(no subject)

[aero_dienamic]

[[It has been a good couple of weeks since the experiment with being a family. Even mother's day had passed by, much to Val's unnoticing. She'd been distracted from life at home, mostly looking into, and around, this marriage thing.

She didn't get it. Of course, she hadn't considered going to read a book on it, but, she also assumed that wouldn't get her anywhere either.

Well, two weeks is plenty of procrastination on this topic... Though, surely her silence and pondering might've caused some concern with Kirimi and Neliel.]]

I'm sorry to be a bother while everyone's busy greeting the New Feathers, but I want to ask something. What's the purpose of marriage? I understand that it's what two people do when they love eachother enough, but, what makes it any different from being a boyfriend, or girlfriend.

Honestly, if you truly have no desire to be apart from the one you love, why is that something people resort too?

I suppose this last experiment left me a little confused about the subject. Not that... I'm opposed, mind you... That is... marrying Nel, but... I don't know why it's necessary...

Comments

[Written]

[daisy023]

[...Well, it's been a while since Daisy has heard of Val. Still on the mountains, the ponders for a moment if she should reply, considering she made this trip to get away from everyone.

But remembers that Kippin told her that isn't quite the way to go.

She draws out her pen because, while she's been out of contact for over a week or so, she also has a thing for philosophy.]


Marriage is a social union between two partners, established as a formal contract for several reasons: legal, social, emotional, economical, spiritual, and religious. It's a legal way to share property, have a pact of intimacy, and bear legimitate offspring. [Beat.] Though in modern ages onwards ilegitimate children aren't frowned upon.

In old times, marriage was not forged by love, but arranged as a form of social and economical union between two families when both son and daughter were young. Love would come in later, by the bond both partners eventually forged when living under the same roof.

[She stops for a moment... Val may not notice it, but beyond the book definition, Daisy-023 has little understanding of it either, but she continues.]

In my world and age, marriage is agreed upon by two consenting adults, independent of the opinions and actions of other members of their families. It's an expression of loyalty in the filial sense, and in the legal one it is a pact of sharing and cohabitation. That the person will be the only one you treat in a truly romantic manner from that day forward. It's a way of showing that you belong to that person.

Re: [Written]

[aero-dienamic.livejournal.com]

[[Honestly, all that, while probably informative, is a lot to take in. Fortunately, Daisy took the time to write it out, so that Val might re-read it as necessary so that she'll understand it, rather than hearing it once and having to have the hiding SPARTAN explain it more than once.]]

This... last part... Well... That's not unlike having a girlfriend, is it? I mean, between myself and Nel... Is there much difference then?

[Written]

[daisy023]

[A pause.]

Probably not.

[Which shows how much she knows of the real thing, she thinks to herself.]

It's more symbolic than legal where I'm from. But even marriages can end with a divorce.

Re: [Written]

[aero-dienamic.livejournal.com]

Divorce? And that's... breaking up, I take it?

Well, breaking up... that's not connected to the other suddenly leaving. I wonder... Well... if it would be worth it...

[Written]

[daisy023]

It's the end of the agreement. [Again, book definition, but no life experiences.] But it's something like that.

In the end, marriage is a choice. An expression. One you are free to take.

[Choice.]

[voice]

[derek-bliss.livejournal.com]

Pretty much everything the first responder said, right down to the reasons in the past, with the added bit that when the whole thing first started up, it was as much of a way for the male part of the partnership to claim obvious ownership of the female, since women were still considered property at that point.

Currently though, at least where I'm from, it's both an expression of love and intent to stay with the person for the entirety of both of your lives, as well as a legal contract to ensure that if one of you dies, the other person can still retain all rights to any property and money left behind by the deceased.

Lot of people don't bother with it, though, even though there's still a large social push to make it the 'normal' status for co-habitating adults of opposite gender. There are other legal ways to make your significant other the recipient of your things if you die before them. And a lot of people dissolve the partnership after time, due to differences that they either can't or won't work through. That, too, though is a development that's pretty recent; used to be really frowned on if you left your spouse.

[voice]

[aero-dienamic.livejournal.com]

That's quite a bit to take in all at once. I'm... despite my looks, not human. I'm quite... detached from human society, I suppose you could say. I'm still learning how they all fit in. But, my girlfriend is in the same position, being both detached and not human.

I suppose, we're a rather special case.

But, back on point then, she and I were "married" a while back... during the experiment. I love her, of course, but, I just didn't get if there was a difference being her girlfriend now, and being married.

All of those things you mentioned... would any of it matter, here and now? We came without anything, and we already share what we have. But... there's always that risk that one of us could leave suddenly

Re: [voice]

[derek-bliss.livejournal.com]

Here? I think It's mostly what you put into it. There's really no laws set up for it, so you don't need the legal backup. And if it really has no meaning for you, then there's no point in worrying about it.

Re: [voice]

[aero-dienamic.livejournal.com]

Hmmm... I see. It's only, say, back where you're from that these things are important.

[[And here comes the kicker (And we're not trying to start up any drama, she means well)...]] Is it common for women to marry each other?

[voice]

[derek-bliss.livejournal.com]

[Derek isn't much for drama anyway. He will pause for a minute though while he tries to think of a way to put what he has to say.]

...not really. There's a lot of social monopoly going in in regards to same-gender marriages. Most places are just now grappling with the idea that it isn't some sort of aberration or mental illness...and before that, they were struggling with the idea that is wasn't evil and against God. Some places are trying to pass laws where it's legal, but it's not getting very far. There's probably at least another generation of strife that's going to go on over it before it becomes part of the 'acceptable' majority culture.

[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

Resort to? They do it to show their commitment.

...You have someone like that here, though? How sweet.

[aero-dienamic.livejournal.com]

But why is it different from the commitment of being girlfriends?

We were married during the last experiment. But we've been together for months.

[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

To me, it's like a promise. A promise of wanting to make it last. It's never fun to break up with someone, but when you're dating not everyone expects to still be together a year from now, or two years. But getting married is saying you want to make it permanent.

[aero-dienamic.livejournal.com]

That... makes it sound much better. A promise.

But... when anyone can leave any time... would it be worth it?

[gardenerofgaia.livejournal.com]

I think... that's something each person would have to decide for themselves. There probably isn't one set answer.

[justicereigns]

Because it says that's the one person you want to be with for the rest of your life. Forsaking all others.

It's a lot more serious basically.

It's hardly "necessary," but it is an option. I guess some people like the feel of the security involved.

[aero-dienamic.livejournal.com]

That's what I've been hearing. I'm probably not going to do anything like it... I'd hate to get married to Nel, then, find myself sent home the next day...

[justicereigns]

Yeah, I'm not sure I'd get married here all things considered.

[aero-dienamic.livejournal.com]

Hmm... that's what I've been hearing...

[justicereigns]

I guess that's a little depressing. Some people would still get married in prison and shit... but then they don't run the risk of getting sent to different worlds and times.

[Action]

[lost-koneko.livejournal.com]

Val-nee-chama...? Is Val-nee-chama feeling alright?

Re: [Action]

[aero-dienamic.livejournal.com]

Oh, Kirimi. [[Hugs]] I'm doing just fine sweetie. I've just been thinking a lot about the last experiment we had to go through. Where we all had real families here.

[Action]

[lost-koneko.livejournal.com]

... [leans against] Kirimi miss Onii-chama...

Re: [Action]

[aero-dienamic.livejournal.com]

I know dear. I know.

But, you have me, and Nel, and grandpa Golbez, and Uncle Smoker.

Oh! And you have a new big sister too~

[Action]

[lost-koneko.livejournal.com]

A new big sister?