so diligent. it's probably nothing like being in the underworld, but it's as close as she can get. if it makes her happy? ]
Best of both worlds.
[ it may sound like she's overworking herself, but it's definitely otherwise. she imagines she just feels better looking out for them. as is her nature.
at the go-ahead, however, hiyori holds out her left hand and shows off her SHINY BEAUTIFUL RING--
looking at it still takes her breath away. give her a second. or two. ]
But right now it doesn't matter! Because what matters is that Hiyori and Yato are going to marry. And when she looks at the ring, why... The goddess sparkles. Again. ]
Aaah, it's so pretty!
[ The goddess's sparkling reflects off the the ring, causing it to shine even more! What a wonderful, amazing ring it is. Did he make it himself using his powers, like she does with her jewelry and the spear cages? Or did he buy it? If that's the later, it must have cost a lot of money! She hopes Yato hasn't been doing anything illegal to afford the ring...
She looks back at Hiyori when she mentions that bit about them as teenager though. ]
That's so cute...! You two are really made for each other. This is going to be the happiest wedding ever!
[ By virtue of it being the first wedding she'll ever see, of course it'll be the happiest but she's sure even amongst countless weddings, it'd be the happiest one! ]
[ yeah, wait, hold up. did her ring just get shinier?! it's nearly blinding now??? she squints a bit against it's brilliance and then glances up.
- she's sparkling. where's a pair of sunglasses when you need them? ]
A-ah, yeah. C-cute.
[ ERESHKIGAL. IT WASN'T CUTE. except she doesn't have the heart to tell her how freaky it was because they WEREN'T dating, hiyori was avoiding her feelings, yato was acting weird, and it was more CREEPY than anything. hiyori laughs, just a little forced. ]
... Now that you mention it, our plaques were tied during the match-making party in Takama-ga-hara.
[ Sorry Hiyori, she's picturing two adorable children playing together and a tiny teensy Yato excitedly and shyly proposing to Hiyori! That image is so so cute... It's sad reality can't live up to the imagination of romantic goddesses.
But something else she just said caught her attention. ]
Takamagahara...? [That name is vaguely familiar.] Isn't that where the gods live in Japan?
[ The equivalent to the heavens in Mesopotamia... Hiyori went there? That's shocking in itself, but: ]
Y-You went there and they... they had match-making parties?
[ Are Japanese gods as bad as the Mesopotamian ones?!? They have duties to uphold, why would they do that?! ]
[ okay, yeah, that's mega-cute???? she wouldn't dare break that adorable daydream.
only tiny yato was a bit of a - that'll be a story for a different day. it's not even really hers.
going to takamagahara is. ]
It is. And I... I did? They did? [ it probably is weird for a human to go to heaven without dying. that's the whole half-dead thing she hasn't told many people about. ]
They tie soulmates! I-it's vital in Japan! Towards creating a world of peace!! Good matches produce harmony... or that's what they said at the party.
[ Not only that, but shouldn't she go to the local Underworld if she dies? Or is Izanami getting her souls snatched by the other gods? No matter the pantheon, goddesses of death just can't catch a break, huh! ]
I-I see... I suppose your goddess of love is actually competent...
[ Is that a stealth dig at Ishtar? Yes, yes it is. But clearly she has to be competent, seeing how good of a match they are!
... The bit about it leading to world peace sounds beautiful to her though. ]
Does that means the "power of love" will save the world in your pantheon?
[ She likes the idea a lot, maybe she should ask for a pantheon transfer. In hers the power of love has been completely and utterly desecrated by Ishtar! ]
hiyori blinks. ah, that must be a dig on her sister. yep. sibling rivalry at its finest, she supposes.
she'd laugh at ereshkigal calling ookuninushi a goddess of love, though. he was a burly man's man. with the sweetest white rabbit as a familiar.
a-anyway! hiyori smiles at her. ]
Maybe. It's a nice thought, isn't it?
[ they could use it here, too. spoilers: it does pretty much save the world in noragami. even though how it happens is tragic. leads to hiyori's real death and not just a half-death.
none of which she remembers. ]
But the gods up in Heaven were tying people together as soulmates. Yato's plaque didn't have anybody tied to him. I kept getting tied to gambling junkies, homeless guys, cult fanatics, neets...
