I see the world for what it is... [Open]

[sekaikawaranai]

Characters: Ramza Beoulve/Ruglia, and whoever wishes to join him.
Content: Ramza, as a new Quartermaster aboard the Silvana, wishes to look through the ship. In his search, he finds the deck.
Setting: The Deck of the Silvana
Time: After the races.
Warning: It's Ramza, so probably not much. Angst, maybe.

Comments

[mysterious_aura]

Tear's steps clicked gently throughout the corridors, the sound faintly reverberating across the walls and disappearing into the shadows that veiled the corners.

Instinctively taking in her surroundings, she mentally ran through her list of duties left to carry out. She already restocked and resupplied everything required, so if she wasn't mistaken, a quick inspection of the deck was next. With this in mind, she shifted in the direction of her now determined destination, her movement as smooth and automatic as clockwork.

In a few moments, she crossed the threshold into the deck. The cerulean blue sky one of the first aspects to meet her eyes, and then the familiar silver sheen of the metallic surface. Yet, as her gaze continued running across the area, she found herself slowing to a halt as she caught sight of a head of blonde. He stood by the railing, seeming generally silent and unmoving.

More often than not, when a crew member loitered around, it meant one of two things. He was either taking a break, or he decided to idle. If it was the former, that was fine. The latter, on the other hand, was quite the opposite. Of course, there was only one way to find out.

Heels clicking lightly once more as she made her way across, she waited until she was a few feet away before she spoke out to him.

"What are you doing?"

Her voice wasn't accusatory. It was merely neutral. Stoic. Much like the expression on her face, to be honest. Combined with her firm adherence to the rules, some of the lazier crew members knew it was always better to keep an eye out for her, lest they receive a stern reprimand. She wasn't exactly frightening, but some considered her consistently impassive visage a little intimidating. Although, perhaps only the indolent ones thought anything along those lines. She wasn't exactly in the habit of speaking harshly without reason, after all.

[sekaikawaranai]

Oh! Speak of the devil.

Ramza let out a sound at the sound of the voice, turning around and taking a glance at the woman, golden eyes soft. Was she one of the crewmembers? He hadn't really gotten to know anyone yet since he had arrived, and when he wandered around the halls, he hadn't truly run into anyone for conversation...

It would at least be good to introduce himself. He probably seemed like a stranger, coming on the vessel and standing there like he had nothing else to do.

He had duties, did he not?

He didn't quite want to seem like a slacker on his first day on the job, though from the looks of it it certainly seemed so.

Ramza gave her a smile, despite the impassive note on her expression, and neutral tone. It was a bit disarming maybe, and it made him look younger, much younger than his normal age of 19 years.

...Sixteen? Yes, that would be about right.

"I'm sorry, Milady. I did not mean to dawdle. I was simply exploring the vessel, and I found my way here."

He scratched his head a bit.

"I assume...you are a crewmember here?"

[mysterious_aura]

Having served the Silvana for more than a year and half, Tear knew most of the faces aboard the ship. Yet, as he turned around to face her, she realized that he didn't seem the least bit familiar.

Fortunately, his response managed to clarify that very reason. He was new to the ship, presumably.

"Yes," she answered, with a slight nod. "I am Tear Grants, one of the quartermasters. And you are?"

The question wasn't simply in reference to his name, but to his position as well.

Judging from the way he addressed her and his words, he seemed courteous. Hopefully, he was a diligent crew member as well. After all, there were some aboard the Silvana who behaved politely, but in turn, failed to accomplish their duties well. For Tear, it didn't really matter whether or not someone had an attitude. All that mattered was fulfilling the obligations required.

If there was a behavioral problem, so long as it wasn't malicious, then she'd view it as only a negative factor she'd try to amend.

[sekaikawaranai]

Another quartermaster? So they were to be colleagues, then. This was a good thing, too--it was always better to meet those you were working with on neutral ground before meeting them during the work time. At least, that was what he had noted.

But people were different, and situations differed. And truly, Ramza wouldn't have minded even if they had met while he was already accustomed to things rather than still learning the ropes.

"I am Ramza Ruglia, Lady Grants." He said, still smiling. "I am a new Quartermaster on this vessel, though from this meeting, I presume I would not seem it."

It was important to be polite and courteous, though truly that was never a problem with Ramza. He had been polite to small children and referred to them as "Miss", "Mister", and other suchlike--his upbringing, yes, but also because he simply...preferred being polite.

"It is a pleasure to meet you."

[mysterious_aura]

So he was a quartermaster as well. It didn't really come as a surprise, for she never liked to leap to conclusions beforehand. She merely acknowledged the fact and accepted it with her usual calmness.

Although, she had to admit she was also partially relieved.

With Zhang He formerly as her only colleague, she found that she needed to keep an eye on him every now and then. He wasn't exactly lazy or anything of the sort, and by contrast, he actually maintained pleasant company. The only problem was that he tended to busy himself with other trivial matters. While there was nothing wrong with purchasing make-up or making social arrangements, when they intervened with his work, there was a faint need for concern.

She occasionally found herself with a little more to carry out in his stead, but with Ramza's assistance, perhaps it wouldn't be entirely on her shoulders.

"Likewise," she replied, a polite smile faintly softening her expression for a flicker of a moment. "Do you have any questions so far? I would be glad to provide assistance with anything you may need."

It probably sounded like a typical, courteous statement, but even if she did state it out of good manners, she meant it sincerely as well.

[sekaikawaranai]

It was always nice to see women in positions like this. Alma or Tietra would have never been encouraged to be in such a seat of authority, and though Ramza did take it upon himself to look after those of the fairer sex, it was refreshing to see one of such authority, and confident with it.

