Chapter Text
Over a year had passed since Leona proposed to Cater. And for the couple, their (on paper) 4th year at Night Raven College went by in a flash. There were other adventures and other stories with their friends, but for them everything had been leading up to this weekend. The couple had graduated, but there was still one more step in their adventures together. That was actually tying the knot.
This lead to a very similar weekend to the one Leona hosted over a year ago. Cater and Leona and many of their friends had gathered at the Sunset Savanna palace to celebrate the upcoming wedding, which would be happening very soon... At least according to Cater.
"So, what exactly have you been reading this entire time, Cater?" Riddle asked as he looked up from his reclined position to the redhead, who was, for the first time in many years, reading a hard copy of a book instead of an ebook on his phone. Cater sighed and looked up at Riddle.
"It's how an old fashioned Sunset Savanna wedding is supposed to take place... And it's kinda nerve racking..." Cater said as he put an actual bookmark in the page and offered it to Riddle.
"Oh? I know not every culture has the same marriage rituals, but... I assumed they'd be similar enough." Riddle said as he glanced at the book. It was nonfiction, a historical account of various cultural aspects of the Sunset Savanna and why they are performed the way they are.
"I mean, nowadays yes..." Cater nodded. "But Leona is the royal family, so that means we have to lean into ritual to uphold the culture and all that. Times may change but when you're a figurehead they can't change too much."
"I hope it isn't too bad." Trey said as he arrived holding a couple of fancy looking drinks. "There's no way they're going to make you two jump through that many hoops. Especially after they invited us here and let us just party like this." Trey looked around the courtyard that their friends were having a pool party in.
"It's not... Terrible, but so much of it is out of our hands..." Cater said.
"Your hands as in you and the rest of your wedding party?" Riddle asked. "The Kingscholars are running the show?"
"No, actually." Cater motioned to the book. "I mean, the Kingscholars are running the show, but the entire thing is that me and Leona don't get to say we're getting married."
"...Are you serious?" Trey asked. "You two have no control over this? That doesn't seem fair."
"Say that to the sun goddess." Cater pointed to the sky. "The sun is the one who gets to say whether we're worthy or not..."
"I find it insulting for your entire relationship to hinge on weather patterns, but I'm not going to insult our hosts and their culture myself..." Riddle muttered as he flipped through the book. "How does it work?"
"Well, apparently, there's some specific stuff with outfits. The Kingscholars should have that covered.” Cater raised a finger to count.
”Already got those in the room, so that’s covered.” Trey nodded.
”And then the head mages start preparing the ritual, using magic to read the weather and see if the sun is willing to show itself for the actual ceremony.” Cater explained. “And they’ve said it should be tomorrow just before dawn. Hope you’re all ready for an all nighter.”
”Also been informed, but that’s about where what we’ve been told ends…” Riddle frowned.
”From there, the wedding party goes to the Temple of the Sun, where Farena is going to run the actual ceremony… Which is more of a trial.” Cater explained. “Leona and I will each have an ‘advocate’ who will have to explain why we should each be blessed by the sun goddess.”
”I’ll be your character witness!” Ace shouted from the pool. He climbed out of the pool and ran towards his fellow Heartslabyul students, where he grabbed a towel to dry off.
”Why do you need witnesses?” Deuce followed behind Ace.
”You aren’t going to be my witnesses.” Cater said. “None of you.” He pointed at his Heartslabyul cohorts.
”Hey, I ain’t gonna do you dirty.” Ace huffed.
”It’s not about that.” Cater shook his head. “Part of the ritual is that… Advocates that are closer to the couple are seen as biased. I know we’ve got our friends here, but immediate friends and family are generally right out.”
”What if someone wants to be a dick though?” Deuce asked. “They could be your advocate and ruin things.”
”I mean, since it’s mostly ritual, I don’t think it would affect the actual wedding process, right?” Riddle asked.
”It wouldn’t, but…” Cater bit his lip. “Still a mood killer… I don’t think I have enemies enough to actually ruin my half, but Leona…”
”You talkin’ crap about me behind my back?” Leona’s voice came from behind Cater. Cater leaned back in his recliner and looked up at his fiancée. The Lion was clad in his necklace and swim trunks, and on his shoulders was Cheka Kingscholar.
”Hey Unca Cater!” Cheka waved from his position on top of Mt. Leona.
”Hey, little lion!” Cater smiled up at him. “And I wasn’t talking bad, I’m just… Getting worried about the wedding…”
”And witnesses for us, huh?” Leona asked, a frown on his face.
”Yeah. I mean… What if someone decides to advocate for us poorly? Or negatively…” Cater asked. “I’m not used to this…”
”There’s time for objections… No use being a jerk during advocacy.” Leona shrugged. “But… It’s all ritual…” The lion reached down and caressed Cater’s cheek. “No matter what happens, our souls are bound. We are one…”
”I know.” Cater smiled and kissed Leona’s wrist.
”Speaking of being a jerk…” Leona smirked down at Cater…
Suddenly Leona grabbed Cheka off of his shoulders, one hand grabbing the seat of the boy’s trunks, the other supporting the boy’s chest. He started running to the pool, and Cheka squealed under his arms.
Leona got near to the edge of the pool and tossed Cheka, who laughed and squealed in joy as he flipped through the air and flopped into the water. He swam back up to the surface, laughing once he had air.
Leona turned back to Cater with a smirk on his face, and he started to walk backwards towards the edge of the pool. “See, I might have it coming if someone has it out for me.”
”You’re a monster.” Cater laughed at Leona.
”The way you’re taking care of Cheka, I can tell you’ll be a good father.” Trey said matter of factly. Cater flushed and looked at Trey in shock.
Even Leona was surprised as he stepped uncertainly, falling back into the pool with a splash.
“…It sounds like I hit a nerve.” Trey smirked as he sipped his drink.