Faustus's Extraordinary New Student, chapter 14

Freya awoke the next morning, curled up in Faustus's arms. The way he held her to him in sleep, was comforting as she felt safe and warm, and it gave her a few moments to watch him as he slept, which she still found adorable. So much had happened within the last few weeks for them both. So much to ponder and remember what they went through together. Truly, they would be untouchable now.

She sighed softly, thinking that soon they would be husband and wife and she paused, counting down the days till All Hallows Eve and that was when she froze. Six days. They had SIX days till they were married!! Turning in Faustus's embrace slightly, she kissed him lightly and smiled. "Time to wake up, my Love." She whispered softly to him. "We have some planning to do today." She giggled softly. "We are getting married in six days, Faustus. Six!" She kept her voice low, but she still nuzzled him gently. A new day was starting without them.

Faustus sat bolt upright in bed.

"We're getting married in six days," he echoed. "Th-there's so much to do. So much to plan. Goodness …. Well, hmm. Shall we do things the traditional way, or break from tradition and show that we are defined by ourselves instead? What food shall we serve? Do you…. Sorry, am I going too fast?"

Freya nearly burst into laughter at how fast Faustus seemed to awaken at hearing that. His words were rushed, hurried, almost frantic till he caught himself and she couldn't help the giggle that escaped her as she slid out of bed and smirked over at him.

"Easy Tiger, we have time." She went to him and kissed his cheek. "Six days may not sound like much, but it gives us enough. We can take the entire day and talk about it if you want to, Love. Just don't over stress about it too much. This is supposed to be fun."

"Six days… I can't remember the last time a wedding was planned in— well, yes, I can, but it was, er… The bride was…." He made a rounding motion at his stomach. "Yes, well… Alright, then. What ideas do you have?" he asked, as he got up and began seeing to breakfast

A soft laugh escaped her as she went to dress and returned to take up her seat by his desk. "That might not be such a bad idea…in future." She added on just so she wouldn't give him a heart attack. They had been active a lot lately, she wondered….?

Turning her attention from such thoughts, she smiled back at him as she thought about his question. "Well, we did talk about the beach at one point. Did you still want to do that? If we do, it doesn't have to be so formal." She paused, tilting her head as she smirked at him. "Would you desire a full ceremony or the simple tying the knot about our hands and the Unity candle work?" She smiled faintly. "We wouldn't technically need to find a Priest if we went the latter route, unless you wanted a full ceremony."

"Hmm… What if we did something in between? We could marry on the beach, invite our friends and the Dark Lord— our actual friends, mind you, not the colleagues and associates we're made to deal with on a daily basis— and have a light ceremony? I understand if you don't have a Maid of Dishonour, as I… well, I could ask Dorian to be my groomsman, perhaps. But another priest… would possibly lead to conflict if he wanted to encroach upon our little empire. Hmm. You don't suppose the Dark Lord would consent to honour us by officiating?"

"He did say he wanted an invite." She smiled faintly as she thought this over. "Perhaps we should ask him. Few can say that their wedding was officiated as well as blessed by the Dark Lord, himself."

Her smile faded slowly though, and she shivered a bit. Six days till the wedding meant five days until the Dark Lord visited her, the night before. If he did at all. But given the state of things, she had no doubt that he would! The thought made her pause only for an instant because the reality was, Faustus was the ONLY person she could see being with in that way. Only one she wanted to! Dark Lord or not!

"I suppose it doesn't hurt to ask," Faustus murmured. "Erm… About the night before… I can brew you something to calm your nerves if you like. I understand, you know, tradition being as it is…."

Freya made a face before she could control it. The very idea disturbed her. Faustus had been the only person, man or woman, to have ever touched her in a way that was not in anger. She wasn't sure how she would take the Dark Lord expecting the same thing from her. True, he had been VERY magnanimous thus far so it was no surprise if/when he would show, just the mere thought of it though, made Freya ill.

She raised her eyes to Faustus's and her feelings were noticeably clear as to how she felt on the matter. "Thanks, Love…I would appreciate that. Though….I don't know….don't think…." She grimaced again and shook her head. She would have to, it was tradition. But for once in her life, she found herself hoping that this one time, the Dark Lord wouldn't show.

Faustus read her like an open book. "Believe me, I understand your reservations… but perhaps it isn't as the legends say. Perhaps he'll only want to chat. …yes, I know, that sounds lame. However, just because he has the right to a bride the night before her wedding doesn't mean he takes her in such a way, necessarily. Human minds are… fanciful, and lust is a favoured pastime. I er… I do hope things turn out for the best. We both know what an affront it would be should you decline his advances, if I'm wrong, that is." Gosh, this was an awkward conversation!

