melodiesoflife | The Knight and the Shinigami

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The Knight and the Shinigami

WHO: Ramza Beoulve, Rukia Kuchiki
WHAT: Now that the ghosts have calmed down, Rukia makes good on her auction date with Ramza at long last. Chivalry meets cliches!
WHEN: November 4th
WHERE: Aqures Ixen

If anyone asked Rukia why she'd bid on Ramza, she would have told them, and they would have been bored. He seemed like someone who possessed honor and kindness, and with those qualities, she thought his bids should be better priced. So she'd done it with the intention of giving his date a higher value, and wound up winning somehow. And that was fine. She wanted to know more about her allies in this city, and he'd more than proved his worth by expressing his patience and understanding when she'd put aside social obligations for the sake of ghostbusting.

After defending the Crystal of Fire together on October 31st, she knew that he was a fine ally indeed. As such, she was very much looking forward to their 'date.' She wore a loose boatneck sweater over a tunic dress with warm leggings, having learned from her time with Raven that it wasn't necessary to do anything more than 'look nice' instead of putting on something to lead to a certain wacky scenario. Ramza seemed like he knew what he was doing, and had even told her he would arrive at her home to pick her up.

So far, so good! What the date would entail, she didn't know. She'd reviewed her illustrated notes one last time, just to be sure she'd know what to do if any of these 'common dating scenarios' arose. Of course, after none of them appeared on her previous date, she was starting to doubt just how common they truly were...

A knock on the door pulled her attention away from her sketchbook, which she left on the coffee table as she hurried to the door and pulled on her boots, grabbing her coat. That was likely Ramza. She opened the door and smiled.

"Greetings, Ramza! I hope you are well?"

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Ramza arrived at Rukia's house at the appointed time, taking care neither to be early or late. Rukia was a fine young lady who had kindly donated to the moogles in exchance for this date, and he was determined to make it worthwhile. His hair was pulled back into a neat tail, save for that single lock that forever plagued him, and his armor had been polished to a shine. He was not truly a knight, but he at least looked the part.

He knocked on the door and gave Rukia a slight bow as she appeared in the doorway.

"I am, and I hope you are the same. Shall we be off?" He held out a hand to guide her.

Oh... Goodness, he bowed? Rukia was surprised, as she hadn't expected that he would prove to be such a gentleman. She couldn't remember the last time anyone treated her with this level of respect, save for the uncomfortable deference usually paid to a Kuchiki noblewoman. Not many people knew she was an aristocrat here, and none of those who did cared one way or the other.

"Er...yes, quite well," she replied, looking at this hand. She was not prepared. But she was kind of delighted?

A smile worked its way over her face as she placed her hand in his. She'd held Raven's arm, figuring that was proper dating protocol, but she hadn't held anyone's hand before. Most interesting!

"Yes," she agreed with a nod, her enthusiasm growing. "I'm curious to see what you had planned. You seem very experienced!"

Ramza missed a step when Rukia spoke of his 'experience'. It was true that, being raised as a son of the Beoulve household, he had been tutored in proper courtship ritual, but he had never had the occasion or inclination to put any of it into practice before.

"Ah, I..." did one admit that one had no idea what one was doing on a date? "...I shall endeavor to repay your kindness at the auction."

He led the way to the nearest city gate. "I had hoped the rain would hold off for the day..." he apologized as they walked.

"Kindness?" Surely he didn't think she was doing this solely out of pity. Rukia would have felt horrible if she'd ironically damaged his self esteem in her attempt to build it up. But if he meant kindness in donating to Mognet, she would allow that.

As for the weather, she knew very well that there was little he could have done to prevent the rain. "Think nothing of it," she shook her head. "A little drizzle won't hurt. It will hopefully wash the marshmallow off of the city as well." She gave his hand a light squeeze to reassure him that she was doing just fine; there was no need to fret over her welfare, nor worry that she had ridiculously high expectations for a quality date.

She did have ridiculous expectations, but that was due to her ill-founded research, since she didn't receive the same tutoring that he had.

"Tell me of yourself," she prompted him. "How long have you been here, and what kind of world did you come from prior to this?"

