Gallus took a deep breath and looked at himself in the mirror, fidgeting with his tie. Today was the day he was going to marry Ocellus. Look at you. He thought to himself. You did it. You made it. He thought, with a grin. For the first time in his life, the griffon felt at ease. He finished buttoning up his tuxedo, and was about to leave when he heard a knock at the dressing room door. “Heh. Hey babe, you know it’s bad luck to see the groom before he’s up on the podium. Or do I have that the wrong way ‘round?” He joked before opening the door. “Either way you should- oh. Hello Gilda.” He proclaimed, mildly surprised. “What are you doing back here?”
“’Sup, squirt.” She said walking into the dressing room. “Just thought I’d stop by to see ya, and to, you know, get away from Gabby’s blabbing.” She chuckled.
“Heh, yeah, you’d think that Spike would absorb most of that.”
“Me too, right!?” Gilda said, throwing her foretalons into the air. “Great Grover, I don’t know WHAT Spike was thinking asking her out. And what’s more, they’ve been together for nearly a month! And I’M still single. Sheesh.” Gilda said, collapsing into a couch in the corner.
“Weren’t you and Professor Egghead a thing for a while?” Gallus asked, sitting next to Gilda on the couch.
“Ya mean Dashie? I don’t KNOW! That’s the thing. I mean, we’ve hooked up a couple of times, but I dunno. She’s always so hesitant to be anything more.” Gilda said with a shrug. “It is what it is I guess.” The two chuckled at that. “Ah, kid. You’ve… done well for yourself.”
“Oh, quit it.” Gallus said, getting flushed under his feathers.
“No, no, seriously. I mean, you started your childhood on the streets, and living with Grandpa Gruff for so long couldn’t’ve been good for ya.” Gilda assured. Gallus sighed.
“Heh. I guess you’re right. He often said I wouldn’t make much of myself. Now, I'm marrying the girl of my dreams in an hour. Crazy, huh?”
“Hey, Gal. I know Gruff is gone, but, I know if he were here today, he’d… be proud of ya squirt. I know damn well I am.” She said, ruffling his head feathers.
“I’d like to think so Gil.” Gallus said. The two sat for a minute. Quiet, but not of embarrassment or for a lack of words. Rather, the two were lost in thought, thinking about what the elderly griffon would say if he hadn’t passed away. Gallus finally broke the silence. “Scram Gil, I need to fix my hair that you so rudely messed up.” He said, sticking his tongue out at the griffon.
“Hey, hey! Excuse me for showing you affection!” She said, sticking her tongue out back at Gallus. “But, yeah, I should probably scram. I wonder I Gabby noticed I left. Or maybe she’s just talking Spikes ear off.” She chuckled. As she left, she turned back to face Gallus. “Hey squirt, I know I’ve said it before, but, I’m really proud of you.” She said with a smile.
“Thanks, Gil. For everything.” He said returning the smile. Before turning to his hair. He had a wedding to get ready for, after all.