I Hate to Be a Killjoy...

[saerwen]

Jaedon sat with her legs crossed on one of the little benches nearby the grass. She was waiting for Neron to show up. Jaedon could hardly say that she was excited. As happy as she was that Damion and Miriel were finally tying the knot, she knew that it really couldn't have come at a worse time. She could only think of Neron and how disappointed he would be when he actually came back from whatever pit the black dragon had holed him up in to find that he had been shut out of this wonderful occasion. As much as he might have been lacking in romantic expertise, or as much as Jaedon thought he was lacking, he would realize the importance of this day to Damion and Miriel, both of whom were his very good friends.

Despite her worries, Jaedon couldn't find it inside of her soul to tell Miriel what was going on. The poor dear would start into a fit of worrying and then she would never stop. She would be in a fuss on the honeymoon and Damion would have a terrible time trying to calm her down. Eventually, they would have to quit the honeymoon altogether and come home to make sure that Jaedon and Neron didn't kill each other. Considering what was going on, that was a valid worry, so Jaedon was going to try and not let either of the love birds in on the secret until after they got back, or even maybe until she had figured out a way to fix it.

Her first instinct was to turn to Damion for help, but now that he was only a few hours away from being a husband, Jaedon knew that it was a terrible idea. He needed to be free from worry as much as Miriel did. He had a clear head, and he handled bad things pretty well, Jaedon guessed it was because of his age. However, there was one thing that Damion did. His sweet heart worried a lot for those less easy with trouble, much like Jaedon. He would worry about Jaedon and her ability to handle things. There was no way that she was going to put him through that.

Speaking of that icy lizard, Jaedon turned at the sound of rustling nearby. Damion appeared from what seemed out of nowhere. He was dressed in a very sleek black suit that seemed to fit him perfectly. White shirt, cummerbund, and a black tie, Jaedon had to admit that he did look quite handsome. Suddenly, out of nowhere, her mind manufactured a picture of Neron in similar attire. She almost gasped. She was reminded, yet again, of how handsome her own lover was. It made her heart ache a little. She forced her mind to turn back to Damion and helping him with his attire. She noticed that, despite the fancy suit and everything else, Damion was currently having trouble getting the cuffs of his suit buttoned. She gave a cheeky grin and stood up. Her own dress was quite simple. She had chosen a blue dress that came just below her knees. There was rouching at the top and smooth, braided straps. Her hair was pinned back into a loose bun.

"Having trouble there?" she asked him as she took one of the troublesome buttons in her fingers and began to work with it.

"Why yes, as a matter of fact, I am." Damion sounded a little miffed.

Jaedon gave him a quick glance, "What's got you in a flurry?"

"I am still wondering why you are here doing this and not Neron. You need to be helping Miriel!"

"Miriel is well underway. I was helping her this morning. I will go help her before the ceremony starts. She doesn't really have a lot left to do. You sir, still need your buttons buttoned, your handkerchief in your coat pocket and the rings."

"Where in blazes is Neron?"

Jaedon gave a distant look. "I don't know where he is. I'll try and find him on my way to get Miriel." She let go of his cuffs after finishing and turned to leave. Miriel was just a little ways away, unknown to Damion. Jaedon just hoped that she ran into Neron on her way there. "Keep working on the rest of your attire, I will return later with your bride."

With that, Jaedon walked out of the little enclosure and began her journey to find her wayward lover. She was hoping that he had not shirked his responsibility to Damion and not shown up. She would really not forgive him then. Perhaps he was just running late...

[»Míríel«]

In the shadows a small red dot could be seen. The red more red, then shifted to an orange, then a yellow and then back to a red. It was like the little light as breathing, and in a way it was. If one could see into the deep shadows they would have noticed a dark figure leaning against the wall, foot propped up on the bricks, and head bent down. In those long slender fingers was a cigarette. The end burned brightly and then went dark as the filter left the man's lips. His eyes opened and he leaned his head back. Exhaling a long stream of smoke those eyes closed again. It had been a long time since he had smoked one of these. A long time. It felt good, to good. The feeling of burning and smoke filling the lung, it reminded him of fire.

Touching the cigarette to his lips again he drew in a long and satisfying breath through the little pleasure device. The red breathed, and grew brighter, the man watched it. Fire. What a blessed thing it was. To see it burn and bite, slowly gnawing away at whatever it was touching. The creature was ravenous, never satisfied, and always seeking. Before his eyes a scene started to play out, causing him to exhale again, slowly. There was a village below, quiet, gentle, innocent. That is what people thought. In reality it was full of darkness, full of those things, humans. Humans were greedy individuals, always searching for things they didn't need. They were parasites who hoarded and destroyed. In a way they were like fire, only weaker. Fire was smarter than humans, it could hide itself in ash to be reawakened, but humans. The man breathed in through the cigarette again. Humans only destroyed and once they disappeared they disappeared forever. They could not be reawakened from ash, nor could they thrive any climate unless it was just right. A new puff of smoke emerged from the man. Humans, the only think that kept them alive was how fast they could multiply.

Those green eyes opened as he lifted his head from the wall and straightened his form. Bringing the cigarette to his lips for a moment then taking it away he studied it. People had said it calmed his nerves, and it deed it did, somehow. For Neron probably more so than others, he thrived on fire, on smoke. It is what the very inside of his soul was like. He needed to be calm, he needed to think. This smoke that he was breathing into his system helped repress and control the good within, but also take an edge off the bad. Now he could have the deep thinking, the memories, and not the anger. He would be calm, collected, charming even. There was a wedding to go to, and he still hadn't decided if he was going.

If he didn't, Miriel and Damion would know that something was up. If he did, how could he stay away from Jaedon. He needed to get away from that girl. The good within was still to strong. To see her, especially in this setting, could be bad. Neron suppressed the thought and forced the good behind, with only a window to see from. It was time.

