by Jessie Wolf
As they walk down the aisle almost everyone notices the swords at their waists, but it is the ones that Alice is wearing that causes the most buzz of excitement. However, before things get out of hand mama starts her walk down the aisle. When people see her in her pure white and pale blue wedding kimono a hush settles across the entire Temple.
Before my family reaches us the Reverend Father leans over to me. “I take it that I am marrying more than just your mother today, my Lady?”
Keeping my voice just as low “Yes, Reverend Father, is this a problem?”
He chuckles quietly before answering. “No, child, there is no problem. I just wish you had given me a little warning.”
“I hate to tell you this, but it’s a surprise for my family as well.”
“Oh, how I love the impatience of youth. By the way, the Lady Allison will make a beautiful balance to your brashness, my Lady.” Before I can say something in my defense my family was in front of us. As mama moves to stand by Top, I move to stand by Alice surprising everyone present. I take one of the bundles from her and give her a smile. Before anyone can say something the Reverend Father calls out in a firm voice.
“Let it be known that on this day these two couples have come before the Goddess Inari Ōkami to proclaim their love for one another. If anyone finds fault with this let them speak now or forever hold their peace.” After a wait of a few moments, but what felt like years he continued. “Lady Dai Etsu, you have been a Reverend Mother for more than forty years you know your duties to your husband. Will you follow the teaching of our Goddess?”
Mama merrily smiles up at the old man. “I shall to the best of my abilities.”
When he turns to me I realize I had no idea what my duties were in the eyes of the Temple. Thankfully the old man decided to give me a hint. “Will you, Lady Maiha Mana, protect, love, and honor the Lady Allison. Forsaking all others? Will you love and cherish the children you two shall have and raise together? Will you honor her all the days of your lives?”
“I shall to the best of my abilities.” I tell him.
He turns to Top “James Bailey, as a man of war and honor, will you also follow the teachings of the Goddess Inari Ōkami?”
Top looks up from his chair at the old man and in a clear voice says. “I shall to the best of my abilities; I shall also love the daughters of Dai Etsu Nakatoma as my own. I will not hold them separate of the children that she shall give me as we grow old together.”
When I hear this last part I realize that mama can get pregnant. When I gave her that first round of nanites it reset her biological clock. Holy Hell she ain’t the only one either. I can get pregnant as well. Before I can say anything to stop the proceedings the Reverend Father has already ask Alice to give her vows. They were the same ones he had asked of me. She must have felt my own cold feet because she quickly said. “I shall to the best of my abilities.”
Turning back to me he says. “Lady Maiha, are you ready?”
Knowing what I have to do now I nod my head yes and then step up beside him. Clearing my voice “Let it be known from this day forward the husband of Dai Etsu Nakatoma shall be as blood to me and mine. From this day forward he shall have all the rights and privileges as one of my Family and House. Let it be known this man is my father. As such he is now until his last days on earth a protector of House Nakatoma. He shall be marked by the blades he shall carry. So that no one can forget this the Lady Dai Etsu shall have their equal.”
I unwrapped the set in my hands and see that they are the ones meant for the husband. I step down in front of Top and began to place them at his waist. Once done I turn to Alice and take the next set and place them in the obi around mama’s waist. They’re truly a matched set. I see that the saya’s were a dark blue with gold flake. The tsuka’s are drake blue wrapped in golden ito with tassels. The tsuba’s are in the shape of one half of yin-yang. There are almost the same as the swords that Alice and I are wearing; only the colors are different.
When I am done I move to stand beside Alice again. The Reverend Father then takes over. “It has been seventy years since the last time a member of this House was married in this Temple. I was but a young priest then with no knowledge of the world. I watched as the Lady Matsu Nakatoma married the revered James J. Owens, another warrior who was as respected as James Bailey. For many a long year all of us here prayed for the day when the Lady Dai Etsu would find the happiness that her sister had. Finally she has, may the curses of the Goddess fall on those who wish to harm her pursuit of happiness. However I believe that before the Goddess intervenes that the Ladies Maiha and Allison will most likely rain down the fury of the Goddess themselves. In all my years I have never seen such a loving or loyal couple such as these two young ladies. Their love has already been tried by fire and sorrow and come out on the other side stronger than before it went in. The love of these two couples is what fairytales are written about. Only the Goddess could have foreseen such a union. Therefor it is with greatest pleasure that I bestow Her blessings upon these two couples. All rise and greet the happy couples as they begin their journey in life together.”
When he finishes we all turn and walk back down the aisle to the main entrance. As we are leaving everyone who was there stood up and applauded as we left. Alice and I let mama and Top go first. I know that mine and Alice’s wedding was a spur of the moment thing and a total surprise to Alice but I felt that if I gave her a chance she would hold out for something smaller. That’s why I did what I did. This way we both get what we want and don’t have to take credit for planning it.
Once outside my sisters move quickly to give their new father a hand in getting down the Temple steps. They literally pick him and the wheel chair up and carry it down the steps. Mama just shakes her head at this very blatant display of power by the girls. They must be using their Death Dealer boosted strength to pull this off. Once we’re at the foot of the steps mama decides to remind my sisters to behave like ladies.
