The Forced Family Unit Meme

[celebratory]

The Not So Happily Married Meme

(or the FORCED FAMILY UNIT meme)

Let's get one thing straight. Not all marriages are happy. They don't start with love, and they don't end with it. In fact, some marriages are more arrangements that anything. Whether it be through the will of an iron-fisted totalitarian government or something as ancient as tradition, people end up stuck. And now, you're one of them. Maybe you were assigned you partner. Maybe your parents picked them out. Maybe it's something different all together. But no matter what, you're going to be with them in some shape, fashion, or form.

So, what can you do? Do you just deal with it? Try to find a way out? Or worst of all, do you blame your so-called "spouse" for all this? You'll have to do something.

HOW TO PLAY;
1. Comment with your characters, putting any preferences you have in the subject. These are your OOC preferences, however. Remember, in meme your character's preferences won't matter.

2. Reply to others! You can use the RNG to roll for the WHY (why are your characters in this mess), the WHEN (what stage are they at), and the HOW (how do they feel about their partner). Or just wing it.

3. The fun of this meme is putting together characters who would normally never be together or have no business getting married, whether it be cross-canon, enemies, or strangers. But feel free to do what you want. Unlike your characters, you're never forced.

4. This is not a smut meme, nor is it a romance meme. There is a smut option and a romance option, but neither are required. The focus here is on CR and coping with situations that might be fairly unpleasant.

5. Have fun! And by that, I mean be miserable.

WHY;
1. GOVERNMENT: You live in a world where all aspects of life are controlled by the government. This includes who you're matched up with. Take "government" to mean anything you want it to, whether that be actual government or something like gods.

2. ARRANGED: Due to your culture, status, or family, you have an arranged marriage. Your significant other was picked out long before now.

3. SOLD: One of you belongs to the other in some way. At any rate, it's not a completely consensual arrangement.

4. KEEPING UP APPEARANCES: You don't particularly care for this person, but you have to look good for some reason. They'll do for that.

5. SHOTGUN WEDDING: Because of outside circumstances (read: an unplanned child), you're stuck together.

6. CURSED/POTION: At least one of you is under the effects of a curse or potion that binds you both.

7. THE BEST I COULD GET: Either one of you or both of you are settling. This is just a marriage of convenience.

8. Wildcard/free space.

WHEN;
1. JUST MET: You've never seen this person that you're engaged, intended, or assigned to. This is your first meeting.

2. JUST MARRIED: Ceremony or knot, you've just tied it.

3. CONSUMMATE: What's a married live without consummating the union? Whether it's for some kind of ritual, a fulfillment of a contract, or the need to produce offspring to become workers, you have to come together.

4. IN THE FAMILY WAY: Congratulations! You're about to bring a child into this (potentially loveless) family. Are you proud?

5. MARRIED WITH CHILDREN: You have kids already. They might be biological, or they might be state-assigned. How's the family life going?

6. FILLING YOUR ROLE: The two of you have a job or purpose, such as starting a business.

7. TRYING TO ESCAPE: You have to get out. You can't take this life anymore.

8. THERE'S SOMEONE ELSE: Since you didn't ask for this marriage, one of you has a lover on the side. Do you tell your spouse upfront, or do they find out themselves?

9. Wildcard/free space

HOW;
1. STRANGERS: You hardly know this person. Getting to know them is important (since you're only going to be spending the rest of your lives together) , but are you willing to put forth the effort for that?

2. HATE: They've ruined your life. Maybe not directly, but they're there and that's enough.

3. LOVE: There might be a light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you do love each other, or you're at least learning to do so.

4. IN THIS TOGETHER: It may not be perfect, and you might not be be in love, but you're making it work for yourselves or for any children you might have. And hey, sometimes friendship like that can be a strong enough bond.

5. Wildcard/free space

Comments

[not_like_the_rest]

[Johanna has the sudden urge to barf, scream and head butt snow all at the same time. Since she can't do any of those things, she digs her nails into Eliot's arm instead. She smiles sweetly up at Snow.]

Thank you, President Snow. I couldn't have done it without you and the Capital. [She smiles up at Eliot like a love sick girl.] I have no idea why anyone would want to rebel from it. [What? Johanna couldn't help herself?]

Yes, I can't think of a reason at all. [He narrows his eyes at her.] After all, there are just so many people in district 7 that might miss you. (or might go missing if she talked again.]

[retrieverchef]

[Eliot doesn't quite wince as her fingernails dig into his arm. He's had enough practice staying still while hunting that it should be believable.]

I don't, either.

[He has to think about his family to make it sound sincere. They're the only reason he isn't hunting this man like a deer.]

[The old man's gaze drifts to Eliot.]

See that you keep it that way. I would hate to see Kane end up like his father. Elan, I think his name was.

[not_like_the_rest]

President Snow, can we visit district 12? I'd really love to see his family. [She says as sweet as can be, showing that she's going to play the game.] You know, so I can get to know Eliot a little more. [She looks up at Eliot with loving eyes.] The future father of my children. [To say they will play if those people have a future.]

I see. Perhaps, after the births.

[Shit. She didn't think of that angel.]

[retrieverchef]

[Eliot can't hold the gasp in this time. Until now, he'd planned to avoid getting Johanna pregnant. He suspects she had the same intention. Now, children aren't an option. They're an order. It feels like the man just punched him in the gut. His grip on his wife's shoulder tightens reflexively. His fears about his family are confirmed in the same breath that tore the rest of his world apart.]

Thank you, sir.

[He had to force the words out.]

You're welcome, son. [The smile on the despot's face was almost beatific.] I only wish I could do more than that.