She nodded and her lips turned up into a small smirk at his attempts to make her feel better. She hoped for that too but knew to turn down his advances after everything he had done, would not only be insulting, but it would also be blasphemous! "Don't worry my Love….I will not disgrace you, or myself……" Her words soft, a sigh following. Who started this bloody tradition in the first place!?

She took a moment to ponder the current situation before she shook her head as if to clear it and looked at Faustus once more. "So Dark Lord officiates, Beach wedding…" She paused again and giggled. "He better take his human form if we are doing this out in the open." She sniggered. "The very idea of mortals seeing his true form…." She bit her lip hard, trying desperately not to giggle.

Faustus shook his head. "It'll be on a day mortals traditionally dress in costume," he reminded her. "They probably won't bat an eye. And who are you to say what he better do or not do? That's rather presumptuous, to dictate the Dark Lord's interests.

"As for how that rumour came about, I've a few ideas. Gossipy fishwives who claimed to be visited by the Dark Lord to increase their social standing. Priests who wished to control the women of the coven. The Dark Lord himself hearing of these things and deciding to partake, and legend becomes reality. Or perhaps he visits new brides to give them counsel on how they must conduct themselves."

Freya giggled again and shook her head. "I was teasing. But that would be interesting for sure. I know, He will come as he wishes, and that will mean a lot for us both." She appeared contrite, but Faustus knew her to well. All Hallows Eve was their more sacred of holidays and to see the Dark Lord mingling around with humans to attend their wedding, in his true form…she couldn't help it. It was funny!

"We shall see, then, won't we." Her smile bright once more. "Unless he forbids the new brides from speaking about their visit." She tilts her head a bit in thought. "That would help keep the rumour going. Clever." A soft chuckle escaped her again as she leaned back in her seat. "So venue is taken care of, I can…ask the Dark Lord with his visit….what else should we think on far as our wedding goes, Love? Food? Music? Attire?"

"If he forbade the new brides from speaking of their visit, then there wouldn't be those sorts of rumours coming from the women," Faustus pointed out. "Although, you raise an interesting theory. As for food, music, and attire…. I'd like Hilda Spellman to cater. I don't care for the Spellmans, but she is an unparalleled chef. For attire… A masquerade? As it may be in front of mortals, that is, we wouldn't want the Dark Lord to be the only one appearing odd to their eyes. As for music… I shall leave that to your better judgment."

"Ahhhh…but you forget a woman's whiles though, Love." Freya said with a hint of a smirk. "Nothing could happen, but when asked, all a woman would have to do is smile in a certain way and others would take that as they would and run with it. Spreading such stories, you wouldn't believe." She shook her head slightly. "Women are dangerous creatures." She teased. She nodded, hearing his ideas. Hilda was indeed the best chef around and she was part of their Coven. "Shall I ask her? I have herbology with her later this week." The masks were a clever idea as she had been thinking something along the same lines and she said so. Interesting how in sync they seemed to be sometimes. Music, however….that would be difficult. As she was sure, her tastes and Faustus's differed slightly. "Hmmm…will have to think on that. I will ask Ambrose. He plays the violin, maybe he will have some ideas."

"Ah yes, nonverbal communication…." Faustus grimaced. "Not as direct as I'd like. Yes, please do ask Hilda. And I intended for you to choose the music. If you'd like Ambrose's counsel, then by all means. Just remember, this is your wedding, too "

"Oh I plan too. I know the music you desired for me to walk down the aisle, so I have that one already." She smiled, giving a soft chuckle. "Though….are we going to do a first dance type thing? If so, which song would we dance to for that?" It was more a mortal custom, but some Covens have done such things. Plus, they were breaking away from tradition, so why not?

"A first dance?" Faustus echoed. "Well, we have the rest of our lives to dance together, do we not? In bed and out. I suppose if you wish, we could… but I don't see the need for it, myself."

She chuckled softly and shook her head. "You are incorrigible, and I love you for it." She leaned forward and claimed his lips in a kiss. "So, All we have to do is the music then. See? That wasn't so hard, was it, Love?" She smiled over at him.

"It is still a bit overwhelming, you know, only having a few days in which to plan and execute. I suppose in our prayer tonight we shall extend the invitation to the Dark Lord."

"Don't worry, Faustus. Things will work out alright." Freya was so excited, scared, and happy. It was happening. In three days, she would be the lady Blackwood.

Though as she went about her classes, she made sure to ask Hilda if she would cater. She was happy when she agreed and she tried not to think about how in two days, the Dark Lord would probably make an appearance. That was the last thing from her mind.