[ He steps in, glancing around, then smiles to her as he faces her, curios, and friendly. He won't say no to tea. He is very nervous. ]
I was hoping to ask you a favor, if it is something you are willing and able to do.
[ He also pulls out a card, a simple black card with silver lettering, and holds it out to her. The wedding invitation with the date and time listed on it. April 4th at noon. ]
( there's a pause between the words and she can't help how her eyes widen slightly as if the simple request confuses her. it isn't mindblowing, she understands the words but it's never something she's been asked before or would expect.
and it's not simple either. there are thoughts of adam that threaten to be brought up, their conversation on marriage-- something that she quickly shoves back down, keeping her focus on him )
What makes you come to me?
( she's spent so long distant from others that these simple human kindnesses end up being more baffling than they should )
Yes, ma'am. [ Harry watches her, and nibbles one lip as he does. He does not want to bother her, but he did want to ask this.
He hopes he has not stepped on her toes, so to speak. ]
Two reasons. First, since we started meeting as magic users, I have come to respect you, and to see you as a person who is someone I like, and admire, both as a person and as a witch. You have shown me kindness, and you have shown wisdom, and you have shown grace.
Second, and less important to me, but it does have some symbolism to my eyes, is that you are Lilith, the first witch, the first woman, and I think it would be absolutely fitting to have two non-religious people be married in a partnership by you.
( one part of this conversation won't begin with her repeating something that he's just said but as a question but for the moment she's still a little baffled, trying to wrap her head against it. she is everything he's just said, the first witch, the first woman-- the first bride in an almost twisted sense. and her views with religion are complicated. but him-- he'd gained some part of her respect through how he'd been with her, rare in her eyes but it was enough that it was at least making her listen to him now )
Threefold. First, you are one of the first people top be royally screwed over, and considering mine and Wanda's lives, that means something.
[ He nods, eyes warm, as he speaks, passionate and calm at the same time. That passion is bright enough to almost make his eyes glow a little bit blue. ]
Second, you are as far from a religious figure as one gets, and Wanda and I are both, shall we say, of the mind that doing things inverted, giving the finger to the normal way of things, is an added bonus.
[ And then his smile softens, and turns more fond. ]
Third, I have come to see you as someone of wisdom and power, and I'm not talking about magic, though you surely have that. I mean... you are... someone I look up to. So having you do this is having someone I actually respect as a person and as a personage both, do it.
( it takes a moment for her to respond but then slowly lilith nods, expression rather touched by all he'd just said. it wasn't simply that he'd gained her respect but he was kinder than most people ever had been, generous in his words, patient in his manner. and he listened to her, never arguing or trying to put her down. each act was small but for lilith it meant more than she could ever verbalise )
Marriage-- is not something I've been fond of.
( it was his kindness towards her that caused her candor now, finally setting the card on the table beside the tea )
You're aware of my history. ( anyone familiar with her story was, eden and adam ) That and how women have been treated in marriage throughout time has clouded my view of it.
( and clouded was a very kind way of putting it. her opinion hasn't entirely changed but there was one that she'd considered marrying recently, or something as close to marriage as she'd allow, not the mortal tradition but her own way )
I was aware of your history, yes, but I guess IO did not guess at how it might have affected you. I am sorry, Lilith.
[ He shakes his head. Sadness hits him now, and a growing worry. He has not put those pieces together, and he feels bad about that. ]
I am not Adam, but... if this is something that will bring you pain, or discomfort, I do not want you to do it. That would, well, pretty much be the opposite of what I wish for you.
[ Harry has fucked up a lot in his life to get here where he is now. He has done a lot of stupid things, hurt a lot of people, but he is trying, these days, to be better, smarter, kinder. ]
[ He nods and takes a moment to form his thoughts, then speaks on, smiling a little as he thinks of Wanda. As he speaks, his passion grows. ]
For me, it is in a way, a symbol. It's something that shows that Wanda and I are people in a relationship, who have achieved a relationship long enough that we have this willingness to tie ourselves together, to commit, formally, and before others, that we are a union of two disparate souls, that we are equal partners and more than just lovers or friends. That we are a family, and that any who takes on one, takes on both.
[ He nods, slowly, eyes bright. There is almost a sense of peace around him as he grins this time, troubles and worries washed away simply by thinking f how Wanda makes him feel. The world is a rough place, but Wanda always makes his life better, and he does his best to make hers better as well. And somehow, it has worked. ]
( his words make her think of adam's, how he'd been so in love (with mary) that all he'd wanted to do was to declare it, she shout it for the world to see. she'd cruelly ripped at that a little but in the end adam had learned something from it and his love (for 'mary') had been more honest.
she leans forward again ti put her cup back down onto the table. harry's words-- seemed honest. it was a symbol, marriage was always a symbol and that part she could roll her eyes at (to her real love didn't need to be symbolised or shown off to anyone else) but-- he'd said they were equal, that everything would be together. and if that alone didn't mean something )
And Wanda feels the same way? She wants this as you do?
