Author: Aurelia Alta, Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2020 12:15 PM, Post Subject: A Blessing [P]

Maximellian looked ever handsome as always with armor that looked freshly polished and gleamed with the brilliant silent that filtered through the carriage windows. He was gracious as ever to compliment her on her looks. It steeled her nerves to know that someone more objective than her mother approves of her choice of dress. While she had heard tales of Sirona’s humble nature, she still wanted to make a good impression on the Goddess whose doctrine she was born into. 

Her betrothed felt the Cathedral of Angels was every bit as beautiful as she did. Already her mind was whirring with the possibilities of flowing arrangements of flowers standing on pillars or overflowing from vases and baskets. It was almost no problem at all to envision the wedding here. Even without bringing in flowers and other decor, it was so beautiful they could leave the cathedral bare. However she knew her mother would never allow such a thing. Their wedding wasn’t just a union of love, it was a union of two prominent noble families. 

“Look there,” she pointed out a place where she pictured hanging baskets of flowers and ribbons. “I think we should do all white flowers and ribbons. Maybe gold or silver as well. It is a pure union and we are children of Sirona. I think it is only fair we glorify one of the people who brought us together.” Aurelia took hold of his hand and kissed the top of his slightly roughened skin while one of the clergy members took off to retrieve the Goddess. “I guess I should have mentioned not to disturb her if she was busy.”

Not long later they were greeted by a woman with flowing black hair and donned head to toe in gleaming black and white armor in perfect condition. The wings on her back were completely unmarred white, completely pristine. Aurelia was in awe of her beauty. She looked like she just swooped onto the planet straight from the heavens. She was surprised to see the Goddess bowing slightly to them. 

“Oh no my Lady, please.” She gave a deep curtsy while Maxi was likely bowing in tandem. “The pleasure is all ours. I am Aurelia Alta and this is my betrothed Maximellian Chinesis III. Our noble families are long time followers of Light and Strength. We have been born and raised in the faith.” The Goddess offered them a seat in the pews and Aurelia took it gladly, holding Maxi’s hand tightly while Sirona sat with them. 

“We would really love for you to officiate our wedding if at all possible but completely understand if you are too busy.” Aurelia could feel the rush of hot redness flowing her cheeks. “Maximellian and I were arranged to marry by our noble houses, but we are growing fond of one another I think.” She looked at him with that sparkle in her blue eyes, smiling, and resting her head on his shoulder a moment. “I was thinking perhaps we do all white flowers with gold, silver, or white ribbons. Your Cathedral is so beautiful on its own it hardly needs decorating,” 

She had heard Sirona was kind, but she was not expecting her to treat them as equals. After all they weren’t. She was a highly holy and powerful Goddess and they were mortals. “The sooner the better I think. Our families are anxious to join. Perhaps a white runner with gold trim to the front of the church?” She didn’t want to bore Sirona with mundane details. “It just means a lot to us to have your blessing. The Light is all we have ever known. While I can’t speak for Maximellian, I would be honored to serve as your clergy Lady Glory.”

Author: Sirona, Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2020 9:20 AM, Post Subject: A Blessing [P]

The clergy who had received the couple at the entry way knew where Sirona was and so went to inform her. Weddings would have had been performed at the Cethedral but they had been between Clergy members who ended up falling in love while at the Cathedral, or between one Clergy member and their fiancée who wasn’t involved as a Clergy member.

Lady Glory at present was working on her armour, she had cleaned and polished it, fixed a few things that the armour itself couldn’t ‘heal’ on its own. With that out of the way Sirona had donned her armour and headed to a training area and was making sure that they hidden blade in the right gauntlet and the magic shield that projected from the left gauntlet was working. The shield hummed steadily and the gem that housed the magic spell was still in perfect condition, despite what the armour had been through. The blade was razor sharp and snapped out with a soft click and retracted back in smoothly. It was around when Sirona was finished that her Clergy member came over and said of the visitors who had arrived who had requested her presence. Adding in the details that they sought a blessing for their marriage and possibly a place to host it and Sirona was intrigued.

So it was that Sirona entered the main Cathedral dressed in her full armour black and white metal, her sword at her right hip and one of her shields attached to the sword’s sheath. The hood of her armour, for it had no helm, was down, leaving her shoulder length raven black hair loose down to her shoulders. Her brilliant blue eyes almost glowed, even in the light of day that was within the Cathedral. Her face had tattoos on it as well, perhaps a slightly odd feature given that she was an angel, but the ink work came down across her checks, on her chin and a solid bar marked the middle of her bottom lip. These were angelic markings, and if anyone asked what they meant Sirona would only shrug and say that she did not know herself what they meant. She only stood at five feet and nine inches tall, but the large white feathered wings she had on her back made up for what her statue lacked.

