Closed Godfather Godson Time

[Ricky Maze]

Different story? Ricky stroked at his chin curiously. Oi wonder just 'ow much Gale keeps t' 'imself. He had to admit Gale was indeed a rather curious one now that Ricky paid more attention to the matter, he'd never really questioned how little he knew of Gale because deep down he felt like he knew Gale already. Like a lot. Why else wouldn't he have been named Godfather to Martin, other than the fact Gale had been enough times to not only show he cared for Ricky, but in turn actually protected the most important things in the fisherman's life. That's right. Gale protected Telion and Martin that day, even when his child was unborn it was still waiting to be brought out into this world.

The fact that happened was due to the actions Hannah and Gale took to protect Telion that day, where as she would've been killed in cold blood all because of a few spiteful pirates in need for revenge. That alone was what made a difference in ones life, that alone demonstrated how much love one can have for another in terms of friendship. For Ricky that kind of love was rare, being the one who'd lived a life with tragedy off and on. The occurrence of such things was what made life seem hard, yet when something such as an act of love saved the very things that were worth living for... that alone gave Ricky the courage to be who he was today, to stand up as a guardian for the city. To protect his family and friends so that such love and hope may yet live, as well as in turn serve for an example of what it represented. Those were one of his many reasons for being a part of the Wave Guard now, and he wouldn't have it any other way now that he was officially a father.

As Ricky took Martin back from Gale's arms he couldn't help but notice though, the puzzled look in the face that hung there like a portrait on a wall... There was something bothering him. Gale that is. What exactly was it? Did he want to hold Martin a little longer? Did Ricky offer to take the child back too soon or was it something he said? The fisherman wasn't sure but the contemplative grin he held in watching Gale vanished, as concern filled with the replaced expression that followed. Did he offend Gale?? He wasn't intending this. Certainly by no means did he... where did he go wrong? "Gale? Did Oi.... say somet'in? Er... Was ya wantin' t' hold Martin a while longer?" He sighed as there only appeared to be silence to follow, unsure as to whether or not he should continue to prod or... leave? No. He couldn't leave on a sour note, that would just end badly somewhere along the lines.

Ricky looked to the door and noted that it'd been open, thus decided to take the first leap in trying to share personal things with Gale. Not personal things like... well what other men (particularly sailors) shared to one another, but more or less personal things like what a family would share. Thus the fisherman took to stand on his feet and shut the door quietly, a pained expression on his face as he tried to figure out where he went wrong in the attempt to learn a few of the more withdrawn things about his close friend. Once the door had clicked shut, Ricky himself sighed as he looked down to the child in his arms. He'd hoped not to show what he was about to reveal to Martin especially at a young age, then again what was a baby going to do to a secret that should be kept hidden?

No. What would transpire here would remain as such a secret, and in turn Ricky wouldn't expect anything out of Gale but remained hopeful to the cause. The fisherman was determined to try and see if the artist would finally open up to him. "Look Oi take back what Oi said if it offended ya, really Oi'm not wantin' t' pressure ya int' anyt'in mate. Like Oi said, Oi 'ardly know anyt'in personal bout ya. So instead o' forcin ya t' go first, maybe Oi can 'elp ya find de courage t' share somethin. Just... don't freak out on me okay?" Ricky asked as he mustered up the courage to pull into his reserves of Djed finally, he wasn't entirely familiar with it but as he tapped into those reserves he felt it. The course of Djed that was inside his body.

It was faint for sure but each time he thought to practice a bit of Reimancy he would find himself somehow attuned to his Djed, but only slightly since he was still unaccustomed to it. Ricky brought his free hand up into a sort of craned position where the palm faced up towards him, from there he focused on the channeling of his Djed and pushed it towards the center of his palm. From there he willed to create Res as he pushed the Djed out through his palm, and in turn started to create a grape sized royal blue sphere that slowly grew in size, until it was the size of an apple at least. From there Ricky transmuted the outer layer of the ooze into water, as it coated the sphere in a liquid that flowed around the outer layer while the core held it in place.

It was a method that had little complication but required dedication for Ricky, as he allowed the small water sphere to levitate above his hand to where he could exchange glances between it and the artist that remained on the bed.