Turning from the shadows he took one long drought from the cigarette and then dropped it to the round. With his dress shoe he ground it into the ground, killing the flame. "Sorry friend." With a smirk he tossed his jacket over his shoulder and went to walk on, exhaling. His dress was more formal than usual, with black dress pants, and black buttoned shirt. Over his shoulder was what would prove to be a well fitted dress coat. He had only had one cigarette, and barely half of it. Thus the smell was minimal, but still detectable. All he had to do was reach into his pocket and spray a little cologne over it, and all would be masked. Walking forward, he didn't even care to look where he was going, these places weren't traveled to much. To his surprise he walked right into a girl who seemed busy.

"Hey watch your feet lady." The recognition struck. A smirk crawled to his face, "Oh I'm sorry darling I didn't know it was you. Running away from the funeral? Good choice. I was thinking of the same thing." His words were laced heavily with sarcasm and his eyes pierced through the black curtain of hair with scrutiny. The evil within had grown stronger, and he wasn't afraid of showing her the brunt of it.

-

Miriel stood, covered in a dress of white. There was something simple, elegant, and poised about the dress, yet it was not lacking in beauty. Where there needed to be adornment, there was, but it was not over done. The form was fitted, showing of her silhouette beautifully, but it was not revealing. The bodice was tighter, and structured, with white fabric folding around the bust and then turning smoother below where lace and small pearls adorned the stomach area. The skirt was full, and seemed to pour from the bodice like a gentle fountain. The fabric folded about her in graceful lines. It seemed to fit her perfectly. Her black hair was pulled back with a bun sort of gathering that brought the hairs together, but then released them to be cascading down her back. Her usually straight hair was now lively and rippling waves.

Miriel let her eyes drift over her outfit again. She was getting married. For the first time, and last, she was going to be a wife. No longer would she have to wonder who she would be happy with, she knew and she knew she had chosen rightly. Reaching up she began twirling a curl around her finger gently, careful not to undo what had been done. why were there butterflies in her stomach? Why was she nervous. She was so happy she felt like she could cry, no weep, yet she was excited, happy, sad, nervous, all at the same time. Taking a deep breath she smiled at her reflection in the long mirror. She just needed to calm down. Looking down she picked up the delicate veil and turning back to the mirror she gently put it in place. It was not covering her face, not yet. She wouldn't do that until she was heading to Damion. A blush colored her cheeks, to Damion. Then a thought struck her, Where was Jaedon?

[saerwen]

Jaedon hardly even saw the man that walked in front of her until it was too late. When she bumped into him, she was slightly stunned. A rushed, "Oh, I'm sorry." came out until she realized how defensive he had gotten with her. She glared up at him for a moment as she spit out, "Geez, try being polite, maybe then I'll-" She cut off after realizing who she was talking to. Neron... She sighed inwardly, relieved that he was actually somewhere around in the town. He hadn't completely ditched them.

However, her eyes narrowed after she heard what he said. He was going to run away after all. her eyes hardened like rocks. "No, as a matter of fact, I was not running away from the wedding. I was on my way to find you and then go get Miriel." She was not in the mood for his games right now. This was Miriel and Damion's day. She was not about to let Neron ruin it.

"Why don't you go and do what you are supposed to and help Damion. Don't try and tell me you can't because I know you can act charming when you darn well please. I have to go help Miriel."

It was then that she noticed the slight hint of smoke on his clothes. It was intoxicating to her. She had tried cigarettes more than once when she had been younger. She had stopped only because she realized she was killing herself with them. However, anyone that had ever tasted them or been addicted to them could tell you how enticing the smell was. It made you long for them more than anything else in the world. Jaedon's eye flared with anger, and she was about to go spewing angry words when all of a sudden, something simply whispered and said that she should try being calm instead of flying off the edge of sanity.

"Neron, why do you smell like smoke?" she asked in a very calm tone. Her green eyes looking up into his own, her anger showing only there.

[»Míríel«]

"I tend to think of them as one and the same. Both take away the fun in life. I don't see the point, or the reason. One girl is never going to chain me down by putting a ring on me. " His manner and tone were convincing, but deep down he knew it wasn't true. Sadly deep down was covered, trampled on, and chained. Right now, he looked like he meant every word he said, every bloody word. As he said those words he looked down into her green eyes and smirked, the iris shifted to a snake's momentarily, and then shifted back. A sudden pang in his head caused him to step back, hand held on his forehead. Green and black, his good side was fighting forward. It was soon calmed.

Neron let his hand drop from his head as he looked back at Jaedon, "Well aren't you are regular goody-two-shoes. Just running the whole show aren't you. I don't think Damion needs me, why between you and Miriel he seems to have his hands full. Pus I'm not going to help out in the funeral of a dear friend." He shrugged, "It's his funeral, he can help himself." When she mentioned charming his smirk turned into a sarcastic smile. Bowing gracefully he almost purred, "I'm glad such a lady as you can recognize my talents." He looked up with the smile now replaced with the usual smirk. "I'm honored, dearest." Then straightening and tossing his jacket back over his shoulder once more in a cocky manner and continued. "Now just go run off to your little friend and help her to Damion. I think I am an accessory that isn't needed in this occasion. I'm sure they won't mind. One less shadow to worry about. After all, you are enough for the both of them to pull their hair out about."

When she asked about the smoke Neron's expression turned innocent. "What me? I don't smell like smoke? Must clung on my clothes after I walked past the pub." Then Looking up he shrugged, "Or because I happened to find a little something special. After all I needed to steel my nerves. They seem a bit jittery of late." He looked down at her with a certain sort of evil arising in his eyes. "I felt like a part of me needed to be lulled to sleep, you know, that bothersome biting part. Don't worry your pretty little head about it, it seems to have calmed down quite nicely." Then reaching into his pocket he pulled out a fist and looked at it with surprise, "Oh look I happen to have one left." He opened it and looked at her with a smirk, "Would you like it my-lady?" His eyes narrowed, " Just one smoke before you see your friend waltz off with someone she loves more than you?"

