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Appointments & Messages
| APPOINTMENTS & MESSAGES |
Please label with the date and type of interaction. EX: [Voice - March 5th] / [Action - March 12th] / [Video - April 7th] |
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[Despite his reluctance, Ramirez had always been a punctual type. Fifteen minutes early, even.
Souji had said any time after sunset, so right when the sun starts setting, Ramirez finds himself facing the door to House 50. What happened between that time? He's not sure. It's all lost in a daze of trying to convince himself this isn't going to be a terrible experience. Not merely because he was going to have to be in the same room with a man he had been utterly convinced he was in love with for a week- dinner parties just simply weren't his thing. The vast multitude of offended nobles back home proved more than enough evidence in that respect.
He doesn't really remember walking here- Ramirez had made the trip almost mechanically. Mechanically, he raises his hand to knock-
what are you DOING
-And in one fell swoop, whatever bravado had managed to carry him this far shrivels up and dies in an instant. Instead of knocking, his fist just sort of...presses lamely against the door's surface before sliding off and falling limply back to his side. His stomach lurches and he steps hurriedly back from the door. What was he doing? Speaking to him through a window had been bad enough, and now he had somehow been roped into going into his house. This is the worst case scenario and he was going along with it.
Was he insane? Quite possibly.
...But he did promise, therein lying the dilemma. Maybe he'll just...wait outside for a moment. He is early, after all.
Therefore, whenever Souji chooses to go outside (or...look out his window, really), he will see a figure in front of his home, back turned to the door and hands folded behind him, silently observing the sky as the sun continues to set. He doesn't want to bother you too early in the night, after all. :|b]
Souji had said any time after sunset, so right when the sun starts setting, Ramirez finds himself facing the door to House 50. What happened between that time? He's not sure. It's all lost in a daze of trying to convince himself this isn't going to be a terrible experience. Not merely because he was going to have to be in the same room with a man he had been utterly convinced he was in love with for a week- dinner parties just simply weren't his thing. The vast multitude of offended nobles back home proved more than enough evidence in that respect.
He doesn't really remember walking here- Ramirez had made the trip almost mechanically. Mechanically, he raises his hand to knock-
what are you DOING
-And in one fell swoop, whatever bravado had managed to carry him this far shrivels up and dies in an instant. Instead of knocking, his fist just sort of...presses lamely against the door's surface before sliding off and falling limply back to his side. His stomach lurches and he steps hurriedly back from the door. What was he doing? Speaking to him through a window had been bad enough, and now he had somehow been roped into going into his house. This is the worst case scenario and he was going along with it.
Was he insane? Quite possibly.
...But he did promise, therein lying the dilemma. Maybe he'll just...wait outside for a moment. He is early, after all.
Therefore, whenever Souji chooses to go outside (or...look out his window, really), he will see a figure in front of his home, back turned to the door and hands folded behind him, silently observing the sky as the sun continues to set. He doesn't want to bother you too early in the night, after all. :|b]
[After talking to the household to let people know someone would be coming over, Okita had gone back to his room for a bit. He'd been growing tired more easily lately. The warming weather made things a little better for him, but the recent rain hasn't helped any.
So he's rummaging around in his room when he hears Saizou grunting and headbutting the window.
A quick peek outside reveals why the piglet is so agitated and Souji opens the glass (after setting Saizou down on the ground of course.)]
Why didn't you knock?
So he's rummaging around in his room when he hears Saizou grunting and headbutting the window.
A quick peek outside reveals why the piglet is so agitated and Souji opens the glass (after setting Saizou down on the ground of course.)]
Why didn't you knock?
[How delightfully reminiscent of their own conversation a few hours earlier. But Ramirez just keeps his eyes firmly fixated on the scenery ahead of him. Because it was Souji and hearing his voice just made his heart sink. He's been caught. There's no way he's getting out of this now.]
I was early.
I was early.
