Of Thousand Lives

Chapter 4: Ceremony

I wake up, a new day begins again. I look out the window, to see not only the sunshine, but also an absurd amount of people outside of the church. Is this an important occasion? I sloppily exit the room and go to the window at the end of the hallway. The back of the church is nicely decorated and filled with a shit ton of tables and chairs, all in white, except the plants and the flowers. The entire set is nicely covered up by a huge tent as tall as the church itself. Looks similar to a wedding in a way. Hum.. There's a carpet that leads to a stage right in the middle of the entire thing. Maybe it's an actual wedding. Whose, though?

With this question in mind, I decide to head downstairs to find out..

"Oh! Hey, Anom!", Theobold calls out to me with a new nickname. I turn to my right, where the sound came from. "You're up just in time!", he drags me out to a changing area. "Wear this, you are formally invited to mister Raven's wedding! How cool is that! Oh, I'll let you change.", he chuckles softly before swiftly disappearing. Anol.. That's a new name. I dress up, taking my time with this new outfit. So this is Raven's wedding.. Not that surprising that someone of his volume will eventually get some girls. But, to think that I'm participating in the wedding of a person I just met, is pretty surreal in my last world. Maybe it's just his hospitality. Otherworldly. I look quite elegant in this outfit and it makes me feel old in a way too. I open the door and step out. Vurul is leaning on the wall opposite of the place I change. Him, again. Staring at me. As unnerving and suspenseful as the situation is, I gather up the courage to wave at him, though my legs stay frozen in place, not moving a single inch. The crow immediately grabs the wrist of the arm which I held up very tightly and pulls me close enough to whisper into my ears, "If you thought that you are off the hook for now just because this is a wedding of someone we know. You would be wrong. Don't even try to do something idiotic, or you won't see the light of the next day.". He lets go of my arm, before storming off. Jeez.. With every single word that was spoken to me being slowly embedded into my mind, I take a deep breath to reassure myself that I'll be fine anyways. Still, he sends a chill down my spine every time I see him. Just kinda hope that we'll be on good terms one day. I scratch the back of my head lightly as I step out to the area where the wedding is going to happen. I immediately get greeted by the sounds of a busy and lively party, chattering and drinks clinking together.

I suddenly regret coming here. Aagh.. Social events are sources of headaches. I really wished that I had kept my charger with me.. I doubt that there's any internet here too. So boring. I let out a sharp exhale and sit down on a chair next to me. I'm deeply impressed by the sheer amount of people here. Raven sure knows a lot of people.. Hum.. If only there's someone to talk to right now. But, I barely know anyone here. A waiter comes up to me when I am deep in my thoughts. "Would you like a drink? There are non-alcoholic choices, as well, for those who aren't suited.", he offers me a tray of drinks in tall and thin wine glasses and points at the glasses without alcohol promptly as he explains. "I'll have one. Thank you very much.", I take the ones that are not alcohol and nod gratefully to the waiter. The waiter nods back, before leaving for the others. I wonder what this tastes like. Looks like grape juice. I take a sip. Wow! It is grape juice, the best one I've ever tasted so far. This is good. I find new joys everyday effortlessly. "Greetings.", a feminine voice speaks out right next to me. I immediately turn to my right, to see Natalia sitting on a chair next to me. "I apologize if I startled you.", she continues, using one hand to push aside her bangs. "I- It's okay.", I smile nervously, waving my hand a little to tell her that it's all good. She looks wonderful today in that dress. I feel somewhat at ease to have her here. "Do you know who Raven is getting married to?", I ask her before I take another sip. "Well, lady Amily. I've heard they've been at it for a few years. She is a very beautiful woman. I do think that they are a perfect fit.", she explains calmly with a little smile on her face. Natalia seems happy for her employer. In the corner of the huge tent, a little band starts playing music. It sounds vaguely like bossa nova, soothing to the ear. The girl next to me sways left and right subtly to the swing of the song, as she then looks at me, "What is the music like in your world?". I hum softly, thinking about it for a second, "It's somehow sympathetic and relaxing.". She nods and smiles. Maybe she has the same thoughts about it as I do. We simply vibe to the music as the notes start hitting just right. Soon after, Theobold appears on the stage and the music stops.