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Bad times had come and gone, Dalmatia had experienced the worst when she watched the warriors of the curse come back broken and bruised. Neither she nor her love had gotten caught in the large shift, yet the two of them earned the marks of those who sought the runes that led them to the tools to help quell the curse. Dal's voice carried with a soft echo, and Nóttin's saliva eerily lit with luminescence. It didn't seem to hurt either of them; the change came along as easily as growing new fur.

Dalmatia awoke with the dawn, as she often did, beside her fiancé. Love softened her worried gaze after waking from a nightmare, another frantic vision of rotten grass and dark purple northern skies. Though those times were over, she feared that the nightmares might never leave her. Naturally, she did not want to wake Nóttin from his slumber. She knew he carried more burdens than she did, a lead pillar, and even with the curse concluded — many pieces were still askew, many of their own still out there, and those who'd served in the battles, still recovering.

Not to mention the news she'd most recently been told from Tibbi. Soon, there would be more little members of Dawnbreak. And as happy as the news had made her, there was a little feeling of... not quite jealousy, nor sadness... maybe a mix... as bad as she felt even feeling that about such wonderful news (even if it was panic attack inducing for the bull-headed woman, they would all be there to help her), she couldn't help herself from the emotion. To not be the first of them to have little sprites of her own.

Though she and her mate needed to wed first — at least, Dalmatia wanted it this way. With the thought, she remembered their little trip around Dawnbreak's sights to look for a wedding place. Fondness spread to her cheeks, a blush bubbling as they crossed the place they first met. The walk from the berry bushes where he found her, and to where she'd led him to the pond, where an everlasting glacier flowed lifeblood into the water. Wouldn't that be the perfect place? Or maybe one of Dawnbreak's peaks? Dal hadn't even noticed how she had leaned in, absentmindedly grooming her beloved's chest fur.

N​ó​ttin

It had been quite some time since the curse had been lifted from the lands of Mythris. Purple storm clouds no longer settled on the horizon, the grass and flowers had sprung back to life. Yet the memories were still there, unraveling his mind in the form of ravenous nightmares. He had tossed and turned many a night, only to slowly settle down and find some peace next to his beloved.

Dalmatia had always been there for him, getting him through the horrible dreams and slowly bringing him back to the world of light. Without her, he would have been a lost cause. N​ó​ttin fully believed this without a shadow of a doubt. So when she leaned into him, gently grooming his fur, the tender hearted man awoke with such a softness to his eyes.

But he remained there, laying on his side as she continued her preening. Always nice to wake up to you. I could get used to this, having you here with me forever. His voice was warm and caring, thick with the accent of his birth pack. Good morning, my moon song.

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Dal's mind wandered, though not dangerously, as it had tended to do when they first met, but lovingly. She may have been cast away in her thoughts, but as her lover wakes, she's anchored to the clear blues of his eyes. N​ó​ttin's gentle words of adoration for her still made her cheeks lighten with a hint of pink; she knew even after a lifetime with him, he'd still be saying the same, as she would. And it'd still make her feel the same, giddy way it did,Good morning, my Glacier...

The spotted woman would lean upwards and nuzzle into the crook of his neck up to his ears and hum, Forever, and always... The feeling of butterflies fluttering through her chest would ebb through her, Don't you think it's about time we made that known? The two lovers had been engaged for what felt like ages now — or maybe yet, it was that they had aged years upon years, just living in the times they had. And get officially wed? Dal's eyes would sparkle, the way they would when he first asked her to marry him.

Dalmatia's sweet voice greeted him as he fluttered awake, sending his heart into several skips as he gazed upon her. The feel of her against his pelt made him want her all the more. But there was business of the heart to attend to. I thought you would never ask. N​ó​ttin smiled widely, tail wagging lightly back and forth.

By the glacier where we first met? It's both a beautiful spot and of great importance to us. When do you want to begin the ceremony, my love? It was of course the bride's big day, or night. Which ever she chose. He would see to it that Dalmatia had the most wonderful wedding the universe could give her. Everything would go according to plan, just as they both wished it.

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N​ó​ttin's wavering tail matched the beat of her heart — the two of them, partners in everything they did, whether it was observed by solely them or underneath the dawnstars. Dalmatia let out a soft, little laugh, finding herself pulling to sit, just to rest her forehead against N​ó​ttin's, who still lay on their den floor. I think we have spent more than enough time waiting... The Plague is over and... I think it's finally our time. Her voice soft, fainting, echoing through their shared home.

Periwinkle eyes widened when he suggested the Glacier, then nodding profusely, as if he were reading her mind. That would be perfect, my love. She could see them now, all gathered around the deep pines and berry bushes. She could feel her cheeks deepening with color once again, though she didn't pull away from her Glacier.

Hmmm, I don't want to wait too long... But should we be polite and send invitations to our neighbors? Your friend, Wardruna? It could take a month... I don't even know if we even get everyone together in a week's time... Then her head would pull away, and her eyes would frantically search his. She could feel her thoughts in a frenzy — worried about others, even though she truly, truly only wanted the two of them to declare their love, whether in front of a crowd or just a few of their closest.

Feeling her approval, her happiness, made him want to burst with adoration. It pleased N​ó​ttin to know that Dalmatia would finally get the wedding she had dreamed of. The moment they both had dreamed of for what felt like ages. It is settled then. We shall begin making the preparations immediately. If you wish, perhaps we can just have the moment shared with those closest to us. He kept her close to him, his heart beating ever faster as she pressed her soft crown to his own.

