[ Arranged Marriage Bullshit Open Post ]

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OTA

[eternalgrief]

Nie Huaisang had reluctantly agreed when da ge said that there would be an arranged marriage. Nie Mingjue wouldn’t elaborate on his reasons but Huaisang had his thoughts on what the reasons might be — namely, Mingjue thinking he could never be strong enough on his own. Maybe this is a twisted way of trying to let Huaisang be allowed to continue being himself as much as was possible. There is still some bitterness. This is not the kind of marriage he’d wanted for himself but he was starting to understand that things couldn’t always go his way.

The way that it had been decided they would meet is with a dinner, a few servants and some guards nearby. Other than that they would be left alone. It’s just the secrecy about the identity of the other party he couldn’t understand but he guessed it didn’t matter all that much.

So, Huaisang knelt I’m a soft cushion exhaling as he nervously waited for the other party.

[electro_magnus]

This was not even remotely what Billy had desired. But his grandfather had been adamant. There had to be a marriage treaty. The island nation of Genosha needed strong support from outside of themselves. Yes, they were a strong nation, with strong natural magic unlike that found in many other places in the world.

But there you have it. What grandfather demanded happened. And since Billy was the younger of two princes, and not even the sons of the crown prince...

Billy sighed. This was not what he had wanted. But still it had to happen. So he took a deep breath, waved for his guards to stand outside of the room, and let a servant lead him in.

William Magnus of Genosha had arrived. And he was trying to be polite. Just... someone promise him that he didn't have to marry a woman.

[eternalgrief]

The Qinghe Nie Sect is one of the major cultivation clans and is powerful in their own right. The negotiations had landed that the other party would come to the Unclean Realm for the first meeting. The place isn't quite as gloomy as it looks upon approach, there is plenty of beauty and the closer to the arranged meeting site the more beautiful, the more colors. That is mostly to appease Huaisang.

Huaisang is dressed in off white robes with a subtle accent of tan showing. His hair had been braided carefully and the presentation had been put together with quite a bit of thought.

As the door opens, Huaisang snaps his fan shut and stands up quickly, not even getting a good look before cupping his hands in front of him and bowing. As he raises his head he does get a look. The other isn't from any clan he actually recognizes. By name he would know of Genosha but he had never met anyone from there personally.

"Welcome, young master..." he trips up as he doesn't actually know the other's name yet, flushing a little and bowing again before motioning toward the cushion on the other side of the table that is certainly more comfortable than the floor. He wouldn't sit again until the other had.

"I am Nie Huaisang."

It's awkward introducing yourself to someone you will wed soon. He's anxious by nature and he's soon opened his fan again, one side has lettering and the other side that he flips it to is a beautiful landscape of his own design.

[electro_magnus]

Well, at least it's a man. A stranger. One whose language Billy had to teach himself through magic. And it is just a thing he had to make do with. This was what was needed of him, needed for his nation. So here he was.

Billy bowed back and tried to offer proper respects.

"I am Prince William Magnus of Genosha. Your welcome is kindly accepted in the spirit with which it is given."

So he moves to the cushion as gestured and carefully sits upon it.

"It is my honor to meet you," Billy says, carefully flicking his cloak back.

While Huaisang wore robes, Billy just wore the formal black and gold uniform traditionally used by the men of the House of Magnus. It was all he knew how to use when it came to formal wear.

[whatsina_name]

This entire thing is stupid and probably a terrible idea and Phillip doesn't know why he's here.

Well, he knows why, but he doesn't like it. Peace treaties, beneficial family marriages, blah blah blah. He would have thought being an only child plus his... unique abilities and somewhat dubious qualification as being 'human' would have meant he wouldn't be shoved into something like that. Apparently he was wrong.

He wonders vaguely on the trip over if anyone has bothered to tell this family anything about him, and how badly they would react if they found out. Oh well. Hopefully, his intended won't mind if he keeps a million secrets and is generally very cagey because like hell is he sharing said information. (Even Phillip knows that he'll probably mind.)

When he arrives, he's dressed sharply. Even if this is not something he wanted, he's not going to look bad. Time to see how this goes.

[eternalgrief]

More than likely, Nie Mingjue knows quite a bit about Phillip but none of that has been passed on to Huaisang. There had to be at least enough known that it would mean that Phillip might be able to provide the Nie clan with some strength where Huaisang is most definitely lacking. Huaisang doesn't even know his name, knows nothing about the person he is to marry. He is full of nerves by the time that the other arrives and is led into the room where dinner is ready to be served to them both. Huaisang raises and he cups his hands in front of himself to bow politely to him.

