The B and B

The New Beginning

Written By Joshua King

The planet is called NEOPIA. On its surface, raging oceans surround continents and islands of impeccable beauty. Its inhabitants are varied in race, culture, abilities, and beliefs. It is a place of opposites and extremes; of virtues and vices. It is a haven of opportunity and destiny…and the greatest eat and sleep in the universe!

Hannah and Ferny's Bed and Breakfast, located on the top of a grassy hill overlooking the kingdom of Meridell, has been a frenzy of activity as of late. Usually Meridell, a land of farms and meadows, is as engaging to visitors as a musical about hay drying but not in the last few days.

What happened was a colossal smack which rocked the planet with enough good vibes to make a hippie feel sick. Hannah and Ferny's Bed and Breakfast collided violently with…a wedding?!

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is June Sanchez and I am live at the wedding of two lovers who need no introduction. Kanrik Crestmere is the daring thief transformed into a dashing groom; Mariko Oshii is the soft-spoken but proud bride to be. The wedding is starting now: the rosy culmination of four months of true love bursting from their hearts and ours."

June stepped aside and she let her cameraman capture for the audience at home a simple yet breathtaking atmosphere. A wide meadow filled with flowers formed a backdrop to the decorated gazebo which would soon be filled. Inside, the minister and Kanrik stood patiently waiting for Mariko and her dad to start walking down the aisle.

A few hours earlier, Kazuya Oshii had personally helped Kanrik get ready for the biggest moment in his life. Any animosity that they had felt towards each other had evaporated and now Kanrik looked his way for a moment.

Just as he was reflecting on their new found friendship, the familiar sound of The Wedding March hit Kanrik's ears like a sudden shot in the arm.

Mariko and her dad walked slowly to the gazebo, waving to their friends and guests as Kanrik stared at his wife-to-be. Her bridal kimono was pure white with lace patterns of cherry blossoms, snow willow, and hydrangea whirling around the silk fabric.

Kanrik took her hand and they looked at each other as Kanrik carefully lifted the veil covering Mariko's face. He was a little bit taken back at the level of beauty she displayed. It was as if she had been born with the face of a geisha and all he could think about was kissing her deeply and losing himself…

"Mr. Crestmere…" the minister said embarrassingly as the wedding guests began to laugh, "we're not to that part of the wedding yet."

Kanrik couldn't help but turn away and blush at his childish behavior. But Mariko's comforting hand on his shoulder helped him to regroup his thoughts as a young Scorchio came down the aisle with the rings.

The minister nodded to the young child and patted his head as he took the two rings and handed one to Kanrik and then the other to Mariko. Kanrik examined his ring for a moment before placing it on Mariko's ring finger.

"When I first saw you, something resonated within me. It was familiar, warm, gentle yet courageous. Over the last several months, I have only touched the tip of those feelings. You have captivated me in ways I've never experienced or even thought were possible. I feel like I'm at the beginning of a great adventure and I can't wait to climb with you in our joys, console you in our sorrows, and explore the depths of our love forever. I have placed this ring on your finger as a sign of my feelings." Kanrik said emotionally as Mariko wiped the tears from her eyes.

"When we were children, two silly bundles of innocence going through life on the clouds, I knew deep inside that this day would come. As we grew up and our innocence was replaced by responsibility, our memories replaced by amnesia, and our euphoria was replaced by tragedy, I never gave up hope that this day would come. Our passion for each other will be tested: some times it will cool; other times it will expand and it may even change in ways we will not expect. But I know that it will never be broken. I now place this ring on your finger as a sign of my feelings."

Kanrik himself began to sob tears of joy. He rubbed Mariko's hand and his eyes as the minister began to speak.

"By the power vested in me by the kingdom of Meridell, I declare you to be Mr. and Mrs. Kanrik Crestmere, husband and wife…"

The minister didn't get to finish the rest of his speech as Kanrik and Mariko finally kissed each other with the applause of Kazuya, Anastasia, and their friends and family as their soundtrack.

When they finally opened their eyes, Kazuya was standing next to them with John Spiritwarrior, Hannah, Ferny, and Golem Darkhand. They quickly led the couple to the private lobby inside the bed and breakfast.

"It is time to uncork the champagne, my boys! Our bachelor is now a married man, hitched up to the wagon and ready to ride out!" John shouted as he barely avoided getting whacked by Armin and the catering cart he was navigating. His friends couldn't contain their laughter.

"You've got to watch yourself, John. Who's going to tie the knot with Hannah if you get killed by Armin's bad driving?" Ferny teased as Hannah playfully tried to punch her in the arm.

"I'm more concerned with losing all of that good food! I slaved over a hot oven yesterday getting it ready." Hannah shot back as Kazuya pulled out the chairs at the head table for them.

After a few minutes of continued banter, Kanrik and Mariko were seated at the head table with John, Kazuya, Golem, and Kanrik's parents on his side. Mariko's parents, Hannah, Ferny, and Anastasia sat on the other side. In typical fashion, Kazuya raised his glass of champagne to offer the first toast.

"Let me be the first to raise a glass of fine bubbly to the couple that I tried so hard to break up. I can laugh about it now because I have learned a good lesson from it which I will carry with me for life. Kanrik, brother and best friend, you have just married the most peaceful and elegant lady you could ever find in Neopia. If you ever cross her wrong, however, a more lethal ball of flaming wrath you will find nowhere else. And believe me; I know this truth better than anyone else at this great reception."

Everyone laughed and clapped as Hannah stood up and raised her now empty glass to do a toast to the couple on behalf of the ladies.

"Mariko, I envy you. For a time, my heart would skip a beat at the sight of Kanrik and it still does from time to time. The Bringer War turned my world and his upside down and we were there for each other as friends. I know that fate or a higher power has returned him to you and I am joyous for you. I wish you two all of the blessings that can rain down upon you. May your cup never empty and your passion never falter or fail in its journey.

As the joyous afternoon continued, Kanrik and Mariko said goodbye to their friends who slowly departed for their homes. It was while Mariko was outside with Hannah that Kanrik started to hear the faint sounds of a cello coming from the dining area down the hall. Kanrik checked to see that Mariko was okay before hurrying out of the private lobby. He soon began to hear violins, violas, and a heavy bass. Their volume continued to increase as he arrived in the kitchen and opened the door to the dining room.

Inside, he saw Ferny and a finely-dressed gentleman dancing to orchestra music coming from a small CD-player sitting on the steps which led upstairs. Unfortunately, the music didn't drown out his presence and Ferny gasped at his intrusion.

"Is that you, Kanrik? We didn't notice you come in." Ferny asked as Kanrik shrugged.

"You and Jeran seem to be having a good time. I'm sorry for the invasion of your privacy. I heard the music from the private lobby and was curious, that's all. I'll leave you two alone and go help Hannah and Mariko tidy up."

As Kanrik ran out in a flash, Ferny and Jeran chuckled to themselves. Some day, they too would finally settle down and tie the knot. But for now they were simply content to hold each other close, dance the night away, and hope that their future wedding would be as magical as Kanrik and Mariko's had been.