Letters to My Brother

[Orioni]

Starring, in order of appearance:

Robert "Roy" Hamish Connachta, the future monarch Bricius IV of Gaellicia

Mario Ramius, the future Grand Admiral of the Fleet of the Imperial Orinese Navy

Deó Connacthe, the brothers' grandfather

Hensei "Henny" Nabérrie, the future monarch of Orioni

Toren Nabérrie, the illegitimate son of Mario and Henny

⁂

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 Deó 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

[Orioni]

Thursday, 15 February 1979

Dear Roy,

I hope this letter finds you and the rest of the family in good health. It has been a while since we last corresponded, and I have much news to share with you.

Firstly, my work with Outdoor Man has come to an end. It was a great experience, but I feel that it is time for me to move on to new adventures. And that's exactly what has happened. During my time on the show, I met an Orinese foreign exchange student named Henny. We hit it off, and before long we started dating.

I won't go into the details of our relationship, but I will say that Henny and I became very close. Unfortunately, shortly after she returned to Orioni, I discovered something that shocked me to my core. What Henny didn't tell me about herself, is that her full name is actually Hensei Nabérrie, daughter of Empress Owa, and the crown princess of her country. I suppose I should have seen this coming, Roy. With my good ol' @Gaellician luck, of course, I would fall in love with a princess.

I know that you are probably thinking that I'm crazy, but it's all true. Henny kept her real identity a secret from me. And it was only after she left, that I was able to discover the truth. As you can imagine, this news has thrown my life into a state of chaos.

Yesterday, I received a letter from Henny. On Valentine's Day, of all days, so I was pretty ecstatic. In her letter, she tells me that she is pregnant. It was unexpected, to say the least, but I am happy at the thought of becoming a father. However, I don't know if Henny plans to keep the baby, and it's difficult for me to be so far away during this time. I hope that I can be there to support her, no matter what decision she makes. I don't know what the future holds for me and Henny, but I do know that I plan to follow her to Orioni. I can't bear the thought of being separated from her, especially if she is carrying my child. While I don't know if she plans to keep the baby, I can't help but feel a sense of responsibility.

This news will most likely come as a shock to you and the rest of the family, but I hope that you can understand my position. I am still trying to come to terms with it all myself. I will keep you updated as things progress.

Please give my love to our parents and sisters, and know that I am thinking of you all.

Yours truly,

Mario

⁂

(OOC. This plot point was agreed upon between myself and @Gaellicia. Existing lore on IIWiki mentions that Mario Ramius is rumoured to be the father of Toren Nabérrie. To be fair, there is a striking resemblance between Toren and the Connachta brothers.)

[Orioni]

Wednesday, 26 December 1979

Dear Roy,

I hope this letter finds you well. It has been some time since we last corresponded, and I have much news to share with you. I apologize for not writing sooner, but life has taken some unexpected turns for me.

Firstly, I wanted to let you know that I have entered military service in the Imperial Orinese Navy. I am now a commissioned officer in training, starting my journey as an ensign. It has been both challenging and fulfilling, and I feel that I am finally finding my place in the wurld.

More important though, as you will remember from my last letter: Henny has given birth to a healthy baby boy! My son, Toren Nabérrie, was born on October 29th. On a Monday no less, the day that symbolises of goodness and integrity. Can you believe it? The luck of the @Gaellicians.

It really pains me to admit that I wasn't allowed to be present at the birth. Only a week later, I received a secret letter from Henny, telling me of Toren's arrival. It was a bittersweet moment for me, as I yearned to be there for the most significant event in both our lives.

Henny called me yesterday, on Christmas morning. She managed to get away from palace protocol long enough to talk to me over the telephone. It was a precious moment to hear her voice, and to know that our son is healthy and well.

Despite my strong desire to be with her and Toren, she has very made it clear to me that the palace protocol would never allow it. Her mother will not allow it. As we are not married, our child is considered illegitimate in the eyes of tradition, which only complicates matters further.

Roy, becoming a father has brought about a whirlwind of emotions and responsibilities. I am determined to be a presence in Toren's life, despite the challenges that lie ahead. My love for him and Henny remains steadfast, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to be a part of their lives.

I wanted to share this amazing news with you, as you are my brother and I value your support and understanding. Like it or not, but you're also an uncle now. What will mother say when she hears she has a grandson? And Deó will be over the moon! I know that this revelation may come as a shock to you and the rest of the family, but I hope that you can find it in your heart to support me in this new chapter of my life.

As we approach the end of the year, I want to wish you and the rest of the family a merry Christmas and a happy upcoming New Year in 1980. Despite the challenges and uncertainties that life has thrown my way, I am grateful for the love and support of my family. Your acceptance mean the world to me, and I am truly blessed to have you, our parents and sisters in my life.

Please take care, and I hope that the new year brings joy, prosperity, and happiness to each one of you.

Yours truly,

Mario