Posted by Civilian Ragna Idun McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - Seek And Ye Shall Find… Whether You Want To Or Not

Posted by Civilian Seamus McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - Seek And Ye Shall Find… Whether You Want To Or Not

Posted by Civilian Ragna Idun McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - Seek And Ye Shall Find… Whether You Want To Or Not
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
The laughter was loud and echoed through the large room, even stopping any chatter in the other room with looks of good natured mock fear. Cuyler bent over double watching his twin turn pale, red, pale, and red again. Oddvar was an easy going man, for the most part, and took the ribbing in stride. He moved back towards his seat and dug something out of his pocket. “I’d certainly be willing to give it a try. That mean I have your blessing then Michael? And you Seamus? And Capall?” He wasn’t worried about Mike and Seamus and their positions, this was their - Mike, Seamus, and Capall’s - grandmother, and that was far more important. Cuyler eyed his brother, still laughing, a silent question passing between the two men.

The three McKenzie men in unison shook their heads. Mike said “Oh hell no. You aren’t dragging us into that. That battle-axe can take care of her self just fine, thank you very much.” Seamus then leaned in and stage-whispered to Mike and winked at Cuyler “Probably take care of him too… and twice if he doesn’t pass out.” Capall flushed bright red, and Mike slapped him hard on the back. “Grow up, Cousin. You’re a McKenzie… about time we made real one outta ya. That means you need to be well-versed in the fine art of vulgarity and giving people copious amounts of s#!+… especially family.” Mike then looked at Oddvar.

“You better bring your A game, old man. Tara isn’t a two-time widow because of a knife.” and the McKenzies started howling… even Capal let out a snort and then chuckled. Cuyler cried laughter tears and pointed at his brother. “I’m so gonna miss you!” and then he fell out laughing on the ground.

Oddvar snorted, “Well I’d rather go that way then freeze to death from being doused by freezing cold fjord water.” Cuyler just stared at his brother, “Now that was below the belt!” Oddvar grinned, “No yer thinkin’ last night was below the belt. Yer lucky that’s all Helka did to you.” Cuyler tried to glare at him, but was too busy laughing and pointing out the fact that his brother was blushing.

“I supposed I still have enough youth left in these joints to play guitar, I did make this after all.” And he tossed something small, metal, and round at Mike. “I noticed Revna’s missing a bead in her collection, and you’re wearin’ it. A wedding gift for you.” It was a small hair bead. On one side was the rune for Bragi, that had been chosen for Mike, and on the other was a new rune combining the runes for Bragi and Freya into one symbol.

Mike looked at the bead, and then took off the necklace, threaded the new bead on it, and dropped in on his chest under his shirt. He nodded once at Oddvar and then said “Thank you… but she’s still gonna kill you. And I don’t know how we’ll get the casket closed.” and the men all fell over howling into the night with laughter.

In the other room Tara looked at the three girls and smiled. She then looked at Helka and winked. “So Runa… tell me… why Capall?”

Michael and Tara

Runa turned her gaze on Tara. She knew the question was coming but was it genuine curiosity or challenge? It didn’t matter, she stood by her choice. “He’s a good man Tara. He was led along the wrong path for a long time, but when he knew he was wrong, he didn’t hide or try to justify it. He tells the truth even if it’s uncomfortable. He believed the lies his parents fed him, but even when all the evidence he collected showed you to be a good person, despite what he was told, he refused to alter it for their purposes, choosing the truth instead.” She looked at Revna, she would understand, “And when he knew he was wrong, he fixed it. He admitted it, and made it right, to his own detriment. He didn’t take the coward’s way out. He put himself at Mike’s mercy and walked beside me knowing both clans will despise him for years to come.” She looked at her mother, “He’s smart. There is always that one student we all remember,” Helka would know, she’d been a teacher, “But only 1 of us in a million get a student like him smart. And he could have used that and twisted it, but he didn’t. I met him before, years ago, and even then he stood for those that were wronged. He thought his parents and his cousins were wronged and he stood with them, until he learned better.” She looked towards the door, and the assembled men. “They didn’t do that with Mike or Seamus. Mike was considered a traitor to the clan by virtue of his father, but we knew better. And our clan took him in and accepted him, no question because you chose him Revna. And I’m in here playing dress up because mom has the door blocked, and I should be out there with him.”

