meme; recognition

[see_the_stars]

  

THE RECOGNITION MEME

inspired by the comic Elfquest

Recognition is an overwhelming, undeniable mating urge that occurs when two compatible elves meet eyes. If Recognition is denied, the elves in question will sicken and die. This encourages unwilling partners to hurry and breed and be over with it, even if they don't wish to be mated for life. Those that take a lifemate without Recognition hope they will eventually Recognize their chosen mate and often that can come to pass. When undergoing Recognition, two elves learn each other's essence, thoroughly, and if they have one, learn the soul name as well, and feel a truly all-consuming urge to mate. Recognized elves have an emphatic bond thrust upon them, each knowing the other completely, even sensing the emotions of the other, and the loss of a Recognized lifemate can often cause suicidal frenzies and near-catatonia. [ from the wiki

tl;dr, you now live in an AU where fated mates are a thing alongside psychic bonds, emotion-swapping, memory sharing, and all the angst. Have fun with that.