[not_like_the_rest]

[Johanna is just sick right now. Having a baby? She REALLY doesn't want that. She wobbles a little, but the grip on her shoulder steadies her. She's trying really hard to mask her panic, but her skin is going pale and she can't help it.]

I-I think I need to sit down, dear.

[retrieverchef]

[Eliot notices Johanna's swaying immediately. He smiles as warmly as he can to the President.]

It's been an honor, sir, but I need to tend to my wife. This has been a long day for her.

[With those words, he sweeps her off her feet, leaning his face down next to hers as he carries her to their table.]

Not too much longer now, darlin'.

[not_like_the_rest]

[Johanna's head is swimming. She's trying to hide her face against his chest. She can deal with killing and manipulation, but a baby? a life inside of her? It's... just too much. She whispers to him.]

I-I can't have a baby, I just can't..

[retrieverchef]

I know, sweetheart. [His voice is just a whisper.] I know. But we'll get through this somehow.

[With Johanna nearly falling apart, he has to stay strong for now. He can't afford to think about what it will mean for them to have children. Children born for the Arena, born to kill and then to die. And, unlike Willow and Kane, there will be nothing he can do to protect them.]

Do ya need a drink?

[not_like_the_rest]

Yes... Finnick, I need Finnick. [She's looking around for him.] Find Finnick.

Aw, crap! I forgot I hadn't tagged back yet!

[retrieverchef]

[He looks around the room briefly. There's no sign of the red-haired Victor.]

Is he here? I don't see him anywhere.

[FACECLING] I missed you ;-;

[not_like_the_rest]

[Johanna is slowly panicking more and more. She turns away from the crowd and tries to breath.]

Eliot. [She's desperate. She doesn't know what to do at all anymore.] Eliot please don't make me have kids. Please. [She's begging him, he fingers clinging to the fabric of his suit.] Please. [He voice is still a whisper, but she's starting to choking on her tears now.] They'll look just like my family. I-I can't face that. Not after I had them killed. I can't. [She lets a sob fall.] It's all my fault...

I missed you, too. And then I realized it was my fault bc I hadn't tagged back!

[retrieverchef]

[Eliot wraps his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him.]

Shh... Hey, it's all right, darlin'. I ain't gonna make ya do anythin' we don't absolutely have to do. It's gonna be all right. I promise.

[He almost hates himself as he says it. There's no question the president will expect them to have a child within the next year. And it's not like he wants children any more than she does. He barely stand to watch Willow at the Reaping every year. Kane will be even worse in a few years. He can't imagine watching his own children, especially knowing that he'll eventually see them on that stage. But they have to make it through the reception. He can't let Johanna fall apart yet.]

[nuzzles]

[not_like_the_rest]

[johanna just clings to him, her body trembling as she lets a few sobs slip through her lips. It takes her a few minutes to let her panic pass. Before she's ready to let go of Eliot's tie and is able to breath normally again. When she does, she just lowers her head.]

Water, and napkins.

May/can I enable you to a game?

[retrieverchef]

[He nods, giving her a worried look.]

You'll be all right while I get them?

you can try 83

[not_like_the_rest]

Go. [She just pushes him away.] Just go. I- I don't want for him to see me crying.

\o/

[retrieverchef]

[Eliot nods, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. Then he slips away in search of some water. Which seems to be much harder to find at the reception than it should be. Finally, he grabs a champaign glass and slips into the restroom. He quickly empties the glass and fills it with water, grabbing a towel as he leaves the room. He slips them into her hands as he reaches her side again.]

You just tagged my Snow

[not_like_the_rest]

[Johanna takes the glass and drinks before pouring some of the water on the towel and holding it out to him.]

Here, clean me up. I can't see what's wrong.

That's you?! *flails*

[retrieverchef]

[Eliot wipes her face down gently. There isn't much that really needs to be cleaned up but she'll hopefully feel better for it. He sets the towel down on the table and takes her arm.]

Come on now, darlin'. Let's get this over with. So we can go home.

[OOC: TheGames... Please, check it out. We need a Johanna...]

yep

[not_like_the_rest]

[Johanna puts a smile on. A fake on of course.]

Yes, That sounds lovely, darling. [and kisses his cheek.] I want to get home.

You wanna do another time skip after this?

[retrieverchef]

Well, then, let's get this reception over with.

[And he'll hope he doesn't make himself sick on the food. It's far richer than anything he's even heard of back in 12 and he's seen what happened when someone from the Seam indulged in town food.]

OOC

[not_like_the_rest]

Sure, did you have one in mind? Also that link you gave me didn't work.

Re: OOC

[retrieverchef]

I was thinking of perhaps jumping to them either on the train to 7 or arriving in 7. I'd imagine Jo would have some interesting reactions to Eliot adjusting to Victor's Village as well as a whole new district. Also both of them dealing with being essentially ordered to have children together.

For the link... http://gamemakers.dreamwidth.org/5449.html Hopefully that should work. If not, gamemakers or thegames should work.

Re: OOC

[not_like_the_rest]

How about arriving at her place? Can you start?

Time skip...

[retrieverchef]

[Eliot isn't sure which way to turn as he walks through the door. He'd seen glimpes of Victor's Village back in 12, but he'd never set foot in one of the houses. Compared to the two room cabin he'd lived in before now, it seemed like a mansion.]


This place is huge.

woot

[not_like_the_rest]

Yeah? Well I don't use most of it. All these rooms are pointless. You can take over any of the ones you want. (Meaning stay out of her space.) I need a hot show. (Aaaaaand she just starts to strip in the middle of the living room. It's a nice view, thanks to the capital.)