[ ... What's a neet? Based on the context, she has to assume it's pretty bad. Not as bad as Hiyori's ultimate fate (she's sure Yato will find a way to fight against it) but still bad. Enough so that the sparkling stops. ]
T-That sounds miserable...
[ She'd rather remain a goddess who will never know romantic love than be paired with such distasteful individuals. Well, maybe if the cult fanatic is actually in a cult about her... But then that would mean they're seriously obsessive and possessive! Which doesn't sound that bad to her actually, imagine someone loving you so much their entire life revolves around you. It sounds kinda nice, right?
not a wrong word, but still strong. at the time, they described a Certain Someone. only yukine was the one to notice, however. neither hiyori nor yato acknowledge that one of them was a gambling junkie, pretty much homeless, was a fanatic about many things like good luck charms and capyper and a hiyori simp, many would call him a neet --
THINGS HAVE CHANGED. ]
Eh? N-no! I would never...! [ EVERYONE LOOKING AT YATO IN THE NORGAMI WORLD. ]
Um. [ here she gets shy, fidgeting with her ring again. ] Actually, Yato is my... first.
[ like, ever. ]
I went to mixers with friends now and then to meet people. Similar to that speed dating thing where we met. Nobody ever interested me, though. And my friends would tell me I was close to this guy named Kouto Fujisaki but he wasn't my type at all. He asked me on dates...
[ look at her face. this is a disgusted face to think about such a guy. ]
[ Yato is living proof that gods can change, and for the best! He can be proud of himself (but not too much lest he does stupid things).
... T-Though, what's mixer? She's just going to assume that's where the cool kids go nowadays to try and find love! And Hiyori immediately confirms it by comparing it to the speed dating. And the way she talks about that Kouto Fujisaki, the face she makes... She sympathizes, strongly. ]
I understand... Humans have written stories about me being married to Nergal, it's pretty annoying when people insinuate things like that about you.
[ And Nergal's not even the only one, she has three husbands in those human myths! Eww. How gross and filthy. What were they thinking?! Maybe even people in the ancient times were thinking "wow this goddess is really lonely and sad, she should date someone."
She smiles at Hiyori though, no lingering on shameful human fanfiction! ]
I think you two were meant to be. I'm glad it was able to turn out so well.
ereshkigal has changed as well since she's known her. there's less anxiety in her actions and more genuine assuredness in how she carries herself. some bluster, but more than a little conviction.
(yato, meanwhile, will always do stupid things) ]
Yeah. Especially because you specifically deserve to marry someone you love. You've been waiting.
[ THREE HUSBANDS THO DAMN GIRL. the last person she could picture having THREE husbands is ereshkigal, frankly. she's so steadfast and so whole-hearted. as if she could split her heart between three people.
taking ereshkigal's hands, she guides her to sit on the edge of her bed and clasps them in her lap. ]
It turned out so well because people like you cheered us on, you know? You helped so much. I don't know, I feel like I could talk to you about anything. Your presence is comforting to me. Sometimes... okay, more than sometimes, I wondered if it wasn't going to end badly between Yato and I. I thought we were too different or just better as friends. After what happened at the Gala, in particular. If I didn't run into you, if you weren't not-so-secretly [ she smiles, quickly but brightly ] rooting for us the whole time, no matter how much of idiot Yato is that he needs to be slapped... you were there for us. For me...
Th - that's why, um. [ that nervous energy is back as she shuffles around for something beneath her pillow and unfolds it between them with restless fingers. ]
I was wondering if... [ in her lap is a sash and a little tiara. very obviously diy. glitter is getting everywhere and written in hiyori's handwritten cursive is:
Maid of Honor ]
Would you stand up there with us, too? When the time comes? N-no pressure, though! I know you get nervous about things like this... !
[ She's giving her way too much credit. She's sure even if she hadn't been there, they would have found the path to happiness together. Maybe the road would have been a little longer with more bumps here and there, but still. They love each other so much! Ehe. She has faith in them no matter the world or time.
Though she cants her head to the side in confusion when Hiyori seems to be getting so nervous. Is there something wrong? And that's when she sees it. The sash and the tiara.
Ereshkigal brings a hand to her lips, t-that's not at all what she had expected! She'd always known she would attend their wedding of course, but that... She looks at the two little things silently for a moment. DIY perhaps, but how much effort and love was put into them makes them very beautiful and meaningful. ]
[ But then she smiles and shakes her head. Yes, she can get very nervous and pressure easily gets to her. But not about this, no way. Why, Ereshkigal is radiating (sparkling) happiness right now. ]
I... I would be honored to be there for you!
