Lorem Ipsum's Grandstand

"Ladies and Gentlemen! My name is Lorem Ipsum! Welcome to the biggest event of the century! We are delighted to bring to you, the very best of Marakaran and all the Behind-the-scenes activities surrounding this momentous occasion!"

The very familiar sound of Lorem Ipsum reverberated all through the courtyards and the palace halls as the various massive virtual screens popped up everywhere.

Suddenly, visuals of the long-legged white faun dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit and bow tie began showing up in every virtual monitor across the galaxy.

His cloven hoof toes peeked out from under his pants, unshod, and his tail whipped back and forth with excitement.

Lorem Ipsum's horns were impressive, jutting back behind his skull in double arcs that were genteel and wicked at the same time. His silvery white goatee was once again curled and gelled into a perfect question mark, looking even better than before the plucking.

He reached out both hands and gave his customary dazzling show of blue and pink electric sparks which shot from his fingertips.

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!

Wild screams of delight came from the canned noise. It had to be canned since the gardens of Marakaran were filled, but mostly with dignitaries, kings, and important people, and none of them were screaming.

He quickly began to run through all the events leading up to the wedding.

There was regal music playing in the background as the visuals showed the twins hard at work making what looked to be wedding apparel.

There was Poppy running around directing attendants and handing off boxes and boxes of wedding invitations. There were even visuals of Slate, taste-testing beer and wine.

Obviously, Byron's directive to go take visuals of the cakes had been followed because suddenly, the cakes were on display.

"From the numerous types and styles of cakes that the pastry chefs have been concocting to the numerous floral arrangements the decorators have been creating, we've been showing you the best of the best."

More visuals splashed onto the virtual screens showing heart-shaped towers of cakes in pink and red, flower-shaped cakes in yellow and orange, blue and violet cakes arranged on platforms that included staircases and morning glory flowers.

There were cakes that looked like a small ice castle and cakes that looked like sculptures of dolphins and dancers and even a bust of the Emperor.

There were enough amazing looking cakes that the entire show could have been focused on them and the viewers would have been thoroughly satisfied.

The flowers that Leonardo ordered were also on display. Thousands and thousands of flowers were being arranged into tall sophisticated designs by dozens of floral designers. Huge sculptures of ribbons and lace were also shown erected everywhere.

The decorations and cakes melded into images of the various bands and solo acts that were being called in. They had been playing since early that morning and the shows were broadcast all over the galaxy.

It was a crazy hodgepodge mixture of elite classical music and latest popular music styles, and interspersed between the shows were images of Lucas making arrangements with the directors and the band leads.

"The event is just about ready to begin, Ladies and Gentlemen." Lorem Ipsum's goat face came back onscreen.

"The guest list is a highly kept secret, but I can assure you that only the top levels of society are allowed through the gates of Marakaran, and at this very moment, there is no way to even fly through Marakaran space."

"But we're going to let you take a peek into the ceremony, Ladies and Gentlemen. These are views you would never get a chance to see any other way, since this place has been completely off-limits to everyone except those who are allowed access."

He led the viewers through the stately gardens of Marakaran palace and paused in front of the glass platform that held, at the center, a white gazebo with open sides. It was decorated with fresh flowers and white fabric draped from top to bottom.

The visuals moved forward, where a small podium was erected.

Within the podium was a small, nondescript thin man who was standing there, whistling a strange tune.

"Ahh. Pardon me, Sir. Might I enquire your name and title?" Lorem Ipsum asked.

The man smiled. "My name is Ray Torra. I'm the Custodian of The Tower on Earth"

"Ah. Custodian Ray Torra." Lorem Ipsum did not sound too impressed. "What is your role at today's ceremony?"

"Oh not much. I just hang out to make sure everything c'est si bon."

Lorem Ipsum gave a nervous laugh. "Ahaha. Well, thank you for that enlightened response."

He gave a gesture and they moved towards the group of wedding party who were clustered to one side. This boring old man wasn't going to make good visuals.

"Ahh. I see the bridesmaids!" His eyes lit up. They were most definitely more exciting to broadcast than the old custodian at the podium.

"What lovely ladies!" He approached the bridesmaids. They were all dressed in pink to reflect the predominant color of the wedding.

Lorem Ipsum turned to the cameras. "I am delighted to introduce to all of you, some of the most beautiful ladies of the wedding procession. This is Princess Poppy, Princess Lyra, Princess Ariana, and Princess Daisy!"

The cameras panned over the princesses who dutifully gave a smile. The princesses had been told this would be part of the ceremony, so they stood there and endured Lorem Ipsum's chatter until he finally left to cover the visuals for the three groomsmen.

The groomsmen, being Kings, were far more comfortable with visuals being taken of them at all angles. They stood there and spoke with eloquence, all the questions that Lorem Ipsum shot at them.

"And there you have it, Ladies and Gentlemen. Three major Kings who are, might I add, still single and available for any interested females out there who might like to try their hand at landing a king for a husband."

The three kings glanced at each other with barely suppressed disgust.

Who said they were single? Who said they were available? Who said they wanted to be swamped with squealing females out to land them as wealthy husbands?

They were about to correct those terrible misconceptions when the sounds of the wedding music began to play all over the speakers. The three kings took off. This was their cue.

Lorem Ipsum turned back to the visuals gathering pods.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we're getting very close to the moment when the wedding party will be gathering." He waved his hands with excitement.

"Let us get to the front entrance where everyone will be coming through the floral entrance. We cannot miss that sight."

The visuals pods aimed their lenses at the floral entrance.