Chapter Text
What creatures lay beneath the surface of the ocean?
Are there really boundless treasures just waiting to be discovered?
Has all of the land beyond the horizon really been claimed?
These were questions that would float across the minds of so many individuals. Average village folk, aristocrats, and even pirates themselves. Typical questions about a part of the world that had been so faintly touched. Humans hadn't even grazed the surface of its potential and that natural craving to find out more fueled so many. That's why pirates were so abundant, that curiosity getting the better of them. But with the pursue came the risks.
"Well, they choose their occupation themselves. They know what they're getting into when they set sail" Came the voice of a young male. He was a well-dressed individual that sat at a table filled with an excess of glorious delicacies and decorations. The male had onyx black hair that was neat and well maintained. His eyes that peered out beneath his fringe were ironically of a similar hue to the colour of the deep ocean. He spoke with an indifferent tone, his eyes reflecting that same sentiment.
In response, those who were also in attendance at the table hollered in agreement to his words. The topic of sea pirates seemed much more prominent in the current days with many aristocrats giving their own two cents on the occupation, most of course stating their distaste for such work. This same conversation continued to entertain the wealthy lords as they filled themselves on the food before them and the heartless comments directed to those adventurers stationed at sea. The young male who had spoken previously spent majority of the rest of the dinner in silence, listening to the lords surrounding him jesting and preaching their own opinions. It was almost as if he blocked them out at some points, staring down at the porcelain plate before him. He was never very good at social events after all.
"Tobio, when you're done you can be excused my dear" A woman sitting adjacent to the young male spoke. She was much older and had aged beautifully, like a delicate oil painting. She herself was well maintained with a gentle smile plastered upon her soft face. She gestured for the male to leave if he so wished and of course this male, Kageyama Tobio, lifted himself from his seat politely. He twisted his torso towards majority of the table and bowed gently towards them, his head tilted down allowing for a couple of strands of his hair to fall free from behind his ear.
"It was a pleasure to meet you all here today but it is time for me to depart from this event. I do so wish that you all continue to enjoy your time here today. Please excuse me" Kageyama spoke before lifting his head back up and regaining his composure. He rolled his shoulders back and tilted his chin upwards before giving the woman who excused him a kind, appreciative nod "Enjoy the rest of the day Mother" He then said to her before he exited from his place. The servants who had been situated in waiting fumbled and hurried to tidy the place that was once occupied. They scrambled to take the plates away into the kitchen whilst some servants opened the dining room doors for the young lord as he finally made his way into the hallway. The moment those grand doors closed behind him, Kageyama let out a deep sigh he had been refraining from releasing. It was much needed, allowing for him to expel all of the stress from the social event. With that out of his system, he then proceeded to step forward and began to stride down the hallway. A servant followed closely behind him as they traversed the many gorgeously decorated halls. They were indeed the epitome of their status as a family. The image of wealth shining through the art that lay upon the walls to the fine details within the walls and frames. All of this show of importance had been all that Kageyama himself knew of. The life he had been given and the life he would continue to pursue it seemed. And yet, Kageyama wasn't completely content with it. "I intend to go on an outing today, can you get the preparations ready?" He asked the servant behind him as if the thought had instantaneously come to him. The servant nodded frantically before ushering a small "Of course", disappearing down the halls with a hurry in his strides that were much too large for him.
Kageyama continued on his way to his chambers alone. This time, his mind could allow him to be more relaxed and once he was within the safety of his confines, his first action was to glance over at the large window leading to the balcony of his room. How could he not be content with this privilege his family gave him? Was he just ungrateful for the life he was given? Those thoughts swept through his mind like they had always done. In truth, to Kageyama it was almost suffocating and surprisingly it felt as if his only salvation also came in the form of the cause of many headaches. Thinking about the bane of his existence made the black haired male let out a heavy sigh. "Really, can I just go one single day without thinking of that obnoxious idiot?" He asked himself aloud. Letting out a displeased grunt, he then proceeded to drag himself towards his wardrobe and chose his attire for the day. If the fool was entering his mind, he was going to take any chance to distract himself. Kageyama grabbed a white button up shirt, brown suit trousers, a deep blue vest and black tie before changing into his outfit for the day. It was a simple outfit however the materials the articles of clothing possessed spoke enough about the status of the person they belonged to. He did not feel the need to boast or attract the curious eyes of the village folk.
After finally getting completely ready and composed, the servant from before had knocked upon his chamber doors and entered with a small, polite bow. "Sir, your carriage is ready" He stated with a voice as soft as silk. He proceeded to step aside, allowing for Kageyama to take the lead and guide the two of them out of the room and towards entrance of the mansion, where the horse-drawn carriage was stationed. He moved swiftly, not wanting to waste much more time than he already felt he had. With that small taste of determination, the two finally traversed their way throughout the boundless hallways and staircases eventually finding themselves upon the entrance stairs. Kageyama stepped down with less urgency than previously now that the carriage was in sight, another male emerging from their place beside the carriage to open the door in anticipation for his swift arrival. With that incentive, Kageyama made his way into the carriage. He ducked down gently as to not make contact with the roof of the enclosed room before choosing to sit forward facing, allowing for the servant to nervously hurry to sit adjacent to him. With that, the carriage door was closed, a resounding and pleasant clicking noise emitting from the lock. Not long afterwards the carriage slowly moved forwards. It's wooden wheels rotated smoothly, picking up pace as the seconds passed into minutes. With the pace increase, the surroundings of the mansion's frontal gardens shifted into the environment belonging to the village streets. They rode down streets that began to become more jiggered and increasingly less maintained but that was as Kageyama had anticipated. It wasn't as if he hadn't ventured out before after all. The pleasant and attractive buildings slowly morphed into less appreciated and cared for abodes with village folk becoming a more prevalent sight as their carriage drew closer to the main town center.
To Kageyama, that journey never felt daunting or tedious no matter the distance between his home and the main town area. In fact, the chance to leave his duties if only for a couple of hours uplifted his spirits. Though considering the deterioration of said town area, those uplifted spirits eventually were repelled and replaced by an uncomfortable pit in his stomach. Whilst he was happy to leave his duties and had the chance to be able to do so, he was well aware of the fact that the villagers would most never likely be able to feel that sensation of euphoria in regards to freedom. If they didn't keep up with their duties and work, sometimes it would be like signing a death wish.
"Sir, we've arrived" The servant called out gently to the young lord before him that was staring out of the window, his mind elsewhere. This call out to him eventually pulled Kageyama back into the carriage and he nodded towards the servant. "Thank you. Shall we exit?" Kageyama said in response, gesturing for the servant to take the lead in which he didn't hesitate to do so. The servant pushed open the carriage door and descended, keeping the door open for Kageyama as he carefully followed him out of the vehicle. He took in his surroundings as he left, tilting his head briefly up at the sky to take a glimpse at the grey clouds above them. Slow afterwards, he then returned his head down and glanced towards the villages. Some individuals had paused during their journeys as they took in the sight of the extravagant carriage before them but most villagers continued on their way. They meandered around each other, exchanging very few words as if distracted by their own tasks at hand.
---Incomplete for now---