[ Her words spur him to speak and he finds words spilling out. ]
I know how that is. I hated marriage for a long time, saw love as something way outside reality. Doomed to failure and loss only.
And then... I met Susan. Someone I argued with, and fought with, and was exasperated by, and who I fell madly in love with. And who I was going to marry.
Until the day she got caught by her own curiosity and my foolishness, and she was turned, half-way, into a vampire. Not wanting to be near me, due to the bloodthirst, she fled, leaving behind the ring I had shown her, but never given her.
[ He looks down, and his voice is soft, sad, but also resounding. ]
I thought I would never see her again. I felt betrayed, once more, by love and the idea of marriage.
And then...
[ A long breath in. ]
She showed up again, telling me we had a daughter, and that she had been kidnapped by vampires, who intended to use her in a ceremony to kill me as well as her and others. Between fear and rage, I found hope, and with friends, and allies, we went into the heart of the enemy stronghold to get her out.
[ He shakes his head, then. ]
We were hopelessly outnumbered, lost, and we close to being overwhelmed when, in an act to protect Maggie, Susan drank another Vampire's blood, and turned completely. The hunger and transformation began to take her and she began to slip under the control of the leader of the vampires, but before she could, she told me to use the knife...
He shivers and tears unabashedly come from his eyes as he looks up at her.
...to take the knife and kill her, to save Maggie, and me and our friends, by using the same magic against those who had sought to kill us.
[ He raises a hand and stares at it. ]
I couldn't at first, even think of it, but then I looked around and saw how badly we were doing and...
I use the knife. I stopped the battle. I saved my daughter. And I lost Susan, again.
[ He wipes his eyes, as he nods, jaw firming. ]
But in losing her, I gained my daughter, and hope. For she had chosen to die for love. To sacrifice herself in the name of that love. And that... that was something I could not ignore. No matter how hurt I was.
I believe in love, and in marriage. How can I not?
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no subject
[ He steps in, glancing around, then smiles to her as he faces her, curios, and friendly. He won't say no to tea. He is very nervous. ]
I was hoping to ask you a favor, if it is something you are willing and able to do.
[ He also pulls out a card, a simple black card with silver lettering, and holds it out to her. The wedding invitation with the date and time listed on it. April 4th at noon. ]
no subject
I assume the favour is more than simple attendance?
( otherwise she assumes he'd have just invited her )
no subject
[ he swallows, then plunges in. ]
Wanda and I were wondering if you would be willing to officiate and marry us.
no subject
( there's a pause between the words and she can't help how her eyes widen slightly as if the simple request confuses her. it isn't mindblowing, she understands the words but it's never something she's been asked before or would expect.
and it's not simple either. there are thoughts of adam that threaten to be brought up, their conversation on marriage-- something that she quickly shoves back down, keeping her focus on him )
What makes you come to me?
( she's spent so long distant from others that these simple human kindnesses end up being more baffling than they should )
no subject
He hopes he has not stepped on her toes, so to speak. ]
Two reasons. First, since we started meeting as magic users, I have come to respect you, and to see you as a person who is someone I like, and admire, both as a person and as a witch. You have shown me kindness, and you have shown wisdom, and you have shown grace.
Second, and less important to me, but it does have some symbolism to my eyes, is that you are Lilith, the first witch, the first woman, and I think it would be absolutely fitting to have two non-religious people be married in a partnership by you.
no subject
( one part of this conversation won't begin with her repeating something that he's just said but as a question but for the moment she's still a little baffled, trying to wrap her head against it. she is everything he's just said, the first witch, the first woman-- the first bride in an almost twisted sense. and her views with religion are complicated. but him-- he'd gained some part of her respect through how he'd been with her, rare in her eyes but it was enough that it was at least making her listen to him now )
And how exactly is it fitting?
no subject
[ He nods, eyes warm, as he speaks, passionate and calm at the same time. That passion is bright enough to almost make his eyes glow a little bit blue. ]
Second, you are as far from a religious figure as one gets, and Wanda and I are both, shall we say, of the mind that doing things inverted, giving the finger to the normal way of things, is an added bonus.
[ And then his smile softens, and turns more fond. ]
Third, I have come to see you as someone of wisdom and power, and I'm not talking about magic, though you surely have that. I mean... you are... someone I look up to. So having you do this is having someone I actually respect as a person and as a personage both, do it.
no subject
Marriage-- is not something I've been fond of.
