bakerstreet | arranged marriage AU to scratch the itch.

arranged marriage AU to scratch the itch.

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?

[ Since the other marriage meme disappeared, I guess it's okay to post this one? ]

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You are right. The possibilities are just- that there are possibilities at all-

I apologise. I know that I am- jumpy. Overexcited. I had been told that I would be wed to a monster.

[ And he is, technically. Luneth is a monster by at least three definitions of the term. Not a hyur. Blessed with the visions of starfall. And those who can use those grimoires were once thought of as heroes, yes. But that was decades ago. That he took to it so readily, in this age, would be damning if he weren't so painfully aware of what a monster truly looks like.

(Monsters sit on thrones. Luneth is sitting on the floor.) ]

I had expected the whole of this arrangement to be rather less- conducive to the possibility of more stability.

[ He doesn't know the history of summoners, truth to be told. Has no idea that they fell into disgrace and that the art itself is considered a taboo one. Too many had thought summoners to be tempered. That's probably why it had been offered to him at all. Luneth bears the Echo. He cannot be tempered so surely he cannot delve too deeply into these forbidden skills.

They will be wrong, but... ]

I am pleased by the fact that you apparently are not of the same mind as the others then. In truth, I thought that I would find myself in the company of someone that would treat me as such. I was prepared for it.

[ Because how could he expect to be treated by someone with the title of "prince?" Even a beast prince is still a prince - even Xande himself had said so. ]

This explains why you thought to slip into my cell.

Forewarned is forearmed, after all. Knowing what kind of monster I might be attending to seemed wise. Though, it seems my recreation of Vanish still needs some work.

[ And then, very tentatively- ]

'A monster' did imply someone taller. But I think that this is as acceptable as it might be, nonetheless.

[ -a nervous, careful attempt at a joke. ]

Nay. 'Tis not your application that is the issue. [ His ear gives a twitch, moving in Raha's direction. ] I could hear your heartbeat as readily as any boot hitting stone. T'was racing, if I recall.

[ In other words, his hearing is rather acute. Though Luneth's ears themselves tend to lean towards the longer side of things. ~~AS LONG AS I COULD SCALE THEM AND MORE IF I COULD HAVE~~ Though the mention of his height leads to another sort of twitch about them.

Irritation. ]

Ah. I am afraid I must have misheard you, little prince. [ Oh he's going to poke at it right back. ] Would you have preferred one of my towering sisters instead?

I still struggle with that component of it, I fear. The original spell contained some sort of enchantment to mute the sounds that the user made, but all current spells with the same effect are used to keep a foe from casting magic. A magic that inherently prevents the user from using magic would be- challenging to cast.

[ He laughs. And it feels good to laugh. For the first time, 'little prince' doesn't sound like condescension at all. Just a description. An amusing one, at that. ]

Perhaps. I would certainly have slept better last night, knowing for sure what you were. The school of Creation holds that your kind do not have males.

[ Oh. A laugh. Ears twitch slightly at the sound of it. Also no, it hadn't been condescending at all. Joking around in return, really. Luneth doesn't mind his height, really. It just helps him get around unnoticed is all. If anything that is why males are smaller. ]

We are... Very good at hiding. Additionally, unlike our sisters, we are not permitted leave.

[ "Or else" is implied, of course. It's not as though they left people alive. Not that often. Even less now that Allag had decided to spread even further. ]

Dare I ask how they thought we came to be?

There are, uh. Were. Theories.

The- I never put a great amount of thought into it. But the one I believed, insofar as it ever seemed a copy ncern of mine, was that viera presented those differences outwardly less readily than other spoken races. That we had been observing both male and female viera all along without realising. Demonstrably incorrect now. As for the other theories-

[ ...on the one hand, he should maybe be more careful about this. On the other hand, some things deserve to be dunked on. ]

-would you rather be offended on your sisters' behalf, or incandescently furious on their behalf?

You would not be too far off, truth to be told. At least in part.

