Cora gave Nic a  sweet smile,I really...don't take advice   from strangers...and?  You should be happy...Harry's advice gave you an......in.

 she went off to   find friends or  snag  Will, to get him to dance... there were some smiles  directed  Cora's way by most of the SEC folks within hearing range.

 Sneak seemed  'professional' as she placed the  cakes  by them, and  went back to  leading the  newer  waitress on what to  do , and who was who.

 With Nic's  words, Howe and Fitz, got up from thier  table  and moved to another table a bit away from  them, there was a good chance they didn't  understand what he said, but they could understand  what Cora  said.

Gai sat  a two tables  away, sipping a drink as she  talked to  Chatty Smith and Art Moore, she watched, and gave a slight shake of her head, and went back to chatting.

.................

 Captain Si Stopped to bring  Shadow out onto the  floor for a slow  song Hennings  was Dancing with Emmie, and Lilit had The Admiral dance....others  were pairing up.

Ellen   Grabbed Will and waved to  Cora  who grinned and nodded her head  rapidly, and will was escorted to the  floor  by the 'sling-armed'  trooper.

Henry accepted Shadow's congratulations.

"Thank you, Kray. It's all a bit over the top. I'm not sure where all these 'customs' and 'traditions' have come from. The only ones I am familiar with are the bride and groom cutting the cake and having the first dance together."

He watched Shadow fuzzing Mila, who was enjoying it and started wagging her tail.

"My family is growing in leaps and bounds. Can chose his adoptive name, it's what he wanted. After all, it's my name..."

He spread the scarlet gown.

"You see, this is my formal academic dress - an Oxford Doctoral gown. It seemed more appropriate than turning up wearing a bunch of medals. Those belong on fighting personnel like you... although they keep turning up in my mailbox too. I did wonder about putting them on, but thought it might be a little silly really."

He did have them in his pocket, still, and showed them momentarily.

Nic just shook his head as Hoew and Fitz left. "Such a pretty face... shame she's all rotted inside," he said in parting to Cora.

 Lizzy smiled at Izzy and said,Oh it is ok a lot if ladies going for it, it was fun Lizzy smiled at Izzy and yes she was disappointed in not getting it but she was having fun and enjoying the wedding. Lizzy smiled at Cora as she came over to talk to Harry and Nic. Lizzy just smiled at Nic took Izzy's hand and said,May I have this dance?

 Sam waved at Howe and smiled, she shook her head at Nic and then said to the table,I need to go see the happy newlyweds Sam smiled again and then headed for Val and Henry. She got there took out the official hard copy of the adoption handed it too Henry and said, Congratulations Doctor and Val Christy, this is your official copy of the paperwork for Can Christy, I am so happy for your new family.

   Shadow  gave a smile,..You're out there waving a gun around and getting shot at , like the rest of us... You earned them... Congrates  again....

 I think Captain Si picked  some of the things from Northeastern PA and  in New York? lots of the same stuff there... Dana moved things around so there  would be  more dance time at the end.

as for the academic  gown?..be proud. there might be  5...maybe  6  crewmembers , who are not in a tech Lab , who can sport one of those..I was lucky to be allowed to wear a cap and  gown to graduate!and he was taken away  by Captain Si.

.....

after   two slow  songs..faster  songs came up,, Will was dragged onto the flor  with the rest of the  Guys  as they Danced... Shadow was intercepted  By beth and had to dance...Maria and Lippen  danced with Shade.

  Dusk   looked at Roy...would you like to dance, or would you rather wait for something less 'energetic'?

............

 Sneak made her  way  through the  Crowd  with her 'apprentice' in tow, stopping by tables   until they reached Henry and  Val. Sneak  waited for Sam to finish  and  said to henry...I don't know where you and  Mrs  Christie  will go for  tonight? But Roll seems  set on 'hosting' Can tonight... Jax  and  I can keep an eye  on  them...?

Henry grinned at Shadow.

"Guess you're right, but it all seems a bit playacting. Just as well I am not still lecturing, the students would have a field day with all this 'Warrior Prof' stuff and the action figures. Ah, so these are American wedding traditions. We English do things a bit differently. It's all a bit of fun, even if it seems strange at times."

Henry smiled as Samantha approached with the adoption certificate.

"Thank you, Lieutenant Robertson. Now my cup really floweth over... You do have him down as Henry Christie Junior, though, don't you? That's his choice of name and I couldn't be prouder... Can is just the name he's known by."