[saerwen]

Jaedon ignored his firs comments. She realized that he was just trying to get under her skin. He had shown his true colors to her. She knew better now. But he still had one thing over her, she had no idea how to beat him yet. It was going to take a while to figure that one out. She was going to have to put up with him for much longer than she wanted to. It was not going to be easy and she had no doubt that he intended on making her life a living hell. In fact, there was a side of her that wondered if he was considering killing her. He seemed awfully scared by her presence. If he saw her as a threat, he would no doubt want to take her out of the picture eventually. She just hoped that she knew what to do if that time came soon. She knew that she wouldn't be able to hurt Neron significantly without hurting herself. Everything would backfire.

"Nothing has ever seemed to stop you from helping plenty of other friends and people to their funerals. You've tried to ensure that Damions funeral came a little too soon plenty of times. Don't pull that kinda crap with me." Jaedon spoke it a strained voice. Her anger was evident, but she was restraining herself from yelling. She didn't really want to make a huge scene. "And if you truly are worried about his hands being so full, why don't you go and relieve him. I am sure some male company would be much appreciated after dealing with us females for so long." Her speech was slowly becoming cruel and harsh.

"Don't flatter yourself. Acting is no talent. No one teaches a child how to lie." She smirked as she continued, "And yes, dear I just called you a child."

Jaedon's eyes began to grow black as she listened to him. Her anger was about to come spewing out from every pore in her body. She couldn't hold it in much longer. She remained silent for a moment, just trying to swallow every single word that she knew she would regret as soon as she opened her mouth. She had to overcome this anger. He couldn't win over her like this. After a few moments, her eyes went back to their original color. "Look, Neron. Do what you want. But I have to tell you, you will be missed. Whether you like to admit it or not, Damion and Miriel are both friends of the other half of you, heck, even this half of you. If it weren't for Miriel, your sorry Lizard hide would be rotting flesh to feed the ground right now." She paused, her voice staying in check, but her words had an edge to them. She was not going to yell at him. She was not going to scream. She was going to make him think. "Damion counts you as a personal friend. He was counting on you being there. When you don't show up, they are both going to know that you are a fake. Or at least, fake compared to your alter-ego. I am sure that you have some grand plan for this secrecy you have been maintaining. You are too prideful and arrogant to keep your identity a secret unless there is some other plan driving your actions. So here's the question..." She took a step closer to him, "Are you willing to blow your cover just yet. I swear I am not going to lie if they ask me why you haven't shown up."

Jaedon backed away when she saw the cigarette in his hand. Her throat clogged up for a moment. She wanted it so bad. She wanted it more than she had wanted anything for a while, even food. That burning sensation in the back of her throat. Oh the sweet nicotine that she had once loved. However, when she saw the look in Neron's eyes, she found herself utterly revolted. She suddenly smirked, then started quietly chuckling. When she looked back up, she had a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes.

"You really do know me too well." She took the cigarette from his hand, and before Neron would have had time to do anything, she stuck her fingernail in the center and began to pull it apart. It was soon in shred on the ground at her feet. Still smiling, a strangely calm smile, she said, "You really are the weaker half of Neron. He would never need such a crutch to calm himself down. Drugs are for the weak and faithless. Get a back bone, Neron. Maybe then I might actually be tempted to follow your advice." She turned to walk away, but stopped, "Oh, and by the way. I am glad she has found someone to love more than she loves me. I am a worthless thing to love. Her love deserves something better. But then again, I guess it is her love, Damions love, and my beloved green dragon's love that have redeemed me. Without them loving something so worthless, I would never have learned to love at all."

[»Míríel«]

Neron shook his finger at JAedon. "Ah, but you don't understand. I never help my friends to their grave. Never." His brows furrowed for a moment, "Unless they ask" Then he shrugged, "But that is besides the point. You see Damion almost got to the grave because he wasn't my friend. The only reason I tolerated Miriel was because she could prove useful, and she was to pure for my touch, "uncorrectable" as you might say. Calling her my friend might be a stretch but it might just be able to fit. Might." When she asked about him helping out, NEron just shrugged again. "Because I would only make them overflow." There was something genuine about that, but all traces soon faded. "Don't worry about Damion, female company is always appreciated.[/b]"

"Oh, but Jaedon. I'm not acting. This is me, the real me." He opened his arms. "I'm not acting, only being. You see Jaedon, there is a side to me that even you haven't seen yet. A side that no one has seen for a long long time. The last one that helped this side revive was an old friend, a master who I respected. Gladly that old fool is dead, and this side will stay under lock and key, I am sure of it." He bowed again gallantly. For a moment he looked graceful, confident, proud, and it was captivating. "And I will always be your child, my dear. And you will always be my bane. It is out indisputable relationship condition." He smiled darkly, 'Let's keep it that way."

Neron watched with satisfaction as Jaedon's eyes turned from green to black. Perfect, nothing better to tarnish her reputation with Miriel and Damion than to have her explode on their wedding. Oh how she would have to explain,if she didn't storm off in shame. Then he would be there for them and inform them of the terrible condition of their friend. But something went wrong, her anger was control. The smirk wavered and his eyes darkened for a moment then started to grow brighter. That's my girl." The words trickled from the bottom of his mind to the surface, making a small movement on the dark depths. His head ached again, it was breath taking. The moment was over to soon and Neron blinked rapidly for a moment before shaking it off slightly.

Looking at Jaedon he whispered hoarsely, "I have no friends." He smirked again, "But you are right, I should make them trust me. I can't give up now." Neron laughed darkly, "You couldn't blow my cover, they wouldn't believe you." He leaned forward, "Ever." Then straightening he put on his jacket and buttoned it as he talked, "Due to your urgings I guess I will have to go." His nimble fingers buttoned the last button and he shrugged it into the correct position. He looked like some sort of dark angel. "So little lady..." He smirked, "How do I look?"

