Arranged marriage turned more

[priderock]

Arranged Marriage Turned More To have and to hold, you said, till death do us part, all while the sharp, swinging pendulum of obligation hung overhead. But how could you have truly meant those words? This union has been tainted from the start, forever bearing the chains of an arranged marriage. It would be understandable if you couldn't bear to look at your new life partner, eternal reminder of your stolen future that they are, much less like them. Much less love them... Still, things can change. You could realize that they are in the same boat as you or, that when compared to others around you, they are the lesser of evils. Perhaps you even open up to the idea of a friendship; at the very least, an alliance may be in order to become a power couple in a perilous world. From that innocent decision or sense of self-preservation, a new feelings sparks. Something like affection. Something, you realize in the wake of speeding heartbeats, like love. Will you acknowledge this? Can the two of you have a happily ever after - happier than if you'd met in another fashion - or will you hold firm in your distaste? how to play. - Everybody loves "couples forged by less-than-ideal circumstances" tropes! - Comment with your character, prefs, all that good stuff. - Reply to others. - IDEC where you set your threads, it's wide open. Fantasy world with hairy hobbits, old-timey lands, future AUs, do a space marriage for all I care. I'm sure they're still getting married in Star Wars or whatever.

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[barnaculled]

[ Kuga, as he's known, isn't happy standing on dry land, much less miles from the sea.

But the Myriad is and the Myriad calls and he's... he's still ready to be an agent of that purpose, such as he knows it. He's been told he's to marry, so here he is.

The half-orc had never thought of the concept much, truth be told. His lineage had never been a consideration and, frankly, no one had ever cared for him until he'd been elected control over a frigate. That's when the Myriad really started to pay attention.

They set him up, Earth and Sea; a baroness with a land prospective to match a sea captain. It should be perfect.

Yet Kuga dips his head and tries not to wring his hands as he waits for his Bride-To-Be. His falchion hangs heavy at his hip and his main ship is moored in the background, yet he does feel nervous. ]

[problemwithauthority]

[Listen, marriage was never in the plans. Not for Beau anyway. Her father had other ideas, but he always does and she always ignores them. It was their own little circle of life that she was happy to keep living. He had his propriety and expectations and she subverted them whenever she could from the moment she was born she liked to think.

So it shouldn't have been a surprise that good ol' pops had to trick her into this luncheon. He promised an ample opportunity to embarrass him (in not so many words) with the only caveat that she had to dress nice. And hey, Beau can play that part when theres something in it for her.

Shes not expecting the half orc at the table, or the documents, and she suddenly regrets putting on makeup.]

What the fuck?

[barnaculled]

[ Kuga, as he's known today upon the lucheon, is very dressed in armor and very much a man who has put on some make-up to reassure his own impression, if it's any consolation to Beau.

He's a half-orc, a dark forest green on top fading to a chartreuse. His tusks are slight above his lower lip, but they are gilded in gold crowns, and each of his pointed ears hold several small rings of the same sort of gold.

This man smiles, tight and grim. ]

The fuck is between us now, from what I understand...

[ Though he turns his head slightly towards the disapproval he can sense from the corner of the table, he still ticks a tiny smirk. ]

I'm 'Kuga'. I'm a privateer who's fucked over tourists on the Menagerie Coast and I make a damn good living doing it. I confess, if I'd known infamy would bring me these 'rewards', I might've thought twice about garnering it.

But here we are.

[ Somehow, the half-orc seems nothing but even-tempered, even genteel as he explains their positions in absolutely blunt terms. It doesn't seem like he cares in particular about the approval of Beau's parents. Why should he? This deal was made long before he ever arrived.

Kuga takes one of the hand sandwiches offered for tea and, after a little study of it, pushes the whole and delicate thing into his mouth. There's a loud and crisp crunch of cucumbers and cream cheese, naturally. ]

[problemwithauthority]

Oh fuck that. I'm out.

[beau goes through a strange rush of emotion, the first of course being anger. Her dad just thinks he can ship her off to some pirate. Yeah, eff that. Shes not here for this weird political nonsense. And also did that pirate just insult her? And offer her riches all in the same breath?

Mostly she was confused, but confusion is best represented through belligerence shes found. But why are they suddenly making deals with pirates? Dads not exactly the biggest fan of the criminal underground. Might explain why he looks so tight lipped.

She doesn't have to wait long for the why as he sternly tells her to sit down. It's the voice he uses when. Shes gone too far and she should feel sorry but mostly worries about the consequences of her actions now that it's too late. This seems like o e of those times.

"Overseas business has been difficult as our shipments are not making it to their destinations. So to ensure our product arrives with little difficulty Ive..... made an alliance. My eligible daughter to one of their ...finest..... ...captains...."

She bursts out laughing then stops at her father's cutting look] Sorry, just...

