Chapter 25-Aximili
"Thank you for inviting me to this ceremony," I told Tobias.
"No problem, Ax-man. I would have invited you anyways. We're family." Tobias was dressed in a black jacket, black pants, and black shoes. I am told this is the proper attire for this certain ceremony. I was in my human morph, and was wearing similar clothes to Tobias.
We were in the meadow, behind Rachel and Tobias' house. This was where the ceremony was taking place. The sun was shining brightly, the sky was a deep blue color, and no clouds were in sight. By human standards, this was a beautiful day.
"You and Rachel are now mates?" I said. I was 'making conversation', a skill I had long ago perfected with Tobias.
"I guess you could say that. Don't say that to anyone else here. Especially to the people outside." He gestured his arm towards the front of his house. Many humans were lined up, trying to push their way in. Human security forces were holding them back.
"I am your shorm, Tobias. You can trust me."
Tobias laughed. "Of course I can."
We stood there and looked at the humans. Some of them held up signs. Others were screaming, and some were taking pictures with cameras. It appeared to be chaotic.
"So, how is the big hero doing?" Marco came up and patted Tobias and I on our backs. Characters from the TV show 'The Sopranos' did this often. I wondered if Marco was part of a group called the 'Mafia'.
"I am fine, Marco. How have you been?" I asked.
"Hanging out, the usual, you know? Checking out the babes, signing some autographs, getting my picture taken. It's all cool."
"Just don't talk to the people too much," Tobias said darkly. "One of them might be a tabloid reporter, and if you say something stupid, your secret will be out."
Marco looked shocked. "That's not good. I think I told a couple of bad jokes out there. My stupidity is now public knowledge! I have disgraced myself!" His voice raised higher with every sentence.
Tobias and Marco broke down into laughter. I understood this to be human humor. A very un-Andalite quality.
"I have not seen Rachel today," I said, picking up the conversation. "Are you sure she will be here?"
"She's here, somewhere," Marco replied. "Putting on all the makeup, getting the dress on, the normal things the bride does."
"You know this from personal experience, I presume?" Tobias retorted.
"Shhh! You weren't supposed to know that!" Marco laughed at his own wit.
Cassie walked up to us. She was wearing a shining white dress. "Hey, Marco and Ax. How's the groom?" she said with a grin, revealing rows of perfect white teeth.
Tobias shrugged. "A little nervous, a little happy, a little scared. I guess it's normal."
"Don't worry about it. You'll be just fine." She looked at me. "How have you been, Ax?"
"I have been fine. This is the first time I have been to Earth for a few of your months. It is quite-"
"Ax, they're everyone's months, not just our months," Marco interrupted.
"Marco, the Andalite calendar is different from your calendar. Therefore, an Andalite month would be different from one of your months." I put emphasis on the word 'your'.
"You never told me that. Anyways, I'm going to go talk to Jake." He walked towards the house.
"How is she?" Tobias asked Cassie.
"Rachel? She's fine. Looks as beautiful as ever," Cassie said. "You're lucky, Tobias. You really are."
Tobias sighed. "You know how many times I've heard that? Way too many. But, thanks anyways."
"Tobias," I said, curiosity seeping into my mind. "I am the best man, and Cassie is the best lady. Does that we are the best at something?"
Cassie smiled. "No, Ax. The groom picks his best friend to be his best man. The bride picks her best friend to be her best lady."
"Ah, so we are their best friends. That makes sense."
"Wedding's about to start," Tobias whispered. "Let's go."
The other people started sitting down in their chairs. Tobias, Cassie, and I went up to the front. Although it was silent now, I could still hear the humans outside of the house making noise.
"What do we do?" I whispered to Tobias.
"Just stand there. You don't need to do anything."
A man, playing a human musical instrument called an 'organ' began playing a melody I had heard once before. Everyone rose, and looked towards the back of the aisle.
Rachel's father was holding Rachel's arm, walking slowly towards us. He had been on the 'East Coast' during the final battle, far away from the hostilities. Now he was a news anchor on the channel 'CNN'.
Rachel herself looked more beautiful than I had ever seen her. She was wearing a white dress that trailed behind her for about two feet. A veil covered her face. Her dress had many pearls on it. I had never seen a piece of human clothing that looked so…stunning.
They reached the front, and Rachel's father whispered a few words to Tobias. Then he sat down, and Rachel stepped up, next to Cassie.
The pastor began a speech. It sounded like a philosophical writing an Andalite might have done. I had never thought humans could ever be so logical. Not for the first time, I had underestimated the human race.
"Could the ringbearer come forward, please?" the pastor said.
Jake, my former prince, walked up to where we were standing. He was holding a pillow, containing two rings. One was a band made of gold, with a stripe of black coral covering the gold. The other was a gold band as well, with a ruby heart, outlined with tiny diamonds. Both were fine pieces of human artwork.
"How sweet!" a voice called out snidely. "Who would have thought that this would ever come to pass!"
I spun around, as humans must to look behind them. Standing a few feet away, with a smirk on his face, was the Drode. Crayak's 'right-hand man'.
I glanced at the other people attending. Their faces were frozen, eyes that would not move until Crayak wanted them to.
The Drode didn't visit unless it was important. And in my human body, I would be defenseless against any attack.
Slowly, I began to demorph.