Elfen High 2: Skin to Bone, Steel to Rust

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

James scanned the audience, standing with his back straight as an arrow, hands clasped behind his back. Outwardly he smiled, and he really was happy for both Lewis and Megan and Ivy and Calliel, but an absence still troubled him.

Where is she?

Monolith caught a man in red - red! red like him! red like good! - staring around, the man's gaze passing over him as if looking for something. He floated up, a sharp-faceted gemstone whose edges matched the suit that man wore, and 'spoke' into the man's mind. 'Yes? Why did you stare at me so?' he asked quietly in James' mind. He didn't even consider the possibility that he was wrong. The man wore red, like him. The man was looking for something. It connected; the man was looking for something like himself. Right? Right.

James nearly began swearing, but caught himself before any words came out, leaving only a strangled grunt. Who the bloody fuck... Piss off, will ya!?

[The Inritus Extraho]

James nearly began swearing, but caught himself before any words came out, leaving only a strangled grunt. Who the bloody fuck... Piss off, will ya!?

'You were staring at me, I believe. Or at least searching. Monolith seemed to shrug, despite having no moving parts. 'I was hoping to ask why. But it appears that you're merely annoyed, and possibly scared. I think more scared than annoyed, now that I think about it. He did the weird pseudo-shrugging thing again. 'Why are you here, again? I was under the impression you didn't like the betrothed, or the other groom...'

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

James nearly began swearing, but caught himself before any words came out, leaving only a strangled grunt. Who the bloody fuck... Piss off, will ya!?

'You were staring at me, I believe. Or at least searching. Monolith seemed to shrug, despite having no moving parts. 'I was hoping to ask why. But it appears that you're merely annoyed, and possibly scared. I think more scared than annoyed, now that I think about it. He did the weird pseudo-shrugging thing again. 'Why are you here, again? I was under the impression you didn't like the betrothed, or the other groom...'

You'd be wrong. James replied, used to the voice now that he was aware it wasn't Loki being a troll. I have a lot of respect for Lewis and Megan, I love Ivy as a close friend, and Calliel... He seemed to pause, then slapped a hand on the angel's shoulder. Cal's got a sexy butt.

[The Inritus Extraho]

You'd be wrong. James replied, used to the voice now that he was aware it wasn't Loki being a troll. I have a lot of respect for Lewis and Megan, I love Ivy as a close friend, and Calliel... He seemed to pause, then slapped a hand on the angel's shoulder. Cal's got a sexy butt.

Monolith seemed to nod - yes, he expresses himself. It's more of a vague feeling of assent rather than a nod, body language is weird anyways. 'Thank you' to one culture might mean 'Screw Off' to another. Ugh. Ah. My mistake. Hm. Monolith shrugged. Will the ceremony begin soon?

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

You'd be wrong. James replied, used to the voice now that he was aware it wasn't Loki being a troll. I have a lot of respect for Lewis and Megan, I love Ivy as a close friend, and Calliel... He seemed to pause, then slapped a hand on the angel's shoulder. Cal's got a sexy butt.

Monolith seemed to nod - yes, he expresses himself. It's more of a vague feeling of assent rather than a nod, body language is weird anyways. 'Thank you' to one culture might mean 'Screw Off' to another. Ugh. Ah. My mistake. Hm. Monolith shrugged. Will the ceremony begin soon?

I hope so. James replied. Turns out a bright red suit with white undershirt isn't all that comfortable, especially in Hell.

[The Inritus Extraho]

I hope so. James replied. Turns out a bright red suit with white undershirt isn't all that comfortable, especially in Hell.

There's a simple solution, you could take something off. Monolith stated simply. Then he began piping music into James' head - silent to everyone except him, but for the fact that Monolith was bobbing up and down in time. Just a point, it would help with the heat. he said over the music - in which all of the actors appeared to be people James knew.

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

I hope so. James replied. Turns out a bright red suit with white undershirt isn't all that comfortable, especially in Hell.

There's a simple solution, you could take something off. Monolith stated simply. Then he began piping music into James' head - silent to everyone except him, but for the fact that Monolith was bobbing up and down in time. Just a point, it would help with the heat. he said over the music - in which all of the actors appeared to be people James knew.

Stop that. James snapped. It's not customary for humans to remove clothing during formal occasions, particularly one as important as a marriage.

