Overview

Ah, romance! Love is a universal concept - and a universal emotion - that transcends Realm and influences the lives and decisions of any who fall into its warm (or cold, or sometimes way too hot) embrace. However, as with all things, every culture - and to some degree every individual person - has their own, sometimes complicated, relationship with love... and, indeed, their own stories and beliefs that influence that relationship.

Romance and the First Realm

Though they are very different in culture and expectations, those of Astrum and those of Incaendium share one trait that inevitably leads to their processing love and romance differently than, say, a Mortal. That is to say, they are immortal - or at least unaging. This being the case, and because Celestials dislike broken promises almost as much as they dislike false ones, romantic commitments have developed rather differently in Astrum than in Gaean (which doesn't have this issue) or Incaendium (which has different values).

Astrumi Commitment

Commitment is Called...
Reustreurne (Heart vow)
Partner is Called...
Viutre (Spouse or committed partner)
Ceremony
As emotional matters are considered fairly personal in Astrumi culture, commitment ceremonies are typically small and limited to close friends and family.
Exchanged Tokens
None
Typical Expectation
Monogamy and impermanence.
Promises & Vows
Due to the concern of eternity and the desire to avoid broken commitments, Astrum's most common vow of commitment is "For as long as our hearts are one."

It is extremely uncommon for Celestial romances to resolve in a vow of eternity - they are rather more inclined to set goals related to continued affection or happiness. That said, they are also reluctant to dissolve a commitment once made. For this reason, a relationship will typically include a period of companionate partnership. While this is common to all relationships of course, as passion is not eternal, Celestials themselves are, and so they leave open the possibility that this partnership will eventually falter in the face of new possibilities.

Sexuality & Gender Roles

Celestials are deeply apathetic about the sexual orientation of others. Relationships of all variants are common and accepted without comment or prejudice. Similarly, on an institutional level they are not concerned about gender roles.

That said, this doesn't rule out the possibility of limited local biases - in particular, the Fey's individual cities and fiefdoms are sometimes built to advantage certain groups - particularly whatever group the rulership may be a part of. These are considered local aberrations

Love in the Realm of Mortals

The ephemeral quality of life for mortals can make love hit a bit differently. With so few years in which to find companionship and happiness, mortals are more driven to look, and thus more dedicated to their courtship rituals. A great deal of romantic literature originates in Gaean - even stories about immortals, which will tend to romanticize the concept of eternal love even more than Celestials and Demons do, themselves. They are also far more willing to enter into a relationship with a promise of "forever...." though their promises often founder regardless. Love is difficult for all people!

Gaean Commitment

Commitment is Called...
Marriage (Clearish word TBA)
Partner is Called...
Spouse or Partner (Clearish word TBA)
Ceremony
Varies, but often involve large spectacles and gatherings of family and friends.
Exchanged Tokens
Varies by location, but typically a form of jewelry or clothing.
Typical Expectation
Location-dependent
Promises & Vows
Personalized vows specific to the couple and the circumstances, but typically includes promises of lifelong commitment and support.
Sexuality & Gender Roles

Being more similar in nature (or personality, at least) to the Fey than Celestials or Demons, mortals can often come with their own baggage. This is exacerbated by the decentralization of Gaean's governmental systems and culture - there is no specific overarching culture or nation in Gaean. Rather, it is a Realm defined by many different settlements, some sprawling kingdoms, some large city-states and some independent villages, each with their own quirks and beliefs.

In short, there is a great deal of variation depending on where one originates from. Which brings us to another characteristic of Gaean culture.

Romantic vs. Practical Partnerships

In some territories within Gaean, political or arranged partnerships are common - or at least not unknown. These relationships can be based on political advantage or what is believed to be advantageous to the families involved. Opinions on these types of marriages differ, with many from areas that do not practice them being uncomfortable at the idea of having their life partner chosen for them.

The Hearts of Demons

For Demons, who are known for the extremity of their passion, love is a driving force... though typically not quite so driving a force as power. Indeed, these things can become heavily intertwined, as demons will typically keep their eye open for stronger bloodlines to become involved with. There is no particular stigma or negative view on relationships born from passion over power or vice versa, but there is cultural emphasis on finding both simultaneously

Incaendian Commitment

Commitment is Called...
vuso-nungyn (Love Bond)
Partner is Called...
Various things, but most often nungyn-nejio (Bond-Partner) or Vavine, which is simply "chosen."
Ceremony
Generally there aren't festivities associated with committed partnerhships.
Exchanged Tokens
Varies by location, but typically a form of jewelry or clothing.
Typical Expectation
Complicated, but Demons default to open relationships.
Promises & Vows
Usually more like a Binding Contract.
Sexuality, Gender & Power

The majority of Incaendians lean toward pansexuality, although a strong preference for one or another sex is not unheard of. However, no one cares about this. For Demons, the only things of importance are who holds power, and who inspires passion, and so there is no consideration for gender roles or sexual orientation, and no privilege to one or another.

All of that said, love between Sura is often a complicated mix of passion and powerplay, with the latter making setting many of the terms that are ultimately in place for a specific couple.

For them, there is no default assumption of monogamy - which is not to say that there are no monogamous relationships, only that these things must be negotiated. Indeed, exclusivity can become part of that power game - for example, relationships with more extreme power imbalances will often involve one-sided exclusivity, while more egalitarian relationships will be either mutually monogamous or mutually open.

"Open" in itself is a negotiable term - it can (and often does) mean true polyamory with multiple relationships... however an arrangement of emotional commitment mixed without sexual monogamy is more typical. What is most important to bear in mind is that there is no assumptions to be had - these terms are all negotiated and, in many cases, enforced via a particular variety of Binding Contract locking the couple into an arrangement that lasts for a period of time specified at the time of the contract's formation.

Clarification on Ceremonies

Though Demons do enjoy a good raucous celebration, they do not typically make a public announcement of changes in their relationship status. Part of this is because their relationships, when not nailed down by a contract, can be untrackably fleeting. Part is also because exposing the depth of one's affection for a specific person opens a weakness that can be easily exploited.

That said, a Dominus Regas will often have some sort of announcement ceremony when they choose a consort, if only to make it obvious who holds authority at court.