"Now now, Bell said to not talk about bad things. Today is a happy day, we're going to bathe, we're going to go shopping, and we're going to go to Edward's wedding and have fun. We can talk about your grandmother after the wedding."

“**** that *****!” Bell chips up at the mention of Li’riya’s grandmother, but winces slightly when Messalina brings up what she said earlier. “Sorry!”

"Watch your mouth young lady, or you're not getting any corn chips."

"Yeah!" Camilla pipes in, nearly laughing, trying to contain it. "***** is a terrible word! Shame on you!" 

She grabbed her towel and wrapped it partially around herself. "Come on, lets go shopping. Also, i'm starving."

Messalina didn't particularly need to bathe, since her magic allowed her to clean herself, but it still felt good to spend some time in warm water with friends. Once they got out, Messalina took them to a nice little restaurant that sold tacos. "A taco is where you take cheese, meat, and vegetables and wrap them up in a nice shell." She said, explaining it all to Camilla. "Sometimes people put spicy sauce on them. They're pretty popular on this plane. And you know what goes pretty well with tacos? Corn chips." She said, smiling at Bell. Once they're finished, Messalina leads the team to the stores. She helps Camilla pick out a wedding dress, as well as some new robes and glasses to replace what was ruined in the assault. She also purchases a Dagger of Warning for Camilla. "Take this. As long as you have it, it'll send you a telepathic warning if someone ever tries to attack you and it'll increase your reaction time." (The dagger prevents Camilla from being surprised and gives her advantage on Initiative rolls.)

Camilla watch Messa as she explained what a taco was, then imitated her as she ate it. It was delicious, flavorful, and went wonderful with beer. She ate many, and washed it down with a cold one. As they were picking out dresses, Camilla found one that was particularly wicked. Tight, long - down to her ankles - and came barely up to cover her breasts. It even had a hole for her tail. She looked ravaging in it. She twirled in front of Bell. "What do you think??"

She gave Messalina a wry smirk as she handed her the dagger, and told her what it does.

"Are you trying to tell me something?" she snorted, then, amazingly, it gave off a strange tingle in her mind as if a warning..and Camilla smiled broadly at the sensation. Danger! "Hey, I think it's working! I can fee-" 

Astrid lept up and smacked her solid upside the head with her purse. 

"Hey!" she said. "It works!"

Astrid: "At least something around here works, besides me!  While I've been slavin' away, you ladies have been loungin' 'round in baths, turnin' prunish just like me.  Ain't no time for that, ladies.  Ain't no time!"

Astrid then begins to pace around the room, mumbling to herself in obvious impatience.  You pick up strange words here and there in a strange language only Camilla would recognize.  "biwheg di wer town" and "darastrix daariv" and "lleisgarir jaka".  She looks rather disturbed.  However, swinging around her neck appears a shiny new amulet, and wrapped around her stubby little fingers is a new ring.  Perhaps she got them from the Harpers league?

Camilla feels that strange tingling in her mind again, just before she sees the shadow of a large bag flung across the room, coming straight for her head again.  This time, she ducked with plenty of time to spare, getting used to the warning her new dagger provided.  Astrid's purse harmlessly flew right over her head, missing its chance to assail her.  Chuckling, Astrid cackles "Now you're learnin'....young one....now you're learnin'!  Goooooooooood."  Who the hell invited Emperor Palpatine along on this mission?

"Let's go!  Times a-wasting, and we've got none left to spare!"

Astrid them runs off towards the wedding ceremony.

"I got it for you because you got jumped an hour ago. I just want you to be safe."

Bell tapped her beak, giving a scrutinizing eye over Camilla and her choice of dress, but before she could get any words out, Messalina have her the dagger and Astrid did what grandma’s do. The kenku shrugged, murmuring to herself, “I suppose that’ll do.”

She turns to Li’riya with a smile, “Your turn, auntie!”

Everyone turns to Li'riya - anxious to see what she'll pick.

Li'riya looks for a while, then eventually selects a dark green dress with twisting, vine-like patterns worked through the bodice in silver thread. The skirt falls to her ankles, and the sleeves are off-shoulder. She also grabs a silver hairpin to hold her hair up and complement the dress.

I wonder what Bell and Messalina are wearing?

Photo in Discord.

A pretty dress and a Dorito. Got it.

