anathemic | mask or menace

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. ]

I remember all of it, as if it was yesterday.

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. ]

[ After ordering, he nods, and listens. ]

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.

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?

I don't know if that makes any sense.

[ He shakes his head, but smiles, and raises his glass in salute to her. ]

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.

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 have been in the last few months, yes.

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 ].

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?

I am serious and this is for real and yes, on the 4th of next month.

[ He grins at her warmly. ]

I want you to be there, if you feel you can be.

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 of course. [ he grins at her. ]

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.

Are we allowed plus-ones?

Definitely. Bring someone and come have fun.

[ 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. ]

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. ]

At a small park in Heropa. [ He hands over another card and jots the address on it.

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.

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.

We are going more for intimate and hassle-free and less for crowd o' people.

[ 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.

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.

We are sincerely hoping so, yes. We are not counting on it, but we are hoping so.

[ 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.

Perfect. You deserve it. And it'll be an honour to be there.

[ It's been a while, and so just in time, their pasta arrives. Anathema waves in the server's attention while they have them there and asks for more drinks, declaring: ]

And another round, please. We're celebrating.

[ Harry sits back and smiles. ]

Thank you.

I look forward to this, and to seeing you there.

mask or menace | ic inbox.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

wrap maybe?

Wrap!