Lieutenant Commander Talia Ohnari ~ Princess Bride

[Roxanna Dorion]

((Private Room, Dewitt Residence, Ventura, California, Earth))

Today was the day. The day. All the late night stitching and finally lead to this moment. Her focus was lasered; well, mostly. There was an...incident with Nolen needing several bowtie adjustments after she continued to mess it up. 

What could she say?

The man could fill out a tux. 

That aside, her own dress, which was a beautiful slivery material that clung to the right places, and flowed like running water, was on, and zipped. The team doing hair had insured a typhoon wouldn't mess it up. She was actually a little terrified and snuck a sample of the hair gel to study for dissolvable stitches. Shaking that thought, and marveling how her hair truly did not move, she brought herself back to the present: and the black garment bag draped carefully across her arms. Afraid of the slightest crease, she carefully knocked on the door via a slippered foot. 

Jacin: Who’s there?

Ohnari: ::brightly:: It's me! 

Jacin: Talia! Get in here now!

Barely through the door, Talia kept her expression a serene mask. Honestly, her part was over. Either Ayemet liked the dress or didn't. But, she had approved the sketches, so the changes of her not liking it were small. She let out a little "Meep" as she and the heavy bag were squeezed tightly. 

Jacin: Is that it?

Ohnari: ::nodding emphatically:: Indeed it is! 

Duck waddling towards the bed, she reverently laid down the bag, pausing over the zipper.

Ohnari:  ::her head tilted slightly:: Whoa, your hair look amazing! 

Ayemet blushed slightly. oO Oooooh is that why it's called "blushing bride"? Oo 

Jacin: I asked Ras to stimulate the hair follicles . I didn’t want Connor to see his bride walking down the aisle with a shaved head and a large metal plate on her skull.

Ohnari: ::smiling kindly:: Well he did a wonderful job. ::smirking:: and you could walk down that aisle wearing a potato sack and Connor would be breathless. 

Ayemet smiled sheepishly. Talia's grin widened. This woman had survived the unthinkable, and impossible. Yet, she made it. Here. To this day, marrying her soulmate. Her joy filled sighs hadn't stopped since she opened her eyes that morning, and she wasn't even the bride. Probably why she wasn't a nervous wreck. 

Jacin: I just want it to be perfect. What if he doesn’t want to get married? What if I get there and he does a runner.

A panicked expression clouded her face. Had she forgotten something?

Ohnari: ::panicking Oh Gods, was I supposed to plan the runner thing?? 

Where was her PADD?? The checklist was complete this morning...but had she missed an important human ritual? Talia had been researching until her eyes crossed. But she didn't see anything indicating a traditional foot race. 

Jacin: It’s an ancient human expression. It means to run away suddenly.

Ohnari:  ::snorting:: Right. He's going to have brought you and the whole crew to his parent's house to change his mind. ::turning, Talia ignored the garment bag and the big reveal, to hug her friend:: Where is this coming from? ::raising an eyebrow:: Are you sure about this....? 

Talia had read all up on cold feet. And re-read it again once she realized it had nothing to do with temperature regulations and stopped the plans for knitted stockings. But, it didn't seem like that was the case here. Behind the panic, Ayemet had determination and a smidge of impatience. 

Jacin: Of course I’m sure.  I just don’t know that he is.

Smiling, the maid of honor cradled the bride's face gently. Careful not to smudge any makeup or the fabulously regenerated hair.

Ohnari: Ayemet, my dearest friend...don't be stupid. ::giggle snorting:: That man is so beyond ready for this he might break down this door if we're even a minute late. Now, shake away those unnecessary fears and back in the glory that is my masterpiece!!! 

Was she being dramatic?

Always. Without question. 

Although, this time, she earned a bit of the drama. Zipping open the garment bag, she carefully removed the gown, holding the hanger in one hand, while draping the fabric to give the full effect over her other arm. It truly was a thing of beauty. And seeing the look on Ayemet's face made every single needle poke worth it. Even the thumb. And that one stung. 

The gown was in a shimmering silver and white fabric. Its’ silhouette was almost fluid, symbolizing grace and harmony. Intricate Bajoran and El-Aurian text, embossed in delicate script ran along the hem and bodice, she checked it about forty five times. There would be no spelling errors or accidentally cursing someone's mama in El-Aurian for this gown. The inner panel held a secret - a carefully embroidered recreation of the Dewitt family crest. She hopped Conner would discover it at some point but suspected he would be...comprehensively distracted by then.

And, for the literal crowning achievement, she reached in the bag and brought out the veil. It was made of a thin, shimmering mesh of delicate metal strands that cascaded from the headpiece, creating a curtain that the sunlight streaming in from outside bounced off of.

Ayemet hadn't said anything...her mouth looked as if it were struggling to make the words come out. Had she gone too far with the veil...? No, she could sense if there was disappointment. 

Jacin: Talia this is…I mean it goes beyond the sketches. I….

Ohnari: ::beaming, with a happy little sigh:: It is pretty amazing, right? ::turning:: Now, let's get you into it! 

Talia gestured with one finger for the woman to spin. It would need to be stepped in, carefully. With the grace of a dancer, the bride spun and carefully slipped into the gown. Grinning, first she zipped, then fluffed, a little bit of adjusting, and then, slowly turning her friend to face the beautiful antique mirror. 

Jacin: Response

Ohnari: ::slightly choked up:: Nope. Not crying. 

Sniffling, she dabbed her eyes with the kerchief the makeup artist had shoved down the front of her gown, weirdly handsy, that one. 

Jacin: Response

Ohnari: You are the most beautiful bride, ::bouncing on the balls of her slippered feet:: Ooh! Now the veil!! 

Careful not to mess up the newly regenerated strands, and the delicate braid work, she slipped the thin metal comb in place, minorly adjusting the strands to fall naturally. Once again, she found herself reaching towards the kerchief. Her friend looked like a fairy princess. Waving her hands in front of her eyes to somehow banish the tears she grinned at her friend through the mirror. 

Ohnari: Now, let's go get you a husband! 

Jacin: Response

TAG/TBC

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Lieutenant Commander Talia Ohnari, MD
Chief Medical Officer
USS Khitomer
C239205ME0