THE WEDDING

The villager that stayed behind was none other than Orcaheart. What started off as a way of Edward to just have some fun he fell in love in those couple hours and so did Orcaheart. Beyond happy that the two of them stayed they quickly paired off and did their own thing while travelling. Getting to know one another and having many many nights like that first one. It became obvious that the two of them were madly in love and it didn’t take long for Edward to spend some of his share of the gold and, while out on a date to the fighting rings. Edward challenged Orcaheart to another bout. Recreating as much as their first experience together as possible at the end of it, when both were breathing heavily and sweaty, Edward proposed to the man. It was the happiest moment of his life when Orcaheart said yes. 

Edward has had everything prepped for the wedding. Wanting to have it before the next mission and saving the honeymoon until all is said and done. The day of the wedding though Edward is showing a lot of nerves as he is dressed in the finest black tuxedo he could fine. Camilla is back with him as she has been helping Fred get Edward into the tux. The minotaur is obviously nervous and Camilla, wearing a woman's version of the same tuxedo, shakes her head and says, “You have nothing to be nervous about. He loves you. This will all be fine.” Edward is playing with his collar as he replies, “I know he loves me. But what if he doesn’t want to marry still. I could die when we go out next. And he’d be stuck here.” Camilla slaps Edwards hand before saying, “You’re being an idiot. What do you tell Fred?” Fred, in his own little tux, replies, “Always pay attention and listen to the healers.” The kobold seems happy as he replies the correct answer. “Exactly. Now get out there before I drag you out by your horns.” Camilla says sternly giving Edward just the push he needs to walk out and up to the altar.

Standing there Edward is looking for where Orcaheart comes in, Camilla as best man besides him, Fred as a groomsmen, and Li’yra in the crowd not sure why she agreed to come. The match of the bride begins, the song edited some to be more traditional with Orcaheart’s people, and first comes out Bell, throwing corn chips out for everyone. She is dressed in a nice light blue summer dress. Next comes out Messalina is a beautiful floor length red dress that shows off exactly what it is supposed to. Next is Astrid, the sweet little lady in a simple bright pink dress, carrying the wedding rings. Finally comes out Orcraheart. The hunk of a man in a tight fighting black tux. As he comes out Edward starts to cry not believing that this moment is finally happening. The wedding proceeds as normal both of them saying I do and sharing a passionate kiss together and husband and husband. 

The party afterwards is a blast. Edward having rented out an entire tavern for it and all drinks and food paid for by him. Everyone is dancing and enjoying themselves. Having a good time. Edward and Ocraheart inseparable. The two of them eventually leave the party to head upstairs together where they consummate their marriage many many times that night.

Because it's a special occasion, Messalina allows Bell to have a glass of wine if she wishes. "But just one and only because it's Uncle Edward's wedding night."  She looks at Camilla and Li'riya, who both look stunning in their dresses. Not a surprise that Camilla looks ravishing, but Li'riya's a beauty when she's not in her hunting clothes. "Orcaheart's lucky that Edward isn't interested in women, because the three of us look wonderful tonight."

Camilla would spend the evening laughing, drinking, eating, and socializing. Anything to forget her troubles, and she was successful. Carefully monitoring Bell to make sure she didn't drink TOO much, and run around with knives, she would talk to the other women and make sure she took a moment to congratulate Edward and Orcaheart warmly, giving them well wishes. Spirits were high, and the food was delicious.

6

Whatever wine or ale they were serving went down extremely smoothly, and on her fifth cup, she was starting to feel the effects of the alcohol, and would be seen with a warm, sly grin on her face and her tail slowly wagging, enjoying the growing buzz.

Throughout the ceremony, Astrid appeared quite antsy, shifting her weight from one foot to the other continually. Periodically shifting her gaze from the cute couple to the doors of the chapel, she was obviously nervous about cultists breaking down the doors and rushing in at any moment.

At the tavern for the reception, she didn’t drink a drop of liquor. Instead, she spent the evening slinking around, keeping security for the event.

Messalina smiles at the slightly buzzed Camilla. "You've gotten better at holding your liquor. Last time at the sushi restaurant, you passed out after three glasses. Although, to be fair, sake is a pretty strong drink."

"You're a pretty strong drink." Camilla jokes, snorting at Messalina. She noticed Astrid was on guard nearly the whole night. "Hey, Methuselah, what's got you so edgy? If those cultists come back i'll give em all the one two punch." Camilla lazily swings at an imaginary target before busting up in a laugh. "The cow got married, why not join the festivities. How often do you see a cow and a big ass Ice Hunter wed? Huh? Hey, are you listening to me?"