I can see that. Give me a moment. [He laughs as he talks and then shuts the window. As he moves through the house, he stops by to tell Ayumu that their guest is here and then goes to the door, opening it.]
I'm glad you came.
I'm glad you came.
[IT'S NOT FUNNY, SOUJI. 8( He turns slowly back toward the door once Souji opens it, wearing a look on his face that seems to suggest he's going into a slaughterhouse rather than stopping by for dinner.]
Thank you for inviting me.
[...That probably sounds less genuine than it does Ramirez simply desperately grasping for the proper code of conduct in these sorts of situations.]
Thank you for inviting me.
[...That probably sounds less genuine than it does Ramirez simply desperately grasping for the proper code of conduct in these sorts of situations.]
[IT IS TOTES FUNNY. So is the expression he has on his face. Souji looks at him with a curious expression for a moment, and then has to turn his head away, covering his mouth as he tries not to laugh.]
I promise it won't be half as bad as you think it will be, Ramirez-san.
I promise it won't be half as bad as you think it will be, Ramirez-san.
[YOU LIE, SOUJI. He has to spend several hours in the same room as you. How can this possibly end well.
...Truly, Ramirez meant it when he said that he didn't hate Souji. But Moons, he was just so hard to be around.
Especially now.]
Of course. I'm sure it will be fine.
[No, he's not. 8( He hates doing things like this. You'll have to forgive him, the most he knows about having dinner with other people are upper class dinner banquets. And those suck. A lot.]
...Truly, Ramirez meant it when he said that he didn't hate Souji. But Moons, he was just so hard to be around.
Especially now.]
Of course. I'm sure it will be fine.
[No, he's not. 8( He hates doing things like this. You'll have to forgive him, the most he knows about having dinner with other people are upper class dinner banquets. And those suck. A lot.]
[Because it isn't a date, loserface. B( MAN UP.
Souji smiles and opens the door wider, motioning Ramirez inside.]
Oh, don't be so formal. It's just dinner.
Souji smiles and opens the door wider, motioning Ramirez inside.]
Oh, don't be so formal. It's just dinner.
[You're a loserface. B( IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A DATE AND YOU KNOW IT.
...Ha. Haha. He's heard that one before.]
Yes. I know.
[...Oh, he's going to have to go inside, isn't he. He likes it out here. 8(
But to his merit, Ramirez does follow the silent order obediently, keeping his hands folded around his back and...probably nearly catching his jacket on the doorframe because he's trying so hard to keep some distance between the two of them.]
...Ha. Haha. He's heard that one before.]
Yes. I know.
[...Oh, he's going to have to go inside, isn't he. He likes it out here. 8(
But to his merit, Ramirez does follow the silent order obediently, keeping his hands folded around his back and...probably nearly catching his jacket on the doorframe because he's trying so hard to keep some distance between the two of them.]
[Okita looks at him curiously as he edges his way inside, then closes the door, trotting off to go find Ayumu and let her know their guest has arrived.]
Make yourself at home in the living room. I'll see about getting us some tea.
Make yourself at home in the living room. I'll see about getting us some tea.
[sob. Ramirez will just nod and wait for you there, shall he?
He'll just be standing in the living room whenever Okita returns, possibly examining whatever knick-knacks they possibly have. Particularly if there are books there. :|b]
He'll just be standing in the living room whenever Okita returns, possibly examining whatever knick-knacks they possibly have. Particularly if there are books there. :|b]
[There might be some small knick-knacks and books, but probably not many. Japanese spartan lifestyles are like that.
He comes back a few minutes later with a tray of tea and some sweets on it.]
Dinner is going to take a bit-- [He sees Ramirez examining the room and he smiles, setting the Japanese teacups on the table.] Do you see anything you like?
He comes back a few minutes later with a tray of tea and some sweets on it.]
Dinner is going to take a bit-- [He sees Ramirez examining the room and he smiles, setting the Japanese teacups on the table.] Do you see anything you like?
