Bonding Wedding - Birds of a Feather

Posted on Tue Jul 9th, 2019 @ 6:06pm by Captain Enalia Telvan & Lieutenant Mona Gonadie & Petty Officer 2nd Class Ila Dedjoy & Emergency Medical Hologram (Adam Power) Mk X & Ahreva Malana & Death & Az'Prel & Maica III 47 & Kodria Mizu & Hera & Baroness 2nd Class Schwein von Alcott & Baroness 3rd Class Sarika & Commander Rita Paris & Lieutenant Commander Thex sh'Zoarhi & Lieutenant Commander Mnhei'sahe Dox & Lieutenant Commander Sonak & Lieutenant Asa Dael & Lieutenant Samuel Clemens XV & Lieutenant JG Rena Pacci & Ensign Varnok Jahal & Lieutenant JG Thav Th'ovohrot & Lieutenant JG Oribiar Th'thiasreq & Ensign John Carrott & Ensign Tathaa & Petty Officer 2nd Class 'Big Ethel' Jablonski & Petty Officer 3rd Class S'Rina Wil'I'Ams & Petty Officer 3rd Class V'Nus Wil'I'Ams & Jaeih Dox-t'Aan
Edited on on Mon Jul 22nd, 2019 @ 9:07am

Mission: Fractured Fairy Tales
Location: USS Hera Flight Deck
Timeline: 2396

As most of the wedding between Mnhei'sahe Dox and Mona Gonadie was Miradonian inspired, there was no podium for the captain to stand behind. There was very little backdrop to align herself with, either. To her back was the open cargo bay doors and a special holo-projector used in these ceremonies that's supposedly a lot more visible to Miradonian eyes. Timing was important in their wedding ceremonies so it was timed with the actual rotation of the two moons of their planet so that when they said their vows, the moons would align just like on Miradonia and their bond would somehow become visible to those present.

Enalia didn't know if or how it worked, but it was an interesting concept, nonetheless. As she centered herself on the group of seated crew in the center of the flight deck, she looked out at the buffet line and the giant deep fryer on her left, and the reception line to her right. On either side there was room for each bride to walk from the dressing rooms to the raised platform she now stood on and where the pair would exchange vows and the Romulan bands.

Stepping silently to the Captain's side, just away from the center was Asa Dael and Rita Paris. Mnhei'sahe had asked them to be a part of the ceremony as they had become the red-headed Romulan's family in her time aboard the Hera and each held one of the twin Romulan ceremonial bracelets that would be given to the air during the ceremony.

Just then the sound of a small gong went off over the intercom - the automated timer that had been set to make sure they timed everything perfectly. As the small band began playing the traditional Miradonian Tribal Wedding music, Enalia tugged down on her white dress uniform and pulled out the small paper and leather book she used for these ceremonies, opening it to the page with the appropriate speech.

That was when both brides came out of their dressing rooms, the music shifting as they did so. Mona was flanked on either side by her foster parents, looking like a skinny green parrot being crushed between the fattest blue parrots you'd ever laid eyes on, while Mnhei'sahe and her mother Jaeih were walking in step perfectly with the music but somehow still looking more green than Mona.

Enalia smiled reassuringly to each of them as they made their way up their respective aisles and finally rounded the front to finally be able to see each other.

Looking across the room, Mnhei'sahe locked eyes with Mona and for the young Romulan woman, it was as if time ceased to function. Frozen in the Miradonian's deep, amber eyes, Mnhei'sahe smiled warmly as she felt herself quiver ever so slightly. In that moment, their bond which had been growing in strength could almost be felt even without them touching. Jaeih, who had her daughters hand in her own, gave it a slight squeeze and a reassuring pump to snap Mnhei'sahe out of her momentary daze.

The pipe music all seemed so fitting, and when Rita saw the look on first Mona, then on Mnhei'sahe's faces, her eyes welled up with tears and she began struggling not to ugly cry. With a concentrated effort, she drew herself upright with military precision and Bravely handled her bridesmaid's duties.

Watching their closest friend marry her soul-mate brought such joy to Asa that the young doctor could barely contain their excitement and they were ever-so-slightly bouncing on their heels in anticipation of the ceremony. The smile splitting Asa's face in two was as large as it could go. The only slight damper to Asa's joy was worrying that their large El-Aurian style hat was going go from being at the traditional 45-degree angle to being all the way on the ground.

