Planning a supernatural wedding, Glad discovered, was approximately 700 times more complicated than planning a human one.
"Guest list," Rigen announced at the first planning meeting. "Current count: 847 confirmed, 312 maybes, and 47 'will attend if they can shift into something appropriate.'"
"847?!"
"That's just creatures. Humans are another 200."
"We need a VENUE for 1,000 guests?!"
"The community center can expand. Kapres are handling construction."
Glad put her head in her hands. "I wanted something small. Intimate."
"You're the most famous Manananggal in the world. Nothing about your life is small anymore."
The planning continued through the afternoon.
Food: Ben's blood bakery would cater, with options for every dietary need—human, creature, and everything between.
Music: A collaboration between human musicians and engkanto sound-weavers. ("They can make the walls sing," Yuki contributed. "Very dramatic.")
Attire: Glad's wedding outfit needed wing accommodations. ("We'll design something with slits," a duwende tailor assured her. "Very elegant, very functional.")
Officiant: Congressman Diomedes, as council leader, would perform the ceremony. ("I've done this before. Don't worry, I won't bite.")
And through it all, Ariel watched with amusement.
"You're stress-spiraling," he observed.
"I'm STRESSED. There's a difference."
"You wanted this."
"I wanted to MARRY you. Not plan a international supernatural event!"
He pulled her close. "Okay. Let's simplify. What do YOU actually want?"
Glad thought about it.
"I want you. I want our friends. I want Anino's garden nearby. I want..." She paused. "I want to fly. Afterward. Just us."
"Then that's what we'll do. Everything else is just details."
She relaxed against him. "When did you get so wise?"
"When I met you. You're a bad influence."
They kissed, ignoring Rigen's exaggerated gagging noises.
The wedding would be huge.
But the marriage would be theirs.