Ashton & OPEN
Like Leon and Barclay, Ashton was here out of solidarity for Ambriel. The angel was one of Ashton's friends, beyond being a fellow Hydra, and the dragon had come to bestow his well wishes upon the couple. It was strange, the dragon thought, that marriage was somehow an exalted version of dating. What changed from wearing no ring to wearing rings? The oath? Could not those same oaths be made without ceremony? Without pomp? Ashton thought human weddings were nothing short of ridiculous, but he wasn't here to pass judgement.
While Barclay stepped away to refill their glasses, Ashton let his gaze wander over the crowd. The music was playing and there were students dancing and laughing, some of them singing along to the words that Ashton could barely distinguish.
As part of his education at St. Margaret's, Ashton had taken it upon himself to try all the different human customs and one of them had been parties. His initial assessment was that no, he did not enjoy them. But then he had met Lilie and she had taught him enjoyable facets to be had, even when everything seemed frivolous and pointless revelry. The elf girl was long gone now, much to Ashton displeasure, but he liked to think he attended this party in her memory. She would probably laugh, Ashton thought, to know he was here, drinking the too-sweet apple juice, and thinking of her.
Smiling secretly to himself, Ashton stood up from his seat, a towering dark clothed figure, and made his way towards Ambriel and Davian to express his approval of their match. A dragon's approval was a valuable gift, in and of itself, after all.