[Gale Austin McCenry]

Common Vani Nari

As Gale looked away and down at the ground, he felt the back of his throat start to flare again. He winced and pressed a thumb and forefinger on either side of his throat as if to massage it. But it got worse, and the burning ran up to the back of his tongue, and then rushed down his throat to his lungs. It spread and bubbled there, expanding Gale's chest with a deep breath.

Gale's eye widened slowly as this happened, realizing he was going to have another coughing fit. His chest expanded before it almost appeared like it collapsed, letting out a horrifyingly dry cough, if one could call it thought. The huffs and low rumbled repeatedly as his body convulsed, his arm quickly covering his mouth. The spasm sounded sickly and unnatural, though, Gale himself appeared such at times. But now especially, given the dark bags under his eyes, his lanky skin and bones exposed, and with the added coughing and rough voice.

The fit came to an abrupt stop, almost as if he hiccuped. He sat still for a moment, his arm still over his mouth. Then he waved a hand at Ricky, eyes still closed,"No, I am just mad at myself." He insisted, though barely audible from the pain in which talking induced. "I have been coughing all night." He stated, as if that was the reason for his angered glare. He opened his eyes and looked over at Ricky with a rather blank expression. Hold Martin longer? Oh! Gale quickly shook his head,"I think it is best that you hold onto him." He didn't want to have another fit and then end up scaring Martin or even dropping him or something. He would never forgive himself if he did.

Ricky stood up and closed the door quietly, Gale returning his gaze to the ground and running his fingers through his hair with a sigh. Though the sigh was more or less just a more audible exhale rather than an actual sigh. Ricky didn't return to Gale's side on the bed, but instead stood where he was and made an apology. He obviously didn't understand what he was upset about, and why should he? Gale hardly knew what he was upset. His mind was just as messy as the room was. First his thoughts were about Ricky's reaction to what he wished to know, the next it was on the burning and harshness in his throat. But then it would switch back to the night before. It was a cycle and Gale couldn't seem to focus on what he was going to say anymore.

Ricky mentioned that he didn't know much about himself, and in Gale's eyes that was a good thing. But then again, Gale felt like he knew Ricky like the back of his hand. It was like Priskil herself in a way. She had been watching him and knew what he had been doing, yet he didn't know a thing about her. It wasn't really fair to Ricky, seeing as he was his best friend. Best friends were supposed to tell each other everything. It was just a natural rule of thumb. Did this mean that they weren't really good friends?

Nah, of course they were! Ricky and Gale were best friends... right?

Ricky went on to explain that he wished to start of this conversation with something of his own. But freak out? Why would Gale freak out? What did Ricky have to hide that he would think Gale would freak out over? Did something happen between him and Telion? No, Telion sounded happy when going out the door. Was there something wrong with Ricky? Did he have something? Did he do something? The possibilities appeared to be endless. Crimes and situations from adultery, to murder, to disease all crossed his mind, and he raised an eyebrow, looking over at Ricky with concern.

Before Gale was about to create a certain hypothesis about the ordeal, Ricky brought his hand up, making the murderer furrow his eyebrows. What was he doing? Doing some sort of ritual? He stood there for a long while. During that long while, Gale was trying to piece the puzzle together. What was he doing? Not long after this though, someone was suddenly in his hand. Gale raised another eyebrow, now starring at this small blue orb. It started to grow. At first the blonde thought he was just staring at it for too long and it was just his eyes playing tricks. But it kept growing and growing, and alongside with that, Gale's concern grew. What the heck was he doing?

The widower didn't realize this, but the more that this orb grew; the more he gradually became more defensive. He had leaned away slightly and his arms and legs were positioned as if he was about to jump up from the bed at any moment. What was this thing? It continued to grow until reached about the same size as Ricky's palm. Then it stopped. But the outer layer started to change and morph, and before Gale knew it, it was water. A ball of water floating above Ricky's hand.

The man's eyes grew wide, both in fear and awe. It was phenomenal how Ricky was able to create water from his own two hands, but it reminded him an awful lot of other spontaneously created balls of matter. This ball of water wasn't going to be turned into fire was it?

Gale continued to stare at this rather foreign phenomenon, carefully observing its flowing form. There was something in the middle of it, which Gale simply assumed was holding it all together. But wasn't Ricky holding it together? How did he make this thing? From thin air?