[Its funny because its not. It's funny because it's her fault. The old man starts going on about the details, talking about the contract signed and all that. Beau tunes him out and looks at kuga.]

So what were you saying about fucking over tourists? [she might as well get what she can out of this.]

[barnaculled]

[ Fjord goes between a grin and a grimace as Beau's father effectively shuts her blunt and nasty rejection down. It's as much as Fjord ( Kuga ) expected - in fact, it relieves him quite a good deal. He'd much rather have someone honestly hate him than someone politely tolerate him, as Beau's parents most obviously did. Kuga himself was very good at being polite, but the annoyance of the situation combined with Beau's undeniable candor inspires him.

She's absolutely right about him so far. An insult and a promise. She laughs against him being the 'finest' and the cut of his grin widens even more. He loves that he doesn't need to be gentle with her. ]

Funny you ask, because I was just thinkin' the only way you'd be a more perfect victim fer my line of work is if you didn't look like you could kick an ass or two before my crew gagged your foul fuckin' mouth. I like you more than I was expectin' to already.

[ He takes a gracious sip of his tea with one hand and piles at least three more cucumber sandwiches onto his tiny plate with the other. ]

The Menagerie Coast is what you call a republic, which means the law is made by the people who live there, not an Emperor or Empress. There're noble families like yers, but their vote's no better or worse than the busker on the street - or mine, fer that matter.

[ He shoves another half a tiny sandwich into his mouth, crunching away for a good five seconds or so before he shoves the processed food into his cheek and continues, apparently caring little for the slight bulge in his lime curl of skin. He continues to speak perfectly with his rough accent. ]

The laws of how to live and who you have to be are a lot more lax there, so we get all kinds of tourists from all over Exandria wantin' to swing on in, fuck shit up with their newfound freedom, then fuck right back off to their country of origin.

[ The half-orc chews a little more and swallows. ]

Me 'n mine are in the business of uh... bein' a rude awakenin' for those folk.

These are outstanding, ma'am. What is this white stuff?

[ He turns towards Beau's mother, smiling beatifically for all he's made up to look very fucking intimidating. ]

[problemwithauthority]

[Beau's mother, tight lipped simply sniffs and tells the pirate that it's a family recipe before picking up her tea and taking a drink. Politely tolerating is about all she's capable of right now, and she can't believe they're marrying they're only daughter off to some vagrant, but it's not up to her now is it.

Beau on the other hand takes a rather indelicate bite of a sandwich, being sure to chew open mouthed and as impolite as possible.]

So what, do you just,like, rob them, or do kidnap them and stuff?

[She takes another bite and points a finger at him] And if you don't think I can fuck up your crew, you got another thing coming, bucko.

[barnaculled]

Both.

[ It's an indelicate subject, but Beau asked. In his mind, she deserves to know. Also, it's so clear that it makes her parents uncomfortable to the point he's getting a sort of schadenfreude watching them squirm. This hadn't really been his choice either and he rather suspects even if he acted the perfect gentleman for their daughter ( and make no mistake, he certainly could ) they wouldn't accept him for the simple fact of his blood.

So why not have some fun with it? ]

Agents on the shore pick 'em out and have 'em ready to put on my ship. My role's been more or less holdin' and transportin' 'em until their ransom comes in to my employers.

If their families pay, they go home.

[ He picks up his cup and finishes the rest of his tea, sighing before placing it back down in its saucer. Manners dictate Beau's mother, as the lady of the house and hostess, should probably refill it. Fjord's curious if she will. ]

We've got a myriad of ships, so while I most likely won't be the one protectin' your family's merchant vessels myself, my nation's forces are yours while this alliance holds true. Unofficially, of course. Officially, I'm considered to be a rather ruthless pirate with no allegiance whatsoever.

And for the record, I should like to see you try. There's a fair few of my crew that deserve a good kick in the pants in my opinion.

[problemwithauthority]

Haha! Myriad. I see what you did there. [she sort of half laughs like that might have been really funny but also not.

When the joke falls flat because it wasn'tfunny to begin with she leans back in her chair crossing her arms.]

Well, it's not like I have much of a choice here.

["No," her father says curtly. "Its either this or we send you off to a monastery.]

Oh, yeah. I'd rather be a badass pirate than some boring monk anyday. Take me away sailor. [she makes a mock salute in the pirates direction.]

[barnaculled]

[ Damn, but her tactless call-out for his implication makes him grin. There's something about her. ]

I appreciate your permission.

[ He's not even being sarcastic, belive it or not. ]

But you don't have to pick one or the other. I might have a few monks that owe me favors.

[ Now, he turns his attention towards Beau's parents. He's not exactly content, but... there's something about Beau Fjord feels like he could work with. So he can tilt them a smile. ]

I did arrive prepared. I would be honored for this union to be prepared before the eyes of your gods.