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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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.

"...I see." Better than she expected, actually. He was a bastard, and she was adopted. She could understand the difficulty involved in straddling two different social circles, while fitting into neither one. She wondered if he'd been lonely as well.

They'd even followed similar paths, picking up a sword instead of sinking into the lap of luxury. She hadn't thought they would be similar in that regard as well. Perhaps she was overthinking it.

She stepped forward to take two corners of the blanket to help spread it out neatly.

"What about here? Did you bid on anyone at the auction?" If he had, she hadn't been paying much attention, as she hadn't known him well enough that he might have stood out.

"There is not anyone I seek to court, as of now," he told Rukia. Were they supposed to speak of such things while on a date? She had brought it up...

"I only bid on Kidd, but that was not motivated by romance. I was only trying to prevent a potentially awkward situation." He did not want to say too much, in order to protect Kidd's privacy.

Ramza produced Barkeep's picnic basket and set it on the blanket so they could begin unpacking the treats within.

"Oh? That's rather commendable," she chuckled, settling down on the blanket and flicking some of her wet hair aside before she helped to set out their lunch.

It was true that she was curious, but not for the reasons he might expect. Rather, she wanted to be sure she hadn't stepped on anyone's toes just in case there was a romance he was actually hoping to spark with another girl. A date out of obligation might be a good way to break the ice and lead to future dates, she knew this.

So it was a relief to know that she hadn't frustrated any of his silent plans. (And if someone had their eye on him, then they should have bid higher to demonstrate his true worth, in her opinion.)

"Well, if word gets out that you're a proper gentleman and a considerate date, the auction coffers will be overflowing next time around," she grinned confidently. "Of course, I wouldn't mind helping to give you a boost." She'd done as much for Raven, and now that Ramza was becoming a friend, she'd be pleased to do the same for him.

Ramza shrugged. "Apparently, my concern was unmerited." Whatever was going on between Saori and Kidd seemed not to be hindered by Kidd's true identity. He was glad now that he had not interfered.

"Do you think there will be another such auction? I thought the novelty of the situation was part of the draw." He was not sure he would want to put himself on the block again. The first time had been nerve-wracking enough ~~never mind how angry Graham had gotten when he secretly signed the mechanic up~~.

He waved off the praise. "I am sure the damsels of Crystallis need not look far to find someone worthy. The city is filled to the brim with Heroes."

When all the food was removed from his bag, Ramza produced two glasses and a wine skin to pour into them. He offered the first glass to his date.

"Oh, without a doubt there will be another," Rukia replied, folding her arms with a confident smile. "It drew in a lot of money, and given that so many of us are romantically awkward about these things, I'm certain we'll see one or two more in the coming year."

If she wanted to be practical about it, just a fundraiser get-together or potluck wouldn't have been nearly as successful. The Moogles didn't seem to resonate much on anyone's radar, more was the pity. She'd heard rumors of strikes, not just here, but globally as well.

Perhaps she might have to do something about that, she thought. She made plenty of money as a military officer, and donated a large chunk of funds toward research projects. Why not help fund Mognet as well? It was a crucial service they all relied on, fast and efficient.

All the while she turned these thoughts in her head, she'd stared at the blanket in deep contemplation, quietly nodding to herself. Yes, this was what she would do.

"To the brim? Hmmmm... And yet, very few are alike." She accepted her glass with thanks, glad he hadn't filled it too full. It didn't take much alcohol to give someone of Rukia's stature a buzz. But one glass, taken slowly with a meal, was probably just fine. "How long have you been here, Ramza? You seem comfortable, as if you were always a part of this world."

He sighed at the thought of a second auction. At least it was better than the disastrous dates someone had tried to coordinate last February. The auction drew money for a good cause.

He took a sip of his wine before he answered. "Over a year now. I arrived at the beginning of October last year. It is...very different from Ivalice, but there are enough similarities that I was able to adapt, I suppose." Gil, chocobos, summons, endless fighting and world-threatening danger.

"And you? You do not seem lost, as others might."