Henry tucked the paper away. It could disappear into his office with all the other administrivia. The intent was important for this one, though.

"Hello, Sneak. I suppose we'll be going home, my quarters.. sorry. Our quarters in BioTech. If Can wants a sleepover he's welcome but he has his own room so isn't underfoot or anything. It's very kind of you and the others to think of him and of us. Just make sure we know where he is and to get home by noon, please."

In reply to reception (msg # 160):

With Shadow occupied Zob found Melia and with a smile took her out to the dance floor to join in with the others it had been a busy day and a half and he just wanted to spend a bit of time with her before they had to go back to their duties.

Kira watched as Morgan returned to the table and grinned, "Where do you think you're going Morgan?" she said standing up and taking his hand and heading towards the dance floor to join the others.

 Sneak  gave a smile, we will.. and  with  Roll and  Can in a house, i doubt anyhtign  will happen, they sued to have to hide in pipes and sewers....'roughing it' on a couch or Bed will be  fine.

 she  and her charge  went off to 'reload' on cake.

....................

 Morgan grinned , pivoting  and following her out onto the Floor  Holding her as the moved with the other.

......
 other folks waited  for differant Music..Buzzing was all around  as people chatted  about the wedding, and the Up coming Ball.

 Sam smiled and replied to Henry," Yes Doctor Christy his legal name is Henry Christy Junior, and I am so happy for you Doctor and I am glad I could help." Sam smiled and headed towards Howe and asked," Would you like to dance Lt.?"

When asked what flavour cake she wanted Harry would raise her hand and gently shake her head to show she didn’t want any, with her appetite not being great at this point in time with her not having finished her dinner. She would ignore Cora, leaving Nic to tell her where to stick her opinion, with Harry instead opting to give Will a look that seemed to ask this is what you left me for? This tart? This isn’t even a side step let alone an upgrade! though she would give a single bark of laughter when Cora stated she didn’t take advice from strangers, thinking that she would come to regret that.

Once they had left Harry would gently lean in to rest her head on Nic’s shoulder with a weary sigh ”…stupid too, I mean she actually thinks she outwitted me” Harry quietly said before going on to explain the advice she had given them ”I suspected that Will wanted to leave me for something pretty that smile and hang off of his arm while he spoke to the big wigs at parties, and those two had been giving me a hard time for weeks so I told them to take their shot figuring he would he would either turn them down giving me all the excuse I needed to tell them to sling their hook or he wouldn’t and I would know for certain that things were over between us…I got my answer, it hurt learning I was right and it hurt even more when he didn’t even have the guts to tell me to my face but at least I wasn’t wasting my time with someone that didn’t want to be with me” She quietly explained as everyone else seemed to head for the dance floor.

  Howe  smiled and  sat his  Drink on the  a table that contained  Nagy and  Lt Hirr  talked  and nodded to Howe  as he went to the Flor. he was  movign  gingerly , but  he  stepped out.

  How did you get away from the   Burian Fleet.. we don't have to worry about the SM locking you up...do we?  he grinned.

.............

 Will looked  at Harry's  table,, then his eyes shifted to Cora as he smiled when she  came into view to  Dance.

 Shadow  was lookign at His   COMs and seemed  on a direct path to Harry's  TAble, , when AZ-EL  pulled him out on the Dance  floor.

Lona  Lake was   dancing  with Noles.. it would  soon be  time for some fast songs to  pop up.

....

 Dusk  , lead  Roy  to the 'bar table". Her  eyes shifted over the  whole scene   as she  asked   Arnie  for a  Burian Sunburst.

  Roy?.... This does not feel right...The Paradise  Fleet coming?... They have not left thier  system for 1000 years..now.. the demons go away..and ..NOW..they are ready to fight? Granmod has been talkign to  ambassadors  and  officers of the APF...most of them , do not trust The Paradise system Angels

..............

  Shade   walked up  to  Henry and Val who, were resting  after   all the attention thrown thier way.. He  Bleeped  and Whirled  , offering his  hand with  green eyes shining... he would offer   Val a Hug, and she readily took it.

 Lyri hand  made her way over  to say Congrates, as she said,I don't understand  what  he's saying, but i'm assuming  he is happy for you both...

Shade gave a thumbs up.

She would give a wary glance in the direction of Cora and Harry, knowing that the pair didn’t like one another and half expecting whatever was going on between them to explode into violence. However Harry would remain pretty much silent throughout the exchange meaning that they wouldn’t have to intervene, although she did lose respect for the people giving Harry disapproving looks seeing as she hadn’t done anything.