[The Inritus Extraho]

Stop that. James snapped. It's not customary for humans to remove clothing during formal occasions, particularly one as important as a marriage.

Monolith 'frowned' at James, and stopped the music with a moment-long vinyl scratch. Fine, fine. But I'll inform you that a great number of cultures - both human and inhuman - include the removal of formal wear during a ceremony, including a few that include the consummation of the marriage in the same way as the 'first dance' given in American ceremonies. But stick to your own customs, I suppose.

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

Stop that. James snapped. It's not customary for humans to remove clothing during formal occasions, particularly one as important as a marriage.

Monolith 'frowned' at James, and stopped the music with a moment-long vinyl scratch. Fine, fine. But I'll inform you that a great number of cultures - both human and inhuman - include the removal of formal wear during a ceremony, including a few that include the consummation of the marriage in the same way as the 'first dance' given in American ceremonies. But stick to your own customs, I suppose.

I'm not exactly well-versed in marriage customs... James replied. Never had a reason to, or a chance. There seemed to be a slight trait of bitterness in his "voice". But from what I was taught as a kid, it wouldn't be acceptable for me to remove my clothes.

[The Inritus Extraho]

I'm not exactly well-versed in marriage customs... James replied. Never had a reason to, or a chance. There seemed to be a slight trait of bitterness in his "voice". But from what I was taught as a kid, it wouldn't be acceptable for me to remove my clothes.

You're homosexual. Monolith stated flatly, with no hint of condescension or anger, nor happiness or consolation. But true, I suppose. I always thought it was customary for the preferred gender to strip for the bride and groom - separately, of course - before the ceremony? Or is that another night? Some sort of 'degr'... no, that's not it... 'Bachelor's Parties', there we go.

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

I'm not exactly well-versed in marriage customs... James replied. Never had a reason to, or a chance. There seemed to be a slight trait of bitterness in his "voice". But from what I was taught as a kid, it wouldn't be acceptable for me to remove my clothes.

You're homosexual. Monolith stated flatly, with no hint of condescension or anger, nor happiness or consolation. But true, I suppose. I always thought it was customary for the preferred gender to strip for the bride and groom - separately, of course - before the ceremony? Or is that another night? Some sort of 'degr'... no, that's not it... 'Bachelor's Parties', there we go.

Bisexual. James corrected. Although I do have my intentions set on another person. You are right, I am looking for someone, a lady by the name of Jade Gates. He blushed and coughed at the mention of stripping. I'm, uh, not really the go-to guy for that kind of stuff. Besides, neither couple would be likely to appreciate it.

[The Inritus Extraho]

Bisexual. James corrected. Although I do have my intentions set on another person. You are right, I am looking for someone, a lady by the name of Jade Gates. He blushed and coughed at the mention of stripping. I'm, uh, not really the go-to guy for that kind of stuff. Besides, neither couple would be likely to appreciate it.

Though I am able to find most anyone, I haven't heard of Jade returning. She was nice though, wasn't she? She certainly seemed it when I saw her around the school. I could get anywhere, you know. Portals are cool. Monolith shrugged once more - an extremely common action for him. But... ah well. Fine. Nevermind. I'm sure they'll find others, would they not?

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

Bisexual. James corrected. Although I do have my intentions set on another person. You are right, I am looking for someone, a lady by the name of Jade Gates. He blushed and coughed at the mention of stripping. I'm, uh, not really the go-to guy for that kind of stuff. Besides, neither couple would be likely to appreciate it.

Though I am able to find most anyone, I haven't heard of Jade returning. She was nice though, wasn't she? She certainly seemed it when I saw her around the school. I could get anywhere, you know. Portals are cool. Monolith shrugged once more - an extremely common action for him. But... ah well. Fine. Nevermind. I'm sure they'll find others, would they not?

James coughed. They're uh, not likely to look for any, at least not Calliel and Ivy. He responded. Hey, uh, would you mind doing me a favour and searching for Jade? Maybe she just didn't get caught in the teleportation and doesn't know about the wedding...

[The Inritus Extraho]

James coughed. They're uh, not likely to look for any, at least not Calliel and Ivy. He responded. Hey, uh, would you mind doing me a favour and searching for Jade? Maybe she just didn't get caught in the teleportation and doesn't know about the wedding...