Rukia nodded. He did seem comfortable in this place, someone she could have easily mistaken for a native if she wasn't otherwise aware that this was not his homeworld. She sipped her glass as well before reaching for one of the sandwiches.

"Lost? I wonder..." She blinked, surprised at his assessment. He had a point, really. There was much she didn't know, and at times it was frustrating, but she'd never really felt much alarm or resentment concerning her transfer.

"Perhaps. My reason for being here is clear enough. 'Save this world, and save my own in the process.' It's a necessary obligation, so my goals are clear enough, I suppose." She bit off a corner of her sandwich and chewed thoughtfully. ...The filling was actually surprisingly good. "I can make my way easily enough. I have no wish to be a burden to these people. They are the ones who need us, after all."

Ramza nodded and moved to take a sandwich for himself. Barkeep's snacks were not to be wasted.

"Having a purpose helps, certainly," he agreed. "But...didn't you leave anyone behind, coming here?" Surely she had. No one lived entirely alone. And all the logic in the world about saving this world to protect them did not make that lonely, homesick ache go away. He wondered how Rukia put that aside and assessed the situation with such pragmatism.

He put the sandwich down, untouched. The sudden melancholy of his thoughts made his appetite wane.

"I'm not a complete hermit, if that's what you're asking," she smirked, enjoying her sandwich thoroughly. She knew he wasn't, but still, it was strange. She watched his face carefully for a moment as she considered his question. "I was away from Soul Society for several months. It's common for a shinigami to be dispatched to a certain area for a long period of time, after all."

Rukia sipped from her glass, then put it away. She was starting to feel her fingertips warm, which was usually her best indication to stop consuming any more alcohol. Ramza was an expressive young man, and it was obvious that he remained troubled over something.

"So you are homesick," she surmised. He'd been here a long time, so it was understandable. "Who is it you miss?"

"I did not mean to imply..." He did not think she was a hermit. But her answer suggested she did not have a special person waiting for her return. But that did not mean he thought she was some sort of lonely spinster.

He took a long sip of wine before he started again. "You are accustomed to being away. Of course."

Ramza was as well, but there was a difference from being a few days' journey from his homestead and being a world away, unable to reach his loved ones if they needed him.

"There are many friends I miss...but my sister most of all. We lost the rest of our family. I am supposed to be looking after her."

"Relax. I'm not that easy to offend," she reassured him. He was simply too good-hearted, it seemed. He was not the sort of person Rukia was able to tease, she could see that much. It wasn't a bad thing; several of her closest friends had a similar demeanor. She'd just have to keep herself in check.

So he had a sister. And he was worried about her. Rukia tilted her head as she listened. After his response, she brushed at her skirt to smooth it over her bent legs. "While there isn't much I can do to ease your homesickness, I have discovered that those in our world generally do not detect any absent members who come to this world. A young man named Ichigo, one I know very well, arrived here from a point of time earlier than the last event for which I was present. Had he gone missing permanently, it would have been immediately detected." She finished off the sandwich in her hand before brushing the crumbs from her fingers. "It raises some new theories, but I believe it's safe to say that no one will suffer because we were not there. One way or another, our fates are not disrupted. Your sister is safe."

Rukia's reassurance did little to quell Ramza's anxiety about the issue. Yes, no harm would come to Alma, but...

"Some Heroes have 'returned' to their worlds during Crystal Stasis...yet their bodies remained here. It has led me to believe that we do not travel between worlds as our whole selves, but just our memories. And if your Ichigo knew you after you came here, surely he would have noticed the changes in you from your time here, even if no time passed during your absence. But he did not. It is the same for others. No indications of having been here, no changes in demeanor. I think we are but copies of who we were, and so we will never return, because our true selves never left..."

It was Ramza's theory, and the other Heroes he had shared it with did not fully agree with it. But it made sense to him, given the evidence that had presented itself to him.

"There is no true way to know, not until the end of our time here. It has no bearing on what we do or what ends we must achieve. I know I would do best to put it from my mind."

He turned back to the sandwich he had discarded earlier. A poor date he was turning out to be. He needed to turn to happier topics again, instead of constantly weighing down their evening in his sorrows.

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