you're a bird you just didn't know it [OPEN]

[yardbird]

CHARACTERS: Murphy Pendleton and Anne Cunningham... and you.
LOCATION: The chapel in the Oxygen Gardens.
WARNINGS: Wedding stuff. Casual cursing. Consumption of alcohol. You know, for kids!
SUMMARY: Silent Hill veterans just tying the literal knot, no big d or anything.
NOTES: Backdated to the 17th, after this thing went up!

---

The Tranquility. Home of crazy, bad juju, and evidently love.

The ceremony itself is a casual one. There are rings, of course -- and an actual knot tied between the bride and groom, a ye olde tradition Murphy was rather fond of, himself. But if you're looking for extravagance, you'll not find it here.

What you will find, however, is a lot of booze, procured from the kitchens of the sixth deck and -- is that moonshine? Yes it is.

And food. There's a lot of food. All cooked by the groom (not the bride, so don't worry). You'll find a wide range of traditional Irish dishes, most which will include stuff handpicked from the gardens.

Feel free to prod the newlyweds. Especially Murphy, because yeah.

Comments

[handelaar]

There's one thing that Netherlands has never admitted, to anyone, but if not for his general sadsack demeanor lately (and somewhat currently) would be incredibly obvious to those now in attendance - he fucking loves weddings. It's never been something he's wanted for himself, but hell, maybe it's a weird sort of escapism. Seeing two normal people enough in love to commit to one another for ever and willing to bother with all the costly bullshit that weddings entail. Or maybe it's some weird sort of nation thing, liking stability.

Whatever.

Netherlands is here and has helped out in every possible way he can with the set-up. Tasteful, though simple, flower arrangements are around and the benches in perfect rows, and he even brought a tart since he hasn't yet perfected cake of any kind using ship ingredients. He's now dressed up and making rounds and doling out awkward congratulations.

[savethebullshit]

"Hey," Anne never really knows what to say to Netherlands, especially since she's gone from finding him extremely unpleasant to seeing him as a friend, which is a bit awkward. But now, when she's just gotten married, she feels a little more inclined to be socially generous. She's still obviously wearing her ridiculously girly dress borrowed from Heather, which serves well enough as a wedding dress, and it feels strange in a place like the Tranquility to be dressed up like some kind of fairy princess. "Thanks for coming."

[handelaar]

"Nice dress," is what he nods in return - and it's supposed to be an attempt at a lightheartedness, a sort of ha ha, he knows where it came from, isn't that ironic that Anne and Heather of all people are sharing dresses - but the delivery is so straight-faced it might fall flat.

Which is something he seems to realize, after it comes out of his mouth. Instead of waiting to see if Anne gets offended or not he just barrels on with an almost alarmed sounding "congratulations" and a second or two later shoves out a gloved hand to shake.

[yardbird]

It takes real skill to out-awkward Murphy Pendleton. Even on the wedding occasion he's a bowl of awkward soup, steeling himself through the ceremony itself and the conversation that follows afterwards. It's not that he's having second thoughts -- hell no. But he can't help but think about how things went during his first rodeo. How much more laid back and casual and we don't give a fuck we're getting married in space this is.

Well, it beats going to Vegas.

Catching Netherlands at the corner of his eye, Murphy manages to catch up, doling out a surprisingly coherent sentence:

"Hey, I wanted to, uh... thank you. For the help here." He scratches the back of his head, still feeling marginally silly in a "gorilla" suit despite the occasion.

[handelaar]

For his part, Netherlands doesn't seem awkward - but is about to make things one thousand times moreso as he opens his mouth and blurts out, "why."

And then realizes what he just said and scrambles back over it, eyes wide before he gives his head a shake.

"Don't."

Because that's much better.

[sweetmotherofgod]

New addition to the list of things that are really kind of fucked up, when you think about it: Heather had never been to a wedding before she ended up on the Tranquility, and now there are two in close succession. She's not about to lie and claim she enjoyed her first one ever - circumstances being what they are, that wouldn't fool anyone - but hey. Maybe it's different when you know the people getting married, and you have a more specific reason to want them to be happy. It's nice, that people are taking the time to commit to each other in the middle of all this. It's downright touching when it's Anne and Murphy, and she's not afraid to admit that.