[ Every girls dream of marriage at some point, even goddesses. Especially goddesses when they're like her. And to be attending one as the Maid of Honor... It is both a joy and an honor. It feels like a dream coming true... But it's even better than that. She could easily attend a random wedding, but one of two people she cherishes and so fervently wishes to see happy together?
That's so exciting and wonderful! ]
I must warn you though... I don't think I'll be able to hold the tears back.
[ Ignore the fact that there are already tears. But they're happy tears, and those are alright! ]
[ hiyori... isn't so sure??? but!! but. those stars the goddess admires so aligned while they were here. in a place that could be so very grim at times, they found their path.
the goddess will find hers, too. hiyori is as sure of that as ereshkigal is about her faith in them.
keeping her breath bated, she waits. with everything she's told her about romance and her dreams, the sash and tiara are catered specifically to her. for her. for such a high and mighty goddess, she has this girly and clumsy side hiyori likes the best and enjoys seeing when it comes out. it's just as good as her cool and distinguished side.
sparkling as the divine being she is, but crying like that girly side she treasures so much. that breath hiyori was holding comes out in a rush, hand pressing to her chest. ]
What a relief...! I'm so glad!! [ with that, she places the tiara and sash around her special maid of honor with a grin. ]
I told you. Crying is sometimes a good thing. But I'll bring tissues. I think Yato might cry the most.
[ or her. who knows?? and knowing how she is, how she will sit there elegantly in front of her and sparkle at her
that's right, it's HIYORI HUG TIME. while trying not to squish her new sash. more glitter is getting all over their clothes. ere's nice clothes!! ]
[ Ehehe. She's so giddy when Hiyori put the tiara and sash around her. And so much glitter spreading and scattering around when she gives her that sudden hug! But she doesn't mind. The sash and tiara have far more value to her than those clothes. Emotional value.
And that's more important than anything else to an gloomy(?) goddess who has only recently found out how wonderful it is to have friends.
She hugs her back, tightly. But not too tightly, she doesn't want to accidentally crush her with her A-rank strength nor ruin the hard work she put into the sash! ]
Thank you.
[ Hiyori may not realize it, but this is a wonderful gift for this old goddess. She pulls back a bit to look at her. ]
We'll have to go shopping to find you the wedding dress you like the most. [No Yato allowed! It'll be a surprise on the wedding day, ehehe.] And you can count on me to plan the best bachelorette party.
[ That she knows in detail all the things that are expected from a maid of honor isn't a sign that this goddess really likes wedding and has daydreamed about them for a long time, nope. Perish the thought! ]
when they separate, hiyori is beaming with a smile, too. not quite sparking! but flushed and happy and wondering if this is all real. she's marrying yato?! a god. her maid of honor is the goddess of death?! another god that's so important to her.
this story belongs in shows, a movie, or a manga. not in her life. ]
E-eh? Oh! R-right! Wedding dresses. [ that makes her mildly dizzy. huh. does she want traditional or more western? things to think about and discuss with ereshkigal. and yato. ]
And parties... and planning... the only planning I ever did before was setting up a picnic by a sakura tree once. I have no idea what I'm doing...
[ Maybe this story does belong to a manga. Or even a journal-based roleplaying platform used by extra-dimensional entities who don't realize they're puppeteering the real lives of characters in a weird kaiju world. We'll never know.
Regardless, Ereshkigal puts a hand on Hiyori's shoulder and helps stabilize her. Turning her around gently so her face is free of those darn blanket and she can breath more easily. ]
Deep breathes, Hiyori! [She can do it!] Inhale through the nose and then slowly exhale through the mouth...!
[ She's in good hands, Ereshkigal knows all the best routines to fight off stress and anxiety! W-Well, one could argue they're not very good routine given the average mental state of this goddess, but!! Details. ]
I will be there to help you every steps of the way! And other bridesmaids, as well. [Surely Hiyori will have others, r-right?] And if you feel too overwhelmed, you can ask Yato to push back to summer or autumn.
when eresh turns her, hiyori avoids her eyes and is red-cheeked, red-nosed, and frowning. but!! she can't help the small smile to hear words echoed back at her. all they need is fresh air and a glass of water. how the turntables.
deep breaths, though. okay, yeah. innnn, outtttt.
wow it helps. she keeps laying on her side, though. as if she doesn't have the strength to hold up her own body for the moment. ]
I don't want to put too much on you and Ishmael, though. [ ERESH AND ISH. this should go well. they get along now, right? they're both important to her please get along. ]
... And I don't want to let him down. [ LOUD SIGH. ] But, also? I want to enjoy being engaged for longer than a few months.
