TO HAVE AND TO HOLD [modplot]

[letsgolegion]

Who| Anyone who wants in
What| "To Have and to Hold" plot
Where| The planet Olum, Matihara Temple
When| Set vaguely the same time as "Gods Among Us" and "Other Mother"
Warnings/Notes| N/A

The planet Olum is a genuinely welcoming place. While the clothes they have to wear for the rituals are a bit...odd (provided they don't opt for coverups), they are comfortable, especially with such a balmy climate. Despite the Olumites allowing outsiders into their ceremonies, there's a distinct lack of tourist-ey elements; no gift shops, no merchants selling anything, just a spirit of genuine unity and celebration. The Olumite marriage guides seem to genuinely care about helping people with their relationships, and seem happy to share their cultural traditions with other species.

As far as missions go, it's definitely a nice vacation from the usual life or death struggles.

It means the Legionnaires have no distractions. They have to settle in and try to navigate this while faking sincerity as best as they can.

[ooc: All information about the setting can be found on the infopost.]

Comments

[marryonette]

El daintily sat herself down, pulling up her knees to her chest.

"I don't even have to think about that one. My sister, absolutely, with no doubt at all. We've both been through so much... so now I just want to make sure she has the sort of life she deserves, filled with love and happiness." El's words held a confidence and conviction, more than she'd had in their previous conversations to be sure.

"I fought for her, and she fought for me. To us, the other's happiness is most important..."

[touchmydragon]

"Those are feelings you should protect. In turn, they can protect you."

That was the difficult part of the process. Isolating what one felt and then guarding it. And by guarding it, it becomes a source of emotional power when outside influences attempt to prey on the mind.

"However, before you can learn to wield such things, you must learn to empty your mind. That takes time we do not quite have here."

[marryonette]

"Maybe not, but... that mission showed I still very much needed it. I... really don't like that version of 'me' you saw," Elphelt shook her head, sighing.

"That's the version of 'me' Mother wanted to use... nothing more than a living tool, a weapon to be turned against the world."

[touchmydragon]

"But it is a part of you." As much as it always hurt to hear, even if it was out of one's control. "Even I have spent many years either wasting my life or in uncontrollable rage, eager to lash out at others. Accepting that past has given me power to reject it in the present. It can give you that power too."

Genji turned to face her again, eyes drifting away from the ocean. "I am glad you can share these things, however. They will make what we are about to do easier to complete. Even I must be forthcoming so ask what you wish."

[marryonette]

"I suppose I could start asking the same thing you'd asked me, earlier. Who is your most important person?" It was as good a place to start as any. "Tell me about them... and why they mean so much to you."

[touchmydragon]

"My most important person." That was a difficult question, mostly because he had a few. But really, everything boiled down to one person.

"It would be my older brother, Hanzo. When we were children, he helped me where he could, whether it be studies, training, and even emotional support. Unfortunately, as we grew up, I became a person who brought shame upon our family. My ways angered him and one day it exploded into a conflict that ended with him taking my life. I hated him for many years after that but eventually I learned to stop hating and even now, I would say he is still most important to me."

[marryonette]

Oh that was... A little darker than she'd been hoping for. But considering Genji's body... He never seemed like the sort of person who'd enhance himself like that for self-focused reasons. At least not in the little time she'd been friends with him (at least she considered them to be friends). So it must have been a result of that...

Elphelt took in a deep breath, forcing herself to keep lock with his eyes, the only part of him that felt real in that digital skin.

"It seems a lot of your life... was spent outside your control."

[touchmydragon]

"It may seem like that but it is quite the opposite. No."

He has to stop to think, mostly to recall a few moments in his past. "When I met my Master, I rejected his offers to teach me many times. One day, he said to me, 'If you do not change direction, you may end up where you're headed'."

Genji stops there and gives her a sly smile. He has no plans regarding explaining it, as it would remove the learning process. Regardless, it highlighted the fact that living without choice was simply denying opportunity along with pointing out that not all paths in life are beneficial to someone.

"It was a moment that allowed me to see things for more than they were."

[marryonette]

Elphelt thought on the phrase for some time, letting out a small hum as she brought her eyes back out to the rolling waves, her breath steadying with their rhythm.

"For you, I suppose it was learning to let go of your anger. But... I'm not sure I can narrow down my shadow to an emotion of some kind, or any combination of them. Especially since that 'self', the one Mother coveted, doesn't have any..."

[touchmydragon]

"Black is still something we perceive though it is the absence of colors."

But that wasn't entirely the point. After all, she didn't need to let it go as much as ward it off.