He was introduced as Young master Nie Huaisang and his stomach turns a little as he raises to meet the other's eyes as Phillip is also introduced to him then. Huaisang is dressed properly in fancy robes and his hair braided carefully and precisely. There had been clear effort put into his appearance and it's just as much a shield as his fan is as he spreads it out as he settles back down after motioning for Phillip to take the other side of the low table.

Once they're seated and the food and put down as well as plenty of wine, the servants back out of the room, they're within calling range if either of them raises their voice, just as the guards are close as well, though.

"Ah...welcome.. please eat," Huaisang says, a smile on his lips because a smile is what's expected and he's good at putting his best face forward.

[gremlinkeeper]

It had been Xichen's idea when he and Mingjue had been talking about their brothers' futures. Xichen had seen how much Wei Wuxian's death had affected Wangji and hoped Huaisang could help. Mingjue wanted someone strong enough to protect Huaisang, and trusted Wangji was up to that task.

Not idea. But even Wangji could see the wisdom of the union, and so he'd not fought the plans placed. The ceremony itself was to be as elaborate as one would expect for two heirs to prominent clans. But before then, it was expected they have a quiet, private dinner to speak together and make sure the other wasn't too angry before they even started the rest of their lives together.

So Wangji makes his way to where his intended waits. Stepping inside, he bows, hands cupping formally before him, then quietly takes his seat across from Huaisang. His nerves keep his expression closed, but there's a flicker of turmoil and grief in his gaze if Huaisang looks hard enough.

[eternalgrief]

By the time Huaisang is meeting Wangji for their private dinner, he's not so angry. He's upset still, feeling that the marriage is rash and...this isn't how he imagined it and Lan Wangji is not who he imagined marrying. He knew the other is still stuck on Wei Wuxian -- it didn't take a genius to figure it out when you could pay attention to the details, to expressions and when you knew what people were up to over time. So there's plenty of hesitancy.

"Hanguang Jun, welcome," Huaisang greets with a smile, he doesn't think he's been quite so nervous around the other since he'd been in cloud recesses. He's ever so grateful that the meal provided had alcohol even if he'd be the only one drinking it. Maybe it'd be a bit rude but his nerves were honestly a wreck. He met the other's gaze over the table being observant as he tended to be he could detect what's going behind the apparent impassiveness of the other's expression. He then lowers his gaze, fingers gripping his fan tightly, fingertips rubbing over the design. "I'm sorry you're in this position," he finally says and it all feels like his fault that an arranged marriage would be deemed necessary.

Re: OTA

[lightsider]

Arha was dressed in red and gold, elaborate beads and cloth hiding her features as she moved to meet the man she was to marry. Her steps were so fluid it looked as if she were gliding as she came to a stop next to Nie Huaisang and bowed before kneeling herself. The beads swung, chiming gently and she, too, let out a soft sigh. Her red locks had been pulled back into elaborate twists and braids, some small, some thick, and beaded in gold, silver, and copper. Hair combs carved in white jade and touched with beads held the veiling beads and cloths in place. She settled quietly, her freckled, pale skin milky as she folded her hands.

It was not a terrible thing to do this but it was unusual. Her Order had said she was to marry and this was the time and the place, far different than anything she had thought it would be. That said, there were some things you could not argue about and this was one of them.

[eternalgrief]

Huaisang stood to bow to the woman as she came in, dressed beautifully and he appraised her carefully before he knelt again. This is certainly a thing he can't really argue about even though he had tried, pushing his brother to the point where he knew he couldn't anymore. He smiles a little.

"Welcome," and how awkward this whole thing is. He fidgets, his stomach in knots and this situation is so abnormal that he's not sure how to even fumble his way through it.

OTA (++ age gap)

[jinlingers]

Jin Ling had argued long and hard about not needing to marry. There is one person he likes but they're just as young as he and he'd never say he was ready to marry them. What's being insisted is that he's too young for his new position as Sect Leader and at least if he married someone older and more experienced then it would give some semblance security in Lanling. Jin Ling had argued it's hardly necessary. Jiang Cheng hadn't been that much older than he was when he became Sect Leader but there had been mumblings about temperaments and different situations.

All in all, Jin Ling's protests had fallen on deaf ears and he wasn't skilled enough to make the right political moves to get himself out of this -- even Jiang Cheng had agreed it would be best and Jin Ling could scarcely believe it. His uncle had assured him a good match.