It... feels like it's going so fast, Ereshkigal. Am I crazy? Am I being fussy? I - I'm not having second thoughts...! I just - I... don't want to hurt him. I do love him! I do want to marry him.
[ Ehehe, her anti-anxiety methods work best on humans it seems! Well, they were developed for humans so it makes sense... And Hiyori will be very happy to know she and Ishmael get along amazingly now! How things have changed in a few months. ]
It's normal. A lot is happening very quickly.
[ She puts a hand on Hiyori's shoulder. ]
You should speak of it with him. Let him know of your fears and worries, your feelings and desires. If you cannot do that... [A small, sad smile.] Then your marriage will either fail or be a very sad one.
[ She's sure that's not what Hiyori wants to hear. But that's the truth of it. They're both romantic who believe in fairytale-like love... But you can't ignore the reality of love. And while Ereshkigal does totally believe in her ideal love, she also knows it's something that demands efforts from both sides to work. ]
If today you remain silent out of fear to hurt him... How can he ever hope to understand your heart? [A pause.] Don't feel guilty for having feelings, Hiyori. And especially not for speaking of them to the one who will become your other half.
it would be sad if, at this point, she still couldn't confide in him. it's just like the gala where ereshkigal had to give her a little kick in the butt to do what she already knew she had to do. once again, she's there to put a hand at her back and urge her on the right path.
at the end, she sighs. relieved and a bit exhausted in equal measure before nodding to herself, raising her hand to put it on ereshkigal's and gripping it in hers. ]
You're right. With everything else, I don't hesitate so much. I don't know why I'm doing it again now. [ a sense of calm settles over her and she sits up. ] It's not that I feel guilty for having feelings. It's... a lot more complicated than that.
[ If love was a simple matter, everyone would be married and happy. Her sister and her trail of ex-husbands is a testament to how complicated such things are! Yet again, Ishtar may be a really bad example for this... ]
If it was me... I'd want to savor it too. [She stands up and smiles at Hiyori.] If I found love and they wanted to marry me immediately, I'd immediately say no. The journey is just as important as the destination.
[ She starts walking idly through the room, looking up dreamily. ]
I'd want a lot of dates in all sorts of gardens, or slow walks by a Christmas market on the beach, or-or... [And lo: The goddess is silent for a few second as she's sparkling, lost in her thoughts. But she soon shakes her head and ceases sparkling.] W-Well, nevermind that! What's important is that this is something you should enjoy at your own pace.
[ as similar as yato and ishtar sound at times??? it'd be best not to compare them like that. she doesn't want to be a part of the trail of any ex-partners...
that sounds like ereshkigal. a romantic at her heart. not so hopeless, though. hiyori watches her, unable to help but smile while she relays her daydreams and sparkles in her room. all of it has her reflecting back on her time with yato. their dates. every visit he made to the hospital to bring her food. the little gifts he picked up for her, here and there. the gifts she picked for him. his face being the first she saw when she woke up and how happy that made her. how he's been a pillar for her since getting here.
how different he is now to the yato she first met. not just with her but with everyone around them. he's made so many friends just by being himself.
it still feels a little like she's being fussy about it all. at the same time, yato's stance makes sense. tomorrow, in a week, in a month -
if one of them were to leave, she'd regret not listening to him. ]
Or horseback rides in your true love's arms? [ hiyori finishes for her, flashing a smile. it dims, a moment later and her eyes drop to her knees. ]
[ Horseback rides! While being carried in the arms of her beloved, ehehe. That would be... That would be so... ]
... That would be so wonderful!
[ But when she turns back to Hiyori, it's evident her friend isn't in the mood to daydream about silly scenarios like that. She'd hoped some levity would help her, but sometimes words just don't cut it.
That happens often with her souls too. Sometimes, there are no words that comforts them, no matter how hard she tries. Sometimes, they already know everything you tell them and just saying it in a kind and understanding manner doesn't help with the pain. ]
...