[ As there is no difference between male and female. Not when they are young. Some do not present their gender until almost 20 summers. At about 13 they start to diverge and it becomes clear what role one will play in life. Luneth will hold onto that information for a while yet. ]

Are those really my only two choices?

Ah, so there is some complexity to it.

[ And he actually has to think on that, because it's hard to think of a popular theory off the top of his head that isn't either slightly insulting or possibly a researcher's personal fantasy. Once he removes the popular theories, the ones that remain are- ]

-there is a well-known researcher who holds fast to the theory that your sisters are actually a form of fruit produced by the trees themselves. If you would rather be confused than offended.

[ They do not think of their existence or culture as particularly complex. However, perhaps to outsiders, it does? That's what is puzzling to Luneth - every race has their own uniqueness to it, doesn't it? Yet they are all the same in many areas as well. ]

Fruit. That we are but fruit of the tree. Even you must realize how silly that sounds. I do not know of a fruit that becomes true flesh and blood.

[ He shakes his head. ]

How disappointed they will be, to see that I exist and know that they are very wrong.

Edited 2022-01-15 16:31 (UTC)

I did not say I believed it. But it is at least an actual theory, if one that does not hold up to scrutiny.

[ If he were ever to look into it further, Luneth might be able to read between the lines of the studies and see the truth, that two of his sisters decided to get revenge for being treated like test animals by intentionally giving the scientist interviewing them wildly wrong ideas about everything. ]

It is ever the aim of the sciences to discover that one is very wrong and to consider a new possibility. I should hope that most of them would see that you exist and adjust their understanding accordingly, else they would be terribly poor scientists.

[ ...yeah, there are some things he can't quite shake his overly hopeful views on, despite everything. And maybe one of them is that science is, despite everything, pretty great. ]

[ Luneth can well believe that his people would be purposefully deceptive. A couple would have likely made things up and those that followed? They would have kept their silence or perpetuated it. Either way, the truth is not likely to come out, even under threat of torture or the like. It is simply their way and there is no breaking that bond... ]

At the end of the day, I suppose it is no concern of mine what they believe and what they do not. What conclusions that they come to are their own. I am not here to change that mindset, correct?

[ He doesn't have the faith in these people that Raha does. Even the Viera has seen the gazes in their eye. Many want him and the ways in which they do are as plain as the look about their face. Experimentation. Augmentation. Or... Well that needn't be said either. ]

I take it that is the most flattering tall tale.

There may well be others. More flattering. Even more close to the truth. The topic isn't my area of expertise, and I only know the more popular theories. And the fruit one, for its infamy.

[ He pushes himself to his feet, finally catching on to why the viera is spreading out his many shrouds on the floor. The bed is sized for someone far, far bigger than either of them. There's more than enough space for both to sleep without ever risking touching. So he starts arranging it, dividing bedding into two sets of half each. ]

You are not. You are here to entertain my Grandfather. Which makes all else about you irrelevant. Grandfather does not care, particularly, for the quest for understanding of the world. So that does, at least, afford you some protection from all of these queries. Should anyone seek answers for you, you need only say that taking those answers would make you less effective in battle. They will have to take their curiosity elsewhere for fear of committing treason.

Small comfort, I know. But I hope still some comfort nonetheless.

As your expertise is apparently reading and spellwork.

[ It's... Interesting. How easy it is overall to fall into conversation despite himself. He watches the other get up and start fussing about while Luneth does the same. Granted, he's not going to really catch onto why Raha is moving things about. Not quite yet. Instead he focuses on what is being said. ]

Even if I did not have this protection, you would find that I do not have any real intentions of speaking to these people.

[ Really what is meant by that is "speaking to anyone at all." Perhaps he should give up on that notion. Just a bit. ]

It is. I- mean no offense, but the question of your kind's- everything- concerned me very little until last night. I know enough to understand that even the more open of your kind would not suffer to see your history or magics preserved by an outsider, which leaves you entirely irrelevant to my field. I only know of the fruit theory because I read all I could find to hand after meeting you last night.