Jin Ling had barely had any time once he'd learned the identity of the person chosen for him and not by him to even process it before a lavish wedding is rushed. Now, the ceremony is done and he's in the chamber with his new spouse, trying very hard not to think about the expectations of a wedding night. He ordered the servants to bring more wine, his hands clenched at his sides. He's furious that this had happened but more than anything he's a little scared and even sadder. He knew his parents' marriage had started out as an arranged one but it had been broken off... It'd ended up a partnership they chose and Jin Ling had romanticized that idea for years silently, secretly wanting to find that for himself too.

Now? He turns to look at the spouse.

"Did you want this?" he asks, the first words he's spoken of his own volition to the other since finding out.

well...not age gap BUT

[radishgrown]

When word reached Cloud Recesses that arrangements were being made for the young Sect Leader Jin to marry someone much older to provide some sort of guidance, Sizhui knew he had to intervene in a way that would provide the least amount of political upheaval. He knew that Wei-qianbei and Hanguang Jun both thought the very idea is laughable and left room for the possibility for the older spouse to take advantage of Jin Ling and possibly rule the Jin sect in their ways instead of how Jin Ling would have wanted to run it. In his heart, he knew that his friend would be protesting at every angle possible.

With many, many late discussions that had to involve the Chief Cultivator, they managed to find a solution. Jin Ling will marry. But it will be to someone closer to Jin Ling's age. Someone well versed in courtesy and rules to be able to advise with a wise mind but not take power for themselves. All that had been provided to the young Sect Leader Jin was that it would be a member of the Gusu Lan Sect. His spouse had been shrouded in the finest red silks and gold embroidery that was offered with a red veil covering their face, masking their true identity. They didn't even speak when they took their bows or when they were led to the wedding chamber.

Still, familiar eyes watched as Jin Ling paced almost like a caged tiger with his fists clenched, waiting for the right opportunity to reveal who was under the red veil. Still, the spouse sits, ever patient and waiting for Jin Ling to settle.

"I would not have agreed if I hadn't," Sizhui replies softly. He waits for Jin Ling to lift the veil for the reveal.

Re: well...not age gap BUT

[jinlingers]

Jin Ling is frustrated still at waiting to know who his spouse but he's also hesitant to uncover the other's face. They hadn't spoken and Jin Ling hadn't missed that -- so when he poses the question he half thinks they're going to stay mute about it. He crosses his arms as he studies the other's form as if that's enough to tell him who's there and how much they do or don't want to be there. But then, there is an answer, soft... the voice familiar and his brow furrows.

So he finally comes closer, closer enough that he can unmask the other's face, finding himself face to face with someone he'd finally had to admit is a friend.

"What...?" he is surprised, too surprised to be angry. How could it be Sizhui? Why wouldn't the other had told him before now? Is this all just some joke?

OTA ( Wedding Night )

[eternalgrief]

It's not been all that long since the first meeting and the new newlyweds were now alone for the first time after the ceremony. Huaisang still knew barely anything about his partner but he also knew what's expected of a wedding night, what has been specified as necessary to make sure the marriage couldn't easily be annulled. Huaisang was no blushing virgin but this situation is... difficult. At least his new spouse is attractive but the almost coerced or really the definite coercion behind this clause in the arrangements is... more than difficult as a hurdle.

"Ahh... I don't know... This is really awkward..." he smiles, his hands waving lightly in front of him one hand clutching his closed fan. But he puts on a lighthearted expression, maybe he can at least set the other at ease. After all, they're on Huaisang's home ground, in his quarters even -- that can be seen as an advantage or comfort for him but he doesn't actually feel that it is.

[electro_magnus]

Of course it's awkward. For one thing Billy had also been put in robes and he didn't really know how to move around in them. For another, his family wasn't here for this ceremony, save for his twin who was clearly held back from complaining by some other force. And, of course, there was the fact that neither of them had been fully down for this. But...

But the redeeming grace had been that first meeting and the few meetings in between. The saving thing had been that over time he'd grown fond of his betrothed. The simple fact was that the only reason he was fidgeting and looking uncomfortable and all of that was because, well... they were married now.

"You know, no one will know if we, uh... don't?"

Not that he didn't want to. It was just, well, how would anyone know? And Billy? Actually a blushing virgin. His skin was almost crimson right now in the nervousness of this.