She might not so readily admit crying a little during the ceremony.

Afterwards, she kind of - hovers. Wants to offer her congratulations, but it seems a shame to interrupt in any of the moments the happy couple are together. Especially when she's trying to juggle her crutches and the gift - contained in a sort of large bag woven from some of the sturdier grasses found in the gardens, due to the absolute lack of giftwrapping services available on the ship. Here's hoping she can get it to either of them before she drops it and/or falls over.

[savethebullshit]

Yes Heather, Anne noticed you crying a little, but she's not about to bring that up. Instead she's just going to dislodge herself from Murphy's side to move over to Heather, smiling and dressed up and just generally cheerful in a way that would have been decided un-Anne-like two years ago. But now, after all this time on the ship, she's become a much happier person. Largely because of Murphy, but of course also because of the rest of her little space family, and Heather is definitely one of them.

"Need some help?" she asks the other woman fondly, resisting the impulse to ruffle her hair. She hasn't forgotten all the help she gave her in choosing her wedding dress, in getting emotionally ready to get married in the first place. And then of course there was all the support she gave the two of them from the very beginning, starting with those not-always-appreciated attempts to hook them up with Alex's awkward help. Right now, she's not going to think about how much she misses Alex, though, because this isn't a day for being upset. Instead, she thinks about how Heather has always played such a big role in she and Murphy's happiness on the ship. She wonders if Heather knows.

[sweetmotherofgod]

Tears are always a threat at the moment, but mostly they're sad ones. When Anne comes over, looking so beautiful in that dress and the glow around her that Heather can only assume is head-over heels, totally smitten, stupid-ass love, she has to bite her lip and suck in a breath to keep from starting up again with happy crying. She shakes her head, a little too hard.

"Yeah, find me a dress that looks as gorgeous on me as that one does on you. Damn. I mean, I know I've seen you in it before but I think it got better." Probably not what she means, Heather. "Oh! And, um, take this."

She holds the bag out sort of jerkily, and that's half because she has to put her weight on one side to do it and half because of what's in it. There's not a lot around here to give in the way of gifts, and she can only hope that Anne and Murphy will get it. Tucked snug into the bag is the set of bongos she'd claimed, and that Alex had played on that totally misguided but well-meaning night. There's a new addition, though. She's written on them, in her very best handwriting - which is actually surprisingly good -

What greater thing is there for two human souls
than to feel that they are joined together to strengthen
each other in all labor, to minister to each other in all sorrow,
to share with each other in all gladness,
to be one with each other in the
silent unspoken memories?

-George Eliot

She hasn't been so anxious about a gift since she gave Netherlands his bike, and if she bites her lip any harder her teeth are going to go clean through.

[yardbird]

It doesn't take long before Murphy notices Heather hobbling about. He takes less heed to the wedding gift she carried and more concern to her trying to get around on crutches. Murphy definitely takes the time to reach her when he's not hanging around his new wife (which, God help him, still takes some time getting used to).

"How's the, er..." He scratches his nose, re-thinking how to commence that sentence now that he's approached the girl and he's opened his stupid mouth. He nods at the crutches. "How're you holdin' up on those things?"

[sweetmotherofgod]

Oh, boy. Even on his wedding day, same old Murph. Which is good, she figures. That's the guy Anne fell in love with, after all. She smiles and ducks her head so as not to laugh too obviously at his change of tack - it's nice that he's trying - and nods.

"Pretty good! Carrying stuff's a bitch, but I've figured out how to balance it so I can smack people with one of them if they're being assholes." And she demonstrates - not by smacking him, thank god, but by leaning all her weight to one side and waving the opposing crutch. "I haven't had to test it out yet but hey, there's a lot of booze here. It's early days."