I don't want to keep this postponed any longer, to have us waiting any longer then we already have. But if you would want others outside of our family, our home, then I am willing to give that to you so that you may be all the more happy. Dalmatia was his world, his everything. He wanted to give her the world, so when it came to their special day, N​ó​ttin would make sure that she had nothing but the best.

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Both of them almost vibrated with joy; sparkles could be seen in Dal's eyes as her tail started to match the pace of her lover's, talking of their soon-to-be wedding. Oh, good, I can't wait! I hope it's alright with you, I've asked Vidarr to officiate our wedding... He means a lot to me, and I know he means a lot to you as well... I thought it would be perfect for such a Pillar of hope in our pack to unite us. Vidarr was one of the few constants in her life — besides N​ó​ttin and her sisters... Everything else almost seemed to fade... and flicker out. And he had become such an important part of Dawnbreak itself, there from the very beginning.

She was sure that N​ó​ttin would have fetched her the sun if she asked; he was always willing to do whatever it took to have her happy, and it was what made her heart sing the most. For so long, she'd felt alone, to no one's fault but her own. Until the day he found her, a withering woman among the berry bushes, I, too, want to make you happy, N​ó​ttin... She murmured, her voice a faint echo in their quarters, I want your loved ones to be here too...

It warmed his heart to see her so happy. N​ó​ttin would do what ever he could to keep it that way, to make sure that her future was as bright as the moon and stars they both loved so much. N​ó​ttin listened with great intent as she had announced that Vidarr would be the one to officiate their wedding. It was a perfect choice.

Oh that is a brilliant idea, Dal! Vidarr has been there for us so many times. He's almost like a father to me. I am overjoyed that he will be the one to marry us on our grand day. The man was absolutely beaming at this point, tail going a mile a minute. Dalmatia then talked of how she also wanted him to be happy. To have those he also loved and cherished to be there.

Thank you, my moon song. I have many of my friends and cherished ones that I would love to have here, so they can rejoice also in our union. I just hope that we can reach them in time. When shall we have the actual ceremony? What other preparations should we make and to whom should such tasks go? N​ó​ttin's mind was going all over the place, excited but also anxious for the big day to arrive. Now their future could really begin at last.

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In a way, Vidarr was almost like a father to her as well — his unwavering figure ever-present in the background of all the sisters' lives. She nodded along, feeling a little bit of a sad wave fall over her. The thought of her own father not being there for their wedding — and how her mother had shown up to their engagement. She didn't truly think anything could have brought her down in the moment, but now it was a little different.

But her lover's pet name for her scooped her out of her flickering eyes, threatening to wet, as she once again made eye contact with him. And she knows somewhere in him, probably feels that way too. But so lucky they were to have their siblings here, most of them... And in a way, the rest of Dawnbreak had become as Vidarr had —

Family.

Maybe... One of our friends in Dawnbreak has a bird or companion that could help us spread the news... And, I think, before the summer starts, around the end of this moon cycle? In the beginning week of June, It could give us enough time to reach some of our friends, in Northfall especially, and maybe down to Elysium... Even though they were quite odd, they, too, were like family, a presence that transcended universes with them. I'm sure Euphemia would love to help us prepare... I've enlisted her as my maid of honor... She giggled softly. Maybe your sister... and now that Sølvi is back... She did such a wonderful job with Sólúlfur when they'd thrown the birthday party for my sisters and I... Her voice trailed off again, almost as soft as the echo of her voice, the thought of Tiberius, too, there then, but not now. Death must not have claimed him; otherwise, he would have been alongside their mother, wouldn't he? She thought of him bringing home their dead brother, having to bury Thaddeus.

She blinked, wetness returning, and she looked away as if not to be caught, Ahem... Maybe Isaiah, too... He'd also been there, their little brother, so kind and thoughtful. And Genghis... They'd lost many over the years, and she ached that they wouldn't be able to see this moment. A bright spot in the midst of darkness, Mythris and its inhabitants had made for themselves... And now that the couple would make for Dawnbreak.

Listening to Dalmatia speak of the wedding made him very happy. The sound of excitement in her voice made him smile, his tail wagging a little harder once he heard that Euphemia was to be her maid in honor. I'm sure Euphemia is beaming right now to be at your maid of honor. I haven't really thought of who would be my best man, nor who would give me away once the time came.

With his own birth father out of the picture again, there was a pang of hurt in N​ó​ttin's heart. But it would have to pass. There was no way he would let the male's absence tarnish their special day. But he did wish that the rest of his family, that his own mother, could see this day.

Talk of Solvi really made him beam. While he hadn't yet spoken to the golden woman, the Pillar was very grateful for her return. A companion....hmmm. I'm sure that we can find someone to help out. Isaiah would be glad to help, I'm sure of it. While N​ó​ttin didn't know the young man very well, Isaiah did seem very kind and soft of heart. A real asset to the pack and a very devoted family member. N​ó​ttin just hoped that he was accepting of his marriage to Dalmatia.

The mood did heavy a tad for a moment, as blue eyes noticed his dove becoming a bit teary eyed. Dalmatia? Are you alright? N​ó​ttin rose to his feet almost immediately, trying to be there as best he could for his beloved. Did I say or do something wrong?

N​ó​ttin wasn't quite sure what got her upset all of the sudden, though wondered if it had something to do with her family. There had been a lot of losses these past months. Last winter had been a grueling one especially. But now they could hopefully move on. And this wedding might just help them do just that.