Too many times he had seen women overcompensating, fighting to state their equality to the men, even when they did not have to. At least, around him they didn't. It didn't matter what gender a person was, so long as they did what they did and did it well...

...And of course, took joy and pride in what they did. That was important, as well.

"I will admit, I am a bit lost." he said, with a boyish chuckle. "I had not imagined that the Silvana would be so large."

[mysterious_aura]

The Silvana was indeed rather expansive, to the extent that it was bound to surpass most people's expectations. There were many apart of the crew who found themselves lost the first time they boarded the ship. Even Tear herself took some time before she became well acquainted with its interior.

Of course, that same interior now had a few walls of purple and doilies, thanks to Zhang He's efforts, but she had to admit, it brightened up the monochrome silver and black. Some of the decorations were even a little cute -- not that anyone would ever hear her say that plainly.

"That isn't an uncommon sentiment," she agreed, with a slight inclination of her head. "If you like, I can show you around. Was there a particular area you were searching for? Or did you just want a better feel of the Silvana's interior?"

She silent ran through her mental list of duties once more, taking into account the amount of time she had, before she needed to proceed to her next task. She eventually decided there was more than enough time to give Ramza a tour, if needed.

[sekaikawaranai]

"Oh, no particular place, really..." Though truthfully, if she looked, she would probably notice that a small bag of Ramza's things were sitting right by his legs. The truth was, he hadn't even packed up his room yet. Not that he had much other than some spare clothes, his sword, and some small trinkets that held some sentimental value to him (like a pair of earrings that belonged to his sister, or a rather manly pendant that was a gift from Tietra before he left for the Academy--it almost never left his neck, if he could help it, nor did the ring that Alma had given him that same day).

"Though if you could better show me the interior, it would be more than appreciated, milady."

[mysterious_aura]

Tear gave a slight nod. "Very well. Just follow me." With a click of her heels, she shifted in the direction of the deck's threshold, beginning to stride towards it. She paused only once to glance her shoulder to see if he was following.

"I'll show you to your quarters first." She had noticed the bag resting by his legs, and she assumed he didn't want to carry it everywhere. It wouldn't exactly be convenient, after all.

[sekaikawaranai]

So she noticed, did she?

Ramza lifted it up with a scratch of his head and a boyish blush, slinging it over his shoulder. He had really hoped that she didn't have to see that, though in hindsight with him carrying it, it was probably inevitable.

"Thank you, Milady." He said. "That would be...most appreciated."

And he was following her. A respectful distance of course, but still following just the same.

[mysterious_aura]

As Tear headed through the corridors, she couldn't help taking into account just how polite he was. It definitely wasn't a bad thing, but she had to admit it was surprising. Few aboard the ship spoke to their co-workers with such formal courtesy. He would be a good role model, perhaps. Of course, this was only based off first impressions. It wouldn't do well to leap to conclusions too quickly.

Eventually, she reached their destination, and she swiftly extended a hand to open the door.

"Here are your quarters."

Naturally, it looked nearly identical to hers and Zhang He's rooms.

[sekaikawaranai]

It was simple, though. Just how Ramza liked it. He didn't need those extra bells and whistles that came with fancier rooms, with all the extra cupboards and closests that he didn't know where to put anything in. He would simply rather get his things in his drawers and leave them there, only using them when it was needed.

He had slept on cargo bay floors after all. If he could sleep on those, then he could sleep anywhere.

"Thank you." He said with a nod, gently placing his bag on the bed.

He didn't bother arranging it, though he did pull out a sword from it, hooking it on a belt around his waist. Just in case, of course.

Returning to the door, he gave Tear a smile.

"I'm sorry to keep you waiting. Shall we go?"

[mysterious_aura]

As Ramza went to place the bag on his bed, Tear waited with her usual calm sort of patience. Soon enough, he returned to where she stood.

"Certainly."

With that, Tear turned, starting down the hallways once more. It was easy to see the decorations Zhang He -- and perhaps Cirucci as well -- attached to the corridors. One could nearly assume they came straight from the Winding Way's exterior.

In a few moments, she slowed her pace, gesturing to each doorway lining the walls as she referred to them.

"That's the lounge room." It was towards the right, with its couch and shelves of books easy to see. "Those are storage rooms." It was towards the left, with another right after the aforementioned lounge room.

She fell silent then, glancing over at him to see if was digesting this information or carried any queries.

[sekaikawaranai]

The lounge. He would probably be staying there very little, even on his off-time. Most likely, after his duties, he'd stare out from the deck, or sit in the hangar and watch the planes as they were taken care of and the pilots did their work.

Even though he couldn't fly well, he still loved to do it. He had been taught by a good teacher, and even technophobe Ramza could do it under his tutelage.

He gave Tear a nod, with an understanding, rather absorbing look as he took the information in. He didn't say anything, but his eyes spoke for him, asserting his understanding.

...So do you want Tear to individually show each room, or just sort of speed through it? XD;

[mysterious_aura]

Accepeting his nod and expression as a clear indication of his understanding, Tear steadily proceeded forward.

"The infirmary," she clarified, gesturing to its doorway as they neared it. "Our doctors are Ryuuken Ishida, Isshin Kurosaki, and John W. If you have any health inquiries or needs, just call for one of them."

As they rounded a corner of the hallway, she lightly motioned towards the next room with a hand. "The radio operators' room. For now, only Gin Ichimaru holds this position."

It was actually rather troublesome that Ichimaru was the only one with the aforementioned position. He had the aggravating tendency to avoid his work, yet at the same time, as contradicting as it sounded, he knew exactly how to accomplish it competently. She couldn't complain about the latter, but with the former, she could only wonder if his excuses were genuine or not.