She winks, just once. Don't worry, Murph, as Irish a wedding as this may be she's not going to be the one to kick off the fighting.

"And how are you doing, Mister Cunningham?"

[cargojet]

Nathan had only popped in on Stark's wedding; not long enough to really be seen, but things had been too damn complicated. Murphy, at least, had waited a little longer, and Nathan had been able to attend, offering his experience to the groom, a man who had been his friend on this ship since he could remember.

He'd performed the ceremony almost without thinking about it, but now that it was over, he finally had opportunity to really think about the whole thing. About marriage. About relationships, had and lost, about Heidi and Lauren, about how far away his life at home now felt. If they got off this ship and built new lives, would he ever felt like he belonged here? Could he ever marry, like Murphy and Stark? Settle? Did he even want to?

He's quiet, tidying things up in the chapel he gathers up a bundle of flowers brought in for the occasion, and tying them together tightly, tips them upside down, dangling them like that attached to the end of one of the pews. There's no wedding gifts he could possibly give, the ship is barren and space is vast; but a bouquet of dried flowers saved from the wedding is thoughtful, and it's something he can do.

she has like no happy icons I apologize

[savethebullshit]

Noticing that he's hard at work, Anne approaches him quietly. They don't know each other as well as he and Murphy do, but she's always had a degree of respect for Nathan and now she feels she owes him quite a lot. After all, this wedding was the best thing that's ever happened to her.

"I wanted to say thank you," she says, nowhere near as businesslike as she normally would be, giving him a smile. "I don't think this whole thing would have gone off as smoothly without your help." Certainly smoother than her first wedding back home, but she doesn't want to think about that.

it's okay I'll help by having Nathan's icon overcompensate

[cargojet]

When Nathan realises it's Anne that's approaching him, his smile is immediate and deeply warm. He manages to resist hugging her outright, because Silent Hill, but he tries to convey some of the non-hug in his smile instead, pulling the ribbons on another bouquet tight and inverting the flowers just to keep his hands busy.

"You don't have to thank me. It's my pleasure. Murphy's been a good friend; I know he'd do the same for me if our roles were reversed. Honestly, it's rewarding just to see two people who are happy and in love getting their moment."

[yardbird]

Time is a funny thing. To think how long he's been here with some of these people, on this ship, with the woman he's now married... it's funny. Not in the way that it's a joke, because it's most definitely not.

After Carol, Murphy never pegged himself for ever wanting to go through that again. Wedding, marriage, divorce. But things are different this time. Everything's changed. He's changed.

God only knows that Murphy wouldn't have had a guy like Nathan Petrelli to wed him. God knows he never would've married a prison guard, either.

Time is funny. Time changes you.

Seeing Nathan back at the chapel, Murphy approaches him, taking a brief break away from Anne and the others. "Hey."

Of course, there's only so much that time can do. It can't seem to help much in the ways of Murphy's awkward attempts to engage in a tête-à-tête.

[nahmanjayden]

Weddings really aren't Norman's strong suit. It's a bond and commitment he could never relate to; in fact, he's not even used to attending them. But that doesn't mean he isn't happy for the newlyweds. It's a beautiful thing, to feel so connected to someone, and he appreciates the opportunity to witness it.

He was a bit surprised by the invitation from his fellow security officer, or rather, he was surprised she considered him enough of a friend to offer one. Now, he looked over the guests and decor in the room, trying not to profile every single one of them as he did.

[savethebullshit]

"Jayden," Anne is obviously happy to see him. She's less all-business and more friendly cordiality than normal, probably given the circumstances. Her wedding day is probably the ideal time to talk to Anne, when she's less darkness and irritation and more sunshine and cupcakes. Well, as sunshine and cupcakes as Anne Cunningham can get, which isn't much, but it's a start. "I'm glad you could make it." She's honestly touched that he showed up. "Thanks for coming."

[nahmanjayden]

He responds with a nod that's more businesslike than the occasion warrants. "Of course." He smiles and tries to think of something 'chummy' to say. "You look nice. I don't think I've ever seen you in a dress."