The man was dead silent as he observed, but subconsciously rubbed his throat. The sight of water made him slightly uncomfortable due to the night's encounters. But at least it wasn't fire. The last thing he needed was this entire place burnt down.

After Gale watched this... ball, his Gaze turned to Ricky curiously. Was he going to explain? Or was this the explanation?

[Ricky Maze]

Ricky watched and could only wince a little as he heard Gale fall into another tantrum of coughs that wheezed and rattled his chest and throat areas, the sounds of them painful to hear as he waited for them to lessen in hopes that the Godfather would find the chance to momentarily relax. That's when he realized that this was in fact the second time Gale had gone through an ordeal, though definitely not the first ordeal the man had endured of course. The mark on his belly, the loss of Kenny, and now this new mark was on his hand it seems. Just what did Gale keep from Ricky entirely? Why did he never open up to share anything with him? In truth it started to set Ricky on edge just a little, they were best friends yet in truth... Ricky hardly knew anything about Gale's past. He knew Gale to be sure but as of now... that just didn't seem enough, didn't feel as though it was enough to settle with.

It was no wonder either. He was Martin's Godfather, and in turn that made him part of the family. If there was one thing Ricky learned about family, it's that you don't keep secrets from one another. "Don't be yer self up t' much mate, shyke 'appens after all." He tried to cheer Gale up with the silly notion, though he had to admit even that hardly sounded enlightening. Shyke did happen. A lot too. Just how was it that Ricky learned to cope with all of it? He couldn't honestly answer, even so he could only wonder... how was Gale able to cope with the stress of all that they'd been through? It was a question that would answer itself in due time. For now he had to take the first leap of faith, and dive into the deep end knowing that this would either work or fail to work. Thus his attempt to show Gale the magic followed next.

Gale no doubt probably had his head swimming with questions when he watched Ricky, the fisherman probably a mad lunatic to look at his free hand as though something amazing were about to happen. Even so he made sure that Martin was still comfortably tucked within the crevice of his arm, as Ricky held the child close to his chest while he focused on the building of the Res core he created within a fraction of a chime. Sure enough when the water finally transmuted around the outer layer to remain the shell of the royal blue core, Ricky found himself in a quick gaze to Gale once more to see just how exactly the Godfather reacted to learning the new found secret he'd just been given. Curious. Gale seemed to be lost in the entire act, enthralled by a sense of overwhelming curiosity that demanded to find understanding. If Ricky felt unnerved by the fact he hardly knew anything about his best friend's past earlier, then he surely felt a deeper innate sense of paranoia at the sudden vast silence that filled the space between them. There was a look of puzzled concern as he couldn't really read the artist's face, which proved all the more stressful for Ricky as he desperately cried inside for something to be said.

Say somet'in please... Nothing. Not a damn thing. How the petch did this go from strange to vastly awkward, it wasn't the awkward that made one feel weird either. The awkwardness felt much more sinister, darker as the purpose behind it was to demoralize the courage and confidence one held inside. Say somet'in dammit! That time it was more towards himself, though the thought was pretty much his own anyway. Unless Gale was a mind reader as well, which would've made the moment all the more incredible nonetheless. "Reimancy mate." He finally managed to croak out after a short choke on the silence he swallowed whole. "Oi can do Reimancy wit' water, t'anks t' Ignotus o' course." He added as he was unaware of the connection between Gale and Ignotus, that is of course Gale decided to reveal that wonderful little fact himself. Either way he didn't expect Gale to know who Ignotus was, just be familiar with the name seeing as he was elected Lord of Council by popular vote.

"Oi can also do anot'er magic discipline called 'Shieldin', though Oi'm still learnin' 'ow exactly dat works." He added as he held the water sphere up, as he remembered the lesson given to him by a scholar earlier this season. The sphere would float a little higher from his palm until at last it was just in front of him, buoyantly moving up and down in a soft manner as Ricky's intent guided it to slowly mimic the motions of a clockwise rotation. "Oi'm still learnin de ropes wit' dis but Oi know 'ow t' use water efficiently enough, at best Oi can do a few tricks but not'in worth mentionin'." He explained modestly in a humble tone of voice, another look to Gale after he felt he'd demonstrated enough display of Reimancy for the time being. The sphere of course floated in place waiting to be directed, and Ricky made sure to keep his focus on the ball of water alone so that he could recall the Res later on. Of course if Gale wanted to further examine the sphere then Ricky wouldn't disagree, this was after all the first step in trying to get his best friend out of that thick shell he always withdrew in.

