Emily: "So, ready to show your face to everyone at the reception?"
Mary: "No, but we don't really have much choice, do we? If there's a demonic ceremony to be had now, we should at least be there so we can die knowing we were right."
Emily: "Personally I'm a bit tired of dying. Let's try to avoid that if we can."
Mary: "Works for me."

Emily took a deep breath and walked with Mary through the open door of the reception hall. It looked slightly different than it had the night before-the tables were now decorated with candles and assorted centerpieces while the walls were adorned with twinkling white lights. The overall lighting was subdued but not overly dark, and soft music seemed to be coming from nowhere.

Laura: "Mary! Emily! Over here! You'll be sitting up here with us!"

Mary and Emily glanced sideways at one another, both flinching somewhat at the sound of Laura's shrill calls.

Laura: "Girls, I just want you to know that I completely forgive you for what happened back at the church. I know you wouldn't dare try to ruin my day on purpose!"
Mary: "Of course not."
Emily: "I've always been a bit of a klutz."
Laura: "If you ruin my reception, I can't promise I'll be so nice."

Laura looked at each of them in turn, holding eye contact for a full five seconds each before grinning.

Laura: "Relax, I'm kidding! You guys have fun now, ok? You deserve to let loose after all the hard work you did for me!"

She quickly turned and joined her new husband by the doors to greet the guests as they arrived, leaving Mary and Emily more baffled than ever.