asgardeventide | Seven; [voice]

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Seven; [voice]

Excuse me.

[The voice is somewhat quiet, apologetic and soft-spoken. That should be the first sign he's changed; that is not a normal tone of voice for this man to take. It had happened once before, though not for very long, and it ended up leaving him in an even worse temper than he had previously. It seems the gods decided to try again ~~and to perhaps not ruin the holiday season for anyone who tries to deal with him on a regular basis~~.]

I apologize for the disturbance, but I wish to request some information. In an...effort to better understand the people of this land.

[An awkward pause, as if something just occured to him.] Of course, you are under no obligation to answer me; please don't feel as if you must.

I have seen people here mention certain festivals and holidays taking place around the winter season. Considering the...recent decorations, they seem to be commonplace no matter the other differences in a person's homeland.

We have similar myths and legends where I come from, though I had not taken part in any sort of celebration. [Silvites are too clinical to celebrate something as frivolous as winter solstice, but that's neither here nor there.]

If you should consent to answer, then please tell me; what do you celebrate in your land? Is there any particular history associated with it?

It could be anything; not...just winter festivals. I merely want a basis for comparison.

[He says that with an air of finality. There's a bodily shift and a far-away sigh as it goes silent, all before it abruptly turns back on and another statement is added in a hurried sort of breathlessness, as if he just remembered to add something important.]

Thank you. For your time, I mean. I know you are not required to listen to me.

[And done.]

((OOC: Tags will be coming from

aetos))

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[There's a shift. All the good humor drains from his face once he hears that; he stiffens at the mention of Lord Galcian's name and his eyes grow wide and round in unflattering disbelief.

He can only sputter uselessly for a moment before actual words come out.]

S...surely you must be mistaken! I would never--

[There's shock in his voice, but, under that and perhaps more telling, there's pure disgust. However, he seems to catch himself somewhat, and shrinks from the feed, looking down apologetically. Even so, this news clearly made him ill at ease.]

I...apologize. I spoke out of turn. [Something he was prone to doing in his youth, Galcian could tell you that much should he deign to answer. Ramirez is not a hardened soldier anymore; he's a young man that has not learned how to temper his passion and fire.]

I...I was stationed in the mines of Ixa'Taka, my lord.

[This is, in fact, a vast oversimplification of what exactly he remembered before arriving here. What he actually remembers was being seconds away from attempting to rip Galcian's face off until receiving such a hardcore verbal beatdown it left him nearly paralyzed.

Sort of makes learning he works under him in the future a bit hard to swallow.]

[Through the feed he's able to see everything upon Ramirez's face, feeling half guilty knowing these facts of the future. Perhaps this the chance the gods are giving him so they can make amends for everything. Yes, this has to be it.]

You have nothing to apologize for, Ramirez. I know this must be hard to hear and understand, because... I've heard about you from Fina briefly. Prior to becoming Admiral Galcian's Vice Captain, she knew you as you are now. Part of me wishes back then, I had been given the chance to speak with you properly. However since a chance has been given to me now, I wish to ask if I may be able to meet with you.

[He pauses briefly, then gives Ramirez a gentle smile.]

I wish to know more about the Ramirez I was never able to meet before your time at Admiral Galcian's side.

[Ramirez's face is pale and drawn at this news; for all intents and purposes, he looks as though he's seen a ghost.]

I...

[It's all a bit too much for him to handle at once. Fina had spoken of him to the Prince of Valua, he apparently pledges his loyalty to that monster of a man he saw in Ixa'Taka in his future, and now Enrique wishes a meeting. He needs a moment to process the information.

But ultimately, Ramirez is nothing if not a people pleaser. Even more so now that he actually has some of his compassion intact.]

...I would not refuse my liege an audience, if that is what he wishes.

[He's able to tell this has been difficult on Ramirez, knowing his future and what is to come. Perhaps with this knowledge, he'll remember what he has learned and be able to change his fate. Or at least that is what Enrique wishes. He does not want Ramirez to suffer a fate that he never asked for and be able to live as he wanted to instead.]

Please tell me your location and I will come to see you.

[Ramirez tries to push his distress aside, but it still shows.

He probably looks like a kicked puppy, with his eyes downcast and his voice soft and low.]

I am...in my room as of now, your Highness. I can meet you elsewhere, if you wish.

[He doesn't exactly know where Ramirez's room is, so he decides on another idea for a place.]

Why don't we meet at the library? I think that would be a place we can both enjoy.

[Small favors.]

Of course, your Highness. Would you have me go now?

Yes, I would like that very much. I shall meet you there, Ramirez.

[He puts his bracelet away and goes off to the library, more than certain Ramirez will find his way to it. He sits near the front of the library to quietly read some books he found while waiting for Ramirez's arrival.]

[The library is one of the few places he's willing to frequent no matter what time period he thinks he comes from. He steps through the doorway, looking around the area momentarily before stepping back in surprise at Enrique's appearance.

His prince, whether Ramirez was a native Valuan or not. A thousand ways to mess this up in person and a limited amount of time to set things right.