When Jaedon took the cigarette from him Neron just watched her closely. As her nails bit into the paper and tore it to shred he didn't let his frustration show on his face. Instead he just shrugged, "Your loss. Now you will just have to buy your own." When she started talking about her being worthless he just narrowed his eyes, "Well I'm glad you are out of your delusion, you are rather pitiful really. I mean what can you do besides kill people? Look pretty." He looked up, "A worthy occupation don't get me wrong, " Then he looked back at her, "But rather worthless." He took a step toward her, "Oh any about that green rascal you are talking about. You should forget him. He'll be so weak soon, it won't be accurate to call him alive." His mind filled strongly with a single picture of what was going on. It opened for just a second, and he knew Jaedon wouldn't be able to resist. There in his mind was the picture of a green dragon, enclosed, wounded, thin, exhausted, and pitiful. It truly didn't look like he would last much longer. Before the memory faded and the mind was locked down once more Jaedon, if she looked close enough would have seen something in the dragon's eyes, a sort of hatred, and rage, but also a look of endurance. The Neron she knew was still alive, and fighting, and he would fight to his very last breath. "Also I hope you know that with love comes hatred and pain. Surely you learned that by now. Every time you open your heart you are asking for hurt, for pain." Then he started taking steps backward, in the direction of Damion, "Oh and by the way, I think Damion and Miriel asked me to play the violin... but I refused. I guess I will tell them I forgot it in the rush over here. Who needs that old thing anyways." Spraying the cologne on himself to mask the scent of smoke, he slipped it back into his pocket and rushed towards Damion, all signs of mischief and evil erased from his being.

-

Miriel stared at herself once more and then let her gaze drift back to he door. She had been looking at it every so often. Jaedon should be coming soon, and when she did, it would be time to go. She let one last glance land on the mirror before she stepped off the pedestal and walk towards the door. Surely she would be there son right?

[saerwen]

Jaedon became agitated again and so she just bit out a quick reply to hide her inner anger, "Yes, well, Damion invited you, so technically, he asked for you to bury him. Be honorable for once in your life and do him a favor. After all, death is a release, not a punishment, right?"

"I suppose it is satisfying for me to know that your true being is completely fake then. Galantry is lost on a black heart. I don't care how sweet you can be, without the true personality and set demeanor, it is fake. So you can stop wasting your fake formality with me. Keep all of that you can for Miriel and Damion. They might actually take pleasure in it." Jaedon knew that there was a softer side to Neron. She had seen bits and pieces of it when he had been... normal. It held a great appeal to see him so smooth, so suave. Something about it caused her to stare at him for a moment. Her green eyes held a studying, curious glance, but then she turned her eyes away. No doubt he had enjoyed that. His words soon ruined it though. All glorious images left her mind and she just stared at him blankly. In a very lackluster voice she replied, "Glad to know you are content with being the 2 year old. Real mature, Neron, real mature. I will never look at your death threats the same way again."

As he buttoned his jacket, Jaedon had a dark cloud hovering over her. She felt a foreboding feeling that her persuasion of Neron to come would later be the undoing of her heart. She couldn't quite say how, but for some reason she just felt that something was going to happen and it was going to make her wish that Neron had never been around during this whole celebration. Jaedon was rudely awoken by Neron's voice asking her how he looked. Her eyes grew slightly wider. Her mouth opened slightly. She knew she was showing an utter moment of weakness, but she just couldn't help it. Demonic Neron or Gentle Neron, either way...He looked like the image every girl gets when she hears the phrase, "Tall, dark, and handsome." She had always been attracted to that type, but this almost hurt. He looked too good. Black was such a slimming, sensuous color, and Neron was the epitome of black, so of course he looked good in it. How could he not. Her previous image of him in a suit was blown to bits. She couldn't deny that she was going to treasure this image in her mind forever.

She had to take a moment to recover. Her heart ached, knowing that he looked like that, and yet he hated her guts. It was mortifying. Normally she would have been able to think, "That is my good-looking man." But now all she had was the admiration from a distance of, "That used to be my man." She then pulled what was left of her pride back together and replied, "Fit for a wedding." She couldn't say anymore. She was still too stunned. Her lover was good looking...So good...

Jaedon visibly flinched when he spoke about her killing people. That was a sour note, and he knew it. He had done it on purpose, but that knowledge didn't make it hurt any less. She had to work hard to choke back her tears. She couldn't let her mascara smear. Miriel would notice. However, his next comments made her flare with anger.

"Glad to know you still find the human body quite appeasing to your eyes. Feast them now, because when your other half wins, I doubt you will ever get to see it again." She was so tempted to smack him, but the urge was silenced when she realized how seductively she had said that. She remembered the last time she had spoken like that...She had been working. A shiver ran down her spine and she tried to forget the matter.

Jaedon's welled up with tears as she saw Neron, her Neron. He was so weak. He was dying, slowly and painfully. It had taken so long for him to recover from the tyrannical hold of the black dragon, and so much pain, and now that pain was revisiting him all over again. She had to hurry. She couldn't wait much longer. She had to find a way to save Neron. She knew that he would keep fighting, she knew that he would do everything in his power to hold on until the very last. She just hoped that his will lasted long enough for her to save him. "I love you." She slipped it in right before she was cut off from Neron's mind. She hoped that he had heard it.

"Yes, I suppose that beauty cannot come from one such as you. It is to be expected." She said quietly as he began to walk away. She felt her tears slide down her face. She was breaking apart, piece by piece from the inside out. There was something dying inside her. However, she found herself quickly comforted by the fact that she had been holding her temper so well. She was growing, learning. There was hope for her to change. Perhaps when all of this was over, she would be a better person for Neron to come back to. She hoped that was true. It was the only good thing that she could focus on right now.