[ She goes back to the bed and sits next to Hiyori again, before slowly wrapping her arms around her friend and pulling her into a hug, wordlessly so. She is noticeably cold as always, Ereshkigal can never change that aspect of her physiology... But she hopes the hug is warm in other ways. ]
[ mentioning the horseback ride is worth it just to see ereshkigal sparkle again. hehe. that cheers her up more than the words, funnily enough.
unfortunately, it doesn't last. there's so much on her mind. she just gets like this when there's so much to think about. so, it does help. for a bit.
feeling the bed sink next to her, she looks up from her knees and sees the hug incoming and accepts it. leaning into it and burying her face in her shoulder. as ever, the temperature doesn't bother her. if anything, it's nice.
all this thinking has overheated her brain and the cool pressure of the goddess's arms around her is a relief. it is warm, though. warmth to know you're cared about so far, far away from home. after a steadying breath, she leans back and smiles more fully and it lasts much longer than a second at ereshkigal. ]
I can't decide on the color of the bridesmaid dresses. Maybe a soft blue? Or, like, a champagne color? I'm thinking of a cherry blossom theme.
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so diligent. it's probably nothing like being in the underworld, but it's as close as she can get. if it makes her happy? ]
Best of both worlds.
[ it may sound like she's overworking herself, but it's definitely otherwise. she imagines she just feels better looking out for them. as is her nature.
at the go-ahead, however, hiyori holds out her left hand and shows off her SHINY BEAUTIFUL RING--
looking at it still takes her breath away. give her a second. or two. ]
He used to propose to me when I was a teenager.
[ that just came out. she blurted it. oh no. ]
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But right now it doesn't matter! Because what matters is that Hiyori and Yato are going to marry. And when she looks at the ring, why... The goddess sparkles. Again. ]
Aaah, it's so pretty!
[ The goddess's sparkling reflects off the the ring, causing it to shine even more! What a wonderful, amazing ring it is. Did he make it himself using his powers, like she does with her jewelry and the spear cages? Or did he buy it? If that's the later, it must have cost a lot of money! She hopes Yato hasn't been doing anything illegal to afford the ring...
She looks back at Hiyori when she mentions that bit about them as teenager though. ]
That's so cute...! You two are really made for each other. This is going to be the happiest wedding ever!
[ By virtue of it being the first wedding she'll ever see, of course it'll be the happiest but she's sure even amongst countless weddings, it'd be the happiest one! ]
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[ yeah, wait, hold up. did her ring just get shinier?! it's nearly blinding now??? she squints a bit against it's brilliance and then glances up.
- she's sparkling. where's a pair of sunglasses when you need them? ]
A-ah, yeah. C-cute.
[ ERESHKIGAL. IT WASN'T CUTE. except she doesn't have the heart to tell her how freaky it was because they WEREN'T dating, hiyori was avoiding her feelings, yato was acting weird, and it was more CREEPY than anything. hiyori laughs, just a little forced. ]
... Now that you mention it, our plaques were tied during the match-making party in Takama-ga-hara.
[ hiyori what does that mean ]
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But something else she just said caught her attention. ]
Takamagahara...? [That name is vaguely familiar.] Isn't that where the gods live in Japan?
[ The equivalent to the heavens in Mesopotamia... Hiyori went there? That's shocking in itself, but: ]
Y-You went there and they... they had match-making parties?
[ Are Japanese gods as bad as the Mesopotamian ones?!? They have duties to uphold, why would they do that?! ]
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only tiny yato was a bit of a - that'll be a story for a different day. it's not even really hers.
going to takamagahara is. ]
It is. And I... I did? They did? [ it probably is weird for a human to go to heaven without dying. that's the whole half-dead thing she hasn't told many people about. ]
They tie soulmates! I-it's vital in Japan! Towards creating a world of peace!! Good matches produce harmony... or that's what they said at the party.
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I-I see... I suppose your goddess of love is actually competent...
[ Is that a stealth dig at Ishtar? Yes, yes it is. But clearly she has to be competent, seeing how good of a match they are!
... The bit about it leading to world peace sounds beautiful to her though. ]
Does that means the "power of love" will save the world in your pantheon?
[ She likes the idea a lot, maybe she should ask for a pantheon transfer. In hers the power of love has been completely and utterly desecrated by Ishtar! ]
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hiyori blinks. ah, that must be a dig on her sister. yep. sibling rivalry at its finest, she supposes.
she'd laugh at ereshkigal calling ookuninushi a goddess of love, though. he was a burly man's man. with the sweetest white rabbit as a familiar.
a-anyway! hiyori smiles at her. ]
Maybe. It's a nice thought, isn't it?