[Gale Austin McCenry]

Common Vani Nari

Although his throat was already dry, the longer he looked at the floating orb, Gale's throat felt more and more dry. He let his hand down, and the blonde started to relax. He stopped leaning away and returned to a normal sitting position, rather than his previous 'I'm going to book it' stance. He no longer had wide eyes, but he did raise a curious eye brow. Was the ball dangerous? Or was it just water? What happens if it touched something? When did Ricky learn to make water? Did he learn how to for a reason? Why did Ricky not show him this before? Did Telion know?

"Reimancy?" Gale repeated, his voice almost squeaking. Hm. Gale has heard of people mentioning Reimancy before, but he never knew exactly what it was or what it did. But was it just water he could create? Or could he make a ball of fire like the one he saw when he was a kid? That would be something. Because fire was a controversial thing. Ignotus used the fire to scare of some kids who were picking on him back then. But he could only imagine what could be done with it. He could set the whole city on fire. But Ricky wouldn't do such a thing even if he could use fire. Gale started to take a deep breathe.

" t'anks t' Ignotus o' course."

That breathe that Gale was breathing suddenly rushed out of his mouth as soon as Ricky mentioned Ignotus. With his mouth slight agape and his eyes wide, Gale appeared to be doing some sort of moan? An airless groan? To Gale, he was saying 'uh'. But to Ricky, it probably sounded as if his lungs stopped working or something. It was certainly strange.

"You know Ignotus?" Gale finally said after a few seconds of his awkward stare. "And you actually trusted him to teach you something?!" Gale sounded rather angry. Or maybe just irritated. Perhaps it was just even the scratchiness in his voice, but he certainly didn't like the idea of Ricky affiliating himself with Ignotus. As soon as Ignotus convinced him to kill that sailor David, he refused to cross paths with him again. The widower certainly didn't want his best friend to undergo the same thing and be manipulated by that... thing. Undead, Nuit, whatever he was. "When did he teach you? How did you meet? Did he ask you to do anything?" Gale didn't realize the probability of Ricky possibly not understanding a thing he was saying, or perhaps the instance where Ignotus didn't plan on using Ricky for anything like he used him. However, Gale did know that he didn't want to take the chance. Ricky was his friend, and even the slightest smidge of a chance of Ricky or his family possibly being in any sort of trouble was intolerable. Not while he was breathing.

[Ricky Maze]

There was a moment where Gale seemed to have choked on his spit or the air he may have accidentally swallowed, and oddly enough it occurred coincidentally after Ricky had mentioned Ignotus, which in turn struck the fisherman a little odd at first but went immediately under the rug. Everybody knew who Ignotus was these days, he was the savior of Zeltiva after all, thanks to his big battle against the Denvali revolt. Then came of course questions, questions that reflected a hint of aggression towards not Ricky, but towards the fact Ricky was with Ignotus. Touchy subject perhaps?

"Yea, Oi met 'im last winter 'fter Odis died, he made me a proposition Oi... couldn't really refuse at de time come t' t'ink o' it." He brought his hand up to his chin with a few strokes to the beard, forgetful that he still had a mental grasp over the ball of water. In that moment the small ball of water took to follow the manner in which Ricky used, and levitated just a little higher before gravitating with a strong pull towards Ricky. When that happened Ricky's eyes diverted from the floor in his thought, surprise on his face as he hadn't the time to dodge the impact. Water that felt as cold as ice splashed over his face then, causing Ricky to turn a little as he felt a sting at first. "Son o' a bitch! Gods dat was cold!" He stated in alarm as he used his sleeve to wipe the water and ooze from his face. When he noticed that what was left of his Res was on the sleeve, he willed it back into his hand within a moments notice before he continued on with the subject.

