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

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[whosyour_rikku]

What Majesty would that be?

[armorumvigiles]

Nay. I would ne'er begrudge your right to speak against war.

[He bows his head and looks down, almost respectfully averting his gaze from her. If she doesn't want him to see her vulnerabilities, so be it-- it isn't his place to look, only listen.]

War swallows those that have no need for it. It fells countries that live in peace, far removed from the original squabbles that claim them. Empires absorb territory and fight to gain power-- to what end, very few know.

[He shakes his head.]

I have slain men with families, men with futures. 'Tis no honorable task to take the lives of one's enemies, but there is honor in defending a country that does not desire invasion. I would bear the taint and live in villainy willingly, should I be able to bring peace to my countrymates.

[A pause, and then, again:]

I am sorry. I make no excuses for myself, and I don't desire to change your mind. It is as it is.

[whosyour_rikku]

Don't apologize. [She smiles back at the screen, following up with a lighter tone and a slight sparkle in her eyes. Rikku doesn't want this to be taken the wrong way; her friendly intent is more than idnetifiable. No challenge here.] Besides, I don't think you'd be able to change my mind even if you were looking to.

And I'm not trying to change yours either--everyone's been on different ends of the road, y'know? Those of us who've seen it have seen it in a different light.

[A lesson that was probably one of the most difficult for Rikku to come to terms with. Her morals wanted to punch her a little bit every time she even considered the viewpoints of war beyond "murder is wrong, what would your people think?". But still, it was something she felt needed to be accepted.]

[armorumvigiles]

[Basch didn't take it the wrong way, from the start-- he knows when he's being accused, and he saw none of that in Rikku. He just has a propensity towards apologizing for something that he knows that he participated in, even if his world's affairs have nothing to do with the affairs of others. War is universal to him, and thusly, he apologizes on the behalf of others.]

War will be war. I only hope that someone as young as you won't suffer needlessly, as you might have in the past.

I am sorry.

[It's the millionth word of consolation, but he's sincere, every time he says it.]

[whosyour_rikku]

You could say that to someone of any age; it's like, when you're young you don't want to be throwing away your best years and then when you're old you don't want to be wasting what time you've got left. There's really no prime age for suffering.

[Though it really sounds like something that should be said with more ache, this is Rikku and she has a way of saying almost anything and having it come across with a airy sweetness. Something surely recognized by this point.]

[armorumvigiles]

[Basch has recognized it, and once again, he's reminded of the orphans in Dalmasca, of Vaan explaining how they've lived after the war.

So young and yet so strong, is what Basch thinks, his eyes closing for a fleeting moment before he settles them back on the girl.]

You speak wisely, and the truth. Your name?

[whosyour_rikku]

I'll give you truth, but wise? I don't think my name's ever shared a sentence with that one before.

[Hey, maybe Rikku was making progress! Maybe this is why she was sent to Thor! She'd said before that this was her story but she didn't actually think...]

[Was she really growing up?]

[That didn't mean she was going to become some stuffy, fuddy-duddy, did it?]

[And instantaneously with the time it took for her train of thought to stray, her features fell and she looked almost disturbed--Oh no--it was a compliment, she knew, but she wasn't ready to grow up into some old woman who sat at restaurants with black coffee and scared kids with the reality of being drunk and drone on about oh how the times have changed.]

[She says in an almost automated way:] I'm Rikku.

[armorumvigiles]

[Maybe Basch should be thankful that he didn't get to hear any of Rikku's inner musings, because that would have made him feel old, for sure (not that 36 is that old, but okay). He blinks, wondering why Rikku suddenly doesn't look too happy with herself...

It's not like he was trying to flatter her, but he didn't expect that reaction.]

Rikku.

[A nod, and Basch cants his head slightly to the side, as if evaluation her expression.]

...My apologies. I may have come on too strong.

[whosyour_rikku]

[Blink]

[Shakes her head, pulling herself out of the loose canon that is her thought process.] No, no, it wasn't you. I'm actually surprised you stuck with me there and didn't just, like, turn off your Guide or something.

[armorumvigiles]

[What are your icons they're so cute

A beat, and then he shakes his head:]

I know something of patience.

[He's almost inclined to smile.]

[whosyour_rikku]

[Oh, please do smile! It'll make her feel like less of a total space cadet.]

[Yeah, definitely planning on distracting herself from that brief zoning out period she just had...]

You should spread your knowings to more people on this ship. Some of 'em could learn a thing or two.

[Be slain by the cuteness. Her account is about as chalk-full of 'em as Twitter is of celebrity sex scandal pics.]

[armorumvigiles]

[And, well, Basch finally does smile, letting himself break stoic character o give her a fond little look-- vaguely paternal.]

I'm afraid that my method of learning patience was fairly unorthodox. I would not wish it on anyone.

[Meaning, no one should have to put up with some of the stuff he did. But he's adult enough to smile about it.]

[whosyour_rikku]

Teach 'em in a friendly way, then. The way you wish you'd been taught.

[Said with that innocent, dough-eyed look Rikku is famous for; as if it was the only logical answer.]

[armorumvigiles]

If it is required of me, I would willingly do so.

[A little chuckle, barely audible. Awww Rikku, you are so endearing.]