[ they could use it here, too. spoilers: it does pretty much save the world in noragami. even though how it happens is tragic. leads to hiyori's real death and not just a half-death.
none of which she remembers. ]
But the gods up in Heaven were tying people together as soulmates. Yato's plaque didn't have anybody tied to him. I kept getting tied to gambling junkies, homeless guys, cult fanatics, neets...
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T-That sounds miserable...
[ She'd rather remain a goddess who will never know romantic love than be paired with such distasteful individuals. Well, maybe if the cult fanatic is actually in a cult about her... But then that would mean they're seriously obsessive and possessive! Which doesn't sound that bad to her actually, imagine someone loving you so much their entire life revolves around you. It sounds kinda nice, right?
... ... ... ... A-Anyway! ]
You... You never dated such people, did you?
[ Now that would make her super sad. ]
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not a wrong word, but still strong. at the time, they described a Certain Someone. only yukine was the one to notice, however. neither hiyori nor yato acknowledge that one of them was a gambling junkie, pretty much homeless, was a fanatic about many things like good luck charms and capyper and a hiyori simp, many would call him a neet --
THINGS HAVE CHANGED. ]
Eh? N-no! I would never...! [ EVERYONE LOOKING AT YATO IN THE NORGAMI WORLD. ]
Um. [ here she gets shy, fidgeting with her ring again. ] Actually, Yato is my... first.
[ like, ever. ]
I went to mixers with friends now and then to meet people. Similar to that speed dating thing where we met. Nobody ever interested me, though. And my friends would tell me I was close to this guy named Kouto Fujisaki but he wasn't my type at all. He asked me on dates...
[ look at her face. this is a disgusted face to think about such a guy. ]
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... T-Though, what's mixer? She's just going to assume that's where the cool kids go nowadays to try and find love! And Hiyori immediately confirms it by comparing it to the speed dating. And the way she talks about that Kouto Fujisaki, the face she makes... She sympathizes, strongly. ]
I understand... Humans have written stories about me being married to Nergal, it's pretty annoying when people insinuate things like that about you.
[ And Nergal's not even the only one, she has three husbands in those human myths! Eww. How gross and filthy. What were they thinking?! Maybe even people in the ancient times were thinking "wow this goddess is really lonely and sad, she should date someone."
She smiles at Hiyori though, no lingering on shameful human fanfiction! ]
I think you two were meant to be. I'm glad it was able to turn out so well.
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ereshkigal has changed as well since she's known her. there's less anxiety in her actions and more genuine assuredness in how she carries herself. some bluster, but more than a little conviction.
(yato, meanwhile, will always do stupid things) ]
Yeah. Especially because you specifically deserve to marry someone you love. You've been waiting.
[ THREE HUSBANDS THO DAMN GIRL. the last person she could picture having THREE husbands is ereshkigal, frankly. she's so steadfast and so whole-hearted. as if she could split her heart between three people.
taking ereshkigal's hands, she guides her to sit on the edge of her bed and clasps them in her lap. ]
It turned out so well because people like you cheered us on, you know? You helped so much. I don't know, I feel like I could talk to you about anything. Your presence is comforting to me. Sometimes... okay, more than sometimes, I wondered if it wasn't going to end badly between Yato and I. I thought we were too different or just better as friends. After what happened at the Gala, in particular. If I didn't run into you, if you weren't not-so-secretly [ she smiles, quickly but brightly ] rooting for us the whole time, no matter how much of idiot Yato is that he needs to be slapped... you were there for us. For me...
Th - that's why, um. [ that nervous energy is back as she shuffles around for something beneath her pillow and unfolds it between them with restless fingers. ]
I was wondering if... [ in her lap is a sash and a little tiara. very obviously diy. glitter is getting everywhere and written in hiyori's handwritten cursive is:
Maid of Honor ]
Would you stand up there with us, too? When the time comes? N-no pressure, though! I know you get nervous about things like this... !
1/2
Though she cants her head to the side in confusion when Hiyori seems to be getting so nervous. Is there something wrong? And that's when she sees it. The sash and the tiara.
