bakerstreet | Arranged marriage turned more

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Arranged marriage turned more

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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[I'm happy to AU her into a generic fantasy setting, if desired.

Either way, both canon and cross-canon are welcome!]

Edited 2018-08-11 21:48 (UTC)

[ timeline and crosscanon shenanigans welcome ]

[ Actually a very in-canon scenario for him. Typical "comes from wealthy backgrounds and father arranges to marry him off to someone" deal. Could be a union for business reasons or what have you; either way Kyoya wouldn't be thrilled about being forced to marry anyone and he'll definitely initially be a jerk to the poor person on the other end of this deal.

Open to anyone! I can age him up a bit if needed; otherwise, he's 17. I can see his heartless dad going ahead and making him do this as soon as possible, so they could even both still be in high school. Maybe your person is transferring to Ouran Academy now that they're married? ]

(ooc: She's in the right age range, and keeping with her actual roots (pardon the pun)/parentage maybe Kyoya's father decided to accept the offer of an arranged marriage to a young heiress of a small country somewhere off the coast in Europe? Some stipulation that she can only inherit if she has a husband (because old outdated rules)? She could be transferring to Ouran Academy after the fact in order to gain some life/world experience overseas, learn about her new husband's culture, and fill in some time until it's TIME for her to inherit?)

[ ooc: Oh my goodness, that works out really well and honestly sounds like a ton of fun. We could start with her first day at the academy, if you like? Unless you'd rather write out a scenario set later on, I don't mind either way!

I don't know how familiar you might be with his canon, but just for a little helpful reference: the high school girl's uniform is basically pale yellow and lacy. ]

(ooc: Awesome! Sorry for the delay, gearing up for the first day of work for the new school year (which is in less than 3 hours ha ha ha haha...). I just wanted to let you know I got your response and I'll get a starter done for us when I get in from work! And yes, very familiar actually, but I'd forgotten how POOFY the dresses were. LOL Man this is gonna be fun. ~~I was laughing pretty hard imagining all the crap Rapunzel and Tamaki could enable one another into doing. Poor anyone-in-their-sights.~~)

[ ooc: No worries or rush at all!! I run a little slowly myself through the week, for Very Similar Reasons. Take as much time as you need! ~~Oh my god... Two Adorable Blonde Terrors HAHA. I actually love this image and it's the cross-over I never knew I needed sjgpak;s~~ ]

[ Rapunzel's new school has done an absolutely fantastic job of captivating her attention. In some ways it isn't that different from the way that the students marvel over the lifestyle of the lower class, but in others it leaves Rapunzel standing out among her would be peers. Since arriving at the school she'd already managed to rather spectacularly but completely accidentally give her escort the slip, gotten "lost" wandering several hallways, and narrowly avoided a few collisions for her spacey, daydream-y state. She was so captivated by all of the exquisitely framed artwork, the stunning views, and the cheerful, warm, and welcoming colors of the interior that she might have lost track of the time entirely.

In fact, when she finally does come out of her daze enough to realize what's going on at all she realizes that she's absolutely managed to get herself thoroughly lost.

She gives her lower lip a nervous and uncertain bite, a hand coming up to touch her fingers to the same lip, considering. Rapunzel looks first down one side of the corridor, and then the other. Everyone seems to have deserted the hallways rather abruptly. Classes or clubs must be in session. She's sure her parents would be neither surprised nor completely pleased by her wandering off. She was supposed to be meeting her fiance, not running around taking in the sights. Ah... and her escort is going to be none-too-amused for that matter. ]

... Ah... Help? Is anyone else here...?

