Tidal-Bore

16. Traditions

The general mayhem San's proposal had doused Atlantis into settled during the night. People got used to the thought of his peculiar choice, and though not all agreed with him, they left him the freedom to decide so long as he didn't endanger everyone's existence. Shxcay and Hongjoong were quick to assure the concerned folk that this personal matter wouldn't impede San's ability to tend to their moray guardian, and thus, the issue became a tale of family dinners instead of a public outrage.

Wooyoung slept in peace that night, more nervous because of San than the reaction they had caused. When he woke in the morning, he asked Yeosang to stay in and not to join the festivities of all the freshly baked couples showing their glee through dance and music at the town square. Though sad to leave him behind, Yeosang respected his space and took the others with him.

Wooyoung could hear their laughter and cheers in the distance. Happy by himself, he spent some time with Jongho and learned a few more broken phrases in their language. Sometime around noon, Seonghwa came to visit him. He came alone and after Jongho let him in; he sat at the table with Wooyoung with a sheepish smile.

"I heard you didn't want to join the festivities today. Are you afraid of criticism?"

"Is San there, waiting for me?"

Seonghwa shook his head.

"He doesn't expect you to follow the regular courting schedule since you two already established your own route. After discussing it with Hongjoong once more, he accepted to leave you to it. In case of an emergency, we can step in later, but we want to trust you. You proved how important our people are to you."

Wooyoung chuckled to himself. He liked to imagine Seonghwa and Hongjoong fighting about him, especially with the added detail of their relationship. Hadn't his heart been so taken with San, he would have imagined how they might end up tumbling onto a bed together with their arguing lips locked in an ardent kiss.

But no, flirting with those two wasn't his business anymore. The only one who made his heart sing was San.

"What is the regular courting schedule? The pearls are the first step, and then what?"

Seonghwa crossed his long legs and got comfortable, ready to spend his day tending to Wooyoung, who landed in such a peculiar corner of their culture all by himself. Yeosang was baffled by him, but not mad. Once more, Wooyoung learned things he could share with the others later.

"The pearls aren't usually the first step. Most of the couples participating are already close and deliberated the matter beforehand. It's considered impolite to put someone on the spot out of nowhere and force them to accept a pearl. Instead, pairs make their relationship official, and the leading person seals that loyalty by diving for a pearl. Gender plays no role there, and the receiver is as dire in their fretting if things will work out. On the other side, if a partner proves unable to make the effort and never tries again, they are considered a poor match."

Wooyoung hummed, interested in how that part didn't work based on the oracle. He supposed compatibility couldn't be instructed in the same way.

"When the person accepts, the bond is sealed," Wooyoung guessed with a nod at the pearl on Seonghwa's neck. Staking a claim.

"Correct. From then on, you are expected to be loyal to your partner, and you shall not be approached by another. Occasionally, we offer presents in return or announce the relationship in some other way to make it apparent we are taken. Since Hongjoong and I are both public figures... Well."

With an easy grin, Wooyoung accepted that. It wasn't difficult to remember the status of the most desired members of society. On the other hand, that meant everyone knew San was still free as well. Hence, the girls had hopes he picked at random to settle down.