Cooling the Fires

Anatares landed bottom-first in the muck. She scowled at the thought of cleaning out her equipment later.

Xervis started laughing, and Anatares looked over at him skeptically. It wasn't his usual laugh, it was genuine. Pure.

"What did those monsters do to you?" she asked.

"Oh, I was just thinking about how we met. I guess the score's uneven again, huh?"

"The... Score?"

"You saved my life that day, and today you saved me again," he smiled. "You caught me as I had just exhausted all my job abilities. I thought for sure I was gone."

Anatares felt a smile creep onto her face, and slipped her hand in his own. "Let us return home."

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Before she could object, Anatares was walking towards the altar, her face a mix of happiness and a nervous reluctance she still couldn't shake. Her mind was swimming. She was still confused about how Xervis felt about her, Zeid's speech still rattling her heart. She knew what he meant now, though; She did go for the wrong reasons. She didn't go to save the man she claimed to love, she went there to test him, and she was still uncertain about his score.

Nervous step after nervous step, one smiling face of a friend after another, she found herself holding her breath. Discreetly she let it out and sucked in more air. Something in her core made her want to stop and start screaming. And if she did start screaming, she wasn't sure she'd ever stop.

After all, she was about to commit herself to a man who might not even love her at all.

And suddenly, she found herself standing infront of him, staring into his hazel eyes.

"You may now be seated," the preacher began. At once, every guest in attendance sat down. Anatares' heart was pounding.

Somehow he sensed her tension. 'What's wrong?' Xervis mouthed.

'Talk later,' Ana replied. She could tell that did little to set him at ease.

"... And with the goddess Altana as our witness, you may now exchange your vows. Sir?"

Xervis cleared his throat and took a deep breath, sensing the attention of everyone in attendance was now on him. He gently took Ana's hands in his own.

"Those few in attendance that know me know that I grew up in Bastok's slums, with no parents nor home to call my own. I learned that life was a harsh master with no reward for any of the labours I endured. Most of my life I have found it difficult to express anything like the joy I feel when you're around. Anatares, since the day we met I knew you were the one for me. I only had to look into your eyes to see Paradise. This world only has one place for me, and that is in your arms. I praise Altana every day that she sent you to me. You are my Light, you are my life. I will love you forever and always."

Anatares was openly crying for joy, and her mouth hung open. There wasn't a doubt in her mind now. It took her a moment to register that it was her cue.

"... Ma'am?"

She blinked and came back to reality for a moment. But only for a moment.

"How can I top that?" Xervis' expression turned into a look of horror as the larger woman tackled him where he stood and kissed him for all she was worth.

The preacher stood in stunned silence. Finally, he heaved a sigh, closed his book, and threw it to some unspecified location behind him. "Okay then, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

The crowd answered with a mix of cheers and laughter. Anatares and Xervis hastily exchanged rings, and Ana's bridesmaid Morgan picked up her discarded bouquet, while Dancing Mind just shook her head with a smile. The newlyweds managed to unstick their lips long enough to escort the crowd to the catering service, ouka ranman and muteppo exploding above their smiling faces.