[ YES. EXCELLENT PLAN. ]

(ooc: Just let me know if this doesn't work! I couldn't stop her, sorry! I figured in all her excitement her curiosity would get the best of her that first day, so he probably had a flustered escort show up at the designated meeting spot and explain that s/he'd lost their charge, with profuse apologies for the trouble. But could the young master PLEASE help find her highness before an unfortunate misunderstanding takes place theywouldgreatlyappreciateit!!!! 8);; )

( ooc: And this is perfect, thank you for setting it up! omg, she's so cute ;; DON'T BE MEAN TO HER KYOYA )

[ Naturally, the union is quite the affair -- the youngest son of the esteemed Ootori family and a wealthy young heiress from overseas. There likely won't be a single soul at Ouran Academy who won't know of the business, though Kyoya himself is hoping to at least maintain some semblance of modesty. As much as is possible.

Of course, things like this are no rarity. Ouran is filled with those who literally swim in the same pool, and it's well-known that business deals, company management, and marriage arrangements may be part of its students' (and their parents') curriculum. This union between Rapunzel and himself is all business and therefore very public. But that doesn't mean Kyoya isn't trying to keep as much of it as private and tightly controlled as he can.

....So when his fiance's charge breathlessly reports to him that said fiance is lost, Kyoya thinks this is sort of a nightmare.

He excuses himself; he'll search for Rapunzel on his own, minimise any odd-looking behaviour of a panicked escort running alongside a scowling young man who is capable of walking eerily fast when he's after something. Thankfully, the halls are devoid of student life for the moment. And.... Kyoya realises he knows absolutely nothing about her likes and tastes -- what sort of room she might have meandered to, where she might be drawn to. By the time he does find her, it's simply a result of him literally looking down every hall. So he's a bit out of breath, and the frown he's wearing isn't the most welcoming of greetings. ]

What are you doing? You were supposed to meet me with your escort. [ His voice remains quiet and steady as always, but there's a somewhat irritated sharpness to the edge of his words. ]

(ooc: /)///(\ Thank you! I'm glad it works for you! LMAO HE CAN BE MEAN. Let's see how long it lasts. >D)

[ Rapunzel turns at the sound of footsteps, relief flickering across her expression for a moment until she realizes that Kyoya might not necessarily be happy to see her here. And it IS Kyoya. She recognizes him from his photo, even though he's a little out of breath and not exactly smiling as he had been in the picture. It's an understandable response, she thinks, after she PROBABLY made him traipse at least half of the school to find her.

For what it's worth, Rapunzel DOES look appropriately sheepish. Her demeanor is... perhaps not quite as polished and befitting an heiress of her stature (or any stature), considering this. There's no hesitation in owning up to her mistake, which isn't necessarily the strange part, but there's a naive innocence in the earnestness she shows.

Hopefully his first impression of her WON'T be "complete airhead". ]

I'm so sorry! We were on our way to the meeting place and I... got a little distracted by all the beautiful artwork. I didn't realize how much time had passed until just a little while ago.

[ And she means it, too, every word, that much is written all over her face. Like a scolded puppy that KNOWS it had made a mess of things. Belatedly, she remembers, that it may be a good idea to bow and does so- or maybe she's not expected to, but she recalls it being a way to show respect and deference? ... She may be a little too flustered to remember ANY of her lessons correctly, honestly. ]

[ As is typical Kyoya fashion, he's studied every detail of her photo to an almost unsettlingly minute degree, such that when he's finally face to face with the young woman, there isn't anything remotely surprising about her appearance to him.

...And yet, he seems to be taken aback, anyway. He blinks, eyes widening a bit. Somehow, he wasn't expecting someone like her to be so openly apologetic. Those of their caliber are generally..well, of a certain mannerism. Showing kindness and apologising for anything is typically a sign of weakness in this brutal business world -- one reason Tamaki gets himself taken advantage of so easily and Kyoya has to swoop in from the shadows to protect him.

It could be an act, he figures, those wide eyes of hers and the way she's sheepishly peering up at him. He doesn't know a thing about her personality, has nothing to gauge it by.

But does it matter one way or the other, really? He has to play a part of his own, after all. He should let the usual smile slip onto his face, the one he wears when he wants something from people, which is most of the time. He should, but he finds it wavering, so that the expression he sends to Rapunzel is simply a thin sort of line across his face. ]

No apology is necessary. It's your first day here, after all. One could hardly blame a person for getting lost in Ouran's expansive layout.