( it was his kindness towards her that caused her candor now, finally setting the card on the table beside the tea )
You're aware of my history. ( anyone familiar with her story was, eden and adam ) That and how women have been treated in marriage throughout time has clouded my view of it.
( and clouded was a very kind way of putting it. her opinion hasn't entirely changed but there was one that she'd considered marrying recently, or something as close to marriage as she'd allow, not the mortal tradition but her own way )
But you're not Adam.
( or most men. though that went without saying )
no subject
[ He shakes his head. Sadness hits him now, and a growing worry. He has not put those pieces together, and he feels bad about that. ]
I am not Adam, but... if this is something that will bring you pain, or discomfort, I do not want you to do it. That would, well, pretty much be the opposite of what I wish for you.
[ Harry has fucked up a lot in his life to get here where he is now. He has done a lot of stupid things, hurt a lot of people, but he is trying, these days, to be better, smarter, kinder. ]
no subject
Perhaps-- you could tell me why you want to be married.
( why it was important, love aside. that was always everyone's reason )
no subject
For me, it is in a way, a symbol. It's something that shows that Wanda and I are people in a relationship, who have achieved a relationship long enough that we have this willingness to tie ourselves together, to commit, formally, and before others, that we are a union of two disparate souls, that we are equal partners and more than just lovers or friends. That we are a family, and that any who takes on one, takes on both.
[ He nods, slowly, eyes bright. There is almost a sense of peace around him as he grins this time, troubles and worries washed away simply by thinking f how Wanda makes him feel. The world is a rough place, but Wanda always makes his life better, and he does his best to make hers better as well. And somehow, it has worked. ]
no subject
she leans forward again ti put her cup back down onto the table. harry's words-- seemed honest. it was a symbol, marriage was always a symbol and that part she could roll her eyes at (to her real love didn't need to be symbolised or shown off to anyone else) but-- he'd said they were equal, that everything would be together. and if that alone didn't mean something )
And Wanda feels the same way? She wants this as you do?
no subject
[ he nibbles one lip as he considers this. ]
I believe she does. Somehow, we two have found a way, whether by luck or by working hard, into a relationship that makes each other happy.
[ His grin is simple and he nods to her. ]
no subject
( luck could never do enough but care and understanding, working to know the person you wanted to be with, to care for them-- )
There was someone recently who-- had begun to change my view on marriage. Not entirely but I cared for them enough that I did consider it.
( she'd 'proposed' in order to keep them hidden and protected, had even considered leaving everything behind to just be with him.
she pauses, not planning on elaborating further though if he did ask a question she might answer it )
I can do this for you. Something-- magical.
( and there's a little dramatic emphasis on the word magical, both for their magical selves but also the 'magic' of love )
no subject
[ Her words spur him to speak and he finds words spilling out. ]
I know how that is. I hated marriage for a long time, saw love as something way outside reality. Doomed to failure and loss only.
And then... I met Susan. Someone I argued with, and fought with, and was exasperated by, and who I fell madly in love with. And who I was going to marry.
Until the day she got caught by her own curiosity and my foolishness, and she was turned, half-way, into a vampire. Not wanting to be near me, due to the bloodthirst, she fled, leaving behind the ring I had shown her, but never given her.
[ He looks down, and his voice is soft, sad, but also resounding. ]
I thought I would never see her again. I felt betrayed, once more, by love and the idea of marriage.
And then...
[ A long breath in. ]
She showed up again, telling me we had a daughter, and that she had been kidnapped by vampires, who intended to use her in a ceremony to kill me as well as her and others. Between fear and rage, I found hope, and with friends, and allies, we went into the heart of the enemy stronghold to get her out.
[ He shakes his head, then. ]
We were hopelessly outnumbered, lost, and we close to being overwhelmed when, in an act to protect Maggie, Susan drank another Vampire's blood, and turned completely. The hunger and transformation began to take her and she began to slip under the control of the leader of the vampires, but before she could, she told me to use the knife...
He shivers and tears unabashedly come from his eyes as he looks up at her.
...to take the knife and kill her, to save Maggie, and me and our friends, by using the same magic against those who had sought to kill us.
[ He raises a hand and stares at it. ]
I couldn't at first, even think of it, but then I looked around and saw how badly we were doing and...
I use the knife. I stopped the battle. I saved my daughter. And I lost Susan, again.
[ He wipes his eyes, as he nods, jaw firming. ]
But in losing her, I gained my daughter, and hope. For she had chosen to die for love. To sacrifice herself in the name of that love. And that... that was something I could not ignore. No matter how hurt I was.
I believe in love, and in marriage. How can I not?
[ His words trail off then. ]