[ He's suddenly glad that Luneth can't read allagan, or he might have noticed that a good number of the tomes scattered around the room seem to point to the topic of 'what the fuck was that tiny bunny in the cell'.

Luneth mentions that he wouldn't speak. Which is reasonable, but he pauses for a second. He should warn him that failing to speak would only lead them to other ways of finding answers. He doesn't. There's probably no need to. Instead he tosses a pillow onto what he's decided is Luneth's bedding pile and smiles. ]

Then I shall do all I can to see that you are never asked to. You will forgive me if I act the jealous spouse in service of this?

None taken. After all, do I not find myself in a similar situation? I had no desire to learn anything of this place and now that I find myself here... Needless to say that I now see my own folly.

[ Which means he will... Likely be asking questions to Raha when needed. When Luneth can't discern what he is seeing himself, that is. What he cannot piece together himself.

Of course he doesn't care that silence can get him into trouble as well. What does this matter? What likely matters is the who he would refuse to give answers to. ]

You may act in the manner you feel is appropriate. An apology is not required.

Then we will guide one another. I will strive to ensure that you know all you need to, to be safe here. And you will ensure that I know all I need to know to see that you are, if not comfortable, then as close to it as is within my power.

[ It's good. To have permission to act the jealous husband that he is not. He isn't an actor, never will be. But he doesn't need to be. All he needs to do it make it clear that Luneth is his. That nobody short of the emperor himself can take him away without it being treason.

He gestures to the pile of bedding at the far side of the bed. ]

I will understand, if you would prefer to be elsewhere, but- You may sleep at that side, tonight, if you wish. I won't touch you.

[ He turns back around to face Raha. Luneth continues to look at him in silence for a few moments. The Viera still can't fully understand this one. He is a prince. Educated, yes, but also seems to struggle with speaking of the Empire's faults; as if he will be struck down for saying them and then not immediately following it up with some level of praise or practiced recitation. Surely he knows that standing up for Luneth and providing him with any measure of aid could turn out poorly for him and yet.

Yet he at least thinks to. Luneth wonders if it is all just words. Promises uttered to make him feel at ease here. Lure him into a false sense of security. This prince who pins his ears down and dons their cosmetics in an ill attempt to fit in, even though he never will. No, he doesn't know what to think of him. What to believe of him. ]

Far be it from me to point this out, but you already have.

[ Touched, that is. Though so has Luneth in return. He looks between the two locations, as if he hasn't entirely decided. It should be an easy choice. Sleep in a place where he can defend himself in need be or with someone that may slit his throat in his sleep - unlikely as that may be. Again, it should be easy. ]

I've not slept in a bed since your Emperor started the invasion into Golmore.

Oh. I meant. I meant- so I have.

[ It's probably more than clear, by the way he hesitates, what he meant.

'Your Emperor' is a strange, uncomfortable phrase. He has hears 'the' Emperor. 'Our' Emperor. But never 'your', along with all of its uncomfortable implications that there are people who do not have an Emperor. ]

Well- sleep where you will, but please take what bedding you need to be comfortable. I shan't have a stiff back be what keeps you from victory.

[ Oh he tries not to chuckle. It does make him wonder, then, how experienced the other must be to refer to those matters so innocently. However it's interesting to note where his mind went all the same. ]

I tease.

[ Well that more or less puts things into perspective. This prince truly is sheltered in many ways. Luneth then rises and makes his way over to Raha. ]

If I am to be honest... I do not know what to make of you. Everyone else is fairly obvious. You, not so much.

If it is any comfort, I doubt anyone here knows what to make of me.

[ He turns to sit on the bed, drawing his knees up to his chest, tail curled around himself. ]

My cousins are the descendants of the Radiant Emperor's children from his first life. Separated from him by generations. In this new life of his, he sired only three children before the augmentations rendered him incapable. All dead now, or close enough to it, for their role in Phlegethon's rebellion. Of them, my mother was the only one to bear child. Which leaves me - that which I am - and guilty of treason by birth, and still the closest thing that my Grandfather has to a true heir.