[ Even as he speaks and bows back to her, his tone remains cool. He knows this girl certainly wanted this arrangement no more than he did, but being Kyoya, he's focused on his own self. And so she represents the strife and discomfort of this whole situation for him. ]

...It's nice to meet you. [ Voiced after far too long of a hesitation. He's not even trying to be polite; this is just him going through the motions. ]

[ Rapunzel deflates under that tone. His expression is definitely not reassuring, or encouraging, not that she'd had any reason to expect it to be. Still, having it confirmed that she's made such a terrible first impression leaves her feeling dejected, unsure if she can recover from it and kicking herself a little more for being such a space case.

But all that she can do is move forward from here and keep trying. They're going to be married before long, and while she's certain it isn't what either of them really would have chosen for themselves, she still wants to try to make the most of it. For now she simply has to hope that this mood is because of her actions rather than a sign of how their relationship will always be. That would definitely be preferable to the idea of never being able to meet someone's standards, especially the man she's supposed to call husband one day. ]

Oh... ah... it's nice to meet you, too.

[ Also said after too long, but not due to hesitation, but her trying to recover from her own social stumble. Afterwards she lingers awkwardly, unsure what to say for a bit. ]

... I'll be more mindful, next time. I didn't mean to trouble anyone.

(ooc: Hooo boy she is gonna have a time adjusting to Ouran! :D Would you be up for swapping contacts for quick back-and-forth on details as we go? Or if you prefer, I'm also fine with PM's.)

[ What's with him? This isn't.. like Kyoya. After all, this whole marriage deal is a key business move, and he's all about what's best for business. Even if it's somewhat discomforting, he should be able to play his part more easily. Instead, he's just standing there finding it difficult to even manage a fake smile at the young woman. He's like a robot in autopilot.

The way her face falls, however, is very.. telling, to him. That the apology was most likely genuine after all. By now, Kyoya fancies himself a pretty good reader of people (plus he's had plenty of experience with Tamaki who wears every emotion plainly on his sleeve.) That hurt golden retriever expression is quite familiar to Kyoya by now, and there's something in his gut that stirs just a little bit... uncomfortably. (Guilt would be the most likely candidate, but he remains oblivious that it's what it is, for the moment.) ]

Well.... Shall we go? [ He's awkward too, and it just results in him closing up even more as he falls into step beside Rapunzel. His body language is stiff, his eyes set straight forward. He doesn't speak, and if she says anything, he'll simply nod to show he's listening. When he moves to the next hallway, a few staff members meandering around instantly draw to the young pair whom they've heard the news about, and Rapunzel will suddenly find herself standing beside a completely different person as he moves forwards to greet the professors who are clamoring over her. ]

Good morning! Isn't it a lovely day? But of course, please allow me to introduce my fiance, Rapunzel. I am pleased that our families were able to join forces, joining us in the process.

[ Kyoya reaches for her hand, gently slipping his fingers into the girl's, displaying a polite, but kind, affection for her. And he leaves his hand there as he chats amiably with them, smiling over at her here and there, leaving gaps for her to speak too if she wishes, mostly making some small talk. The cold person seems to have completely... vanished. ]

( ooc: POOR RAPUNZEL HAVING TO PUT UP WITH HIS DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE SELF. And that would be great, thank you! Feel free to add / hit me up on plurk (sweatervest) or discord (Jhey#2354) if you like ♥

[ There's an attempt or two at conversation before his stoicism has her withdraw into her shell again. She hasn't given up, exactly, but for the time being it just feels too awkward and tense to keep going, and even Rapunzel knows how to pick her battles.

That is, until the two staff members find them... The transformation is startling, if not outright shocking. He'd shifted gears so seamlessly and easily, and Rapunzel, being the earnest thing that she is- and unpracticed at putting on airs at that -is completely at a loss for more than a few steps. She manages to fumble through an introduction, and very nearly flinches back from the touch of his hand. It's at the last second that she stops herself, but Kyoya would still feel the involuntary twitch of her fingers.

