maskormenace | video;

[ The face that comes on screen is handsome, warm and charming, if a little knotted with some kind of concern. There's a point to all this, but right now he's just going to get on and talk, after kneading his eyebrow for a moment. ]

I was wondering if... I realize things have been quite terrible, recently, and therefore this question is perhaps not in the current mood of things, but I want to ask an, I suppose, unrelated question. No, I mean, I don't suppose. It is unrelated. [ He's waffling, and obviously nervous. ]

Traditions are important to all of us. I don't have many of my own. I suppose in my case it would be kinder to call them neuroses. Everything must be in its place, and if there are rules then they are there for a reason, and ought to be followed. In the case of tradition there is a certain degree of choice. You can abandon the traditions of home, or those of your parents, if you so choose, or perhaps adopt those of other cultures...

[ He's not really off topic. This is, surprisingly, what he's trying to talk about. ]

The Inuit don't really have a traditional marriage celebration, for example. Some absorbed the traditions of Christianity, over the years, but certainly there wasn't much. I suppose the kidnap of the bride could be considered a tradition but it's hardly appropriate, nor so widespread as...never mind.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is...so long as two people love each other, the traditions shouldn't matter, should they? Love doesn't come from gold rings, after all, it's only resembled by them. Although I do agree that the exchange is a beautiful tradition, it's no more correct than--an exchange of furs, for example, or the exchange of bird of paradise feathers by the tribes of Papua New Guinea.

Perhaps--perhaps it would be more comforting to know a little more about your own traditions, whatever they may be. Not necessarily in terms of the act of matrimony but...anything that would qualify, I suppose, as a relic of home. Are there things you simply have to do? Even such simple a thing as a bedtime ritual would count, I suppose.

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[ Well, this is convoluted. It's possible that's what draws Gansey's interest in the first place, particularly given that it's also quite intricate. You, sir, are a nerd.

He likes nerds. ]

Traditions vary greatly between cultures, never mind between worlds. You'll inherit certain beliefs and prejudices from your parents, or from your upbringing in general. There's not a lot that you can do to prevent that, even when you want to.

[ He understands, certainly. He's been trying to escape his parent programming for years. ]

Beyond that, it's fair to say everyone has their rituals. Mine mostly involve finding ways to wait out insomnia. That has very little to do with marriage, though. Is that what really concerns you? You want to be married, here?

[ He's a huge nerd, or whatever the appropriate alternative is to a person who knows a lot about everything but is also incredibly athletic... ]

I've observed traditions from a variety of cultures, but I don't think I'd call any of them mine. But...yes, you absorb things, I suppose, from all the influences in your life. I suppose I often wonder about how the different influences in other peoples lives effect how they look at things, too. Curiosity about that is a flaw of mine.

[ That's why he reads. Because he can't travel. ]

But yes, marriage does concern me. It is what comes after engagement, as I understand it.

[ These two are going to have a lot in common. ]

I wouldn't call it a flaw. Not everyone has the interest to examine the world around them like that, but it's worth doing. Cultural appreciation doesn't mean cultural appropriation. Knowledge for its own sake is a good thing.

[ Then he smiles, and lifts his shoulders. ]

But that doesn't help you now. Marriage is typically the next step. The vow made typically lasts a lifetime, however. I'm not sure that's something you can promise, here.

Learning has few limits. Sleeping, I've discovered, is the greatest limitation--and running out of books in the library.

[ Every. Single. Book. ]

Some would say that the vow lasts beyond a lifetime. For the Inuit, a marriage might only last a few seasons, before circumstances part them. I suppose much of any vow could be considered to be symbolic, more than wholly honest, and in our case I rather hope that it's...symbolic of our hope to recognize our affection for each other in our own lifetimes, too. Does that make any sense?

Oh, Christ, I’ve had that problem. You just need to go further afield. There is always another library. And then in this world, obviously, there’s a whole new history of cultural development. None of the books are the same, it’s fascinating. What’s your field specifically?

[ This is really not what this post is about, but too much talk of libraries is likely to bring out the scholarly side of Gansey. He loves finding people with a common interest. ]

I’m sorry, I’m…on task, here, really. It does make sense, and I suppose I would say that providing you are both agreed on that end, there’s nothing to stop you. Perhaps you should choose the ceremony that holds most meaning for you. Are you religious, at all?

I'm a police officer, so I suppose I'm simply caught up in the desire to...observe as much as possible of the world around me. I wouldn't call it a field of study, precisely, but... I'm particularly fond of history, the environment, and society's role in its formation.

[ So that's everything, then. He scratches his nose. ]

Christian practice was typical, where I grew up. I was christened, and we've always dispatched our family by Christian custom.

That’s something I wouldn’t have guessed. You’re very academic, officer.

[ Which doesn’t mean a police officer could not be academic, but Gansey had never imagined they would be. What a strange thought. You would think by now he would have learned to stop making assumptions about people. ]

History is my interest, too. I’m sure a Christian ceremony could be accommodated here, if you wanted it – though, your line of questioning suggests to me that you’re unsure. [ Not everyone raised Christian holds strong beliefs. Gansey is very nominal. His friends all have different views. ] Has your partner no opinion on these matters?

Never formally educated. You really did have to be self motivated, where I grew up.

[ He dips his head, scratching at his eyebrow because it's an awkward topic. He doesn't want to seem like he's accusing Ray of not having anything to offer, because it's the opposite really. ]

A Christian practice would be easiest, but I sense it would also be almost meaningless. It wouldn't represent much to us. My partner was married before--his wife decided on everything, and I was rather hoping that he might have something to offer toward the ceremony, given he wasn't given that option before.

You're self-educated?

[ Gansey looks impressed, genuinely so. He is a product of the private school system. His impression of people outside of that standard would stray towards assuming they're at a disadvantage. Benton doesn't seem that way. That's incredibly admirable. ]

That's wonderful, good for you.

But all right, I mean. All cultural commentary aside, are you both certain you even want a ceremony? If it's not meaningful for you, perhaps signing the register would be enough.

[ Fraser nods in answer to that. Yes, largely. He'd attended a class or two, if you could call them that, but considering his grandmother was the one teaching... No, not really.

He considers the suggestion. ]

I suppose I just don't know any differently. It might be true, though. Perhaps a signature would be enough, and some sort of party for our friends.

[ Gansey lifts his shoulders. ]

I think that what you do should please the two of you. It’s not for other people; it’s for you, and you’re certainly not bound by any tradition or culture that you don’t subscribe to. The only one whose opinion really matters, apart from yours, is your partner.

Ask him. You should decide on this together.