Ramza didn't elaborate on how Rukia had been kind. Kindness was just a natural part of her, and he did not feel the need to qualify it.

For now, her jacket seemed sufficient to protect her from the light drizzle, but he would give her his cloak the moment the rain increased.

"I came hear a year ago last month. Formerly, I was of Ivalice. It is similar in some ways to Crystallis, with familiar creatures and job classes I recognize, yet others are completely foreign. What of your world?"

He guided Rukia through the city gate, where two saddled chocobos were tethered beneath a little awning.

"Hmmm... It's difficult to say. The living world is more technologically advanced overall, but there are some advances being made in the Soul Society thanks to the science division's research." She realized she was having a hard time remembering who she told about being a shinigami. Given that she had little opportunity to talk personally to Ramza, she supposed that he likely didn't know.

"I'm a soul reaper. The Soul Society is our world's afterlife, if I need to clarify." She wasn't worried that he might react poorly; she had yet to meet a single person in this world who even flinched when she told them just how dead she truly was. Perhaps it was because she'd been made completely mortal upon awakening in Crystallis.

"Adapting must have been quite easy for you, then?" she asked with a smile before she looked forward, and jerked to a stop, eyes wide. Oh, chocobos! She loved chocobos!

Rukia's attention jerked back to Ramza with rising delight. "We're going riding?"

Ramza raised an eyebrow at her admission, but he assumed from what he knew of her, she was nothing sinister. "What sort of duties does a 'soul reaper' have?"

He nodded at the chocobos. "Yes, if you have no objections. Have you ridden before?" If not, he was prepared to instruct her in the basics.

"I'm glad you asked!" she smiled, pleased that he would take an interest in her duties. She lifted her hand extended a finger. "There are two primary responsibilities. The first is to guide normal spirits, or Plus spirits, to the afterlife. The process is not complicated, as most novices are capable of performing a soul burial. The second," she held up another finger, "is to exorcise the souls that have lost their hearts and minds. These souls are called Hollows, and feed indiscriminately on any souls they find, whether living or dead."

She would have folded her arms, were she not holding onto his hand, but her look of pride and confidence was nonetheless difficult to miss. "It is an honor I am proud to bear."

But there were chocobos to fawn over, and her smile widened with warmth. "I have! The time loop afforded me ample opportunity to learn. I've grown to appreciate chocobos immensely. You will find no objections here," she promised, grinning.

...Wait, he was aware of the time loop, wasn't he? Rukia approached the saddle of the shorter bird, and paused before looking at him. "You were aware of the time loop, I hope?"

Ramza turned to look Rukia in the eyes, his expression more intense than anyone without a personal stake in the matter would likely muster.

"Those lost souls...where do they go?" She had not mentioned a Hell, only a more neutral-sounding 'afterlife'. Dare he hope for the soul of his brother?

The mention of the time loop was lost to him for now. He'd been aware of it, but he was currently too intent on Rukia's answer to give it proper attention.

Rukia stopped where she was. She knew that look. Most people lost friends and loved ones at one point in their lives, it was only natural to wonder what happened to them. In this, she could offer only a small comfort, as she wasn't sure how the afterlife worked in his world; she only knew how it worked in hers.

"To the Soul Society," she replied, removing her foot from the stirrup and turning to face him. "It is a place of peace. Souls don't get hungry or tired. And those with spiritual power of some degree can be trained to become soul reapers, like myself."

She wanted to ask, but she hesitated to do so. They barely knew each other. It might be a matter that was too private for him to freely share. But if he needed to talk, she was prepared to listen and offer what solace she could.

Ramza gave Rukia's hand a squeeze before he released it, turning to the chocobos. The nearest bird's tack seemed to encompass all his attention for a silent moment.

"That...that is good," he said at last. "That souls are not punished for having lost their way.... 'Tis not always their fault."

Ramza could feel an anxiety he had carried for a number of years lessen. It was the fear that the girl of the crystal, Shakyamuni, had seen in him and forced him to relive. The concern about his brother Zalbaag's soul. Dark magic had transformed his brother into a vampire, and he had thought him damned to Hell for what had happened.