It wasn’t hard to identify the visiting couple and Sirona made her way over to them with a bright smile. ”Greetings, and welcome to Kanisa Kuu la Malaika.” Sirona greeted giving a slight bow in welcome and respect, as she wasn’t one to expect respect given to her before she had earned it, despite her position in the world now. ”Please allow me to congratulate you both on your engagement, and come sit and we can talk further. Oh, and, please, you may call me Sirona, no need for formalities.” She smiled and offered them a pew to sit in and Sirona would join them if they agreed.

Author: Maximellian Rosa Chinesis III, Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2020 11:49 PM, Post Subject: A Blessing [P]

Dressed for a battlefield, Maximellian had chosen to wear the outfit he was the most proud of, his armour that glimmered beneath a rich, navy hood cloak with gold trims across the edges. Sirona was his goddess, a being that had long been close to his heart and had been since a child. His thoughts jumped back to the day the heavens tore open and angels descended in their righteous quest to defend the world from the sins of humanity. He was in training back then and although he had fought for her, scoundrels with magic far greater than he had almost murdered him that day. He would never forget the pain of his brethren that stood for the light and punishment they were put through for the light of their intentions. Where Maximellian had once thought of the world as black and white, good or evil; he had forever been changed. Good will should come before all else. He discovered it was better to guide with light and strength as an example, rather than enforce it through brutality. Although Maximellian was to marry Aurelia, he knew that he was married to his church. His eyes fell to the shield at his side, embedded with her symbol. Maximellian was and would always be devout to her cause, he expected of his fiance the same.

It was a while before Aurelia finally joined him in the carriage. The paladin did not blame her for taking her time. After all although his bride did well, his beauty was difficult to match. Upon her entrance, Maximellian welcomed his fiance with a warm smile, kissed her hand and helped her into the carriage. “You look beautiful,” he complimented and sat back against the cushioned seats as they rode to the Goddess temple and talked of small pleasantries.

Eventually the cart stopped and finally, they had reached their destination. Welcomed by the beauty of a grand angelic statue, the paladin looked upward with a confident smile. Yes, this was the home of his soul. Ascending the stairway of the cathedral, his eyes wandered over his elaborate surroundings. Strangely, he felt like he belonged here. This place was the foundation of his belief, sacred land to be worshipped and loved through all of time. This temple was the legacy of Sirona, a legacy he and many others had been fighting for long before the birth of his forefathers.

“It is beautiful,” Maximellian agreed, strapping his shield to his back as he gently took Aurelia by the arm with settled confidence “We’re home at last.”

Together they combined their strength to press open the large metal doors as they wandered to address the clergy within the temple. Aurelia had lived for this moment, he had lived for Sirona. He knew eventually that they would meet. The paladin nodded, gentle placing his free hand on her arm as an offer of comfort as he wordlessly awaited the presence of his supreme commander.   

Author: Aurelia Alta, Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2020 11:40 AM, Post Subject: A Blessing [P]

“Do you think she will like and accept me?”

The question was posed to her mother as she helped her dress in front of a floor length mirror. Her mother was taking no chances and had bought her a golden gown with silver accents especially for this occasion. Aurelia had simply thought to wear one of the many dresses she already owned, but mother dearest had other ideas. It was important to their household as long running followers of Light to have Sirona at the very least bless the marriage if not perform it. 

“Of course, my dear. You are a noble who is pure and you are dedicated to your faith. What is there not to like about you?” 

Her mother always had a great deal more faith in Aurelia than she had of herself. A soft sigh escaped her as her mother continued to yank on the ties of the corset to pull it tighter. When she tied it off, she helped her daughter step into the dress. A pair of matching dainty slippers were pulled onto her feet. Next she was forced to sit as her mother pulled back half of her chocolate brown locks away from her face and pinned it, opting for a simpler look for the elaborate dress. 

After applying a little color to her lips, she was ready and the carriage harboring Maximellian was idly waiting in front of the door to her parents house. When she climbed into the carriage, a warm smile graced her lips as she offered him her hand as was customary for nobles. “It is a beautiful day,” she remarked. And it was. The sun was unopposed by clouds and it felt like the earth was giving her blessing as the carriage lurched forward to start on their journey. 

After extensive traveling that was filled with much talking, as they were still getting to know one another, the carriage finally stopped and they were at the beginning of the pathway to the sacred cathedral. Aurelia was in awe as Maxi helped her step out onto the pathway, the gleaming statue of an archangel taking her breath from her. “This place is a thousand times more beautiful than I ever imagined.” 

Aurelia started up the path and took hold of Maximellian’s offered arm. He was a true gentleman. They pushed open the door and came into an entryway bustling with those who appeared to be clergy. “Excuse me,” she called after one of them. “Could you let the Goddess know we would greatly appreciate her audience? We are seeking a blessing of our marriage and perhaps a place to host it as well.” As the clergy member walked away, she turned and smiled at Maxi. “This is it, a day I have lived for.” She could feel her insides trembling.