I am not omnipotent or omniscient, Callahan. And I'm not about to go flying around and looking for her in gods-know-where. I probably just missed her, or her invitation got lost... actually, I don't think any of those four were friends with her, were they? Would they even think to invite Jade? She tended to avoid large meetings like this one, in my observations...

(sp? on Callahan)

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

James coughed. They're uh, not likely to look for any, at least not Calliel and Ivy. He responded. Hey, uh, would you mind doing me a favour and searching for Jade? Maybe she just didn't get caught in the teleportation and doesn't know about the wedding...

I am not omnipotent or omniscient, Callahan. And I'm not about to go flying around and looking for her in gods-know-where. I probably just missed her, or her invitation got lost... actually, I don't think any of those four were friends with her, were they? Would they even think to invite Jade? She tended to avoid large meetings like this one, in my observations...

(sp? on Callahan)

It would mean a lot to me. James replied. I mean, it's entirely up to you, but I'd greatly appreciate it if you did.

[The Inritus Extraho]

It would mean a lot to me. James replied. I mean, it's entirely up to you, but I'd greatly appreciate it if you did.

I... don't think you understand. I would, honestly. But I don't know where to start, and when I do, I'm forced to look around like a mundane human, or one with very few powers - my telepathy helps point out a mind, but doesn't identify them. So searching the known world - and some of the unknown, by hand, myself? It's... it's simply impossible. Relax! I'm sure she'll turn up as soon as the wedding's over, or you can go find her yourself. I'd even give you a... a... a 'lift', you call it? a lift to wherever.

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

It would mean a lot to me. James replied. I mean, it's entirely up to you, but I'd greatly appreciate it if you did.

I... don't think you understand. I would, honestly. But I don't know where to start, and when I do, I'm forced to look around like a mundane human, or one with very few powers - my telepathy helps point out a mind, but doesn't identify them. So searching the known world - and some of the unknown, by hand, myself? It's... it's simply impossible. Relax! I'm sure she'll turn up as soon as the wedding's over, or you can go find her yourself. I'd even give you a... a... a 'lift', you call it? a lift to wherever.

Oh... Alright... James replied dejectedly. My apologies. After that there would be no more responses, and James' focus returned to the ceremony at hand.

[Ende]

"Enough chit-chat!" Lewis bellowed, "I am gettin' married in a goddamn war zone and would like to get this over with before a demon shits mortar through my skull!"

Crowley nodded and, suddenly, James and Anton were at the wedding, the Crowleys in the audience, so to speak. James and Anton were placed next to Lewis and Calliel, who stood side-by-side on the left of the altar, behind which the original Crowley stood.

Music played (but not wedding music - some kind of crazy death metal shit, because this is Crowley) and Megan stepped elegantly in, lead by Minh, who had just been passed out in a puddle of regurgitated vodka and cafeteria food in Crowley's office. Needless to say, he was miserably hungover, but Crowley had taken care to magically make him look presentable.

Ivy found herself behind Megan, outside the auditorium, with Raphael by her side.

"Are you ready?" he asked, stretching out his hand to her.

Ivy closed her eyes.

"Not really." she sighed, looking slightly worn out. "All I wanted was for Crowley to sign some papers. It was just a little thing, between Calliel and I, and now...oh, it doesn't matter. It'll be fun. I suppose. Really, though, just some peace and quiet and time with Calliel would be better, but..."

She shrugged.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be, I suppose." she said, and she gripped the Archangel's hand in hers.

[Nationstatelandsville]

"Enough chit-chat!" Lewis bellowed, "I am gettin' married in a goddamn war zone and would like to get this over with before a demon shits mortar through my skull!"

Crowley nodded and, suddenly, James and Anton were at the wedding, the Crowleys in the audience, so to speak. James and Anton were placed next to Lewis and Calliel, who stood side-by-side on the left of the altar, behind which the original Crowley stood.

Music played (but not wedding music - some kind of crazy death metal shit, because this is Crowley) and Megan stepped elegantly in, lead by Minh, who had just been passed out in a puddle of regurgitated vodka and cafeteria food in Crowley's office. Needless to say, he was miserably hungover, but Crowley had taken care to magically make him look presentable.

Ivy found herself behind Megan, outside the auditorium, with Raphael by her side.

