bakerstreet | ARRANGED MARRIAGE

ARRANGED MARRIAGE

Marriage for love is a such a modern concept. In the past, marriage was
recognised as a social contract. Unions were entered into for many
reasons: to obtain property, to unite families, to carry on a bloodline,
et cetera. Whatever the reason, congratulations, you're getting married!

HOW IT WORKS:
❧ Post a comment with your character's name, canon, and any preferences.
❧ If there's a specific set of circumstances you like best, set the scene.
❧ Or leave your comment blank and let others use RNG to choose the scenario. Feel free to mix and match.
❧ Please note the prompts below are merely suggestions and you're more than welcome to come up with your own situation.
❧ Have fun!

POSSIBLE REASONS FOR MARRIAGE:
① Station → You come from a royal, noble, or otherwise distinguished family who has chosen a suitable spouse for you.
② Feud → You are being married to put an end to the bitter enmity between your two families.
③ Economics → Your economic state and/or your station will improve through the union, though one of you may be marrying down.
④ Empire → You and your spouse are merging your businesses and/or property to create something more influential or profitable.
⑤ Tribute → You have been offered as a gift or appeasement, alternately you're the spoils of war.
⑥ Bloodline → Carrying on your distinguished family name has fallen to you and the equally well-bred spouse of your family's selection.
⑦ Disapproval → Your marriage has been arranged to keep you away from the person with whom you truly wish to be.

POSSIBLE SCENARIOS:
① First meeting → This is the very first time you're meeting your future spouse.
② Courtship → To get to know each other and encourage affection, your family has approved of you going on dates.
③ Engagement party → Be it a huge, formal affair or a small, intimate get together, you're celebrating (or pretending).
④ Wedding day → The big day!
⑤ Reception → The big party!
⑥ Wedding night → Every meme needs a smut prompt, right?
⑦ Honeymoon → Where will you go with your new spouse and what will you do there?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Loki had been furious at the mere suggestion of an arranged marriage. Frigga had been sympathetic, even tried to talk Odin out of it, but his mind was made up. Once again Loki was put in a negative situation that he knew would never be imposed on Thor. The younger prince disliked his father anyway. The old man wasn't helping matters.

The wedding was one fit for royalty, as it should have been. If it had been his choice Loki would have been happy. As it was he went through the motions of Midgardian marriage with his mind distant. Even Thor hadn't seemed happy during the ceremony.

In stark contrast to his new wife, Loki was drinking excessively during the reception. Wine, champagne, hard liquor... whatever he could get his hands on. Others were laughing, dancing and enjoying themselves while Loki and Zed sat next to each other in silence. Loki tried pulling a prank or two in hopes of lifting his spirits, but after little white spiders erupted from a bottle instead of champagne, Odin gave him a look that would have killed him on the spot if that were possible. Loki behaved himself after that, though after some hard liquor he was getting a little drunk.

Zed had almost laughed at the trick Loki had pulled on the champagne. She quickly caught herself and hid her mouth behind her hand until the tiny hint of a smile that had been on her face was gone. She all to quickly fell back into the dread of being married. What were she and Loki expected to do being married? He was a god and she was a mortal. Obviously her father and Odin had plans they weren't about to share.

She half glanced over at Loki, not sure if she was surprised or impressed that he hadn't fallen out of his chair yet. It was almost disconcerting to see what a great time everyone was having while they weren't.

Zed sighed to herself and then slid her champagne over to Loki. He might as well drink it if she wasn't going to.

He had noticed that his mother, Thor and Jane weren't sharing everyone else's good time. Frigga wouldn't meet his eyes, and while Thor did glance his way now and then, he wore the most solemn look Loki had ever seen on him. Jane had her arms crossed, seeming disgusted by the whole thing. She was probably more upset over a forced marriage than anything. They weren't on the friendliest of terms.

When Zed passed her champagne his way Loki glanced at her, his expression neutral.

"I realize this is a drink for celebrations." He gestured to the glass. "I can turn it into something else if you'd prefer."

Despite all he'd had to drink Loki wasn't even slurring. He'd built up a strong tolerance for Midgardian alcohol over the years.

No one on Zed's side was upset. Her father was beside himself, she had never seen him look so smug and happy before. It made her uncomfortable, and she shifted slightly in her seat. At least marrying Loki meant she could get away from him. Zed was terrified of her father, even if she'd never admit that to anyone.

She hadn't expected Loki to actually reply, and she turned her head to look at him. "I... I like beer," Zed said. It was really the only thing she could drink, or would allow herself to drink (she avoided drinking champagne mostly for the taste). Being a psychic was hard enough - especially being a tactile one. She could touch anything or anyone and pick up visions from them. Sometimes not just visions but feelings too. Dabbling in something like alcohol could result in a loss of control, and she had enough problems with control as it was. It was why she avoided touching anyone, including her new husband.

"Can I ask you something?" Zed asked, as she ran a hand through her hair. "Why would your father agree to this? I'm not a god, I'm not even Asgardian."

She sounded so uncertain, but Loki flicked his wrist under the table, changing her champagne into beer.

