The Wedding

The Wedding
(Short Story)

The creature crossed its arms as Sawbones pulled its bow tie right and straightened it out, folding back the creases in the fabric. She tightened it enough to make the creature jerk forward slightly and then loosened it, "Cheer will you," she sighed. Tugging on its waist coat, folding the collars back on it. The creature grabbed her hands lightly and moved them away. "I will when you let me dress myself," it muttered in a reply. Its face wasn't covered by a mask, but Sawbones had compromised and used make-up to cover the scaring. All Mantis had to do was not smile so wide it's lips tore apart. She giggled slightly and planted a kiss on the creatures cheek, it didn't seem to react - but a sweet smile came onto its face. It looked like a normal man today.

For the main wedding Sawbones had insisted it wears make-up to cover the scars, and then at the night-do the creature could wear a mask, or go without. She tugged down on the creatures waist coat again and it frowned to her. Its oddly coloured eyes gazing into her golden orbs. She giggled again. "Oh come on, this will be the last time I see a wedding. Well, with my 'family' that is. Unless Obsidian and Crow decide they should get married," she chuckled as she stood up. Turning around so Mantis could pull the cords tight on her corset. As the creature rose up as it stood, it slouched over and fumbled with the threads that would pull Sawbone's waist even tighter than it was, and push her breasts up further. Well, at least Mantis will have something to look at when it- shaking its head the creature coughed and lightly laced the dress before pulling it. Making Sawbones jolt back, "Those two wont, Obsidian hates Crow and Crow is obsessed with her, one sided relationships never work," the creature said, its voice slightly more feminine tone. Sawbones gasped slightly as it pulled on the cords again and it let the threads go, "You alright?" it asked.

"Yeah I'm fine, pull tighter please," Sawbones replied after recovering her posture. Mantis picked the threads back up and straightened out the modesty panel in Sawbone's dress before pulling the cords once more. "Let me guess, your speaking with experience with the 'one sided relationship' thing hm? Mantis, I know it still hurts you but-"

"- I'm more of a child to you because you practically raised me back into what I am now, I know," Mantis finished her sentence with its own tone. Tying the ends off, it tucked the bow in the lace to stop people from pulling it.

"Thank you," sawbones smiled as she turned around. Mantis looked down to her small frame, made even smaller with the corset. However its eyes couldn't stop wondering south of her eyes. There was a light knock at the door and Obsidian came through. Wearing a black dress like she was going to a funeral. "Obsidian!" Sawbones gasped in disgust.

"What? Not like I can materialize any other colour," Obsidian pouted, "Mantis you're needed, best-creature needs to be at the podium with the groom," Obsidian nudged her head backwards. Mantis sighed, nodding, it picked up its tail-coat and put it on. Walking past Obsidian. Sawbones put her heels on and stood walked out the door as well, Obsidian after her. "Is it just me or does Mantis actually look like a person?" She asked, arching a brow to Sawbones.

"Magic of Make-up when you know how to use it," Sawbones smiled, proud of her work. Nyste was standing on the podium, his face pale and his hands shaking. Mantis stood beside him with one hand on his shoulder. "I think Nyste's getting cold feet," Obsidian whispered. Sawbones nodded. Sitting down in the front row. Crow walked over to the two and sat beside Obsidian, as the guests began to fill the room- Family members of Nyste and Mist- Nyste's shaking became almost noticeable. Mantis leaned over and whispered something and he seemed to have calmed down. Crow pulled at the bow-tie around his neck like a strangled cat. Obsidian couldn't help but to laugh at his distress. Hitokuijinshu was the last to arrive of the surviving members, accompanied by Pistol who was forced to wear a suit to hide the metal, however, how they would stop the clicking was out of their knowledge. "You guys look good," Hitokuijinshu smiled, sitting down next to crow, pistol beside her.

"Thank you darling," Sawbones smiled. Arching a brow at Crow, he looked like he was about to tear the bow-tie off. "To tight dear?" she asked. Crow nodded, still pulling at it.
"Obsidian tied it, I think she wants to kill me," He muttered.
"You got the hint just now?" Obsidian sighed. Crow chuckled, letting go of his bow he wrapped his arms around her. Causing Obsidian to freeze. Nyste chuckled at them, it seemed to help him calm down. "Wait, Hito, shouldn't you be with Mist?" Sawbones asked. Hitokuijinshu's eyes widened and she got to her feet, bolting down the gap between the rows. Crow let Obsidian go and rested his head on her shoulder.