"He taught me not longer 'fter we met, t'ough it was more than just a lil' teachin' honestly..." There was something quite obvious behind the statement, something Gale would likely notice considering it was Ricky hiding something. But then again who wanted to hear about the trauma involved in Reimancy when you first learned it, the way the body and mind become overwhelmed with another and their own Res before you can create your own. It was a scary concept that Ricky disliked to recollect, yet all the same there was something strange that seemed to irk Gale. Why was he so interested in Ignotus all of a sudden? There was a couple of times Ricky had met with Ignotus sure, but there was no absolute involvement with him as far as the fisherman knew. Ignotus pretty much had what he wanted now, and so long as that involved him leaving Ricky's family and friends alone, that was all that mattered at the end of it all.

"Ye're awfully curious 'bout 'im," He mused with a slight smirk, "We met at de Kelp Bar cause he asked fer me, wanted me t' put t'gether a small task force outta de Guard. Wasn't easy but Oi got de job done at least, Oi dun really know what he did wit' it after dat. He gave me Reimancy an' pretty much left it at dat." He tried to think if there was anything else, his mind quick to recollect the whole ordeal with Hannah when spring followed.

"Oh! Yew can't tell anyone 'bout dis either mate! Ignotus isn't all dat he seems, Oi know fer a fact he's a manipulative bastard dat can use Hypnotism! He used 'annah t' try and get leverage over me at first, which yew can see 'ow dat turned out." He nodded towards Martin when he finished that statement, the look of disgust with Ignotus soon replaced with a proud and joyful smile. "He wanted t' use 'annah fer leverage t' make sure Oi was loyal, an' when she told me he could probably use Telion and Martin as dat leverage, Oi made sure t' confront 'im 'bout it. He seems t' be on de same page t'ough, we 'aven't spoken since summer o' course." He finished with a pace around the room at first, until at last he arrived to sit at the foot of the bed. "Gale. Oi dunno what it is 'bout Ignotus, but he unnerves me. Oi definitely dun wanna cross 'im wit'out knowin' Oi can protect me family, and yew seem t' know somet'in 'bout 'im as well. Ot'erwise yew wouldn't be askin' dese questions." There was a intensely deep soulful stare from Ricky then, one that pleaded for Gale to be fully open and honest about the question.

"Do yew know somet'in 'bout Ignotus dat Oi should be worried bout? Is dere a reason Oi should watch out fer 'im o' avoid 'im? Cause Oi got dis pit in me stomach dat says he's bad news." Gods he hoped there was something good to hear out of all this, of course he wanted the truth by all means!... but Gods he hoped this would be where Gale finally opened up some.

[Gale Austin McCenry]

Common Vani Nari

A proposition. That's great. That's just wonderful. What did he want this time? For Ricky to kill another sailor so he could steal it? Gale's nose crinkled in anger at the thought. The blonde man stood up from the bed and crossed his arms. "What kind of proposition?" He better owe the damn... thing a favour.

Although Gale almost forgot that the ball of water was there at all, Ricky managed to remind him by splashing himself in the face by accident. How do you accidentally splash yourself with a ball of water you control? Maybe he's not fully in control of it... The widower almost cringed at the sight, taking a step back from the water as if he would burn if he touched it. He was kind of done with water at this point. "Not just a teaching, huh? What else was it? A request? Threat?" Ignotus never threatened Gale directly, but he did have a way with words that made people feel like shyke. Things like-

You're a monster.

Gale's eyes widened slightly as he remembered the unique feeling of blood trickling between his fingers. He remembered the exact moment when his lips curled into that crooked grin. When he actually enjoyed watching the man convulse over him as he plunged glass through his eye. The precious chime or two in which he talked to Ignotus afterwards and having a the single though of-

I really am a bastard...

Gale was quickly to erase the look of shock from his face, flipping on a mask of rage. He suddenly boomed,"Ignotus is nothing but a bloody petching coward! He is a liar and a murderer, Richard! Goddess Ssena he petching raped my mother!" His voice cracked several times as his dry throat tried to keep up with his attempted yelling. Gale wasn't exactly sure if Ignotus raped his mom or not. His mother was a prostitute after all, but she had limits. She refused service on several occasions. She never would have willing let him have his way with her...right? He took several steps towards the bear of a man and continued,"And I don't want you ever speaking with him again. I don't give a bloody damn what he offers you or claims to be." He didn't know what he would do if Ignotus used Ricky like he used him. The murderer's throat burned and throbbed, his lungs expanding again. Gale covered his mouth again with his arm as his lungs heaved air out of his body. He of course had turned away from Ricky when he did so, even though it really wasn't contagious. Unless Ricky went off and tried to drown at the docks.