"Are you ready?" he asked, stretching out his hand to her.

Ivy closed her eyes.

"Not really." she sighed, looking slightly worn out. "All I wanted was for Crowley to sign some papers. It was just a little thing, between Calliel and I, and now...oh, it doesn't matter. It'll be fun. I suppose. Really, though, just some peace and quiet and time with Calliel would be better, but..."

She shrugged.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be, I suppose." she said, and she gripped the Archangel's hand in hers.

"Peace and quiet is dangerous," Raphael remarked, leading her down to the altar quietly and stoically. None could tell how Raphael felt about this - this had nothing to do with the fact that I myself have no idea what he would feel.

Ivy and Megan stood side-by-side, just as Calliel and Lewis did, opposite their soon-to-be husbands.

"Blah blah blah love and stuff blah blah blah wedding," Crowley said dismissively, "Do you, Lewis Jameson, take her, Megan Kelly, to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part, according to Elfen High law?"

"Obviously," Lewis responded with a blank stare.

"Don't be sarcastic," Crowley replied, before turning to Megan, "Hello, dear. Do you, Megan Kelly, take him, Lewis Jameson, to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part, according to Elfen High law?"

"Yes," she said.

"Right," Crowley said, "Do you, Calliel... Angel, take her, Ivy Green, to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish, till death do your part, according to Elfen High law?"

"Obviously," Calliel responded with the same expression and tone as Lewis.

"Of course," Crowley sighed, "Do you, Ivy, do all of that stuff?"

[Hardened Pyrokinetics]

James stood beside Calliel, eyes locked forwards and face flat. Inside he was laughing his ass off at how the ceremony was going, with a slight twitch appearing on his face when Calliel responded in the exact same way as Lewis did.

Hey, Loki, how are things in Asgard? I'm best man at a wedding.

[Ranbo]

Eldliam smiled back at Kane and nodded. "Alright then," He said as they walked down the hall together. After a few minutes filled with pleasant conversation the two teenagers somehow found Crowley's office. "Well, here we are Kane," Eldliam said as he approached the Headmaster's door, only to discover it was locked. The boy peered inside the window, but the lights were all switched off.

"Huh, Crowley must be somewhere else in the school. Come on Kane, let's go look for him," Eldliam said. They began walking again, when they came around a corner and suddenly came into the auditorium that had been decorated for the upcoming weddings. "Wow...this is cool." Eldliam said, looking around the auditorium and then at Kane.

Kane looked taken aback at the amount of festivities around her. "Geez," She said to Eldliam, "What the heck is going on here?"

After a bit of inquisition, it was determined that they were in the midst of wedding craziness. "Wow," She said, looking around again, "Who's this for, anyway?" However. She didn't get a chance to receive an answer, since the proceedings had just started.

Sitting down next to Eldliam, she watched as the ceremonies got underway. Thing is, she couldn't help but have a thought nag her. Here she was, not a fully registered student, sitting in on a wedding for people she didn't actually know, and the whole thing seemed to have developed into a mini-date with a boy she had just met a couple minutes ago.

She couldn't tell if these signaled a good turn of events, or possibly the exact opposite. At least she hoped the cake was good.

[Constaniana]

Kane looked taken aback at the amount of festivities around her. "Geez," She said to Eldliam, "What the heck is going on here?"

After a bit of inquisition, it was determined that they were in the midst of wedding craziness. "Wow," She said, looking around again, "Who's this for, anyway?" However. She didn't get a chance to receive an answer, since the proceedings had just started.

Sitting down next to Eldliam, she watched as the ceremonies got underway. Thing is, she couldn't help but have a thought nag her. Here she was, not a fully registered student, sitting in on a wedding for people she didn't actually know, and the whole thing seemed to have developed into a mini-date with a boy she had just met a couple minutes ago.

She couldn't tell if these signaled a good turn of events, or possibly the exact opposite. At least she hoped the cake was good.

Eldliam sat quietly as the wedding proceeded, watching the ceremony with interest. He leaned over to Kane and whispered discreetly to her. "Yeah, weird stuff like this happens all the time here. Well, I have to admit this is the first wedding I've seen here. But there's other mad stuff here...a few years ago it was killer rabbits, this year there was those tunnels to London ...say, would you want to go there some time after all this is done?" Eldliam asked, feeling himself begin to blush as he realized how Kane could quite easily get the impression he was asking her on a date. Then again, that wouldn't be bad at all He thought, which only made him blush even more.