Even after, she wants to snatch away, ask what his problem is, indeed, but she knows better. She can't do that here, not in front of these professors. An emotional outburst like that, here and now- if she hadn't already ruined things that would surely do it. So, as much as she hates it, she manages to plaster on a weak smile- one that doesn't reach her eyes -and tries to bear it instead. Her fingers curve between his longer ones, hand squeezing a little, as if that could stop them from trembling with the onslaught of emotional whiplash. She tries to brace herself for what she knows is coming next, the return of that cold facade- or is THIS face the facade? Probably... Either way, once the teachers have gone and the two of them are safely out of sight again she's sure he'll be reclaiming his hand, the painfully convincing smile will vanish, and he'll be back to his cool demeanor as if they'd never been interrupted.

She hates that she knows that with such certainty, but for someone who could flip so easily...! She's not stupid enough to think that he's changed his mind about her that quickly or easily, which means he's putting on an act for the sake of keeping appearances.

Eventually the staff does continue on their way, and Rapunzel and Kyoya are left alone once again, and she pulls her hand back, suddenly finding her backbone again as her temper flares, feelings hurt. Once again, the latter is more apparent than the former, with the former fueling her words only. ]

Don't do that unless you mean it.

[ If he understands what those uncomfortable, subtle movements of her fingers mean and the way her mannerism is just as uncomfortable, Kyoya doesn't address it at all. He's outright ignoring anything extra, focusing simply on what's directly in front of him, what his mind has dubbed as the most important thing for the moment: putting on the right sort of impression for the staff members.

It's only after they've moved on and he finds the smaller hand pulled out of his own that he turns to really look at Rapunzel again. Once more, he finds himself somewhat taken aback by her response, the way she's looking at him (cue uncomfortable gut feelings again). She's visibly upset -- he's not oblivious to that, but he can't help feeling somewhat confused. Surely she expected this sort of thing, was groomed for it? Or.. perhaps she wasn't? (Or maybe she's just a genuinely genuine person, Kyoya, even through a situation that has essentially been forced upon both parties.) ]

It would be problematic for both of our families if we were seen as anything less than content with one each other's company. In fact, we should make sure we're seen being openly pleased with one another, wouldn't you agree?

[ He pauses, head tilted down and eyeing her over the rims of his glasses. Perhaps taking her hand without warning was too brazen. ]

... If hand-holding makes you uncomfortable, we can substitute it for any number of affectionate behaviours. Shall we go over some, and decide which to use? We are meant to be new to each other, so we can both play up being shy, if that's what you'd like.

[ He still doesn't get it. Why exactly she's upset. In his mind, meaning any of this genuinely just isn't part of the equation. ]

[ Is he really not getting it, or is he doing it on purpose? Rapunzel really can't tell, and it's troubling her further. How could he NOT understand her meaning, after all? She knew there would be cultural gaps, but this seems excessive. ]

No...! That's not the point. I mean I don't want fake affection. If you wouldn't do it when no one is watching then don't do it at all. It's...

[ It stings all the more considering he hadn't even been able to muster a polite smile for their introductions. Sure, she'd messed up by getting lost, and probably inconvenienced him, but... ]

It's dishonest, making them think we're closer than we are, and it's not fair to you, or me. We both deserve more respect than that. I'd just rather let things progress naturally.

[ Kyoya blinks at the words, taking a long moment of silence to process them. Ahhh. He understands now, even if the concept itself is foreign to him.

And he's actually giving a little smile, finally. Except it isn't friendly or welcoming, but simply somewhat amused. He doesn't laugh, but it looks as though he is inside, as if there's a joke he's sharing with himself. ]

Nothing about this situation can ever be natural and useful at the same time. In fact, if we were to behave naturally, then we wouldn't even speak at all... For outside of this arrangement, we would have no need to cultivate a relationship between ourselves.