[The spartan room doesn't bother him, but looking at whatever the residents of House 50 kept in their home provides an excellent distraction and keeps him from actually having to make eye contact. And that's awesome.
Speaking of which, he doesn't even look up at Souji's question.]
Where are you from?
Speaking of which, he doesn't even look up at Souji's question.]
Where are you from?
[How unexpected to have a question from Ramirez instead. Souji pauses as he sets the second cup down and then smiles.]
Japan. Originally my friends and I were from Edo, but we moved to Kyoto, the capital, in order to serve the Emperor and the Shogun.
Where are you from?
Japan. Originally my friends and I were from Edo, but we moved to Kyoto, the capital, in order to serve the Emperor and the Shogun.
Where are you from?
[Souji and Minato's culture always struck him as familiar, though he never experienced Yafutoma firsthand. The fact that the two of them come from the same place only cements it. Japan. Edo. Kyoto. Ramirez only knew bits and pieces of the geography from Earth from his own studies since coming to Luceti, but he knew, at least, that Japan was regarded as being in the east.
Not only that, but the dialect was so very similar. How strange.
...He pauses at that question. He had a feeling it was coming, but answer is still complicated. This was a familiar interrogation, and it wasn't one he ever particularly enjoyed. He...doesn't really want to get into all that, but at the same time, he has no reason to keep silent and look suspicious. Souji doesn't know a thing about his world, and whatever knowledge he may get is likely going to come from Ramirez himself.]
Arcadia.
[...But since that's an extremely unsatisfying answer-]
Your islands were divided by water, yes?
Not only that, but the dialect was so very similar. How strange.
...He pauses at that question. He had a feeling it was coming, but answer is still complicated. This was a familiar interrogation, and it wasn't one he ever particularly enjoyed. He...doesn't really want to get into all that, but at the same time, he has no reason to keep silent and look suspicious. Souji doesn't know a thing about his world, and whatever knowledge he may get is likely going to come from Ramirez himself.]
Arcadia.
[...But since that's an extremely unsatisfying answer-]
Your islands were divided by water, yes?
[The pause is odd, but Souji is growing used to them. He nods when Ramirez finally gives him an answer, motioning toward the low table and the floor cushions around them. He's never heard of Arcadia, but he isn't surprised by that as much anymore. So many people here come from places he's never heard of and that is what makes them so interesting.]
Yes, there are four large islands and many more smaller ones. It seems you know much about my home. Are you willing to tell me about yours?
Yes, there are four large islands and many more smaller ones. It seems you know much about my home. Are you willing to tell me about yours?
[Oh, he likes standing, thank you. :C]
...I've looked at a lot of maps. "Earth" has the most in abundance here.
[...Oh. Oh, god. Are you asking him to exposit?
We're going to be here all night. But explaining Arcadia from scratch is slightly difficult, so Souji just gets a barebones outline for now.]
A gas-based planet, orbited by six moons. Whereas your lands are separated by water, the continents on Arcadia are divided by sky.
...It's why I asked. Arcadia seems an exception, in that respect.
...I've looked at a lot of maps. "Earth" has the most in abundance here.
[...Oh. Oh, god. Are you asking him to exposit?
We're going to be here all night. But explaining Arcadia from scratch is slightly difficult, so Souji just gets a barebones outline for now.]
A gas-based planet, orbited by six moons. Whereas your lands are separated by water, the continents on Arcadia are divided by sky.
...It's why I asked. Arcadia seems an exception, in that respect.
[Jeez, fine. Souji is going to sit then and take a teacup. Which is good because it provides distraction from the fact that he really doesn't understand what Ramirez is saying - until he gets to the sky bits.]
....Oh! You sound like you come from the floating world. It's a legend in my country.
....Oh! You sound like you come from the floating world. It's a legend in my country.
[8( HE'LL SIT LATER. Maybe. When he's more comfortable and less inclined to bolt. But Souji's answer catches his attention and his eyes dart back to him.
