Meet and Greet [Open]

[lifetogain]

Characters: Rufus and anyone who wants to say hello
Content: A bit of exploring and introductions
Setting: Here and there on the Silvana
Time: Shortly after Rufus's first journal post

Comments

Topmost deck

[apologizer]

On the highest deck, where he'd once nearly fallen to his death in a sparring match, Kira practiced his swordwork, blending formal maneuvers from his Academy days with those that developed from instinct. The repaired guard rail eliminated the element of danger, but the memory of it was still strong enough to give him that extra push.

Imaginary opponents coaxed a strong performance out of him, but the young man was not so invested in the scenario that he wouldn't notice a person's approach. One had to be vigilant in combat, after all.

Topmost deck

[lifetogain]

Rufus stopped a respectful distance away from the swordsman to watch. It wasn't a talent he had, but it was one he could admire anyway - he understood the drive behind the sharp, precise motions of the sword, the push towards perfection. He knew enough about swordplay to tell that the man was well-trained, and there was always something satisfying in watching someone who knew his art practice it.

He caught the other man's eye with a glace, and gave him a polite smile. "Don't mind me."

(OOC: Kira would have been 14-15 last time Rufus saw him in person, so he hasn't recognized him - feel free to go the other way, though, Rufus hasn't changed a whole lot since 17)

Re: Topmost deck

[apologizer]

"That's quite alright." Kira sheathed Wabisuke after the maneuver's completion. Being observed didn't bother him, but he'd never seen this man aboard before. A break couldn't do much harm. "You're... one of the new passengers, correct?"

With Kira's thoughts far from the past, the sense of familiarity never occurred to him. Of course, with an exchange of names, that was bound to change.

[lifetogain]

Rufus nodded in response to the question - not exactly a hard guess, there. He offered a hand. "Rufus Shinra. You're quite good, you know." For once, the compliment was a genuine one - and there was something about the other man that seemed familiar, niggling at the back of his mind. Frustrating - and increasingly common lately. Some society function, perhaps - he'd never bothered learning the names of half the people there, and that went doubly for the handful he'd make it to in the last half a year.

[apologizer]

"They are standard techniques," Izuru said matter-of-factly, extending his own hand. "But thank you. Izuru Kira."

They had probably traveled in slightly different social circles -- the Kiras, with their military history, did not associate quite as much with the businessmen, nor did they engage in cutthroat measures to boost their standing. Nevertheless, the moneyed families of Bellcius ultimately did come to know each other some way or another.

"The same Shinras of Bellcius? I believe we may have met some time ago," he added cautiously, unwilling to commit to the memory.

[ooc: If you don't want to finish this log, I totally understand. Just wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten about it :x If you'd like my firstborn child in apology for this ridiculous tardiness, I'm also more than willing to work out a deal.]

[lifetogain]

Rufus gave him a firm, polite handshake. The name was enough to trigger his memory, and he gave Izuru a smile. "Yes, I think we have - it would have been, what, about six years ago now? There were a handful of parties in there, anyway." Before his little stint of house arrest - but Izuru had stuck in his mind for being a great deal less vapid than many of the wealthy young sons he met. "Last I'd heard, you'd left to join the military." He didn't have much contact with the Kiras, given the somewhat differing backgrounds, and had not bothered keeping close tabs on the rumors about them.

[apologizer]

Quite a bit had changed, hadn't it? Izuru nodded. "Yes, for a time."

Without much of a connection to Rufus, there was no need to reveal the details. Yet even now, it was hard to ignore the protocol of accepting someone's social standing as a substitute for integrity.

"Since then, if I remember, you've taken over your family business? I am sorry about your father's passing."

[lifetogain]

Rufus nodded, feigning the appropriate amount remorse he was expected to show at such a mention. "Yes, about three years back. It was very unfortunate - your concern is appreciated." Well, someone probably appreciated it - in Rufus's eyes the most unfortunate part of it was that his father's death had been none of his doing, but that was not exactly a sentiment he could express. Time to change the subject. "What brings you here, then? This isn't a military vessel."

(Sorry about the re-post.)

[apologizer]

"I was on indefinite leave, though I wasn't able to divorce myself entirely. I met my old Commander while the ship was in port and joined at his suggestion," Kira said, fiddling with the ring on his finger at the mention of Gin. "It has been interesting."

Like the old proverb, May you live in interesting times, that was merely a nicer way of implying disaster and discord. From the infestation of tribbles to the Silvana's participation in the bombing of Parliament, life was hardly the dull existence of a schoolteacher that would have otherwise awaited him.

"And you? Is this a business trip?"

[lifetogain]

Rufus nodded politely - the explanation seemed reasonable enough, and he didn't have any reason to pry further. It was an interesting coincidence to run into someone he hadn't seen in years on board the ship, but that seemed to be all it was - he did know a great deal of people after all.

Izuru's question elicited a light shrug and a small grin from Rufus - trying to play it casual, even though he knew he was going to get very sick of bluffing around that question, very fast. "Pleasure, actually - though I may do some business along the way. We'll see."

[apologizer]

"Spoken like a true businessman." Izuru looked down momentarily, and his sword, still hanging by his waist, was enough to remind him of why he'd been out here in the first place. "It was a pleasure to meet you again. However, with your leave..."

Thread-end /o/

[lifetogain]

Rufus laughed a little at the comment - it was true, he had to admit. "Don't let me keep you from your practice. I should probably continue poking around the ship anyway. No doubt I'll be seeing you around."