Anathema, I was wondering if I could invite you to lunch. We can talk about magic, memories we wish we did not have, and about an invitation I wish to give you.
[ It's been long enough since their return that Anathema's started to settle back in, to pick up the threads of her life again, to not be quite so time-disjointed as she was in February. Still, though, the message from Harry is welcome. ]
Of course, Harry, I'd love to. Do you have any favorite lunch spots?
Between this and your winterfest, you know, it seems you're pretty good at hosting things.
[ Of course, she doesn't know that it's a particularly special invitation, this time— ]
Just you wait, we'll make a Martha Stewart of you yet.
[ When Harry arrives at the Italian restaurant, Anathema's already there, having scoped out the location and nabbed a table for them. Hopelessly punctual, as ever. She likes being early for things. She waves him down, the drinks menu already cocked open in front of her. ]
Good afternoon. Are you a wine person? I'm a wine person.
[ Anathema's cheeriness is maybe a little exaggerated; she's had to muster up a better face since February, but she does seem to genuinely brighten at his approach. ]
[ He laughs at that text, then sets off to meet her, grinning. When he arrives and sees her, he smiles warmly. He is glad she is there and heads toward her, waving as he comes. He is grinning widely and bouncy as he settles into a seat. ]
Wine would be perfect, yes. [ Harry grins at her, eyes searching hers. He had meant to seek her out earlier, but coming back to this world had involved a lot of missed paperwork. He had known her only a little on this side before that trip, and then well-ish, on the other side, and now... part of him hopes it is okay to extend this invitation.
He grins at her nonetheless. ] It is good to see you, Anathema.
And you, Harry. How have you been? Have you settled back in from—
[ She hesitates. Their own readjustment from that other world likely isn't as difficult as others have been, but they still ducked some awful scenes back there, and she's not even sure how much of it he remembers. ]
I'm sorry I didn't check in last month. It's been... busy. Some people vanished along with the rest of us but then never came back, or maybe they came back and don't remember it.
From the nightmare that was the other world? yeah. I think so.
[ He shivers, remembering, and shakes his head, eyes dark with memories for a moment, before he pulls himself back from that edge. Other him had been colder, but also freer with his care and wanting to save the world. And had died there, for it. ]
I am glad you made it back, too. [ His words are soft, and his eyes on hers are compassionate. ]
Good. I kept thinking it would've been awfully embarrassing if I knew things about you that you didn't know I knew, or that I had all these memories that for all intents and purposes were like they didn't happen— [ She exhales, waves over the server. They put in their drink orders, buying themselves some time while they're still perusing the pasta menu. ]
This might sound weird to say, but: I did like that we'd kinda grown closer, over there. The extenuating circumstances and desperation probably helped. For what it's worth, it tells me that you're a pretty good egg.
[ They'd seen what each other was capable of, in situations that were in many ways even more dangerous than what they faced back here. No quicker way to get a judge of someone's character. ]
So did you, [ she says, glancing up over the table to flash Harry a small smile. ] Saving the day, protecting people. It's good we don't have to do that here any more—
But it's still odd. I feel homesick, almost? Even if it's for a place that was awful?
The multiverse giveth and the multiverse taketh away. Is that something you tell yourself often? It has the feel of an aphorism to it, a bit. [ Really, they should have it all printed out and plastered to their walls, probably. Mantras for dealing with a destabilized plane of reality that keeps throwing random shit at them. ]
I know that things can change at any moment, which, in a way, is why I am here.
[ And he uses that cue to pull out a small card and hand it over. It is white and in purple cursive, it says simply You are cordially invited to the wedding of Harry Dresden and Wanda Maximoff, to happen on April 4th, 2020, Multiverse willing..
Oh my god, [ Anathema bursts out as she finishes reading the card — the whole concept of 'God' being rather malleable since she befriended angels, but the shock still holds — she looks back up from where she's clutching the card, meets Harry's eye and his slow-spreading grin of delight. ]
This is serious? For real? You're getting married next month?
Yes, obviously! I'd love to be there. [ A beat, a consideration: ] Barring divine interference, multiversal accident, or apocalyptic mayhem, of course.
But congratulations, Harry. This is fantastic. It'll be nice to have something actually nice and lasting to celebrate for once, considering— well, you know, everything that goes on over here. I'm happy for you guys. How long have you been together?
Thank you. And we have been together for about a year and a month. I arrived here, fell head over heels for her, convinced her to take a chance on my sorry ass, and we have been making our own magic against the odds ever since.
[ Fascinating, she thinks, and then purposefully doesn't let herself think: Is it because either of you might port out at any moment? It's not to minimise the significance of the commitment; if anything, that whole fact makes it even more important. ]
I'm glad to see the two of you seizing some kind of happiness. Something to hang onto, y'know, considering... everything. I've been wanting to get to know Wanda better, too.
Any idea where you'll be having it yet? Will it be big? [ and then realisation, marveling: ] You know, I haven't actually been to a wedding before. This'll be my first.