He knew Zed had some kind of power, but he didn't know the nature of it. Even though he objected to the situation in every way, he had been surprised that she had refused to kiss him at the end of the ceremony. That was how weddings went, and they hadn't so much as held hands since they met. Not that he was complaining, but it was a bit odd.

Loki sighed at her question. He had been trying to figure it out since the announcement was made, and with no luck this far.

"I really don't know," he admitted, sparing a glance at his father. "He's always disapproved of relationships between gods and mortals. Even Thor's relationship with Jane earns his ire, and Thor is the favorite. I find it very suspicious."

Zed smiled at him in thanks - almost, it was as close as she had got to smiling since they had met and took a sip from the beer. Drinking on an empty stomach probably wasn't the best idea - but did her ideas really matter right now? If they did this entire wedding would not have been happening.

She glanced over at Odin for a moment as Loki spoke before turning her attention back to him. It was obvious enough why her father wanted this - cult leader or not who wouldn't want to see their child married to a god? But there had to be more to it than that, there had to be something Odin was getting out of this. Unless this was a super elaborate way for their fathers to get rid of both of them, which she doubted.

"I was wondering why he hadn't even looked at her."

Loki didn't notice. His eyes were fixed on Odin, who was quietly talking with Zed's father. He had his ways. The mortals did call him the God of Mischief, after all. Loki was determined to figure out what was going on. In the meantime, he had no choice but to cooperate with the relationship that had been forced on him.

"Odin rarely acknowledges Jane," he noted in a flat tone. Not that he really liked the woman, but she made Thor happy, and that at least earned approval from Loki.

He made a gesture under the table and his recently refilled champagne became a fine malt whiskey. Loki raised his glass and took a long drink.

"Just so you're aware," he began, the alcohol still burning his throat. "I won't force you into anything. I have a guest room if you would prefer to sleep there."

Zed's gaze also goes to the two older men. She wished that she was telepathic, that she could simply look at the two of them and know what they were thinking. Except maybe it would be best if she didn't. She didn't know much about Odin, but she knew her father well enough to know they were up to something.

"Should I expect the same?" Zed asks. She's genuinely curious, Odin has to want something from her - expect something. There would be better ways to keep Loki in line if that's what he wanted. She knew enough about Loki to know that she should probably be afraid of him. She isn't though.

His comment surprises her and she looks away from their fathers and then back to him. "Thank you," she paused. "Loki." She hasn't so much as said his name since they've met. It feels almost weird saying it now.

She's silent for another moment, and looks back at those enjoying the party for a moment. Her eyes go over to Thor and Jane, then to Freya. Freya had been kind to her since this whole thing began, even if she didn't approve of the marriage.

"Did my father tell you what I can do?"

"Likely. I don't see any reason for him to give you special attention regardless of this arrangement."

Even though it seemed that Odin and Zed's father were conspiring, and not for the greater good, Loki saw no reason for Odin to so much as give her the time of day. So called "family" dinners were going to be even more awkward now.

"Were you expecting me to force myself on you? I may be a devious troublemaker, sometimes to the point of being cruel, but rape is for lowly, cowardly beings."

Loki was not that sort of man.

That was a good thing at least, for some reason Zed found herself more wary of Odin than she was Loki. Her father was the only mortal he had paid any attention too, Odin had to be getting something good for any of this to be happening.

She turned to look at Loki at his comment, at first not sure what to say. "What? No, no I wasn't! I..." Zed sighs slightly. She doesn't even know if she had expected anything, she had no idea what to even begin to expect marrying a god. She had thought about the sex, it was part of marriage and she probably would be expected to sleep at him at some point - as to how it would happen she wasn't sure.

"I wasn't expecting to be married to a god, for one thing," she says finally. There is almost a smile on her face, for the first time since all of this had started the surrealness of all of it kicks in. She quickly reaches for her beer to drink it to hide the expression on her face.

He glanced at her with a sly grin. "I doubt any mortal does."

Loki lifted his glass, only sipping his drink. Soon they would have to leave, before he got inebriated beyond the point of having inhibitions. If that happened he was bound to stroll right up to Odin and ask what was going on. Only not so politely.

"I don't have any expectations regarding intimacy. It would be nice to sleep with you at some point, but I understand if you'd rather not."

She would be joining him in his condo, and she was attractive. Why not?

"Odin didn't give any specifics," he added with a small shrug. "He simply refers to you as 'a very unusual human'."

For a moment Zed finds herself smiling at him, then she turned her attention back to her drink. His next comment causes her to look back at him though. She'd be lying if she said she didn't find Loki attractive, because she did. She knew there were many women and probably men as well, who would do almost anything to be in her place right now. It wasn't as if the idea of being intimate with him repulsed her, because it didn't. Maybe if she wasn't a tactile psychic she would have suggested they leave early so they could spend the night together. The idea of spending the night in ecstasy so she could forget everything she was thinking about their parents and the reasoning for the wedding and instead just feel was incredibly appealing. But then there was the risk of going into Loki's head if she touched him, of feeling his thoughts and emotions. Maybe that was why her father supported the marriage, he wanted her to use her powers against Asgard. Unfortunately for him, Zed disliked him more than the idea of marriage.

