Betrothed

the betrothal meme

Your marriage has been promised. How much say you had in it depends on who's telling the story.

Either way, the machinery has started. Your name sits next to someone else's now. People speak about your future as if the two of you have always been in the same story, and the ending is already on file. Somewhere out there is a person you've met twice, or never, who's been informed by several calm adults that they'll be spending the rest of their life with you.

The vows are still ahead. There's time to get acquainted, to find out exactly what you've each been promised, and to ask each other what you actually want.

HOW TO PLAY

Drop in with your character and preferences.
Choose a number or roll 1–27 for prompts.
Set the scene and thread.

PROMPTS

THE ANNOUNCEMENT: The room decided hours ago how you're supposed to feel about this. You can see it in the way they beam. Once the last congratulation finally lets go of you, you get a moment alone together, with nothing rehearsed to fill it.

YOUR BETROTHED: You're meeting for the first time, and everything you know about your future spouse is secondhand. It goes both ways. They've been told things about you, too.

THE TERMS: Your betrothed shows up with a copy of the agreement and a crease between their brows. One of the terms has changed since the last version you saw. They want to know if you agreed to it. You didn't know it was on the table.

SIGN HERE: One signature stands between you and a binding future. Everyone keeps calling it a formality. Your betrothed could have sent the papers by courier, but they've brought them in person, and now they're standing in your doorway.

THE RING: The ring was chosen for you. Your betrothed has noticed the way you keep turning the stone toward your palm, hidden, like something smuggled rather than worn. They've finally decided to ask about it.

A PROPER VISIT: The person assigned to supervise your visit has been called away on urgent business. Suspiciously urgent. The list of approved conversation topics is still on the table. You have an entire afternoon alone together.

YOUR FUTURE HOME: They're showing you the house where you're expected to live after the wedding. The rooms are made up. There's a bed with the pillows already set side by side. Somewhere in the tour, you learn that your own home has already been promised to somebody else.

KEEP YOUR NAME: The invitation arrives addressed to a person who doesn't exist yet, under the name everyone assumes you'll take. You never agreed to that. Judging by their letters, your betrothed has been using it for weeks.

THE PRICE: Among the property you're bringing into this marriage, someone listed a thing that was never property at all. It's already been handed over. Your betrothed found it, learned what it means, and has brought it back to you.

THE LIKENESS: A portrait of the happy couple has been commissioned. The artist keeps repositioning your hands so you'll appear to be holding each other. Your betrothed has opinions about the pose, and the artist is growing impatient with both of you.

IN EARSHOT: Someone is saying terrible things about your betrothed, pausing every so often for you to agree. Your future spouse is close enough to hear the conversation, and they've stopped what they were doing to listen.

THE REASON: You were told, very clearly, not to tell anyone why this match was arranged. Your betrothed has dug up enough of it to ask you directly, and they've come for the rest.

SINCE CHILDHOOD: You were promised to each other as children, back when neither of you had a say in anything. One of you remembers the promises you made back then. The other remembers trying to get out of them.

THE REHEARSAL: You're practicing the ceremony, learning when to stand and where to put your hands. Everything goes smoothly until one of you reaches a promise they cannot make. Your betrothed is waiting for you to finish the sentence.

SET THE DATE: Neither of you was consulted. Someone has picked a date, ordered invitations, and put both your names on them in tasteful calligraphy. Your betrothed arrives with one, freshly delivered.

THE GUEST LIST: You made a guest list. They made theirs. There's one name your betrothed refuses to invite, and it's on your list. You watched them cross it out, calm as anything.

CHILDREN: Your betrothed mentions the children you're expected to have as though the matter were settled. You haven't had that conversation.

ANOTHER PROMISE: Before there was a betrothal, you made someone a promise. The marriage will require you to break it. Your betrothed has found out and wants to know which promise you intend to keep.

THE FIRST CHOICE: Both families have agreed that one of you will give up your work after the wedding. They've already decided which one. Your betrothed comes to you before answering them.

THE WAY OUT: The release papers exist. Your betrothed got them, and only your signature is missing. They could have sent the document. Instead they're standing in front of you with it, watching your face.

GOOD NEWS: The betrothal has been approved. Before anyone can arrange a celebration, your betrothed finds you and asks if you'll go somewhere with them. They've planned a little occasion for just the two of you.

I CHOOSE YOU: You learn that your betrothed was offered another match before yours was settled. They turned it down and asked for you. This is the first you're hearing of it.

THE FIRST LETTER: Your betrothed has written to you. It begins with all the proper formalities, then loses its composure somewhere around the second page. They've enclosed a little something, too, which has no business being included in official correspondence. They'd like a letter back.

THE BETROTHAL FEAST: A celebration has been arranged in your honor, but relatives keep pulling you in opposite directions. By the time you finally find each other, someone has already eaten the last of your favorite dish. Your betrothed saved you a plate.

THE DANCE: You're expected to dance together at the wedding. One of you already knows how; the other has been making a very convincing case for standing still and hoping for the best. There's time to practice, and your betrothed has offered to teach you.

A SECOND PROPOSAL: The betrothal was decided before either of you had the chance to ask. Your betrothed has brought a gift they chose themselves. This time, they're asking properly.

WILDCARD: Choose a circumstance of your own. Your characters are betrothed; what happens before the wedding is up to you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Bare bones about her: sarcastic seer with a knack for finding trouble, or having trouble find her. More in-depth information about her is here. Can easily AU her into just about anywhere.]

[AU where she's a little older, a little aged up, a little grown up. Canon, crosscanon, all are welcome. m/f for shipping. Voicestesting.]

[Info here! Long story short, he's no stranger to arranged marriage. Cross-canon, other Tavs, it's all good so long as they're an adult.]

[F/M.]

[OTA!]

[OTA, M/F leaning. He's a recently christened king, so betrothals whether having been outstanding before the fall & revival of his kingdom or a new one in an effort to strengthen relations with neighboring countries might be fun assumed CR. Also incredibly down for childhood friends.]

[OTA, canon or cross canon]

[OTA]

[ Happy to talk through AUs for any scenarios. ]

Betrothed

Zoey Westen | Original Character | f/m

Hyacinth Bridgerton [AU] | Bridgerton

Savvadorio (Tav) | Baldur's Gate 3

Sato Ichiro | Choujin X | OTA, M/F leaning

Johan | Goddess of Victory: Nikke | M/F

Sylvain Jose Gautier | FE: 3H / Azure Moon Route | OTA, M/F strongly preferred

Stella Nox Fleuret | Final Fantasy Versus XIII

🐚 pearl 🐚 hsr 🐚

Rinne | Alchemy Stars | OTA

Jeno Gallacher | Alchemy Stars | OTA

⚔︎ Mordred ⚔︎ Granblue Fantasy ⚔︎

Camus | Uta No Prince Sama

Ferdinand von Aegir | FE: 3 Houses

Jean Gunnhildr | Genshin Impact

Hibiki Fujiwara | Original