@rom-e-o So, my turn, I suppose?
Considering the Wolves relationship takes forever😩 I decided to stick to the idea in the game that Emmrich and Rook are supposedly moving at a pretty quick clip for the Ravens. Just for something different.
They first say "I love yours" and consummate their relationship around the 3 month mark.
Doesn't take long at all after for Emmrich to decide that, yes, he's going to propose. She's the one.
He just needs to find the right ring.
Ring secured, his next step is to ask her parents. They're wonderful folks that think the world of their G'iney and he wouldn't want to make them feel like he's stealing her right out from under their noses without letting them know. So he gets in touch with them, telling them he needs to talk in person and asks them if they might issue an invite for G'iney, Manfred, and him to come visit the next convenient weekend. G'iney has to think it's their idea or she will be suspicious. So they do. Emmrich and Manfred more officially meet G'iney's family in a non-funeral related setting, and he asks for Guinevere's hand. Of course, they give him permission. Manfred spends all weekend playing with G'iney's younger siblings and cousins and Kat, because of course the snake goes too.
With ring and permission sets in stone, Emmrich sets to work at crafting the perfect setting. While Guinevere likes her jewelry to be more flashy, her proposal is a different matter entirely. She's much too shy for a public or even semi-public proposal. So Emmerich prepares a lovely, romantic meal to be held at the Memorial Gardens where they went on the date where they decided to make their relationship official. He plans to propose to her at his parents' graves. (Sorry! But it just seems only right for him to do!😭)
He stashes the ring in the meantime.
Unfortunately, fueled by the playtime he had with G'iney's family, Manfred is in a pirate-loving phase and is looking to find "treasure" for his "treasure chest". Naturally, in his search and snooping, he comes across a pretty little box. Now, Manfred knows, even as a pirate skeleton, that sometimes boxes contain very important things for his papa to use or keep safe, so before he decides to put the box in his treasure chest, he needs to see what's in it. But he can't get the little clasp open, and Papa is out. So he takes it to Mum instead!
Guinevere is... surprised to say the least. Emmerich already has a ring? There is nothing else this could be but an engagement ring: It's too new to have come from a crypt, there's no enchantment about it but a small charm to make the longevity of the sparkle last longer. He's already planning to propose! But... they've hardly been together as a couple for six months! It's so soon! And yet... it feels perfectly timed. And so right. And Guinevere finds, if she digs past those vicious voices in her head that constantly tell her she's worthless, not marriage material, she'll only be a burden, and Emmrich will end up hating her for tying him down to her brokeness, that she has no reservations. At least, none concerning him and his genuineness, goodness, and love for her.
She supposes she could have Manfred show her where he found the box and put it back to try and keep her beloved's surprise, but in contrast to the proposal, lying to Emmrich like that, even for what seems a good reason, doesn't feel right. So she tells and shows him when he gets home. Of course he's disappointed. Everything was going so perfectly according to plan, he was trying so hard to keep up.a good pokerface and had actually seemed to be succeeding. And the happy surprise of it for Guinevere is now ruined.
"I suppose I'll have to cancel things now."
"No, please don't! It sounds like such a lovely idea and you've gone to so much trouble to set it up. I don't need the perfect surprise proposal--I just need a lovely night with the man I love and all the happiness in the world to make it a dream."
So, cheered by her assurances, Emmrich does just that.
The night goes off without a snafu, except for one rogue wisp that seemed determined to hog their attention for a few minutes.
"Maybe Manfred needs a sibling?"
"Unlike Manfred, I don't believe this wisp would take too kindly to an earthly tether. And Manfred still has much to learn; I'm not certain I'm ready to take on another wisp as of yet."
Emmrich does manage to surprise Guinevere however, by getting Manfred a "Will you be my mama?" shirt and dressing him in it. (Bellara handled the tracking down of that one for him.) Manfred is wearing it when they meet him at the Volkarin's graves.
Guinevere laughs and cries and says "yes" to Manfred as she hugs him and accepts his flowers. Then she turns her attention to Emmrich as he goes down on two knees with the ring.
"Guinevere Vynhalsyne, the life of a Mourn Watcher is a lonely existence; mine has been no exception. From the moment I was orphaned as a young boy, I have been incredibly alone, even when surrounded by teachers, tutors, spirits. It has been hard for me to find solace even among my own peers. An enduring affection, such as that which I've dreamed of for as long as I can remember, is an incredibly rare find. I thought I'd missed my chance to find it.
"Then you come into my life and suddenly that deep shadow of loneliness flees into the corners at the touch of your light. Colors become ever more vivid. The air becomes fresh and clear and full of life. What unexpected splendor to be found in just the creases of your smile, the musicality of your laugh! And, most unexpected and splendid of all, enduring affection to be found in the purity and kindness of your wonderful heart.
"I love you, Guinevere, as the wolf loves the moon. As the sun ignites a rainbow after a storm, you have ignited my heart and soul for you. You have awakened my enduring affection. I offer it to you freely and will chose to do so all the days of my life if you will allow it. My dearest heart, my most precious beloved , flame of my heart, my Rook, will you grant an old fool the greatest honor of taking your hand in marriage to become your most devoted husband? My darling Guinevere, will you marry me?"
And, of course, through tears and sobs (which she feels a little silly about because she knew this was coming after all) Guinevere says "yes". A thousand times "yes".