“Girls that was very unlady like. You will not behave in such a manner again. I will not punish you this time, but remember that you are ladies and you will act like it from now on.” I can tell that she just doesn’t have the heart right now to correct my little sisters. It’s so funny hearing her trying to admonish my sisters for their behavior that I almost giggle. Alice unfortunately can’t hold it in. Mama gives her one of those ‘mother looks’ you know the ‘don’t push it you’re already in enough trouble’ looks. “And I’ll have none of that from you missy. Now that you’re a part of this family I’ll expect you to start behaving as a Lady as well. I don’t put up with it from your wife I won’t put up with it from you. Do I make myself clear?”
I watch as Alice turns white as she realizes that she is now a true member of the aristocracy. I give her a hug and kiss. “Welcome to the family, love. Now you get to learn all about being a High Families Lady. You know one of those ‘stuck up high class bitches for the wealthy and politically powerful’.”
“You know dear, you can use a little of that learning yourself.” She replies. “From the looks of it more than me.”
Before I can say anything to her about that mama steps in. “Oh she’ll get that when she starts school in a few weeks at the Joan Eunice Smith School for Young Ladies.”
“Oh, I can’t wait to see you in your school uniform.” Alice purrs in my ear.
“Mama, do I really have to go? I mean I have all this work to take care of now that I’m the Planetary Governor. Plus trying to straighten out all the legal mess of who to charge and not charge with treason. I mean surely my time would be better spent handling those matters than learning about what fork goes where?” I know I’m trying to get out of the whole repeating of high school.
“I’m afraid that is out of your hands and mine child.”
“What do you mean, mama?”
With a sigh mama looks over at me before reaching inside her kimono and pulls out an imperial dispatch and handing it to me. I can tell that it is from t
he Emperor himself just by the seals on the outside of the dispatch. When I open it up I felt my heart start to sink. “I received this shortly after you sent the victory notification to the Emperor. I know it was addressed to you as the Head of House, but I felt it should be read as soon as possible. I know that the final decision should be yours. However I believe we should do as the Emperor asks. Not only will it give you a chance to learn how to be a lady, it will also give you the time to learn how to be a girl by interacting with girls of your new age.” I look at the dispatch as if it was a live hand grenade with the pin pulled. If there is an imperial order in there I know I will follow it, no matter how much I hate it.
Imperial dispatch 9878143
From: His Imperial Majesty Sha Dan the IV
To: Her Ladyship Nakatoma Maiha Mana, First High Lady of the Death Dealer for Delta Sector, Head of House Nakatoma and its Rightful Defender.
My dearest Lady Maiha, you and your family have saved Our Empire and served Us once again as a shield. I wish that I could be there to congratulate you in person however security concerns prevent this.
If it were up to me, I would allow you to slip quietly into your much deserved retirement and live out your life as you choose to. But as recent events have shown there are those who would strip us of our most basic of rights. It is therefore with a heavy heart that I must ask of you a very distasteful duty. One that is far beneath your station, but one that I have no one else can perform.
As you know my only daughter is currently residing in your household. She is there to learn what it means to be first a servant of the people and then to be a member of the Royal Family. However she is due to attend the Joan Eunice Smith School for young Ladies.
I would ask of you to be her bodyguard and mentor while she attends this school. You are to use whatever is necessary to insure my daughter’s safety, and that of her friends. Send all expenses to the imperial treasurers.
His Imperial Majesty Sha Dan the IV
****
As I reread the dispatch I realize that I’m going to have to do this. I may need to appoint someone to be the Planetary Governor while I’m in school, but I know just the man to hold the position while I learn to be first a girl, then a young Lady of breeding. He is going to raise unholy hell with me but it’s going to be fun while he does it.
“Well, it looks like I’m going to school weather I like it or not.” I say out loud.
“Are you sure you want to do this daughter?” mama asks of me.
“Yes. I know that there is more than one reason for this, but there is one good thing about all this.”
“Oh, cool I get to see you in a cute little schoolgirl uniform.” Alice asks.
“I won’t be alone. I’ll have my sisters there and my wife to make sure the Princess is nice and safe.” I tell her.
Commercial break.
Dress perfect
One hour for hair and make up
Thirty minutes for a wedding
One Imperial command
Look on supposes face: Priceless
“Yup, you heard me correctly, dear. You’re going back to school.” I just smile at her as I watch the realization of what I just said sinks in.
“Like bloody hell I’m. I got my E.D. a month before I dropped out on my sixteenth birthday. No way am I going back to school and dealing with a bunch of suck up, self-centered, prima donna, teenage girls!” I almost laugh when I hear this, but I can see that there is something bugging her about her going back to school.
I need to find out what it is, but it’ll have to wait we are almost back to the main house and the reception is waiting for us. “Look we can discuss this later. Right now we have a reception to attend.”
“Ok, but this ain’t over, not by a long shot.” I can tell this whole thing really has her upset.