When Gale finally stopped, he took about a chime to take a few deep breaths, hoping it would help. Although Gale pretty much repeated what Ricky had just said, he wanted to make it clear that Ignotus wasn't someone to mess with. Because once you're involved it seems you can't get out.

Ricky then asked him to clarify why.

Gale sighed, his tone was quite, but the sheer amount of pain in his throat forced him to barely even whisper."Ricky... I would not even be here without Ignotus. But I would rather die than to see you be used like he used me..."

[Ricky Maze]

With the initial reaction Gale had at being bitter Ricky soon found that to his great awe and regret, the worst had to be expected out of this now that he knew just what he learned about Ignotus. Gale spoke with large distaste about him, and with the explanation that the man forced himself onto Gale's own mother... that touched a part of Ricky deep down, hurt the fisherman knowing that... Oh Gods! If that happened and... was Gale the son of Ignotus?! The revelation proved very much possible but if that was the case... Gale was some odd years older than Ricky was he not? And if Ignotus was a Nuit who proved to be alive back then, around thirty years ago to say the least, then the window of opportunity had to be there somehow. Hell for all Ricky knew Ignotus could've known Burten when he was a young man if not a boy, but that was the part that remained in deep shrouded mystery.

Now... now Ricky had the basic idea down that Ignotus happened to be Gale's own father. Gale didn't confirm this but he didn't need to, it was already in his tone that Ricky knew this to be sure. "He... didn't threaten, instead he warned me 'bout obtainin' such power. Reimancy is dangerous to know an' use, at de time Oi didn't care cause Oi was still upset over Odis. Now t'ough Oi make sure Oi only use it as a last resort, its a power Oi don't intend t' solely rely on." Ricky assured his friend with a sincere look on his face, the solemn change in the grave mood made Ricky wonder more, as Gale seemed to be quite literal about the subject. He wanted Ricky to avoid any and all possible associations with the Nuit, that in turn was something Ricky wished he could promise. Unfortunately with the step in power Ignotus had made, there was already an affiliation between the two of them. The Lord of Council, who is pretty much shielded by the finest of the Wave Guard. The Elite. Then there is the core of the Guard where Ricky served, and that meant his influences very much spread there as well. So... Ricky could very well be in danger yet.

How many guardsmen were in Ignotus' pocket? How easy would it be for Ignotus to dispose of Ricky? Or threaten him with the life of his family for that matter? There was a sickening feeling that nearly toppled his stomach over then, as the concern for the life of the little one in his arms then overwhelmed him. Ignotus is a threat to everyone. A sort of toxic plant that rooted itself firmly in the central expanse of Zeltiva and her politics, and he was slowly going to poison the city from the inside out with his influence... therefore what Gale had to say literally struck a realization on Ricky, one that the fisherman kept deeply locked within as he came to the conclusion something had to be done. Sooner or later Ignotus would have to be removed from the picture somehow, but how that would go exactly was beyond even the skill of a fisherman such as Ricky. Influence was power after all, and as far as Ricky knew the Nuit had an outstanding amount of it to spare.

"Dat bad huh?" The fisherman would finally say after some deeply intense consideration, which brought about a deathly silence that could've very much tore the room apart. Save for the small noises the baby would make as Ricky made sure he was comfortable. "Oi promise ya Oi dun intend t' associate wit' Iggy, not unless Oi've no choice in de matter. Believe me Oi stay as far away from 'im as possible mate." Ricky's gaze shifted from down at Martin to his best friend, determination set in his eyes as he thought to bring up the matter as a whole. "Do yew t'ink it best if Ignotus be removed from de picture, as in eit'er exiled from Zeltiva or... dead?" He made it sound like it was a completely curious and hypothetical question, more like the "what if's" deal people generally played rather than making what went through his mind so easily obvious.

[Gale Austin McCenry]

Common Vani Nari

When Gale was a child, he generally had to learn things on his own. His mom was there generally for support and to teach him the basics. However, once he was off to school, she felt he was old enough to make decisions on his own. He walked to school with a couple of other classmates every day and then played with those classmates after school. Then when it started to get dark he went back home.