"A very unusual human," Zed echoes. "That's one way to put it." She sighs slightly and runs a hand through her hair. It was better she tell him now then him find out on his own wasn't it? "I'm a tactile psychic."

"A tactile psychic?" Loki turned to look at her. "That means you see visions in response to touch, yes?"

That didn't bode well for Loki, but it explained why she had never made any physical contact. Maybe she was afraid of what she might see. If Loki was honest, he was worried about what she might see. Would he reveal secrets of Asgard to her? Secrets of the Nine Realms? Or worse, would he reveal the secret of the gods' conditions? That last one was more concerning. He didn't want humans to know that the gods were weak, even sickly without them.

"Sometimes," Zed nods. Honestly she didn't even know the full extent of her powers. It was another reason she was extra careful. Sometimes the visions would come to her in dreams, but for now she's going to keep that to herself. There had to be something to hold on to, besides it had been rare enough it might have been nothing.

"I can pick up on feelings as well, by touch," she added, and glanced at him. Maybe telling him wasn't the best idea, but it was better she say it then for Loki to find out from his father or hers.

Odin was a true sadist. He'd forced Loki into a marriage with a woman he couldn't touch. After a heavy sigh he downed a champagne flute full of scotch in one long swallow.

"I think it's time to go," he said once he had set the glass down. "Before I get so drunk I can't see straight."

He was a bit iffy on his feet when he stood, but not anywhere near the point of falling down. As far as Loki was concerned he was still good to drive, and he intended to. Having a limo around was bad enough. Taking it home was not an option. He enjoyed luxury, but that was too much even for him.

There may be a work around the touching, it wasn't always that Zed got visions from physical contact. It usually only happened if someone had a strong emotion, and she had been learning to control her powers so she wouldn't pick up on visions every time. She doesn't say any of this, now probably wasn't the time.

She watches him as he drinks, almost wondering if she should apologize. It wasn't his fault intimacy might be an issue, but then it wasn't her's either. If there was anyone to blame it would be their fathers. Was this part of their plan? That this wedding was some messed up way of keeping them both in line?

"Okay," is all she manages at his statement. She stands a moment after he does, noticing how both their father's glance in their direction. Zed is determined not to acknowledge them. "You can drink more when we get..." she had been about to say to his place, except that's where she was going to live now - wasn't it? "...home."

"And I intend to," he replied as he weaved through the tables. Thor gave him a sympathetic look. Loki nodded in his direction, appreciating his brother's support. He blatantly refused to look at Odin.

Once they were outside Loki took a deep breath of fresh air and loosened his tie. He needed to relax. If that meant getting so drunk he wouldn't remember his marriage in the morning, so be it.

Loki was legally drunk by human standards, but he walked toward his black panamera Porsche anyway, trusting that Zed would follow. As he approached he removed his keys from his pocket and pressed a button on the keyring. The doors unlocked. Despite his mood, Loki walked to the passenger side and held the door for Zed. Chivalry wasn't in his nature, but he wanted her to know he wouldn't be a complete bastard of a husband.

Zed looks over at Thor and Jane for a moment. She hadn't had the chance to talk to either of them, not that it really mattered. Not right now. It might be nice to talk to Jane at some point, get another human perspective. She follows Loki out to his car.

She isn't about to tell him he shouldn't drive, besides he was a god things obviously worked differently for them. It was something she'd have to get used to. As a teenager she hadn't always believed in gods, which was mostly out of rebellion towards her father. She had been a bit of a punk. Looking back now she probably should have run away. Maybe then she could have had a life of her own. Maybe even learn how to not just control her powers but use them for...something.

Zed's a bit surprised when Loki opens the door for her. She manages a slight smile of thanks at him, before lifting the hem of her dress slightly to make it easier to get into the car. She smooths the dress as she sits down, then sighs and runs a hand over her face. Zed knows it could be worse, for some reason that doesn't make her feel much better.

Loki closed the car door after her and returned to the driver's side. As soon as he slid into the seat he started the engine. Not bothering with a seatbelt, Loki pulled out of the parking lot onto the street. The familiar scent of mint from within the car was soothing, but Loki still wanted to get home as soon as possible. He used his magic to ensure all lights were green along the way.

The garage by his building was well lit even at night. Loki had a spot reserved for him. He pulled in and shut off the engine, running his fingers through his hair.

"I'm not normally the type to drink himself into a stupor, just so you're aware, but I would like to tonight unless there's something you need me for."

Zed doesn't speak the entire way back to Loki's condo. What could she say anyways? She noticed all the green lights but didn't say anything about that either. Occasionally she'd look at Loki out of the corner of her eye, but for the most part she kept her attention focused on looking out the window.

It's only when he parks the car and speaks that Zed looks at him. She shakes her head at him. "Drink as much as you need." If it wasn't for her need to keep control over everything she would be doing the same thing.

"I don't know what our parents have planned but," she paused for a moment. "You need to know that my father is... evil." It really was the only word to describe him, except crazy.

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ARRANGED MARRIAGE

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ahhh sorry this is late

No problem!

<3

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