Too Well: A Tragedy ((LitShark & SilentMelody))

[LitShark]

The streets were packed in front of the church, grey haired colored ladies holding their biggest, brightest Church Crowns on their heads against the wind, elderly gentlemen with grey afros, matching tweed and bow ties. There were the grooms men, in their black tuxedo shirts and jackets, with vivid, skinny, red, silk ties. There was also the bridal party, forcing smiles and wearing dapper, predictable greys, peaches and blacks. But the bridal party owned the venue. That much was clear.

When both parties were seated, on opposite sides of the aisle, The Groom came out, wearing all white, only a small red bow tie around his neck, a tribute to the military life he left behind? Though his moorish skin was dark, his teeth were as bright as his jacket, the smile carved irrevocably across his face.

Cassio: Here thou wait, for the penultimate woman of thy days. Thy future in living flesh. Art thou not withered? Doth thou ponder or dare to remenisce o'er the vivid days of war and glory. Though the quality of the flesh that approacheth is unmistakable. Quality. There surely must be something said for Quantity.

Neo: Stay thy tongue, old rogue. Thou hast seen no treasures.

Cassio: Perhaps not, but things have I seen of thee. Things some said were done too well.

Neo: Only he who had ne'er seen that which were done wrongly, would e'er say that those thou speakest of were done too well.

Cassio: Thy bride, she be well done.

Neo: Too well, aye. Fuck off now, she comes.

The organ plays "Here Comes the Bride" and she enters.

 

[SilentMelody]

The bride looks precisely as angelic as her father's congregation wanted her to be. It was her selection of groom that has them whispering behind their fans about. Even so, they all crane their necks to catch a glimpse of her as she walks down the aisle. The strapless white dress has a simple, flowing line, the train marked with delicate cuts of red to match her groom, like rose petals in a fallen spray following her footsteps.

Desi walks alone, her father in his robes awaiting her at the end of the aisle, his face serious. He had agreed to perform this ceremony, even with his reservations about her intended. She smiles, beaming with joy as she reaches the end of her journey adn her father leans in to whisper in her ear.

Reverend Brabantio: Child, even this moment I would see you free of this rogue.
I have never wished you so ill matched,
but say the word and I will end this without regard to his crew's presence.

Desi: My noble father,
I do perceive here a divided duty:
To you I am bound for life and education;
My life and education both do learn me how to respect you;
I am hitherto your daughter: but here's my love who I would have my husband,
And so much duty as my mother show'd to you, preferring you before her father,
So much I challenge that I may profess due to Neo my lord.
Knowing his life and what a man has come of it,
you said your self you admire his story,
Is it then so unknowable that I would be drawn to such a man in love?

Reverend Brabantio: If he has won your heart so truely, then, let me be the one to join you in the eyes of God.

Released from her father's grip, Desi reaches for Neo's hand and takes her place beside him.

 

[LitShark]

Neo gladly accepted Desi's small hands in his own, turning grateful eyes on the Reverend who would become his father, the only father Neo had ever known. After that moment of silent thanks, the groom locked eyes with his bride, gratitude spreading to his mouth, already radiant smile growing wider.

Taking a moment to briefly appreciate and catalog the beauty of his blushing bride to be, Neo allowed his eyes the luxury of straying from hers for the first time. They slowly trickled down the nape of her long, slender neck, to her smooth, exposed shoulders to the line of her bust where just the faintest hint of cleavage winked out at him over the hem of the dress.

Neo averted his eyes quickly back to Desi's as the Reverend began the ceremony.

Reverend Brabantio: Dear friends and siblings in God's Grace, I bid thee welcome to my sanctified house of Our Lord. It is the most joyous of occasions which has summoned us hence, the love of universally beloved and cherished children, forever bonding their lives in the Grace of God almighty. Both Bride and Bridegroom have pledged to read their vows from that most sacred text of all, their hearts. Bear witness now to a love which knows of no boundaries. No restraint. No Shame.


Neo shrugged off the Reverend's slight as though it had never touched him, looking deep into Desi's eyes as he recited his vows.


Neo: To thee, beloved sweetheart, do I swear my Blood. For since the moment I laid eyes upon thee, no other joy could I perceive. Thee and thy beauty are well known, praised yet still undersold. More beautiful still is the heart and pure, loving soul which dwells within those pretty trappings of thine. Thee and only thee, and forever and always thee. The sky is a frail imitation of thine eyes, no lushness that has e'er been could compare to thine lips. For thee to have chosen such a sinner as I, will I forever bear the burdened of deserving thee, a task to which I feel insufficient. Though the deserving of thee may lie far beyond my means or ability, with every breath from this to my last shall I spend in the service of thee. To protect thee from harm, from fear and from pain. To please thee as best I am able, with every moment that mine eyes are awake from slumber. To praise thee as thou deservest so that thou will never forget thy value or that thou art cherish'ed.

With this, Neo reached into the breast pocket of his coat, pulling out a red handkerchief, embroidered with white roses, the fabric worn thin from years of service.

Neo: To thee who I pledge my future, my present and my eternal love. To thee I grant my past in homage. To me this past has no value, for I am glad to be rid of it, but to thee may it represent my undying love for thee. May it be cleansed and purified by the sincerity of this tender pledge, reborn in your embrace as I once was. Reborn again in the light of God, as am I this day. Undeserving and humble wretch that I am before thee. I pray thee, baptize me again in thy purest love and know that I shall never again look back to the shadows in the warmth of thy light. For this is my pledge to you.

Gently and meaningfully, Neo wrapped the meticulously folded cloth adoringly around his bride's wrist and clasped her hands back within his own once more as she began to read her vows.