[yardbird]

For the most part, Murphy recognizes the faces. But there's one that stands out. One he's pretty sure he doesn't know.

After awhile, he manages to take a moment out of his precious time to find that one stranger lingering among the other guests. Sure, Murphy had every intention on making the event as open an invitation as he could. He just didn't expect that they would actually come.

"Don't think we've met."

Finally, after much loitering, Murphy comes to inspect the mystery man. Just don't expect any handshakes.

[nahmanjayden]

A smile and nod to the newly wed man. He's heard a lot about him from Anne, when they make their security rounds together, but he hadn't actually seen him until now.

"No, I don't think so. Nahman Jayden, I work with your wife." He introduces himself, but it doesn't take a profiler to see that this guy doesn't want to shake hands. "Murphy, right?"

I felt Anne also needed a top level comment because fuck the police <3

[savethebullshit]

Now that the actual ceremony is over, the bride isn't doing much of anything. Wandering around socializing, which isn't always her strong suit, but today, it feels appropriate. She's also doing a lot of eating, running on nervous energy that had built up for so long before the wedding as well as that ridiculous wedding day bliss everyone always talks about. She'd never figured she'd feel as much like a lovesick schoolgirl as an adult as she does right now, but all things considered, it's an amazing day.

For the most part, you'll find Anne near the table of food, still just as much the professional officer she always is despite the cute pink dress, courtesy of Heather.

[myfriendkeith]

Seeing Anne, Ellis heads over to her. He offers a friendly wave and joins her by the food table, taking a quick glance at the makeshift punch bowls that were some of his major contributions to the ceremony.

"Hey, Cunningham, er, Anne. I guess that's your name, huh."

He probably should've known her name long before a few days ago, but he'd never thought to ask...

[yardbird]

Miraculously, Murphy manages to keep himself in line long enough not to shrivel into a corner once words were exchanged. He was hardly a social butterfly even during his first wedding, but there were some exceptions to his current circumstances.

For once, Murphy had a higher ratio that he can consider some of these people his friends. An odd word to include in his vocabulary since coming here. A couple years ago he was pretty sure he walked out of Silent Hill with nothing. No home, nobody to rely on.

Now here they were. Together. And his wife.

His wife.

Murphy thinks the word again, as if somehow validating it even more than saying I do.

After awhile of going around talking to people like a good groom, Murphy makes his way up from behind Anne, wrapping his hands around her waist and reeling her in. Resting his chin on her shoulder, he speaks into her neck with a soft kiss: "How's my wife?"

There. It sounds so much better aloud.

[foundafamily]

Firo wouldn't consider himself a sappy sort, but even he has to appreciate a wedding. There's just something nice about two people celebrating being family to one another--especially when he knows them both as pretty swell people. (And an excuse to break out the booze is nice, too.)

He mostly hangs back and watches everyone enjoy themselves, but after a little while he goes poking around for the newlyweds to congratulate them.

[savethebullshit]

When Anne catches sight of Firo, she leaves Murphy just long enough to make her way over to him, a bigger smile on her face than there's been there in recent history. She's clearly very happy at the moment; it's showing through every gesture, expression, and movement. "Firo. I'm happy you came." And she really, really is. More than he could possibly imagine. In the time they've known each other, he's become like a son to her. Having him here on the most important day of her life is very important to her.

Closing the gap between them without warning, she just gives him a hug. She knows he hasn't always been crazy about her spontaneous displays of affection, but fuck it all, it's her wedding day and he needs a hug.

[yardbird]

On every other occasion, Murphy doesn't consider himself to be much of a sap, either. But that's just his personal opinion. The reality is that he's a fucking marshmallow. The wedding, seeing people he considered friends and even family together, kind of cements him here more than "home" ever had.

He's surprised when he sees Firo, but it's not an unwelcome one. While he doesn't greet the kid with a forceful embrace, Murphy does nod as he approaches Firo with a wry smile.

"Glad you could make it."