When asked if she would like to dance Izzy would smile as she took Lizzy’s hand and started heading for the dance floor ”sure, I’d love to” always happy for the opportunity to dance with her girlfriend, especially after a combat mission. Once they were on the dance floor she would place her hands upon Lizzy’s hips and begin moving to the music.

Billie smiled when Arnie came back to sit by her, having not participated herself. She felt as though she had relied a little too much on the lime green stuff…so she was giving herself a brief break from it. There was that burning tingly sensation that kept radiating up and down her forearms and while it was an unpleasant feeling, she could power through it. Plus, with Arnie, those sensations were easily replaced with different ones. “Maybe next time since,” she said with a chuckle, figuring that Zob and Meila married…and now the Dr and Val. It was only a matter of time before someone else decided to get married as well. If she had her guess on any of those that she knew, she’d guess that Izzy and Lizzy would be next.

Her gaze darted between Roy and Dusk when they approached, Arnie getting up to do his job, a soft smile on her lips as she noted their interaction. Seemed there was something going on between the two…so Billie made a mental note to tease him about it later.

<Flex recap>

Jug standing among the other women and Haley, stood in the group for the bouquet.  More really interest in protecting Haley than the flowers was her intent.  out of the corner of her eye she spotted it.  It bounced hands a few times as Jug pushed a few ladies from landing Haley as she ducked a woman.  It landed solidly in Jugs hands as she was shoved a bit.  Getting up quickly she was as surprised and anyone she had it.  A few women near by approached.  Jug went into a martial arts stand and smiled ...threateningly, with her full barb like teeth.  Then immediately realized it was part of the party and relaxed.  her grimace softening "My apologies" she said calmly.  Another lady led Jug to a chair to sit.  the woman whispered as men were to catch the garter, including Bog.  A cheer came as the garter was caught.  Tall Karl caught it.  to her all male humans were tall, some more than others.  He moved to a chair opposite her.  All eyes on them for a moment.  As he sathe asked Jug about how high.  Jug actually blushed a bit, a few shades of a darker green.  she recovered quickly and sat up straight to gain composure "Gava are not bashful"  Her bare foot she held out.  Her Gavan leg was rather muscular, but was pretty (she thought atleast).  Green with touches of yellows and purples, even a few dots of silver.  As Karl put it on it managed to go up just past her knee. "It fits" she stated grinning.  some of her Gavan teeth showing.  "Do we dance now?" she asked Karl.

<end flex recap...close enough>

 Sam went slowly and wasnt in a rush, she didnt want Steve to hurt himself. Then hge asked his questions, Sam giggled and replied," Well I had too come and deliver adoption certificate to Doctor Christy and Sarah, I mean Commodore McKeon told me too come and deliver it inperson and relax a bit." Sam smiled and danced easily with Howe.

 Howe   smiled  again,  they Moved  to the  music, another  slow  song came on.. Howe  kept her there,I should be a lot better  tomorrow, still don't know if  i can help  with  driving or anything , for our Delta   night

.............

 AZ-EL  walked Shadow  over to his table and  seemed to be  in deep  discussion, The  Pilot looked  around the  room for a moment, then looked her in the eyes saying something. AZ-EL  gave a  firm  nod, to go with a firm smile  and  went off into the  mass of table. Standing with his  hands on his hips, he looked around, scanning the  people who were   enjoying themselves, then sat down Asking one of the waitresses  for a soda.

........

 Hemsly set up the  Box to play  3  fast moving  songs,he approached  Shadow's  table   waving for a beer.

  been hearin' alot of  scuttlebutt. 'bout them Paradise  Angels.. Just lettin' ye  know, Me 'an the Lads and Lasses  'ave  yer back  'eh..?

 Thanks Hemsly.. I know.  Most of the folks here won't let the Angels  get away with too much

Nic turned his head when Harry rested her head on his shoulder. "Well I don't know any of them being new here but I am not very sure at this point if I traded up from the move from Hemidal to here. Feels like a sideways move. Even a little down. Same old shit, different day. I avoided Icehole so I didn't gain any attention. Here, I'm surrounded by people that demand I have their opinion. Problem is, I haven't even talked to many of them and then they judge me because they expect me to blindly follow their lead." He snorted. "Fat chance of that. The more I see, the less I like. I guess that I should just do my duty and ignore the rest."

