Talk:Gyoubu Danuki/@comment-104.160.221.5-20150523143644/@comment-26219553-20150604110919

On the one hand, it'd be nice for me and mine to be free from debt. On the other hand, I'm not sure if I'd be a good husband or if I'm ready to be tied down yet. Looking at the marriage contract in front of me, for once I actually read the whole damned thing carefully, as opposed to the usual skimming to the "Sign Here" line at the bottom of doorstoppers like this.

Huh. Fair terms, no obvious loopholes that let her sell my family or some shit... just an honest contract. I suppose I was expecting less from a Danuki- you hear so many stories about people unknowingly selling themselves to a brothel or some S&M lunatic through these crafty sods that I was understandably worried.

Looking up at the girl sitting across the table from me in the eye for the first time, I notice she's nervous, too. Good- common ground has to start somewhere. After thinking for a while, I say one thing; "I'll sign. For the sake of my folks. But you have to understand that we've never seen each other before today, so..."

"...so you're saying that you don't feel anything for me right now. That's understandable. Mergers always start with two foreign elements trying to find common points to build from, and you? Well... I've a good nose for business, and don't ask me how I know, but I think that this could be an excellent long-term investment." She starts blushing a little and breaking eye contact at that last bit. Huh. At least she's understanding about your POV in this. "That is... if you do want to buy into it."

Looking back down at the contract, I reach a decision and pick up my pen. Before I literally sign my life away to the woman across the table, I simply give her a small smile and say "I'm bought and sold, aren't I? Just bought and sold." Finally putting down my signature in the familiar chickenscratch style I write in, she smiles back, her tension draining off her as she takes my hand in hers, replying, "Maybe. But not, I think, needlessly spent."