Those old holovids of Guinan did not prepare me for how annoying these things are. Ugh. No time for that now, can't screw up Mona and Mnhei'sahe's wedding! the doctor self-chastised.

As they stepped up onto the platform, the music died down and Enalia began her speech.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to confirm the bond between Mona Gonadie and Mnhei'sahe Dox and bestow upon them the traditions and blessings of their ancestors in sight of the Moon Goddess, Minay and the Trickster, Nicoo'la as well as the Great Phoenix, Al'thindor. Since they met each other, there has been a special connection between the two and it has continued to grow day by day, loving and supporting each other in all that they did, pushing each other to be better not only for the rest of the crew and each other, but for themselves as well, because to truly love someone you must first love oneself first. And as these two become one in the eyes of the Moon Goddess, so too shall they become one in our eyes today."

As Enalia spoke, the projector behind her activated and the larger silver moon rose behind her, large and bright. The smaller, dark moon faded into being as it got close to the ceiling, which the computer had replaced with a holographic rendition of the sunset over Miradonia, the reds and purples streaking across open sky. As the two moons slowly came together and touched, something else happened - a soft glow enveloped Mona and Dox and started to mingle together. One in a red, the other in blue. As they came together, a swirl of violet formed between them, growing in strength as the special projector behind Enalia continued to bring the two moons together.

"It is now time for the bonded pair to declare their own vows and exchange their marriage bracelets." Enalia bowed her head, indicating that it was time for Mona and Dox to do their parts in the ceremony.

Looking over to Rita and Asa, Mnhei'sahe nodded slightly. As she did, her two best friends stepped forward and handed her the pair of bracelets.

Handing the bracelet to the radiant bride, for a change, Rita Paris had nothing to say. Primarily because she did not trust herself to speak at the moment, for fear of emotional overload. And the wedding still had to go on. Instead, she just smiled, a close-lipped affair, and gripped Mnhei'sahe's hand as she presented the bracelet with which she had been entrusted.

As Asa handed the band to Mnhei'sahe they leaned over to whisper, "I love you both so much. Be happy all your days," before resuming their station at the Captain's side. At which point Rita started very quietly ugly crying.

Holding up both bracelets so Mona could see, Mnhei'sahe displayed the pearlescent black metal in twin swirls. Sculpted from a piece of the hull of the Hera herself they were wrapped around a visible band of clear crystal center that contains inside one of Mona's own feathers, braided with a lock of Mnhei'sahe's own deep red hair. On the inside of each band was etched in Dox's native Rihan, 'Dhael nnea nveiss Aen,' or 'birds of a feather.'

Handing Mona one of the bracelets, she slipped the other onto her bond-mates left wrist and spoke. And while the ships universal translators made sure all in attendance understood the words, Mnhei'sahe spoke in Mona's own native tongue of Miradonian, which she had been practicing intensely: "With this, I make our bond for all to see. We are one from today until the stars go cold. My light was incomplete until I found you, and in finding you found the part of myself that had always been missing. You are my bond-mate, my partner in all things, and my greatest friend. My family is yours as I am to yours. You are my Jhu Dhael. My radiant angel bird. And I love you with all of my heart more each day we are together. And as of this moment, we will never again be apart."

Mona was in awe of the bracelets as she took the one meant for her Minay. Once her dearest finished her vows, she began hers, slipping the pearlescent black metal ring onto Dox's left wrist. "With this, I make our bond for all to see. We are one from today until the universe goes dark. My flame was cold until I found you, and in finding you found the part of myself that had always been missing. You are my bond-mate, my partner in all things, and my greatest friend. My family is yours as I am to yours. You are my Minay. My Silver Moon Goddess. And I love you with all of my soul more each day we are together. And as of this moment, we will never again be apart."

Enalia picked up her next part, her arms spread wide. The two holographic moons were in alignment with each other, the smaller dark moon centered over the larger silver one, causing the auras of the bonded couple to flare and swirl between them in a beautiful lavender tornado.

"By the authority granted me by the United Federation of Planets and under the eyes of the Moon Goddess and the Trickster, I bestow upon you both the Bond Name t'Sendatu-onay! Let all those present witness and rejoice in these two becoming one!" Lowering her arms, Enalia bowed her head in respect as those present cheered. "You may now kiss."