Oddvar and Runa

“You should be where you are supposed to be, and that is the last we will say on the matter.” Tara stood up and dug the mound of dresses until she came up with the most gods-awful purple lace and frilly s#!t dress they had. She turned and looked at Runa and, throwing it at her, said “Put it on. Thats your wedding dress. You are getting married in that dress.”

Tara and Michael

Runa stood up and held the dress up, “Ummm.....okay....” She shrugged and right there in the middle of the room stripped and slipped into the dress. Helka zipped up the back and Revna and Ragna looked at her....”Seanmhair…?” Ragna asked, “I know you like to dig at Runa for how she picks on me, but…but it’s her wedding day....are you sure?” Runa looked at Ragna and then at Revna, down at the dress, “Oh come on it can’t be that bad....”

Tara smiled at her and said “Yes… that will work perfectly.”

Helka looked around, winked at Tara behind Runa’s back and then walked out the door, right into the room and back and forth at all the men. “I’m glad whatever it is is funny.” She turned on Seamus, “Now son I KNOW you have whisky on you. Give it here.”

Seamus reached over and grabbed one of several bottles and handed it her. “Here ya go… Mother.”

She downed half the bottle and glared at Cuyler. “You know what, you are their FATHER, you go do something with that! I’m too old for this.” Cuyler shrugged, stood up and walked over to Helka, kissed her cheek, “You know if you drink that whole bottle and get feisty it would make me feel better about last night.” and then walked out of the room. Helka snorted behind him, not a chance. A door was heard to open and then three overly sweet feminine voices, “DADDY!” and the door closing firmly. Cuyler walked back in, sat down, “Nope. They’re adults now and married,” He looked at Mike, Seamus, and Capall, “You three deal with it.”

Oddvar, Helka, and the Rest

Seamus looked at Capall, then Mike. Mike looked at Seamus, then Capall. Capall looked at Mike and then Seamus… and he grinned. Looking at Cuyler he said “Sorry… um…Da… but the groom cannot see the bride the night before the wedding. Bad luck and all that. I’m afraid they’re still your problem one more night.” and he glanced at Mike for approval. Seamus sat stunned and then said “Well f$#k me…” and reached over and handed him a bottle. “I think he’s got it Michael…” and the two beamed with pride and started laughing at Cuyler.

Cuyler snagged Helka around the waist and pulled her down onto the chair with him. Runa had looked beautiful. He sighed, he simply didn’t have enough arms to walk all three of his daughters to the alter.

Cuyler looked at Capall as if he had just stabbed him through the heart. “You… you were my favorite…” and then he bent over laughing.

Clan McKenzie - Edman

Oddvar gave Cuyler another one of those looks that passed understanding between them, then he looked at Mike, Seamus, and Capall. “Well seein’ as how I’m not going to be around much longer, take a look at yerselves. This,” and he pointed at them and made a circular motion that included them all, “wouldn’t have happened without those three in there. Don’t you ever forget it. With any luck I won’t be here to remind you.” He laughed at his own expense.

“Oh, Oddvar are you being sentimental again?” Helka asked, all mock concern.

“Being sentimental about what? That baby bird that died from the heat in the forge?” Ragna appeared from out of the back, looking far too proud of herself. “Ragna, girl, what are you up to?” Oddvar asked. He knew that look and as long as it wasn’t aimed at him he didn’t care.

“Me? I’m not up to anything. It’s just that something has come to my attent…”

“RAGNA IDUN MCKENZIE MIND YOUR BUSINESS!” It was uncertain if it was Revna or Runa that yelled at her.

“Oh NO! You two have given me no end to grief for YEARS! My Turn!” She turned back to her parents. “It seems that a very important tradition has been overlooked. And I’m afraid that poor Runa can’t marry Capall until it’s rectified.” She looked at Mike, “Unfortunately for you, you get dragged into it too. See the problem is there’s been no bet, no wager, no dare. So....” Ragna disappeared and returned, one twin on either side....

Wearing the same dress, no beaded braids, no necklaces, and both with a bandaged left hand. It had never been MORE apparent that Runa and Revna (or was it Revna and Runa) were identical twins. “I bet you two can’t tell them apart. If you can, you get to marry your bride. However, if you can’t, then I get to be the only bride tomorrow.” Ragna left them there and walked over and sat right down on Seamus lap and laughed, “I love not being a twin.”

Ragna, Revna, Runa....or Ragna, Runa, Revna???