[Ende]

Ivy looked at Calliel for a brief moment, and then took a deep breath.

Did she want to do this? Calliel was...Calliel was her friend. She had spent much of her time in Heavensgate with him. The first thing she had seen, the first breath of her second life had been...well, in the church with him. He was her guide, and one of the few angels that she felt friendship with. And, after Atlantis...he was her protector. He was the first thing she had seen again. He was always there, really. He had healed her, he cared for her...he was the father to her child...

But did she really want to do this? Did they really love each other?

She wasn't entirely sure, but she was sure enough to know her answer.

Ivy stood there for a moment, and then slowly let out another breath.

"Obviously." she said to Crowley, in the same tone as Lewis and Calliel, and she smiled.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Ivy looked at Calliel for a brief moment, and then took a deep breath.

Did she want to do this? Calliel was...Calliel was her friend. She had spent much of her time in Heavensgate with him. The first thing she had seen, the first breath of her second life had been...well, in the church with him. He was her guide, and one of the few angels that she felt friendship with. And, after Atlantis...he was her protector. He was the first thing she had seen again. He was always there, really. He had healed her, he cared for her...he was the father to her child...

But did she really want to do this? Did they really love each other?

She wasn't entirely sure, but she was sure enough to know her answer.

Ivy stood there for a moment, and then slowly let out another breath.

"Obviously." she said to Crowley, in the same tone as Lewis and Calliel, and she smiled.

Calliel didn't say anything for a while and merely squeezed her hand briefly. And that's all that he could say there. He actually wished he could vocalise what he wanted to say in words. He wasn't sure how to begin it. He was broken and torn when in that coma from gaining his emotions. But Ivy had saved his life merely from his memories of her.

Humans! Such amazing creatures. They dealt with and survived these emotions regularly. And they still went on. After what Ivy had done and been through, Calliel kept his own strength to survive in this mad, mad world.

What if. A lot of what ifs had been going through Calliel's head lately. Calliel rarely considered what ifs- angels were advised not to. But now Calliel wondered what if this hadn't happened. What if he had never gained emotions. What if Ivy never carried his child.

And he realised deep down that he wouldn't miss any of that for anything. No. Calliel knew he loved Ivy. And there could never be a what if for that.

So he just looked at her with a beautiful smile and squeezed her hand one more time.

God, he wished he knew how to say it.

[Ende]

Ivy looked at Calliel for a brief moment, and then took a deep breath.

Did she want to do this? Calliel was...Calliel was her friend. She had spent much of her time in Heavensgate with him. The first thing she had seen, the first breath of her second life had been...well, in the church with him. He was her guide, and one of the few angels that she felt friendship with. And, after Atlantis...he was her protector. He was the first thing she had seen again. He was always there, really. He had healed her, he cared for her...he was the father to her child...

But did she really want to do this? Did they really love each other?

She wasn't entirely sure, but she was sure enough to know her answer.

Ivy stood there for a moment, and then slowly let out another breath.

"Obviously." she said to Crowley, in the same tone as Lewis and Calliel, and she smiled.

Calliel didn't say anything for a while and merely squeezed her hand briefly. And that's all that he could say there. He actually wished he could vocalise what he wanted to say in words. He wasn't sure how to begin it. He was broken and torn when in that coma from gaining his emotions. But Ivy had saved his life merely from his memories of her.

Humans! Such amazing creatures. They dealt with and survived these emotions regularly. And they still went on. After what Ivy had done and been through, Calliel kept his own strength to survive in this mad, mad world.

What if. A lot of what ifs had been going through Calliel's head lately. Calliel rarely considered what ifs- angels were advised not to. But now Calliel wondered what if this hadn't happened. What if he had never gained emotions. What if Ivy never carried his child.

And he realised deep down that he wouldn't miss any of that for anything. No. Calliel knew he loved Ivy. And there could never be a what if for that.

So he just looked at her with a beautiful smile and squeezed her hand one more time.

God, he wished he knew how to say it.

"So...." Ivy stammered, looking at Crowley, "I suppose this means we're angel and wife?"