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

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.

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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.

"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."

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."

Anne returns the businesslike nod. Nothing wrong with being businesslike, at least not with her. "Thank you. It's been years since I've worn one. It feels weird, even if it's at my wedding." At least this one is better than the foofy ridiculous piece of shit she wore at her first wedding. This one she can move in.

He nods again, unsure of what to say to a woman on her wedding day. "Congratulations on the wedding." A cheesy, noncommittal line that could be found in countless Hallmark greeting cards was all he could come up with.

"Thanks." A twitch at the corner of her mouth, and Anne just gives her coworker a rather fond look. "Better with criminals than with sappy occasions, aren't you?" she asks, not mocking, just sincere. "I'm the same way. I never know what to say in situations like this. I won't fault you for just making awkward small talk, but I also won't fault you if you'd rather talk about something else." A glance over the other guests of the festivities, and then a small smile back at him.

He nods, smiling back slightly awkwardly. "Yeah, I'd say so. Easier to interrogate someone than to make casual conversation."

He chances a glance at his own hands. Not shaking. That's a good sign and it puts him a bit more at ease. "You seem happy."

"Tell me about it. Sometimes I feel like I'd still be more comfortable with inmates than I am with normal civilians." Probably why she married an ex-con. But not really. She'd be kidding herself if it had anything to do with a factor besides his personality. Watching him glance at his hands, she nods. "I am. I've never been quite so happy. It almost feels like I'm dreaming. I keep wondering if I'm going to wake up."

And considering the nature of this place, it may or may not be a valid worry. She's not all that sure.

He nods, unsure of what else to say. "I generally do a lot better in an interrogation room than at an office party."

He gives her a smile that covers discomfort at the very real possibility that this might not be real. A lot of strange things have happened here... "I'm glad to hear it. He seems like a good man."

"Pretend you're interrogating me. Then this'll go better." Even though she's kidding, Anne almost always sounds serious, and that results in some odd situations. Like now.

There's a slow nod on her part when he says that second part. "He is. Still not entirely sure how I got this lucky, but I'm not complaining."

"With all due respect, I don't think that's such a good idea." He's kidding too, but you wouldn't be able to tell.

"Sometimes I guess you just end up lucky." And sometimes you don't. Ever. Norman's never even come close to getting married, and it's nice to see it happening to someone else.

"Probably not," Anne admits. "You seem like you'd be good at it. I don't really feel like spilling any dark secrets at my wedding reception."

"If luck is what it is, I'm glad," she admits. "I've never had the best luck before. But now..." and then a beat,and she stares at him. "What about you? Are you married? Back home, I mean." She knows he's a little new here to have already met someone he knows he wants to marry.

The million dollar question.

"No, nothing like that." He admits, seeing no real reason to lie about that. "I work too much for that, or so I've been told."

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.

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?"

"Oh."

Murphy should've figured as such. He's even relieved, in a way, to know that Anne actually has friends. She's not exactly what you'd call an amiable type.

He would know.

"Y-yeah, that's right." He pauses. "Don't... think she's ever talked 'bout you."

Norman nods with a slight smile.

"Wouldn't surprise me. We don't really socialize much outside of work."

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

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NORMAN YOU'RE SO FUCKING DEPRESSING GET OUT

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