In that moment, Mnhei'sahe was barely aware of the others in the room. In that moment, with Mona's hands in her own, their bond was stronger than it had ever been as she felt their energy blend together, something that had somehow become visible as a part of the ceremony, swirling around the two like an embrace. She could feel not just Mona but herself through Mona. She could feel her own hands as if she was in Mona's place and see herself through her bond-mates eyes and through their bond, she knew that it was the same for her Miradonain love.

Slowly, and with the slightest of nervous chuckles, Mnhei'sahe leaned in, placing her left hand on Mona's soft, warm cheek and it was as if gravity had a part of its own to play in the ceremony and the two all but fell together into each other's arms in a passionate kiss. As they did, the swirls of lavender energy around them seemed to flare brighter than ever before being pulled inward, absorbed into the two.

Out in the crowd, two very special VIPs sat at a well-guarded table. The pale one known as both Cara and Masato Rei turned to the Goddess of Matrimony with a wide grin on her face. "You know, I'm the one that convinced Mnhei'sahe to get out of her own way so they could go on their first date, right?"

"Hmph! If it weren't for me, they might never have found love at all." The matronly goddess waggled her fingers at the bonded couple, secretly blessing their marriage, a sly grin on her face. "But either way, I think they would have found each other. We just helped them along a little."

"That's certainly true. It's not every day a natural match like that comes along." Cara grinned and leaned back, enjoying the festivities.

Behind them both, Petty Officer Jablonski mopped at her eyes with an oversized handkerchief as she blubbered like a babe. "That was just so beautiful... I love weddings."

--------

Hours later, and the festivities had finally worn down enough so that the two thoroughly exhausted brides could make their way back to their quarters to rest. Once the actual ceremony had concluded, the reception was a flurry of dancing and fun for the crew that had become a family as everyone came to wish the newly bonded couple their best and swap stories and laughter.

In their quarters, Mnhei'sahe and Mona were still in their beautiful but extremely tight wedding dresses, complete with restricting corsets, hair and elaborate makeup. They both couldn't wait to finally be able to peel themselves out of the constricting outfits and just collapse, but there were two last visitors to bid farewell for the evening.

Milla and Mardo Morafry, Mona's extremely rotund foster parents, had walked the now-bonded couple back to their quarters to talk a bit more and were getting ready to leave the newlyweds to their own devices for the evening. Leading them to the door, Mona and Mnhei'sahe gave the couple long, heartfelt hugs.

"We think that was the most beautiful ceremony we've ever seen," Pappy began, his grin as wide as it could be.

"You two are truly blessed by the Moon Goddess."

"We have no doubt she was here today to bless your Bonding."

"We know the two of you will live a long and happy life together."

"It was soooo beautiful!"

"And all of our corn and egg vittles were gobbled right up!"

"Today was truly a blessed occasion."

"And you two are truly blessed as well."

With a wide but clearly tired smile, Mnhei'sahe nodded at the pair of boisterous birds that were now her family too, "Thank you both. Thank you for everything. For your blessings and for the wonderful food. I think if we'd have had one more bite of the egg vittles we would have both popped right out of our dresses."

Mona laughed a full belly laugh, a huge grin on her face. "I agree. It's time to get out of this dress and hang it up for memories. Thank you both for being here and cooking and leading the traditional dance. I think everyone loved it when we all started singing in Brokawk - though I'm betting it sounded more like chickens crowing to them."

"Oh dearies, we had an amazing time as well."

"Thank you for sharing this with us."

"We're just happy to have made it."

"And to have been such a big part of your life."

"When you have kids, if you need any help,"

"Just let us know and we'll be there, ok?"

"We certainly will. Hopefully we won't have too many chicks at a time though. We're still in Starfleet after all." Mona had to stifle a yawn with the back of her hand as she finished, reaching out with her other hand to make sure their quarters door was open and waiting.

After a final set of deep, emotional hugs and final goodnights, Milla and Mardo had gone to their quarters leaving the newlywed lovebirds to themselves at last. Back in their quarters, Dox tried to flump on the couch only to find herself sitting quite rigidly due to the corset still on. "Hnaev... That was a tactical error. Could you help me out of this?"

