Ifrit's Wedding Dress ~ by SaralynArati

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For a while the fey newlyweds proceed in silence, content to bask in one another's company and exchange the occasional strangely shy smile. Ifrit has shed her veil long since. They come to a fast flowing stream and stop. "I meant to spend this first night in a special room I designed for us, but I didn't expect to be so exhausted," says Ji, wistfully. "There was going to be music, and flowers... and chocolate." She laughs. "Sleep now, my husband. We have many tomorrows for... chocolate."

9 years ago

SaralynArati

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Hand in hand, Ji and Ifrit pace wearily from the Grove, stumbling slightly like drunks. As slowly as the newly Fused couple walk, however, Zephyr lags behind them, apparently unwilling to leave. "It's all right. My acolyte, you may stay and attend me," says the Gaian. "Mother?" Ifrit gasps dubiously. "Sister Zephyr may change her mind, may never complete the clerical training, but for now she feels the need for increased constancy and direction in her life," explains the tired green woman.

9 years ago

SaralynArati

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Then sound; closer than the birdsong, she can hear Ji's somewhat ragged breath against her ear. Finally sight; they are leaning together, pressed as tightly as a pair of magnets. Only then do they become aware that touch has never left. Ji is flushed and sweating. Ifrit cannot do either, but the palms of her hands and soles of her feet are freezing compared to the heat of her body core. "Congratulations," the Gaian pants. "It is done. Please, leave me now, I must rest." She looks wilted.

9 years ago

SaralynArati

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After that things get really weird. At one point Ji is certain he is embracing live flame and Ifrit is sure she is drowning. They are molecularly bound, they are cosmically attuned, they are completely exhausted when at last it is over. However, by the sun, the entire process has taken less than an hour. The couple notice things have once again returned to normal, or almost normal for some things have shifted permanently, in stages. First scent; he's always loved the smell of Ifrit's hair.

9 years ago

SaralynArati

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There is no time to appreciate this, however, for immediately the couple feel that they are being drawn out of their own physical forms through their fingertips. It is... extremely unpleasant, yet still they cling to one another. A sensation of great disorientation sweeps over them, and for a moment Ifrit perceives her consciousness is residing in Ji's body and somehow thinking with his thoughts. Presumably he is experiencing the same thing, and finding it every bit as bizarre and confusing.

9 years ago