She turned with a sad demeanor and headed for Miriel. She would have to perk up and show Miriel a smile. She tried the whole way there to manufacture one. However, she couldn't do it. She stopped right before the door and took a deep breath. She was going to have to lie if it was too obvious. She had started thinking of something to say, but she found that when she opened the door, the sight of Miriel in her dress caused a smile to come to her face. Her best friend in the whole wide world was getting married to one of her other really good friends. She couldn't help but be happy as she looked at Miriel, a bright and glowing bride. She felt like a proud mother for some reason, but she couldn't really say why.

She took a step towards her friend, the smile still playing on her lips. She took Miriel's hands in her own, "Sorry I am late." She paused and then asked, "So, are you ready to go and get married to one of the best men in the whole entire world?"

[»Míríel«]

Neron found himself coming closer to where Damion was he could see the white figure now. what Jaedon had said to his other form, the good side, had caused it to rear up in hope and start throwing itself against the barriers. "JAedon, I love you! I love you!" He had whispered these things but the mind had already closed, leaving him looking up at the surface with sadness. She would know that he loved her, she would save him right? It was then he had started to throw himself against the walls, and so he continued burning, biting, thrashing. He had to fight. This caused a headache to form in NEron's head.

Neron's pace slowed and he almost stumbled on his way to Damion. "Damion... Damion..." He tried to straighten up, but he couldn't, his breath was gasping. QUIET you fool, you will not succeed. Instead you will watch what happens to your dear friend. That wench. You will watch her crumble before your feet and you won't be able to do anything about it. So go back and save your strength, or don't it doesn't matter, but whatever you do you won't last long. I can guarantee it." The walls closed in tighter and tighter, the exertion of doing this brought some traces of tears into Neron's eyes. "Damion..." He straightened and held on to Damion as he gasped for breath. Looking into Damion's blue eyes with his green eyes glistening with tears he managed to choke out, "My violin. I rushed here because I was afraid I would be late. I forgot it. There isn't time to go an get it is there.... Miriel is going to be here any moment. Jaedon was going to get her."

--

When Jaedon entered the room Miriel threw her arms around her friend. "Oh Jaedon it's ok!" Then stepping back Miriel smoothed out her dress frantically and turned around trying to smooth the back before straightening out again and looking at Jaedon. "How do I look, is the veil ok? Oh Jaedon I'm in such a bundle of emotions I don't know how to find my way out of it. Do you think Damion will like it?" Moving over to the mirror once more she started tweaking the veil and messing with her hair before she unconsciously began twirling a strand around her finger once more. "IS my hair ok. Oh Jaedon!" She turned again, still twirling her hair as a radiant smile was on her face. "I never thought this would happen. To be getting married, and to Damion. How could I be so lucky. He really is the best man in the world." She turned back to the mirror. " Do I really deserve him?"

[saerwen]

Damion turned around to see Neron come rushing into the little circle of grass from the same way that Jaedon had left. She had found him. At first he had been worried that something was wrong with Neron. He looked like he was in pain. How did he get hurt from here to his place? Surely he did find trouble that easily... Damion walk over to him and was about to ask if he was alright and what was wrong when the whole story came tumbling out of Neron's mouth. Damion was stunned, but then he gave a smile.

"Don't worry about it, Neron. As much as we will miss her, I think that Miriel and I can stand without it. In fact, I really don't think there is anything that could happen that would ruin this day for me. Or at least, I wouldn't allow anything to happen that would ruin this day for me. Just stay here and be patient. Miriel and Jaedon will be here and everything will be well." Damion's mood was so good, he really couldn't be mad or upset about anything. He was fixing to get married to the love of his life. Unlike his last fiance, she was about to walk down the aisle. She was actually going to marry him. He was filled with so much excitement, he was having trouble keeping a smile off of his face. The priest was there and everything was set. As soon as they said, "I do", he was kissing Miriel, then running with her out the door. Well, running as fast as she could in her dress. He began to wonder what it would look like...

----

Jaedon looked at Miriel's beaming face. She was a nervous wreck, it was obvious. Damion was probably not nervous, just excited. He had been around the bend more than once, but Miriel had never had something like this happen to her. For having only been engaged for a few days, Jaedon thought that Miriel was doing pretty well. It was kinda crazy. But, Jaedon had known that if they ever did decide to get hitch, it would be one of those hurried decisions. Damion was not going to make the same mistake twice. As perverted as it might have sounded, there was wisdom in it. The less time you have between the marriage and the engagement, the less time you have to become dissatisfied. Rachel had left Damion with a broken heart, but Miriel had not only put it back together, she had filled it to overflowing. They really did deserve each other.

Jaedon giggled at Miriel. She walked over to Miriel and grabbed her by her shoulders. "Miriel, breathe. I want to to take five deep breaths for me." She held up a finger, "Don't make me get a little brown paper bag." She them smiled as she tweaked Miriel's veil just a tad to the left with a very gentle touch, "You look stunning, Miriel. And we both know that you could show up in a potato sack and Damion would still think you are lovely." Jaedon then gently grabbed the hand that was constantly twirling the little curl of hair to stop it, "Miriel, stop playing with your hair. It looks fine." She took a deep breath and let go of Miriel's hand tentatively, poised to grab her hand again if it started twirling again. "Damion deserves to have someone as deserving as you. In translation, you deserve each other." She back away and headed for the door after giving Miriel one more look over. "Now stop fretting. It's time." She opened the door and went back to help Miriel with her dress. "Come on, shoo!" She smiled as she gave her friend a pushing motion.

[»Míríel«]

Neron let his eyes clear as he finished pushing the old Neron in to the back of his mind. 'Good. I didn't want to ruin this day for you." Straightening up he adjusted his garments. Looking straight ahead he mentioned as he moved his neck away from the collar, trying to let it get comfortable. "You are a lucky man Damion." This was genuine, even his dark side cared about Miriel. It was strange, out of anyone, Miriel was someone he had never been able to manipulate, ever. For some reason his dark side respected that.

