For the Dancing and the Dreaming

[crystalized_hope]

Sender: G'raha Tia (and Madhuri Qalli occasionally)
Subject: An announcement & inquiry

Hello, Reverein. This is G'raha Tia, and I am pleased to announce some exciting news.

[Ignore the fact that his writing seems to be hesitant. He had it in his mind to make this announcement with the intention of asking for some help. It just seemed so daunting now that he was actually doing it. In fact, there is some pause in between writing the next portion.]

Right then... Out with it... Madhuri Qalli and I will be getting married sometime this upcoming spring. While we have not settled on a date just yet, we would ask for a favor from all of you.

Despite the beautiful wedding that Eustace and Tifa put on, we are -- unfortunately -- unversed about how to plan for such an occasion. We did find some inspiration from the wedding not to long ago, but we would ask for your help.

How do you celebrate matrimony in the world you come from? What about cultural differences? This information would greatly benefit us to plan our own special day that suits us best. If you have anything to share, please feel free to contact either one of us. Thank you for your time.

[OOC: Both G'raha and Madhuri will be responding to this. If you want to speak to one of them, please let us know in the subject.]

Comments

Sender: Eustace

[flamekthunder]

[Aah, so he finally did it.]

Congratulations. If you need any assistance, I can give you some of the contacts we used for ours.

[songbird_slayer]

[You were in on this... you fiend.]

Thank you! I think we would like those very much. We tried first to think of what our respective people do for their Ceremonies of Eternal Bonding, but they're both so impersonal that I feel it would do our union a disservice.

To wit, I'd like not to be exchanged and escorted into my husband's home like a prized horse.

[flamekthunder]

[COMPLETELY 100%.]

Exchanged and escorted?

[Say what now—]

[songbird_slayer]

Exactly so. I would be escorted with goods, promises of property and more by my family to my future husband's family. Presumably it's to help the new couple thrive, but to me it feels like a means to sweeten the pot while taking another being- another mouth to feed that can make even more mouths to feed- into the tribe.

Oh- I just got chilly bumps.

Some tribes are perfectly fine with this method, or even chosen mates by lot like the Goro- they literally draw names from a bundle- but that's most certainly not for me.

[flamekthunder]

I see, so a more complex version of a dowry, something some cultures on various islands practice. Choosing a mate by lots, however... I also wouldn't approve.

Do you have your own personal thoughts on what you'd like to experience for your wedding? Although we incorporated a few things from our hometowns, that was something we also considered. It is, after all, the day celebrating your union. You should do whatever you see fit.

[songbird_slayer]

We've received a number of implications that our decision was no surprise. But we've been surprising ourselves and each other, day after day.

I've no doubt we'll come up with something that is distinctly ours. In the meantime, haha, I suppose Raha and I are alike in the regard that we can be

overthinkers

just a tad.

[flamekthunder]

The opposite of us where at first it was difficult to come up with anything.

I should caution you then to not do too much. More for your sake.

[songbird_slayer]

Understood. I don't know if I'd want to reach circus levels of festivity. It took a lot to announce our intentions in the first place...

I have some ideas now, though! Now comes the fun part of gradually making them real.

[flamekthunder]

I'm a little surprise to hear you say that. From what I remember from our conversation, I had the impression you would hardly be able to contain yourself and freely announce it to everyone.

[songbird_slayer]

I thought so, too! But when it actually happened it was like

like a wall went up in my brain. Like I couldn't believe it, or as if speaking of it would suddenly wake me up from a dreamscape and I'd been fooling myself.

[flamekthunder]

I understand that a little. I felt similar for a little while.

But it's all the more reason you should reaffirm it as real.

[songbird_slayer]

Perhaps if I step outside and shout it into the wind!

I'll go do that now.

[Do you hear that...? There, there on the wind, is a looney shouting something or another in the distance.]

[flamekthunder]

[Oh my God is she really— ... ...

Even the dogs near him are raising their heads in confusion.]

Did you really just shout it?

[songbird_slayer]

Yes, and I feel much better for it! Thank you, dear.

[crystalized_hope]

[It was a mess, but he managed it somehow.]

Thank you. That would be very much welcomed. Your experience would be invaluable to our planning.

[flamekthunder]

Bear in mind I focused more on the logistics than decorations and such things... But I'll offer what I can.

You said you were thinking about the spring?

[crystalized_hope]

That's fine. I have a feeling the decorations will mostly fall on Madhuri's shoulders, though I do intend to help where I can. We just need to figure out how to make it personal for us. Neither of us really followed our cultures too closely due to past events.

Thats correct. Possibly early spring.

[flamekthunder]

Then you still have time.

If you want to make it personal... I'd say just think of your interests, both shared and individual.

[crystalized_hope]

Right. There's plenty of time to think it over. Most of our mutual interests are admittedly things I've picked up because of her.

[But then that does bring up a concerning thought.]

Oh. I just hope she doesn't think she needs to do all of the cooking and baking... I don't mind if she chooses to do it herself, but preferably not all of it. I'd rather she didn't stress herself over a monumental task.

[Nothing that Eustace will hear, but there is a tired sigh on his end. One that he'll gesture as nothing if Madhuri asked what it was for.]

[flamekthunder]

[Hah.]

Just make some kind of compromise. If there's a special dish that you two enjoy or you'd like to share, she can make that. The rest of the food can be provided by various restaurants and eateries in town.

It would be similar to how Tifa and I handled it. The Wild Harvest helped prepare the food and a friend made the cake. Tifa normally cooks, but I made a few special dishes to surprise her at the reception. But that was all.

[crystalized_hope]

I'll be sure to suggest that, but I just hope she's receptive to the idea.

[If she can fuss over him overworking himself at times, then surely it was his right to insist on this course of action.]

[flamekthunder]

I'm sure you'll find a way to work it out.

[crystalized_hope]

We have plenty of time to work things out. Thanks for advice. Do you mind if I ask you for help on occasion?

[He won't make it a habit of asking him for help necessarily, but there might be times where he'll need it.]

[flamekthunder]

Not at all. Feel free to reach out to me whenever you need.

[crystalized_hope]

You have my thanks. I'll keep in touch.