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

[tryingitall]

"Oh, goodness." The man he's speaking to--human in appearance, but with an aura of immense celestial power for those who can sense such things--looks immediately delighted by the question. What can he say, he loves weddings! People drink at them and have fun, and then the bride and groom go off on their honeymoon. They range from kitschy to genuinely touching, and they're always interesting. "Kudos for best question I've heard in a while."

"Hm. I may not be the perfect person to answer, given that I'm not even mortal and still adapting to human cultural norms. But then again I sort of got accidentally proposed to not that long ago, and it was wonderful."

He's wearing a ring on the third finger of his left hand, in point of fact. Platinum, with sapphire dust and a butterfly design. "I think...well, humans seem to like for it to be a surprise, and a bit of a fancy or romantic occasion. It doesn't have to be anything grand. I do recommend you make sure it's just you and her, no onlookers, in case there are concerns she wants to talk over with you first."

"How long have you been courting, then?"

[adregem]

Roland has made it a habit to return to the Grand Library almost every day, attempting to finish at least one piece of new knowledge before going about his routine. Today, upon his arrival, he immediately jogs over to a reading nook with a tome tucked under his arm, ready to absorb more intel to take back home to Evermore. A Chief Consul's work is never done, he thinks to himself.

But before he can get into the nitty gritty of his research, the approaching azure-skinned man poses a far more amusing question than anything he's read so far. So amusing in fact, that Roland immediately abandons his book, an extremely delighted expression gracing his face. This was going to be an interesting conversation, he could already tell.

"Wow. Smooth-talker." Roland quips with a small smirk. But the stranger already seems frazzled, so he takes pity on him and adds quickly, arms crossing over his chest: "I think you're overthinking it. Whether you're proposing a marriage or an alliance, communication with the other party is key. That's how you negotiate. That's how you get the deal signed, and that's how you win them over. Ask her why she's hesitant, and then do what you can to assuage her concerns. Work from there."

He's used to brokering deals between countries with differing interests after all, and though the real Roland - the older one who's lost a wife, who has a loving son - has far more wisdom to dispel when it comes to the matters of the heart, the man before him might benefit more from a direct approach.

[hesperussword]

Of all the angels to be confronted with this question, Beelzebub is instantly wishing his brother was here instead. However, as the angel of oaths and alliances, perhaps he is exactly who should be here for this question.

The person who stops in their tracks is a 6'8" warrior wearing swords, has huge wings and absolutely nervous about this topic. Beelzebub pulls himself together quickly, in part because these are the things he is meant to be there for, to help humans with.

"Marriage's a very serious oath to undertake. It should be approached slowly, especially when an alliance may be attached to it." At least he didn't sound as nervous as he felt. However, the topic is personal and probably deserves something more personal. After all he was a suitor to a prince.. or a princess seeking a prince. Beelzebub ignores the confusion caused by cultural differences in his own situation.

"We exchanged items, tokens. I don't know that anything between my mate and I was a human proposal but we're considering a wedding and alliance between our courts." Beelzebub had gone about everything with only half understanding what he was doing, and a partner who had an equal lack of understanding, but they had managed to muddle through it.

[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.