Sighing Neron inspected Damion. "Oh...Damion." Stepping forward he adjusted Damion's collar. "There." He smiled crookedly, "Now you are somewhat presentable." Then he took his place besides Damion. Clutching his hands in front of him he looked straight ahead. "Nervous?"

--

Miriel nodded her head. That is what she needed to do, breathe. Inhaling deeply, and then exhaling a couple times she looked calm, for a moment. Then the serenity faded and just as she was about to reach up to twirl her hair again Jaedon grabbed her hand, preventing it. When Jaedon released it Miriel just smiled at her brightly. "Thank you Jaedon, thank you for everything." She reached out and grasped Jaedon's hands, squeezing it gently, "I would be a nervous wreck without you." Then letting her hands go she could grab her dress Miriel took another breath. "It is." Then with a little laugh she pulled the veil over her face and stepped forward.

It didn't take long before she was within eyesight of Damion. She could see him through her veil and a blush deepened. "Damion, my love." She Moved her hand up to twirl her hair in shyness, but then stopped, and continued. Everything seemed to fade away, it was just Damion and her in this whole world. Just them. 'This has got to be a dream..." She said, before she was within earshot of Damion and Neron. Her pace quickened as she approached. Still she seemed to glide across the stones. Drawing closer to Damion she looked into his eyes, tilting her head up slightly. With a blush visible, even though the veil she said quietly, "Hi."

Two more people had come to the ceremony, Cecily and Tarian. The two of them were off to the side a bit, quiet, for once. Cecily's bright eyes glittered mischief, her hands clutched behind her innocently, and her body swaying slightly. She looked like a innocent girl with long silver hair. The dress she wore was babydoll style and was a delicate lilac with silver twisted in between. Tarian wore a nice suit and seemed to be keeping Cecily from any mischief. Before this event he had made her promise not to do anything, and so she didn't. Besides the promise her sharp eyes were observing and catching everything.

[saerwen]

Damion glanced at Neron, "Yeah, just a little." His reply was sarcastic. He was the luckiest man alive. Miriel...No one could ever hope to be good enough for Miriel, but she had thought him the best out of the rest of the men in the world. He was honored to have such a privilege.

Damion shrugged his shoulders. "Eh, not so much nervous and anxious. The last time I got close to my own wedding the bride to be cheated on me and then left with half of my heart in her jar. I doubt there will be a repeat this time, but I can't shirk the feeling that something could still possibly ruin this. I guess I will just have to wait and-" His words dropped off as he saw a radiant and glowing figure coming towards them. His eyes got wider and wider. She was stunning, gorgeous, elegant, shining...There weren't enough words in the entire dictionary to describe the beauty he saw in Miriel. Her pale skin, her ebony hair, her smiling face, her practically glowing eyes, her dress; they all worked in tandem to leave him completely speechless. She was more beautiful than he could ever have imagined.

He couldn't take his eyes off her as she walked towards him. He couldn't tell if he was even breathing anymore. It seemed that all breath had left his body, but then again, right now he didn't really care. He smiled at her, still completely speechless. When she gave her quiet little "Hi." he had to work hard to stifle a laugh. He just smiled even bigger. However, he didn't really have the chance to say anything. The priest began the ceremony.

----

Jaedon stood slightly off to the side from Miriel. She had watched Damion's face light up with joy as Miriel had come closer and closer to him. He was visibly rejoicing without even saying a word. Jaedon was relieved that they finally had their happy ending. They should have had it a long time ago. Miriel and Damion were so alike and so different at the same time. In a way, Jaedon really envied how close and how different they were. It seemed the perfect combination to balance everything out. She had called to mind a quote from Pride and Prejudice: "They are both so agreeable that they will never decide on anything." Jaedon could see that happening with these two easily. The proverbial Jane and Mr. Bingley, though Damion was much more handsome than Mr. Bingley, and Miriel was much more beautiful than Jane ever could hope to be.

However, despite her few hasty thoughts for her friends, Jaedon's thoughts moved constantly to a related matter. Her own wedding. She wondered who it would be standing across from her on that day. Would there even be a wedding? Apart from Neron, Jaedon couldn't really imagine another man that would be willing to put up with her for the rest of her life. She kept her green eyes trained on Neron for more than half the ceremony, all the way until the end. Her thoughts were only for him. Was the green dragon that she loved so much even left alive in there? How much time did he have left? What was she going to do? Was there anything that she could do? Was there anything that obviously made it better or worse? She didn't cared if he noticed, she knew that he wouldn't do anything during the ceremony. To have done so would have been a surefire give away. She admired his sleek figure, she admired his handsome features, she thought about her Neron and how wonderful he was to her. These thoughts kept a constant, small, but sweet smile on her face. No matter how nasty he was now, she would always be able to hold onto the memories she had of what he had been like before this. Her Neron would always be the man that she loved. She knew that marriage was a long long way off, but it was comforting to know that she could even picture it. Perhaps one day she might have a fairy tale ending, like Damion and Miriel, and perhaps she would get the family that she had always wished she had had.

When the ceremony was over, Jaedon's eyes snapped away from Neron and to Damion and Miriel. They were about to kiss. She smiled. What a good day this was despite her earlier spat with Neron. This was a very good day.

[»Míríel«]

Miriel was having a hard time concentrating on the ceremony, Damion's gaze was so precious, and so gentle and intense at the same time. The words were being said and she couldn't look at him. She had to concentrate. It seemed like forever until the man finally mentioned for them to say the vows to each other. Turning Miriel couldn't look at Damion for a moment. She was blushing deeply. Slowly her eyes lifted and she looked at him, eyes shining forth with innocence.

"Will you take this man as your husband?"

Miriel smiled, "I do."