He was generally a good kid, despite the lack of attention from his mother. He tried not to lie, mainly because he sucked at it, he did was he was told, didn't get in many fights. And as a kid, that's all he wasn't to be. A good boy. He always told himself that he would never steal. He would never kill anyone. He would never let his family get hurt. It was all a part of him being the best kid he could be.

But he did every single one.

"I only met him two or three times, but if you can tell from such little time that someone would go to such lengths to make you do wrong... Gale looked at the floor.

Ignotus did go through a lot of trouble to help him as a kid to make sure he would trust him later. That slimey bastard, if it weren't for him, Gale would have never done any of those things. He never would have killed that sailor or steal clothes. He never would have needed to. But he did and it was all because of that diabolical Nuit.

Ricky went on to assure him that he would do his best to stay away, which was a great relief to the artist. He didn't want anyone to have any ties with him at all, and he was glad that Ricky likely didn't have anymore with the Undead. "Thanks." He ran his hand through his hair, though the messy curls were tangled it his hand got caught. He rolled his eyes and simply took his hand out.

The roomed was silent for a few chimes more, leaving Ricky and Gale to their thoughts again. This was one of those times where he wishes he could tell what Ricky was thinking. Did he think wrong of him because he was Ignotus' son? He hoped he didn't... He might have gotten his dad's blonde hair, but he wasn't any much alike him than Ricky was.

But in a matter of ticks, Gale no longer wanted to know what he was thinking because he then asked a fairly random question. Dead? Exiled? Boy, wouldn't Gale love that. He wouldn't have to worry about the evil Nuit anymore. That blasted vagik finally would be done for. Though, Gale was hesitant to say yes. It was stuck in his throat almost. The widower didn't really understand why he couldn't just say yes, but deep within his mind, he had always wished he knew his dad. It never really bothered him as a kid, but now that he finally knew who it was... he wanted to know what it's like to actually have a father figure in his life...

"I am sure Zeltiva would be a safer place without him, if only the city realized it."

[Ricky Maze]

This had definitely turned into a conversation Ricky didn't expect to have, but then again he wanted to learn more of his friend to begin with. Now that he had done so he couldn't help but wish he was capable of making things better for Gale, because by the sound of it Ignotus who was his father turned out to be nothing more than a manipulative bastard not worth his time. It truly pained Ricky to think that Gale didn't have the fatherly connection he deserved, given that Ricky himself was lucky enough to have spent the time he did with his father before everything else seemed to occur. Now that he thought about it, he couldn't help but deeply wish that Gale had that sense of connection with something, and then he realized that there was such a connection. It existed through Martin of course, but with Gale being his Godfather maybe he would then know... feel what its like to have a special bond between father and son.

Although in his case it was Godfather... either way the concept seemed the same to Ricky, Gale had the privilege of being a paternal guardian to Martin and that in turn seemed to make something good happen out of it. Then of course when the question finally came along and Gale found himself able to answer it, Ricky then knew for sure just what he had in mind for Ignotus. Zeltiva. It was far better off not having a man such as Ignotus around, and given the fact Ricky just now came to learn that such truth lived so plainly in front of him... somebody had to do something about this. Somebody had to remove Ignotus from the picture somehow, and given the fact he was so thick with power and influence it wasn't going to be easy to just 'dispose' of him. No... careful planning had to be involved, planning that Ricky couldn't do just yet without the proper course of action to follow. Either way he kept his intentions hidden and only showed a soft smile of understanding towards Gale.

He approached his best friend with Martin in mind, hopeful the child might help bring a better sense of ease to Gale. Though the coughing fits were something that definitely worried the both of them, Ricky felt confident the Godfather would have them under control for a bit longer. "Ya know Oi wish yew didn't 'ave t' go t'rough whatever he put ya t'rough, but yew gotta admit de fact yer 'ere now is somet'in t' be glad 'bout. Yew became Martin's Godpa fer cryin' outloud, ain't nobody roun' who fitted de role better dan yew." He offered the baby to Gale once more, in the event Gale might've felt like having a few more moments shared with the one he would call Godson. "Oi'm sorry if Oi brushed ya de wrong way earlier mate, Oi only wanted t' git t' know yew better 'fter all. We're friends an' Oi dun t'ink anyt'in will come between us, not as long as ye're 'ere t' 'elp me raise Martin." He remained optimistic and softly enthusiastic about the subject, completely understanding with Gale if the man preferred to talk of other things, unless he had more he wanted to share with the fisherman.

