From Almondus:
Bondings can be as much about property and alliances as anything else.
In the case of Infernis and Winn, there -are- slaves and property to consider. Although there is no financial advantage to consolidating estates or fortunes or those sorts of things in character, slaves and their players were a factor in our decision. I totally agree with this, thank you for the input.
From Miyuka and Miss Magical:
I've been wondering, what's the importance of a bonding being officially recognized by the empire?
The importance comes - in this case - from a purely IC standpoint. Those who know Infernis and Winn as characters and may be aware of the personalities and evolution involved might understand that this is an enormous step for both. Years in the making. Understand that one half of this whole also mostly shares your views .. That 'marriage is just a piece of paper' is in Infernis' IC world view .. Where the character comes from, such unions were only made for political and financial gain. He's -made- the leap with Winn IClie, has crossed the line from that way of thinking. Winn began the game as a vapid, submissive slavegirl innocent and is now a scholar, an artist, and a slave owner in her own right. This is about character evolution. The decision to bond or handfast was made with the proper gravitas.
I appreciate all of the attention that L`aquera and Stormbringer have given to this topic, given that versions of it have occurred in the past .. I agree with both proposals in Stormbringer's post and feel that 'handfasting' is the best term, and Reeve officiation is the best solution.
It may just be two signatures and an exchange of rings, but it took a lot of time and effort to get here. May the groom fuck the bride on the Reeve's desk.