--

Neron could feel Jaedon's eyes on him. He didn't look at her for a long time. He just enjoyed the power he held over her. Lifting his eyes he let a smug grin come to his face that said, "I have you don't I?" Then he broke it and turned his eyes to the happy couple. It was hard for him to be here. It hurt his other self. That good within ached for Jaedon, he was trying his hardest to get out now, it was a struggle, one that the bad side didn't want to be visible to the outside world. His gaze shifted from the couple as they were exchanging vows and closed his eyes. He was in pain, bodily. Reaching up as if to brush his hair back, he froze for a moment, rubbed his temple, and then dropped his hand. Neron's gaze fell from Miriel and Damion to the opposite direction, down the aisle. Yet even in this state he let another picture of Jaedon's lover struggling surface once more. This glimpse was longer, but still restricted. You could see him throwing himself at the walls, wounding himself. Then it closed once more.

He remained like this for a bit until he felt another gaze on him, one more piercing than Jaedon. She wasn't looking at him anymore anyways, or he didn't think so. Searching for the gaze his own eyes landed on one of lady with long silver hair. Cecily. The way she was looking at him seemed to say, "Don't you dare get sick again, you owe me a something of value." How did she know something was wrong? It was Cecily.. she was a knowledgeable little creature, to knowledgeable. He let his gaze drop to his feet as she watched. Why did her gaze feel so mesmerizing? She was trying to prove dominate over him. Raising his gaze once more, with fire within he stared back steadily. Cecily seemed shocked for a moment, but then narrowed her eyes. It was on.

[saerwen]

Damion focused on Miriel's face during the whole ceremony. She was all that he needed to see. Every feature of her face was imprinted into his mind but he felt that he could never study it enough for fear that one day he might forget it. Of all the things that he wanted to remember, that was the most important. The way that she looked on this day was the most important. When she said "I do", he felt something inside of him physically become relieved. His heart went back to normal and his breathing became rhythmic again, until the thought that she had just willingly pledged that she would give the rest of her life to him as his wife. He was responsible to take care of her and to love her like she deserved to be loved. He was scared of failing her, but he would never stop trying.

"Will you take this woman to be your wife?"

"Absolutely yes!" he smiled right back at her and then whispered so that only she could here, "Because I would die without you."

The words had hardly come out of the priests mouth when Damion lifted Miriel's veil back. Gently flipping it back, his hand moved to Miriel's face, brushing her cheek gently. His then leaned in and kissed her. He had been waiting for this moment his whole life, and here it was. For the days ahead, only Miriel would be his life. He would guard her and protect her as long as he lived. Eternity didn't seem long enough right now to spend with Miriel. What a wonderful thought. She was his. Finally, she was his, and he would never let go. It was a moment before he realized that he would eventually have to let her breath. He pulled away just slightly, his face alight with a smile.

----

Jaedon watched the happy couple, a strange feeling inside her soul. Her two best friends had just got married. She hadn't been without them for long in such a long time, it was going to feel strange not seeing them for a while. Even when they got back from their honeymoon, things wouldn't be quite the same as before. And what if they had kids? Jaedon practically grew weak in the knees at the thought. Damion and Miriel...children...No way. It couldn't happen. Not yet at least. She wouldn't be able to handle it. Forget Damion and Miriel being able to handle it, she wouldn't be able to. That thought had to be closed off because she soon led it to thinking about the idea of her having her own children someday. That thought truly did terrify her. She was about to vow that she never would have children.

Suddenly, Jaedon felt Neron's walls of protection breaking down a little bit. She glanced from the couple to him. He was having trouble holding Neron back. She saw him, her brave dragon, fighting hard to get free, to break loose. But, in the process of his valiant fight, he only hurt himself more. He was simply not strong enough to break out. He was doing himself more damage than not by fighting it seemed. Jaedon began to breath a bit harder. Her hand began to rise in an attempt to reach for Neron and try to stop him, but she stopped herself mid-action. Choking back tears, she whispered, practically inaudibly, "Neron, don't..." She swallowed hard and looked at Neron. He was currently staring at Cecily. She looked at him for a bit longer and then her eyes fell on Tarian. She hadn't noticed the tear that was running down her cheek, and the others, soon to fall. Her heart was breaking, even as Damion and Miriel had been joined. She looked away, to the ground, studying her high-heel, black strapped shoes. It was only then that she reached up to wipe the tears from her eyes. Neron...

[»Míríel«]

Miriel managed to smile before Damion lifted her veil and kiss her. There was something different about this kiss, something more intimate. She savored every moment and when he pulled away slightly she studied his face carefully. She loved the man, more than she knew she ever could. "I would die without you, my love." She savored those words. She closed the gap between their lips and wrapped her arms around his neck. Breaking the kiss she wrapped him in a tight hug as a tear gathered in her eye. This was more than two people who loved each other pledging to live out their life with only one another, it was the joining of two best friends. They were never going to be separated, ever.

Pulling back from the hug she looked deep into Damion's eyes and let her fingers reach up and trace over his forehead as she brushed his hair aside gently. "I love you so much Damion."

The priest behind them let out a little chuckle. "Ladies and Gentlemen may I present Mr. and Mrs. Cervantess."

Miriel let her hand glide down to his and she squeezed it gently.

--

Neron's gaze was broken by the priest's loud proclamation. He turned his head just in time to catch the look that Damion and Miriel shared. His face relaxed and smoothed over as his eyes softened slightly. The mental barriers even weakened enough to allow what was going on within to be seen. The true Neron was looking out from the very depths of his mind to the scene that was going on. For a moment, his true expression could be seen on Neron's outer appearance. Miriel and Damion finally got hitched. It was about time. Even though this was to be expected, it was still shocking, touching. The two were stuck together forever. Forever, what was that like, to know that the person you were with would be there always, until death. Death. Neron's gaze drifted to Jaedon and stayed looking there, gently, softly. JAEDON! He threw himself at the wall once more, but the wall didn't even start to show damage. This caused Neron to wince and bow his head, with one hand clutching it.
Neron's green dragon rested his head against the wall, hitting it softly on the wall. Then he stopped and slid down into an exhausted heap. Still his head kept bumping the wall, softly. jae-...
"shut up" A voice snapped and the whole mind was locked up.