[eternalgrief]

Huaisang thinks red looks really good on Billy. He'd known the ceremony had been strange for the other and he'd seen the looks from the other's brother. Guilt twists in his stomach about it. Their first meeting had sprouted affection, the other interested in something he cared about, helping him with it in a way no one else could have. And their conversations had become easier over the next visits.

His fingers tighten a little on the fan at the suggestion.

"Don't put it past them to know a way," he says simply, his eyes taking in the other's appearance, his expression and it's not hard to surmise...

"You haven't before... have you?"

@ Jiang Chengs everywhere

[unlanlike]

Honestly, Jingyi hadn't understood all the politics that went into the arrangement between himself and Jiang Cheng. He definitely didn't understand why he was chosen to marry a sect leader in some sort of political agreement. He hadn't complained, though. Jiang Cheng could be abrasive but he knew the other wasn't cruel and he was more or less a good person.

And Jingyi did like Lotus Pier and the Jiang Clan. He'd always envied the freedom they seemed to have in comparison to the strict Lan principles. Now it's been months since their marriage, months sharing space together. Jiang Cheng had been icy at first, always angry it seems but Jingyi had never been really perturbed by it. He was always willing to stand up to Jiang Cheng when he was being unfair and somewhere it had become a mutual sort of respect that had shifted into affection the more time they spent together.

There's still not very much intimacy between them and Jingyi wishes that were different. He cares for Jiang Cheng and he wants to be closer, wants a happy and full marriage. And they're starting to fit together, though not as quickly as Jingyi had fit into the Sect. At least he thinks they are... sometimes Jiang Cheng is hard to read.

But as the other sits and is working on paperwork still, despite the late hour, Jingyi had joined him across the table but then eventually scooting around until he could shift and lay his head on the other's thigh, grabbing part of the stack that still needed to be worked on. He's become good at being quiet when Jiang Cheng needs to work or at least making himself scarce. He still is outspoken when need be but when it's just the two of them and paperwork? There's no need to be loud.

uwu

[fennu]

Jiang Cheng had been blacklisted by enough matchmakers that he imagined that he wouldn't get a chance to find any kind of arrangement; it wasn't vital, considering he could adopt a child into the family to have an heir, but it was still sad. It was still lonely. That's why he had been almost content to accept the arranged marriage, to let himself fall into the trap of believing that he might have something good.

Lan Jingyi hadn't been a terrible match; he already knew the man from his friendship with a-Ling and things were easier to manage knowing it was arranged rather than something they had planned beforehand. Jin Ling had been confused at first, not happy, but he had realised the merit in it - an official alliance between Lan and Jiang, since Wei Wuxian was not part of the Jiang Clan any longer. It would be better.

The two of them are learning how to be in each other's space - Jingyi had settled into the clan well and seemed more than happy to take their mantra on board. He can understand: when he had returned from his training in Cloud Recesses he had felt a kind of relief to shrug off the hundreds of rules and simply be a Jiang again.

They're comfortable now, settled close together, and almost without thinking Jiang Cheng reaches down with a free hand to stroke his fingers through Jingyi's hair; it's soft and tender, something like a smile tugging at his lips as he picks up another paper.

"Comfortable?"

[unlanlike]

Jingyi smiles at the subtle show of affection, the other's fingers in his hair. Such things had taken time to happen for them to get comfortable and safe in each other's space. Now, Jingyi hardly thought twice about invading Jiang Cheng's personal bubble -- unless the man was already angry and then he was either the source with an argument or was steering clear until it cooled. His eyes glance upward at Jiang Cheng and he grins reaching to poke at the other's mouth.

"Careful, someone might think you can be happy," Jingyi teases him and then shifts his head ever so slightly before looking back at the stack he's working on.

"Mhm, better than any pillow."

@ Wen Ning

[yunmeng_patriarch]

This was... unexpected. One would have thought that in order to secure the Wen's position in his sect, they would have offered Wen Qing, but, no. He wasn't quite certain why they would suggest her brother instead of her. Were they looking for a blood tie or just a show of alliance?

Actually, it was brilliant, in hindsight. Wen Ning was meek and quiet and especially not a threat to Xue Yang. Perhaps Wen Qing had puzzled that out herself, who knew. But currently, he was in his rooms, quietly sizing up Wen Ning and preparing for the difficult discussions that needed to be made.

"What do you expect from this?" He started off, voice calm and mild.

[wenningit]

Wen Ning is not the firebrand his sister is. He is quiet and shy but he's not stupid either. He's smart enough to get by in this arrangement, to understand why he had been the better option as much as his sister had hated to admit it. He bites at his lip as he looks down, his hands clasped behind his back. He's a little intimidated despite his best not to be.

