Strayer Shrine

-I am taken back to my room... this is hopeless... no, get it together Artemis. You've been in tighter spots than this... oh who am I kidding, no I haven't. If I try to escape again, she'll force me to go along with it! Not to mention, she could hurt Cynder too. -

-What can I do? These words kept going through my mind as I got my tuxedo all ready. What can I do?!-

In Liesel's room, Cynder felt herself sob helplessly as she began to dress.
She couldn't do this to Artemis. She couldn't do this period.

"Ahh! Cynder, here you are!"
Cynder turned, watching as Liesel walked into the room. She looked flustered, but that charming smile of her was still spread across her face.
"Let us get you ready, shall we...?"

The world was ending. Cynder felt herself shaking as Liesel helped her slip into the large white dress, puffing the large bow at her hips.
"There. You look beautiful."

I feel like a Monster...
Cynder closed her eyes and sighed.
Please. Let Artemis have a plan. Let something happen to stop this from going on..

Artemis: -I'm racking my brain here... why can't I come up with anything?!-

Guard: -Knocks on the door hard- Ersatz... it's time! Get out here.

Artemis: -I can't make another run at the blood circle... they'll be anticipating me to make a move this time... I walk out the door and sure as the sun rises 6 guards were there, all with their wands pointed at me...-

Guard: Follow us Ersatz...

Artemis: -There's nothing I can do... my dying won't stop anything. Live to fight another day. I follow them to the main chamber-

Liesel took Cynder's hand, leading her from her room.
The woman kissed the girl on both cheeks and smiled at her.
But this smile was different.
Darker.
Insane...

"Dear Cynder..."

"Liesel I can't do this..." Cynder burst, giving a dry sob.

"But of course you can..." The woman murmured, "Because if you don't, my guards are fine men, as well. They are of the same blood, with the same intentions. And any of them would love a pretty lass like yourself..."

Sick. Just sick.
Cynder trembled and closed her eyes, trying to calm her stomach.

"Now," Liesel cotinued, putting the wedding veil over Cynder's face, "Calm down. I'll walk you there."

"... A-all right.."

-All the children were assembled in the main area... all of them in formal wear. This was it. I can't believe this... I couldn't believe this! What would my father do in this situation? He wouldn't give up!-

-As I'm lost in thought, the guards take me onto the altar. I was running out of time, what could I do?! I don't have my wand, all my items were confiscated, I'm outnumbered and Liesel was holding all the cards.-

(( Do you want to wait for Jez and Raven to get on to go any more into this? ))

No, we can go a bit further. Obviously not go full circle but we can go a bit further

(( All right. Just making sure. c: ))

All the people dressed in their finest, standing, waiting.
Cynder gazed out of the veil dryly, trembling slightly.
She never thought... that any of this would happen....

Liesel was walking her down the isle, like a mother in place of the father.
She patted Cynder's arm in comfort as the girl bit her lip.

Think, Cynder, think!
But nothing. Nothing at all.
Liesel pulled away and nodded at the girl warningly as she went to stand facing Artemis.

Please, let something come. Let some blessed distraction or weakness come. Anything.
But as she stood there, helpless, Cynder realized she was pitiful. Unable to do anything.
A forced wedding.
A forced relationship.
And the death of the world.

-Cynder was facing me... Liria should be standing here. This is bad, she hadn't thought of anything either! We're trapped, trapped like rats in a maze! It would take some miracle to stop this now! An act of God as it were.-

Guard: -A man dressed as a Preist walks in and clears his throat and all the children take a seat, looking in awe at the young couple they believed to be deities of a new world-

Artemis, I'm so sorry...
She mouthed the words to her friend in front of her.
Just as she thought them.

She was shaking again.
Artemis loved Liria. Liria loved him.
And is Liesel had her way, Liria would die.

Cynder closed her eyes and swallowed, mind reeling.
Please, she prayed silently, Please, God... anything to stop this...

The man dressed to wed them began to speak.
Cynder went numb.

(( Insert Princess Bride preist. "Mawwiidge. ith waht bwings uth togewer" ))

Artemis: -I mouth back to Cynder, probably saying the most horrific lie I've ever told anyone- It will be alright Cynder... we'll get out of this...

-We have to stop this somehow... Liria was at stake as was most of the world! But what could be done!-

Guard: Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the sight of God...

(( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sbqv3MwwVd8
I can't even take this seriously right now. Princess Bride is all that's going through my head. xDDD ))

Was it going to be all right..?
No. Cynder doubted it would be.

The girl gave a small shake of her head, nowering her eyes. It was everything she could do to not sob now.
And all those hopeful faces of those children, excpecting joy and a new world...
It was unbearable.

Guard; To witness the union of Artemis Strayer to Cynder Dustypaws...

Artemis: -The vows would be coming soon and I'm still coming up blank... what could be done?!-

Guard: Do you, Cynder Dustypaws take Artemis Strayer to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish in our new world, till death do you part?

Cynder stiffened, her eyes snapping open, widening.
A tremble went through her body, shaking her pale limbs likes twigs.

She looked at Artemis, speachless.
Liesel looked at her darkly, a look that warned her to say yes.

"I..."
Cynder swallowed, her voice weak,
"I do.."

Artemis, I'm so sorry...

-I close my eyes, my turn...-

Guard: And do you, Artemis Strayer, take Cynder Dustypaws to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish in our new world until death do you part?

Artemis: -My heart races! This felt like the last minute of my life... hell, I'd take Archimedes killing me twice than have to go through this! I can't say a word, I just wordlessly look into the distance-

(( want to freeze it here until tonight, or when Raven is on? Sorry for asking again, but other then Liesel getting upset, Not quite sure what else to say. ))

Sure, you can get Liesel upset. The point I'm going to pause at is the "anyone objects part." You can just threaten Arty for now

(( Hahah. ALl right. Just making sure. One minute. ))

He was saying nothing.
Nothing!
Liesel's eyes narrowed as she saw the girl relax a bit.
"Artemis Strayer.." Liesel snarled darkly, "You will answer him yes... you must. For the good of the world!"

Cynder turned to look at Liesel, Horror in her eyes.
That woman. In ways she was worse then Archimedes.
And she spoke again.
"Artemis, answer him"

Artemis: -I look at them both and then hear the sound of wands being pointed at me- Liesel, does your depravity not know limitation!

"And your ignorance knows no bounds, Artemis. Now, Ersatz, answer or I'll be quite glad to have my men have you swallow a special potion..."

Cynder felt her stomach drop. It wouldn't be poision.. but something of the sort...
Liesel was cruel. Just so cruel...

-I sigh, defeated. I couldn't win. I give Cynder and apologetic look. Liria I hope you can forgive me for this...-

I... I... I do....

Liesel found herself relaxing as Artemis answered.
They just needed a nudge.
And the world would be happy.

---
Cynder felt her heart pounding. She felt numb, sick, uneasy...

At his answer, the girl looked at Artemis fully, her soft expression one that said that everything would be fine. And that when they got out of this, she would feel no different of Artemis.

Artemis... I'm sorry...

Artemis: -I give Cynder a weak smile, to thank her for the comfort- We'll be alright...

Guard: If the bearer of the rings would now step forward and present the rings...

Another guard stepped up with the clean pillow, on wich the rings rested.

Cynder looked at them, suddenly realizing that she was shaking again.
She also noticed that her eyes were full of fearful tears.
Funny how shock can make it so that one doesn't even realize their own feelings.