Arranged Marriage

[bostonhowler]

It's a trope near and dear to our hearts. Arranged marriage.

Maybe it's for the family. Maybe it's for a friend. Maybe you know the person and have been expected to marry them for years. Maybe it's the wedding day and you have no clue who it is you'll be tied to for your natural life. Maybe you've been married a while, and you're just now starting your life, away from the expectations of others. Or maybe, the "others" are watching, waiting, making sure this marriage sticks.

Prompts for those who need them:



Reasons:

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.
6. Tribute → You have been offered as a gift or appeasement, alternately you're the spoils of war.
8. 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.

Scenario:

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?
8. Been at this a while → Just starting to get to know the other person

Comments

[goingthroughaphase]

Judging by the way Kitty's face lights up, it's easy to guess that she does indeed like those plans. "Oh yeah? That sounds great!"

[southernreaper]

Well, he's glad she likes it. He'd thought she would, since she seems to have a tender heart, but it's always a risk to just plan things. He smiles a bit and shuts the door behind her.

The traffic isn't bad, but it's not the greatest either. He manages to keep them out of several accidents that almost happen. He mutters at the other drivers.

When he pulls into the parking lot, there's already families and groups unloading, and getting ready to head in. "Ready?"

[goingthroughaphase]

Honestly, Kitty is kind of glad she isn't driving. Some people are just really careless on the road.

But she's still in good spirits when they arrive, and giving him a smile she nods. "All set!"

[southernreaper]

He takes care of getting them into the zoo, and then into the back area where they can feed the pandas. He takes her hand after they are kitted up with labcoat, masks, gloves and shoe covers.

Then, he steps back and lets Kitty have her fun. He pulls out his phone to get a couple of pictures of her feeding the panda.

[goingthroughaphase]

Kitty can't do much more than follow along for the most part, not entirely sure about the process but willing follows the directions they were given. But once she's given free reign she is absolutely delighted as she feeds the panda, giggling as the creature takes the shoots of bamboo from her.

[southernreaper]

He chuckles, watching his wife feed the panda. It reaches out and tries to grab the bamboo from her. He's videotaping her, because this is too cute not to. "You're gonna make Mimsy jealous." He says, watching her enjoyment. This was a great idea.

He wonders if she'll do as well with the lemurs.

[goingthroughaphase]

She can't help the surprised noise she makes when the panda takes the bamboo from her, but she still laughs and brushes her hands off. "Aww, you know these guys could never replace Mimsy," she replies with a wink.

[southernreaper]

He chuckles, watching her. "I'm just sayin'." He teases, still filming her. "Mimsy's gonna know you been spoilin' some other animals, and she's gonna pout."

Not really. Give her belly rubs and Mimsy will be putty in Kitty's hands. Just like she is with everyone else.

The next group is getting ready to come in, so Kitty and Kevin - who finally stops filming - are ushered out to remove all their outter gear.

[goingthroughaphase]

She laughs again. "Well then, I'm just gonna have to spoil her extra to make up for it."

She's mostly teasing, but she is also not above spoiling Mimsy just because.

She follows as their guided out to remove their gear, and Kitty washes her hands. "So what's next?"

[southernreaper]

He laughs, putting an arm around her shoulders. "Well, next is breakfast, then lemurs, then sometime this afternoon we'll wander over and see about those penguins, if you're up for it."

He grins, gently steering her toward the food court. "But, after we're done at the zoo, there's that walking tour of haunted Atlanta too." He's got an entire day planned for them, it'll be great.

[goingthroughaphase]

She smiles, leaning into him a bit as they walk. "Wow, a full day, huh? That's sounds pretty fun."

[southernreaper]

"If ya don't want to..." He says, realizing he's just taken control of everything and she may not want to. He'd added a whole bunch of things when she'd only agreed to the ghost walk and the zoo.

He probably should have asked her.

[goingthroughaphase]

She lightly nudges him. "Hey, I wasn't complaining. Honestly, it all sounds great. I'm looking forward to it."

[southernreaper]

He relaxes a little, leaving his arm around her. The food court isn't bustling with very many people, save workers from the zoo itself, but a few of the stalls are open, including one that advertises "tex-mex breakfast". Kevin doesn't know what that is, but is willing to try it.

"That one?" He asks, pointing it out, seeing they have a few non-meat options. He doesn't want to intrude on her being vegetarian. But, it doesn't look like there's many options open yet.

[goingthroughaphase]

Kitty glances over as Kevin points out the tex-mex stall, and looks over the available options before nodding. "Sure, that sounds good."

At this time of day, she couldn't really afford to be choosy, but it should be fine anyway.

[southernreaper]

He smiles. In short order they have food, and a place to sit. Birds hop around hopefully and an enterprising squirrel lurks near by.

"So, lemurs, then penguins, maybe we'll even see the rest of the zoo." He teases, digging into his ham and sausage omelet. He's hungry.

[goingthroughaphase]

Kitty giggles a little as she takes a bite of her own vegetarian omelet. "I mean, what else is there to see?" she jokes with a wink.

[southernreaper]

He grins. "Well, there's the elephants and all the big cats." He teases right back. "Can't feed none of 'em, but maybe they'll be interesting." He grins, brushing a gloved hand over her cheek. Besides, he just wants to walk around the zoo, with his wife and show her off.

[goingthroughaphase]

She smiles, leaning a bit into his touch. "I guess we'd be missing a big opportunity if we didn't go see the big cats."

Because Kitty hahaha get it.

[southernreaper]

"Oh yes." He says seriously. "Depending on where the cat is, might be able to get a pic of you with it." He teases. Because that pic will be funny to Kevin.

Still, he mostly wants to show off his wife. He wants people to be jealous of him.

[goingthroughaphase]

She laughs a little. "I mean, I could definitely make it so that we're in the same space. But I'm pretty sure that'd be against the rules."

Not to mention a bigger risk than she'd ever take. But the smile on her face at least shows that it's certainly not a serious consideration.

[southernreaper]

He boops her nose with one glove-covered finger. "No." He says, mock-seriously. But he's grinning. Kevin knows she's not serious. "All I really want to do is show off my wife." He says, taking her hand. "She's beautiful and kind. I want everyone to know it."

[goingthroughaphase]

She rolls her eyes playfully. "Fiiiiine." But she smiles as he takes her hand, and gives it a gentle squeeze.

"Well in that case, it gives me a chance to show off my handsome, caring husband too."

[southernreaper]

He snorts. He's not that good looking and is okay with that. He doesn't see what she sees. He fully expects himself to not get any attention at all. Kitty, however, has a vibrant personality that draws people to her. That is what needs to be noticed.

"Well, eat up and then we'll get goin'. Don't want you to miss the chance to be adorable with the lemurs."

[goingthroughaphase]

Honestly, Kevin didn't give himself nearly enough credit when it comes to his looks.

With a soft laugh, Kitty takes a few more bites of her omelet. "I think I'm pretty full," she admits after a moment. She didn't quite finish her omelet, but she tends not to eat a lot anyway.