random break up ideas?

[magycmyste]

I need some random, crazy ideas here.

The setting is an alternate world, a bit remniscent of Victorian America, but with steampunk elements. Magic/energy in this world is evthene, composed of revtha (physical) waves, and kethna (spiritual) waves. There has been a lot of research into manipulating revtha (think kinetic energy, temperature, electricity, etc.), but not much is known about using/controlling kethna.

I need ideas for a guy trying to politely discourage a girl who wants to marry him, without offending her or her father (who has a lot of political influence, and is bad to offend, basically). He has a sister who likes to invent things, and is pretty good at manipulating revtha.

Good and bad ideas are welcome. Actually, bad ideas might be even better than good ones, though I'd appreciate some heads up on the ways the bad ideas could go wrong (For the most part, at this point, this is for conversation pieces, as the guy and his sister brainstorm ways for him to get out of his betrothal, as neither of them can really stand the bride-to-be for long periods of time). I'm thinking that later on, they might try one or two of them.

Help!

Comments

[sweet_sparrow]

Question: if he can't stand his bride-to-be, how did he get engaged to her in the first place? Arranged marriage?

(Not particularly useful, I know.)

[magycmyste]

Yep, sort of. He politely danced with her at a party (to get her to shut up, so he says), and she decided she liked him. Haven't fleshed it out too much since it wasn't part of the main story, but once the girl decided to marry Evelan, and her father agreed (and presumably, agreed with Evelan's parents, the betrothal was set up. Evelan didn't find out until just recently (I think the party thing took place a couple of months before the start of the story) and I haven't decided whether it's a political or economical alliance. Could be both, really, although I'm leaning more towards political, as both the fathers sit on the Visellan council. I think if neither of them wanted to marry the other, or if Evelyn's father decided that Evelan is unsuitable for her (yes, I have noted the name similarity), then Evelan could get out of it.

(and everything's useful if it makes me think more about the plot (~_^))