[ He pauses to peer down his glasses at her, an almost lazy and catlike expression resting on his face now. Aloof, unconcerned. Perhaps a sort of defensive mechanism to counter the discomfort he truly feels right now. The nervousness. ] I'm quite sure I'm not the sort of person you'd be interested in spending your time and energy befriending.

[ She can hardly believe what she's hearing, until she realizes that she CAN. When her father informed her that he'd arranged a match for her she'd really hoped- even assumed -that he'd take her personality into account, but that was her mistake. Rapunzel loved her father dearly but she'd long since accepted that he put her practical well being over anything else. Her happiness came secondary to her safety, financial security, and responsibilities as his sole heir.

She'd just... hoped that maybe this would be different, that maybe SHE'D have the chance to find love like her parents had despite the match being made for them, but hearing Kyoya go on like this she just isn't sure how this can work.

She's not giving up, not by a long shot, but any hope of a warm reception to the country have been effectively dashed.

Even so, she refuses to cow-tow under that look and the weight of his words, and she matches his look with her own look of resolve. ]

You're only interested in people who are useful to you? ... That sounds like a lonely way to live.

[ His assumption couldn't BE further from the truth if only in that Rapunzel, as he'll soon discover, is interested in befriending any and EVERYONE, even people who seemingly despise her- ESPECIALLY people who despise her. She believes in the good in every person that she meets, even if they can't see eye to eye, and maybe there's a little stubbornness in there, too. ]

And it's rude to make assumptions about people you've only just met, besides. I might surprise you.

[ What does it say about him that he honestly believes that about himself? Or alternatively, what does it say about what he thinks of HER? ]

( Unlike Tamaki -- whom he'd already been comparing his young fiance to -- Rapunzel clearly has a spitfirey side, one that he's meeting now, his brows lifting upwards....before the edges of his mouth slowly curve upwards only ever-so-slightly. As though he's humoured by this. )

I sincerely doubt that you could surprise me there, for I simply don't have friends.

( Long, slender white fingers curve against the back of the notebook in his hand, a couple of his fingertips tapping it lightly. )

I have business partners, and I have clients. To answer your question, yes, I am only interested in those who are useful to me, and those two types of people are. "Friendship" isn't even a factor worth considering. So you see, your challenge is null and void before it could even begin.

( Pretending to be something he isn't is one of Kyoya's tactics to get what he wants, but he doesn't see the point pretending, here. They're already stuck together. Why should he pretend to be the nice version of himself?

But the venom is unbalanced; it's slipping out irrationally quickly. He's aware of that even as he keeps speaking to the girl, as though his tongue has a will of its own. He knows he's being mean. The fact he's smiling as he says it, as though he could be teasing, probably makes it worse. )

First assumptions tell a lot about a person. By mine, I would say that you are stubborn and have the potential to become quite grating on the nerves.

( Put your claws back in, Kyoya; nothing the poor girl has said warrants this?! )

[ They do have one thing in common, apparently, though her version compares like a child's messy recreation next to his. She tries, desperately, not to let on how hurtful his behavior is. She recognizes the value in keeping appearances, saving face when staring something unpleasant in the eye, but Kyoya has been raised into it, he's had time to perfect his craft. Rapunzel's efforts are a pale imitation, and the simple truth is she is absolutely, unequivocally stunned beyond words.

She knew that she wasn't exactly being kind by calling him out, but she's not sure how things had gotten to this point to start with. Every time she thinks that she understands the world outside, this part of her life, the responsibilities her title represents and how she's expected to carry herself with others, to be a good example and represent her parents and their country, she fails spectacularly. Her mother has tried to encourage her to be herself and expressed faith that she'll find her way in time, but moments like this make her wonder if there IS a place for someone with her spirit in the "upper crust".

Feeling out of her depth, and now effectively made aware of the true state of things her eyes, quickly taking on a glassy look, divert away. Anywhere but at him. ]

I see... I'm sorry to disappoint you, then.