[Gale Austin McCenry]

Common Vani Nari

It had become a habit for Gale to forget about most of the people in his life that were gone. He's spent years perfecting this habit so he wouldn't be stuck wallowing in his own sorrow when someone left or passed. Even though in the end he always does, he tries his best to push the entire thing out of his head. Now, on an average day, he recalls nothing about having a wife, nothing about never having a father, and not a single thing about having a mother who was only there physically. It allows him to put his mind on other things, like getting a job for instance.

But there are days, like this one, where everything rushed back. People would question him about those things or something happens that just springs them back to his mind. He would remember every explicit detail. And most times, he had no idea what to do with it. He would hardly know how he even felt. Was he mad? Upset? Mournful? There just seemed to be so much that he couldn't even comprehend himself as a person. Days like this were the days he questioned who he was, trying to grab onto some sort of fact or truth. Something to hold his grip together.

Though, the more and more he thought about it, he could never really find anything. He couldn't get any grip. And soon after realizing this is when thoughts similar to the previous day's begun coming to mind.

But he couldn't think of that while Ricky was here. Ricky wouldn't forgive him for even having those thoughts for a second.

Gale took a deep breath and let it out, trying his best to make it as painless as possible. His chest hurt when it expanded for the abnormal breath, but he knew it help nonetheless, because even though he didn't realize it, his eyes started to well up. He quickly looked towards the window and blinked it away.

This was when Ricky started to try and cheer him up. Make the situation not seem as bad. He was always good at that. Gale looked away from the window to look at Ricky, but his eyes were met with the child he held out.

When Gale was young, before he took on art as his profession, Hana and his mother always tried to get him jobs to babysit kids. It wasn't a very popular idea among the community, but he did get some people who need an extra hand. So he's dealt with kids anywhere from twelve to one or two years old. So he knew, at least decently, how to handle and hold a baby. He was always pretty confident in his ability to handle children. But for some reason, this felt different.

He was suddenly very nervous. Similar to the first time he was handed a baby. But this time, this wasn't just some kid he was taking care of for a few coin. This wasn't some job or some stranger asking him to watch the child.

This was Ricky's flesh and blood. This was his Godson.

Gale had no idea how long he simply starred at the man and his baby, but he made sure to wipe off the dazed look on his face and stood up from the bed. He had learned from some harsh teachers that you never hand someone a baby when they are at a different level. Both either have to be sitting or standing up. So having Ricky standing and him sitting was a big no no.

He took the step or two to stand in front of the father, the artist wiping his hands on his shirt for no apparent reason. To make sure they were dry? He offered the man a quirky grin, almost twitching from nervousness as he finally accepted the offer.

The widower almost held his breath as Ricky carefully transition the child to his arms. He had to specifically recall how to hold the baby, seeing as Ricky was right handed and help the child in the opposite way Gale normally liked. Gale normally used his right hand to support the baby and his left hand wrapped around. But for the weird right handed folks, their left hand was the one supporting the child with flipped the baby to the other side of the body than Gale was use to. But that was okay, he could hold him with his right hand for a bit.

Sliding his left hand under Martin, Gale gently guided the baby to his chest, instinctively smiling as he did so. His left hand came to the side, making sure to give extra support. He had no idea when another coughing fit would arise and he didn't want to be caught off guard while holding Martin.

Once the two were finally comfortable, Gale watched Martin as his eyes wondered around. The man let out a rough chuckle, glancing up at Ricky with a grin. He returned to his seat on the bed, starring at Martin as his curious gaze zipped across him and the room. "Hi there little one." He mumbled, but the raspy tone made it sound more high pitched than his typical baritone.

It was long before the nervousness Gale had felt vanished. Instead, it was replaced by... what could he call it...Pride? Yeah. He supposed he could call it that. Pride.

The room was fairly silent for several ticks, besides Martin's soft rustling and cooing. But Ricky broke that silence with an apology, making Gale look up from the child to the man before him.

"Nah, it is not your fault. I am not really myself right now." Gale tried to make an excuse for the glare. He was sure the comment wouldn't have offended him if it was any other day. "I had a long night and I am just tired.