"Oh shoot..." Mona hefted her bride back up off the couch as best she could, nearly landing on top of her due to the rigidity of her own corset. "Yeah, I did not design these for sitting in... Let's get out of them."

Struggling with the seam for a moment, Mona finally got the stubborn corset on Dox to relax and come off like a cocoon being shed from the back. "Ok, my turn," Mona said, turning around so her Romulan bond-mate could return the favor.

Stepping around behind Mona, Dox fumbled around for a minute longer than Mona had taken to extricate her Miradonian lover. As she she helped Mona pull the dress I've her head to freedom, she spoke with her trademark awkward chuckle. "So... I guess I don't really have any excuses to avoid talking about chicks anymore, do I?"

"Not in the slightest," Mona replied, flopping on the couch. "Especially after meeting one of the few Miradonian bonded couples that can't have chicks and decided to open a foster home."

Peeling the dress off of herself, Dox flumped beside Mona and cuddled In tight, physical contact having activated their bond once more. Letting out a contented sigh as she felt Mona's energy flow freely into her again, she replied. "They can't? Why not?"

"They're both physically male," Mona replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world - as if they didn't both look the same, as rotund as they were. "A female Miradonian can mate with any sex and most races as long as the RNA mostly lines up, but males can't. On top of that, medical tech on Miradonia is nowhere near the level of the rest of the Federation."

"Well..." Mnhei'sahe said with a smile as she tucked in tighter to Mona's side, "They're obviously amazing parents. I have proof. Regarding us... I still don't know if I'm ready, but I think that if I try and wait until I'm 'ready', I'll always find an excuse to not be ready."

"I'm... I'm still scared... But I think I'm more scared of not taking that step with you out of fear, if that makes sense."

"It does. And ready or not..." Mona dug into the cushions of the couch for a moment, pulling out a hypo and medical device, a wide grin spreading across her face. "I already have what we need to do it. That is, if you're willing to give it a go tonight."

Letting out a deep, raspy laugh, Mnhei'sahe scooched back slightly on the couch and cricked her eyebrow. "Seriously? What is that and how long has it been in the couch cushions?"

Mona looked a bit sheepish as she admitted to her subterfuge. "Ah, I hid it there right before we went diving... It's medical assistance so our DNA aligns well and helps guarantee good conception... We each take a dose from the hypo and the other device is a Miradonian conception assistant we use while coupling. The EMH helped me get them."

Smiling warmly, Mnhei'sahe's stomach was starting to do its nervous flips as if on cue. But for a change, the nerves were prodding her forward. Leaning over slowly, the Romulan newlywed gently took the hypo in hand and looked at it. "In a million years, I never thought I'd be ready to do this. I never even thought I'd find someone even a tenth as amazing as you."

Laying half across the couch as she spoke, Mnhei'sahe tucked her head against Mona's warm breast as she held up the hypo and spoke is a soft, loving voice. "But I am. Whatever happens next, I'm ready to meet them. And I know that we can do anything as long as we're together."

Closing her eyes for a moment, Mnhei'sahe could feel Mona's gentle thrumming as it pulsed along with the lavender energy flowing freely between the two that she could see with her mind's eye.

Softly, Mnhei'sahe all but hummed, "I'm ready, Jhu Dhael."

Mona guided her hand with the hypo to a spot just on the edge of her lower back right above her kidney. "Right here, my Minay. I'm ready as well. Give it to me."

Pressing the hypo gently where Mona had shown her, it gave off the whisper of a hiss. Then, slowly, Mnhei'sahe sat up straighter and handed the hypo to Mona, their fingers touching lightly in the exchange.

Running her hand down Mnhei'sahe's back slowly and softly, Mona pressed the hypo just above Dox's kidney with a hiss.

As she did, Mona gently kissed the back of her bride's neck, her thrumming beginning to rise. Then, placing the hypo in the small coffee table, the Miradonian pilot lifted slowly off the couch to stand in front of Mnhei'sahe. Holding out a hand, with the device in the other, she helped the red-headed Romulan to her feet. Both were breathing heavily as, with a smile, Mona led Mnhei'sahe back to the nest they shared, in the bedroom of their quarters.

As they stepped into the darkened chamber, Mona pulled her love into a warm embrace.

The brides kissed deeply as the doors slid closed with a hush.