"...I think my brother would make a fine Soul Reaper. He made mistakes in life, but he always put others before himself and pursued justice and order."

He shook his head. "Such dour talk, when I meant for a simple chocobo ride. Excuse me."

Very few souls went to Hell, from what Rukia had witnessed. Only the absolute worst human beings, who had committed horrendous crimes against other human beings, were condemned to that terrible place. Even amongst Soul Reapers, she'd seen several who were rude, selfish, even violent. But unless his brother had gone on a rampage murdering innocent people and delighting in it wholeheartedly, she doubted he would have been denied.

But just in case, she said nothing on the subject, just in case. Ramza seemed to be in need of peace far more than brutal honesty. It was clear that he loved his brother, and that alone was enough to confirm her first beliefs. There would likely be no affection at all for this brother if he'd been an irredeemable psychopath.

"Perhaps he would," she smiled, and hoisted herself up into the saddle. "And never mind whether the talk is dour or not. My work is grim by nature. It doesn't bother me. Besides," she said, turning her mount around to face him. "I'm honored that you chose to share something so personal with me. It's a sign of trust. You have my thanks."

He gave Rukia a nod. She was kinder than she needed to be, and she had never given him any indication that she was not completely worthy of his trust. He hoped she would come to regard him as highly as he did her.

"Come, let us see what you learned during the loop." He gave his chocobo mount a kick and started off down one of the paths leading away from the city.

"Are you challenging me?" Her smile grew a little wider, a flash of adventure sparking in her indigo eyes. She wheeled her chocobo around once more, and the bird gave a happy trill as she urged it sharply forward.

Despite her confidence, she wasn't all THAT skilled. She'd only been riding for about three months, and that was probably a generous estimate given that she hadn't ridden every day during the time loop. But keeping astride a running chocobo wasn't too hard.

So long as Ramza wasn't aiming to have his bird jump over anything, anyway.

"If you so wish it," Ramza agreed. He let Rukia's bird race ahead, a slight head start for the beginner, before he nudged his bird into the impromptu race.

Fortunately, the path he had guided them to was an easy one, well worn by riders and only slightly worse for wear from all the rain that had fallen of late. Mud and bits of grass flew up as the chocobos' claws scraped against the ground, and the misting rain fell harder against Ramza's face as he picked up speed.

He was going to be a mess when the race was over, undoing the work he had done to make himself presentable for the date. But if Rukia was having fun, that was the important thing.

At least he could take satisfaction in knowing that he wouldn't be the only one who came out of this wet and disheveled. One glance at Rukia's face, determined dark eyes fixed forward with a broad smile brightening her countenance, was enough to confirm that she was having a grand time.

She pressed her knees more tightly into the chocobo's feathered sides, her arm extended to keep the reins safely aloft instead of slapping at her mount's neck. While she was no professional, she'd had plenty of practice during the time loop, and she was a light rider besides. Were she not committed to being a hero, she probably would have made a perfect jockey for the races.

Rukia cast a quick glance at Ramza, who was keeping pace, and grinned. Then she spurred her chocobo to run faster, hunkering closer to the saddle as they sprinted through the stinging rain.

Rukia's weight and slight build gave her an advantage, but Ramza had been riding since he could walk. He closed the distance and brought his mount even with Rukia's so he could point out the path to take where it forked up ahead.

He did not keep his chocobo going at that reckless pace, though. Rukia pulled ahead again, and Ramza let his bird go at a pace he knew he could control in the adverse conditions. ~~not that he was letting Rukia win. Definitely not.~~

Rukia was enjoying the race so much that she nearly failed to grasp the situation. Slowly her eyes began to widen as the realization slowly but surely settled in: this was the romantic chase she'd studied about! The couple running along and laughing brightly, the girl coaxing the boy to catch her, laugh laugh laugh, and lead a merry chase. She didn't understand how the situation was supposed to be romantic, but she did know how to play a role. So be it!

Remaining just ahead, she looked back over her shoulder with a strangely sugary smile, almost saccharine.

"Oh ho ho, catch me!" Yes, excellent! She'd studied this common dating tradition, she knew exactly how to act!