Ereshkigal brings a hand to her lips, t-that's not at all what she had expected! She'd always known she would attend their wedding of course, but that... She looks at the two little things silently for a moment. DIY perhaps, but how much effort and love was put into them makes them very beautiful and meaningful. ]
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I... I would be honored to be there for you!
[ Every girls dream of marriage at some point, even goddesses. Especially goddesses when they're like her. And to be attending one as the Maid of Honor... It is both a joy and an honor. It feels like a dream coming true... But it's even better than that. She could easily attend a random wedding, but one of two people she cherishes and so fervently wishes to see happy together?
That's so exciting and wonderful! ]
I must warn you though... I don't think I'll be able to hold the tears back.
[ Ignore the fact that there are already tears. But they're happy tears, and those are alright! ]
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the goddess will find hers, too. hiyori is as sure of that as ereshkigal is about her faith in them.
keeping her breath bated, she waits. with everything she's told her about romance and her dreams, the sash and tiara are catered specifically to her. for her. for such a high and mighty goddess, she has this girly and clumsy side hiyori likes the best and enjoys seeing when it comes out. it's just as good as her cool and distinguished side.
sparkling as the divine being she is, but crying like that girly side she treasures so much. that breath hiyori was holding comes out in a rush, hand pressing to her chest. ]
What a relief...! I'm so glad!! [ with that, she places the tiara and sash around her special maid of honor with a grin. ]
I told you. Crying is sometimes a good thing. But I'll bring tissues. I think Yato might cry the most.
[ or her. who knows?? and knowing how she is, how she will sit there elegantly in front of her and sparkle at her
that's right, it's HIYORI HUG TIME. while trying not to squish her new sash. more glitter is getting all over their clothes. ere's nice clothes!! ]
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And that's more important than anything else to an gloomy(?) goddess who has only recently found out how wonderful it is to have friends.
She hugs her back, tightly. But not too tightly, she doesn't want to accidentally crush her with her A-rank strength nor ruin the hard work she put into the sash! ]
Thank you.
[ Hiyori may not realize it, but this is a wonderful gift for this old goddess. She pulls back a bit to look at her. ]
We'll have to go shopping to find you the wedding dress you like the most. [No Yato allowed! It'll be a surprise on the wedding day, ehehe.] And you can count on me to plan the best bachelorette party.
[ That she knows in detail all the things that are expected from a maid of honor isn't a sign that this goddess really likes wedding and has daydreamed about them for a long time, nope. Perish the thought! ]
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crush her.when they separate, hiyori is beaming with a smile, too. not quite sparking! but flushed and happy and wondering if this is all real. she's marrying yato?! a god. her maid of honor is the goddess of death?! another god that's so important to her.
this story belongs in shows, a movie, or a manga. not in her life. ]
E-eh? Oh! R-right! Wedding dresses. [ that makes her mildly dizzy. huh. does she want traditional or more western? things to think about and discuss with ereshkigal. and yato. ]
And parties... and planning... the only planning I ever did before was setting up a picnic by a sakura tree once. I have no idea what I'm doing...
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AND YATO WANTS IT TO HAPPEN THIS SPRING? I get his excitement! I really do!! But it's so soon?! IN A FEW MONTHS. There is so much to do..........
[ help
HELP ]
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Regardless, Ereshkigal puts a hand on Hiyori's shoulder and helps stabilize her. Turning her around gently so her face is free of those darn blanket and she can breath more easily. ]
Deep breathes, Hiyori! [She can do it!] Inhale through the nose and then slowly exhale through the mouth...!
[ She's in good hands, Ereshkigal knows all the best routines to fight off stress and anxiety! W-Well, one could argue they're not very good routine given the average mental state of this goddess, but!! Details. ]
I will be there to help you every steps of the way! And other bridesmaids, as well. [Surely Hiyori will have others, r-right?] And if you feel too overwhelmed, you can ask Yato to push back to summer or autumn.
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when eresh turns her, hiyori avoids her eyes and is red-cheeked, red-nosed, and frowning. but!! she can't help the small smile to hear words echoed back at her. all they need is fresh air and a glass of water. how the turntables.
deep breaths, though. okay, yeah. innnn, outtttt.
wow it helps. she keeps laying on her side, though. as if she doesn't have the strength to hold up her own body for the moment. ]
I don't want to put too much on you and Ishmael, though. [ ERESH AND ISH. this should go well. they get along now, right? they're both important to her please get along. ]
... And I don't want to let him down. [ LOUD SIGH. ] But, also? I want to enjoy being engaged for longer than a few months.
