“Readiness”
by ‘pd Rydia’
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Author's preface: 
This story is an original creation of pd Rydia, a.k.a. C. Diane Kuhl.  She owns this piece and it is copyright (©) of C. Diane Kuhl, 2002-2003.  Do not copy this story in any part or whole, and especially do not claim it as your own.  If you find this story anywhere other than at RPGWW (www.davidr.com/rpgww), please contact the author immediately, at rydia17@hotmail.com.  You can use the same address to send feedback.
The characters of Daniel Hyral, Sheila Hyral, Midoku Tornas, Stephan Hyral, Dante, Kyra Ryujin, Marla Ryuujin, Frederick Shivan, and Pervy belong to and are copy right (©) of their respective RPers (FF Fanatic 80, LadyDragonClawsEDW, Uncle Pervy).
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

This was it. This was really it. In a few more minutes, the ceremony would begin.

Daniel Hyral stood up straight, resisting the urge to use his sleeve to wipe off the sweat that was running down his brow. Instead, he tugged the cuffs of his suit slightly, before clasping his hands together and squeezing his fingers. This was really it. 
--The music starts!--
A shadow flickered across his mind. Pervy, decked in his white mage's finest, stood behind him, ready to marry the young couple together. Daniel Hyral and Kyra Ryujin...no! Daniel and Kyra Hyral...Daniel was giddy with happiness, but could not dispel the nervous jitters that seized him. He began to shift his weight from foot to foot, and then stopped himself suddenly.

What if the father sees how nervous I am? he wondered. What if the priest decided Daniel wasn't ready for this marriage? What if he called off the wedding?! 
--The procession starts. Sheila Hyral and Midoku Tornas begin the procession, walking in steady pace down the church aisle. Midoku's expression and posture reveal slight anxiety; he never was one to handle attention well. Sheila grasps his arm tightly, fighting back sentimental tears.--
With a suppressed sigh, Daniel laid his hands down by his side, and stood up even straighter. That's nonsense, he chided himself mentally. The wedding isn't going to be called off in the middle of the ceremony...I'm ready for this! 
--Behind Sheila and Midoku, Marla Ryujin takes her place in the procession. Her arm is hooked through that of a tall young man with long, blond hair and sharp golden eyes--Kyra's childhood friend, Frederick Shivan. "Freddy" tries to keep his sight front and center, but they flicker over to Daniel despite his efforts.--
The sweat began to bead on Daniel's forehead again as he stared at Freddy's eyes. They seemed to, for a brief moment, flash an accusation at Daniel. You aren't good enough for this!

A cold lump seemed to form in Daniel's gut. No...I am...I... 
--The single groomsman, Daniel's brother, Stephan, begins his stride down the aisle, an oddly cheerful expression on his face. On the arm of Stephan is a peculiarly blank-faced Dia Rai, who seems to be concentrating fully on keeping in stride.--
Mentalled, Daniel facefaulted. Oh dear Ishtar...I hope Stephan hasn't been teasing her about those...ears... Daniel thought, eyeing Dia's bunny ears. As if to spite her, they bounced up and down slightly with her step.

Oh, you can count on it! an all-too-familiar voice sounded in Daniel's head. I bet there'll be roast groomsman tonight!

Oh no, not you, Dante, not now...

What? Hey now, that's no way to treat me after I go out of my way to come and help you tonight...

Help? Daniel struggled to keep from showing his anger. You probably just want to stir up trouble!

Trouble? Little ol' me? A snicker echoed throughout Dan's head. I'm just here to help keep you from making a possible mistake, that's all...

I don't want to hear it.

What, you WANT to get into a marriage you aren't ready for? Hey, if that's the case...

I said I don't want to hear it!

I just would feel SO sorry for Kyra...if she were to marry to someone who wasn't completely ready...

I AM ready, Dan retorted, grinding his teeth. I really am--

Then WHY did you keep worrying about it? Huh? Why do you have to keep repeating to yourself... Dante mimicked a weak, childish tone of voice, 'I'm ready, I'm ready...'

I... His heart stopped. Dante couldn't be right...could he? Was his nervousness an indication that something was wrong? Wrong with...him? With the wedding?

Ha! You know what I'm talking about, don't you?

This wedding can't be a mistake...it can't be...

Hey, I tell it like I see it, sucker. Dante replied, voice smug. He added, with a cackle that resounded in Dan's head: You should really listen to your intuition, you know?

Dan's eyes stared out, unfocused, into the crowd gathered in the church. Listen to my intuition...what is...my intuition telling me about this wedding?

Daniel was worried. He was worried about...not being good enough for Kyra. And what if...something happened to him...he didn't want Kyra to wind up a widow like his own mother...like her own mother! What if Kyra was supposed to be with someone else...someone...better? Was his mind throwing these worries at him for a reason? Was this what his intuition was telling him about his marriage?

No...no, wait...

Suddenly, he remembered...Kyra seated next to him, on a lonesome hill, leaning against his side as they watched the sunset. Kyra, browsing bookshelves at a shop, face bright and interested as she shared a favorite book with Daniel. And there were...picnics, full of laughter. And private dinners that were so intimate and peaceful.

And he remembered...the look of peace, happiness, and...love in Kyra's expression, when she looked into his eyes. And he remembered how wonderful it felt to just hold her in his arms.

No...no, Dante. My intuition...I might be nervous, but my intuition is telling me what it always has!

Oh @#*&, not the sappiness, PLEASE...!

Shush! My intuition is telling me that this is the best damned decision I've made in my entire life! So ha! Daniel just barely caught himself from razzing in triumph. Sheepishly, he looked up to see how the procession was getting along. 
--Kyra Ryuujin begins her stately walk down the aisle. The bride-to-be seems to shine like a star in her magnificiently bright white dress. Her hair is piled atop her head in an intricate hairstyle, and her face is framed with loose wisps of hair that have escaped the hair clasps. And her eyes light up as she steps up to Daniel, blushing happily as she takes her hand, and they turn to the priest.--
I am ready, Daniel thought giddily, but Dante wasn't there to respond.

True bliss and true peace, I have found through Kyra...and... he sneaked a glance over at Kyra, only to find her doing the same. She blushed again --so prettily!-- her eyes full of love and adoration. She's...she's found the same in me...