[ She says it so quietly that if it weren't for the silence of the class period it might not have been heard at all. God, she doesn't want to be here anymore. She just wants to find somewhere quiet to be alone, but he'd JUST found her, and he was already clearly irritated enough without her making it worse by running off again, even if the last thing she felt like doing was meeting more people in this state. ]

We should go.

( Truthfully, even Kyoya knows that his "assumption" of her is rather unfair. It isn't actually based in anything other than a few exchanged words. He'd need to watch her in silence for a more appropriate assumption, for that's where Kyoya's knack for reading people really glows: it's in their actions, the subtle things. He hasn't had any chance to watch Rapunzel yet.

But what he's doing is trying to shut her down quickly. To keep her at an arm's distance away from him, emotionally, despite the fact that for the rest of the day she will be physically by his side.

And it appears he's succeeded in that, given the soft words spoken and that look -- the big blue eyes that refuse to look his way anymore. Kyoya can practically hear his companions in his ear, telling him that he needs to be more understanding to her. She's just as stuck in this situation as he is.

The guilty feeling is still there somewhere, but Kyoya's an expert at silencing any nagginess from his gut. His head is by far the dominant one, here.

And as for the heart... well. His doesn't really ever get much say. )

I'll consult my itinerary.

( He flicks open his notebook to a typed page, the day's events neatly mapped out. )

We need to meet with several people who have connections to our parents, here. I imagine you'll also want to start your lessons soon as well, so we can visit your professors. Then there's lunch, a few meetings...

( A pause of thought. He's behaving as though nothing cross happened between them, back to business. )

We should end the school day by being seen doing something pleasant together. Perhaps we can go out and visit the gardens.

[The whole while that Kyoya explains their schedule of expectations Rapunzel listens with half-hearted focus. Everything he describes... she has the energy, drive, or mental fortitude for none of it, save for maybe lunch. That's hard to say, her appetite is somewhat up in the air at the moment.

Normally there'd be some genuine excitement at the mention of the gardens. She'd seen them from the windows in passing in the hallways a few times already today while lost, and had been eager to explore them. Now the idea of going simply for the sake of putting on airs is sucking the appeal from the idea.

She can't help sighing, even as she relents. She'd just told him she wasn't interested in putting on this act, but it seems he's determined to put on a show...]

Alright.

[At least in the garden she may be able to distract herself with their surroundings. So long as she doesn't run off and get lost again he should have no reason to complain, right?]

( this is MY JAM. i have so many ideas so just hit me!!! )

[ Derse/Prospit royalty AU-esque? Hell yeah. ]

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Arranged marriage turned more

kylo ren ( STAR WARS ) ota

Kaisa Virtanen | Old World of Darkness | ota

Brigid Finn | OC | M/F

Bucky Barnes | MCU | M/F

romelle | vld

aliena | the pillars of the earth | ota

elizabeth | the pillars of the earth

morgana pendragon | CAMELOT

lagertha | VIKINGS

brienne of tarth | GAME OF THRONES

sansa stark | GAME OF THRONES

Nico Acosta | OC | M/F

sif | MCU

phèdre nó delaunay | kushiel's dart

Evie Montgomery | OC | F/M

Mishal el Bane | D&D OC

Mary Crawley | Downton Abbey | M/F

padmé amidala naberrie | star wars

Alex Vause | OITNB | F/F

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Challenge accepted

pushes glasses up, /I'm ready/

\o/!!

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I'm so sorry this took so long! Life got a little crazy there, but I haven't forgotten!!!

No worries at all!! I'm running pretty slowly myself and in no rush at all!

\o I don't wanna jinx myself LOL everytime I say "I'M GOOD" life goes "CHALLENGE ACCEPTED"

I KNOW THAT FEELING. If life could chill out with its confrontational self for a bit that'd be great

I KNOW!! Ugh. It's like Me: "Hey I can focus on tags!" Life: "BITCH YOU THOUGHT"

I hope it eases up for you sooner rather than later!!

Thank you! You too!

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Duo Maxwell | Gundam Wing

rey. star wars. m/f.

Margo Hanson | The Magicians

Dirk Strider | Homestuck | M/M