[ Anathema's experiences have been oddly narrow in some respects, with so much of her past focused on the apocalypse, she hadn't had much of a chance to live the rest of her life until she got here. ]
Ten! [ She's taken aback for a second — weddings in the movies always looked so huge and so extravagant — but then, reflecting on his small and intimate Wintersfest, perhaps she oughtn't have been so surprised. Anathema takes the card, pockets it, and shoots him another smile. ]
In that case, Harry, I'm incredibly honoured to have made the list.
And y'know, now that I think about it: I'm pretty sure that you keeping the ceremony small will probably protect the thing from multiversal calamity. It's only when imPorts gather en masse that things get truly weird. Case in point: see every single swear-in.
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text to action?
Anathema, I was wondering if I could invite you to lunch. We can talk about magic, memories we wish we did not have, and about an invitation I wish to give you.
👍
Of course, Harry, I'd love to. Do you have any favorite lunch spots?
Between this and your winterfest, you know, it seems you're pretty good at hosting things.
[ Of course, she doesn't know that it's a particularly special invitation, this time— ]
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[ He chuckles. ]
I don't know about that, but it seems I do keep doing it.
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[ When Harry arrives at the Italian restaurant, Anathema's already there, having scoped out the location and nabbed a table for them. Hopelessly punctual, as ever. She likes being early for things. She waves him down, the drinks menu already cocked open in front of her. ]
Good afternoon. Are you a wine person? I'm a wine person.
[ Anathema's cheeriness is maybe a little exaggerated; she's had to muster up a better face since February, but she does seem to genuinely brighten at his approach. ]
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Wine would be perfect, yes. [ Harry grins at her, eyes searching hers. He had meant to seek her out earlier, but coming back to this world had involved a lot of missed paperwork. He had known her only a little on this side before that trip, and then well-ish, on the other side, and now... part of him hopes it is okay to extend this invitation.
He grins at her nonetheless. ] It is good to see you, Anathema.
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[ She hesitates. Their own readjustment from that other world likely isn't as difficult as others have been, but they still ducked some awful scenes back there, and she's not even sure how much of it he remembers. ]
I'm sorry I didn't check in last month. It's been... busy. Some people vanished along with the rest of us but then never came back, or maybe they came back and don't remember it.
From the sounds of it, though, I think you do.
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[ He shivers, remembering, and shakes his head, eyes dark with memories for a moment, before he pulls himself back from that edge. Other him had been colder, but also freer with his care and wanting to save the world. And had died there, for it. ]
I am glad you made it back, too. [ His words are soft, and his eyes on hers are compassionate. ]
I remember all of it, as if it was yesterday.
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This might sound weird to say, but: I did like that we'd kinda grown closer, over there. The extenuating circumstances and desperation probably helped. For what it's worth, it tells me that you're a pretty good egg.
[ They'd seen what each other was capable of, in situations that were in many ways even more dangerous than what they faced back here. No quicker way to get a judge of someone's character. ]
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It was nice. And it feels a little nice, having this connection. [ He grins at her. ]
[ He shakes his head. ]
I dunno if I would go so far as to think I am a good egg, but thank you.
[ He nods to her. ] You did a lot of good over there.
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But it's still odd. I feel homesick, almost? Even if it's for a place that was awful?
I don't know if that makes any sense.
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I do understand. We lived lives there, and it is natural to miss them, despite how fucked up the world was.
[ He nods to her. ]
The multiverse giveth, and the multiverse taketh away.
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I know that things can change at any moment, which, in a way, is why I am here.
[ And he uses that cue to pull out a small card and hand it over. It is white and in purple cursive, it says simply You are cordially invited to the wedding of Harry Dresden and Wanda Maximoff, to happen on April 4th, 2020, Multiverse willing..
He grins as he hands it over ].
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This is serious? For real? You're getting married next month?
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[ He grins at her warmly. ]
I want you to be there, if you feel you can be.
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But congratulations, Harry. This is fantastic. It'll be nice to have something actually nice and lasting to celebrate for once, considering— well, you know, everything that goes on over here. I'm happy for you guys. How long have you been together?
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Thank you. And we have been together for about a year and a month. I arrived here, fell head over heels for her, convinced her to take a chance on my sorry ass, and we have been making our own magic against the odds ever since.
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I'm glad to see the two of you seizing some kind of happiness. Something to hang onto, y'know, considering... everything. I've been wanting to get to know Wanda better, too.
Are we allowed plus-ones?
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[ He grins at her, eyes warm with gladness and with fondness. She is a good person and he enjoys seeing her and talking to her. ]
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[ Anathema's experiences have been oddly narrow in some respects, with so much of her past focused on the apocalypse, she hadn't had much of a chance to live the rest of her life until she got here. ]
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He grins at her. ]
Well, then, I hope you enjoy it. It will be simple, quick, and a small ceremony. Not more than ten or so people attending.
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In that case, Harry, I'm incredibly honoured to have made the list.
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[ Harry nods to her, smiling warmly. ]
Thank you. And I would not have had it any other way. I like you here, and I liked you in that other world. I like to share things with my friends.
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[ He nods enthusiastically. ]
We plan on having a short ceremony, and a quick reception, with food and alcohol, and then we are bamfing away to our honeymoon.
wrap maybe?
Wrap!