They took the first steps into the pool together, her hand held firmly in his. Her heart was pounding in her chest as the warm and fragrant waters enveloped her feet, then thighs, and hips. She was only slightly relieved at her lower half being covered by the pink waters as another worrying thought slipped into her mind. She took a quick glance up at the priest standing at the end of the pool. "Um exactly how deep does this go?"
There was a twitch from the hand holding hers. "It may be a bit deep at the end, but you should still be able to touch the bottom." Did he sound confident or unsure? Her own unease made it difficult to figure it out.
He lead her farther in and it was only once her chest was covered by the opaque water as well that she finally relaxed a little. She released a breath she wasn't aware she was holding and looked up at the dark robed priest. He white hair was braided up and around slick black horns with small ornaments and charms weaved in, but what caught Julika's attention were his eyes. The same milky white as his hair, he stared towards the center of the pool, passed the point they had already traveled.
"He's blind?" It was barely more than a whisper but she saw from the corner of her vision her husband's head nod. She remembered the elderly Tal'ri woman mention he had specifically chosen the priest, was that the reason why? She gave the hand in hers a soft squeeze as they took the last few steps and water just barely lapped over her shoulders.
He turned to face her and she took his cue and did the same. She did her best to stop the smirk that was creeping into her lips. Dark hair, horns, and eyes along with him being several inches if not a foot taller than her made him quite imposing; yet the foaming pastel pink water and pearlescent fabric draped over one shoulder took all of the fear she had away.
They stood facing each other in silence for a moment before he sighed and then loudly cleared his throat.
The priest who had been practically motionless up until that point suddenly stirred and looked vaguely in his direction. "Oh here already? Quite impatient aren't you? Well you young ones these days all off and hurry, here I was enjoying a nice steam bath and -"
"Brother Elzith." Whether it was a warning or simply impatience she wasn't sure but Julika did all she could to hide the snicker that threatened to escape her.
"Hm, oh yes." This time the priest cleared his throat before waving his hands about them as it speaking to a congregation. "We have gathered here it these times of strife and the turmoils of war to join these two souls together in holy matrimony."
Her husband held out his other hand and she took it in silent understanding as the priest continued. "We welcome the spirits of the gods and our ancestors to see and bless this union. We ask that they guide these two and lead them into a future of happiness and understanding. Though they may have enter this temple as two separate beings, guided by spirits of different families, we ask for harmony from those before us, to lead both of them to a prosperous future."
He leaned down towards the pair with a smile. "Now before the gods and all those who came before us, you shall end your life as one and begin again as two."
Julika gaped at the holy man as her husband took a breath and dipped under the water. He came back up and released one hand to wipe the pink waters from his face. With a finger he pointed down, indicating for her to do the same. "Oh." She used her free hand to plug her nose and quickly bobbed under and came back up. The water felt far warmer against her face and left what felt like an oily residue, but at least the smell was somewhat flora.
"Call in her second."
The priest's gaze floated over them as he shuffled about for a bit. "Her second? Is it not both families are to enter and dress you for the reception?"
Julika finally released her husband's other hand to move up to the edge to speak with the priest. "I'm human, and we've married for political interests." His pale eyes widened; was he unaware that she was human, or simply surprised that she spoke up? "I believe my husband is trying to spare me the embarrassment of not knowing what's going on."
The priest leaned back and tapped a finger to his lips. "Ah yes, how very courteous of you my boy. Such a sweet thing to take care of your new wife in such a manner. Especially seeing as she's not a Tal'ri. Why she must be so -"
"Brother Elzith." That time she was sure it sounded like annoyance.
"Ah yes, yes. The girl's second, I'll let her in." He grabbed a fistful of the gaudy robes and shuffled over to the double doors behind him.
Julika turned towards her husband and nervously fiddled with her hands under the water where he couldn't see. "Th-thank you for choosing that priest. I mean, one who couldn't see me like . . . that."
His eyebrows lowered as if questioning her but he stayed silent. She cursed herself in her mind, how could she forget so easily how cross their first meeting was. Perhaps it was for her at all, maybe it was for his own comfort. He called him by name and personally requested him, he probably knew the priest well.
Julika frowned and glanced away to let out a sigh before meeting her husband's eyes again. "Even if the gesture wasn't something for my comfort, I appreciate the motion none-the-less." Even the warmth of the pool she felt a tremble in her fingers. "I'm honestly no okay with being striped bare in front of a bunch of strangers, so having a priest who couldn't see is a weight off my shoulders. If only a little."
He looked away as a shout came from the doors. "Jules!" Amira bolted out towards her with a towel and dress in hand. "Come I'll get you up and dressed."
Julika glanced back and with a nod he closed his eyes. Amira gave her a hand up and out of the pool and they both shed off the iridescent cloth and dried her off before pulled a soft purple dress up and over her head. She was far more used to corsets and petticoats, but having anything on right now was a breath of fresh air. Amira pulled her towards the door but Julika held her back. "Send in his people, I think we should be walking out together."
She heard the splash of water as Amira glanced over her shoulder. Her hand maiden's face brightened behind her veil of freckles and she quickly nodded and rushed back out the door to get whoever was waiting for the Chato-ran.
A small group of men started to walk in and Julika looked away from their glances. Suddenly she was overwhelmed by how alone she really was. Amira returned and grabbed onto her hand as if seeing the emotions on her face. "Are you ok, Jules?"
Amira had no way way of knowing, but she was holding onto the hand her husband had been holding this whole time. Julika smiled at her only friend. "Honestly I think I'm all right." He had done nothing to hurt her yet, nothing to betray her trust. She tried her best to hide the tremble in her hands, and for now she would try to believe in her husband.
He stepped up to her side and motioned towards the door out into a crowd she could already hear. This time it was Julika who extended her hand first, and without a word her demonic looking husband lead her through the doors to her new life.