It means little in practice, of course. My Grandfather is ageless, now. He has no need for heirs. I am here - alive, unaltered, mind all of my own - only because Emet-Selch convinced my Grandfather that I ought to be so. It sits ill with all of my cousins, nonetheless. That I am beneath them. And yet that were we in opposition, without my Grandfather's influence, all the creations of Allag would answer to me alone.

[ Hearing all of that just makes Luneth huff. It's not one of those scoffing ones. Rather, he sound is a "I really can't believe this" one. The Viera makes this comment and yet the prince thinks to actually answer. Even better, this answer is all focused around his station in life and the circumstances surrounding it. As if that is what Luneth had been referring to.

It is... Well the word he would think to use for it likely isn't proper by any means. Then again, what he folows up with instead probably isn't either. Yet Luneth is a protector by nature and even if this prince is not of his people. Not of his Wood. It's very clear that - ]

You are focused on the wrong things, little one.

[ Because Luneth stands before Raha. Slides a hand along the prince's jaw to make him look up. Not that Raha will need to look very far. ]

I did not mean the cards that you have been dealt in life. Not your blood or role. These things are not you. What I was expecting and what I am seeing are very different. You have a sharp mind and are quite passionate about your subject of interests and a curiosity that does not seem to have been tempered with age. I had thought this compassionate, understanding side of yours some kind of ruse yet it is now clear to me that it is not. Despite this circumstances in in your life, you still remain pure. Yet it is you that does not see the value in your own existence.

[ Luneth tilts his own head to the side, ears moving with him. They are in a more relaxed position, for the time being. It won't stay that way for long, considering he is still in the Crystal Tower and doesn't think relaxing fully is a good idea. ]

This is what I do not understand or what to make of you. You pin your ears. Hide your markings. For what purpose? To blend in? To hide? I do not see the benefit of this if you will never do anything but stand out regardless.

[ For a moment, he doesn't speak. Because he knows, he knows, that Luneth will not like what he says. And he didn't think that he would care overmuch what Luneth thought of him, when this began. He thought he would do all he could to be kind and that that would be enough.

But Luneth is strong. Luneth is clever and capable and thinks that he could be clever and capable as well. Thinks that he could fight by his side.

And Luneth would not want him to say that he pins his ears back to demonstrate that he is sorry for what he is, no matter how true it is.

It is so much easier to speak about his station. About the politics of his Grandfather's court and the uneasy role he plays in it, existing as an insult to all of his cousins. Of his studies. Even of the painful days to come.

He doesn't quite want to break the contact, but he draws himself away anyway. ]

It is- I apologise. You would think the answer pathetic. I would prefer you not think of me thus.

[ The truth is often hard for people to hear and accept. Luneth won't lie and say that he doesn't also have his moments where it is better to just be in denial. He had spent some time under his mentor doing just that. Yet when it became too much, he had also needed to face the truth that nothing he could do would make him into the apprentice that his mentor expected and desired. So Luneth - Thivir - had elected to simply do things his own way and be done with it.

It doesn't surprise him that the other pulls away. Not at all. Luneth doesn't think much of it, more so trying to hide some level of shame and that, too, is an interesting reaction. ]

No, I would not think so. Your answer is your own, Raha. Often I forget the other Spoken races do not have the time that we Viera do to find the inner self and cultivate it. More than anything, I think I would find it sad. Not pathetic.

Then- It is not to disguise myself as one of them. It is to demonstrate proper contrition. That I know what I am. And that I have attempted to set it right, as much as could be expected of me.

[ He smiles, and it looks sad but not forced. ]

That battle never seemed worth fighting. The energy is better spent on my studies. On trying to do some good. On you, now, I suppose.

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what is the point of an ear scale if you do not set it to maximum

big ears and smol body are my aesthetic

Sliders must always be at an extreme it's the law

yes

people and ears and tails must be either smol or big no in betweens only the cute extremes

and extremes are cute :>

ear slider (extreme)

i gave a snort

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