Actually questions about marriage proposal in various cultures.

[neverseenhimbefore]

For Emperor Lotor, here, it's been surprisingly difficult to find reasons to be away from Princess Allura enough to do this. And even more surprisingly, lately, Shiro, the Black Paladin, seemed to be tailing him. A lot. Perhaps he still didn't quite trust him, and wanted to keep an eye on Lotor, or, perhaps, Shiro grew fond of the Emperor?

Whyever not. He often seemed to show support for Lotor, after all. It was pleasing. Perhaps he might even call the Black Paladin a friend? That's how things work, right, in friendships?

However, ally or not, friend or not, Shiro was the Princess's friend and would surely tell her what Lotor was about to do, if he overheard it, and that couldn't stand.

So, after going into some buildings and exiting through backdoors, various buildings, and it took quite a bit of time to do such things inconspicuously and without just telling the other man to go away, which wouldn't be very diplomatic, the prince, no, the emperor felt.

Finally, in the most natural ways possible, hopefully, and without any diplomatic faux pases and straining of possible friendships, Lotor managed to lose Shiro.

And now, he searches for places with people who look intelligent enough and cultured enough.

He has a rather important question.

Princess Allura has told him that she doesn't have many friends in Nexus, so perhpas nobody will tell her of Lotor's inquiries. That's what the young newly installed Emperor counts on.

He wants to surprise Princess Allura, after all.

He considers asking around in the library. Or in front of library. Or in the plaza. He might ask around in both places.

And so, he asks. Anyone whom he hasn't seen with princess Allura, and who seems intelligent enough. Though, in unfamilliar reality that is in middle of realities, or so it seems, it might be hard to judge.

Lotor asks:

"There's a Princess, dear to my heart, to whom I wish to propose a more permanent alliance. A very desirable, on both sides, royal alliance. Our interests aligh perfectly, and so do our interest. Our experiences, taken together, can enrich each other.

The thought of alliance seems to please both of us."

He smiles, and then frowns a little.

"However, even as the Princess seems to respond well to my advances, it seems that there's some difficulty in making the final decision. With so many interesting individuals here, from so many different realities, I find myself assured that someone has to have had experiences which would help answer the question: what should I do?"

Lotor smiles a little.

"I wish to be direct, with the Princess; however, I don't wish to offend her. Perhaps my proposal should still wait a bit. Maybe even a year, so that she can be assured that my honest and affections and interests aren't fleeting in any way or form. What do you think? I can divulge some more details, of general sort, about the situation, if I haven't made myself clear so far."

Lotor seems slightly embarassed. He could act not embarassed, if he wanted, but he supposes that showing some embarassment - partly what he feels, even - might net him more answers, in this area. People might, hmm, want to save him from his predicament if they perceive it as such, after all, or so he thinks.

Comments

[zenryokubatankyu]

So it was safe to say that this place was confusing, and only getting more confusing with every passing second. Osomatsu barely comprehended what the Nexus was, but he was making his way about things, his hands in his pockets. What was the purpose of him being here? What was the meaning of anything? What was the meaning of life?

Alright, maybe at that point he was getting a little naval-gaze-y. Slow down there, Oso.

Luckily, he has the exact motivation to slow down, because someone has just asked him a question. The sudden appearance of a person (a person? some kind of alien, maybe? the dude's blue.) causes him to freeze in his tracks, raising a brow. He hears the guy out, then speaks.

"Can't say I'm too familiar with the ins and outs of royalty, but if she likes the idea, then maybe you should just go for it."

Bitterly, in the back of his mind, he notes how even aliens have better luck than him, but alien royalty was a different ballgame, probably.

"You've dated this girl for a while? Or, err...how do royals call it-- courted this girl? You should know what she likes, then, right?"

He wondered if he was really the best kind of guy to explain this, but--

"If that's the case, then you should just make like, the ideal night for her, then go for it. Just you and her doing something she enjoys, and then you drop down one knee, pull out a ring, and ask her if she'll marry you and unite your kingdoms for the greatest good....or something like that."

He smiles. Makes sense in his head, at least.

[neverseenhimbefore]

Who is this little human boy and how dare does he speak to him so casually - oh, that's right, because Lotor asked.

He considers it all, then says,

"I do know what she likes, that is true. You raise a very valid point. An ideal night, you suggest? Why night, and not a day? Unlike my self or paladin Shiro, the Princess Allura usually sleeps at night."

[zenryokubatankyu]

So the guy seems to genuinely consider what he said - then he replies. Osomatsu shrugs, scratching under his nose, an idle gesture.

"Well, usually people think nights are more romantic. Maybe it's like, the moonlight shining down on you? The whole 'in a blanket of stars, we are eternal' sort of thing? This is speaking from a human's perspective, though."

Could easily be different for aliens, but then again, this is the first time he's talked to one so casually.

"Could be daytime too! I guess it really depends. Some people like things more dramatic, some people like things more casual."

Personally, he'd have opted for casual, but he knew the most 'romantic' people he knew would opt for something like a grand gesture, and that's probably more fitting to royalty, right?

[neverseenhimbefore]

Stars. And planets. And other sights. That made sense.

Lotor nods.

"I'll think it through. For one so young as you, child, you're helpful."

[zenryokubatankyu]

Osomatsu snickers.

"Eh? It's been a while since someone called me really young..."

Things were easier the last time someone talked to him like he was a little kid. Less expected to be responsible. Got away with a lot more.

"I'm an adult. 24! In, uh, Earth human years. Dunno if that makes a difference. So I've gotta be thinking about this kind of stuff too!"

...Or so he said. Better to sound experienced even if he had no romantic experience at all.

[neverseenhimbefore]

So he just seems a bit childish, for some reasons.

That's not usual.

"My apologies."