arranged

[morphs]

Arranged Marriage 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?

Comments

[ahtoholla]

[ sorry i vanished!! if you're still interested, either of those works. she'd definitely be more guarded/awkward with the tribute scenario, but that could be fun to play with, too. ]

[go_north]

[ no worries!! i can be pretty slow sometimes so it's all good. and i'm down for awkward. i'll aim for getting a starter up later tonight! ]

[go_north]

[ The party is in full swing, the palace housing hundreds of attendees and the ballroom saturated in just as much opulence one would expect for a royal wedding reception.

Even if the wedding itself felt more like a peace treaty, written and signed by the vows they recited, it was just as binding as any other and the spectacle is real. Court musicians in each corner, flowers dripping everywhere, a feast spread out from one end of the room to the other, and Zoro stuffed in an uncomfortable suit.

A stranger to Arendelle, he's spent most of the evening being asked questions by overly curious guests. He'd rather be doing almost anything else, but he does his best not to be too gruff. This is his new home now, and their union a sign of alliance; he can't go being a jerk on the first night. But he does need a break.

His hair helps him blend in a little with the extravagant floral display he stands behind, working on his goblet of wine. It's been a long day, and little surreal. He's known, since his knighthood, that his marriage would be arranged by the Shimotsuki court. And, dutiful as he is, he would dedicate himself to whomever they chose. But he can't deny that a queen seems like more than he deserves, even if he knows it was a decision made out of caution borne from the news of her immense power. He won't shirk the commitment, although he feels entirely out of place already. ]

[ahtoholla]

[ There are many things one must do, for people, for country, when tasked with so much responsibility for them. But still, she wasn't expecting this. Then again, Elsa supposes, this all has so much more to do with what she is beyond her royal title, doesn't it? She had to have known things would change, when they opened up the gates again - when she kept them open, knowingly, and no longer made secret of her magic. That there would be more hurdles to overcome, in the future, she'd undoubtedly known - but this one in particular, well, it's more of a stumbling block.

The whole day has felt surreal, and this party is no exception. Familiar people, familiar faces, all the trappings should be some comfort to her, but tonight she finds little of it anywhere. If she could just stop everything for a moment, freeze it in place (ha ha), and have the quiet and the distance just to think this through— Chances are she'd be no better off, and running away didn't exactly work out for her the first time.

So she's bearing up under it, as best she can, playing the kind and generous hostess even while she feels little more than a bundle of overwrought nerves with frayed ends, and the temperature around her drops a few degrees every time someone congratulates her all over again.

She can't quite seem to reach a balcony or a hall, or any of the doors leading outward - to somewhere where she might just have a moment alone - without yet another cheerful, well-meaning interruption, so she ends up here, employing her lifelong knowledge of this ballroom and the ways in which it is so often decorated by dedicated staff. Who sometimes cut corners, and leave a little too much of a gap between the high walls and the décor, creating comfortable alcoves bracketed in by overflowing flowery arrangements.

Only it looks like someone's already taken this one. Elsa starts, minutely, the drink she's half forgotten she's even holding going a touch frosty on top when she notices him, tucked away back here already. ]

Oh - I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...

[ Interrupt? Interrupt what, exactly, she can't say, trailing off uncomfortably instead, with a slightly strained smile. For the man to whom she, with much ceremony and yet somehow unceremoniously, has been wed. ]

[go_north]

[ Zoro's shoulders tense at the sound of approaching footsteps. He refuses to consider he's doing anything so cowardly as hiding here, but that doesn't mean he wants to be found. He did seek out the greenery for a reason, after all.

When he sees it's her, though...somehow, despite her surprise and the smile that doesn't reach her eyes, he relaxes. Strange as it is to think of himself as wed to her, at least he knows Elsa isn't going to gawk at him. Besides, she's the only one at this celebration who needs a quiet moment of peace just as much as he does. ]

Don't worry about it.

[ It's her palace, anyway; there's nothing to apologize for. ]

Come on in. [ He steps over to make more room for her in the sweet-smelling flowery escape nook. ] Maybe they'll leave sooner, should the both of us go missing.

[ahtoholla]

Thank you.

[ Her smile is a little less wooden, softening at the edges, as she steps into the shadow of the greenery with him, careful to pull the trailing, ornate train of her dress in close behind. (She wouldn't want to ruin the brief reprieve by getting them both caught, and experience has taught her well.) ]

They mean well.

[ It's automatic, that leap to the defense of her people - people who have been all too forgiving of her missteps, big or small, as Arendelle gets back on its feet. She may be caught up in traditions now that she certainly never hoped to observe, but perhaps she owes them this, too. ]

But if you'd like to go, perhaps we could find a way out if we work together?

hi sorry i am the WORST

[go_north]

[ The immediate way she defends them doesn't go unnoticed, and Zoro regards her with a touch of quiet interest. He knows nothing about her, truthfully, outside the tales of her strength, mysterious abilities that were appealing to his warrior-natured kingdom while also inspiring enough wariness amongst the court to produce a savvy match, a preemptive move. For them, that's all they needed to know.

For Zoro, there's never been a choice in the matter. With responsibility and honor driven into him from a young age, he'll take the oath of this marriage seriously until death or, should the alliance fail, war - whichever comes first. So there's time, then, for learning. For knowing who she is beyond ice powers. This first peek, the care for her people shown in one, quick sentence, is one he appreciates. ]

That's very clear.

[ He isnt saying it to be placating; he actually believes it. Everything about this evening is so wildly unlike the almost-cold, extremely ritualistic gatherings of Shimotsuki's more militant court - it's intriguing, if not somewhat overwhelming. He's not typically one to take an out when it's offered, but this has been far from typical for him already. ]

First married act, sneaking out of our own party? That's bold.