Perhaps Earth was simply a parallel to Arcadia, completely different and yet with too many similarities to be called a coincidence.]
Do you care to elaborate?
[And, to his merit, he does sound genuinely interested, rather than just looking for some reason to deflect a question.]
Perhaps Earth was simply a parallel to Arcadia, completely different and yet with too many similarities to be called a coincidence.]
Do you care to elaborate?
[And, to his merit, he does sound genuinely interested, rather than just looking for some reason to deflect a question.]
[Oh, sweet. Souji smiles and motions to the seat across from him.]
If you care to have a seat.
If you care to have a seat.
[>:C
Oh, fine, have it your way. Ramirez will comply with the request, although he doesn't sit so much as he kneels down on one knee. It's a good position in case he feels the need to spring up quickly. :|a COMPROMISE or something.
STILL. Sitting. Sort of. He links his hands together and glances over at Souji, before Ramirez remembers he doesn't really like looking him in the face right now and promptly lowers his gaze down to the table.]
Better?
Oh, fine, have it your way. Ramirez will comply with the request, although he doesn't sit so much as he kneels down on one knee. It's a good position in case he feels the need to spring up quickly. :|a COMPROMISE or something.
STILL. Sitting. Sort of. He links his hands together and glances over at Souji, before Ramirez remembers he doesn't really like looking him in the face right now and promptly lowers his gaze down to the table.]
Better?
[SUCCESS.
Souji just smiles when he sees Ramirez's somewhat awkward sitting and staring at the table.]
Thank you.
The floating world exists in stories and most recently we've borrowed it to describe... [Well, urban life full of debauchery] ...life as we live it. Originally, however, there were tales of people living in islands in the sky. The stories are old, however, and most people have turned away from them in favor for the more modern interpretation.
Souji just smiles when he sees Ramirez's somewhat awkward sitting and staring at the table.]
Thank you.
The floating world exists in stories and most recently we've borrowed it to describe... [Well, urban life full of debauchery] ...life as we live it. Originally, however, there were tales of people living in islands in the sky. The stories are old, however, and most people have turned away from them in favor for the more modern interpretation.
[Souji is a jerk. 8( BUT HIS ATTENTION IS CAPTURED. This is actually a safe, comfortable topic and his guard is getting sufficiently lowered.]
And what sort of interpretation is that?
And what sort of interpretation is that?
[DOUBLE SUCCESS.]
People today have reused the term ukiyo to mean the life of careless abandon that many people today have. Well, awhile back. I suppose it's less careless now with the war going on.
[He sips his tea.]
They float above the real world in a...certain sense of the word.
People today have reused the term ukiyo to mean the life of careless abandon that many people today have. Well, awhile back. I suppose it's less careless now with the war going on.
[He sips his tea.]
They float above the real world in a...certain sense of the word.
"Careless abandon."
[He repeats the words, frowning slightly at his linked hands.
The island-dwellers were shallow and petty, would destroy the world in an instant if it would further their own selfish goals. Arcadia needed to be cleansed from them, so it may start anew.
...Or so the Elders had always told him. Ramirez was never particularly fond of that belief.
He glances up again once Souji mentions war, but the topic is not pressed- not yet, anyway. He files it away for later. But his eyes don't fall back downward again and he instead actually leans forward in his interest, forgetting momentarily exactly why he had been so reluctant to accept the invitation.]
What sort of sense of the word?
[He repeats the words, frowning slightly at his linked hands.
The island-dwellers were shallow and petty, would destroy the world in an instant if it would further their own selfish goals. Arcadia needed to be cleansed from them, so it may start anew.
...Or so the Elders had always told him. Ramirez was never particularly fond of that belief.
He glances up again once Souji mentions war, but the topic is not pressed- not yet, anyway. He files it away for later. But his eyes don't fall back downward again and he instead actually leans forward in his interest, forgetting momentarily exactly why he had been so reluctant to accept the invitation.]
What sort of sense of the word?
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