He approaches Enrique hesitantly, and when his presence is noticed, promptly falls into a deep bow.]

Your Majesty.

[Enrique stands up from his seat and directly in front of Ramirez, his face showing that same gentle smile as before.]

At ease, Ramirez. We are on equal terms in this place, you do not need to bow in front of me so formally.

[He then gestures for the other to sit down next to him at the table as he goes back to sitting down.]

[He rises on command, but he doesn't see that smile. Ramirez keeps his eyes downcast even has he moves to sit down across from Enrique, and he proves unwilling to meet the other's face.

It's a strangely submissive gesture, like a chastised dog hanging its head.]

My apologies, then, Your Highness.

[He was rather surprised at the stark difference between the Ramirez he knew and this one. Yet he still wants to try becoming friends with this Ramirez as he knows the other is more gentle than before.]

Ramirez, there's no need to apologize and please, look at my face. Do not think it is a sin to gaze at me or against a law. You won't be punished, this I vow.

[He glances upward, somewhat hesitantly, and still with that air of vague guilt. It's not only Enrique's title that puts him on edge. There's also the matter of all that new and unpleasant information he suddenly dumped on him.]

I...yes, I know. Forgive me.

[Old habits are hard to break.]

[He lowers his head almost in shame along with his eyes, even he's able to feel what Ramirez can. There's an air of guilt clouding over him, for not be able to help his admiral when he needed it.]

Ramirez, I know what you're feeling right now. You're afraid and unsettled by what I've told you, aren't you? Yet I wish to help you before it's too late.

[A sad sigh.]

I'm rather ashamed of myself for being so blind to someone in my own court who needed my help.

[He is having trouble processing all of this, but it's more his way to push his own problems aside and help ease the pain of another.

He likes to be needed. Blame his codependent personality. And once he picks up on Enrique's guilt, that's exactly what he does, leaning forward in his seat slightly with his brow furrowed in worry.]

Your Highness.

[The voice in itself is a sharp contrast to his usual tone. There's nothing hard or cold about it; it's a soft and gentle pitch that holds nothing but pure compassion.]

I don't know what has happened, but please, do not blame yourself. [He probably even looks like a different person now, with the hard, angry lines of his face softened and tempered with concern.]

[He needed to be more concerned for Ramirez before himself right now, even if he's able to see the other is being concerned for him.]

Knowing that you were a kind person before you went under Admiral Galcian's ranks, I wish I knew how and why you changed. If I'm able to understand what happened, then I can save you from becoming the man you change into in my future.

[To hear his prince speak of "saving" him...well, it's unsettling to say the least.]

I...see.

I'm truly sorry, Your Highness, but I cannot tell you what happened. This...this is the first I've heard of working directly under Lord Galcian.

You said the last moment you remember from our homeland was when you were stationed at the Ixa'Taka mines, correct?

Whose command were you under at that time? I'm afraid it has been a few years and during that time, my mother wanted me to focus on my studies.

I am stationed under Admiral Mendosa, Your Majesty. [And, far removed from the shock and horror of learning his future loyalties were with Galcian, there is obvious pride and honor over his current position.]

Admiral Mendosa...? [He remembers that name, but it's been at least a few years since he's heard it.] ...I see.

[Should he have noticed Enrique's reaction to his response, Ramirez doesn't show it.

Which makes it almost certain that it flew right over his head.]

I have only met Lord Galcian...recently. Forgive me, Your Highness, but are you certain I was transferred to his division? I would not expect you to take notice of every soldier. [It's said more out of blind hope than anything else.]

[He's quiet for a long time, how can he break this news to him so openly? All of this was definitely difficult to say, but it would be easier to say now than not.]

Ramirez. [Another long pause, but he's able to speak the words.] ...Admiral Mendosa passed away a few years ago in an accident on the Aquila.

Edited 2013-01-06 09:31 (UTC)

[It's like being dunked in cold water.

There's no reaction on his face- not yet, anyway. Instead, his eyebrows just furrow in confusion, as though he didn't quite understand what Enrique was saying.]

...What?

[He watches every expression on Ramirez's face and continues.]

I do not know the full details, but what I do know is Admiral Galcian came back to Valua afterwards and told my mother the accident was caused by pirates attacking the Aquila. [He genuinely looks upset.] I'm sorry I cannot be of more help or do not fully know why that happened, but Admiral Mendosa is still remembered in Valua as a great man.

[There's still no reaction on his face. He just looks at Enrique, his eyes steadily growing wider with shock and disbelief. Ramirez breaks away from his face after a minute to avert his eyes and look down at the polished wood of the table. He wraps his arms around himself as if he'd suddenly gone very cold.

When he finally does speak, his voice is small and barely above a croak.]

I...

I need... [He's not quite sure what he needs right now. But his breath hitches in his throat and his whole body begins to shiver, violently and uncontrollably.

Really, Enrique couldn't have expected this onslaught of bad news to go well. Especially when he's speaking to as intense a person as Ramirez.]

Seven; [voice]

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