Letters to My Brother

[Orioni]

Tuesday, 1 November 1977

Dear Roy,

I hope this letter finds you in good health while you are very busy with your studies at Loriet University. As I sit down to write these words, memories of our childhood come flooding back to me. How the time flies! It seems like only yesterday that we were playing in the streets, chasing after each other with sticks, and dreaming of the future.

Your 21st birthday is fast approaching, and I cannot help but think of the significance of this event for our family. Our parents have worked tirelessly to build what they have, and it breaks my heart to think that their hard work may not be shared equally between their children. The cruel reality of traditional Gaellician inheritance law means that you, as the first-born son, will inherit the entire family fortune, leaving me with not a penny to my name.

In light of this, I have been pondering my future and the steps I need to take to make a name for myself. I have considered three possible paths to take. The first is to strike out on my own and start a business. I could stay here in Penzance, or even venture to Cathures. The second option is to join the Orinese navy and put my knowledge of the sea to good use. Finally, I could travel to a Gaellician diaspora far away and seek my fortune there.

Right now I have not yet made, but I wanted to share my thoughts with you, my dear brother. I treasure our relationship and the bond we share as brothers. I may never have the wealth that you will have, but I hope to make a life for myself and provide for my own family, wherever that may take me.

I understand that you have your own life to lead, and I do not want to burden you with my struggles. But I needed to express my feelings, and I felt that writing to you was the best way to do so. I hope that you can forgive me if my words have caused you any discomfort.

In any case, I wish you all the best as you enter this next chapter of your life. I know that you will be successful and make our parents proud. I hope that one day, we can sit down together and reminisce about our childhood and talk about our lives. Until then, know that I am thinking of you.

Take care, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Yours truly, Mario

⁂

(OOC. This is an exchange of letters between two brothers from @Gaellicia. The older brother is Robert "Roy" Hamish Connachta, more commonly known by his Ríogan name of Bricius IV. The younger brother is Mario Ramius, Grand Admiral of the fleet of the Imperial Orinese Navy. The story takes place over several decades. The letters may not always be in chronological order.)

[Gaellicia]

Friday, 4 November 1977

Dearest Mario,

My approaching birthday weighs on me heavily. As I've discussed with you before, I fully intend to take care of you and our sisters when the time to inherit comes, but it is not the same. I understand that this is not enough, not honorable and if I could change the law I would.

Only you know what decision will be the right one for you, but perhaps I can offer some brotherly thoughts on the ideas you are considering.

Making your own business I imagine would be the safest option. What are you considering selling? If you were to travel to Cathures perhaps you could sell fishing equipment and marine wares? You have a gift for that sort of thing that I lack. I think that you would find success quickly. But is it truly what you desire to do? It is a little traditional for you brother. You have always enjoyed leaving tradition behind, being bold.

The Orinese Navy? Our mother would have a conniption. We are an army family! I think I understand the call for you though. I visited you one of the summers you were spending with Deó.* We went out on his fishing boat, what was the name? I’m not yet 21 and my memory is going like I’m an old man. Anyways we went out on the boat and most of the time I was seasick, hopeless on the moving deck. But you, you were in your element brother. I had never seen you so confident before. I remember lying back with you on a green hill later. We watched the boats in the harbor. You looked happy and alive. 

As for making your way to a diaspora community somewhere, I think you would like the adventure. I don’t know if I can say much more but I think you would make it work. 

I don’t want you to move away brother, but if it is the best choice for you then you should do it. I will always be here for you if you need me. No matter what, we will keep writing and talking. 

Your brother always,

Roy

P.S. always remember that I am a better hurler than you.

*How the brothers refer to their grandfather. From them mashing gaelic and aurivizht words together.

(OOC: A hurler is a player of the game of hurling. Played on the same pitch as gaelic football is, or as it is known in Eurth, geltic football. Here's more info on hurling if you're curious.)

 

Edited February 8 by Gaellicia (see edit history)

[Orioni]

Monday, 1 January 1979

Dear Roy,

Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit!

I hope this letter finds you well. I can hardly believe how quickly the years have flown by, and I wanted to reach out to you to catch up on what's been going on in your life. I am grateful for your words of encouragement and support, and I feel privileged to have you as my brother. Your thoughts on striking out on your own and starting a business are sensible. As you know, I tried my hand at starting a business in Penzance and then Cathures, but unfortunately, those ventures didn't amount to much.

Since then, I've been on a journey to find my own way in the world. I left @Gaellicia behind and decided to head to @Gotneska, where I could start anew and make a name for myself without being weighed down by the expectations that came with being part of the Connachta family. Right now I am working as a consultant for the upcoming television series Outdoor Man. I believe they chose me for this role because of the knowledge I gained from growing up in an army family.

Then again, I still see the appeal of joining the Orinese Navy, because of everything that Déo taught me about the sea when I lived with him in Beaumaris. My time spent with Deó has instilled in me a love for the sea and a thirst for adventure. I remember the summer we went out on his fishing boat, the Bee Yew Tea, and how I was so at ease on the moving deck. It was a side of me I hadn't discovered before.

I hope that you, our parents and sisters Ailia, Ava, and Sophie are doing well. It would be wonderful to hear about your life and catch up on all that's been going on. Please write back soon and let me know how you're doing.

Wishing you all the best,

Mario