"I have no expectations," Wen Ning says softly. "I will serve and aid you in whatever way you require of me."

Wen Ning doesn't even begin to know how to expect more than that.

[yunmeng_patriarch]

Wanyin looked at Wen Ning. The young man was able to make himself look smaller than he was and he knew that he was taller than many. Wanyin had the sudden rebellious thought to nullify all marriages, here and now. They were stupid. This! This was stupid.

"Well." He started to pace even though his steps were slow and methodical. "I do need more people to train the future cultivators in Yunmeng. And I remember you are excellent in archery, are you not?" It didn't matter if Wen Ning was high or low on the cultivation chain. What mattered was that he had a core and he could do more with that than Wanyin could.

@ Jiang Chengs everywhere

[wu_xi]

[ The elders and Madam Yu had been behind the arrangement that had brought Jiang Cheng and Wu Xi together -- although, Madam Yu has passed and Jiang Cheng is in charge now. The arrangements hadn't been canceled -- although, Jiang Cheng didn't seem to be very actively approving of his own marriage.

Wu Xi is dangerous on the best of days but having the future shamanic leader of Nan Jiang tied so intimately to Yunmeng is a power move that is hard to pass up -- and Lotus Pier has plenty to offer the Southern clan. It's an alliance that is too good to pass up -- after all, what if Nan Jiang pledged allegiance to Jiang Cheng's enemies after the arrangement had been nullified? It isn't that far-fetched of a possibility.

Still, Wu Xi is quiet and shy. He had been throughout their first meeting, the wedding, the reception that had followed. On their wedding night, nothing had been required of Wu Xi to his surprise. Since settling in Lotus Pier he had found a secret place for his menagerie of deadly creatures and frequently is difficult to be found -- which stirred up more than a few rumors that were troublesome and would have to be dealt with eventually.

In any case, it's hard for him to be so far from them. On this day, around his wrist is a slender green snake beneath his sleeve and his sable is curled around his neck as he returns and moves to the rooms that he and his husband share. Wu Xi has grown rather fond of his chosen husband, although, he is moody and difficult. Wu Xi can be jealous and petulant although those sides of himself haven't quite presented. He is thoughtful, though. It has been so long and they had yet to consummate their marriage. The last time that Wu Xi had brought it up Jiang Cheng had shut him down and so Wu Xi had not mentioned it again.

Tonight, he would question him on it. Did he want a woman instead? If that be so then let them consummate their marriage at least once and then Jiang Cheng should just take a mistress. The conversation is a nervous one and hence why not only his sable accompanied him today. By the time the other enters, dinner will be ready and tea hot, Wu Xi waiting patiently with sable in his lap. ]

[jc_superstar]

[Alliance was what he needed-no. It was what Yungmeng needed. After the fiasco at Guanyin Temple, the reputation of the Jins were in shambles and Jin Ling had to learn how to lead. And Cheng refused to have him falter on that.

Then the diabolical plan that Nie Huaisang hatched...And Xichen went into solitude which meant the Lans were out of commission. That left Cheng...well, lonely if he wasn't stuffing all his time into sect business.

Then came about the tiny detail his mother had set up for him. To this day he still detested it but couldn't find an issue with it. It was what Yunmeng needed. So for the good of his sect, he did so. There was no need to do anything else but to maintain the airs that they were present. Right?

Wu Xi was...interesting. He kept more than enough animals about, and more that he knew weren't present. Quiet, agreeable. Pretty. But still, this wasn't something that Jiang Cheng actively sought out! He would make the best of it, that's all. So when he came to their rooms for the night, he suspected nothing beyond the day to day happenings-what was rote custom to them by now. ]

Had a good day today, Wu Xi?

[Said custom started with a quiet greeting or grunt and then the mundane conversation-at least as much as Jiang Cheng could stomach. ]

[wu_xi]

[ Wu Xi bows his head when Jiang Cheng comes in and he offers him a small smile. Sable lifts her head briefly before seeming to lose interest instantly and returns to napping in Wu Xi's lap. He motions at the dinner and tea ready for his husband before answering. ]

It was good. I spent it thinking.

[ Wu Xi says calmly and he waits for Jiang Cheng to sit so he can serve him. At some point, Sable is peeking up again and manages to grab a bite of food and then scurries off to rest somewhere else where she won't be jostled as much. Some comfort she is sometimes... ]