To everyone else Neron's hand ruffled his hair slightly and then smoothed it down. Lifting his head he let his gaze rest of Jaedon. Snake eyes flickered softly before fading back to normal. Turning to Damion and Miriel he clapped for a moment and then walking towards them congratulated them before sauntering over to Jaedon. Lowering his voice so it would just be heard between the two of them he whispered, "He's weakening. I'm glad I came after all. This little event seems to be to my advantage. Seems like your little green dragon has worn himself out. All the better to tie him down. In a matter of fact, I think I will just do that. Then if he escapes the ropes he will have the wall to break down. " He was quiet for a moment as his eyes shifted again. A moment passed until they faded once more, showing it had been done. "Thank you for all your help."

-

Cecily had been staring daggars at Neron. Something wasn't right. When the man's eyes shifted to dragons Cecily smirked slightly. "Most interesting..." Her little theory about something being up with him was only confirmed by how he acted around Jaedon. They seemed to be whispering secrets. On closer observation it became apparent that these were not lover's secrets, but something else. Neron was to smug and proud right now. He seemed to be flaunting something to Jaedon. He was looking intently at her, not in admiration, but seeking reaction. Suddenly a nudge disturbed her thoughts and she turned her eyes to the man beside her.
"Now Cecily, you promised, Don't get cheeky."
"I wasn't going anything Tarian. I was only looking."
Tarian laughed quietly and then looked down at her. "I don't believe a bloody word. that little mind of yours is always churning. Be careful my dear."
"But Tarian something is-"
"Cobblers. Don't try me Cecily. We had a deal."
Cecily stuck her bottom lip out slightly and rocked back on her feet before letting her gaze go back to Jaedon and Neron. Tarian let out a sigh of exasperation and lifted his hands up. He knew that Cecily was on her best behavior, she listened to him and as long as she didn't go over there and do something, he was fine. Grabbing her by the arm he lead her over to Miriel and Damion. " Congratulations my friends. We wish you the best of luck don't we?" He nudged Cecily who looked up at them for a moment. "Yes. Of course." Then turning to Miriel she hugged her and whispered, "I love the dress. If you need any help with anything I'll make you a nice pot of tea." For once she meant it in the correct terms. Then with a smile she went back to Tarian's side. Pointing at Damion she wagged her finger, "Be good to her." Then she tugged at Tarian's sleeve. The two of them walked off, Cecily casting glances Jaedon's way.

--
(ooc - Cobblers = Nonsence)

[saerwen]

Jaedon's head jerked up a little when she heard Neron clapping. She watched as he came closer, wondering what he was planning on doing now. How would he torture her this time? What kind of schemes did he have running through his mind? She almost found herself content without knowing. Better to be in ignorance for the moment. She would not let herself ruin this moment with worries of Neron's plots. At least, that was what she hoped. She braced herself for whatever might be coming next.

Her eyes had been on his until he had started speaking. It was then that she averted her eyes to the ground again. She felt as though he was crushing her, and in reality, he was. He was killing her hope, one harsh word at a time. She turned her face away from him and continued to glare at the ground. Tears filled her eyes again. Stop, just stop! She was screaming it over and over again in her mind. "Thank you for your help." She inhaled sharply as she heard that. She knew what he had done. He was making it even harder for Neron to fight. He was binding him with the chords of his will. Her poor lover was chained and broken. And now, she was well on her way. She turned from Neron and began to walk away from the happy couple and her fake love. Her tears were flowing endlessly, their streams blazing down her cheeks, each one a reminder of Neron, both the one she loved and the one she currently hated. She found a dark, broken down corridor, fell against the stone walls for support and began to cry harder than she had cried in a long time. She missed Neron, and she was scared of what was happening to him. But she kept reminding herself that not all was lost. She was the only one left to fight for Neron, so she couldn't give up yet, but right now, she needed a break. She needed rest, and no one was there to take the worry away. Neron had always been to one to do that. Her dependance on him was becoming a major downfall, but she also knew that she would never be rid of it. Somehow, she would pull herself together, but right now, she could hardly breathe. So there she stayed for a while, sobbing; hidden in the comforting darkness.

----

Damion had to force himself to rip his eyes away from Miriel. Neron had just walked up and congratulated them. Something about his manner seemed to shout to him, "It's about freaking time." Damion figured that Neron had a good point. But, waiting could only make their relationship stronger and Damion was sure that it had. Still, it couldn't have hurt to have been a little more forth-coming.

Next came Cecily and Tarian. Damion was glad to see Tarian there. Damion felt rather lucky... Tarian had also been enraptured with Miriel. Damion really couldn't blame him, but for some reason, Miriel had chosen him. He knew now that it was a moot issue, but he couldn't help being very grateful for Miriel. She was too good to be true. Now, he knew that he and Tarian would be able to become good friends.

"Thank you, Tarian," he then looked at Cecily, "And thank you Miss Cecily. I am glad that you were able to come." And when he heard Cecily's command, he smiled and said, "How could I not? She is simply too divine to even think about being anything but good."

Damion then turned and looked back at Miriel. He realized that something was missing. While looking at Miriel, it was hard to account just what it was. The uncanny feeling that something was wrong caused him to yet again, pry his eyes away from her. He looked around and then realized the missing piece was Jaedon. Everyone that had been there had come up and congratulated them, except for Jaedon. And now, as he looked for her, she was no where to be found. His brow furrowed.

He turned to Miriel and whispered, "Was Jaedon planning anything special?"

He then caught eye of Neron again, and asked, "Hey, Neron, where is Jaedon? Is she okay?" Come to think of it, she had seemed kind of weird earlier, before the wedding that was. She had seemed...stressed or something along those lines. He knew there was a good reason for her not coming to congratulate them, but he was wondering what it was.