Then the music began to play. Everyone stood up and glanced back to the doors as they opened. Mist walked through the doors in a white gown that flowed like a wave of silk, her hair was curled and lay over her shoulder braided with mid-night blue roses. However, she didn't continue walking. The crowd muttered in confusion as Mantis stepped from the podium, walking towards her. "I guess since dads not here, I have to give you away," Mantis chuckled as Mist held its hand. She gave a nod and they continued walking to the podium. Mist stumbled slightly in the heels, but used Mantis' arm as a means of getting back on her feet. Mantis allowed her to climb the stairs, before re-joining Nyste's side. Hitokuijinshu stood on Mist's side. The music stopped and everyone sat down.
"Today we are here to celebrate the union between these to loved ones, who wish to become wed. Lichter Nyste Lorin and Mist Arian, who will embark on their journey of spending their life together, for better and for worse, for rich or for poor. Till death do they part," the priest spoke. Mantis had to hold back its cough when he mentioned 'till death do they part,' but it just looked to the ground. "They soon to be weds will say their vows, the groom first."

Nyste searched his pockets for the piece of paper, causing mist to giggle at his disorganisation. He gave a small huff and straightened his posture out; "Mist, I have known you since you were a child in arms. Since Mantis first asked me to help care for you and even though many may consider this very wrong, I don't care. I love you, you have made the fog that once clouded my mind lift to none existence, you've made me forget my past and made me want to look to the future... A future with you-" Nyste's voice trembled a bit, but he still continued, "And that is why I have asked you to marry me, you're my light in the darkness and you have guided me from the pits of hell." The crowd clapped and mist smiled lightly under the veil.

"Ny, your the kindest person I know. Although you've had your bad times, you've never hurt me, you've never lied to me and you've always been there when I have needed you and I can see what you mean that people will think this to be wrong but like you- I don't care. You're my best friend, and always will be..." Mist paused, Mantis looked towards her, arching a brow as she began sniffling. Nyste moved from where he was and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry..." she muttered.
"Its fine," Nyste smiled. The priest gave a nod.

"Are we fine to continue?" he asked. Mist nodded and Nyste moved back to where he was.
"If there is a reason, that these two shall not be wed... Speak now or forever hold your peace," the priest declared and all eyes turned to Mantis. As the single minute the priest waited for someone to object, Mantis didn't say a word. Even though it was obvious it was biting its tongue to stop itself from talking. Mist and Nyste stood in front of each other, each holding a ring for the other.
"Well then, Nyste do you take Mist, to be your lawfully wedded wife?" The priest asked.
"I do," Nyste replied, a smile covering his face, placing the ring on Mist's ring finger
"And do you Mist, take Nyste to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do," Mist smiled, placing the ring on Nyste's finger.

"By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride," the priest smiled, stepping back. Nyste lifted the veil, smiling at her as her eye-liner was smeared a bit. He leaned down, pressing his lips against hers. Everyone applauded them, standing up. Nyste moved back and smiled, wiping a tear from her cheek.

As the guests congratulated the young couple. Mantis walked to the Sawbones and the others and gasped. "I've never held my breathe for so long!" it exclaimed. Sawbones giggled as it breathed heavily. Mist stood back on the podium and threw the bunch of flowers she was holding randomly in the crowd. The bunch landed on Crow's top-hat and he looked up. Mist giggled, "Looks like its you and obby next!" she called to them. Watching Crow's face grow red and Obsidian slowly reach for a chair. Mantis chuckled and looked to sawbones. She was standing on the chair in front of it.

"Huh?" it muttered. She grabbed it by the collar of its shirt.
"Since its a special occasion," she giggled, pulling the creature down to her height as her lips collided with its. The room went silent as everyone stared at the two. Nyste gave a wolf whistle and Mist laughed. Sawbones let mantis go and jumped from the chair, disapearing into the crowed to be a social butterfly. Mantis was still frozen. Mist stumbled over to them, sitting down and removing her heels. "How does it feel to be Mrs. Lorin?" Obsidian asked.
"Hm... Nothing different really, he's now Mr. Arian," Mist giggled.
"He took your name?" Crow asked. Mist nodded.
"So, is it Mrs. Sparrowfire or Mr. um..." Mist tried to make a joke when she realised Obsidian didn't have a last name.
"Since its your wedding day, I wont kill you till after the honey moon," Obsidian said as she gave Mist a death hug. "Congrads!" She laughed.