futurology | video; un: lodge (with special guest alucard)

[Happy Valentine's Day, Club Ophelia! Naturally, this guild is neither a club nor really in a place to pass around cute Valentine's with fantastic puns, but one could consider this a spectacular day to publicly broach a specific issue: marriage.

No, not among the various members of the lovely guild, but the Empresses themselves. Love is in the air, isn't it? Or it could be. In time.

As it is, incoming Veronica and a beautiful vampire man by the name of Alucard. Thankfully, no one will be announcing any murders here, accidental, in self-defense, or otherwise.]

Hello, Guild Ophelia! [That's Veronica. She's as chirpy and confident as ever.] Alucard and I have a proposal to make. Let's just say "proposal" is a fitting way to talk about precisely how we want to approach the rest of this mission. Some of you have already heard what I have to say about this, but I think it's fitting if we hear it from another party.

[Alucard, on the other hand, is calm and keeping his usual regal approach.] In addition, I thought it best to ensure everyone heard what we had to say. Veronica’s idea is a wise one: there will be persistent unrest with all people in both regions. If they are unable to agree to one ruler, there is no reason to not revere both as ruling parties. It would be an ideal resolution.

This could be arranged easily by marriage between both Empresses.

[Veronica is seen nodding in response to this, pleased that this is coming together.]

I know a number of you think a peace treaty might be the answer. I don't disagree, but we're here to ensure that there's a more permanent solution moving forward. The union of these two women is the best way for both of these societies to have their cake and eat it, too. Their combined resources and culture can only make them both better. And we're not left desperately trying to make Doro be the one in charge … or someone like him. We know he just doesn't suit the unique nature of this world. [One that Veronica herself is rather fond of!]

So, let's discuss team.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Obligatory "arranged marriage is kind of archaic and people deserve to be with people they love" comment.

[She is making a face but there's a reason why she's doing voice not video. But she also doesn't seem like she can't be convinced, depending on what Veronica and Alucard have in mind.]

I'm not saying it's not the right political move, but arranged marriage is generally a tool of a world that cares more about power than happiness, so I'm not sure how pragmatic we want to be here.

But who knows. Maybe the empresses are secretly star crossed lovers.

I agree. We can suggest it to them, but we shouldn't count on it. They're people, too, not our toys.

They're both grown women being influenced by advisors who don't have their best interests at heart.

And if you have an issue, I'd like to hear an alternative. A permanent one.

[A beat.]

Not that I'm here to argue. I'm genuinely asking.

Who said anything about treating them as objects?

Just to confirm...you're suggesting they should marry each other?

Yes. A political union.

Do we genuinely have their best interests at heart if this is our best permanent solution?

[But she's asking for suggestions so here it is:]

Why not empower the opposite end? Have them lease land in the Flowerlands rather than controlling it outright. That way the farmers there can continue with their livelihoods and the two empires can be encouraged to trade with each other in order to maintain those leases.

Political marriages are already a part of this culture. [It's said a little impatiently.]

The Flowerlands aren't the only thing that they're trying to get. They want the one ruler to rule them all, because this other Empress appeared out of nowhere. Empowering the Flowerlands—and therefore Doro—is questionable at best.

And something that Doro lacks the resources to manage.

I would hardly make the suggestion as an arrangement, but there is a certain political advantage to having them marry.

But I would prefer it with their consent, not by force.

It's not like we have the authority to force it either way.

[A suggestion is a suggestion, after all.]

[He snorts, sounding amused.]

Not short of threats. [He hesitates, then adds:] Not that I think it would help them remotely.

Regardless, we can only propose the idea. Nothing more.

Given the dire circumstances, it's not like the women themselves haven't thought about it.

[A beat.]

Like, we have to give them credit. They have to know what the resounding solution is here. They're smart, not pawns for us to play around with.

Well, you're saying they should get married to complete our mission. Without considering their feelings. So...

[Well, this is interesting, to say the least.]

If we went forward with this idea, what would be done about the matter of an heir?

[Being from a version of feudal Japan akin to this one, himself, it's the first concern that immediately presents itself. And while he's lived his life detached enough from society that he's not affronted or disturbed by the idea of two women marrying, he does have the logistical concern of how the peace would last without an intermingling of the blood being possible.]

It's a part of their culture.

[For her part, she's definitely thought about this.]

Empress Nama was appointed to her position. Since neither of them are married already, we can assume that finding an heir is hardly the first matter of significance. In fact, it might be more of an issue down the line—should the heir come from the Sea or Mountain nation?

But that's not up to us to decide.

[ there's a curious tone to his voice. ]

A party does calm the tension—however ... there may still be those whose tension overrides the opportunity for peace.

Not everyone seemed happy about the truce, what makes you think that there won't be backlash from those who feel that their voices have been squished?

It isn't, but that's not my point.

[Ginko shakes his head.]

If the empresses consent to a union, it is most likely that hostilities would cease for the time being. But in terms of a permanent solution, the heir is just as important, if not more so, to maintaining that stability.

Should we make this suggestion, they are likely to ask us the same question, and it's best to have an idea in mind so we're not dismissed out of hand.

Marrying off men.

...The fishermen often talk about Empress Youmi, how she's been ruling for ten years without picking a suitor.

[ That's all he's got, but he's throwing that out there in case it helps with the discussion??? Neither saying whether he's for the marriage or not. ]

I believe a political marriage and a truce fall in two different categories.

If I understand this culture, marriage arrangements are common tradition. That may speak on more solid ground than a mere decree of peace, built on nothing tangible.

I'm concerned they won't go for it, but if they do -- Kylo Ren and I have two very large pearls that the, uh, pearl divers... gifted us. [For some reason. She doesn't get it, but she's not about to look a gift Strider in the mouth.]

Apparently, it's traditional to offer a kind of dowry to your perspective mate or partner; something that represents your clan.

Huh. Do you think they'd, like... beee okay with that? Like, how would we— it would be kind of weird to be some foreigners going up to them and telling them to get married with no preamble, right. So how do we go about that, exactly.

[Yup. Gifted. With no mind tricks involved whatsoever.]

We would need to obtain an audience with Empress Youmi to propose the idea. Though I am concerned she might question our interest in the matters of her kingdom.

[Because lets be real, if anyone walked up to most of the rulers he knew and tried to suggest they marry someone to calm everyone else down, that person would probably be dead.]

Hm. That is a helpful detail.

Do you think suggesting they marry would assist in the tenseness of their countries?

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video; un: lodge (with special guest alucard)

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