Nic shook his head slowly and then briefly rested his head against Harry's. "If you are tired I can help you back to your quarters. Seems the rest at least are having fun." It really irritated him when it shouldn't but... well Harry can defend herself. She had enough of a sharp tongue. "Sorry, I should have just let you have at it," he said softly.

 Lizzy danced close with Izzy during the slow songs and when a fast song came Lizzy's hips went wild and she really got into it. Lizzy held Izzy close and began to have tears of joy again, a real wedding on the Hermes, once Melia had more free time they would do a part for her and Zob. Lizzy then said," Isn't this amazing Izzy I love weddings so much fun."

 Sam smiled and stayed for another slow dance with Howe. " Well i am just glad you are recovering, dont push it too fast. I will be helping Beth out in the command center I suppose if they let me."

Roy had shrugged off being beaten out for the garter with casual ease.  He'd made a good showing...as he understood it, the competition for the garter was intended to be a compliment to the bride's desirable nature, and he felt like there'd been enough effort to compliment both Henry and Val.

He spent some time dancing with Dusk...more slow dances than fast ones, but he felt awkward trying to dance to fast songs, and that was before the rigid fit of the dress uniform was considered, but enough dances that when she led the way to the bar, he was ready for a break.

She expressed her uncertainty about the Paradise Angels, and he snorted and shrugged, having discussed it at length with a few others over the past day or so.  "The biggest target on any Angel is ego, it seems...with few exceptions.  But certainly, any of the 'old guard' Angels from Paradise.  When Captain Si's sister was on board and trying to lure in Shadow, she had a detachment of Elites assigned to her and they acted like they should have been credited with every success that had ever been managed against the Demons...right up to the point where Shadow put their captain in Medical with a serious concussion and a broken jaw.  So I'm not surprised to see them crawl out of their holes now that the threat has been chased away and start claiming right of dominance."  He shrugged dismissively.

"Problem for them is, the galaxy's changed a lot in the last thousand years.  They might have had the Occui and Sanri ready to follow them, but that was before they went to ground and left all the other anti-Demon species to fend for themselves.  Even if we hadn't come along, I don't think the Sanri would be particularly inclined to let the Angels start calling the shots again, and the best-case scenario for the Angels would be the Occui on an even split as to whether or not to follow their lead.  Personally, I've seen too damned many Angels in command positions who ended up having EDT connections to trust anyone from Paradise until they've fought and bled alongside me for a few months.  And I sure as hell don't plan to take any advice on fighting a war from someone who got their own forces hemmed in to a single planet.  So I think they're in for a big surprise when they demand to be put in charge and everyone says, "No thanks...""

 Dusk tapped the drink for  Arnie to refill it...he took the glass and  made a fresh one.

Some Line dances poped up, Most of the ladies  and a few of the Guys  joined in on that. Frans , Eckles and Cora took the lead on that, waving for others to join in.

 a few more slow  songs where played...and a few more fast one,  Billie was  able to get Arnie out on the floor  .. several others  , such a Jumping  Lion . Jax  and a few others. gave thier best shot.

 Dana  waved  Val over  after a bit more then an Hour. she  announced Now?..the Bridal Dance . Everyone  form aa line starting  at Amy, drop a cred or two in her apron,  you get a  few spins  with Val, and you move on to get a shot....then , those who have had thier Dance, hold  hands   and  dance in a circle... Our Groom, will , try to break  in and whisk his bride off to there  quarters

 The Admiral  and Captain were first in Line ,dropped  some cred Bills into the apron, doing a couple spins and getting thier shot of  whisky  as they began the Parade  around  Val..  Beth   Pushed  Shadow out into the line, he dropped   a  Handful of paper creds, and  did the  Same  thing..Holding up his  empty shot glass  far drinking it, for Arnie to see.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIBonlHz1bQ

( all the weddings i was at, they only played the first song, with out  singing )

 Shade   hurried into Line... he followed the tradition.. he  looked at Shadow when  Beta gave him a shot  glass..  Shadow  shrugged.

 Shade   downed in  , his eyes  truned  red  and he coughed.. and  , Beta gave him  come  chocolate Milk to  think out the Shot... When   Shade staggered  into the   circling  group, Grabbing   Cora's  Hand.. Shadow called out...well?  we know?..no beer..no whiskey!

 Dusk looked at Roy, her smile excited..Let us  join in!

 Howe Pulled Sam into the line as well

 Sam went with Howe dropped a few creds as well, and danced with Howe circling the bride.

 Meari went to Frakas and said, " Care to join in and after we can dance Sgt.?" Meari smiled as she waited for his response.