Mike looked at Seamus, and a look of understand similar to Cuyler and Oddvar passed between them. Seamus looked at Capall. The same look. Capall then nodded once and stood up. “The challenge is accepted.” and he sat down. Seamus stood and said “Very well, wife of mine and bride to be, what are the terms? Can the lads ask questions? Can the girls answer? Must they answer truthfully? If no questions, then how close than the boys get? Is physical contact allowed? Terms, woman. Conditions. Otherwise there may naked shinnanigans upcoming and that would awkward if they chose… poorly.” and Oddvar snorted and said “And then some!” and the assemblage chuckled.

Seamus

Ragna looked at the twins and laughed, “I’d pay good money to see that.” Revna and Runa looked at each other and back to Ragna with purely devious smiles. Ragna swallowed, “Never mind. You husband have to sit down and stay out of it. You’ve spent a decent amount of time with Runa, no helping. You may ask questions, and they must answer truthfully, BUT I warn you both that truth is a matter of perspective. Something they are both very good at. You may NOT ask them who they are. Mike and Capall have to figure that out. Touching is permitted, but no kissing. Mom, Da, and Oddvar can NOT help. Mike and Capall will both be in the room so you can hear and see everything but you aren’t allowed to ‘compare’ notes.” Clothes stay on, please. Oh and Mike,” Ragna looked up at him, “No singing.”

Revna and Runa looked at each other when Ragna said no kissing and gave identical pouts and sighs…they’d obviously done the guessing game before.

Ragna

Mike and Capall listened, and then both looked at each other. With a shrug, Mike stood up and walked over to the women. He stood mere inches from one, looking her in the eye, then the other. He turned and smiled and looked at Capall. “You’re turn. I know my Revna. But you… less than a day? Let’s see how solid this really is.”

Capall looked around and then took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, He slapped his thighs and stood up. “Very well.” He moved to one, the one on the right. He stared at her, and then leaned in close. He leaned back, apparently satisfied. He went to the other and repeated the process. He looked at the twin on the left… and then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small something. Metallic, but embedded with small gems… a raven. The pin from the old man. He held it up at eye level and said “I love you, Runa. And no one can tell me any different.”

Runa smiled softly up at Capall, “I love you too.” She slipped her arms around his waist and then she looked at Mike, “Solid enough for you?” Peering around Capall she glared playfully at Ragna, “Satisfied? Does the ease your historian’s heart? All the traditions checked off then?”

Mike grinned and walked up to Revna. “You smell like the bath salts you used before we got on the shuttle. And you may be a twin… but you are my wife. And there is no substitute.” and he smiled and wiggled his eyebrows like he knew drove her crazy.

Mike and Capall McKenzie.

Revna grinned and slipped into his arms. He was driving her crazy. If this night didn’t call quits soon she may be the one dragging him off. She kissed him and then hugged him, and whispered in his ear, “Remind me to take those home with us.”

Ragna rolled her eyes, “That was too easy!” She laughed and winked at Runa, “Yeah, I’m satisfied, until tomorrow.” Cuyler slapped Oddvar across the arm with the back of his hand and pointed from one couple to the next and back then made a little confused gesture at Capall. Helka sighed, “Quit pointing. Capall, dear, they want to know how you knew.” Helka looked across the room where Tara was standing watching as well and grinned.

The Edmans

Capall looked around at the assembled clan members. There was a slight hesitation before he took a breath and then said “Oh… I cheated.” he said flatly. He looked at Ragna and said “Your rules didn’t say I couldn’t.”

Mike and Seamus looked at each other… and grinned.

Capall McKenzie

Ragna looked at Seamus and grinned and then back at Capall. “And how exactly did you cheat?”

Revna looked at Runa and began to laugh, “Cheat? Oh boy…” She walked over to Runa and Capall and looked up at the man, “When it comes to Runa....always cheat.” She kissed his cheek and then Runa’s and then went back to Mike. “He cheated…for Runa....I like him.”

Runa shook her head at Revna and nudged Capall to tell them.

Revna

Capall shrugged and said “Well, first Ragna gave it away. She said Runa’s name first as they came through the door. Statistically-speaking, there was around a 79.97% chance she did that because Runa was the first one she let go of. Second.” and he held up their bandaged hands… then Revna’s. “Revna’s is a different wrap.” and he dropped the hands. Then he smiled…

“And when they entered the room in the same clothes, same hair, same bandage… I knew a test was coming. So… I winked and Runa grinned. I doubt she even knew she did it.” and he smiled.

Mike looked at Seamus and their eyebrows raised in surprised admiration. Tara laughed and said softly to all assembled “I told you… scary smart.”

The Clans

Capall