Ok, Rukia's reaction was a little odd. Ramza supposed she must really like chocobos. He was glad he had picked a well-received activity for their date.

He still raised an eyebrow. "I thought you wanted to win the race..." It seemed counterproductive to divert her attention in order to spur him to catch up.

Rukia slowed her chocobo down to a light trot, looking back at Ramza. She was obviously puzzled by his reaction. Had her notes been written incorrectly? Or perhaps his own culture didn't include that particular dating scenario?

"Did I fail to perform adequately?" she asked, one brow rising. "I had understood that it was common to engage in a romantic chase when on a date. But I confess that I'm unsure why this is a tradition."

Ramza slowed his chocobo as well.

"What? What sort of date would it be if a man had to chase a woman down?" That sounded more like kidnapping than a courtship ritual to Ramza's (admittedly inexperienced) ears.

He shook his head. "Rukia, you do not need to play a part here. This 'date' is meant to be for your enjoyment. I'd prefer to know more of you, not act out roles neither of us understand."

He hoped telling her that did not offend her. He was really terrible at this whole 'dating' lark.

"...You're certain?" That surprised her. She brought her chocobo back so they were trotting together side by side, the race momentarily forgotten.

She still remembered what Yuffie had told her, and it left Rukia feeling more than a little conflicted about this. On the one hand, it was considered her duty to be a good date, since that was what Ramza had volunteered for. She didn't want to fail him in that regard. But she also didn't want to give off the wrong impression either, that she expected to be wooed, or that she wanted him to legitimately romance her. She wanted to know more about him too. She wouldn't have bothered to bid if that wasn't the case.

"I've only been on one date," she admitted. "I found that most of the research I'd devoted to the subject didn't really apply in that situation either. Still," she sighed, and glanced at Ramza, "I wouldn't want the experience to be unpleasant for you. It's meant for the enjoyment of us both, not just myself. If there are traditions or customs that must be observed, I would like to keep them."

Maybe she was a little selfish about that. It was just nice to know what it was supposed to be like.

"I am certain indeed."

At her confession, he turned to give her a smile. "I have not been on any dates. But I was tutored in Ivalicean customs. If you wish it, we can abide by those."

He lifted a gloved hand from his reins and counted off a few of the basic courtship customs he knew about. "A man should assist his lady when she is seated and when she stands. It is his duty to provide the meal they partake, as well as any transportation required."

He gestured at the basket loaded on his chocobo, as if to reassure her that he had this well at hand ~~even if the food had been prepared by the Barkeep to make sure it was edible~~.

"The lady is the one who decides if and when the courtship progresses, and signals advancement by bestowing favors upon her gentleman. This is usually after he has wooed her with poems and songs inspired by her beauty and grace, or completed acts of bravery and skill in her name."

"Oh, so this is new to you as well. That makes me feel a little better," she replied, tapping her chin thoughtfully. That meant they could wing this together. He also probably didn't have any large expectations either, so it probably wasn't necessary to keep trying so hard to the point where she became obnoxious.

Rukia listened carefully as he described his customs. The food and transportation were taken care of, he'd done well in that regard. Some of what he described sounded like what the nobility of Soul Society did as well.

But she wasn't going to hold her breath waiting for a ballad in her honor, especially for qualities like beauty and grace. She might be well coordinated, but she was no paragon of womanly charm.

"Have you never wished to court someone before, then?" Rukia couldn't help being curious about that. He seemed like a kind and brave person, she couldn't imagine any girl turning him down. Perhaps he was just too busy with other things

"It was not about my wishes, exactly." He guided his chocobo off of the riding path and gestured for Rukia to follow. There was a grove of tall pine trees offering shelter from the rain that Ramza had thought would suit their purposed for their picnic.

"When I first reached an age to court, I could not do so without offering insult to anyone I asked. I was a bastard son, with two legitimate, unmarried elder brothers. Then I left the household and was a mercenary with nothing to offer a lady and no time to even think of it."

Ramza dismounted and opened his saddle bag for a blanket to spread on the pine needle-littered ground.

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