It... feels like it's going so fast, Ereshkigal. Am I crazy? Am I being fussy? I - I'm not having second thoughts...! I just - I... don't want to hurt him. I do love him! I do want to marry him.
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It's normal. A lot is happening very quickly.
[ She puts a hand on Hiyori's shoulder. ]
You should speak of it with him. Let him know of your fears and worries, your feelings and desires. If you cannot do that... [A small, sad smile.] Then your marriage will either fail or be a very sad one.
[ She's sure that's not what Hiyori wants to hear. But that's the truth of it. They're both romantic who believe in fairytale-like love... But you can't ignore the reality of love. And while Ereshkigal does totally believe in her ideal love, she also knows it's something that demands efforts from both sides to work. ]
If today you remain silent out of fear to hurt him... How can he ever hope to understand your heart? [A pause.] Don't feel guilty for having feelings, Hiyori. And especially not for speaking of them to the one who will become your other half.
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but back to the matter -
it would be sad if, at this point, she still couldn't confide in him. it's just like the gala where ereshkigal had to give her a little kick in the butt to do what she already knew she had to do. once again, she's there to put a hand at her back and urge her on the right path.
at the end, she sighs. relieved and a bit exhausted in equal measure before nodding to herself, raising her hand to put it on ereshkigal's and gripping it in hers. ]
You're right. With everything else, I don't hesitate so much. I don't know why I'm doing it again now. [ a sense of calm settles over her and she sits up. ] It's not that I feel guilty for having feelings. It's... a lot more complicated than that.
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If it was me... I'd want to savor it too. [She stands up and smiles at Hiyori.] If I found love and they wanted to marry me immediately, I'd immediately say no. The journey is just as important as the destination.
[ She starts walking idly through the room, looking up dreamily. ]
I'd want a lot of dates in all sorts of gardens, or slow walks by a Christmas market on the beach, or-or... [And lo: The goddess is silent for a few second as she's sparkling, lost in her thoughts. But she soon shakes her head and ceases sparkling.] W-Well, nevermind that! What's important is that this is something you should enjoy at your own pace.
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that sounds like ereshkigal. a romantic at her heart. not so hopeless, though. hiyori watches her, unable to help but smile while she relays her daydreams and sparkles in her room. all of it has her reflecting back on her time with yato. their dates. every visit he made to the hospital to bring her food. the little gifts he picked up for her, here and there. the gifts she picked for him. his face being the first she saw when she woke up and how happy that made her. how he's been a pillar for her since getting here.
how different he is now to the yato she first met. not just with her but with everyone around them. he's made so many friends just by being himself.
it still feels a little like she's being fussy about it all. at the same time, yato's stance makes sense. tomorrow, in a week, in a month -
if one of them were to leave, she'd regret not listening to him. ]
Or horseback rides in your true love's arms? [ hiyori finishes for her, flashing a smile. it dims, a moment later and her eyes drop to her knees. ]
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... That would be so wonderful!
[ But when she turns back to Hiyori, it's evident her friend isn't in the mood to daydream about silly scenarios like that. She'd hoped some levity would help her, but sometimes words just don't cut it.
That happens often with her souls too. Sometimes, there are no words that comforts them, no matter how hard she tries. Sometimes, they already know everything you tell them and just saying it in a kind and understanding manner doesn't help with the pain. ]
...
[ She goes back to the bed and sits next to Hiyori again, before slowly wrapping her arms around her friend and pulling her into a hug, wordlessly so. She is noticeably cold as always, Ereshkigal can never change that aspect of her physiology... But she hopes the hug is warm in other ways. ]
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unfortunately, it doesn't last. there's so much on her mind. she just gets like this when there's so much to think about. so, it does help. for a bit.
feeling the bed sink next to her, she looks up from her knees and sees the hug incoming and accepts it. leaning into it and burying her face in her shoulder. as ever, the temperature doesn't bother her. if anything, it's nice.
all this thinking has overheated her brain and the cool pressure of the goddess's arms around her is a relief. it is warm, though. warmth to know you're cared about so far, far away from home. after a steadying breath, she leans back and smiles more fully and it lasts much longer than a second at ereshkigal. ]
I can't decide on the color of the bridesmaid dresses. Maybe a soft blue? Or, like, a champagne color? I'm thinking of a cherry blossom theme.
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