001: [ video ]

[armorumvigiles]

[The video feed turns on, and at first, all you might be able to see is black. An erroneous feed? No, it's Captain Basch fon Ronsenburg trying to puzzle out how to use the Guide-- he's handled technology before, but only very simple things like microphones and voice enhancers, nothing of this sort.

He turns the Guide over in his hand, freeing

Comments

[whosyour_rikku]

What Majesty would that be?

[armorumvigiles]

[It's a good thing that Basch is from his canon point, otherwise it woujld have been really stupid of him to go around using Ashe's name so lightly.]

The Lady Ashelia of Dalmasca. Do you know the name?

1/2

[whosyour_rikku]

Can't say that I do... [For some reason she feels an inexplicable guilt not knowing.] I'm sorry.

[whosyour_rikku]

But I'll keep a special eye out just for her! I'll, uh, even track her name, ok? And let you know the second it shows up!

[armorumvigiles]

[He doesn't let his concern show, his stoic features remaining ever-calm... but he folds one arm across his chest and bows his head at Rikku upon her suggestion.]

You are not at fault in the least. I thank you for your vigilance, and would have you know that I appreciate it.

[whosyour_rikku]

[Another well-spoken old man for her to totally fawn at. At home she had Auron and on Thor she's got Holmes and Basch. Oh, the fates were looking favorably upon her.]

[Nods her head and smiles gently Lucky for you you're catching her on a quiet day.]

I know it's not my fault or anything but, I dunno, I guess I just know, uh-

[Her body language takes a sudden, noticeable turn, stopping itself short in every manner and coming across as mildly embarrassed for even having started on that train of thought. She was about to let you in on just a hair too much of herself and she knew it. After all, she did only meet you moments ago. Literally, like, three moments. Possibly five, but no more than that.]

Never mind, it's silly.

[armorumvigiles]

[At the very least, Basch is much more of a gentleman and much nicer than Holmes is.

Something about Rikku reminds Basch just a little of Vaan, or Penelo, maybe-- he has a soft spot for the young and hopeful, it seems.]

If you've no desire to speak of it, it is not my place to pry.

[He can tell that she was going to say something a little personal, but really, he believes in that trusty creed, 'at your own time': we all have our secrets, and he knows that he has no right to ask. Since, uh. They literally just met, and all.]

But regardless, I'm certain it was not 'silly'.

[whosyour_rikku]

[That is an unarguable fact. Except Rikku is far more interesting than Vaan- I mean- ahem...]

[Sits up with a bit more composure, convincing herself there's no need to hold on to any of residue embarrassment she may have felt. Her voice has a genuine happiness to it and her answer is almost half laughed, which may be surprising considering the undertones of her last response.]

No, no, trust me, it was silly. Just one of those things you don't really know where you were going with. Totally ok!

[ooc: What? I hit Post Comment accidentally while in mid-type? Impossible.]

[armorumvigiles]

[It's regrettable to say that most everyone was more interesting than Vaan...sob...

He's used to kids being tougher than they look, and he's sure Rikku is no exception-- he has faith in the spirit of the young, and her response makes him smile just a bit in return, though it's only noticeable if she's looking hard enough.]

If you say. It happens to all of us.

((OOC: It's fine, I saw nothing B] ))

[whosyour_rikku]

[Oh, she notices. Rikku's one to revel in every little victory, however small. In fact, she even takes fun reveling in the victories no one knew they were playing against. This time, however, Rikku wasn't going to say anything; she'd choose to enjoy the spotting of his smile in silence.]

[You, Basch fon Ronsenburg, seem very nice and quite dignified. And you may have years against the girl, but your blonde hair reminds Rikku of Home. No, not of Cid, because he was bald and loud, or even of Brother and his mohawk, but you seem like someone with potential for Rikku to get along with.]

Yeah, you too?

[armorumvigiles]

[He should hope that he doesn't remind Rikku of Cid, even though Cid is quite badass and the mun approves of him very much.

Basch barely realizes when he smiles, his subtle expression changes as natural as he way he holds himself, but he knows when something puts him at ease. Though he's still contemplative regarding his current position in the spaceship, it does do his heart glad to see optimistic and bubbly people like Rikku.]

I am guilty of it, on a few occasions. Words have never been my strong suit.

[whosyour_rikku]

Really, really? But you seem so good with them!

[This honestly surprises Rikku; sure, she knew it was only natural for people to put their foot in their mouth every once in a while, and okay Rikku's received a pink slip for that way more than the average person, but you didn't come across as the type. Her initial reaction begins to meld into more of a curiosity. Hm, you're definitely a person she needs to keep track of.]

[Oh, Cid is great, don't get me wrong. But awkward father he is, too. I would love to see a comic of him attempting to give his children "the talk".]

[armorumvigiles]

A soldier is more accustomed to fighting. I am no diplomat.

[Because really, he's a Knight through and through-- many a cutscene has passed with people talking politics while Basch just stood there, okay. He is more of a support-type, talking when he needs to and when it's required of him.

...Though that's not to say he hasn't slipped up a few times in the past.

THE MENTAL IMAGE OF CID GIVING HIS KIDS "THE TALK" IS HORRIFYING AND BEAUTIFUL.]

[whosyour_rikku]

Yeah, I get what you're saying. Especially since the lot o' the soldiers they pick up are draftees, you know? Old, young, practically tots--not like that's really the point--but what I guess I'm getting at is that they're trained to fight not to be eloquently spoken. They're expecting something bad to happen to the majority of 'em, you know. And that's why they don't even bother 'cause if they die in combat what good'll having a strong vocab do? But I'm betting you knew that.

[See that nice use of a five-star power word? All in an attempt to step up her game a little bit. And you may or may not have noticed, but Rikku's given up on filtering. She didn't need to get that in depth, she knew her body language could tell you all you needed to know on the matter, but she didn't care.]

It's sick. I hate war, you know.

[armorumvigiles]

[There's a short pause after Rikku finishes, as if Basch doesn't quite know what to say-- ironic, really, considering that he just said that he wasn't one for words. And when he speaks, the first thing he says is:]

I am sorry.

[Because he knows what war is like, what it feels like to lose things. And then he appends:]

Your words ring true. But there are also those that fight willingly for their country, to protect those that could and should not know the horrors of battle. For them, I raise my own sword.

[He looks a little solemn, and he closes his eyes for a moment.]

I would fight knowing that I could defend my country, but war is never a choice that I would make.

I am sorry.

[whosyour_rikku]

It's not that I don't respect what they're doing--um, what you're doing--because trust me, I do. To put yourself on the front line knowing that odds are you won't make it out... It's brave, I know.

[She looks off in another direction because even though her words are allowably vulnerable, she doesn't want anything to be projected on her face. That was too easy. This way, she felt at least some control.]

It's just, you're going out there with a purpose and yours is to defend your country? But your country is putting you out there to kill other people! People with families, friends, people who thought they had potential to be more. Why would a country who loves its people ever do that?

I just, I can't see the point. I don't want to see the point.

Please don't think I'm being snubby against you or anything. I'm not. Because what you do is strong and brave and it makes you feel honorable. I get why you're doing it, but I... I don't know... I can't.