"You are correct, however. I needed to learn to let go of myself but that is not the path you should take. Instead, you should create a solid, unbreakable core. One that can withstand attacks and help you retain yourself. That is what your most important memories and feelings are for."

[marryonette]

"It sounds like it may take awhile... I'm glad you've offered to help me get there, though," Elphelt nodded after a moment, affirming it to herself as well.

"If there was anyone here besides Ramlethal that had to see my inner self, my deepest thoughts and memories, I'm glad it's you."

[touchmydragon]

"I appreciate your confidence in myself." It was a step forward from 'wandering loner' and the old Blackwatch ninja he used to be so he'll take it. And thank his Master along the way for shaping him up in a way that let people trust in him.

"All I can state in advance is that what you may see is all part of a shameful past. I hope that I have grown from those days."

[marryonette]

Elphelt turned back to him with a warm smile, "That's okay. I understand. You're not the first person with a shameful past I've befriended. You'll get no judgement for me, and... I'm grateful that I can expect the same. I'm glad we're paired for this, darling~" she teased towards the end, giving a wink. She knew it was all pretend, but... well.

She could do worse, if she was being honest. He was rather attractive, with or without the holographic skin.

[touchmydragon]

Darling. That was a word he would have to get used to on this mission, even if hearing it did speed up his heart a little. It wasn't something he expected to hear anytime during his later life and not something he had guarded his emotions against.

"Thank you. And I suppose we will need to use these types of names so avoid suspicion so what would you prefer to be called for the duration?"

[marryonette]

That had her perking up.

"Oh! There are so many! Darling, Cupcake, Angel, Baby, Honey, Sweetie, Sweetheart, Dollface, Sweetums, Huggybear, Sweety-pie, Boo boo...," and she just sat there, rattling them off, uninterrupted. He may want to stop her.

[touchmydragon]

He does stop her, mostly by putting a hand on her shoulder. It's a gentle gesture but, being from Japan, all these terms are quite interesting.

"How about I call you Elphelt? Where I am from, using a person's first name with nothing else is considered a sign of closeness."

[marryonette]

"S-sorry... And that sounds perfect to me. Though, wasn't there something else Japanese people did to express affection?" She pondered for a moment, before it occurred to her, and an even wider smile slipped across her face.

"Darling Genji-chan~?" Stop her.

[touchmydragon]

"That is something that can be used but..." On one hand, Genji is more than capable of handling himself, even in emotional matters. But even he understands and accepts challenges as they come. Certainly, this feels like a challenge, which is the thought he has as he gives Elphelt a smirk.

"Despite how I may seem, if you wish to go down this path, I will match you. Do not expect much mercy."

[marryonette]

The thump of Elphelt's heart was almost audible, drawing back with a gasp but still smiling brightly. Her cheeks burned red, and her eyes shone... That, of course, wasn't an act.

"G-goodness... You're better at this than I thought."

[touchmydragon]

"Hardly."

That was an understatement. He spent his youth wooing many partners, male and female. In fact, it was all he was good for until his confrontation with his brother. Retreading those grounds for the sake of his mission, in a way that wasn't dangerous emotionally, wasn't exactly a difficult prospect.

Genji stood up and offered his hand to Elphelt nonetheless, to assist her in rising.

"Perhaps a little more practice is required. Then we can complete this mission successfully."

[marryonette]

"Leave it to me! This is definitely my specialty~" Oh lord.

She took the hand, lifting with a bounce, and furthermore taking his hand to loop her arms with his, starting to walk along the beach.

"The first step is things like this. There's a reason long walks on the beach are in so many dating profiles, of course."

[touchmydragon]

"Yes, that much is true. But would you not say that doing it at night would be more attractive? The stars hold much promise."

Not that he was putting a damper on the mood but it was his preference. Staring up at the sky at night was another way to put the soul at ease. The ocean at night was likely to double the effect. Regardless, he let himself be pulled along. Resisting might just cause him to be dragged.

[marryonette]

"Oh wow... You're kind of ahead of the curve, saying things like that. You're making me blush, at least," Elphelt hummed, shifting closer to him as they walked.

"N-not that I mind! I'm not gonna fall for you for real when we're only supposed to be fake married, ha ha..." At least she kept telling herself that.

[touchmydragon]

"No matter the situation, your feelings are your own. Do not let the preconception of others cloud that."

Even if it was his own and he was more than aware it could be his own preconceived ideas in this moment.

"But shall we ride on what they call 'floatypuffs'? That would provide a good view, at the least."

[marryonette]

"I could think of nothing better, darling~" Elphelt giggled, rubbing her cheek against his shoulder. Despite the fact she could still feel the steel beneath, she hardly cared. They were a couple, after all. They had to keep up appearances. Plus she wanted to.