bakerstreet | Wedding cake or death

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.

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 | Expand All

[Pick a twin and a prompt!]

[ ota! ]

[ ota ]

The original idea had been to draw the Han clan closer to Wen and boost their network of medically-based manpower, what better way than through 'honoring' the Han by suggesting their eldest daughter marry into their clan? At first, it sounded like Wen Xu or Wen Chao might be the carrot being dangled and YunXi's father deflected the offers with vague reasons. YunXi was too young, she'd lost her mother, she was too undisciplined, Wen Xu and Wen Chao may not find any common interests with a scholarly-based wife, YunXi had a a conveniently disfiguring medical condition...

Wen Ruohan even arranged for YunXi's supposed condition to be verified, which it was... at that time. The arrangement was instantly shifted in another direction... Wen Ning. Timid, introverted, unable to show any progress as a Cultivator, part of a medically-inclined branch of the family... Once he was separated from his older sister it would supposedly be easy to keep Wen Ning, his wife, and the Han clan under firm control. Right?

The wedding, of course, went just as Wen Ruohan wished. The objections were countered, the groom wasn't allowed time or opportunity to object, the bride was heavily veiled, the bows were made, the wine was poured... Wen Chao even took the opportunity to embarrass the new couple by loudly stating that Wen Ning was even more dull for taking an unattractive wife, but every dog should understand their place. The glance he'd shot YunXi had clearly indicated that she was included in that statement.

As soon as Wen Ning had led her to the bridal chamber and the doors closed behind them, YunXi tossed her bridal veil off her face and turned to pace back and forth with all the fury Wen Qing was fully capable of matching. Perhaps already was in her own chambers. Oddly, YunXi's face didn't have a single blemish... "If I make that mix, I can rot his skin for months, but that other mix he won't be able to feel his tongue for a week... But that one will make his extremities numb unless he..." YunXi turned and took a good first look at her new husband, and... Smiled hesitantly. She had learned to pick out details of appearance and body language quickly and she actually liked what she was seeing in Wen Ning. "So! Shall we make Wen Chao ugly, mute, or clumsy?"

Edited (Oops...) 2021-01-26 04:11 (UTC)

Sorry i'm so late

wenningit - 2021-02-17 16:03 (UTC) - Expand

But not too late!

poisonconsort - 2021-02-20 00:40 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

wenningit - 2021-03-09 22:02 (UTC) - Expand

poisonconsort - 2021-03-28 07:03 (UTC) - Expand

wenningit - 2021-04-17 18:49 (UTC) - Expand

poisonconsort - 2021-04-21 07:17 (UTC) - Expand

wenningit - 2021-05-17 13:44 (UTC) - Expand

[ The big day has finally come. The day they all have been waiting for, the day their families have meticulously planned to be as extravagant and politically inoffensive as possible. Zizhen's family isn't as financially stable as Jin Ling's, but they're able to dress her in a magnificent red and gold dress anyway. Everyone is gathered in the hall, waiting for the ceremony to begin, but the newlyweds-to-be have a few minutes alone together before they enter. Zizhen paces, nervous, careful not to disturb the delicately balanced veil she's wearing. ]

Ahhhh, I can't believe it's finally today... I'm totally going to screw this all up, I'm so nervous.