Fruit of Tying

Fruit of tying (mukombedson) is a marriage proposal tradition in the area just east of the Thetbron Mountains in Cesland commonly referred to as wine country. It is not the only proposal method traditionally performed in the region, but it is specifically used for romantic marriages rather than marriages for economic purposes or familial obligations.

Cultural Origins

Translation

Mukombedson is a shortening of the Cesan phrase muroh kom pu bedsonkohdoh which means fruit of continuing to knot. It is believed in Cansonism, the primary religion in Cesland, that humans are energies given flesh and that relationships, romantic or otherwise, cause those energies to become tied to each other.

Some claim that mukombedson is a shortening of muroh kom su bedsonvahdah, meaning fruit before possibly marrying. Those who support this alternate translation point to the fact that two individuals will continue to be tied together so long as they have a relationship, regardless of whether a proposal is accepted. It is not the "knotting" that is conditional, it is the marriage.

The Fruit

The fruit used in the proposal is the Lehpokroh, a shelled fruit commonly found around vineyards due to its symbiotic relationship with grapevines. The lehpokroh plant has different nutrient requirements than traditional grapevines, thriving on the waste produced by vine networks, while grapevines in turn thrives on the waste produced by lehpokroh plants. This relationship has been a staple of vineyard management in Cesland's wine country for centuries. This natural harmony is considered a metaphor for the harmony sought within human relationships. Lehpokroh is made up of a stiff outer shell protecting the softer fruit within it. This shell can be shades of green or purple depending on the conditions the plants is grown in. Inside the shell are usually two soft, crescent-shaped fruits, though there can sometimes be three fruits. These bite-sized fruits have a slight tartness to them and will pop when bitten into. They are a popular snack for those working on vineyards as well as children who commonly sneak around them.

The Ritual

Proposal

In the long standing Cesnockwe engagement tradition that a person of any gender may propose marriage, mukombedson may be initiated by either party of the relationship. The lehpokroh may simply be given to the receiver, but the more popular method is to conceal it within some form of foodstuff, like a baked good or beverage, and present to the receiver under seemingly normal circumstances. Upon discovering the lehpokroh, the receiver has a decision to make.

Acceptance

In order to accept the proposal, the receiver will crack open the shell. If there are two fruits inside, it is believed to be a sign that the pair's energies are compatible and will create a union in harmony with the energies around them. The pair will then share the fruits as a sign of commitment to each other. If there are three fruits inside, it is not a condemnation, however the union may be marked by excessive struggles. The pair will eat their individual fruits and split the third as an agreement to work through those struggles together. The receiver of the proposal may choose to hold onto the lehpokroh in the event that they want to think about the decision.

Rejection

At any point during the ritual, either party may choose to reject or reconsider the proposal. The receiver may choose to simply return the lehpokroh prior to cracking it. After cracking it open, the results may sway either party to change their minds, in which case they may refuse to eat the fruit.

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