When we enter the Great Hall a cheer goes up that would have lifted the roof off if it was not bolted down. At the far end is a table with enough seats for me and my family. As we walk down the aisle between the table’s mama and Top not to mention Alice and me receive congratulations from everyone we pass. Once we are seated I notice that there is way more than the two hundred I had planned for.
To be exact Maiha there are three hundred and ninety-six not counting you and your family. (Charley)
“Thanks Charley, I really didn’t need to know that.”
I guess there were more people at the wedding than I thought. As I look around I see people from every walk of life here at the compound plus each of the different military units. Men and women who all love and respect my mama. This is truly a great day. As the evening progresses dinner is served by what must be the entire household maid staff. I have no idea where all the food came from but it was delicious. The cooks out did themselves. I will have to remember to thank them and everyone else who made this night so special.
Around twenty-two hundred or so I hear Top doing that spoon on glass thing to get people’s attention. When he does this for about five minutes and still doesn’t have it I stand up and whistle. When everyone looks up at me I turn to Top. “It’s all yours, Dad.” I say with a smile. The look of disapproval I get from mama vanishes like smoke before the wind when I call Top dad. I just know that when she gets the chance she is going to chew me out for whistling like that, but it was worth it to get everyone’s attention for my new father.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it has been a long standing tradition to offer up toasts to the happy couples. I would like to be the first to offer one to my new daughters, the Ladies Maiha and Allison.” Looking over at us from his wheel chair he has this crooked little smile on his face. “When I first met the Lady Allison she was this fresh out of APS basic training kid with no idea of what her Suit could really do. Unlike most though she had this uncanny knack of listening to those who have far more experience than she did. I looked on her as a daughter. I often felt sorry for whoever would try and date her. The young lady loves her Power Suit more than anything else. More than once I thought she was going to ask if she could marry it.” That little bit brought a round of laughter from the guests. “Then she met the very unlady like Lady Maiha Nakatoma. The first time I laid eyes on this very unique young lady she was blasting holes in our practice course and setting an all-time record high score for individual runs. I can find no finer a mate for these two young ladies than each other. So girls I salute you and wish you all the happiness in the world.” When he had finished he received a round of applause.
When everything calms back down mama was the next to offer up a toast. “It has been a long time since the last Head of House was married in our Temple. James and Matsu Owens were the last couple to hold that distinction. Though they never held sway here they were the true Heads of House. Now after almost seventy years their granddaughter has come home and taken up her rightful place with a young lady who is everything one could hope for in a spouse. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Ladies Allison Ann Wendell-Nakatoma and Maiha Mana Wendell-Nakatoma! May the blessings of the Goddess surround them all the days of their lives!” once again the cheers go up and the toast is drunk.
When calm once again returns I realize it is my turn, and for once I don’t know what to say. When Alice starts to nudge me with her elbow I stand up to give my toast. Thinking fast I know just what to say.
“I don’t know where to start, but here goes. Mama, when I first came here I was the biggest tomboy there ever was.” that got a lot of people laughing. “But you have taught me how to be a lady. You have shown me that there is more to being the Head of House than I ever believed there was. The day you met Top Bailey I thought I would lose you to him, but I was wrong. You gave me something I have been missing in my life; a father. As you have asked the Goddess to bless Allison and me, I would return the same for you and Top.” As I raise my glass of wine I hear a round of cheers and applause that is just as loud as the ones for mama and Top.
I sat back down and smiled at Alice. The look on her face let me know that she was
in the same boat I was in. as she stands up I hear her whisper to me. “I’ll get you for this.” It was quiet and through clenched teeth, but just loud enough for me to hear. I giggle at her being the one in the hot seat for a change. “Like a lot of you the first time I ever saw the Lady Maiha was on the practice range tearing it up. It was not until a few days later that I really got to know her and all I can say is it was love at first sight. Then just a few days ago this goofy little girl with a smile a mile wide and three little rug rats walks up to me in front of the house. All of the herd was there to escort them into town to shop for school clothes. You can imagine my surprise as she stands there and tells me all about my Puss-in-Boots and what she can do. From that point on I was bound and determined to find some way to date this firecracker. When I first asked her to have dinner with me I was scared out of my mind. At that point in time I would have rather taken on a whole lance of assault APS’ with a water gun and a butter knife.” This brought a rousing laugh from the military that were there plus a few of the civilians who knew her.
It seems that a lot of people know of Alice’s fearlessness in the face of enemy fire for her to be afraid of asking someone out to dinner was just too funny for words. “Over the next few days I found that the love I felt for her was returned. Because of that I now have a beautiful wife and the family I had lost. I do not know what would have become of me, but now I have more to look for in my future than I did just a few days ago. My new mother-in-law not to be out done by her eldest child went out and found her true love right here among our own House military. She is a woman that many of us have respected for a great many years on more than one occasion she has been there for those of us in need of guidance. As far as Top Bailey goes though I believe that she will be coming to us for guidance now when dealing with that crusty old fart.” Once again the crowd breaks out laughing. “I think I have said enough now. So raise your glasses one last time. To Top and his Lady, may they find happiness for all the days of their lives.” The roar that goes up when she is done is the loudest of them all.