to stay home.

[scaredofdogs]

How do you know that ending up at the hotel isn't just how our lives are supposed to go? Maybe this is just part of our path. And eventually that path will take us back.

[He pouts a little as he looks at him.]

If our paths didn't end up here then we wouldn't have ever met. So despite everything that has happened at the hotel, I'm still happy to have had that chance.

[billowing]

Wei Ying... We cannot be sure this is the natural order. That we met, was a luck we both deserve.

But this may not have been our path at all.

[scaredofdogs]

...We probably won't ever know for sure if it is or not. We already know that when we go back, we forget all about this place. Like we never took this path at all.

[He reaches out and takes Lan Wangji's hand in his own, looking down at it as he threads their fingers.]

You want to leave, don't you?

[billowing]

[ He takes a breath. ]

This is a beautiful wedding. Our hosts are generous.

But I do not trust them. They give me everything I want. You. Wei Ying. Sizhui. Xiongzhang. A second chance at his happiness.

What price will they exact?

[scaredofdogs]

They will come to collect at some point..and the cost will probably be high. I've already seen the darkness that lies below with the twins.

[He shuts his eyes briefly and takes a calming breath. The trauma of that day still haunts him.]

But I want to make sure before I leave again that I will remember. I want to remember you and the ones from your world and all the good people from the other worlds. And I want to remember this place so that if anyone goes missing again, we have a way to get them out and back home...and I have a way to get back to you and do all the things on your world that we planned.

[billowing]

Wei Ying.

[ He holds onto Wei Ying's hand. ]

You have a husband. You have a son waiting for you at home.

We focus on getting home. Everything else... can come after.

[scaredofdogs]

[He shakes his head and looks up at him, squeezing his hand slightly.]

Once we go home we forget...and it will be too late. I won't even remember that Lan Zhan is my husband...

[He knows that they will be together regardless but since he has already been home once, he knows that forgetting is inevitable.]

I have too much to do here still before I can return. I have to try and help everyone.

[billowing]

If you do not remember, you will eventually marry. Your feelings have not changed, and they will not.

[ He smooths over Wei Ying's hand. ]

What I want most, is for Wei Ying to be happy. Even if he forgets me, he will still be happy.

[scaredofdogs]

[He knows that it is true. That he will be happy with Lan Wangji even after he returns. He told the whole world his feelings so he is sure that no one will be able to stop them when they return. But it makes him sad still to think that he will forget all about the time he has spent with both Lan Wangji's in this place.]

I know..And I want Lan Zhan to be happy too. And I know we all will be because we will have each other and our families back home..But that doesn't mean I don't want to still try and make sure everyone gets to leave.

[The way this world works is a puzzle and Wei Wuxian is determined to solve it.]

[billowing]

I know.

[ And he appreciates it. He wants to hold onto this Wei Ying for as long as he can. But this place... it's cursed. And if all they can do is make it back home alive, that's all they can hope for. ]

No matter what happens, Wei Ying. You know that I love you.

[scaredofdogs]

[He smiles, always feeling warmer and happier when he hears those words no matter what mood he was in prior to it.]

And I love you too, Lan Zhan. And don't forget we still promised to dance together at some point today.

[billowing]

I did not forget.

Do you have time presently?

[scaredofdogs]

Of course! [He finishes the last bit of cake and sets the fork down, popping up out of the seat.]

Do you remember the steps?

[billowing]

Do you?

[ He asks, somewhat accusingly. It's a joke.

He reaches out to take Wei Ying's hands, as the music plays in the background. ]

[scaredofdogs]

I don't know Lan Zhan. It has been awhile. I might step on your feet.

[He smirks, clearly amused by the joke. He starts to move with the man, making it obvious that he does actually remember the steps.]

[billowing]

If you do, you will need to help carry me to my room.

[ They move like liquid, like branches in a breeze. It's so easy, so lovely. ]